Saturday 31 March 2018

Ahhh . . . Spring . . .


The countryside is now swathed in a flush of green, sweeping and swirling around the woods and hedges like a rising tide...

  

A mounting wave of living green, it rolls around the world . . . new leaves unfurling on twig and branch, the dark bare trees looking a ghostly green, as if their very spirits are seeping out for all to see . . . 

  

Lovely too, the flowering cherry tree . . . abundantly in bloom, like a white sailed galleon upon a restless seas . . . a ship adrift before the wind. Graceful and fair . . . it rides as if on the full green waters of the tides of Spring . . . 


Oh how I do love an English Spring time . . . it is a breath of fresh air, after the cold grey winter. March did come in like a lion, so it did . . . and judging by the rain today, it is going out the same way . . .  

  

If the sun were shining, it would be a great day to hang out the wash, with mischevious winds to whisk off hats and make the laundry crack and snap on the line.  Wild and furious winds to blow smoke down chimneys and push us along in their wake . . . 


 Easily forgiveable . . . for in their footprints the Damson blooms and the daffodils dance. Who will not smile at such a picture. Ahhh . . . spring . . . 


I bought some gluten-free bread yesterday.  Warburtons seeded loaf. It looked just like normal bread, and has a great consistency.  I tried a piece lightly spread with butter, because I thought that is how you should enjoy a slice of bread you are trying for the first time.  BLAH!  It tasted alright, but it left a funny texture/coating/feeling in my mouth that I did not like at all. It was wierd. But it was so expensive, that I now have to eat the darn thing.  I did take my old tablet instead of the new ones I was given to replace it, and thank goodness, I got a much nicer night's sleep and wasn't bothered by unbearable acid reflux/indigestion for the whole evening.  I had a bit, but it was still much much better.  

There is so much information out there about GERD, its mind boggling. So many people seem to suffer from it. I just know I am going to end up having to go and have that scope put down my throat again and I don't want to have it done . . . sigh.  It was horrible. Absolutely horrible. 

Lets talk about something nicer.  Conference!  Yes, this weekend is our bi-annual church conference and I am really looking forward to hearing what our Prophet and leaders have to say to us.  I always get so much out of them. Our friend Peter is coming over to watch it on the television with us along with our friend Wendy. Both are widowed and we thought it would just be nice for them to be able to watch them comfortably in a family type of setting, so we are looking forward to that also.



Ohh, and I tried the most delicious herbal tea yesterday.  Liquorice and Peppermint.  Really, really good. It tastes sweet almost.  Oh, and I am going to try fermenting some carrot sticks and sauerkraut.  We will see how that goes.

A thought to carry with you for today  . . .  


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

 *.˛.
We can’t direct the wind, 
but we can adjust the sails. 
For maximum happiness, 
peace, and contentment, 
we choose a positive attitude.”
~Thomas S. Monson •。★★ 。* 。

Spiritual Enlightenment 

 

In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Farmhouse Cheddar Soup.  Delicious.  

Have a lovely Saturday.  Don't forget . . . 

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and I do too! 

 

Friday 30 March 2018

My Friday Finds . . .

 
 
A few of the things  I find each week that pique my interest, bring me joy, inspire me to learn, create, do, become . . . Maybe they will do the same for you!   
  
 
Lets Knit.  Little Soldier baby blanket.  Free download! Design by Judy Ferguson.

 
Knitted Fair Isle Bangle Bracelets.  From Verity Briton.  Very unsual! 
 
 
Daisy Fields Market Tote from The Lavender Chair.  Free pattern. Dorianna Rivelli on Ravelry.


From Just Pootling.  A Daisy Garland.  Cute for the summer!  I think I would do the centres in yellow and the beads in green. 


Japanese Flower Coasters from Daisy Cottage Designs. A free Pattern.  


I could not find the source for this, but it is fairly self explanatory.  How to paint a daisy.  

  

Granny Stripe Blanket, a way to get rid of your scraps.  A free pattern from Your Crochet

 
White Whiskers Cap from Christine de Savoie on Ravelry. Not free, but so so cute. 
 
 
I love this cable knit cardigan.  I think it is just beautiful.  Free pattern on Craft Passions.  
 
 
 Clothespin Mice.  Something to do with the kids.  From Dzieciaki W Domu.  Its a complete pictorial tutorial, so no worries about a foreign language. 
 
 
Thrifty Home. How to make Name Stones.   Great idea for gifts.  They would make great paper weights. 
 
 
From Empress of Dirt.  Soda Can Garden Charms. DIY.  
 

Stenciled Dish Towels.  Handmade by Charlotte. Cute!  There is also a free printable gift tag.
 
  
 
Reform Stead, The beginners guide to making Kefir.  
 
 
From Garden Therapy. Homemade Evergreen and Herb Mason Jar Candles.  
 
 
Upcycled Cake Tin Light Fixtures. From Adventures of Mel.   
 
 
Clean Mama Net.  How to clean Cast Iron.  
 
 
This Southern Girl.  Crochet Chicken Pot Holder.  Free pattern.  
 
 
Smashed Peas & Carrots. DIY reusable and washable baking dish covers.  
 
Sew Very Crafty.  Picnic patterns, for a carry all, blanket, utelsil holders, etc. All free.  
 
And those are my finds for this week.  I hope you found something useful! 
 
A thought to carry with you . . . 

 
A picture one for today as I am running really late.  I was very late getting up this morning, so not like me.  I find since my GP changed my gastric medication my problem with reflux has gotten a bazillion times worse and it has been keeping me up all night. I think I need to go back to my old tablets.  I am not sure what the problem is.  Its very uncomfortable and I can't sleep.  😪  
 
On the plus side I had a message from my sister to tell me that mom's procedure went well and if all was okay this morning, they could go home.  Thanks for all the prayers! 
 
 
 
In The English Kitchen today  . . . .  Sweet Glazed Easter Bread.  In memory of my Aunt Thelma who always baked us beautiful Easter Breads. 

Have a wonderful Friday!  Its Good Friday so I hope you spare a thought for Jesus and what He went through for us.  In any case, don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too! 
 

Thursday 29 March 2018

My Favourite Things . . .


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These are some of the things in life that I enjoy and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Lets share!  


Vera Mouse by Marjolein Bastin.  I just adore the art of Marjolein anyways, but Vera Mouse is my favourite. Interestingly enough her things are very hard to come by over here.  When I lived in Canada I was able to get her stationary, notecards, etc. I especially loved the notecards. They were a lovely way to just letting someone know you were thinking of them. I used my last one up years ago, and have never been able to find any more, which is odd because she is Dutch and Holland is only across the channel! 

 

Old clay jugs.  My mother used to have a Gingerbeer bottle made of clay. My Uncle Harold had a whole bottle room in his house.  He collected bottles or years and years.  There is something about old clay bottles and jugs that is very unique and pretty.  



Roasted Cashew Nuts.  They are my favourite roasted nut followed by Pistachio nuts.  My parents used to get a tin of mixed nuts every Christmas and the Cashews in them were everyone's favourites. They used to disappear first. I think my mom used to fish them all out when we were not looking! 


Chocolate Coated Almonds. Especially the ones my children used to sell through the fund raisers at school.  Oh I simply adored them. I have not had a chocolate coated almond in years now.  I do so love them! 


Wire Crowns. To me, much more beautiful than a bejeweled crown. There is an air of mystery about them. 


Oh how I love Kites!  I have always wanted to fly one.  You need wide open spaces to do that, and wind, and energy. I could watch them for hours.   


Hot Air Balloons.  I have not seen one in a long time now. When we lived in Kent, most sunny days at the weekend brought hot air balloons floating over our house and the Orchards surrounding where we lived.  I could watch them forever as well.  They seem to be so mystical.  I have never been up in a Hot Air Balloon, but I have always wanted to go on a Hot Air Balloon ride.  Maybe one day.  They are very expensive. Maybe if I win the lottery. 


Carousels/Merry-go-rounds.  I love them.  They are so whimsical and seem to be so safe.  Love the music that plays, etc.  I do get sick on them, however, so I have not been on one very often.  When my oldest son turned 3 I made him a Carousel Birthday Cake.  I was up all night decorating it. It was so much fun and I think he really liked it.  I never made another one because it was a lot of work. I'm not really good at cake decorating. You might think I would be because I can draw, but it takes a different kind of skill to be able to draw with an icing bag. 


Aprons. Any kind, but especially vintage. When I have one on I feel just like June Cleaver or Aunt Bea. 


Red geraniums.  I love them.  I could fill my garden with tubs of red geraniums, and window boxes too.  They just make me smile. 


Holly Hocks.  They are a cottage garden flower.  When I lived in Suffield Alberta, the whole side of our house was planted with pink holly hocks. They were so beautiful. I have never been able to get them to grow here, but I keep trying.  I just think the soil at this house is really poor. 


Cows in the fields . . . the sound of cow bells . . .  the sound of their moo's.  The first house we had here in Blacon backed onto a farmer's fields and they were filled with cows. Occasionally they would get out and we would end up with them at our back gate which wasn't so much fun, but for the most part we really enjoyed them. Todd used to be a cowman, and milked I forget how many cows every morning and evening. Cows are very gentle animals.  


Granny Square Afghans.  They are my favourite out of all the afghans.  There is an instagrammer that I really love. Amanda of Eightbysix.  She does the most beautiful afghans in the loveliest colours.  


 Window shelves and cornices.  I love them.  They are so wholesome looking . . . 

  

Evening in Paris . . .  it seemed to be so sophisticated  . . .


Nivea Cream.  The smell. The feel. I love everything about it.


Tomatoes.   I adore tomatoes.  I really hope that I am able to get my stomach issues under control so that I can eat them again  . . . 


The voice of Sam Elliot. It makes me want to melt.  He just has this amazing voice. 


Jane Austin anything . . .  love it all. 


Cinnamon . . .  anything  . . . 

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

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

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

 *.˛.
There is no better test of a man's
integrity than his behavior when
he is wrong. 
~Marvin Williams •。★★ 。* 。

 
No BOM corner this morning as I am running very late.  Be back with that tomorrow.

 

In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Easy Caesar Chops.  3 simple ingredients. One delicious recipe. 

Have a great Thursday!  Don't forget!
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!