Wednesday 19 February 2020

Wednesday Chit Chat . . .


Early in December I placed four hyacinth bulbs into a bowl of soil and popped them into the dark cupboard which lies beneath our stairs.  I had been feeding them occasionally with a bit of water, but I'm afraid that during the whole of the last few months they have been completely . . . entirely . . . totally . . . forgotten and neglected.  There has been so much going on, I suppose its only natural that I would forget. 

Yesterday I remembered that they were there and I popped my head into the cupboard to see how they were doing, expecting fully to see that they would be sitting there dry and lifeless.  I was so amazed . . . the impossible had happened, and there in the bowl the soil had been pierced by three green tips and shoots. 



Spring bulbs always look so dry and unpromising when you put them into the soil.   It's difficult to imagine them bursting out into a blaze of coloured blooms.   I am always  amazed when that happens, and when it happens despite my neglect, it is even more amazing and surprising.  A holy mystery . . . a bit of a miracle . . .


I placed the bowl on our dining room windowsill this morning and my heart was filled with the holiness of this miracle . . .  and yes . . .  gratitude for my Heavenly Father who, even when I fall asleep at the wheel, remains steadfast and true despite my neglect.



 Miracles inspire reverence don't you think?

Sometimes I think I am a little bit like a dusty dry bulb . . . looking and feeling  forlorn and without promise, and yet . . . the miracle is that He still makes something of me and helps me to be all that I can be, despite my own neglect from time to time.    I love the thought that I am a Holy miracle.

“Your Father in heaven knows your name 
and knows your circumstance. 
He hears your prayers. 
He knows your hopes and dreams, 
including your fears and frustrations. 
And He knows what you can become 
 through faith in Him.” 
~Jeffrey R Holland 


The weather lately here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe has been seriously horrible. We have had so much rain that much of the country is under water.  In the Winter one does get tired of the rain, much the same as you might get tired with the snow in North America.  It can really get you down and then a beautifully wrapped package falls through the letterbox.  Elaine had said she had sent me a small package a few weeks back.  I was so excited to get it, but it was so beautifully wrapped that I almost didn't want to unwrap it.  She is an expert at gift wrapping.  Just look at how beautiful that is. Such attention to detail.  I just had to sit and look at it for a few minutes, it was so very lovely. I wish I had that talent . . . 




The card first  . . .  there was a lovely letter inside. I do so love getting mail.  It can really cheer up a gloomy day. 



And then inside.  I think that Elaine and I met through Susan Branch. Kindred spirits and all that.  This ittle book put a huge smile on my face and a dimple in my cheek.  Thank you so much Elaine. I know you had wanted it to arrive prior to Valentine's Day, but God's timing is perfect and it arrived just when it needed to!   



That got me to thinking about how I met some of my invisible friends through the years.  I met Elaine via Susan Branch.  I think she probably followed a comment I had left on Susan's page back here. 


I think I met Monique via the Tuesday's with Dorie baking group.  Each week we baked one of Dorie's recipes from her cookbook, and then we would all visit each other's pages to see how we had done. Some people just click from the start and here we are all these years later still corresponding.


Pam, I met on the old Aol Journals, and then we kept following each other on here when they finished.  I don't know what is up with commenting.  I read her every day (as she posts every day) and yet for some reason on the iPad I am unable to comment.  I haven't been able to figure it out yet. 

There was quite a few of us who migrated to Blogger from the old AOL Journals when they shut them down,  Sybil, Angie, Pam and a few others.  There are only a very few of us that are still blogging.  I continue to blog because I get a great joy from it.  It helps to keep my mind active and I love the people I meet via this.  I have met and made the nicest friends online.  



I had to share this image. I love it so.  I love anything Vintage.  Mitzie is feeling a lot better.  I get really upset when she is not feeling well.  We had her to the Vets on Monday as she had developed a rather large lump on her chest near her left leg.  I could cup it in my hand.  I feared the worst, breast cancer, etc.  But the Vet did an aspiration and says it is only a fat lump and quite common in dogs.  But if it gets much larger and starts to hamper her walking we can have it removed, otherwise just leave it.  I think the upset from the aspiration, etc. made her feel a bit out of sorts.  In any case she seems perfectly normal now, whew! 

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 


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

 *
When the right person hugs you
its like medicine.
I am so grateful for those
people in my life 
who are good for my soul.
~Steve Maraboli •。★★ 。* 。 



There is no new recipe in The English Kitchen today but they have published another one of my recipes on The Home Chef World page for White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a Raspberry Coulis Sauce.  Oh boy this was very naughty. I sent most of it over to my next door neighbour.  She has a strapping 19 year old son and her nieces are often there.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.  Don't forget! 


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═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 


And I do too!  




9 comments:

  1. So glad the dear doggie is better!! So worrisome when they fall ill..they can't tell us where it hurts!! I love the Psalms...all of them...so much comfort to be found in those pages. During some of the hardest times of my life, I nearly wore out the pages, reading while my tears dropped below!!
    Elizabeth xoxo

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    1. I always hate it when she is ill Elizabeth. She truly is our baby. I love the Psalms and Proverbs. There is so much wisdom and comfort to be found in them! Love and hugs to you and your husband. xoxo

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  2. Hi, Marie! Lovely with the flowers... Bulb flower sare so beautiful! I miss having some indoors. With TJ's allergies, can't do that... They gotta stay outside... haha! What a sweet gift from your friend Elaine!! I like Susan Branch's art... such sweet stuff! It's art that makes your cares feel lighter in this world/life which can be tough sometimes... Thanks for sharing the fun! ((LOVE & BIG HUGS))

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    1. Allergies are the worst Tracy and it seems more and more people have them these days! You are right about Susan's Art. It does make the world seem a nicer place! Love and big huggles back! xoxo

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  3. Love the Love book..I am lucky to have received one as a gift also:)
    Not this year..
    such a pretty package:)
    Sweet sweet sweet.
    I didn't do Tuesdays w/ Dorie..Thinking cap on..
    Would like to remember also:)

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    1. Did you do the Daring Baker's Monique??? If not perhaps you had commented on one of those pages and I followed your comment back to your blog and fell in love with what I found! That is the most likely answer! WE are getting rain and rain and more rain yet again today. I reckon those in the flooded areas are getting really fed up! xoxo

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  4. God's timing is always perfect. So glad we met years ago and still continue to be friends.

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  5. Hi Marie, I'm so happy Mitzie is better. You must be so relieved. It was fun to see my package featured in your post. I do enjoy wrapping gifts. I once did a presentation about Christmas gift wrapping at our library. We had 17 participants, served shortbread cookies and hot apple cider and each person came away with a little package of homemade gift tags. It was really fun but a lot of preparation and I was so nervous. You're right, it was through Susan Branch's blog that we met. I was reading comments and noticed you had a blog and the rest is history. I'm off tonight to our antique collectors club meeting so best go and get ready. Thankfully the weather has improved. Hugs, Elaine

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    1. You are such a beautiful wrapper Elaine! I would have loved to be at your presentation! It sounds like it was a whole lot of fun! I was pretty sure we had met through Susan Branch. All kindred spirits! Oh, I hope you have had a lovely time at your Antique Collectors Club! My ex and I used to collect antique furniture and refinish it. It was a log of fun. Happy the weather has improved! xoxo

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