The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, September 6th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
The day is just dawning, and it has been raining through the night. It was fairly dry all weekend, although it has been quite chilly. I do hope that we have a dry week when we are away to the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales next week! However, as Todd is always reminding me . . . nobody comes to England for the weather!

I am thinking...
I was sent a picture of my friend Linda yesterday which was so lovely to receive. It was of her with her husband and son. I am glad that she was happily married and that she had a son. She looks just beaming in the picture. I wonder if she ever thought of me and the times we shared together as teenage girls. I expect that she did, just as I have done through the years. I hope that those memories brought a smile to her face as they have done to mine.

I am thankful for...
The knowledge of the Gospel which tells me the end of the story! And for the faith that I have to believe it. This is a precious gift which has helped me througout my life and kept me anchored.

From the kitchen...
Not a lot! Although today I need to be baking a cake. Todd's Birthday is tomorrow and I promised him a fruitcake, which is his favourite type of cake.

I am wearing...
A new pink nightie I picked up at Marks and Sparks last week and my slippers. I just love Marks and Sparks night things. They're afffordable and of excellent quality.

I am creating...
I have some cards to make today and I have decided to yarn tuft that lap quilt. I started doing that yesterday. I tried to machine quilt it, but my machine just wouldn't co-operate. After picking it all out, TWICE (*grumble *grumble) I decided to yarn tuft. I know . . . it's the lazy person's way out, but heck . . . I just don't have the patience to do it all by hand.

I am going...
I haven't got a lot planned this week other than get ready to go away on Saturday. It is hard to believe that September is already with us. It will be Christmas before we know it!!

I am reading...



Home Safe, by Elizabeth Berg

Beloved author Elizabeth Berg tells the story of the recently widowed Helen Ames and of her twenty seven year old daughter Tessa. Helen is shocked to discover that her mild-mannered and loyal husband had been leading a double life. The Ames's had saved money for a happy retirement, planned in minute detail, but that money has disappeared in several big withdrawals . . . spent by Helen's husband before he died. What could he possibly have been doing? And what is Helen to do now? Why does Helen's daughter object to her mother's applying for a job . . . and why doesn't Tessa meet a nice man and get married?

What Helen's husband did with all their money turns out to be provocative, revelatory . . . and leads Helen and her daughter to embark on new adventures, and change.

As usual Elizabeth Berg = Great Read!

I am hoping...
That Mitzie will enjoy our holiday up in Cumbria. This will be the first time we have ever taken a dog with us on holiday. I hope we don't live to regret it!

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the clock on the mantle humming as the wheels inside it turn. The odd car as it goes by. Mitzie snuffling as she snoozes, all curled up behind me on the sofa. The tap tapping of the computer keys as I write. They are morning sounds. The sounds as I hear whilst the house wakes up around me and the day begins. I know I say the same thing every week, but that's just how it is! Sometime I may shock you and say something completely different!

Around the house...
We went to look at furniture the other day and ended up buying one of these:



And a matching chair. They will be delivered in about 4 weeks time. It was the first one we sat on, although to be sure, we sat on every sofa in the shop. This was the only one we could afford however and I loved the fabric and colour. I know it looks pretty plain, but it's not.



This is a closeup of the fabric. It's quite nice actually. We could have gotten it in other colours, but we liked this colour. It won't overpower the room and we can always perk it up with some pretty throw cushions and throws.


I am looking forward to...
Saturday! I can't wait to get to the cottage. It's been about 4 years since we have been there and I am really looking forward to going back. We are bringing the laptop with us, but are not sure if we will be able to get online or not, in any case I can do some writing while I am there. I am also bringing my sketch book, water colours and a water colour pad, so that I can do a bit of painting too. It will just be nice to get away.

I am pondering...
"I am thinking a lot about life lately and how short it is and about how every day we are given is such a blessing. Each morning I wake up and open my eyes is a bonus, especially after the age of 50. 50 is when so many health problems begin to show up and your odds of not making it increase. I feel quite blessed to be 56 and here's hoping I have at least another 20 years left to make my mark on the world!"

This is what I wrote last week. The truth of these words has really struck home with me over this past week as I have been reading the posts on my highschool site and finding out how many of the people I went to school with are gone from us. It is amazing, and sad and scary at the same time. My sister and I talked about this yesterday on the telephone. It is true that most people are living longer and longer . . . but those that do are blessed. Too many leave us much sooner than they should . . .

One of my favourite things...
Is watching old films and television shows. Oh and listening to old radio shows as well. Todd and I were doing that yesterday on the computer, although for the life of me I can't find the site to give you the link this morning!

We also listened to an actual recording of a bombing on London during the Blitz in WW2. I realized how very blessed I was to not have had to experience anything like that in my lifetime thus far. Todd was a baby when the War started and 7 when it finished. They had been living in the East End when it started and moved out to Harold Wood by the time it really got going, to live with his grandparents. He remembers hearing the bombs and the air raid sirens, and having to go into a metal hut dug into the ground at the end of the garden. He even remembers an incindiary bomb hitting the loft of their house and them having to put it out. It must have been so frightening.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Picking up our prescriptions, Todd's Birthday, packing for our holiday, then the reading lessons each day. I do enjoy those and my pupil has come ever so far since the beginning. It's amazing!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



What a picture!! This is a shot I captured of Todd and Mitzie sitting and watching the telly the other day! I could hear Diana's voice as I looked at it afterwards, saying . . . "There were three in our marriage!" The difference is that I am quite happy to have these three in mine! That dog of ours us such a character. She sits just like a person to watch the telly. It's quite funny to see. She's completely comfortable there as you can probably tell!!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"Opportunities do not come with their values stamped upon them. Every one must be challenged. A day dawns, quite like other days; in it a single hour comes quite like other hours; but in that day and in that hour the chance of a lifetime faces us."
~Maltbie D Babcock

If we never take risks we can never realize our full potential and may even miss out on many blessings that could be ours if we'd only taken the chance . . .

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

I do hope that each one of you have a lovely day! Here is my offering to you this morning . . . Hot Bacon Dressing, which I had on a lovely chicken salad at the weekend, but goes equally as well on spinach and egg salads, as well as hot vegetables such as potatoes, carrots or green beans. Yummo!



*Hot Bacon Dressing*
Makes 1 ½ cups
Printable Recipe

This is a classic dressing for spinach salad, but it’s also wonderful on other salads. I like it on a mixed salad with chunks of grilled chicken and avocado. Try it on some steamed green beans for a change. It is guaranteed to tempt even the most avid green bean hater into going back for seconds!

6 slices of thick streaky smoked bacon, diced
½ cup finely chopped onion
Canola oil
2 tsp corn flour mixed with 2 tsp water
½ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and brown the bacon bits in it until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon onto some paper kitchen towelling to drain, leaving the fat behind. Add the onion to the bacon fat in the pan and cook for about five minutes until it is soft and translucent. Remove the onion from the pan as well, leaving the fat behind. Add enough canola oil to the pan to make an measurement equal to ½ cup. Stir in the cornstarch mixture, the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until bubbling and thickened, about two minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the bacon and onion. Serve while warm. Delicious!



As usual there is something mighty tasty going on in The English Kitchen today. Today it involves French Food.

Marie's Sunday Six

Here we are again, it's Sunday already! My goodness but those weeks sure do roll around quickly! Time is just speeding by. We are almost halfway through the year already, so hard to believe! Welcome to my Sunday Smile Makers. I do so love sharing them with you each week! It does a heart good to be able to ponder on all the good things in live, and it does my heart even better to be able to share them with you! So here we go!



Last night was the Eurovision Song Contest. Todd and I watch this every year. It has been a very long time since England won, or did appreciably well in it. The voting is very political these days. I had high hopes for this year as we had a cracker of a song and group to sing it. I loved Blue when they were a boy band. They sold millions of albums. They even did a record with Elton John. I was thrilled when I found out that they would be representing our country in the contest and they performed really well. Seeing them on that Eurovision stage and giving their hearts out to our country surely made me smile. They didn't win, of course, but they did better than we have done in the past few years, so that is good. I forget who won. I think it was an Eastern Block country, and they always vote for each other. Anyways, there were a lot of really good songs this year, which made a change. I had to laugh at one of them, they looked like Garden Gnomes. I think it was Moldavia. They had these really funny tall pointed hats on. All the songs were really upbeat though and for a change it was a very enjoyable watch!



I lost another pound this week. Yay me! I would have liked it to be more, but I'll take whatever I get in the way of losses! I knackered my knee in the exercise class though and have been hobbling ever since. I just don't think it's worth doing exercise unless you are going to make an effort. I think I made too much of an effort this week though! I have to learn to do things a bit softer! No pain, no gain should not be my Motto!



Hooray for answered prayers and God's Promises. I won't play out the drama again that was the beginning of my week, suffice it to say that I know God loves me and cares for me. My eldest son and his love and support for me, that really uplifted me this week as well. He may not always agree with my methods, and I know I am sometimes a pain in the arse, but he never judges me and always loves me. I am truly blessed!



You all make me smile each and every day of my life. Your love, support and prayers . . . your positive comments. Knowing that you care about me. All these things make me smile big time. I think MY readers are the best in the world! Take a bow, coz that's YOU!



Getting to speak to Lura on the telephone earlier this week and knowing that she is now in her own home made me smile this week. I know that it is a really important step in her complete recovery and that now she is home she will heal by leaps and bounds. Her voice sounded so cheery when we talked and laughed together. She has a long way to go and it may be months and months before she is back to normal, but she has gone such a long way already and my heart rejoices that she is still with us. Lura, YOU make me smile!



This crazy, loveable, charming, supportive man that I married and this fabulous dog of ours make me smile every minute of every day. Ok, so they are not perfect, and I do get annoyed with them in turn, from time to time . . . but they are my life, and they bless my life in countless ways each and every day!

I could go on and on with everything that touched my heart this week in a special way, but suffice it to say . . . a week that started out very badly, turned out to be one of the best weeks ever. I love it when that happens!

And here is a thought to make you smile:

"A candle glow can pierce the darkest night."

YOU are my candle glow.

Here's some tasty pasta for all you carb lovers out there. It's not all that unhealthy either. anything that includes a green vegetable is healthy as far as I am concerned!!!



*Spaghetti with Bacon and Beans*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

A carb lover's delight!

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
4 slices of streaky bacon, cut into 12 inch pieces
3/4 of a pound of green beans trimmed and halved
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn

Cook the pasta until al dente, in a large pot of boiling lightly salted water, according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot.

While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, until crispy. Drain well on some paper toweling. Discard all but 1 TBS of the pan drippings. Toss in the green beans, seasoning with some salt and pepper, and cook until crispy tender.

Stir the cooked beans and pan drippings into the pasta, along with the bacon, Parmesan Cheese, and enough of the pasta cooking water to create a thin sauce. Scatter in the basil leaves and serve immediately.



In The English Kitchen today, delicious Malteaser Brownies!

Happy Sabbath Day everyone!

The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, April 12th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It is perfectly light outside . . . the birds are gaily chattering and singing away. Whether it will be a sunny day today or a rainy today remains to be seen. Whatever it ends up being, I shall make the most of it, regardless! Happiness is like jam . . . you can't spread a little without getting some on yourself!

I am thinking...
I got a surprise phone all from my friend Elly in Canada yesterday afternoon and it was so good to hear her voice. She lives in Nova Scotia. She's been having a bit of an annus horribilus herself this year. First her dear husband Jim passed away, which was very sad and unexpected. We always spend a day with them when we go home to Nova Scotia and had spent a lovely one with them in July. He was perfectly well then, or seemed to be. She has faced all sorts of challenges since then, as anyone would. It was nice to catch up with her and her goings on and to boost each other up. She injured her leg just recently and is facing many of the same pain issues and mobility problems as I am at the moment, plus she is facing having to find a new place to live and move herself with it all. If you could remember Elly in your prayers that would be lovely. She is another dear friend and such a sweet lady. It is so hard when you care about people and yet are so far away. There are so many things I would like to be able to do for my friends, but the distance makes that impossible. Prayer is about all I can manage, and so I do . . . pray, that is!

I am thankful for...
I am thankful for the tender mercies of my Heavenly Father. Oh how we need them each day. I am ever grateful for His presence in my life and in my heart. I am grateful that Lura continues to improve. It could so easily have been the other way. You can keep up with any updates on her condition or leave a message for her here. Your prayers for her are still needed and so very appreciated!

From the kitchen...
Not a lot really. Some leftover gingerbread and date fingers. The missionaries are coming for their supper tonight. I got a slipper joint of gammon that I am going to cook, and a vegetable gratin. I'll probably do some red cabbage and carrots to go along with it and perhaps my mother's Baking Powder Biscuits, which are fabulous. Not sure what I'll do for dessert. It bears some thinking about!

I am wearing...
Black and white jim jams! No layering now. The temperatures are a lot warmer and so there is no need to bundle up!

I am creating...



I was so excited to get a text from Sheilagh the other day telling my stamps were featured in a full page advertising spread in Craft Stamper Magazine! Then she scanned it for me and sent it to me so that I could see it without having to buy the magazine. I don't really do stamping so buying the magazine would have been a bit of a waste for me! (I know that's weird isn't it. I design stamps, but am not a stamper!) I am busy finishing off the second set of stamps now. If you would like to see the ones that are already available you can check them out here.

I am going...
We have an appointment puppy clinic at the Vet for Mitzie tomorrow morning and I have to be at physio therapy at the same time. Thankfully the two places are not all that far away from each other so Todd will simply drop me off first and then go to the Vet and come back for me after. Then we have her appointment on Saturday for her grooming. I love it when she has been groomed. She always smells so nice and feels so silky. I am sure she feels better afterwards as well. She is starting to look a bit like a shaggy yeti at the moment, but a cute one nonetheless!

I am reading...




A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness

I have started a new book and it's a real cracker!!

"It beings with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It beings with a discovery of witches."

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans . . . and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

I've only just begun this and it is a really thick book, but it is also a "can't put it down" book. I am really enjoying it thus far!

I am hoping...
That it won't be long before Lura begins to really feel like she is making great strides in her healing. I cannot imagine how it must feel to be in so much pain constantly, to have that many broken ribs and all the other injuries that are associated with a car accident of that magnitude and I hope that I never find out first hand. I know that when I have had the stomach flu in the past and felt very, very ill, I have wanted to die and I can only imagine how much worse this is. Oh we are such weak and fickle creatures aren't we. Having the stomach flu pales in comparison, but when we are experiencing it it feels so awful . . .

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. The birds are chirping loudly in the back garden. The tip tapping of the computer keys, Mitzie gently snuffling here next to me on the sofa. Early morning traffic. I love the early morning. It is my favourite time of the day.

Around the house...
Not a lot. We are working on the very last room of our clear out/spring clean. The library. This one will take quite a while to finish as there is so much in there that needs clearing out. Hard work, but it will be worth it when we are done. Next will be the sheds outside.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot really, other than what I have just spoken about. Things are quiet at the moment.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



This is what's blooming in my garden at the moment, scattered all across the grass and in little hidden crevices and valleys. I just love daisies. As a girl we used to make chains of them. It seems such a selfish thing to do now when I think of it . . . sacrificing all those pretty little blooms for such a flight of fancy. Wearing a crown of daisies always made me feel like a princess . . . I suppose every woman deserves to feel like a princess once in a while!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"Every day is a part of eternity, so start planning for it now."
~unknown

I think these are some very wise words, right up there with this being the first day of the rest of your life and all that!

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Here is a fabulous recipe that would make a wonderful Brunch Dish for Easter. Don't let the sound of the ingredients put you off. They may sound like a bit of an odd combination, but they come off as incredibly tasty! Trust me on this one!



*Bread Pudding Quiche with Berries and Bacon*
Serves 8
Printable Recipe

It might sound a bit wierd, but these ingredients go together incredibly and result in something quite wonderfully delicious! It would make a fabulous Easter Brunch dish.

7 to 8 slices of cinnamon swirl bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
(about 5 cups of bread cubes)
1/3 cup of butter, melted
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 1/2 cups of finely grated Gruyere cheese
2 tsp flour
salt and black pepper
3/4 cup of cooked ham
1/2 cup of chopped spring onions
2 cups of assorted fresh berries
4 slices of smoked streaky bacon, cooked until crisp and then broken into large pieces

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Spread the bread cubes iin a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until dry. Set aside 1 cup of the cubes and then put the remaining cubes into the bowl of a food processor. Increase the oven temperature to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5.

Cover and process the bread until you have fine crumbs. With the food processor running, pour in the melted butter until thorougly combined. The mixture should end up crumbly. Press this mixture onto the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of an ungreased 9 inch springform pan. Bake in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Reduce the oven temperature to 160*C/325*F/ gas mark 3.

Whisk the eggs and milk together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, toss together the cheese, flour, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper. Add this to the egg mixture. Fold in the reserved bread cubes, the ham and spring onions. Pour this mixture into the prepared crust. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the centre comes out clean. (Check after 30 minutes, and if you think it is browning too quickly, tent with foil.) Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a sharp knife carefully around the sides and then remove the sides of the pan. Place the quiche on a serving dish. Top with assorted berries and the bacon pieces. Serve immediately. Delicious!



And over in The English Kitchen today, delicious little Pikelets!

The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, September 7th, 2010...

Outside My Window...
It is light outside. It rained quite heavily through the night, but that seems to have cleared now. Here's hoping it is a nice day today! Hope does spring eternal!


I am thinking...
About the wonderful time we had at the Lee's last night at our Scripture Study/Family Home Evening. There are six of us that get together each Monday evening. It is nice to be able to fellowship with each other and to study the scriptures together. Last night we also watched an interesting little film about a young man, Helmuth Hubener, who had formed a small resistance group against the Germans in WW2. You can read more about him here. I had never heard of this brave young man and we all really enjoyed this film. I do hope you'll take a look at the link.

I am thankful for...
The love of good friends and family. They all mean the world to me.

From the kitchen...
There are some of those dangerous Double Chocolate Chunk Blondies. Oh my but they are tooooo good!

I am wearing...
Pink and white check pajamas and my robe. I will soon have to pack all my summer pj's away. The nights are getting decidedly cooler! I'm happy for that!

I am creating...



I painted another painting yesterday. I am really happy with how she turned out.
You can go and see her in all of her splendour here. It's called 'Nobody Can Be Uncheered With a Balloon.'



I also made a china teacup and saucer pin cushion the other day. You can see it in more detail in my Etsy Shop. I think it turned out quite lovely.

I am going...
I have my Primary Presidency meeting tomorrow night and then on Saturday we are having a Ward Activity. A Hoedown! It should be fun! I haven't been to a hoedown in years. I am supposed to bring a slow cooker entree with me, so I think I'll do a Cabbage Roll Casserole in the slowcooker. Everyone always loves that.

I am reading...



Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert

American writer Elizabeth Gilbert begins her memoir, Eat Pray Love with a vivid description of her crying alone on the bathroom floor. She is married to the wrong man (who is asleep next door in their bedroom), has found herself on the repressive suburban baby track and is living a seemingly perfect life that she doesn’t want.

With that image of a terribly private moment, the author captured the attention of a huge female book-buying audience. I think we can all relate, and have been there at one time or another. Gilbert, a journalist and author based in New York, is 34 at the time the book is set.

As her crisis plays out, she appeals to God (“It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I’ve always been a big fan of your work’,” she writes), divorces her husband, has a doomed affair and leaves for a year of self-discovery and healing. “I wanted to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two,” she writes. All in all, a very good read!

I am hoping...
Today is Todd's Birthday. It is hard to believe that he is turning 72 today. I hope that I can give him the best day ever. It is also the anniversary of our having met in person for the first time! Our lives both changed forever and for the better on that day!

I am hearing...
Clock ticking, keys tapping . . . Mitzie snuffling next to me here on the sofa. Classical FM is on the telly, playing softly in the background. Life is good

Around the house...
I am sure that there is an unwritten law somewhere that says . . . "The ironing you will always have with you." Not that I mind. I love ironing. It's that mindless kind of chore that gives you some thinking time . . . some dreaming time . . . some meditation time. It's all good.

One of my favorite things...
Is creating. A cake . . . a crafty project . . . a painting . . . some words . . . I love it all. It has ever been so. I used to draw out and colour my own game boards and clothes for my paper dolls when I was a girl. I also loved writing poems and stories. I wish I still had some of them . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
A little this . . . a little that! The weeks seem to fly by so quickly. Is it just me, or is it like that for everyone???

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Somebody wants us to play!! What a dynamic little lady this is! She has such a delightful personality. The other day Todd came in from having been out and he didn't give her a belly rub right away or pay much attention to her. She stood in front of him and gave him what for in a very strong telling off! She then slumped down in front of him with her head between her paws, with a big sniff and it was just like she was pouting! She is a treasure!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

I never see any home cooking. All I get is fancy stuff!
~Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburg (some people are never happy!!)

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

Here's a delicious salad that is food for the eyes as well as the tummy. I just love avocado. I also love bacon and tomatoes. Put the three together, and well . . . I'm in heaven!



*Avocado, Bacon and Tomato Salad*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

You will want to keep your vegetables fairly chunky in this for the best presentation. It has lovely flavours, colours and textures. Try to let it sit for at least an hour before eating, preferably two. This really helpt the flavours to fully develop.

6 slices of smoked streaky bacon
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 TBS white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 drops Tabasco sauce
2 medium, fully ripe avocados
2 medium ripe tomatoes
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Fry the bacon until crisp. Drain well on paper towelling and then crumble. Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Peel and chop the avocado in one inch chunks and drop them into the dressing, gently stirring to coat them thoroughly. Chop the tomatoes into half inch pieces and gently fold them in as well, along with the chopped onion, crumbled bacon and the chopped parsley.

Cover and refrigerate for two hours before serving. Serve on lettuce leaves, if desired.



And in The English Kitchen today, a delicious and hearty Savoury Chicken Hot Pot!

Sharing Burdens . . .

There are times in life that we, each one of us, have a burden to bear, and quite often it proves to be far heavier than it should be or than it could be, if we would only choose to share it with someone . . .

Pride, more often than not, prevents us from speaking out to others about it, or admitting that we need help. I have that problem myself. I am more than willing to listen to other people's problems and offer a helping hand when they need it, but . . . when it comes to needing help myself, or a listening ear . . . I am very reluctant to share it with others. I hold whatever it is that is bothering me close to my chest, like a poker player trying to hide a good hand.

I present to the outside world a face that is happy, and when asked how I am . . . I say . . . "Very well thanks!" when, in reality, my heart may be in turmoil and inside I may be weeping tears of pain, or frustration or unhappiness . . . unable to share for even a moment . . . what is really in my heart or on my mind.



It's not that I think that other people couldn't or wouldn't help, but that I feel that people have enough burdens and problems of their own without me dumping mine on their doorstep. Besides . . . in the light of all the suffering in the world, and all the other problems that people have to endure . . . anything that may be bothering me seems petty and of little consequence.

The thought occurs to me this morning though . . . that, in doing so . . . in failing to share . . . I actually prevent others from being able to receive the joy and the blessings that could be theirs from being able to help to ease another's burden, or to lend a listening ear. Oft-times it is in the very telling of how we are feeling . . . the act of sharing . . . that we actually receive the very help we need, for somehow . . . in the sharing . . . the burden actually miraculously eases, even without anyone having lifted a finger. Somehow when the words are out there, whatever the load is we have been carrying, somehow it seems lighter.



That's actually the way prayer works. We get on our knees and we say the words, and we hand it all over to God . . . and then, we trust in faith that He will take care of it, or give us an answer or show us the way out of whatever problem it is that we are enduring.

To each one of us comes the invitation from the Saviour . . .

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30



Perhaps when we fail toask for help when we need it, we are really showing a lack of faith both in our God and in our fellow man. From now on, I thnk I will try to share my worries and concerns, always remembering that there is Someone who has the time and patience to listen and to help. How can I deny the listener the blessings of being able to help . . . or myself . . . the blessing of being able to ask?

Wherever you are on this morning on your journey through life, may you be able to find the peace that is yours but for the asking, and the blessings that can be found in the sharing and easing of another burdens . . .

Just my thoughts on this cold, windy and wet Friday morning . . .

When I was dating my first husband, I used to love to go to his parents house and spend an evening with them, playing cards or just sitting and talking. He had lovely parents, and I used to love the atmosphere that was always present in their home. He lived on a big farm, and his mother would always have something tasty to eat. This was one of the things she used to make quite often for an evening snack and it always went down a real treat!




*Bacon and Cheese on Toast*
Serves 4

Bacon and cheese . . . need I say more??? This makes a great snack or light lunch. Add a bowl of soup and you have a delicious supper as well!

12 slices of streaky bacon
4 slices of bread
some grainy mustard
4 thick slices of strong sharp cheddar cheese

Heat a heavy skillet over medium high heat and then add your bacon. Cook, turning it over frequently, until it is semi crisp. Remove from the pan and then leave it to drain on paper kitchen toweling to help absorb most of the excess grease.

In the meantime pre-heat the grill (broiler) on your oven to high and lightly toast the slices of bread in your toaster.

Spread each piece of toast on one side with some grainy mustard. Lay a slice of cheese on top of the mustard and then lay 3 slices of bacon on top of the cheese. Place on a baking tray and then when all are ready, pop the baking tray under the grill and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the bacon is as crisp as you would like it to be.

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.



There's a delicious Lemon Cake on offer over on The English Kitchen this morning!