And Then We All Had Tea: May 2026

Friday, 22 May 2026

Dear Neighbor . . .

(source)

MAY 22nd, 2026

Estate Lane,

Nova Scotia

4*C/39*F

A sunny day ahead

Dear Neighbor,

There was a frost advisory in effect overnight and sure enough, the roof tops across the way were covered in frost this morning. Thankfully it looks like anyone who had any hanging baskets out were smart enough to bring them in last night.

I love this kind of weather. Cool enough to sleep at night, but warm during the day. The dog days will be here soon enough, so I am not complaining. We had several really hot days here this week. Days that I had to put the air con on for a short. And both days I battled wasps in the house as well. I do not know how they got in but they managed somehow. I had to be very brave and dispatch them myself. Eileen is terrified of wasps. As you may recall, she and Tim had a problem with them in their apartment last year.

This brave mama had to get rid of these nasty intruders right away. (I am terrified of them as well.) My rolled up newspaper did the job and my aim was sure.

I have since bought a can of hair spray. It smells nice and it makes it so that they can't fly. Then you can bash them good while they are immobilized. At least that's my theory. Thankfully we did not have any in here yesterday for me to test it out on

Eileen was thrilled to pieces when a package from Amazon was delivered to the door for her yesterday. All the way from the U.K. Julie sent her a diamond art kit to do along with a little note and her prayers. She thanks you very much. There is no address for her to write a personal thank you to, so this will have to do.

You cannot know how much it means to her that people are praying for her from around the world. Prayer is the greatest gift that you can give someone. And we both surely appreciate each one offered on her behalf. No news yet from the Doctor, but she was told yesterday that Tim has some mail for her. I was going to call the Doctor, but didn't because it might be a hospital letter. I am holding off to see the mail first. Hopefully she will get her mail from Tim today and we will see and be able to go from there.

She is being very brave.

This weekend she has her AGM, which is being held down in Yarmouth. Members from the People's First from all over Nova Scotia getting together for a small convention. She is really looking forward to it. She will be packing this afternoon and will leave for it tomorrow morning. It is only overnight. There is a banquet and a dance and some workshops, etc. She gets to see friends that she hasn't seen all year. Her coach for the Special Olympics had messaged her earlier this week to tell her that training had started and she was sad to have to tell him that she wouldn't be able to participate this year. The SO's are in July and we are pretty sure she will be recovering from her operation then. But there is always next year.

Those of you who have been reading me for a long time will remember when I went to Idaho to watch her compete in the International Winter Special Olympics in 2009. This is her sporting her gold medal here. I was so proud of her, and so very grateful that I was able to fly over and watch her compete. She has retired from Cross Country Skiing now. She does rhythm gymnastics.

There is always next year.

(source)

Dan came over to put my new coffee table together yesterday but as soon as we started to take the parts out of the box, we noticed that a whole corner from the top of it was broken off. So we put it back into the box and he wasn't able to put it together. I took photos of the damage and contacted the company and they are sending me out a whole new top to replace it. Perhaps I should have taken all of the parts out to see if there was any more damage, but we were not sure if they were going to want me to return the whole table or not. Hopefully it was only the top that was damaged and the new one arrives in tip top shape.

Dan wondered why I always buy this stuff online. It is hard when you are in your 70's and you live by yourself. I know, I could purchase one locally at Walmart or some such, but I would have to get it out of the store and into my car, then out of my car and into the house. Its always just been easier for me to order things online and have them delivered. This is the first time I have had any real issues with it. Oh, there was the time when I was sent a set of Lagostina pots and pans instead of the air fryer I had ordered from The Bay. They never came to pick up the pots and pans, and I never got my air fryer, but I was okay with that. The pots and pans cost a lot more than the air fryer, and they were like the Cadillac of pots and pans. I came out on top with that one.

We started watching an older film yesterday. The Best Years of Our Lives, from 1946. Its about three men returning home to their families after WW2. Three very different stories. This is a film that won 8 Oscars the year it came out and which was touted to be the best depiction of what life was like for men returning home after the War. I hope to finish it today at some point.

I have a hard time watching films all the way through these days. I usually break them down into two or three parts. That is much easier for me, attention wise.

(source)

The grass has gotten very long on our lawns this week. I expect they will be around again to cut it before too long. There is an active fire burning in Queens County and all counties in the province are under a fire restriction now. Burning is only allowed between the hours of 7 pm and 8 am. I sure hope that we don't have a repeat of last years fire season. That was pretty scary.

Its always good to have an emergency and evacuation plan in place, however. For any type of emergency. Those are the times we are living in.

(source)

Spring goeth all in white,

Crowned with milk-white may;

In fleecy flocks of light

O'er heaven the white clouds stray:

White butterflies in the air;

White daisies prank the ground;

The cherry and hoary pear

Scatter their snow around.

~Robert Bridges, 1844 - 1830

Spring Goeth All In White

There is a lot of white blossom about at the moment. The countryside is festooned in frothy white blooms. Its very pretty. The air these past few days has been filled with dandelion fluff as well, which is playing havoc with those who have allergies. Lilacs are starting to pop out on the lilac bushes as well. OH to have a lilac bush that I could gather up armloads of their beauty to bring into the house and make it smell all spring-like. I don't think anything on earth smells as beautiful as the lilacs do when they are in bloom. I shall make do with a candle.

I have still not found any plant baskets to put out front. There were beautiful looking ferns at Sobey's last week and I was sorely tempted, but I had nowhere to put them in order to bring them home. The car was full of people.

If I wait much longer there will be nothing left I suppose. But that is as may be. At least the front of my place looks neat and tidy, which is what I wanted.

(source)

I don't really have a lot else to say this morning. Eileen is wanting me to get her up early so I can drive her to Tim Hortons early. She wants to spend some time with her friends and to have breakfast there. She is also hoping to get her mail. I will soon have to wake her up. I will be going with Cindy to take dad and his friend MaryAnn to the mall this afternoon. I have more cat food to buy and we want to go to Pelton's as well. Plus I have birthday cards to buy and a few other bits. It's all go, go, go!

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

☾ ° ★° * 。

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

*Don't forget to love your ordinary house.

It's a lie that we need constant upgrades.

What we really need is to care and appreciate

what we have already been given.

~unknown • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

In The English Kitchen today. Five Delicious Slaws to Enjoy for Summer. With the warm summery weather looming, we are tipping into salad season. This is also the Memorial Day weekend in the states. Many people will be grilling and BBQ-ing. I thought these might come in handy in any case!

I hope you have a lovely Friday. It's already warming up here, although it won't achieve the high temperatures that we had earlier this week. Whatever you get up to, I hope it brings you peace and joy. Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!

Thursday, 21 May 2026

My Favorite Things . . .

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . 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. Let's share!

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Pretty Quotes . . . the scriptures also.

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Kittens . . . is anything cuter?

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A nicely planned garden . . .

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Royal Worcestershire . . .

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Shades of yellow . . .

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The circus . . .

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Cup cakes . . .

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A Boulangerie . . .

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Bumble bees . . .

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Botanical prints . . .

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Roses . . .

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British costume dramas . . .

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The Union Jack . . .

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Pretty cardigans . . .

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Sheep . . .

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Gingers . . .

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Public foot paths and walks . . .

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Italian Bomboloni . . .

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The smell of bread rising . . .

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Facts and learning . . .

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Blues . . .

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Chocolate . . .

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Candle Sticks . . .

And those are my favorite things for this week. I hope that some of them are also yours.

A thought to carry with you . . .

☾ ° ★° * 。

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

*Love doesn't

make the world go around;

Love is what makes

the ride worthwhile.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

Eileen was just beaming when she came back from checking our post box yesterday. A lovely note and package from Indiana. She was very surprised. She thanks you very much. I do as well. You made both our hearts smile. Such a kind thing. 💖💖💖

In The English Kitchen today . . . A Simple Steak Marinade. I had picked up some ungraded Beef steaks at the shops last Saturday and I cooked one of them for Eileen and I. They were less expensive than Canadian beef. We were surprised at how tender it was and the marinade made it really flavorful.

Dan is coming over this morning to put my new coffee table together and then he is going to take my cardboard to the dumping center. I am grateful for that. Eileen may or may not have a pajama day today. Or I may drag her out later. We will see.

Whatever you get up to today, I hope you have a wonderful day. Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Wednesday Witterings . . .

(source)

The little bird sits in the nest and sings

A shy, soft song to the morning light;

And it flutters a little and prunes its wings.

The song is halting and poor and brief,

And the fluttering wings scarce stir a leaf;

But the note is a prelude to sweeter things,

And the busy bill and the flutter slight

Are proving the wings for a bolder flight!

~Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

We're having a bit of a heatwave. A two day one at any rate. It says that the temperature is due to drop tomorrow on my weather app. We shall see. It got up to 24*C/75*F yesterday. I did have the cooling on for a short. It is supposed to go up to 32*C/89.6*F today.

I have fresh water in the bird bath to tempt the little dears. So far the only creature I have seen drinking from it is Chippy. I also put a little iron dish out on the desk railing with peanuts, so that he had something to eat. I don't actually think he is eating them as he empties it and comes back for more within seconds. Perhaps he is burying them.

I have red winged black birds, a type of black bird with an almost blue head, chickadees, gold finches and morning doves. And then, of course, the hummingbirds.

Yesterday we also had a wasp enter the house from somewhere. It was not here long. Eileen was panicking and I had to rescue her. Nutmeg was chasing it. I did not want him to get stung and so I swatted it dead and flushed it down the toilet. I would not harm a bee, but wasps are just plain nasty.

(source)

"There's so much wrong here, not sure where to start...overcooked mushy pasta, big hunks of crackers, under seasoned, no creamy sauce, watery tomatoes. It's a good thing Gordon Ramsay isn't lurking around your neighborhood!"

Left anonymously on my recipe post for Grandmother's Macaroni, Cheese & Tomato Scallop recipe from yesterday. This kind of thing just makes me laugh. They haven't cooked it. It's just an opinion. Pasta cooked to al dente? Where is the mush in that. Loads of cheese, a bit of milk, and a tin of good chopped tomatoes in tomato juice, seasoned to taste and tucked beneath a blanket of buttery cracker crumbs, crushed not in huge hunks. Loads of suggestions for how you could dress it up if you wanted to with ground meat, onions, etc. A simple recipe, yes. It's how our grandmother's cooked. Everything didn't need to be haute cuisine or cordon blu. It just had to b simple and to taste good, and this does, if you happen to like pasta with cheese and tomatoes. The kind of food that got people through the great depression and times of war. To me this is comfort food. I was brought up on this kind of thing, and quite happily so.

And, to be honest, Gordon is far too pretentious to be invited to my table. I don't like him very much. I'd rather have Jamie Oliver over for tea.

(source)

I can almost hear them growing and ripening. It won't be long now. There is nothing under the sun so delicious as a locally grown fresh berry with the warmth of the sun still on it's skin. We had our own in the garden in the U.K. They were so good. Every time we drive by Spurs here in the valley, I can see the workers out in the strawberry patch working away. Laying straw, etc. And the plum trees in their orchard are loaded down with beautiful fuchsia colored blooms. The apple trees should be blooming soon as well. There is so much promise in an orchard.

I'll never forget when I was wandering around the grounds of the Manor and came upon a small plum orchard. the branches of the trees were loaded down and drooping with tons of beautiful black skinned plums. It was like I had struck gold. They had a lot of fruit there that was never used. Plums, figs, raspberries, quince, medlars, etc. I don't know why it never got used. The gardener should have been picking them and bringing them into the house for me to preserve, freeze, etc. He never did and I didn't have time to go out picking them myself, to be honest.

When we moved to Chester, we put plum, apple and pear trees in the back yard. We had lots of berries as well, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and tayberries. And we had a black currant bush that was prolific.

There is so much promise that is held in the days of May.

(source)

I reckon I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. I managed to be able to control it until I hit my mid thirties and quit smoking. I also had my tubes tied at the same time. Every time I went on a diet, I was really good as taking the weight off, but unfortunately it would always come back on along with additional weight. I can honestly say that dieting has only ever made me fatter. Lately I have been watching and listening to a Dr. Li on YouTube. Cindy introduced me to his channel and much of what he says makes sense.

Aging Strong Together -Aging Strong Together is a health and wellness channel dedicated to helping adults over 60 stay active, independent, and full of life. We share simple, science-based tips to improve circulation, strengthen your body, reduce pain, and boost daily energy without complicated routines. If you’re struggling with cold hands and feet, weak legs, balance issues, or low energy, this channel is designed for you. Our content focuses on practical solutions you can apply in just a few minutes a day, using methods that support your body’s natural ability to heal and adapt. We believe aging does not mean getting weaker. With the right habits, your body can become stronger, more resilient, and more confident every year. Subscribe and join a growing community that chooses to age strong together.

I don't know if it is too late for me or not. I am so tired of living in constant pain. Every part of my body aches. In any case, I am trying out some of his things/suggestions. We will see if it can reduce the inflammation in my body and give me back a life filled with energy. I am not interested in losing weight, but if that is a happy by-product then that's good too.

Yesterday I watched his 80/20 video. What is 80/20? Eat healthily 80% of the time and then give yourself permission to indulge in the things you really enjoy 20% of the time. No deprivation. It's easy to behave for 17 of your meals of the week if you know you can treat yourself to little indulgences 4 meals of the week.

(source)

I can hear Eileen snoring away in her room. She had to take the trial sleep machine back and is waiting on her own arriving. It made a huge difference. We still have not heard from the specialist. If we don't hear anything today, I will call her family Doctor tomorrow. He said if she hadn't heard anything in two weeks to call back.

I know the waiting and wondering is bothering her. How could it not. She is trying hard to be brave and unafraid, but it is there all the time. I just keep asking for the strength to be a support and help to her in whatever way that I can. That is all I can do really. Just help her to remain positive and hopeful. Keep her busy and distracted. Love her, and pray with hope.

And just like that it is already after 8:30. The day is flying away from me once again. I used to be able to get so much more done in the mornings. Lately it seems that I cannot get much done at all. This time thing is always getting away from me. I do not know where it goes.

A thought to carry with you . . .

☾ ° ★° * 。

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

*The only thing we never get enough of

is love, and the only thing we can never

give enough of is love.

~Henry Miller

Sharing some Cheesy Black Bean & Corn Enchiladas in the kitchen today. Simple and delicious. Dress them up as you will. We like sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes. I make my own enchilada sauce from scratch as well.

I hope that you have a lovely Wednesday today. Will be exercising my right to indulge my 20% tonight at the Big Scoop with Dad, Cindy, Eileen and Hazel. What will I have. I am thinking Cheese Steak, but I could change my mind a bazillion times before then! Whatever you get up to today I hope it brings you great joy! Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

A Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, May 19th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Blue skies, leafy trees, green grass. All is well in my little corner of the kingdom. There is only one downside to this. A Heat Warning is in effect for today and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter.

I AM THINKING ...

How grateful I am for the power of prayer. I know that not every prayer is answered in the way we want them to be answered, but it is a great blessing to be able to hand our problems and sorrows over to God by way of prayer, and to know that He is listening. It helps to lighten our burdens. Knowing that other's pray for you as well is another great blessing.

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

(source)

What a comfort the scriptures can be in our times of need. I love them. I read them every day. They work a bit like magic. You can read a certain verse a hundred times and get nothing out of it and then one day you can read it again and it suddenly reaches you right where it needs to. I love the word of God.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

My sister. She is a great blessing in my life and always has been. She "gets" me like nobody else does. I love her so much. She is the best gift my parents ever gave to me.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

My daughter. I love her so much. She brightens my days in a multitude of ways. I surely hope and pray that all will be well. We are both placing our faith in the one who knows and loves us. What will be will be.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Grandmother’s Macaroni, Cheese & Tomato Scallop. A simple casserole that both Eileen and I love. There is never any left when I make this.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

(source)

5-Minute Canned Salmon Patties. I am trying to incorporate more wild salmon into my diet. Not an easy thing when Eileen hates fish. I just have to make her something else.

THIS I BELIEVE ...

Mine speak to me all the time, and I understand what they are saying too!

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SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

The sun shone brightly on little showers of buttercups down the bank, in the fields the fool's parsley was foamy, held very high and proud above a number of flowers that flitted in the greenish twilight of the mowing-grass below.

~D.H. Lawrence, The Rainbow, 1915

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

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Pressing flowers between the pages of your favorite books. They will come back to surprise you with joy at a future date.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

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Floral window embroidery . . .

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Poinsettia Tree Ornaments . . .

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Pretty edgings . . .

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Pretty cushion covers . . .

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Hearts . . .

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

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Journaling . . .

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

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Picnics . . .

I AM READING ...

THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN, by Lisa See

“A mesmerizing new historical novel” from Lisa See, the bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and devastating family secrets on a small Korean island.

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends who come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility—but also danger. Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook find it impossible to ignore their differences.

The Island of Sea Women takes place over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village.

Little do the two friends know that forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point. “This vivid…thoughtful and empathetic” novel (The New York Times Book Review) illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge and the men take care of the children. “A wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women” (Publishers Weekly), The Island of Sea Women is a “beautiful story…about the endurance of friendship when it’s pushed to its limits, and you…will love it” (Cosmopolitan).

I love oriental culture and history.

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...