Come to the well . . . and drink . . .

Source: beinglds.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

One of my favourite stories in the Bible has to be the one about the Woman at the well. Just in case you are not familiar with it, there is a woman who goes to the village Well to draw water, just like she does on every day . . . only on this one particular day something different happens. She encounters a man sitting near the Well . . . and suddenly,  a chore she has done a thousand times in her life and will do a thousand more becomes a life changing event.

The man quite simply asks her for a drink.  Nothing too amazing about that you say . . . and perhaps not.   People get thirsty all the time and it was in the middle east, which is known to be dry and arid . . . and sometimes very hot.  What was life changing though . . .was not his request for a drink for his parched throat, but in his next statement.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."
 ~John 4:10

Source: wikipaintings.org via Martina on Pinterest

He then told her that God could give her living water, and that she would NEVER thirst again.  Now, aside from the fact that she was a Samaritan, enemy to the Jews, and he was a Jew . . . this is a statement that would bring everyone up short and get our attention.   NEVER thirst again?  Who would not want that kind of water??  In a country where water is a very precious commodity . . . living water must have sounded like a money tree.   Not to mention changing the daily drudgery of her having to draw heavy buckets of water from the well every day and carry her burden back to her home, as well as having her thirst relieved.

"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
~John 4:14

The woman then requests this water and in reply he tells her to go and call her husband.   He knows she does not have a husband and sure enough, she replies that she does not.  He then proceeds to make a statement on the fact that she has had five husbands and is now living with a man who is not her husband.

Source: foundationarts.com via Connie Esterholt on Pinterest

This is a woman . . .  who was clearly searching for something . . . who was filled with longing and loneliness, bereft of a life of meaning and love.  No small wonder the Savior's offer  of living water captured her attention . . . and fills the empty cistern of her heart.

You can read the full account in the Book of John, Chapter 14 . . .

I recently had someone say to me that they don't understand the profit in reading the scriptures, how they didn't understand what possible use these ancient words could be in a modern world . . . if you read them as if they are mere words on a page, dusty and dry . . . you probably would not profit from that exercise, but if you read them seeking a way in which you can apply the words to your life . . . now . . .  well, there is the living water for the parched throat.

Source: Uploaded by user via Kim on Pinterest

Jesus offer of the gift of living water is as clear and meaningful now in these modern times as it was that day at Jacob's well.  It is not an offer which is withheld because we are empty, broken or contaminated . . . filthy or dirty . . . He understands our condition and our plight.  There is nothing that we have done, or seen, or been . . . that He does not have first knowledge of.  He has been there, and He comes with the cleansing water of forgiveness, bidding us drink and be forever refreshed . . . are you thirsty?   Won't you come to the well and drink?

Just my thoughts this morning.

Source: concertposter.org via Marisa on Pinterest

Oh boy, did we ever enjoy Les Miserables yesterday.  I would have to say hands down that it is the best film I have ever seen.  We had seen Les Miserables in the West End a few years ago and loved it then.   We loved this film even more.  It brought it all so much more to life for us.   I cried no less than five times.  If you only go to see one film this year, let it be Les Miserables.   It deserves to be watched on the big screen, truly.  It was worth every penny, and I shall be first in line to buy it when it comes out on DVD!  It was just wonderful.   What a message of hope amidst despair.  If this doesn't walk away with tons of awards this year, I will be amazed!

I'll be calling my mom later today to see how she made out yesterday.  Praying for a miracle.

A thought to carry with you through today:

"It is not possible for the human mind to hold both a positive thought and a negative thought at the same time."
~Lily Tomlin



Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Pork Chops with an Apple, Red Onion and Walnut Sauce.

Can it be Wednesday already?  The week's half over.   Enjoy your day!


 

The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY, January 22nd, 2013...

Outside My Window...
The sky is still quite dark and it's very quiet. There is still some snow laying on the ground, but no more has fallen.  It is very, very cold though.

I am thinking...
When you judge someone, you don't define them, you define yourself.
~Dr Wayne Dyer

I am reminded of a great talk given by Elder Jose L Reina when he spoke at one of our Stake Conferences last year.   He talked about judging others and how wrong it was and how we needed to stop doing it.   It's so easy to look at someone else and make a judgement on their appearance, or what they are doing, how they are living . . . but there is an old Indian saying which says that you should never judge another person unless you have first walked a mile in their moccasins.  It's just plain wrong.  We cannot know what lays in another's heart or mind.   Only our Father in heaven knows.    We need to learn to give others the benefit of the doubt and to look at them with the eyes and the heart of the Saviour.   It is something that I work at all the time, and sometimes I fail at it.  Thank goodness for repentance!

I am thankful for...

See above!   Repentance, which allows me to begin again . . . frequently!

From the kitchen... 
There is some cake and one mince pie left from Christmas.   I have been thinking of baking some bran muffins.  I do so love a good bran muffin.  When I had my canteen I used to bake lots of muffins every day . . . bran, carrot, banana, morning glory.   They all sold out every day.
 
I am wearing...  
A blue nightie with white polka dots that Todd gave me for Christmas and slippers, a robe, etc.  Soft and warm.

I am creating...  

Source: blackbird-designs.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

This ruffled edge on this quilt is so adorable.   I have a lap quilt which I started over a year ago which is just sitting up in my craft room waiting for me to finish it off.  This would be perfect.

Source: sltrib.com via Julie on Pinterest

Isn't this a fabulous little sewing kit?   I love it, but then . . . I do love buttons very, very much.   This would be so easy to do.   I just have to find an old mason jar!

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

Loving these little origami butterflies.  I could see a flock of these flying on the wall over our bed. These are on Etsy, but there must be instructions on how to make your own somewhere.

Source: creativityinprogress.com via Marie on Pinterest

I just love this little paper tea party.   Is it not just the cutest thing?   I think it would be very easy to make as well.

I am going... 
My mother will be in Halifax at the hospital today for her needle biopsy.   Please keep her in your prayers.   She has to be there by 7:30 am Atlantic Time.  It is quite a lengthy process.   It's also quite a journey to take on winter roads, as the hospital is about an hour and a half away.

I won't be telephoning her today so Todd and I are going to go and see Les Miserables at the movies.   We have been waiting for this to come to the UK, so it will be great!   We saw it on the West End down in London when we lived down South and it was fabulous.   Looking forward to seeing the film today.    We don't often go to the movies.   More than not we wait until the come to the telly or out on dvd.  There are some though that you just want to experience on the big screen.  This is one of them.

Thursday evening is our January Women's RS Additional Meeting.  The theme is Fresh Starts and New Beginnings this time.   I hope we have a nice turnout.  It would be nice to see some of the Sisters out who don't normally make it.

I am reading...

Source: eating-for-england.com via Sara on Pinterest

My Berlin Kitchen, by Luisa Weiss.
Along the way to adulthood, I acquired one six-inch chef’s knife, a dark-green glazed cast-iron pot, and the growing realization that baking and cooking were not just a sure way to end up with a pan of warm brownies or a kitchen full of the fragrance of beef stew.  Busying myself in the kitchen was how I conjured the people and places I loved the most in the steam rising off the pots on the stove.  And when I came down with a rare and chronic illness known as perpetual homesickness, I knew the kitchen would be my remedy.

I am in love with this book. How could you not be.  It's an autobiography but with food and recipes.  I am totally smitten with it.  I do so love this type of book.  I am halfway through it.   It's fabulous"

Reading Little Women by Louisa M Alcott on my Kindle.  Revisiting an old favourite.  I don't think you can ever be too old to enjoy the classics!



Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman.   This, too, is on my Kindle.   It's a historical autobiography.  I did see the film with Kiera Knightly a few years back, which was quite good.   Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire was what you might call the first "IT" girl and lived over 200 years ago.   She was born into the Spencer family at the family seat of Althorp, which means she was an ancestor of Princess Diana.   There were a lot of parallels in their lives which I find absolutely fascinating.  It's a long book, but I am looking forward to reading it.

 I am hoping...
I am hoping and praying that my mother's day goes well today.   It is a horrendous experience to go through and I wish that I could be there now to hold her hand, but she wants me there later during her treatment, and she is right, that is the best time for me to be there.

I am hearing... 
Ordinary morning sounds.   My play list, Mitzie snoring . . . the clock ticking.  My fingers clicking on the keys.  Nothing changes . . .

Around the house...

Source: bhg.com via Buttercream Bakehouse on Pinterest

There are some fabulous ideas here on bathroom storage.   I need help with that.   It's so easy to let your bathroom get jumbled up with lots of tat . . . not that any of it is stuff you don't need, but it would be so nice to be able to store it all a bit tidier!  I am loving this.  I just have to find an old cabinet that I can paint and re-purpose for this use.

Source: postteenageliving.com via Victoria on Pinterest

I just adore the simplicity of this kitchen.  The stone floor, the white cupboard with the wooden knobs, the wood look countertop, the butchers sink, the smeg fridge, the open shelf above the sink.  I Love it all!  A gal can dream!

Source: kandeelandkandeeland.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

I don't have any children, but I have fallen in love with this bed!   I can only imagine how much fun it would have been to have a bed like this when I was a little girl.   Heaven!   I think it's just wonderful.   It's probably a pain to make though . . . hmmm . . .

One of my favourite things . . .  

Source: tpettit.best.vwh.net via Marie on Pinterest

Paper Dolls.   When I was a little girl I had lots of paper dolls and I probably played with them far more than I played with real dolls.   I just adored them.  It was a way of having more dolls, but not having to spend a fortune to get them.   I used to save up my allowance to buy them, and a lot of the fun I got from them was in making new clothes for them.   I spent hours with my paper dolls.   I wish I still had them.

Something new about me ...

Source: google.co.uk via Marie on Pinterest

I have a thing for pigs, or should I say Piglets.   I think they are so cute.   Todd bought me a pig figurine a few years back and it is one of my favourite things.   Pigs are such intelligent animals and not as dirty as some people think they are.  They are really quite clean.   I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Jimmy's Farm down near Ipswich a few summers ago and I really enjoyed seeing all of his pigs.  One of the highlights of my past couple of years!

One of my guilty pleasures ...

Source: cupcakeproject.com via Suzy on Pinterest

I just love, LOVE Ritz crackers.   These are homemade ones which I am going to have to try to make.   I especially love Ritz crackers spread with cheese spread or with peanut butter.  

Pet Peeves...    

The small print on packages, bottles, cans, etc.   I just can't read it.  I think I will have to finally invest in a magnifying glass.   I must be getting old.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: redbubble.com via Bonnie on Pinterest

“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could not learn in any other way."  C S Lewis

When I think back on my life I can clearly see that the  most profound lessons I have learned I have learned through my deepest trials.   These are the lessons which stick with you.   I guess I am a person who has always had to learn things the hard way.

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

The test of thankfulness is now what you have to be thankful for, but whether anyone else has reason to be thankful you are here." ~author unknown

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 . . . Roast Chicken with a Lemon Herb Stuffing.  Something to think about for the weekend!

Happy Day all!

Early morning thoughts . . .

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

We have really been enjoying all of the birds which have been visiting our garden during this recent cold snap.   There was a time a few months back when we thought they had abandoned us altogether, thinking that perhaps those pesky neighborhood cats which seem to spend more time in our garden than in their own had driven them all away . . . but these past few days have thankfully proved that theory wrong . . . thankfully.

Although I did look out the other morning to see the black cat sitting right on top of the pond, which has frozen over (but not by much) polishing his paws on it's glassed over surface.   He could probably see the fish swimming beneath it and was trying as hard as he could to get at them.   Thankfully he could not . . . however I do confess, there was a part of me that hoped that the ice would break and teach him a lesson and perhaps frighten him away from our garden altogether . . .

Source: loveamongthebirches.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Feeding the birds is an important part of our day . . . it has been ever the same no matter where we have lived.   First thing in the morning and again in late afternoon we put food out for them.   There is always stale bread going or cake or biscuits, which they love, especially in the winter when the extra fat does them good.   They have often been the lucky recipients of stale cereal as well . . . and of course the usual suet balls and wild bird seed.

I used to save all of our bacon fat and make my own suet balls with it . . . along with chopped apple, and peanut butter, wild seed, bread and cereal crumbs and melted suet.    I would stir it all together and pack it into loaf tins and freeze it.  Once frozen I would cut it into thick slabs which we would then pop into the cage suet feeder.  They have always loved it.   We don't eat much bacon anymore though . . . and these past few winters they have had to settle for the shop bought suet balls.

Source: alittlebitofsillinessreally.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

We have a nut feeder too, which we like to fill with nuts for them.    It is a squirrel proof feeder.  When we were down south and living on the Manor Estate there was no end to the squirrels that gave us problems, emptying the nut feeder as soon as it had been filled most days . . . and so we bought the squirrel proof feeder, which would have worked very well except for this one fact.   We had very smart squirrels and whilst the feeder was quite squirrel proof all around the sides and the top . . . the bottom was quite exposed and the little blighters used to just steal them from the bottom.   I soon solved that problem though.  (It had become somewhat of a challenge for me to keep them at bay.)   I just took the metal lid from a jar and poked some holes around the edges, about four and then wired the lid to the bottom of the feeder where the nuts were, covering over the holes completely.   Problem solved.

They do love the sunflower seed most of all, and of course it is the most expensive to buy . . . so it is a rare treat along with mealy worms.    It does cost a bit to feed them, but we do so enjoy all that they give us in return in hours spent watching them as they flit from hedge to feeder and back again . . . and in song in the springtime . . . Todd does get annoyed when a flock of starlings arrive and decimate all of our work . . . but as I remind him . . . they need to eat too.  I know they are such greedy birds and not very nice . . . but, one could say the same about us and still . . . our Father cares.

Source: weather.com via Olivia on Pinterest

We have had more snow during the night.  The car is quite covered now.   I don't think Todd will ever get it cleaned off.   I have warned him all weekend that he needs to do so . . . and in fact the car has not moved.   I fear it will all be well and truly frozen on now, and a lot harder to clear.    He just does not have any smarts when it comes to snow, whereas I have years and years of experience in dealing with the white stuff.  I do have to say though that I am glad that at my age, I no longer have to deal with it on a regular basis during the Winter months.   That is the one thing I am dreading however, when I am at my mom's.  The Canadian Winter Weather.  I fear I have become a Winter Weather Wimp!

My mother goes for her needle biopsy tomorrow and then, once that is done, I expect it won't be long before they are setting up a date for her surgery and it will be all systems go and I will have to be on my way over.  Oh I shall miss you all so . . .

Yesterdays Silver Lining . . .  Toasting our toes by the fire while the snow fell.  Feeling all cozy and warm and feeling it together as a family . . .  with that little wet black nose pushing itself between us.   So nice . . .

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

A thought to carry with you through the day . . .

"Life is like a rollercoaster;  the highs are meaningless but for the lows."
~anonymous



Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Vegetable Soup with Bacon Dumplings.  Oh so good and warming during this cold snap!

Wherever you go and whatever you get up to  today, be safe . . . and be happy!

Poetry Saturday . . . Winter Park

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

If I could paint the blues and greys,
That blend into that filmy sheen
As if an artist dipped his brush
In silver paint to draw a scene
From some high hill in fairyland
A man with magic in his hand.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The frozen rutted pathways run
Like rabbit tracks among the trees,
The bushes weighted down with snow,
Bent old women on their knees,
Webbed tracks like feather stitching made
In warm quilts by the ladies' aid.

Source: dontcallmebetty.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The trees are decked in white array,
Like vestal maidens at a Feast,
Behind the hills the sun comes up
Like a great monarch of the East,
Whose golden trappings shed a glow,
On the white glare of frost and snow.

Source: ffffound.com via Marie on Pinterest

A dozen children play about
Like dwarfs from Snow-white come to town,
With merry eyes and laughing lips,
And all the antics of a clown,
With cheeks as red as Santa Claus
Playing to win the crowd's applause.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

And so a winter park becomes
A painting framed in frost and snow,
Where common things of every day,
Take on a radiance and glow,
Like figures acting on a screen
Doing a lovely winter scene.
~Edna Jacques

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

Of course the big news here in the UK today is all the snow which fell yesterday, creating chaos all over the country.  Snow is always big news here as we seldom get much and when it does fall . . . well, we just don't deal well with it at all!  People never do what they are asked to do which is to . . . STAY HOME . . . with the end result being traffic chaos and disruption all over the place.  Stuck lorries, delayed trains, canceled flights, shut down motorways,  etc.   I even saw photos on the telly yesterday of store shelves which had been absolutely stripped of all the necessities of life such as bread, milk, water . . .

We had a quiet day here at home actually.   We never went anywhere (coz we do what we're told to do) and just stayed warm and cozy in here by the fire, periodically looking out the window to see how much had fallen.   At the end of the day we had a couple of inches, perhaps three, which was just enough.   I know they had a lot more in other places!  We're quite protected here in Chester.

No plans for today except more of the same.  Staying warm and cozy in our little house.

Yesterday's Silver Lining:   The two Sister Missionaries who walked over to our place in the afternoon.  (The missionary house is just around the corner.)  They were here for about an hour.  I fed them freshly baked cake and milk and we read the scriptures together and just shared.   It was really special.  They always bring such a special spirit with them.

A thought to carry with you through Saturday:

The Winter is a stillness and a darkness and a sleep
But not a death, for in the earth the roots of life go deep.
A rest . . . then re-creation and a glad new burgeoning.
Every day in Wintertime is one day nearer Spring.
~Patience Strong



Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious Spiced Orange Cake.

Stay warm and safe people!!

 

A sunny winter's day . . .

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Now and then in the month of January we get a day which feels like a real bonus.  Despite the cold, the sun is clear and high in the sky making it look as soft as lake water.  The tree trunks seem to glow in the light and the pond across the way dances with a hundred misty colours.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The birds are happy.   They flit with lighter wing somehow . . . from branch to branch . . . from hedgerow to feeder . . . their bodies puffed up and round . . . as they hop along the ground and frosted blades of grass, the world looking for all as if it someone has gone mad with the icing sugar and dusted every surface.  Perfectly delightful.

Source: wistfullycountry.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Mitzie sniffs at the back door . . . her breath coming in great gulps.   I wonder what it is that she smells.   I open the door and she bounds out and across the patio to the gate, barking madly as she goes, tail wagging back and forth . . .  I can see nothing out there that would require such excitement and fervor . . . it always amazes me when just a few moments later a neighborhood cat slinks out from beneath the hedge row . . . gives a languid stretch  and a haughty glance and then lazily saunters across the yard in it's exit, as if to tease.   They know that she is unable to pass the gate and really give them chase . . .

They annoy me.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I call the garden the Quiet garden on such a day . . . even in it's spent waste it looks beautiful . . . frozen branch and brown leaf . . . crystalline blades of last summer's bull rushes rise from the glassed over surface of our pond.  'Tis only a thin layer . . . but it adds to the magic.

Source: christmiss.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The sun which glints on every frosted surface, leaf and petal is so tempting despite its lack of warmth.  One almost wants  to sit out in the garden and eat . . . a candy coated picnic . . . perhaps.  But alas . . . we know the chairs would be far too cold and so instead we settle for trays . . .  indoors by the fire, quietly enjoying this gem of a day together indoors.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I suddenly want to take a drive . . . to get away along a country road, and so . . . we do.   We wind around the wintery country roads, up hill and down winding lane, past frozen fields and hedgerows . . . and grey stone fences, glinting here and there with a sheath of ice, the light from the sun intensifying the little bit of color there is . . . reds are redder . . . whites whiter . . . greens greener . . . the browns of thicket and meadow touched with a rosy tinge . . .

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Those brave enough to wander about are huddled beneath their heavy coats . . . all mittened and scarved . . . their breath puffing and huffing  in bursts of white cloud, as they hurry along . . . white clouds too unfurl from the top of  chimney pots adorning snug farmhouses . . . beckoning . . . welcoming . . .   The air smells like ice and woodsmoke . . . and frozen greenery.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

A day like this is exciting . . . a gift . . . a small jewel set in the silver band of winter . . . and we are grateful for the magic which it brings.

Source: cashmeregyrl.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I hope you enjoyed this winter journey with me.   I surely enjoyed musing upon what was a beautiful day yesterday, cold, clear and just plain special.

A thought to carry with you as you go about your Wednesday . . .

“Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.” 
~Jeffrey R Holland



Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . warm and tasty Cornmeal Scones!  Very easy to make and perfect with a nice hot bowl of soup.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!