Saturday 31 October 2020

Saturday this and that . . .


Healing comes when we choose to walk away
from darkness and move towards a brighter light.
~Dieter F Uchtdorf 
 
 Happy Halloween. I am afraid it is going to be a disappointing day for many children this year. I used to have nightmares when I was bringing up my children.  I woud dream that all of a sudden it was Halloween and I would have forgotten to buy in any candy. In my dream I would be panicked. What was I going to give out to all the kiddies.  When I think back on it, what was I worried about. Just turn off the lights and pretend you aren't home like a bazillion other folks.  This year I have not gotten any in, but somehow I don't think that is going to be a problem. Maybe I can hand out cans from my food storage if anyone shows up. 

That reminds me of a funny story. My ex and I had just moved to Meaford and we were living with four of our five children on a house on top of the hill in town, right next to the hospital. This was a predominantly elderly neighborhood.It was Halloween and the kids went out trick or treating. They came back with all kinds of wierd things.  Apparently the neighbors there were not used to kids trick or treating.  They were quite happy that the kids had come and had gone out of their way to put treats in their bags. Quite unsual things actually. Cans of soup, sardines, bottles of juice, etc. It was cute and funny at the same time.  
 
The children were not impressed. Not only were these things not the candy bars and dreaded molasses taffies that they were used to, but all of it was heavy.  We gave them each a few dollars and gave them permission to go to the corner shop to get whatever they wanted in the way of treats. Problem solved and a funny story to tell their own children one day in the future.


Oddly enough today is also an anniversary.  Twenty years ago today I took up my official residency in the UK.  I can still remember how excited I was. I was coming over here to begin my happily ever after.  When I checked in my baggage it was overweight but because I was coming over to get married the check in people said, think of it as a wedding gift and let it go through without charging me. I had a 4 litre can of Maple syrup in one hand and my carry on in the other as I got onto that plane . . .  and a heart filled with dreams. Life has a way of surprising you for sure.  I would like to change the wording in the above to say that "One of the hardest things you will ever had to do, my dear is to grieve the loss of a person who never existed in the first place."  First you cry, then your heart breaks, then you get angry and then you cry some more. 

I have had to make the very difficult decision that I will need to find Mitzie a new home and I only have a very few days to do it in. All the quotes for shipping her over to Canada were totally unjustifiable. Its almost criminal. Four times what I am paying for my own ticket.  Then they stop shipping dogs on the 1st of November for six months. I can't get her rabies shot or pet passport until the middle of this month which are two vital things in order for her to travel at all. This would mean that she would be living with another family for at least six months before she came over and would have settled in, been stable only to be upset again.  She's been upset enough these past few months. I can't do that to her. Its not fair. But none of this is fair.

I have to love her enough to give her up. I know in my heart it is the right thing to do. It would not be right for me to put her through all of that stress at the age of 10 1/2. The best thing is to find her a loving home to be in that will take care of her.  She is a very lovable dog.  She will be happy and settle in wherever. Maybe a home with children.  I always felt a bit guilty about having her in a home with two old fogies anyways. It breaks my heart but there it is . . .


I am having to do that with a lot it seems.  But it beats the alternative. I cannot keep looking backwards. I need to look forwards now and just grit my teeth and forge ahead.  I can have a big boo hoo when I am sitting in that motel room. For right now I need to be strong and not let the feelings in my heart break me down, or I will drown. Drowning is not an option. I will have to write a book at the end of all of this. Maybe that could be cathartic. 

In the meantime Eileen has given me a list of all her movie dvd's.  She wants to lend me movies to watch in my motel room.  I thought that was cute. She also wants to cook and bring me food to eat and watch me eat it. I am not sure she really has a budget for that. But the fact that she wants to do it means a lot. Yesterday when we were talking she was wanting to know how to cook a pot roast, so I told her.  In about three and half weeks, I will maybe be able to show her.  Nova Scotia is not on a total lock down at the moment. The virus is doing very well there.  There are measures that you have to follow of course, but at the moment they are not on quite as strict a lock down as they are in the other provinces apparently. We will have to see.

So now, this week I have to really pare down things to only absolutely what I cannot part with.  Things like my big blue binder and mom's letters. Photographs. A few personal things. Everything else will have to go. I think you might call what's going to happen next, "Extreme Marie Kondo."  I should have read the book I guess. I bought it, but never quite got down to reading it. 

This will be a really fresh start. 
 

 
"I" did not cause this. "I" did nothing wrong.  "I" am a good person no matter what anyone says or thinks. Sometimes good people just get in the way of how other people choose to use their agency, and when that happens it knocks you over. Bad things happen to good people all the time. That doesn't mean you have to stay knocked over. Its not so much what happens to you that matters most, but how you handle what happens to you. In the end, if you can hold your head up with dignity and say "I always tried to do the right thing," that is what counts.

Each day I am going to list three things to look foward to. 

  • Being able to walk away from all this crap with a clear conscience.
  • Getting on that plane and never looking back.
  • Getting off that plane and being home. 

A thought to carry with you.   

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

 *
You cannot swim for new horizons until 
you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
~ William Faulkner•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。 
 
I haven't quite cracked the new Pic Monkey.
Talk about a learning curve.


In the English Kitchen today, Smothered Cabbage with Ham.  This is low carb, diabetic friendly and incredibly delicious. It is supposed to be a side dish, but it was enjoyed yesterday as a main meal.  I cooked some sausages for the other person to have with it.  Two more sleeps.

Have a wonderful Saturday no matter what you get up to. I hope you can make Halloween for yourselves in whatever small way that you can. People here are putting up Halloween Tape on their windows and doors, cut out pumpkins in their windows, etc.  I have a friend from Church who has been making a lovely Halloween for her children even though they won't be able to go out.  I will drop a few photos of what I have seen here. 
 

My friend Amy's Halloween Totem Pole


That same friends spooky window. 
 

Another friend made monster cookies with her kids. 


Spooky Brownies

 
More spooky cookies.
 
And that is just a portion of what my young friends with children
are doing with them. I think its all pretty wonderful.
 
Have a great day and don't forget! 
 
 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too! 



Friday 30 October 2020

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, inspire memories . . . maybe they will do the same for you!   

 

 
A DIY face wash. I couldn't find the direct source of this, but it looks quite promising. Mind you, I wash with just Dove soap and water.  That's me in a nutshell. Keep it simple.

 
Yes!  This works. 
 

Pretty Little Sheep on Etsy. Hark the Herald Angel Knitting Pattern. Love this. 


 
This just made me think of my sister and I. We always said we wanted to be old ladies together. 
 
 
Emma Connelly on Ravelry.  A rectangular granny square.  I know a conundrum. A Rectangle cannot be a square. 
 
 
Crochet Object. Strips and Colours Blanket. 
 

Love this  . . . 

 
 
Eats Amazing. Tin Can Mini Christmas Cakes. Cute. 
 
 
 
Made me smile  . . . 

 
Not sure of the source, but these are cute. 
 
 
Inspiration Only.  Granny Square Needlebook.  Love this. 
 
 
Kootutmurat.  Paper Star Curtains. Love these. 
 
 
Lia Griffith. Seriously cute! 
 
 
Abby Glassenberg. Pickle Ornament. 
 

 

Catherine Bonnet from Love Knitting.  Love this. Not free but not expensive, downloadable pdf. I don't really like wearing hats, but this I could handle.   

 

Ravelry.  Advent Garland by Frankie Brown.    

 

Kimberly Chapman. Knitted Christmas Lights.  Cute and what a great scrap buster!   

 

Santa Egg Cup Cosy.  Ravelry, free pattern by Amanda Berry.  You could also do this in a variety of bright colours so you could use them all winter long.  

Simple Garter Stitch Slippers, by  Hanna Levaniemie on Ravelry.  
 
And those are my finds for this week.  This will be my very last Friday Finds Post coming to you here from the UK. Yes, my ticket is booked.  I am flying out of here next Friday.  My accomodation is booked in Nova Scotia for two weeks quarantine. My sister is sorting out transport from the airport I think.  Now all I have to do is sort out the dog and my belongings. I am flying on faith here.  But then again, faith if everything. Without it we don't really have a lot!  I am a bit worried about the dog.  It is going to cost me more to bring her over than me. I may have to make a choice over bringing here or bringing my stuff. No choice, really. I choose her every time.

My accomodation is a one bedroom motel suite in a motel at the end of Eileen's street with wifi and the capacity to at least cook my own meals. I can wave to Eileen through the window each day. I will have my laptop and my iPad.  It will be a somewhat boring two weeks, but at least I will be on Canadian soil and that much closer to being with my family. Family for Christmas. You can't beat that.

A thought to carry with you ... 

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

 *
Worry is a conversation you
have with yourself about things you can't change.
Prayer is a conversation you have 
with God, about things He can change.•。★★ 。* 。

 
In The English Kitchen today, Mary Berry's Lemon Drizzle Cake. You don't get much better than this. You really don't.

I hope that you have a wonderful Friday.  Its raining and windy here.  Blah. Its not nice weather at all.

Don't forget! 

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

And I do too! 



























 


 

Thursday 29 October 2020

My Favourite Things . . .

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These are a few of my favourite things. Maybe some of them are your favourites too. It is a good to take your mind off things that are bringing you down and to dwell on the good more often than not. You can admire without wanting. What can I say, I like to look at pretty things!   

 

(source
 
Anything with bees on it. I especially love this sweet cross-stich bee banner.  Love. It. 
 
(source
 
Ivy Covered Walls  . . .  especially in the autumn . . . 

(source
 
Animal rings  . . .  now that's unusual  . . . 

(source
 
Crazy delicious looking cinnamon buns  . . . 

 
This house.  I need to win the lottery. Go look. I look every day and dream. This would make a great little B&B. The fact that I can still dream at all is a miracle.  I see that as a positive.

(source)  

I love this mug  . . .  

(source

The pumpkin patch  . . . .


Working at the manor cured me from ever wanting to have any copper of my own (soooo much polishing, it was outrageous!) but I can still love how it looks . . . 

(source)  
 
I love a good hat, especially when a dog is wearing it . . . 

(source
 
Pancakes  . . .  with butter and syrup . . . 

(source
 
Hot, fat and crisp chips  . . . 

(source
 
The messy bun  . . .  
 

(source
 
Sweater weather  . . . 

 
Oh my goodness  . . . 

(source
 
Trick or treat  . . . 

(source) 
 
Could it be any sweeter? 
 
 
Yes it could  . . .  our Mitzie at about 9 weeks old. 
 
 
I used to have a mad crush . . . 

(source
 
Sigh  . . .   
 
 
Fuzzy antlers  . . . 

And those are my favourite things for this week  . . .
 

 
I felt ill almost all of yesterday. I think Mitzie and I must have had the same bug.  She is feeling much better this morning and I think I am too. We shall see! Today is a new day.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *.˛
Sometimes all you can do
is to lie in bed and hope that
you fall asleep before
you fall apart.
~William C Hannan•。★★ 。* 。 
 
 
In The English Kitchen today  . . . Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese. Old school and very nice. Plus you can make a really delicious soup from the leftovers.

Have a wonderful Thursday.  Mitzie is having her booster shot and yearly check-up today. I hope she passes.  I couldn't bear her to be sick on top of everything else. 

Don't forget! 
 
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════   
 


And I do too!