Saturday 23 December 2017

Saturday This and That . . .

 
I had a terrifically busy day yesterday, which thankfully was here at home and not out on the roads.  They (whoever they are) were calling yesterday "Frantic Friday." From 1 pm yesterday afternoon, millions were expected to be hitting the roads for their holiday getaways, with severe traffic jams and long queues to be expected on all of our motor ways . . . our motorways are a nightmare at the best of times, but throw in a holiday and some fog and they are nuts, nuts, NUTS!  
 
 
Decided a long time ago I wasn't going there or doing that!
What a nightmarish way to begin your
Holiday weekend!

NOT FOR ME!  
 
 
I had enough to do here at home.  I knew that today would be a wash out, what with Audrey's Memorial Service and all (I am speaking at it) so I needed to get most of my work done yesterday.  A cleaning and tidy up of the house from top to bottom was in order.  You want everything shipshape before the holidays don't you.  So I cleaned the bathroom, did all the laundry so that the laundry basket was empty and hung it to dry in the spare room.  I baked a few last minute bits and bobs . . .  made some cabbage rolls, did the filling for my Christmas Eve Tortiere and then the pastry . . . and put it together  . . .

 
Ready to enjoy on Christmas Eve!  It smelled so good while 
it was baking. It really did.
 
  
 
I still have my date squares, feather squares and ginger biscuits to bake, plus I had wanted to do a Buche de Noel this year . . .  that may have to go by the wayside because I also have a turkey to cook for Doreen.  Today.  I do one for her every year.  I am thinking I might do it in the slow cooker for her, which will leave the oven free for other things. I can always brown it off in the oven after.  It is only a turkey crown. 
 
I discovered later in the day yesterday that I had somehow scratched my hand somewhere, and so I quickly treated that with some anti-septic and bandaged it.  A friend of mine cut her hand in the garden back in September and ended up in the hospital  with sepsis.  She almost died.  It attacked her heart and she is only just now getting out of the hospital.  Her experience has certainly inspired me to be a lot more careful with scrapes and such, no matter how small they might seem.  You cannot be too careful! 
 
Then I got mail.  Beautiful lovely mail. 
 
 
First a swet package from my Sister and Mum, containing some low dose aspirin (buffered) that I can't get over here. That will keep me going for a while. (Thanks so much sis!)  plus some Penaten Cream, which I also cannot get over here and some lovely tiny bite sized bars of treats I miss from home. All bundled up in a cute sewing tin. I love these kinds of tins. My sister knows.  I used to have quite a collection of them.  I have never seen bite sized kitkats like that!   It all brought a smile to my face . . . 

Then there was another knock on the door.  Todd asked, what did you buy now??? 
He had to sign for it.  Signed for post always makes me nervous.
But that is just me.
 
 
It ended up being a lovely Chatbook remembrance from Lura and John of their visit here last April!  What a lovely book!  We both sat here and enjoyed looking through it and enjoying again the wonderful week we had spent together.  Thank YOU Lura!  You are such a sweetheart and it was such a surprise.  It was wonderful experiencing the week all over again through your words and eyes! 
 
 And then there was another package. 
 
  
 
I had done some work for my friend Gouri from Holy Lama Spice Drops a few years back and every year she sends me a lovely Christmas Card and  pressie. This year it was this gorgeous painted elephant ornie.  Thanks Gouri!  Its so cute! 
 
 But that is not all  . . .  there was one more package.
The prayers of an 8 year old Nova Scotia girl have finally been answered,
and it only took 54 years! 
 
 
Santa came early in the way of a sweet Tammy doll, along with her sister Pepper and some clothes and copies of the inserts that used to be in with the clothes when you bought them, and some patterns to make more of my own!  I was gobsmacked to say the least!  All the way from Newfoundland as well as a beautiful letter that I think I read about fifteen times.  Thank you so much Sandy!  I bet you didn't know you would one day be the answer to a little girl's prayers! Just goes to show you . . .  God hears all our prayers, even the simple ones of a little girl praying for a Tammy Doll!  He takes His own sweet time answering them sometimes.  And sometimes we may not get the answer we wanted to get, or the answer is no, or not now . . .  He always knows best, what is best for us.  As an 8 year old, I might not have appreciated the significance of such a gift, but let me tell you as a 62 year old the meaning was not lost on me, and I will cherish this sweet gift for as long as I live!

Thank you so much Sandy!
I really enjoyed your lovely letter that you wrote along with it.
I think I have read it about six times already!
I cannot wait to make some more clothes for them, and
to show them England.  I might even take them to the 
Cavern and show them where the Beatles got
their start!

 
The icing on my Christmas 2017 cake this year will be finally meeting our dear friend Sybil one day this coming week.  What a sweet treat to end the year on.  We have been corresponding since our old AOL journal days and now to finally meet in person, well, it is a dream come true!  Can't wait!  Pinch me I must be dreaming!  

 And now back down to earth, with a most humbling experience. 
 
 
Yes it has finally come down to this.  Its the only way I can keep them all straight.
I finally had to break down and get one of these.
and it doesn't include the bedtime ones
which I keep upstairs.
 . . . 
 
A thought to carry with you  . . . 
 
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
  You'll find stardust in your story,
and the stuff all precious things are made of,
if you honor it enough. Every crooked
path got you here. You are beautiful.
Own your story. Celebrate it.
~S.C. Lourie      •。★★ 。* 。 
 
 

 
 
BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 25:27-26:11
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How can the Spirit help us to keep pride in check? 
 
My Thoughts - If we are living to have the Spirit with us, we will be aware of our true relationship to God and other people. That each person is of great and equal value to God, that all our talents and blessings come from him, and that we are weak and fallen men who need the Lord's and influence to be good. When you have this perspective, I think it's very difficult to be proud. 
 
Nephi is so troubled to see so many of his descendants destroyed, but he understands that God is just. When we know that God loves us, then we can rely on Him to deal justly and mercifully.  All the destructions come as a consequence of THEIR pride, THEIR foolishness, and that THEY yield and choose works of darkness rather than that of light. Pride is fighting against the spirit. Pride declares of itself, "I know how best to live my life, I know the way to be happy". The law requires of us a "broken heart and a contrite spirit". To submit ourselves to God is putting off the natural man and then we become saints and children of Christ. Heavenly Father knows our potential better than we do, therefore we must trust in Him, and follow the guidance of the still small voice and he will guide us and bless us to paths we never dreamed we could possibly walk.
 
Tomorrow's Reading (Day 65) -  2 Nephi 26:12-30 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How do you recognise the subtle flaxen cords around your neck before they become too strong?
 
 
 
In The English Kitchen today  . . .  a Quick Fruited Tea Cake.  Time to kick your feet up and relax!
 
Have a lovely Saturday.  I hope the roads are not too busy when we need to go out later and go to the Memorial Service.  Wish us luck!  If you have to go out yourself, stay safe and stay calm! Don't forget!
 
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

And I do too!  
 
 
 

 
 


11 comments:

  1. Hi Marie, just a quick catch up today. How lovely getting all those unexpected presents in the post!! I'm pleased you got your jobs done yesterday, it can be so stressful at this time of year when you have jobs hanging over you. Ridiculous really just for one day, but we're not going to change now!

    How lovely for you to meet Sybil after all these years, a great way to start 2018!!

    We've had a manic week in London and we were dreading driving home yesterday on Frantic Friday, but all was well. Now I've got my food shopping to do today and a clean up of the flat. My daughter and her fiance are arriving tomorrow and staying till Boxing Day.

    Hope Audreys memorial service goes well, lot's of love xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks and sounds like it's going to be a very Merry Christmas at your house. How wonderful you'll be getting together with Sybil. What a treat !

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Kate! I wish for you a very Merry Christmas! Have a lovely time with your daughter and future son in law! Have a Holly Jolly Holiday! Be blessed! Xoxo

    Thanks Pam! I am thrilled to be finally meeting Sybil in person! Merry Christmas! Xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I remember Sandy writing about Tammy..
    Ohmygosh you must have felt 7 years old.
    What a gracious gift from the heart..it's hard to part with treasures such as these..Wonderful to share Sandy!!
    Fu things from home!!!No Penaten?
    Funny how some countries have certain things❤️
    Lovely Sis!
    And Sybill has been such a true blue to you!!
    Yay!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi!

    What a wonderful, busy week you have had! But it sounds like you are on the ball with your baking and planning...I can just imagine how wonderful it must have smelled!

    I'm so excited that you are finally meeting, Sybil! How exciting is that?!

    What wonderful gifts, Marie! A Tammy doll, and her sister, Pepper! They were always the coveted ones! So glad you finally got them, and bless Sandy, she must be an angel.

    Merry Christmas sweet friend, have a wonderful day, and know that you are loved!!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was seriously a child once more Monique! Seriously. Such a treasure for her to part with and for me. I am blessed! Love and hugs! xoxo

    Oh Barb, it smelled so nice, and yesterday I cooked a turkey for our elderly friend Doreen and it smelled even nicer, except I didn't have the turkey to taste, lol. Tomorrow I will though! So happy to be finally meeting Sybil! Merry Christmas with plenty of love and hugs! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. It doesn't matter where we are at this time of year there is craziness on the roads and in the stores. We are in Hawaii and it is nuts here too.
    I simply loved this delightful post of your Christmas preparations and your lovely gifts from your mom, sister and friends. What some really thoughtful gifts and I am happy that you are feeling their deep love for you.
    Blessings and hugs for you dear friend but most of all loving Christmas thoughts are being sent your way! Have a really lovely Christmas Eve and joy filled Christmas day

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yay you got some nice presents!

    I'm so happy your going to meet your friend Sybil. I hope you have a wonderful visit with her!

    I don't blame you for staying home. I drove home when it just started with the freezing rain last night! I put the car in low gear and crept all the way home! Lol. Then I had to shovel my walk way and driveway! Then the car got stuck from the glare ice in the driveway! It took me about half an hour to get the car in the driveway without the back end sticking out in the road. It was almost midnight when I went in my house!
    When I woke up we still had freezing rain, so I stayed home safe and sound,instead of going to a party.

    I haven't had a tortiere pie in years Marie! I think my Dad would love it too.

    Big hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks LeAnn! I hope you and Roger are having a lovely time in Hawaii!, I am sure you are! Xoxo

    ThNks Jan! You’ll have to bake one for your dad.!,! Merry Christmas!,

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey,
    I wish a joyous New Year!
    About the Tammy Doll. :) I had one when I was a child. It was given to me when I was around 4 or 5 years old. It was already gently played with, and it came with many clothes and accessories. Because of how young I was, I didn't appreciate it, and eventually, it got lost somewhere. I think we lost it when our apartment caught fire. I'm not sure really. I just found another one on eBay. I'm in my 50s, and I know how you feel about things we miss from our childhood or asked for in our childhood that never seem to happen. I'd asked for a Thumbelina doll for Christmas one year, but never got one. We just found one right before Christmas this year. My beloved found her. :)

    CeisdSgil

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy New Year CeisdSgil! I am so pleased that you beloved was able to find you a Thumbelina doll! He must really love you a lot! I hope you have many years of enjoying her! xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!