Tuesday, 19 June 2012

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .




FOR TODAY, June 19th, 2012...

Outside My Window...
It's actually quite sunny. I did not go for that walk yesterday . . . perhaps I will go today. ☺

I am thinking...
Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. ~Psalm 139:7-10

I am thankful for...
I am grateful for my husband and all the ways he supports me. He truly is my whole world.

From the kitchen...
I've not got a lot in the way of bad things to eat. I've been really trying hard to stay on the straight and narrow path. It's not as much fun that way, but it's definitely a lot better for me!

I am wearing...
Blue M&S nightie.

I am creating...
I have a few irons in the fire.



Still working at crocheting this afghan. It's about halfway done. I do a about 5 rows each night. Todd really likes it. He thinks I am so talented. What he doesn't know is, it's very simple to do! My sister taught my mother and I how to crochet when I was about 16! I am ever grateful to her for doing that. My mom never quite caught on to it though. She was always a knitter and I think she just always tried to crochet like she knit.



I did this little water colour yesterday. It's a postcard actually! It has a place on the back for writing and a stamp, etc. The original doesn't have script on it . . . I put the words on via the computer after I scan it. (I'm not that nice a writer!!)

And Todd thought that all I could paint was little girls . . .

I am going...
This week, I am taking it completely easy. I have no solid plans for anything. The RS has taken over the additonal meeting for me, so I am not doing anything there. I am just resting up before the big trip next week.
I am reading...

Source: 71toes.com via Marie on Pinterest



The Book of Mormon, inspired by God
I hope you are not surprised. This year in Sunday School we are studying the Book of Mormon. Each year we study a different set of scriptures. One year it might be the old Testament, another the New, then the Doctrine and Covenants. This year it is the Book of Mormon . . . another testament of Jesus Christ. This is not a book that was written by a man called Joseph Smith. This is a book that was translated from an ancient language by a man named Joseph Smith, through the inspiration and power of God. I believe this to be true. It is comparable to the Bible and is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel. It is a book written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of propecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One which came from Jerusalem in 600BC and afterwards separated into two nations . . . and another group which came to the Americas much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel.

My favourite part in this book is when the Lord Jesus Christ appears amongh the Nephite soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the Gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

I would invite all to read it . . . to ponder and study it's words. It is nothing to be afraid of. It is not inspired by Satan. It is a good book, and working along side with the Bible, it will help you to live a better life, and to draw even closer to your Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. It will bring peace to your hearts. It can change lives for the better.

I am hoping...
I am hoping that I can get everything I need to get done before our trip on the 28th. Not long now!

I am hearing...
Nothing new really. The keys are tapping. The birds are singing. The odd car drives by. The clock is ticking. I can hear an airplane off in the distance. Mitzie it pouting on the sofa . . . willing me to pay attention to her instead of sitting here at the computer. Its almost time for her breakfast, so that could also be a part of why she is sitting there on the sofa pouting.

Around the house...


What a fabulous idea!!! A craft station done in an old suitcase!! I just love it. I am so going to try to do this when I get the time! Everything is so totally organized and in it's place. What do you think??? Do you think I could do this?? I would love to try!!
One of my favourite things . . .
I love Barbie


I have always loved Barbie. I got my first Barbie doll when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I never had a Ken, Midge or Skipper, although I always wanted them. I used to have to steal my brother's GI-Joe doll and pretend he was Ken. He was the right size for it anyways. I also used to steal his jeep to play with because it, too, was the right size. Not quite a Barbie Convertable . . . or pink . . . but one must do what one must do! I have a replica Barbie now. It is the one in the black and white striped swim suit, with the blond ponytail and sunglasses. I would love to have more of them, but . . . well, I never see any that I like, except in pictures. The modern ones just don't do it for me. I like the older looking ones.

Something new about me ...
I was 15 years old the first time I ever tasted Pizza. They serving Pizza at our highschool Winter Carnival one night and I was serving. I had to wear a drindle skirt and a white blouse. I thought it a very tasty thing, this pizza thing. It started a love affair that I enjoy up to this very day. My cousin owns a pizza restaurant back home. Perhaps I will indulge when I am home in just . . . 8 days!!!

One of my guilty pleasures ...



Cheese Whiz. I know, what a wierd name for a cheese spread!! I do love it though and I am going to buy myself a little jar of it when I am home and a box of Ritz Crackers and eat my fill of it one day for lunch. Oh, sure . . . I will probably gain ten pounds doing so . . . so maybe I won't eat the whole jar of it all by myself, but I will certainly have a nice healthy taste of it . . . and I am going to have oatmeal bread toast for breakfast one morning, spread all over with it too.

Pet Peeves...
Screw on lids on jars. Is it just me, or are they getting more difficult to open as the years go by??? I have such a hard time with them. I have a piece of rubber that I use now. It's a piece of that stuff you put in caravans to keep the dishes in the cupboards from moving around when you are moving the caravan from one spot to the next. It works a treat!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...




“We sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that ‘the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.’ We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe.” ~President Dieter F Uchtdorf

We need to stop judging others. We need to love them just as they are. That is the Saviour's way. It is only through sincere love that we can reach into another's soul and make a difference. Love does not judge.



As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"Somebody cares and always will,
The world forgets but God loves you still.
You cannot go beyond His love
No matter what you're guilty of."
~Helen Steiner Rice

"For thou, Oh Lord, art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee."
~Psalm 86:5

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!




Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . A Salad of Chicken, Couscous and Fruit!

Hope you have a great day!

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Saturday, 16 June 2012

Poetry Saturday . . . Father in the Garden

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest



Misanthropes and malcontents,
Misogynists and others,
Who, separately and in the mass
Dislike your friends and brothers,
I do defy you one and all
Your stony hearts to harden
Against the sight so calm and bright
Of Father in the garden.

Source: re-nest.com via Marie on Pinterest



With tender trowelling he sets
His plantlets in the ground,
And hangs above his borders to
A gentle crooning sound.
See how he fights (his spectacles
Bedimmed with strong exertions)
With aching back and knees that crack
Convolvuline incursions.



Ah! Wo betide phlegmatic slugs
Should they by chance be seen
Emerging with distended sides
From meals of tender green!
The brisk and shining earwig flees,
The wood-louse rolls up tight,
The plaintive wail of many a snail
Bemoans it's orphan plight.

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest



O brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts,
O wives and daughters wise,
That horticulture and the home
Would seek to harmonize,
This is the one unwritten law
Since gardens first begun,
Don't try to do, but see that you
Admire when it is done.
~Molly Capes



this is a poem I have in a little book of poems, The Fireside Book of David Hope, 1977. It's a little anthology of poems and as you can tell . . . I have had it for a very long time! Tis not hard to see that my love of poetry goes back very deep into my roots!

I tried to find out something about the poet . . . but alas, I could not! The poem gave me a bit of a chuckle though . . . I can well imagine a grumpy old man, huffing and puffing his way through the gardening chores. One scarce would want to go within the grasp of his curt tongue and grumbling ways . . . but when all is done, quite happy to take a compliment and pat on the back at a job well done!

Rain again today . . . and it is very cold. Where is summer??? Not here, that's for sure! We seem to be in the grips of a cold and wet spell . . . with more to come they say and quite a storm in the offing if all the warnings come to fruition! We had best batten down the hatches!



One of my newest offerings that I have been painting, in preparation for the Christmas Booklet I am working on. This one is hanging baubles . . .



and then a candle in a jar . . . such an easy idea to incorporate into your Christmas decor I think . . .



and finally . . . a cheerful Christmas Kitchen scene! I know if may be difficult for some people to think of Christmas things in June . . . but it behooves the artist to be well prepared ahead of time! I am a Christmas nut anyways . . . and could easily think and dwell upon it 365 days of the year!

I was down another 2 kilo's yesterday at my weigh for the Step Program. That makes a bit more than 5 kilos now, which is good. It's 5 kilos less than it was when I started! That's a good thing for sure!

I really haven't much else to say today . . . so I'll just leave you with a cheering and inspiring thought . . .

“There is not a single loophole or curveball or open trench to fall into for the man or woman who walks the path that Christ walks. When He says, "Come, Follow Me" (Luke 18:22), He means that He knows where the quicksand is and where the thorns are and the best way to handle the slippery slope near the summit of our personal mountains. He knows it all, and He knows the way. He is the way.” ~Jeffrey R Holland, Created for Greater Things



Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious Eton Mess Cake! Total scrum!!


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Friday, 15 June 2012

Friday mish mash . . .




I thought I would teach my UK friends today all about wedding showers! They are not generally something which is done over here . . . but they are very common in North America. When I got married all those years ago, I actually had three held for me, which was great. Think "Hen Party" without the boozing and male nudity . . . add in some much beloved friends and relatives . . . and then toss in a few gifts for the home and some tasty food, and that's about it in a nutshell!!

Wedding Showers have their early roots in the customs of Dowry practices, when a poor woman's family might not have the money to provide a dowry for her, or when a father refused to give his daughter her dowry because he did not approve of the marriage. In such situations, friends of the woman would gather together and bring gifts that would compensate for the dowry and allow her to marry the man of her choice.

 Many different customs have developed in different regions and social groups. But the basic format has been relatively unchanged for generations, and emphasizes traditional gender roles. Sociologists like Beth Montemurro write that the ritual of the bridal shower "socializes women into the hyper-feminized traditional wife role," with its emphasis on the future role of the bride-to-be as family cook, homemaker, and sexual partner.




I don't know about any of that . . . but I do know that it is a fun way for the family and friends of the bride to get together and show their love and respect for the bride, and to give her some small, inexpensive gifts that will come in very handy in the setting up of her home.  Normally these gifts are not big things, like that which would be expected as wedding gifts . . . so no toasters, china, silver, crystal or big ticket items.  Mostly what is given are small things like kitchen gadgets and toys . . . think pot holders, aprons, spatulas, wooden spoons, tea towels, etc.

Normally a wedding shower is held 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding, but I don't have the luxury of doing this that far ahead . . . so this one will only be about 4 days before the wedding!

Nowadays a lot of showers run on a theme of some sort.  In looking up about these things and looking about on Pinterest . . . I noticed a real trend towards themes . . . I've seen everything from elaborate Hawai-in (sp?) Lua's to simple tea parties.  They can be held in the morning as a brunch, as a luncheon . . . a tea party, or a simple evening affair.

Source: goo.gl via Michelle on Pinterest


Mine is going to be very simple, but you probably already guessed that!  I don't have the money for doing anything elaborate, nor the time!

I purchased a bunch of decorations and things the other day at Hobby Craft . . . mostly on a pink and white theme, because that is my daughter's colours . . . well, pink and black actually . . . so I got a few black bows to add accents.  I got pink and white polka dotted finger food plates and pink gingham ones . . . some pink and white polka dotted table covers, pink and white striped straws . . . pretty pink flowered cupcake liners, etc!  Oh, and these really cute pink popcorn bag treat holders!  I popped them all into the post and am mailing them over to myself, as I knew that I wouldn't be able to afford that extra weight in my luggage!

I have picked up some pretty good ideas though of things to do and so I am going to use some of them . ..



I thought these moustache straws were really cute and so I am going to print out a bunch of moustaches before I go and take them in my suitcase.  I thought they would add a touch of levity to the affair, plus they are black and will go with all the pink, following my daughter's wedding colours!




I just loved this idea of having a sugar cookie/fruit pizza bar!  I can just set everything up and then the girls can help themselves . . . creating their own fruit pizza's.  It looks colourful and fun!  I'll be baking and decorating cupcakes as well . . . then there will also be finger sandwiches and probably punch . . . coffee and tea for the non-mormons, which pretty much everyone but me will be.




The decorations will be very simple . . . this will not only help to keep down the cost, but also I think simple is nicest of all . . . simple flowers . . . jam jar vases . . .a few votive candles . . . maybe a few balloons.



There are always games of course!  They can range from anything simple to outrageously complicated . . . I am a "kiss" kind of girl . . . "keep it simple simple!"

I thought this Bingo one looked easy and fun . . . plus I can print it out ahead of time as well . . .


I thought this was a cute idea too!  The guests all write out their ideas for fun dates for the bride and groom to go on!  It's colourful and gets everyone involved!

I plan on having at least 4 games and have 4 prizes arranged for the winners.  I thought I might throw in a pack of my cards as well . . . we'll see how the time goes for me in these next two weeks!


One thing I hadn't really thought of was party favours . . . little thankyou gifts for the guests . . . I guess that is where the treat bags will come in handy . . . I'm not quite sure what I will put in them . . . any ideas of things that are inexpensive but nice???  (and not too fattening!)

All in all I hope that it will be an evening of laughter and fun for all involved . . . and most especially for my girl.  I wasn't able to get over to Canada to my other daughter's wedding at all . . . I have always regretted not going.  I should have just borrowed the money to go, but I didn't . . . I often wonder if that might not be a part of the reason she is so distant from me . . . I am so grateful that I will have this opportunity to do something nice for this daughter and perhaps not make the same mistake twice . . . I am so grateful that I  changed my mind about staying away.  Fat or not . . . uncomfortable feelings or not . . . I need to be there and I want it to be the best experience possible for both of us!!  One thing that will help though . . . is you all keeping me in your prayers.  Life is just somehow much, much better when you are being carried aloft in people's hearts and prayers don't you think???  Thanks!!

I have gotten a little crystal tiara for her to wear . . . with a veil, like they do at Hen parties over here . . . I may pick up a learner driver sign as well for her to hang around her neck . . . I did buy a classy sash for her to wear, which says Bride to Be on it, which might be more appropriate.  They might not "get" the learner driver thing.  The important thing is we will have fun and she will know that I love her and think the world of her . . . and that my family does too.  ☺



Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins!  

Psstt!!  I am starting a new blog soon . . . which will be a special one.  It's not going to be one that I post in every day . . . but a few times a week at best.  Recipes From The Big Blue Binder.  Let me know what you think of it so far!  It's in the very early planning stages.  Thanks!

 
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Thursday, 14 June 2012

A bit of this and a bit of that . . .


Source: ehow.com via Cheryl on Pinterest


I am almost afraid to mention it . . . but . . . there's a huge glowing orb in the sky that is just pouring through my front window! Yes . . . the sun is shining gloriously! It's a sunny day! I am not sure how long it will stay that way but I have everything crossed that it will stay long enough for us to get out and about a bit today!

Yesterday was just horrible weatherwise. We didn't do much outside of the house really . . . we took ourselves off to Gordale Nursery in the morning to look at some herbs. I had tried planting some of the ones you can buy in tubs from the grocery shops . . . but I don't think they are really meant to be a long term thing . . . so yesterday we picked up some "real" herb plants to plant out . . . I do so love herbs . . . tarragon, marjoram, oregano, thyme, sage, basil . . . mint, spearmint, Italian parsley and curly parsley . . . and then some edible flowers like nasturciums, violas . . . I do already have chives, sage and thyme . . . but it never hurts to have more. Oh . . . and I got a bay laurel, just a tiny one but it will grow. I got some myrtle as well . . . a lovely blush colour and a pale mauve. A bit of colour here and there amongst the green . . . I think it shall be just splendid!!

Source: goo.gl via Crissy on Pinterest

There are so very many inventive ways to plant them out . . . but we will just be putting them into deep troughs for now . . . and setting them close to the kitchen door, for ease of use, of course!

I love to walk through the Gordale Nursery store . . . it's a virtual extravaganza of cuteness and decorating desire . . . there is everything you can imagine there.  Todd always takes himself off to the coffee shop with a book, whilst I browse.  And . . . in truth . . . that's the way I prefer it!  Who want's a man around poo pooing everything, or fretting about money.  Men just don't understand the concept of "Window Shopping" , do they???  They think that if you like something that automatically means you want to buy it.  One can admire without purchase . . .  it seems an alien concept to them . . . I think men really and truly are from Mars . . .


I did pick up a few little cookbooks  (Not these!) .  They always have a few on display . . . and at very good prices.    Almost impossible for me to resist, but I do try hard.  I also picked up a few things to use for prizes at the wedding shower I am going to have for my girl . . . a few different things that the girls might not be able to find in Canada, different and not too expensive.  One should feel as if they have won something really special don't you think???  I got some lovely rose scented drawer liners . . . with fairies on them, very light and easy to carry in our luggage . . . some beautiful paper napkins . . . a lovely melamine tray with the sweetest country print on it . . . a pretty tube of hand cream.  Small and simple things that will hopefully bring forth squeals of delight!  I know I would like to win them at any rate!

I was recently gifted with a beautiful magazine that I have fallen in love with . . .



Could this be as addictive as the old Victoria magazine was???  I think so!!  It is just filled with charm and beauty . . . and wonderful ingenuity . . . the craft of making old things seem new again . . . filled with the spirit of resourcefulness . . .  I just love it.  I wonder will it ever become available over here . . . one can but dream . . .


Now this is my kind of style . . . I love the idea of making the old new again . . . of taking the things we have and revamping them.  Simplistic styling . . . without a lot of frou frou . . . but then again . . . there is nothing wrong with a little bit of frou frou just here and there . . .



It's in the tiny touches that make a house a home . . . a few flowers well placed . . . a cushion here . . . a cushion there . . . this shall be my new dream . . . I can't wait to help it to unfold . . .

and then, once again, yesterday I took some time in my craft room to paint a bit . . . nothing to show you just yet, but soon . . . I am in Christmas mode . . . definitely in Christmas mode!


Then last night we had a Service Night at the chapel for the sisters in our Ward Relief Society.  We all got together and cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, washing and drying all of the dishes . . . cleaning out the cupboards, getting rid of all the tat and organizing everything in a better way . . . cleaning out the cupboard in our Relief Society room and organizing that too . . . it was a wonderful couple of hours spent in the company of some beautiful spirits, filled with work and laughter and wonderful companionship.  And we got the job done.  Many hands make light work . . . and a job that might have seem insurmountable to only one or two . . . became a breeze and almost fun to do!  Plus someone brought cake!  You can't lose if there is a bit of cake around!  ☺



I think I will let you get back to your day now . . . but not without leaving you with a beautiful little poem that is inscribed amongst the first few pages of  the Romantic Prairie Style magazine . . . one can but dream . . .

This is the place that I love the best,
A little brown house, like a ground-bird's nest,
Hid among grasses, and vines, and trees,
Summer retreat of the birds and bees.
Far from the city's dust and heat,
I get but sounds and odors sweet.
Who can wonder I love to stay,
Week after week, here hidden away,
In this sly nook that I love the best . . . 
This little brown house like a ground-bird's nest?
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Happy day one and all . . . 



Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious Pork and Apple Bake with Crispy Topping!

 
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Tuesday, 12 June 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook




FOR TODAY, June 12th, 2012...

Outside My Window...
What's that I see???  It's the sun, the glorious sun!  Shhhh . . . musn't say that too loudly, for fear it will disappear!  We have had ever so much rain over here and there has been terrible flooding in some areas.  Thankfully, we have had none here, but my heart does go out to those that have.

I am thinking...
In just 16 days Todd and I will be leaving to go to Canada.  I am still having very mixed feelings about this trip.  A huge part of me is so excited to be going home and seeing the children and being able to go to my daughter's wedding, but another part of me is feeling very nervous about the whole thing.  Perhaps that is normal.  I don't know!  I've never felt this way on any other trip I have taken back there.  But then again . . . a lot has happened since my last trip home.  I've had two new grandchildren arrive in the past two years . . . my mother has developed a heart condition.  My father has died and been brought back to life . . . and I've gained back all the weight that I had lost before I took that last trip.  I am losing again though . . . but still.  That is probably the thing that bothers me most.  I grew up in a home with a mother who was obsessive about weight.  I can't tell you the number of times I have heard her say . . . "Just look at that disgusting woman.  Look at how she has let herself go" . . . when she saw an obese woman.  I guess there is a part of me that thinks she will be thinking the same things about me when she sees me, and disappointing  my mum is something I have never wanted to do.





I am thankful for...
 I am very thankful for my testimony in the Saviour.  I don't know where in life I would be without Him.

From the kitchen...
I've been a very good girl lately.  I am not indulging myself so much these days, and the scales are showing it.  I am also thankful for that!

I am wearing... 
Pink M & S nightie,slippers . . . no robe.  It's cool in here, but not cold.  I like that.

I am creating...
 I have a few irons in the fire.  


Still working at crocheting this afghan.  It's coming along wonderfully!!  I think it is going to be beautiful when it is done.




I need to clear some space around my sewing machine up in the craft room.  I couldn't sew in there right now if my life depended on it!  I wanted to sew a few aprons for prizes for the Hen Party/ Wedding Shower I am hosting for my girl on the 4th of July.




I finished my next cookbooklet, "The Great British Picnic."  You can access it in the kitchen!  It's in the upper right hand column.  It won't be on offer for that long.  I am going to be taking it down before I go to Canada, so if you want one you have only 16 days to get one!



 And of course I've been working on this years Christmas Card line.  I have gotten two done thus far.  I am quite happy with them.




 

I really enjoy doing my artwork.   I have pretty much given up on the idea that I will ever be able to make any real money at it, but . . . it's a nice hobby and keeps me out of trouble.

 

I am going...
This afternoon I have a meeting with my Additonal Meeting committee.  We are having our June Additional Meeting (Relief Society activity) next week.  We must get it all organized and I want to have July's meeting organized before I leave for Canada.  Then tomorrow night we are having a service night at the chapel.  We will be washing all of the dishes, etc. and cleaning the kitchen until it is spotless, and possibly clearing out the Relief Society cupboard.  Thursday evening I have Stake Training in Rhyll, which is to do with my calling as a counsellor in Relief Society.  Friday morning I have my step program.  It's a pretty full week.  Along with all of that I am trying to sort out things for this shower I am hosting.  I bought some things yesterday as I won't have a lot of time once I get there to do anything so I am going to post these things over to myself.  Daft idea???  Perhaps, but I did not get to do anything when my other daughter got married . . . I was not even able to go to her wedding . . . and so I really want to make this one special.
I am reading...






Mocking Jay, by Suzanne Collins
This is the Third novel in the Hunger Games Trilogy and I am quite enjoying it. It didn't take me very long to finish the second one.  I just started this one last night and it promises to be every bit as good as the other two!!  This book is really good!  Just as good as the other three!!  I wish I had a mind that could write books like that!  That kind of talent amazes me!


 I am hoping...
I am hoping that the sunshine stays around for a few days!  Todd is going in to town today . . . I would so love to go in with him, but I have far too much to get done here at home. 

I am hearing...
Nothing new really.  The keys are tapping. The birds are singing. The odd car drives by. The clock is ticking. I can hear an airplane off in the distance.  Mitzie it pouting on the sofa . . . willing me to pay attention to her instead of sitting here at the computer.  If she was smaller she could sit on my lap, but she's too big for that . . . so she must wait until I am done.
 
Around the house...


I have always loved the clean look of Scandanavian decorating style for the home.  It always looks so fresh and crisp, and yet at the same time so very pretty.  I think of all the decorating styles it is my favourite . . . but then again . . . I do adore a little French Country as well!
One of my favourite things . . .
I love, Love, LOVE the style of the 1950's . . . June Cleaver and all that. 



If  I was thinner . . . I would dress like that quite happily . . . no matter how crazy the neighbors thought I was!  Seriously!  And . . . I'd wear an apron all day long, and have my hair done 50's style too.  I know . . . I'm a bit loopy!!

Something new about me ...
I never read one book at a time.  I am usually reading at least two or three.  I get bored very easily and so this helps to keep me interested!  Todd doesn't understand how I can do that without getting the plots mixed up.  I guess it is just further proof that women are naturally smarter than men!  haha

One of my guilty pleasures ...


 Did you know that you can get it in HUGE jars???  You can and they are enormous!!!  I have one in the cupboard right now . . . I haven't opened it yet though . . . for fear of this . . . 


I don't think I'd be able to stop myself.  But that's not the worst of it . . . did you know it tastes even better spread onto plain biscuits (cookies) like malted milks . . . or tea biscuits . . . coffee breaks . . . oh lordy lordy . . . I am such a bad girl!  (Now you know why that jar is still not opened!)

Pet Peeves...
Smokers.  I know!  I used to be one myself.  Every day though . . . I have to clean up their butts from the front of our house at the edge of the drive . . . you wouldn't believe how much there are.  It's amazing . . . AND . . . I have even found some by my front door????  How on earth do they get there, I'd like to know!  (hmmm . . . or maybe I wouldn't!)  Now that people can't smoke in restaurants and pubs . . . the smokers gather around the outside entrances . . . and you always end up having to walk through a cloud of smoke on your way in.  That shouldn't be allowed.  There should be dedicated spots for them . . . away from the entrances.  I know they have rights too . . . and I can sympathise with them . . . but at the same time, I don't want to be breathing any of that in myself.  I worked really hard to quit.  It's been 23 1/2 years now . . . yay me!


 Here is picture thought I am sharing...






“Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others” ~Gordon B Hinckley

Is there anything more beautiful on earth than a rose bud . . . getting ready to unfurl?  I took this photograph in my garden yesterday.  The rose is such a beautiful flower . . . right from the time of it's bud . . . to the glory of  it's bloom . . . and right on down to it's fruit after the bloom has spent itself . . . it cares not about it's own import . . . it exists only to make our world a better place . . . a prettier place . . .  to bring joy to the eye and the heart.  It makes a difference simply by being here.  It doesn 't need to announce itself.  It just  . . . "is."  We should be the same.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:
 
"God is our encouragement
In trouble and in trials,
And in suffering and in sorrow
He will turn our tears to smiles."
~Helen Steiner Rice

Imagine yourself in God's arms today . . . how is He holding you?

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!


 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . The Perfect Burger.


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