Saturday, 24 February 2018

Three wishes . . .





“Sometimes things become possible
 if we want them bad enough.”
 ~ T.S. Eliot 

I loved the story of Aladdin's Lamp when I was a little girl. I even had a colouring book based on it. I thought the princess was beautiful and the idea of finding a magic lamp that you could rub and then have a genie pop out to grant you three wishes seemed pretty amazing.  I used to think a lot about what I would wish for.  Of course back then it was things like ponies, piano lessons and all the candy I could eat forever and forever.  Now, that I am an adult, those wishes would be quite different.  So here's the question this morning.  You have just discovered a magic lamp with a genie in it and he's granting you three wishes.  What do you wish for?  Remember you only have three. Its hard and bears a lot of thinking about.

Here are mine. 



The destruction of all illegal weapons in the world along with the inability to procure them. Only the people who should have guns will have guns. Forever and forever. There would be no more senseless killings, etc. not by guns at least. There is something wrong in the world when a 13 year old cannot buy a lottery scratch ticket and yet can procure a firearm with no problem at all.  We can't take a bottle of water on an airplane, but we can buy a gun?  Something is really screwed up here.



No more hate or intolerance of culture, sexual identity or faith  or lack thereof.  No intolerance. We would all just simply agree to disagree and that would be the end of it. Nobody would be pushing their agendas at anyone else. We would just all get along, accepting that other people have the right to think and feel what they do, in peace.  Tolerance is at the core of "Agency," and one of the tenants of my faith.  If you want to be straight or gay or whatever, that is your choice.  If you want to worship Allah or God or little pink bumblebees, that is your choice.  I can have my beliefs and you can have yours, and that's okay. We would celebrate our differences. Nobody would have to feel ashamed of who they were. Love and respect for others would be key.



That a cure for cancer would be found.  For all kinds of cancer. It would just be no more.  Cancer would die, not people, especially not children.  But there are all kinds of cancer, cancer of the body and cancer of the soul.  This would also include cancer of the soul. 

Now you are probably thinking . . .  why didn't I wish for an end to natural catastrophies, or world hunger, etc.  It is simple.  We need to serve others.  These things give us the opportunity to do just that.  To serve.  It is in service that we grow, that we become . . .  better human beings. Without the opportunity to serve others, we would become apathetic and uncaring.  The opportunity to serve others and acts of service are all very important in our Human Experience here on earth. 

As we lose ourselves in the services of others,
we discover our own lives,
and our own happiness.
~Dieter F Uchtdorf 

So there you have it . . .  my three wishes. What are yours and why?


Look who is turning SEVEN today!  Yes, it is wee Maryn's Birthday. I hope her Birthday package got to her safe and sound and that she enjoys it.  I also hope that she has a lovely day filled with lots of love and smiles and laughter. Maybe one day, just maybe, I will be able to wish her a Happy Birthday in person. I hope she knows how much I love her,  as I do all my grandchildren.  She is our only granddaughter.  I think she is a delightful, intelligent, sweet little girl. 


She is a loving older sister . . . I think she and Cameron are great friends . . . 

  

She's a good daughter and she  loves her mom and her dad. I can tell from photos that she thinks the world of them, and they her. 


She's intelligent and charming and just really special to me. I wish so much that we knew each other.  I wish also that she was given the opportunity to know her Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather. Not many people have that chance in life, I didn't  . . .  but she has had it, and it will soon be too late. The opportunity will have passed.  She knows nothing about  me or my immediate family at all.  I wish that was different.  But I am glad that she is a happy little girl, and that she is loved.  Those are two very important things!  

No Book of Mormon Corner, today.  I am giving you the weekend off! 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *.˛.
I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy.
~Rabindranath Tagore    •。★★ 。* 。 


 

In the Kitchen today  . . .  Malvern Apple Pudding.  So yummy!  Served warm with lashings of custard. 

Have a great weekend.  Hope you find the joy!  Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!

Friday, 23 February 2018

My Friday Finds . . .

 
 
A few of the things  I find each week that pique my interest, bring me joy, inspire me to learn, create, do, become . . . Maybe they will do the same for you!  
 
 
A really easy pair of Crochet Slippers.  Free pattern from Crochet Dreamz.  
 
 
Golden Lucy Crafts.  A free pattern for Crochet Shamrocks.  St. Patricks Day is coming!  
 
 
Felt ornament patterns from Lolli and Grace.  Downloadable PDF.  Very pretty. 
 
 
Delilah Iris, a little mini felt teddy bear doll.  Soooo cute!  Can you see this dressed up for Christmas and hanging on the tree?  I can!  
 
 
Lalli Dolls.  A joined bunny with clothes.  Sweet!  
 
 
Curious Cottage Cosy by Naomi Dickenson.  Quaint!  
 
 
Lily Quilts.  A Pam Kittey Tea Cosy Tutorial.  Love this. It is a combination of ME and Britishness.

 
Can I show you just one more Tea Cosy?  If you love Cornish Ware, you will adore this tea cosy from BuzybeeKnits on Craftsy.  
 
 
Embracing the Lovely.  How to use Colouring pages in your Bible journaling. 
 
  
 
No link, just an idea of how to do a fancy hair bun thingie for long hair. I like this.

 
The Katherine Wheel. Making Journals.  A tutorial.

 
How to make a Paper Flower Wreath on How to Build It.  
 
 
Tutorial for making a pincushion using an old CD from Jenny of Elefantz.  
 
 
Deep South Dish. Ice Box Bread and Butter Pickles.  These look really good.  I love Bread and Butter Pickles.

  
 
DIY Bold Candle Holders.  From Interior Lifestyle
 

DIY Dog Balm for snouts and paws, from The Cottage Market.  You pay big bucks for this stuff normally. I know I did.  I am going to try making my own! 
 
 
I love reading.  Its the great escape! 
 
  
 
I can't somehow see me being able to do this, but hope springs eternal doesn't it?  From Thank Your Body
 
 
Its worth a try.  I Love Home Remedy.    
 
 
Hative.  Pipe Cleaner Crafts for Kids.  Cute!  
 
 
Eimai Paidi.  Pipe Cleaner Rings. Very pretty. Little girls would love these.  
 
 
Orange Bettie.  Free Pattern.  
 
 
Lil Luna, Tea Towel Tutorial.  Love this.  
 
 
Kate Sade inspired DIY Key Fobs from Flamingo Toes.  
 
The Polka Dot Chair, a study pillow.  Cute!   
 
And those are my finds for this week.  I hope you found something of interest here!

A thought to carry with you  . . .  
 
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
The more you are in the state of Gratitude,
the more you attract things to be grateful for.
~unknown  •。★★ 。* 。 
 
 

 
 
BOOK OF MORMON CORNER

Today's Reading - Mosiah 10:1-22 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? In which ways can false traditions hinder our progress? 
 
Thoughts - Today I really saw the importance of teaching and raising children in God's TRUTH and righteousness, rather than our own issues and personal grievances. I think keeping negative opinions & judgements to ourselves rather than spreading them around (gossip) is a direct example of false traditions. It's interesting that we have already read Nephi's account of what happened, and now we have 'the other side of the story', it's full of how they were wronged. It's easy to justify what we do after we have been hurt, or an injustice has been done towards us. Zeniff didn't dwell on what the Lamanites were doing to his people, nor did he decide the Lord was against them and teach that to his people. He taught them to trust in the Lord, and also to be prepared - they made weapons and set guards. We can be prepared in the same manner.
 
a. spiritual weapon = testimony
b.guards = commandments, prophets, apostles & general authorities, ward & stake leaders. 
 
Tomorrow's Reading (Day 108) -  Mosiah 11:1-15 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? What are the differences between King Noah and King Benjamin? 
 

 
 
In The English Kitchen today  . . . Lemon Sauced Salmon Cakes.  Quite simply delicious! 
 
Have a wonderful Friday.  It is dry here today, but quite cold! Brrrr!  (You Canadians would laugh at that!  Our cold is not your cold, lol)

Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!


 


Thursday, 22 February 2018

My Favourite things . . .

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A few of the things I really love in life, maybe some of them are yours also. Lets share together!
 
 
 
I love sandwiches.  I am trying to think right now if there is one I don't like . . . I like all the usual ones . . .  egg salad, tuna, turkey, roast beef, etc.  I wouldn't like anything gross like with insects or frogs legs, etc. that kind of thing, shrimp or crab (because I am allergic) but I wouldn't eat those OUT of a sandwich either.  I was quite surprised at the different variety of sandwiches they have over here in the UK when I first moved over here. I had never heard of those combinations before, like Cheese and Tomato, Cheese and Pickle, Cheese and Onion. (They like their cheese!)  But having tried them, they soon became favourites.  The only sandwich that I am really fussy about is Egg Salad. I like my mom's Egg Salad and I would eat my sisters and my own. But that is because we all make them the way I like them, lol.  I do NOT like big chunks of egg in my egg sandwiches, or discernible pieces of yolk, or lots of crunchy bits.  I do like a bit of mustard cress however, which is nice and peppery.



I am a sandwich connoisseur. 



I love looking at  magnificently decorated pies. I love pie anyways, and some of the crust art that people create is amazing.  So beautiful.  I wish more of them would show the after baking shots too, instead of just the befores, because nobody eats a pie raw and I would like to see if they are still beautiful after baking.  Also, there is a part of me that wonders how the pastry ends up after all of that manipulation. I was taught that GOOD pastry needs to be handled as little as possible or it toughens, and I wonder if all of that playing around with it is worth it if you end up with a tough pie crust.  I do like to look at them however!  Your thoughts??


What my father calls "Crusty Toast."  Toast made from the heel of the bread. Most people don't like that bit of the bread, but I love it toasted.  Crusty toast. 

  

I aso really like the fluff, which is that bit which was once attached to another loaf or roll.    We always called it the "fluff" anyways. 

Happy memory, coming home from school and smelling
bread baking before I even opened the door.

Home Sweet Home


Counted Cross Stitch Samplers, especially band ones.  I always loved doing them when I was able to do counted cross stitch.  I have quite a few examples upstairs of my work.  I need to send them to my children I guess, or who knows where they will end up.  I just don't know which child to send them to. I want them taken care of and used,  not thrown into a box and forgotten. I guess I need to ask them.  I have a hard time to do close work like that now because of my eyes.  I always loved working on linen, and the more intricate the work the more I enjoyed it. 


Turkey Burgers.  I would rather have a turkey burger than a hamburger any day.  I just love them. So did my ex boss.  She loved the turkey burgers I would make for her. (sans bun of course )  The ones I made for her were spicy ones.  They had a kind of tex mex flavour going with plenty of coriander leaf, chili powder, spring onions, etc.  I do admit they were very tasty. 


The way the house looks after a good old tidy-up.  So fresh and neat and  . . .  well . . .  tidy.  Its good for the soul to clear away the cobwebs, both of the mind and of your environment. 

  

The old Disney Classics.  You can't beat them.  I love to watch them sometimes.  I don't find them boring even if I have watched them a bazillion times.  I can't pick a favourite, I love them all for different reasons! 

   

Dancing mushrooms.  Squeeee!

I wonder if that is where my love for red capped toadstools began???


I love buttons of all colours and shapes, but my favourites are white buttons.  I know not why  . . . 

  

An Officer and a Gentleman.  Of course I love Richard Gere in anything, but I do love this early film of his.  Its quite romantic.  But then again . . . 


I have a thing for men in uniform.


This is a love that goes way back.  My father at about 19 or so.

  

Todd when he was a young soldier. I think he was quite handsome.
Makes my heart go pitty pat. 


Oh my goodness!  Now I know why I have a thing for the actor Lee Ingleby!  Can you see the resemblance?  (Inspector Gently, The Five, Our Zoo, The A Word, Line of Duty, etc.)  I will have to show this to Todd when he gets up! He can't stand Lee Ingleby.  I think that's because he knows I like him, lol. 


Sunflowers.  Especially when handsome little grandsons are tucked in amongst them.  (Jon when he was a baby with his mum Kayla)

  

Thatched Cottages.  Well any English Cottage really, but thatched ones most of all. 


Red doors.  They just say hello. Our house in New Brunswick had a red door. I painted it myself. It was a labour of love. 

  

Window boxes. I love them.  I think they also say hello, wouldn't you like to live here?


The blue shutters of France . . .  love, love, love  . . . 

 

Cranberry glass  . . .  oh I wish I could have shown you all the glassware they had at the manor.  You have never seen such beautiful glasses.  There was a whole closet filled with them all set out on shelves . . . plus about 6 cupboards in the kitchen. So lovely in every colour under the sun, and there was Waterford as well . . . 


She also had tons of this. Quimper Pottery.  Not so fun to dust all the time, but pretty to look at.  There was a HUGE cabinet that took up the whole wall, filled with it, both inside and out at the end of the kitchen.  I used to be afraid I would drop it and break it.  Couldn't bear the thought. 

Made me gun shy of having too many dustables myself.

  

I hardly ever eat a boiled egg, but I do love egg cups.  I have quite a few, in all sorts of colours, shapes, styles. 


Same thing with cream jugs  . . .  I don't have a cow creamer however. Its on my bucket list.

 

Campfires and toasting marshmallows.  Its such a fun thing to do.  Happy memories.  Tasty burnt sugar.  Its just a fun thing all round!

And those are my favourite things for this week!

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *.˛.
It does not matter how slowly you go,
so long as you do not stop.
~Confucious   •。★★ 。* 。 


 
 
BOOK OF MORMON CORNER

Today's Reading - Mosiah 9:1-19 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How can this chapter of Zeniff's history relate to our lives?  
 
ThoughtsZeniff fell for the Laminates trap because on the surface the king seemed to be good. We need to be careful with our judgements and make sure we don't end up in situations or places where our standards would be lowered. 
 
Verses 17 &18,  how important it is to remember The Lord hears our cries and answers our prayers. That He has delivered us before and He will deliver us again. He is the great Deliverer. I love Him. I don't get things right all the time, many times because of character weaknesses and personality flaws  of my own. I can make decisions that bring me away from God. But,  He is the good shepherd and as I raise my eyes to heaven and cry out, help me, find me, deliver me . . .  He starts to work with me in my life to re-turn me to face Heavenly Father again.
 
Tomorrow's Reading (Day 107) - Mosiah 10:1-22 
Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? In which ways can false traditions hinder our progress? 
 
 
 
Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich.  Delicious! 
 
Have a lovely Thursday. May you be happy and well!  Don't forget! 
 
 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════
 
 And I do too!