Thursday this and that . . .

 

 

(source)

Well, the inevitable happened. I got up this morning and my Christmas Tree was laying on the floor.  I knew it was only a matter of time, which is why I hadn't put any decorations on it.  Such is life with cats. Already this morning I have had to use the squirt bottle to stop Cinnamon from chewing on the branches. I would hate for her to electrocute herself. Its early days yet. We will see what happens as time goes on. If it gets to the point where I don't dare put any decorations on it, well so be it! I can still enjoy the pretty lights. 

 

(source)

Sad news on the street. Mr. McGregor passed away on Monday evening.  I saw the ambulance there, but it often was. He had breathing problems and was on oxygen. I had seen him out driving just in the afternoon. I wouldn't have even noticed the ambulance but for the fact that the cats were inordinately interested in it. Sheila called me Tuesday morning to let me know he had passed away on the way to the hospital.  He was 92. The family has been there since, emptying out his little house. His grandson always spent the weekends with him and had helped him to put his Christmas tree out front at the weekend. I will miss seeing him around and about. I know Sheila will really miss him. She often popped over to check on him and spend time chatting. He was often sitting in his chair on his front porch reading the newspaper, well in the warmer weather anyways. Not in the colder months.

Had a pretty uneventful day to Kentville yesterday to my sister's appointment. It was a bit snowy when we started, but nothing too bad and by the time we were on our way back home again, the sun was starting to shine. Prayers were answered in more ways than one.  First, the weather cooperated and secondly, all is well with everyone's health.  I was so happy that all was well.  I had been praying every night that all would be well, and my prayers were answered. 

We stopped in at the Convenience store in Coldbrook on the way back to pick up a few bits. This is the store that brings in goods from the Costco in Halifax.  They are building a huge addition onto it.  Apparently (according to the girl at the tils) he is going to have a "walk-in" freezer as well as space to have even more goods from the city.  Exciting news indeed, but it did mean that some of the things we were wanting yesterday were not in stock. I did get a few things however as did Cindy, and we are looking forward to the newer larger store in the future!

A very Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and family today.  I rather like the American tradition of having Thanksgiving in November. It seems to be the perfect way to usher in the Christmas season. We can all embrace the festivities now with abandon!  Bring on the Christmas movies and the decorations, the cookie baking . . . One month from tonight will be Christmas Eve, and I predict the four weeks will pass very quickly!  They always do.

Anthony is supposed to come over for Christmas with his family. We will see what happens.  Life does not always cooperate with our plans, and there is the weather, etc. to factor in. It will be nice if he does manage to make it, however. 

Cindy and I did some Christmas shopping earlier this week. I bought a Christmas present for my youngest grandson, but I don't want to have to mail it this year. The cost of mailing things is quite steep and he only lives in the next town. I am going to just drop it off on his doorstep, I think. I will e-mail my daughter in law to tell her I am doing that. Hopefully that will be okay. In fact, I won't even take it to the door, I will get Cindy to take it to the door, so they needn't worry about me infringing on their lives. I just want to make sure he gets his Christmas present from me. I will wait until close to Christmas to drop it off.  

Heck, however, I may just cave and mail the darn thing anyways or wait until Anthony is here and get Anthony to drop it off.  Doug did it for me last year.

 

(source)

Doug's birthday was yesterday. He turned 40. I was so pleased that I had the chance to spend a whole weekend with him and his family two weeks ago. I hope that he had a nice day yesterday. I will hopefully have a chance to talk to him soon.

It's very cold out there this morning. The temperature is -5*C/23*F.  The high today is only supposed to go to +1*C/34*F, so a cold day is in store for us, but it is supposed to stay bright and sunny.  I have snow on my lawn still from the other day. This side of the street doesn't get as much sunshine as the other side as we are North facing, and they are South facing.

My heat pump is working overtime. I am grateful for it.

 

As usual I went with my father and his friends for supper last night at one of our local restaurants.  There was a sign on the door that said, "No Salads."  The cost of lettuce has finally hit here, and people just can't afford it at the moment, not even restaurants. We will survive, I think. We may just have to be more inventive.

I am not sure what I will get up to today. I do want to wash my floors, so I will vacuum and then wash them and then who knows what I will get up to!  Maybe I will get some crafting done?  Hope springs eternal!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for today . . . 

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

 *Sometimes I just look up,

smile and say,

"I know that was you.

Thank you."•。★★ 。* 。

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Easy Rough Puff Pastry. Its deliciously flaky and buttery!

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Be happy. Be blessed. Be safe and don't forget!

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

Today . . .

(source)

 No post today as I am leaving shortly to go with my sister to her medical appointment in Kentville. I sure hope the weather behaves and we have smooth sailing there and back with the roads.  In the meantime be blessed and be happy. I'll be back tomorrow!

Have a beautiful day and don't forget!  


═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

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


And I do too!       

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

 

FOR TODAY, November 22, 2022

Outside my window ...

The snow is hanging on. Still cold. Still there, but somewhat diminished. I had expected it to be all gone by now.

I am thinking ...

About putting as much Christ into my Christmas as possible. Afterall, He is the reason for the season.

I am thankful for ...

I was lying in bed last night listing my blessings and feeling so grateful for each and every one of them. Life is not perfect, it never is, but it is filled with abundance and more things to be grateful for than I can shake a stick at!

From the kitchen ...

A delicious Date & Coffee Sponge Cake.  Moist and studded with plenty of chunks of date with a sweet coffee crackle glaze, this cake is to die for.

On my "To Cook" list ... 

 

Sous Chef Baby, Roasted Onions with Gruyere Cheese.

I am wearing ...

One of my nighties from the Old Vermont Country Store. I got two of them and they are so warm and cosy, and such good quality. I will probably die before these are worn out.

Good to know ...

 

I am wanting to create ...

Yay for Yarn. Corner to Corner moss stitch wash cloth.

Paper Snowflake Art. How to make a paper snowflake snowman. 

Fox and Pine Stitches.  Marshmallow Mug Hats. Cute!

AdKnits.  How to embroider on knitted fabric.

Hobby Lesson. Forty crafts to make with old greeting cards.

I am reading ...

The Life She Was Given, by Ellen Marie Wiseman

On a summer evening in 1931, Lilly Blackwood glimpses circus lights from the grimy window of her attic bedroom. Lilly isn’t allowed to explore the meadows around Blackwood Manor. She’s never even ventured beyond her narrow room. Momma insists it’s for Lilly’s own protection, that people would be afraid if they saw her. But on this unforgettable night, Lilly is taken outside for the first time—and sold to the circus sideshow. 

 More than two decades later, nineteen-year-old Julia Blackwood has inherited her parents’ estate and horse farm. For Julia, home was an unhappy place full of strict rules and forbidden rooms, and she hopes that returning might erase those painful memories. Instead, she becomes immersed in a mystery involving a hidden attic room and photos of circus scenes featuring a striking young girl. 

 At first, The Barlow Brothers’ Circus is just another prison for Lilly. But in this rag-tag, sometimes brutal world, Lilly discovers strength, friendship, and a rare affinity for animals. Soon, thanks to elephants Pepper and JoJo and their handler, Cole, Lilly is no longer a sideshow spectacle but the circus’s biggest attraction...until tragedy and cruelty collide. It will fall to Julia to learn the truth about Lilly’s fate and her family’s shocking betrayal, and find a way to make Blackwood Manor into a place of healing at last. 

 Moving between Julia and Lilly’s stories, Ellen Marie Wiseman portrays two extraordinary, very different women in a novel that, while tender and heartbreaking, offers moments of joy and indomitable hope.

Yes, it takes me a long time to read a book.

I am looking forward to ...

Spending some time with my sister today.  I always enjoy spending time with her.

Dreaming about ...

 

(source)

Christmas Cookies . . .

 

(source)

Christmas Turkey . . . 

 

(source)

Danish Butter Cookies . . . love them.

 

(source)

Mince Pies . . . 

 

(source)

Wassail . . .

Makes me smile ...

 

(source)

The beauty of Mother Nature through all of the seasons . . .

Corners of my kingdom ...

November sunshine  . . . 

A thought to carry with you ... 

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

 *Some days are better,

some days are worse.

Look for the blessing

instead of the curse.

Be positive, stay strong,

and get enough rest.

You can't do it all,

but you can do your best.

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。

And that's my daybook for this week! 

   ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
 ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆    
  



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░   
 

  

Have a beautiful day and don't forget!  


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


And I do too!       

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

  

 

This was about five minutes after I got home from church yesterday. I said to Glenna on the way home, the sky looks like we are in for something, and I was right.  Huge goose-downy flakes of snow started falling. So pretty to look at.  It had sort of stopped by the time I went to my sisters for supper, but we had had about 2 inches by then.  Last night it was very cold and windy, and you could see the snow blowing off the roof tops across the street. It is -5*C (23*F) and quite cold this morning. The weather ap says it feels like -13*C (8.6*F) I only know its friggin cold!  My heat pump is working overtime. I am so grateful I am in a house with a heat pump and warmth! They are calling for scattered rain and snow showers today. So, messy. Winter is in a hurry to start this year.

 

(source)

Sunday dinner at my sister's house with the family. Yesterday she made meatloaf. My sister makes the best meatloaf on the planet. She also had homemade mac and cheese, squash and the most delicious cauliflower/kale/corn dish. Supper was really yummy.  The best part was the company, however. Family times are the best of times. I am truly blessed with mine.

Being at church and being able to partake of the sacrament, to renew my covenants with my Heavenly Father, to take the Savior's name upon myself. This is such a sacred thing to be able to do. All those months during Covid Lockdown I wasn't able to partake of it.  I remember the first time I did, I cried.  I know that it probably has very little meaning to many people, but it means the world to me.

As I sit there listening to the prayers and pondering the Savior and all that He did for us, I feel such a sense of peace and gratitude.  Lately I have been pondering on all of the names of the Savior.  Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Bread of Life, Living Water, etc. when you think about it, He is known by many names, each one conveying something different, and yet, also the same thing. 

I watched this at the weekend. I had read the book.  It was very good. I thought it did a good job of portraying the story that was in the book. Everything was pretty tastefully done. I watched it on Prime.

Being able to sit on a comfortable sofa, cats nestled in around me, blanket over my lap, watching something I enjoy on the television. This is a special blessing. I am so lucky.

  

Where have all the gumdrops gone?  Long time passing. Where have all the gumdrops gone?  Long time no see . . . I have been looking for them so I could do a bit of Christmas baking.  It was the same last year. They seem to be quite scarce.  Hmmm . . .

Does anyone else have this problem?

 

 

(source)

I am thinking about putting my Christmas tree up this week.  I will put the tree up first for a few days before I decorate it and then see how the cats do.  Then, once they are used to the tree, I might start putting on a few decorations. We will see what happens. I don't want to spend the holiday season getting annoyed with them, so if it doesn't work, I will just put it away and enjoy my cats on their own.  Right now, they are sleeping.

 

(source)

It was so magical yesterday watching the snow fall. I thought back to when I was a child and would get so excited when the first snows of Winter came.  I would catch the flakes on my tongue. They tasted like ozone, or what I imagine ozone to taste like. They had a flavor, that's for sure. They also tasted of Christmas because I knew that the holiday season couldn't be too far behind, with all of its magic feels.  Personally, I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday of the year.

Furry cuddles.  I love them. Both of them. They are so affectionate and loving. My life is full.

My days are very full actually. With this or that and everything in between. Nothing of spectacular import to anyone but me. Peace filled.  Comfortable. No drama much to speak of.  Not perfect by any stretch, but whose life is.  I feel blessed. That's all anyone can ask for.

A thought to carry with you . . .

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

 *Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for touch of a friendly hand 

and for talk beside the fire:

It is time for home.

~Edith Sitwell•。★★ 。* 。

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa. Deliciously different!

I hope that your week ahead is filled with loads of small and wonderful things. May your cup truly runneth over. Be happy. Be blessed. Don't forget! 

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

All Things Nice . . .

 

 

(source)

The lovely smells that haunt a house

Are part of memory's golden page;

The little pantry dark and cool --

Bunches of mint and dill and sage,

Fall pickles cooking on the stove,

The rich exotic scent of clove;

A whiff of cookies as you lift

The heavy cover off a crock,

Where little discs of goodness lie

As fragrant as a hollyhock;

The smell of scones and griddle cakes,

The home-kind that mother makes.

A plain old-fashioned pot of soup,

A pan of biscuits light as down,

A stew of vegetables and beef,

A roast with gravy hot and brown,

The rich aroma of spiced pears,

Warm in the little halls and stairs;

The smell of sun-dried clothes brought in,

Scented geraniums in a pot,

A whiff of spicy apple tart --

All these lovely fragrance caught

And blended into one that holds

A home within its scented folds.

~Edna Jaques, Smells that Haunt a House

Backdoor Neighbors, 1946

There is nothing like smell. It can take you on a journey like nothing else can.  Occasionally I catch a whiff in the air that will remind me of the pink hair conditioner we used to use on our hair on Saturday afternoons as we got ready to go out on Saturday night, or the smell of my grandmother's oil-cloth linoleum floor . . . the woodstove in my mother-in-law's kitchen, the smell of the pages of a new book.  Smells like these can instantly take you back to a time long past and you are there once more, with all the feels.  Smells are often like magic carpets that can instantly transport you through the veils of time and experience.

Just before waking up this morning, I was dreaming I was in a bake shop. I was standing in front of the counter looking at all the delights . . . buttery pastry crusted butter tart bars filled with lush plump raisins and nuts, sweet glazed petit fours decorated with candied flowers, flaky almond croissants all sugar dusted and adorned with sweet almonds . . . everything looking so very tasty.  I had some money in my hand but boy oh boy was I ever having a difficult time making up my mind.  I wanted a box of everything. That is me, undecisive and wanting to taste it all.  I had a small toddler in my arms who was falling asleep. I awoke and I was holding the pillow next to me, obviously the toddler in arms.

And then when I came out to the living room this morning, it was to see that Mother Nature had gifted us with a sugar dusted landscape overnight.

I know it will not last.  These early snows never do. The sky was brilliant purple and blue. The trees glowing red as they basked in the warmth of the rising sun.  I am not sure I can adequately photograph the beauty which met my eyes.  Every bush sugar dusted. It was all so very pretty. 

The cats were enjoying the view as well. In their morning perches.  Together in close companionship. 

They don't look at all as if they could be comfortable and yet, miraculously they are perfectly at ease. They are often found to be in the most awkward positions, more often than not fast asleep and totally unaware.  But are they? Totally unaware?? Eyes open as soon as I approach no matter how silently my feet do fall upon the floor. I think it is called a catnap.

Cindy and I had the most fun yesterday afternoon making homemade sausages!  We did five pounds of sausage, in 2 different flavors.  Some were Cumberland (my favorite) and some were Apple.  We fried up little bits of the sausage in a skillet to taste before we started stuffing to make sure that everything was flavored perfectly.  

It took us 3 hours from start to finish, and we got quite a lot of really tasty looking dinner-sized sausages. We are going to have a sausage fest at her place for supper tonight as we share with my dad and Dan the fruits of our labors and we both have some sausage to pop into the freezer for later dates.

It took us a while to work out our stride in filling the casings, and we never did get it to the point where we could just make one long sausage that we could twist into individuals afterwards. We ended up making one at a time and twisting each one closed each time. By the end of our exercise, we were much better, and we had learned a few tricks. Next time the whole process may go quicker and smoother.

Yes, we enjoyed it so much we will do it again for sure.  Best part of all was being able to do this together!

My new temple dress arrived.  All I have to do now is to hem it. I will need someone to come over and mark it for me while I am wearing it. This one is in two layers. There is a slip under-layer and then the dobby cotton over-layer. Hemming is something I can do by hand while I am sitting watching tv in the evenings. I like to keep my hands busy.

I don't know how many times I have ripped out the dishcloth I was working on. I keep losing stitches at either end somehow. I am going to try a different pattern as I just don't seem to be able to get the one that I am using right. That's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes!  It's not me, it's the way the pattern is written, or maybe it is me, lol. One never knows for sure!

I watched the most brilliant series on Britbox this week. It was a glued to your seat kind of a show. A regular cat and mouse, tense high stakes drama. I highly recommend if you like that sort of thing. I do and I did!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day!

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

 *There is not enough room

in your mind for

both worry and faith.

You must decide which one

gets to live there.•。★★ 。* 。

In The English Kitchen today . . . Sultana Cake. The perfect cake to enjoy with a hot cuppa and a friend! Delicious and simple.

I hope your day is filled with lots of nice things. Don't worry, be happy, and don't forget! 

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