Thursday 11 January 2018

My Favourite things . . .

 

A few of the things I really love in life, maybe some of them are yours also. Lets share together!  

I love LOVE music, but
did you know I have favourite kinds?
 


Big Band Music.  The music of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw.  I could listen to it for hours.  I also love, LOVE it when our modern stars sing music from that era as well.  I have all of Rod Stewart's American Song Book Albums.  I could listen to them for hours also.   Its just beautiful music, but no surprise there because I also love


The music of Michael Buble.  I had his song playing on here for a long time before I took music off the page. I have all of his albums and when I am painting, I love to listen to them. They make my  heart smile.   


Making Dolls

I have always loved making dolls and teddy bears.  I have not made one in quite a while now.

  

A few years back I was making all sorts of dolls, mostly my take on Raggedy Dolls (because she is my all-time favourite doll you  know).  I sold every one that I made and I did a lot of commissions as well. I don't have one myself, and I have never made one for Maryn. I think this year I need to change that. Although I have made plenty of other Dolls for Maryn. 


This was one of the first ones I made, and I did a kitty one, and a bunny one and a little girl one.  I have never seen her with any of them, which I find rather odd, but not surprising. 

  

Baked ham.  I always really liked Spiral Hams, but we don't get those over here.  I could eat it cold, in a sandwich, fryed for breakfast with eggs, roasted with potatoes.  I just love Baked Ham. 


  

Paper Valentine Cards.  I used to love getting my Valentines Day Cards ready for my class when I was a child. My mother would buy us each a book of Valentines cards that we had to cut out and then make the envelopes for, glue little valentine stamps on, etc.  I loved every aspect of the process.  I don't know if you can still buy those books of valentines or not anymore.  They were just wonderful! 


Orange kittens and cats.  When I first moved over here to the UK, we had an orange kitten named Dandy.  He was so sweet.  Todd already had two cats when we got married, but one died. When Tiggie died we got Dandy.  We ended up having to give them away because we were living in a Maisonette flat and one of our neighbors complained they were always going into her garden.  You can't keep a cat out of someone's garden, so to save the peace, we gave the cats away.  I often think about them. My mom has an orange cat now called Pumpkin, and she had another one for many years called Ginger.  I think the love of Orange cats runs in the family. 

  

Apple Pie.  My mother's apple pie.  I think everyone loves their mother's apple pie.  Todd often talks about the lovely apple pies his mother used to make.  I should make him one . . . soon.  Pie is dangerous for me to have around because I love pie full stop and can't leave it alone.  Its a pastry thing. If it is between two crusts, I am in love with it. I guess I am just crazy for crust. 


Pretty ceramic bowls.  I just love them. I could look at them for hours.  Any pattern.  Any size. I think food just tastes better in a pretty bowl. 

  

Susan Branch Mugs. I love them.  I love everything she does, so no surprise there.  This is the one I do have.  Nobody is allowed to use it, lol.  I have her winter mug on my wish list . . . 


They haven't gotten it in the British Shop yet.  I keep checking.  Oh, and her England mug that she is designing looks beautiful too.   I just think she is so very talented. But, having said that, I think the world is full to overflowing with talented people. Most never get discovered.


Sandwiches. I adore sandwiches.  I am like my Aunt Freda in that way.  She loved Sandwiches also. I could eat a sandwich for every meal, but I don't.  I am not sure, but I don't have sandwiches very often. I should make them more frequently, but then again, they would get in my mouth and I have enough problem with things getting in my mouth. 

  

This book.  I bought it last November and have been studying it.  I have never actually taken painting classes so I have never learned how to do watercolors properly, or studied the art of water coloring.  I have assembled all of the things I need now, including brushes, proper paints, paper, etc. Now I am going to begin in earnest trying to learn the right way to do it. 

I love learning new things and I have learned a lot
of new things in just studying this book.
I can't wait to learn by
doing.


When I used to drink tea, this was my favourite kind of tea.  I love, Love, LOVED it. I wish they made a version for Mormons.  I kinda miss it.  It smelled heavenly and I think a part of loving something is loving the way it smells. It was orangy and cinnamony and just like a big hug. 


Real corned beef.  I have not had it in forever.  You can't really buy it over here.  Over here you get tinned corned beef. My sister sent me some salt petre to make my own and I did it once.  I need to do it again.  You know that scene in Meet Me In St Louis where they are having Corned Beef and Cabbage for supper.  Gets me every time.  I love real corned beef.  I need to go buy a brisket I think, and start corning it.  Oh, and Pickled Pork.  I love that too. With Sauerkraut. 


I have always loved the Flip hair style.  I have never had hair that would co-operate with it. My hair has too much texture, too many waves. It's never lay smooth. Maybe in heaven I will get smooth hair that does what I want it to.

  

Pretty teacups, especially when accompanied with pretty tea cloths.  I think I need a tea party.  I did one for Todd and myself for dinner a few years back.  I think another one is long overdue, or an indoor picnic.  What do you think? 


The sound of my mother's voice.  It has never changed.  It might not be as strong as it used to be, but it is still my mother's voice.  I love it.

And those are my favourite things for this week. What are some of yours?

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
You can't calm the storm,
so stop trying.
What you can do is calm yourself.
The storm will pass.
~Unknown   •。★★ 。* 。


  

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's reading - 2 Nephi 33:1-15 
Question - What stands out to you from Nephi's final testimony? What blessings have you seen come into your life when you have acted out of obedience and faith? 

My thoughts - "the lord commanded me and I must obey'. These final words define Nephi perfectly, this is who he was. This is the pattern he followed and I'm striving for the same. I love this whole chapter. One thing that stood out to me - "The words which I have written in weakness WILL be made strong unto them;" Nephi was certain of this. This sure knowledge at the end of his days came from a lifetime of continual obedience to the lord. Of putting his confidence in Him not man. Of acting despite his weaknesses and then seeing *every time* this promise of weak being made strong being fulfilled, blessing his own life & the lives of others. 
 
It was several conferences ago that President Monson asked us to all read the Book of Mormon every day and promised that we would be blessed for doing so. I have read the Book of Mormon every day since and I can testify that I feel closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than I ever have.  Feeling close to them, a deepening of their presence in my life has helped me to feel a peace and a calm that I don't think I would have ever felt any other way. I know my life is better when I open my heart to the things they want me to know, and when I walk hand in hand with them. 
 
 I testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better.  

This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith. 

No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest.
~President Dieter F Uchtdorf, A Yearning for Home.

I know this to be true.   

Tomorrow's Reading (Day 75) - Jacob 1:1-19 
Question - Why does it seem societies often fall as a whole? Why is it never just a few people?


 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Grilled Steak with a Whiskey Sauce.  This is fabulous.

Have a wonderful Thursday.  Don't forget along the way of your day . . . 

 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

And I do too!!  

 

 




 

 

8 comments:

  1. You are making me so hungry looking at all this yummy food Marie!

    I need to go to sleep earlier bc for the next 3 days it's going to be in the 50's! Yay! Can you believe it!😀

    I need to try some kind of tea, so I can sleep better. I tried a few but I didn't like them. Do you know the name of tea that taste like cinnamon and orange?

    I think everything you do is so great! You are sooo talented!!!

    I love music too! I love music in the 70's,80's,90's. I have alot of CD's that I listen to. I love rock music mostly and some songs on the radio. I don't like country music though. Lol. I have so many favorites, like Journey, Billy Joel, Super Tramp,Carly Simon, Nickelback, just a few that comes to mind.

    I liked your bowl you had with the gray polka dot plate too. That set is pretty.

    Whoa! I almost lost everything I just texted you,this stupid phone. Lol.

    Love and big hugs!xo

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  2. It is called Constant Comment Tea Jan, by Bigelow Teas. I checked the price of decaf over here and at over £60 for 20 bags it was outrageously out of my price range, lol. I love country music, but the older stuff, not so much of the newer stuff. That bowl with the polka dot plate is Greengate. I only have two and they are treasured. Love and hugs! xoxo

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  3. Such a sweet post:) All adorbs..having your mom on the phone the most adorb:)
    Black tea is not my fave for some reason..are you allowed teas such as David's fruity teas etc?

    I think I would miss my green tea..my hazelnut coffee..my tisanes and red wine lol..

    You are amazing in your devotion.
    I love all of Susan's creations too..
    and your RA dolls are so uniquely you!
    I only made1 pair..for my daughter as a riend had made a set for our first daughter..it was fun..loved adding the hair..

    don't feel like making them anymore..if I had a girl..yes;)
    Have a great day you talented girl!

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  4. I do love ham and also sandwiches. I have them for a meal more than not. There are so many things to do with ham the possibilities ae endless. You have made me hungry too with all this good food in your post today. Must be time to make myself a late breakfast/early lunch - brunch!

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  5. Thanks Monique! I do drink herbal teas. I like the fruity ones most of all with a bit of honey. I need to make Maryn a RA this year I think. Well see how it goes. Xoxo

    I think I am going to have a sandwich for my supper Pam! Xoxo

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  6. Bigelow has a delicious Orange & Spice herbal tea. If that's too expensive or not available in Britain, maybe some other brand has an orange and spice flavored herbal?

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  7. Hi Marie!

    Well, it's no surprise that I love music too!! I love big band, and I watch Lawrence Welk every Saturday night...I know, it's old fashioned, but I have so many good memories of watching that show as a girl. Bob used to tell the kids that if they didn't do their chores, they would have to watch it with me. My oldest daughter fessed up and told me not long ago that she actually liked it! We get it on PBS here, and I love it!

    I'm with you, I could listen to those old standards all the time...in fact I do. I rarely listen to new music, always old. Love, love, Michael Buble!!

    I don't think I have ever made a doll. That first one you made Maryn is adorable!!

    We are ham eaters at our house. I order a special kind of Ham from a place called, Saycon. They have specials every month where you can buy, ham, chicken, beef, bacon and shrimp. The ham comes in 6 to a box at 5 lbs each and they are so scrumptious! They are apple-wood smoked and they really have the best flavor. We gave each one of our kids one for Christmas, and they all loved them.

    I will have to post about my old Valentines that were my father's when he was a little boy. I think I've done one post on them. My dad kept everything like new, so they are almost pristine! This is the link to that post, http://sweetheartsinlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/please-be-mine.html.

    Orange kittens are the best! They always seem to be a little squishier and sweeter than most cats.

    Ahhhh, apple pie! My grandmother used to make apple pie for breakfast, so my father always ate it with milk or cream on it instead of ice cream. I'm a crust girl too, I always make little cookies with the left over crust when I make a pie!

    My favorite tea is Bengal Spice. It's made by, Celestial Seasonings. It's very spicy and warm and herbal!

    I used to have a friend who wore her hair in a flip, I thought it was so cute. Mine was always too straight, even if I curled it, it would fall out in an hour. I love some of those old hairstyles.

    My mom's voice has never changed either, especially when she say's, "hello", when she answers her phone. She no longer has a phone, and I miss calling her... :0( Your mom is adorable, what a sweet face!

    I just seem to take so much space here! But, I have had many blessings in my life by being obedient. You know, I don't even think we realize how many blessings we get each day, most of them are only known by God. So many tender mercies!

    I hope you are warming up, keep your toes warm!!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb


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  8. Thanks Laura! I will take a look for it! xoxo

    Thanks Barb, I love your long comments. They cheer me up to no end! We don't get Lawrence Welk here, but Todd and I like to watch it on YouTube. It was standard Saturday Night viewing for me when I was growing up! You NEED to post about your father's Valentines! I would love that! I miss good ham. Apple Pie for breakfast sounds like a real treat! You have me salivating as I eat my dry toast, lol. We like the Bengal Spice also. Its almost like dessert! Love and hugs and many thanks for your sweet spirit! xoxo

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