How to Hug a Porcupine

Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

“An aged grandmother, who never attended school, once gave her grand daughter a slip of paper with all the advice she would ever need to lead a good life. What she wrote is valuable for all of us: Wash what is dirty. Water what is dry. Heal what it wounded. Warm what is cold. Guide what goes off the road. And, love people who are the least loveable, because they need it the most.”

Very sound advice indeed. For an uneducated woman it is very profound and full of great insight. Especially the last bit. I would say that loving the unlovable is pretty much akin to hugging a porcupine, difficult to do, but not entirely impossible.

I once had a friend, (and am glad to say still do) who was a very difficult person to be friends with, let alone to love. It didn’t matter what you did, she was always bristling and full of complaints. Not only that . . . she was very demanding and hard to get along with.

Source: basketbike.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

One day she would be as sweet as pie and the next . . . as cantankerous as the day was long. It was almost as if she would push you away the minute you started to get close to her, and she was constantly wanting you to prove that you were her friend by being so very difficult to get along with. Not many people stuck around her for long and indeed, I was asked many times how on earth did I put up with her.

Many of her friends came and went . . . hardly any stayed for long, but . . . every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of the person she could have been had she only let herself be that person. I just could not find it in myself to abandon her, no matter how many times I felt like doing just that!

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

I never gave up on her. I persevered on the strength of that person I caught occasional glimpses of. I just shrugged it off when she was difficult or insulting, and I enjoyed the moments that she wasn’t. Through it all though, I prayed for her . . . daily.

Even after we moved away and I wasn’t living in the same location as her anymore . . . and never got to see her, I prayed for her. And I wrote her letters. Little chatty letters filled up with the things I was doing, and little stories of faith. I rarely, if ever, heard back, but it didn’t matter to me. I just always wanted her to know that, no matter what, I loved her. I kept hugging her, although distant, and letting her know that I was hugging her.

One day though, I did get a reply, and one cannot imagine the joy I felt to read her words. She had been diagnosed with a mental illness and was finally on the medication she had needed for a very long time. She was finally living the life she was meant to live . . . finally able to be the person that she was meant to be. She thanked me very much for all the support and love and the prayers I had given her through the years, and told me how much it had meant to her that I had been one of the few who had never given up on her. We remain good friends to this day, and she is a true gem in my life. Gold, pure gold.

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

I was so glad when I read her words that day. Glad that I had persevered and never given up on her. Glad that she had been able to get the help she had so obviously needed for so very long, and grateful for a friendship that had spanned several decades and grown and developed into something that was most precious to me.

I had hugged a porcupine and gained a priceless friend. Luke 6:28 says “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” I have a testimony that these words are very true, and I testify that it is quite impossible not to love someone for whom you are praying. In fact . . . I highly recommend it!

Off into town today to pay a bill and then a friend is coming over this afternoon for a visit. We had a wonderful time feeding the missionaries yesterday. I made them a big pot of Beef and Vegetable Stew and some Buttermilk Mashed Spuds, with a salad, rolls and for dessert my Apple Pie Roll Ups with Custard. I think they were quite happy with the meal. It's a win/win situation really, because I am sure that I probably get every bit as much, if not more pleasure out of cooking it than they could ever get out of eating it all.

Here is one of my favourite ways to prepare fish that is not only easy, but quite healthy. You get all the crunch of breaded fish without frying. I like to use a well flavoured crouton. You can get baked croutons, which is what I use.



*Light and Crispy Fish FIllets*Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Mom always said fish was brain food. This is a great way to prepare it giving your fish that is moist and flaky with a beautifully crisp coating that is baked, not fried.

3/4 cup of crushed seasoned croutons
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp paprika
salt and black pepper to taste
1 large free range egg
1 TBS water
1 TBS lemon juice
1 pound fresh or frozen fish fillets (thawed)
(I like cod or haddock)

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/gas mark 4. Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine the crushed croutons, cheese, parsley and paprika in a shallow bowl. Set aside. Beat the egg, water and lemon juice together in another shallow bowl. Set aside.

Cut the fish into 2 1/2 to 3 iinch pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip the pieces first in the egg mixture, and then into the crumb mixture, coating well. Tuck any thin ends of fish under to form pieces of uniform thickness and place onto the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.



Baking in The English Kitchen today, delicious Breakfast Oatmeal Muffins, made from leftover cooked oatmeal. Very tasty indeed!

“Love is spelt T.I.M.E.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Wednesday Ramblings . . .

Source: splendidwillow.com via Marie on Pinterest

It is hard to believe that 2011 is now winding down rapidly towards it's end . . . it seems like just yesterday it was a year that was young and full of promise , which we all greeted with joy when it was all fresh and new!

I cannot let it pass away without a thankful thought . . . of all the happy times and all the blessings it lay at my door. I will not dwell on any of the disappointments or hopes that missed the mark . . . for what would that change?

Nothing at all . . .

I think that is the secret to a happy life . . . to dwell on the good rather than the bad . . . on the things we have the power to change rather than on the ones we cannot . . . on the simple pleasures each day brings to us in a myriad of beautiful ways . . . on blessings found, rather than on treasures lost . . .

Source: enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com via Jac on Pinterest

We've had a very enjoyable couple of days. We got caught up with the Christmas Special from Downton Abby that we had recorded on Sunday Evening! Oh my but it was some good!! Just brilliant in fact! I love Downton Abby. If you're never watched it you really must get yourself the DVD's and get caught up. It's probably one of the best television series that has come out in recent years!

Yesterday we were privileged to have a young woman come to our home and be taught by the missionaries. We've had her at our home many times before. She's such a lovely young woman and brings such a special spirit with her. I'm really excited as she is going to be Baptised this Friday evening. That is such a special time and I've been asked to give a talk at her Baptism as well, so guess what I am doing today? Yep! Writing a talk and you know that old saying "It never Rains but what it Pours???" Well, I've also been asked to give a talk in church on New Years day, fifteen minutes! Soooo . . . I shall have to put on my writer's hat over these next few days and get cracking!

Source: jasmine-marie.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I was thrilled and excited on Christmas Eve to have been featured over on my friend Miranda's page, A Duck In Her Pond! I've known Duckie for a long time now, since my days over on AOL Journals way back when! If you would like to go and read what she wrote about me, do hop on over HERE to see. While you're there, I do hope you'll also take a gander at her brilliant writing! Why she is not a famous author already I do not know, as she certainly should be!!

I also won a brilliant prize in a Giveaway over on Random Thoughts of a Great-Grannie Grandma! A fabulous MyMemories Suite V3 Digital Scrapbooking Software set! I can't wait to get started on using it! Many thanks to Sandy for hosting such a fab giveaway. I was so chuffed to win!! It is not often that happens! In fact this was pretty much a first and a great way to end the year, feeling a winner!

I am not one to make a lot of year end resolutions . . . I just strive each year to be a better me. This next year though I want to be more creative. I used to do a lot more creating when I was younger . . . oh, I know . . . I paint almost every day, but I want to do even more. There is this yearning in my soul that I can't quite put my finger on . . . I just want to make some things for our home . . . I don't know what though . . . quilts, wall hangings, etc. I am always seeing new ideas and thinking to myself I would love that . . . so why not??? I think 2012 will be the year I create even more!

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I'm just rambling now and so I'll leave you with a thought . . .

Life offers compensations for our troubles and our care.
Consolations shed their light around us everywhere.
Things that make life worth the living;
Blessings great and small.
The things through which God speaks to us . . .
Take comfort from them all.
~Patience Strong

After all that baking I've been doing lately, I felt the need last night to eat something that at least appeared on the surface to be good for me. We all need to get more fish into our diet and not the kind that is covered with batter and deep fried either. I have been preparing this delicious dish for years. It is easy and always turns out lovely. You can decrease or expand the amounts very easily according to how many people you want to feed.




*Tomato & Herb Crusted Haddock*
Serves 2
Printable recipe

Haddock is such a mild and sweet fish. It is one of my favourite types. Cheese and tomatoes go very well with it. Just be careful not to overcook your fish. It should just barely flake beneath the tines of your fork and still be moist. You can have this lovely meal on your table in less than half an hour depending on what you serve it with.

2 thickish haddock filets, about 4 ounces each
1 slice of bread, crumbed into soft crumbs (I use my blender for this)
2 ounces of cheddar cheese, finely grated
2 TBS finely chopped flat leaf parsley
4 sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely chopped
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
a drizzle of olive oil

Pre-heat your oven to 200*C/400*F. Lightly butter a shallow gratin dish.

Wipe your haddock fillets and place them, right side up in the prepared dish. Season with some salt and pepper.

Place the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley and sun dried tomatoes in a small bowl and toss them together until they are well combined. Divide them between the two fish filets, piling it lightly on top of each. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and then bang them into the pre-heated oven.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and you can gently flake the fish with the tines of a fork. Remove from the oven and serve. I like to serve them with some oven roasted greek potatoes and some lightly steamed green beans on the side.



In The English Kitchen today I'm preparing a Salad of Baby Gems with a Blue Cheese Dressing!


“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Poetry Saturday . . . When Earth's Last Picture is Painted

When Earth's last picture is painted, and the tubes are twisted and dried,

When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,

We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it . . . lie down for an aeon or two,

Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work anew.







And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair;

They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comet's hair;

They shall find real saints to draw from . . . Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;

They shall work for an age at a sitting, and never be tired at all!







And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;

And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,

But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,

Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!

~Rudyard Kipling







I thought it would be fun to showcase pictures that we had taken at Bateman's, which was the home of Rudyard Kipling, this morning . . . especially as the poem I have showcased is one of his. We visited there one Saturday when we lived down South and what a fine home it was, with beautiful grounds and quite interesting inside as well . . .but they never let you take cameras inside these places do they . . . so you'll just have to visit for yourself if you want to see it. It is just filled with treasures from his travels around the world, most notably India, and of course writings and illustrations from his various works. A fascinating day to be sure!



I hope you will all have updated your bookmarks to this new one:



http://ayearfromoakcottage.org



Otherwise you will get a blank page when you visit me. I hate all this palaver with blogs and such. I don't know why these odd things happen, but that they do. I would e-mail everyone on my list to let them know, but I don't know how to do everyone at once. Also if you were a follower, you will want to re-add yourself as a follower I believe. I'm not sure! I am no expert on these things!



Here's a fine kettle of fish and a delicious meal for some of these cooler evenings that we are having now. A delicious Fish Chowder. I often made this when my family was growing up. It was always a favourite of theirs.







*Creamy Fish Chowder*Serves 4

Printable Recipe



Restaurants all over the maritime provinces in Canada usually each have their own version of this delicious hot soup, and they have remained a favourite of customers for years. What makes a chowder a chowder? I think it’s the rich flavours of the bacon and the milk, but you decide.



1 pound cod fish fillets

2 ounces streaky bacon, diced

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

½ cup celery, diced

2 cups peeled and diced raw potatoes

½ cup peeled and diced carrots

2 cups boiling water

½ tsp summer savoury

1 bay leaf

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

½ cup milk

½ cup cream

Large knob of butter



Take a large saucepan and heat it over medium high heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp. Sauté the onion in the rendered bacon fat until just soft, then add the celery, potatoes and carrots. Stir them around in the fat with the onions for a few minutes then add the boiling water. Add the fish, summer savoury, bay leaf and some salt and pepper. Let it come just to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the fish flakes easily. Remove the bay leaf and add the milk and the cream. Heat until very hot, but do not allow to boil. Add the knob of butter and serve in heated bowls with soft slices of fresh homemade white bread and butter, or with crisp buttery toast or crackers if you prefer!







Over in The English Kitchen today, The Great Cornish Pasty!

Friday this and that . . .

Wow, can it be the first of July already??? Wherever did June go??? Time seems to be just whizzing by this year at warp speed! I hope that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Sorry I wasn't around yesterday, but Blogger wouldn't load on Mozilla Firefox and it took me until late afternoon to figure that out! It seems to be working fine today though. It also wouldn't let me comment on anyone's pages, so if you didn't hear from me, that would be why!

Our garden has taken off in leaps and bounds this past month. We had a lot of rain and so everything has more than recovered from the drought of the month before! It's so very beautiful and pleasant to sit out there . . . every breath brings a new scent of another flower on the breeze.



Scents are funny things . . . they have the power to transport us to different times and spaces don't they? For instance . . . the smell of lavendar instantly reminds me of my grandmother. It was one of her favourite scents, Yardley's English Lavendar . . .

The smell of strawberries takes me back to hot summer days as a child and berry picking. It's quite wonderful really.

Daisies, whilst they don't have much of a smell . . . they remind me of being a girl and sitting in a meadow, making daisy chains . . .



Apple Blossom reminds me of my years spent living in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia . . . and the birth of my eldest son. He was born Apple Blossom Weekend during their Annual Apple Blossom Festival.

The smell of the sea always takes me back to Margaretsville and walking on the old pier there and the smell of the Bay of Fundy. I can almost feel the spray on my face and hear the gulls in the sky. It reminds me of hot summer days in years gone past, and escaping to the seaside for some relief from the heat and humidity . . . and double scoop ice cream cones, that somehow never tasted quite the same when eaten anywhere else.



Sweet Peas, marigolds and Peonies make me think of my mom. I don't know why? Possibly because she usually had them growing in our garden. I remember her being quite annoyed with my ex one year because he mowed down the peonie that grew by her back door! He thought it was a weed. It hadn't started to bloom yet.

Scents are not the only memory keepers though . . . sometimes just the sight of something can also bring back wonderful memories.



Chickadees remind me of my sister. At my mother's old house in Nictaux she had a Laurel tree out front with a bird feeder on it. It was frequented by chickadees and one year whilst my sister was visiting she and I got great joy from standing very still under it and watching the chickadees come to the feeder with no fear of us. We were able to watch them up very close. In fact birdwatching always reminds me of my sister. It is a love we both share very much and have always done so since childhood.

When I see a blackberry I always think of an autumn day back in Meaford, Ontario when I was living there . . . and when my sister came to spend a weekend with me . . . we went wild raspberry and blackberry picking in the abandoned orchards that were not far from the old farmhouse we were living in at the time. We spend hours just picking and chatting together. It was lovely. I miss my sister. She's always been my best friend and we rarely find each other to talk to these days with the time difference and work and such.



Perhaps you'd like to share some special memories that a smell brings back to you? Or even something that you will see and that will bring a hidden memory back? The brain is a marvelous thing. Everything you have ever seen or experienced is tucked away in it's folds. That's why we must be careful not to look at things which are distasteful or abhorrent. It all gets stored in your brain and once there can never truly be forgotten!

We had a lovely day here yesterday. I had my reading student in the morning of course and then spent most of the day preparing a dinner for the missionaries last night. I made a beautiful cheese cake. The recipe said to leave it in the oven to cool once it was finished baking, with the door adjar. I did so only to discover that once it had cooled to room temperature, Miztie took it upon herself to partake of it in a way only a greedy dog can do. Needless to say we did not serve it to the missionaries. They got treated to doughnuts instead! And Miztie??? Well, it was my own fault really. I should have known something as tasty as a cheesecake would have been too tempting for her when left within her reach!



It's off to my Step by Step program today and then I am going to be immersing myself into the preparation of the lesson I have to teach on Sunday morning. Oh and the dishwasher still hasn't arrived. The PR group that arranged it is looking into the problem to see what's up! I hope it gets here soon. I am not the most patient person in the world!

We are not great fresh salmon lovers in this house. I will cook some as a treat occasionally though, and that seems to work just fine. We can enjoy it once in a while, but not on a regular basis. We both don't mind tinned salmon though, funny how that goes! Anyways, if you are looking for a delicious way to prepare salmon look no further! I often prepared this when I was working at the Big House as she loved a bit of salmon now and again. He was not really fussed, but he always went along with what she wanted and so would eat it. Todd rather enjoys it done this way though, and so do I.


(Photo courtesy Everyday Food Magazine)

*Salmon with Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Delicous Salmon fillets brushed with a tangy sweet glaze and then broiled to perfection!

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot, peeled and minced
2 TBS red wine vinegar
2 heaped TBS grainy mustard
2 heaped TBS dark brown sugar
coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 salmon fillets, wiped and pin bones removed
1 small bunch watercress
1 lemon cut into wedges to serve

Preheat broiler, placing the rack in the top position. Heat the oil n a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add the vinegar and cook until it is slightly evaporated. Add the mustard and brown sugar. Stir together until warm and combined. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Place the salmon fillets on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Brush most of the glaze on top of salmon fillets, reserving a bit for the end. Broil until the glaze is bubbling and the fish is opaque throughout, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove from the broiler and brush the remaining glaze over the salmon.

Place some watercress onto each plate. Top with a salmon fillet and a few lemon wedges. Serve immediately.



Baking in The English Kitchen today, a naughty but very nice Baked Blueberry Mascarpone Cheesecake!

Marie's Sunday Six

Here we are again with my weekly Sunday Six Smile Maker's post. It's hard to believe we are already almost into the middle of June. Isn't the time going fast! I think it's amazing, and a little bit scary. If the next ten years flash by a quickly as the last ten have, well . . . it doesn't bear thinking about! Here's my smilemakers!



Being able to create makes me smile. I have been working on a series of seasonal watercolours, with a seasonal picture on each and an appropriate quote. I love how they turned out. I have tried to put together a collage here for you to look at. I will sell them as a set of prints. They would look lovely framed and hung together on a wall as a group. I was thinking of using them in a book, a book filled with my thoughts, and recipes, family memories, my artwork etc. all to do with the seasons . . . but then last night I thought . . .I'm almost 56 years old. I must have better things to do with my time. Anyways, I will sell them as a group of prints, so if you are interested just let me know.



We went into Chester yesterday. It was a real mixed bag of weather. Showery and a bit cool at times, but the city was alive. It was Ladie's Day at the race track and the city was full of beautifully dressed women, in pretty dresses and hats, all showing off their finery. There were buskers all over the place. I love the buskers in the city. The city rings with music. This video is of a busker in the city, not from yesterday but from a few years ago, but I thought I would share it because you get to see a lot of the city centre, and this guy is really good! Chester City makes me smile.




This is the artwork of Kirstin Cramer (I think that's how you spell her name. If I got it wrong, forgive me!) She has a delightful blog called Tollipop. You can see it here. I have collected quite a few of her pieces of art over the past couple of years. This one here is called The Cardigan Girls. All of her work that I own is hanging in our spare bedroom. I call it the Tollipop Room. It is my favourite room in the house almost. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping and so I go into the spare room and lay down on the bed with a book to read. I am surrounded by all my Tollipop girls and it is so sweet. I feel like I am in another world. I love the Tollipop World. It makes me smile.



This is my newest Christmas Card Creation for this year, so that makes three now. I want to have at least five new ones. This one made me smile. It is done in watercolours and it just speaks of the spirit of Christmas to me. It's all about celebrating the birth of the Christ Child in your home, surrounded by your loved ones isn't it? Once again being able to create makes me smile.



Celebrating Mitzie's first birthday this week makes me smile. I just adore that little dear girl of ours. I know she is just a dog to some, but she is not a dog to us. She is our baby and we love her dearly. She is so patient to put up with me and my incessant picture taking, and cuddling and snuggling. She is so loving and has such a pleasing personality. I know she always looks a bit sad because of her eyes . . . oh so soulful . . . but she is not sad. She is a very happy dog and we love her to bits!



My little family here in England makes me smile. I love my Todd and my Mitzie. Together we are three, and we are a family, eternally bound together, and a part of the joy we were are here on earth to discover. For better and for worse and all that. It will be our 11th anniversary this year. (11.11.11 how crazy is that!) They have been some of the best years of my life. I love my life and all the crazy parts of it. Sure, I am sad sometimes. We all are, but beneath any sadness that I may experience from time to time there is a deep thread of joy, and it lives here in my home and my heart. My family makes me smile.

Well, that is it for this week. The highlights. Little pockets of joy. I hope that you had a lot of smiles in your week as well. Life is what we make of it.

"Contentment is a pearl of great value, and whoever procures it as the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase."
-balguy

Here's a tasty sandwich that is just perfect to take on picnics as there is no mayonnaise involved to cause you any problems. It's hearty and delicious. We love it!!




*Tuna Picnic Sandwich*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is the perfect sandwich to take on a picnic as there is no mayonnaise. It's delicious and hearty. Plan ahead as it needs to sit for a while before eating.

3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS white balsamic vinegar
1 TBS Dijon mustard
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (6 ounce) tins of oil packed tuna, drained
1/4 of an English cucumber
1/2 of a small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 (8 inch) round boule (a country style bread loaf)
3 TBS jarred black olive tapenade
1 large handful of fresh basil leaves (about 1 cup)
2 large free range eggs, hard boiled

Make a dressing by whisking together the olive oil, vinegar, and mustard. Season to taste with some salt and black pepper. Stir about 2 TBS of the dressing into a bowl and toss together with the tuna. Place the rest in another bowl and toss together with the red onion and the cucumber.

Take your boule. Cut it carefully in half horizontally. Remove most of the middle bread. (Don't throw it away. I make breadcrumbs with mine and then store them in a zip lock baggie in the freezer.) Spread the olive tapenade over the bottom of the loaf. Layer on the basil leaves. Slice the hard boiled eggs and layer them on. Season with some salt and black pepper. Layer on the tuna mixture and then the cucumber mixture. Place the top of the loaf over all. Press down lightly. Wrap the loaf tightly in several layers of plastic cling film. Place on a plate and then place a baking sheet on top. Place something heavy on top of the baking sheet and press down. Let stand one hour, or refrigerate overnight.

Cut into wedges to serve.



Over in The English Kitchen today, there is a delicious Strawberry Shortcake.

Thursday thoughts . . .

He drew a circle that shut me out . . .
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.
~Edwin Markham

I believe that touch may be one of our five senses that is the most underrated, and yet it is probably the one that people probably appreciate most of all. It is purely instinctive that we reach to pick up and sooth a baby when it cries, or to comfort a small child with a hug. What friend does not appreciate a squeeze of the hand or a pat on the back when they are in need of encouragement and reassurance??



Clinical research has shown that the sensation of a loving touch can make all the difference in the world, and a scientifically measurable difference to our health and well being. Experiments have also shown that a familiar touch can boost our immune system and help to relieve stress and pain.

And yet, whilst most of us find it very easy to comfort a child, we find it very difficult to comfort an adult.



I have always been a touchy feely kind of a person. I am a hugger, that's all there is to it! I can't help myself. I just always follow my instincts and reach out to those around me . . . be it a pat on the shoulder, a squeeze of the hand, or a full out hug! I wouldn't change me for the world. I think sometimes if we just do it without worrying about it . . . it might be just the medicine the receiver needs! I've never had anyone turn down a hug!





Well, I have my activity at the church tonight for the Sisters. I am a bit nervous about it. It will be the first one I have ever organized. I hope that we have a good turnout and that it goes well. I've put a lot of thought into it and I want the Sisters to enjoy it and feel spiritually fed as well as well as physically fed! I will be going out this afternoon to pick up all the Sundae Toppings! I know, a bit last minute, but I didn't dare have a bunch of goodies like that in the house too much ahead of time for fear I might dig in to them!

Speaking of digging in, here is a tasty grilled tuna sandwich that everyone loves. I think grilling makes any sandwich taste better. Instead of buttering the outsides these sandwiches are spread with mayonnaise on the outside, a trick I often use, even with a plain old grilled cheese. It gives an extra little zip to them and makes them even tastier, especially if you use something like a garlic or a mustard mayo! I sometimes add chopped green olives as well. I remember doing this when I was taking home economics at school and filling hamburger buns with the mixture, wrapping them with foil and baking them in the oven. We used mozzarella cheese and called them pizza buns. They were really good!



*Tuna Melt Sandwich*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Quick, easy and oh so delicious. As good as anything you might get in a restaurant!

1 6-ounce tin of tuna in water, drained and flaked
7 TBS good quality mayonnaise, divided
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices bread
4 processed cheese slices

Mix together the tuna, 3 TBS of the mayo, onion, green pepper and seasonings.

Lay out 4 bread slices and cover them with tuna mixture, 1 cheese slice and finally the second bread slice. Spread outsides of each sandwich with 1 TBS of mayonnaise.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until lightly browned on one side before flipping over to brown the other side. Keep warm in the oven while you cook the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.



There's a delicious Easy Berry Charlotte on offer for dessert today, over in The English Kitchen.

Rainbows . . .

I think we often forget to give enough thanks for the sudden appearance of a rainbow in the sky. Hard to believe, but they are often taken for granted, and I don't know why.

Breathtaking in appearance and seen after a storm, this wonder of nature and God's promise surely add a sparkle to any day.

It wasn't too long ago that Todd and I were driving back into the Blacon Estate where we live and I noticed a big beautiful rainbow arching across the sky, seemingly to end in Blacon. Oh, it was so bright and colourful . . . red, yellow, blue, green, indigo . . . purple . . . so wonderful.



I remember turning to Todd and saying . . . "Who'd a thunk we'd find the rainbow's end in Blacon." . . . and then I felt all warm inside, thinking I already had the pot of Gold, for despite all the seemingly horrible things that happened to us in the past year, I have come to find the blessing in each one.

Rainbows are so special. Set into the sky as a reminder of a special promise from our Heavenly Father, I do believe I can remember each and every one I've ever seen, even the double ones, which are especially spectacular to view. I have even, once . . . seen a triple one!

"May we never miss a sunset or a rainbow because we are looking down."
~unknown



Well, I got my appointment for the specialist. It will be on the 29th of the month and will last approximately 4 to 5 hours. Quite long, but at the same time I feel like they are going to be very thorough, which is good. I looked up knee replacements on the www yesterday and scared myself. I absolutely loathe the thought of being put to sleep. They did say you could have an epidural so hopefully I'll opt for that, although Todd says he cannot think of anything worse than being awake when it's being done. It will be a 5 day hospital stay according to what I read, which also sounds blah . . . boring. Oh how will I ever cope. I will miss you all for sure. I am hoping Todd would come to see me each day, although with the price of Petrol who knows!

Poor Mitzie is going in for her op this morning. She is already wondering I know . . . just why didn't she get her special treat after I let her out this morning . . . hmmm . . . I will be on pins and needles until we have her safely back home and recovering. Then the fun will start. Just how are we going to keep that satellite dish on that little tornado's head for ten days??? ☺

I am trying to eat somewhat healthier these days, or at least half of these days at any rate! These delicious fish cakes fit the bill perfectly with the addition of whole wheat flour and some tasty green beans on the side. So much tastier than those bread crumbed frozen ones you can buy in the shops!



*Fish Cakes and Beans*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

So much better for you than any that you can buy premade! A lot tastier too!

3/4 pound of floury type potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 pound of white fish fillets, such as cod or haddock (You can also use Salmon, which is very good)
1 1/4 cup milk
a handful of fresh flat leaf parsley
1 bay leaf
1 TBS finely grated lemon zest (use unwaxed lemons, or scrub your lemons really well)
2 TBS chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro)
2 to 3 TBS wholewheat flour
2 to 3 TBS sunfllower oil
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the beans:
1/4 pound green beans
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil

Place the potatoes into a pan of lightly salted water to cover. Bring to the boil and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain well, then return to the pot. Give them a shake over the residual heat on the burner to dry them out further, then mash.

Rinse the fish and put it in a frying pan along with the milk, parsley sprigs and bay leaf. Bring to the bol, then cover and simmer until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the fish and discard the cooking liquid. When the fish is cool enough to handle, remove any skin and bone and flake the fish completely.

Place the mashed potato, flaked fish, lemon zest and chopped herbs in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Shape into 8 small fish cakes. Place the flour on a plate and coat the fish cakes in it. Transfer to aplate, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

To make the beans, lightly steam them for about 5 minutes, until crispy tender. Drain well and then toss them in a warm serving bowl along with the lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste with some salt and pepper.

To cook the fish cakes, heat the sunflower oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the fish cakes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown, crisp and piping hot through. Serve immediately along with the beans.



Baking over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Irish Soda Bread!