Sunday 22 April 2018

Sunday morning this and that . . .


About midway through the day yesterday, I started to feel a bit blue, you know . . . same old same old, family stuff  . . .  and then this happened.  Within five minutes of me starting down that old destructive way of thinking,  this happened . . . 

"Hey Mom! Just want you to know I love you!"

This message came through on my iPad from my oldest son.  Talk about a Divine Signature.  Just at the moment I really needed to hear something like that from one of my kids, my Heavenly Father had prompted my son to message me. There is no such thing as co-incidence, only God-incidence.  I firmly believe this to be true. 


That is why I always act on promptings.  If someone's name comes into my mind, I stop what I am doing right away and I say a little prayer, and if it happens again, I will call them, or I will text them, shoot them an e-mail, pop in for a visit if I am nearby, whatever . . .  I might be the answer to someone's prayer, or I might be missing an opportunity for angelic service. We are the Father's hands in many instances . . . 

  

Poor Todd . . .  he went to the Chemist yesterday and was given an anti-histamine to take, a one a day thing. He thought his hives were a bit better, but by last night, no word of exaggeration, he was one giant hive . . .  scarlet, all running into each other, front and back . . . from his neck to his feet. He looked as if he had been dipped in scalding water and was terrifically uncomfortable. Itching and burning  . . . . I got him to take a tepid shower and then I rubbed the cream that we were given for him when he had his radiation therapy all over him and I got him one of my cotton nighties to put on. He was a bit not too sure about that, but I told him he would feel a lot better in clothing that wasn't tight to his body or rubbing, so he did put one on and was grateful for it. I told him it was no different than wearing a hospital gown.  In the old days men wore nightshirts.  Just ignore the ribbons and lace.  

We have no idea whatsoever what has caused this.  The only thing out of the ordinary he has been doing is mowing the lawn.  Perhaps it is that which has caused it?  And we have been soaking our feet in Epsom salts nightly.  Perhaps it is that?  We just don't know.  I really hope and pray that when he gets up this morning, they have abated somewhat.  He will be able to take another one of the anti-histamines and we will go from there.   
  

The Queen turned 92 yesterday and there was a special program on the telly to celebrate this most auspicious occasion. All of the amily were there with the exception of Prince Phillip who is recovering from a hip replacement and the Duchess of Cambridge who is due to give birth any day now. We have not actually watched it yet, but it is on my list of things to watch soon.  I love these types of variety programs. Apparently Tom Jones sings on it as well.  I love me some Tom Jones. I think he is fantastic.  I think the Queen is fantastic too, for her age.  Can't wait for the next series of The Crown. Its great!  

I wonder what Katherine is going to have this time, a boy or a girl? 

  

So this will be happening soon.  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle getting married. I can't wait for the wedding, to see her dress, etc.  It will be the event of the year.  Who doesn't love a wedding!! 



I hve my official commemorative tea towel. Produced with Royal Warrant seal of approval by the Ulster Weavers.  Its right there on the tag.  I love it. Of course we will have to have a special meal to celebrate the occasion. Not sure yet what it will be, but I am really looking forward to it!  


Todd's blanket is coming right along.  I am really liking how the colours are shaping up and going together. I think it looks quite masculine.  I might just keep crocheting these blankets to sell, once I am finished Todd's. I really enjoy working on them.  They are mindless handiwork and help to keep my hands busy when I am watching television with Todd in the evenings. We will see. One can only have so many blankets themselves . . . 

  

Our fruit trees are all in bloom . . .  apple, plum, pear  . . . not so many on the apple or the plum, but the pear tree is dripping in blossoms.  We have much to look forward to . . . 


I did a new recipe a few days back for Stuffed Shells, taken from the Pioneer Woman's book, "Dinnertime." It took a ton of ingredients, and a lot of time. 

  

wilting the spinach with onions and garlic  . . . 


this got chopped and then mixed with two kinds of cheese, and an egg for the filling  . . .   


there was a parsley and basil bechamel for pouring over top . . .  after the marninara sauce. (she uses jarred sauce.) 

  

It took ages to make  . . .  ages . . . 


It did look pretty good when I took it out of the oven. It took twice as long too cook as the recipe said.  She said 30 to 35 minutes, but it was more like 55 to 60.  I had very high expectations, but  . . . 

Sadly, it was just blah! 

There was no flavour to it.  The only bit that really had flavour was the marinara sauce, and I could thank Lloyd Grossman for that. I was so disappointed after all of that effort. I really was.  I ended up scraping the filling out of all the shells and just eating them plain with the sauce that clung to them, with a touch of salt and pepper on top.  So disappointed.  I was truly expecting much, much more from it.  I hate it when you waste a lot of time and ingredients making something and then are totally disappointed in the end, don't you? Her photos were so gorgeous. 


It reminds me of a story I read when I was a child, about a little girl who always wanted the biggest and the best of everything.  She was presented with a table full of gifts, all very pretty  and wrapped nicely, but one was very large and wrapped much nicer than the others.  She could choose any gift from the table that she wanted, but only one.  Of course she chose the flashiest and largest gift of all, only to discover that it was an empty box, the real treasure had been in the smallest box which was wrapped in plain brown paper. 


Things are not always what they seem, and we don't always get what we expect to get . . . 

  

I was promised this  . . . 


And ended up with this  . . . 

and with that I will leave you with a thought for today  . . . 

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

 *.˛.
There is no testimony
without the test  . . . 
~unknown   •。★★ 。* 。 


(an old talk by James E Faust that I listened to last night in bed. Its good.) 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Pain Perdu with Clotted Cream & Raspberries.  Delicious!

Have a wonderful sabbath day!  Don't forget!
  
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

And I do too!  







8 comments:

  1. Oh I hate that too..and look at all the promising pictures you took..when we get
    excited about a recipe and hae good ings it is fun to document..and then blah.
    I don't make PW recipes to be honest..Jacques ..just isn't fond of her cooking..show etc..
    I love her line of products:)
    This has happened to me a lot Marie..disappointing recipes..but never yours.I have just discovered Genius Kitchen when I Google..and well..so far so good.
    Love that your son wrote that!!Blanket is gorge! Have all my 8 colors now:)But gardening started yesterday..rough gardening..cleaning up..we finally had sun.Love that cute tea towel.

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    1. Todd doesn’t really like her either. Says she sounds like a duck. In all honesty this is t the first recipe of herself I tried that didn’t work out, but yes she knows how to make things look really good and inviting and I LOVE LOVE her merchandise! She has a real knack for money spinning and more power to her! Can’t wait to see your colours for the blanket and I am so happy you are finally getting some decent weather! Yay! Xoxo

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  2. Hi Marie. Todd sounds like he is having a severe Allergic Reaction to something. I have been there before, if it keeps up He may need to go to the Emergency Room for a Steroid/prednisone script or even an Adrenaline shot to turn it around. I have to carry an emergency Epinephrine Pen myself for such things. Not trying to worry, just concerned. Dale

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    1. We are going to try to get him in to see a Doctor Today Dale. They usually don't want people bothering them with nonsense, but hopefully they will see him. Three days later and it seemed to flare up again last night and it is still hanging on. Thanks for your concern! Much appreciated! xoxo

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  3. Hi Marie~

    I'm so sorry that Todd is not feeling well. I agree with Dale, it sounds like he is having a bad reaction to something in the yard. This time of year is so bad for pollen! I hope he starts feeling better.

    I agree, we all need to listen to those quiet little promptings. Sometimes I listen, but to be quite honest, there are more times than not that I don't pay any attention. I'm so glad that your son listened, and acted! What a beautiful message to get from him.

    Todd's blanket is just beautiful, I really like the colors as well, they go really well together! I love to crochet projects that are easy, but look like they took a lot of work...you should make and sell them, they are so pretty.

    PW has some recipes that look good, but she uses way too much spice for our us, or should I say, Bob. I'm sorry that your recipe didn't turn out well, that's always disappointing. Although it looks delicious! That said, your French toast looks very yummy!! I love all your recipes, and have never made one that I was disappointed with.

    I have been so busy this last week, and I have missed you! The weather has finally improved some, and we have been working outside. Today has been just gorgeous, I even had to open the windows in my Primary class! It's suppose to be really nice most of the week, and even into the 80's by Thursday! We had a nice anniversary on the 19th. We went for a ride, came home and went to dinner, it was so relaxing and fun, I'm all about low-key these days.

    Hope you had a wonderful Sunday sweet friend! Love you tons!

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb

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    1. Thanks Barb! We had a very quiet day yesterday. Todd's hives flared up again last night, but thankfully not as much as the first day. We will be seeing a Doctor today, hopefully. I am glad you had a nice anniversary. We are low key these days also. Hugs and love to you and Bob also! oxox

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  4. I really enjoyed the photo of the clothes hanging on the line. It brings back sweet memories.
    I am so sorry to hear about Todd; that is kind of scary. You did the right things but it will be important to find out why he is breaking out like that. I do hope he was feeling better today.
    I loved your son's message to you and I know it was an answer of love for Heavenly Father too. I love the quote by President Eyring.
    Wow, England must be alive with all the celebrations. I love that the Queen turned 92; awesome! Then a baby and a wedding. There will be a lot of chatter on that even here in the states. I love following it all.
    Sorry that you delicious looking recipe didn't turn out. I do know that feeling.
    Your tree's blossoms look lovely and are will be lovely.
    The blanket you are making is so beautiful. I do think you should make them to sell. This one looks perfect.
    Sending loving thoughts, prayers for you two and lots of hugs!

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    1. Thanks very much LeAnn! You are such a dear friend to visit me like you do and leave such lovely comments. I love you so much. Love, hugs, blessings to you always. xoxo

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