Tuesday 30 June 2020

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

FOR TODAY, June 30th, 2020



Outside my window ...
It looks like another rainy day is in the offing. The skies are grey and dismal and its cold. June has made up for the brilliance of April and May with really horrible weather.  Just as well however, as sunny days brings out an appalling number of people disrespecting the fact that we are still in the middle of a Pandemic. 


I am thinking ...
How can this be the end of June? Tomorrow we will be officially into the latter part of the year.  2020 is destined to go down as the year that never was.  The year we all spent tucked away for our own safety. (Not that I am complaining because I would really rather be safe than dead!)



I am thankful for ...
I have a wonderfully comfortable life.  Dry bed, roof over my head. Food in my belly. Clean clothing to wear. Clean water to drink. etc. That puts me into the top percentage of the world which is considered to be the wealthiest. 


In the kitchen ...



BBQ Bacon Patty Melt.  Not new, but I ran out of time yesterday.  Its all we can do to each eat a half of one of these.  They are incredibly delicious but rather filling!

 
On my "To Cook" list ...  


Just a Smidgen.  The Best Zucchini Relish.  Oh how I miss my preserving days  . . .   


Good to Know ...   





Ive always wanted to know how to use chopsticks.  




I am creating ...   




   




No source, but I love this vintage paper styled Christmas Garland.  




Annie Spratt.  50 free to use vintage card images.


    



Creative Breathing.  Peppermint Shadowbox.  Love this.  


  

Natalie Loves.  DIY Glitter Houses.  






Marshmallow Creations. How to make Tulle  & Nylon Net Christmas Trees.  Not free, but not expensive.  Complete PDF tutorial. 



I am reading ...  


 



Vanishing Acts, by Jodi Picoult  
Andrew Hopkins lovingly raised his daughter Delia on his own, allowing her to believe that they lost Delia's mother in a car accident twenty-seven years ago.

But as Delia is preparing herself for the next chapter in her life, a policeman knocks on the door and reveals a terrible secret: that Andrew kidnapped his four-year-old daughter and led Delia's mother to believe she was dead.

As he sits behind bars, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that Andrew is guilty. But does that mean that what he did wasn't right?  

Dreaming about ... 
 


pretty cardigans  . . . . 


  
(source


Daisies at the beach  . . . 





Embroidered aprons  . . . 


  



Sandy paths  . . . 



Buckets of berries  . . . 


Something to watch ...  

  

Summer in February on Netflix  . . .  a romance based on a true story  . . .  is kind of sad though so be warned  . . .



Makes me smile ...  


Cats wearing spectacles  . . . 


Corners of my kingdom ...  

  


Now summer is in flower and natures hum Is never silent round her sultry bloom Insects as small as dust are never done Wi’ glittering dance and reeling in the sun And green wood fly and blossom haunting bee Are never weary of their melody Round field hedge now flowers in full glory twine Large bindweed bells wild hop and streakd woodbine That lift athirst their slender throated flowers Agape for dew falls and for honey showers These round each bush in sweet disorder run And spread their wild hues to the sultry sun.” - John Clare- 'June'.  


Cottage garden in the village of Wilmcote- Warwickshire, England. 



A thought to carry with you  ... 

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

 *
Don't take criticism from 
people you would never go to 
for advice.•。★★ 。* 。 



And that's my daybook for this week!



  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆

  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 

 


✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░  





Have a beautiful day! Be safe and don't forget!   
 
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And I do too!     
    


Monday 29 June 2020

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard   

 

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life.   It's the small things in life which truly mean the most.  Simple abundance . . . it's the best.   


The way the things you need to see, hear, read pop up at just the right time to encourage you. There is no such thing as co-incidence. 
  


 


Family. It truly is everything. I really love mine.  


The many kindnesses of others.  Over the past week or so I have gotten two lovely gifts in the post.  On the right is a pot holder my friend Diana picked up for me when she was last in Italy.  It was a real surprise and cheered my heart. On the left masks made for us by my friend Susan.   
The fact that two people I have never even blessed 
to meet in person could be so kind to me
cheers my heart to no end.
Thank you! 💖 

  

 Give me the splendid, silent sun 
with all his beams full-dazzling. 
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass 

 So grateful for the sunny weather we have had over these many months of lockdown.  They have made it a lot easier to remain positive.  It is back to wind and cold now, but summer is only beginning. 



Strong roots make for a person who can withstand the storms of life, even when it feels as if they are on their own. Our parents imparted their very best to each of us. We have strong roots, roots strong enough to withstand the winds and storms of life.  



The ability to feed my mind with good things.  Good books that uplift and inspire.  Likewise television and films.  What you choose to bring into your mind is who you become, and it really is a choice we make. I like to feed my mind and spirit with things that uplift and that inspire. 


  

 Daisies. They are a reminder to me that it is the simple things in life which often are the most beautiful and meaningful.  Daisies  . . .  such a simple flower, but each one perfect and beautiful in its own right. 


Knowing this to be true.  You can't outgive a giver  . . . 


  

Not sure why, but this made me think of my sister. We've been through a lot together and apart, but mostly together.  So grateful for a sister. (and a brother too!)




Faith and hope. I don't know where I would be without those two things . . .  




The ability to take things that don't match or seem to go together and somehow create something which works and is beautiful in its own right. 

  

Those two oldest sons of mine.  They are always there for me in their own unique ways.  I spent some time talking with Anthony on Saturday and that was good and then yesterday Doug facetimed me and we got to spend some time together.  He always makes sure I get to talk to each boy and his wife. She was making marmalade. It took me back to those hot and steamy days in the kitchen on hot summer days when I would be preserving some of the taste of summer for the coming winter months ahead. 




Patterns of light  . . . this was a series of videos done by David A Bednar.  In them he talks about the Light of Christ, the ability to discern divine light from other lights, and how to recognise revelation. I am grateful for the patterns of light in my life.  I may not always see them, and I may have difficulty finding light at times, but I have a reassurance in my heart that they are always there and sometimes that is enough. 

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

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

 *
The life in front of you is
far more important than
the life behind you.
~Joel Osteen•。★★ 。* 。 



In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Pizza Muffins.  I small batched these delicious muffins. Ready to enjoy on their own, or with a salad or soup for a nice light lunch. 

I hope your week ahead is filled with an abundance of small and wonderful things.  Don't forget  . . . 

 
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And I do too!