Saturday Nice . . .

 

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This patch was once a dress that mother worse

When Madge was young, I see her plain as day

Bending above the little new-born one

Laughing at her small hands . . . she was so gay,

She bought it at a sale, I liked it too,

It matched her eyes that were so very blue.

This patch was Clyde's new shirt, he had a girl

A little neighbor living near at hand,

And so he thought himself in love with her

Must have a fancy shirt, for they had planned

To go to town in the old carryall,

When he finished plowing in the fall.

And this was Grandma's apron red as fire

She always loved bright colors, I declare

She'd pick some red or outlandish shade,

She said she needed color with her hair,

And got the brightest shade that you could see

Somehow they seemed to suit her to a T.

And this was mine, pink with white flowers on

I wore it first the day I met your dad,

He said it matched my cheeks (but men say things)

I guess I didn't look too bad

It made a hit with him and anyway

It wasn't long before the wedding day.

This rose was yours, I saw it in a store,

The day we went to town to sell the cow,

It cost too much I know, but then and there,

I know I'd have to get a piece somehow,

I made it cute, with piping of pale green

It always washed up fresh and looked so clean.

Just an old fashioned quilt and yet it brings

Fond memories to set my heart aglow,

And bids me walk again down memory's land,

Held in the glamor of long ago.

Each day a patch with loving fingers sewn,

Holding the brightness of the day's we've known.

~Edna Jacques, Patchwork Quilt

Aunt Hattie's Place, 1949

Mom always had a quilt on her bed when we were growing up which her mother had made. It was an old fashioned crazy quilt. Sometimes she would let me go in and lay on it. I would trace my fingers over the different fabrics and think about what they had been, once upon a time. Making stories up in my head about each one and the adventure it had had. It was yarn tufted with bits of wool and was stuffed with wool as well. I learned that years later in life when I tried to repair it for mom. I do not know whatever happened to it. It pains me to think about where it ended up.

My other grandmother made quilts in her later life as well. My father has one as does my sister. They are beautiful legacies. These old patchwork quilts, especially the crazy ones, that hold a lifetime of memories. New fabrics were not bought to make them, in most cases. They were constructed with the fabrics of a family's daily lives and goings-on.

 

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What a week this has been.  I had been so looking forward to having my son Doug come over with my grandson Jon, but our visit was marred by my ill-health. We did have moments in between to enjoy, however, it was not all bad, and I was so grateful to have this he-man of a son of mine here to help me out, even if it had not been the original plan.  Perhaps the plan of He who knows the beginning from the end. It would have been so very difficult for Cindy to be there for me in the same way that Doug was, although I know she would have tried to manage it somehow. She was able to come over and greet the cleaners when they came and let them know what was going on, and Jon was here to keep them company while they cleaned, so that was good.  Yesterday she went to the shops for me and brought me back some cat food and pads. I was almost out of cat food and I desperately needed the other things. I have not kept those things in my house for many years, but I need them now, for the moment.

I cannot get up without having to go wee.  I am living in my nightgown as it is much easier to take down my panties if I am not wearing clothes. When I have to go, I have to go and there is no waiting. Its most uncomfortable to say the least. I cannot imagine going through this for three to six weeks, but somehow I will have to.

I never ever do anything half way, even a kidney stone, lol.

Doug and Jon had to go home yesterday, although I know Doug would have tried to stay longer if I needed him to.  I wanted them to go home safely on a day when the weather wouldn't be too bad and they just dodged an ice and snow storm which came in behind them, so thank goodness they got home safe and sound.  What a blessing.

 

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I have not done a lot of cooking this week. Thankfully on Monday I had the foresight to make a huge pot of stew (Doug's favorite meal). We did get out to supper with my dad on Wednesday night as a family and Doug bought Pizza on Thursday for him and Jon. (I had a piece for breakfast yesterday.) I know I have been posting recipes all week on the food blog, but they are updates of old blog posts that needed updating. Eventually I hope to have all the old posts updated with new recipe cards, etc. This could take some time.

In the meantime people have continued to visit which means the world to me as I do need the income. I have enough content on there that people could visit every day for more than a few years and always find something different and good to cook. My diligence and tenacity of cooking and posting new recipes every day is coming in very handy at the moment.

 

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Today is Dad's 92nd Birthday. Cindy said they had a card waiting for him at his table at the Big Scoop this morning. He would have been pleased about that.  I have a small gift and a card for him, but I don't know if I will be making it out of the house today. I don't want to go anywhere where I will need to use the bathroom every ten minutes. I don't even think I will be able to manage to go to Cindy's as there are stairs to go up to the main living area and stairs to go down to where the main bathroom is and that is a bit too much pressure on my bladder at the moment.  I am going to ask her to pick me up a few things at the grocery store when she goes and when she drops them off I will give her my card and gift for dad.

I cancelled my talk at church for the 25th. I seriously cannot think I will be in any shape to give it. They were okay with that and I have promised to give it another time. I just cannot concentrate enough to be able to write it. I will watch church online until I feel up to going. Hopefully things will sort themselves out soon.

I don't really have a lot more to say this morning. Not my usual Saturday post for sure.  Hopefully that will sort itself out soon as well!

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*As we work to create light for others,

We naturally light our own way.

~Mary Anne Radmacher • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★

In The English Kitchen today I am sharing my recipe for the Best Almond Cake ever.  This is a really delicious cake. Simple and divine.  I hope you will want to give it a go!

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.  Whatever you get up to stay safe, healthy and happy!  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!    

   

 

Another update . . .

 

Well I spent most of the day and evening in the hospital yesterday waiting. They took me in for the procedure about 6, I guess it was.  They put me to sleep only to discover that the kidney stone is too far up and thy were unable to blast it.  They put in a stent and I have to go back in three to six weeks to see if they can try again. Hopefully it will have moved down by then.  So that is where I am at now.  

I am disappointed for sure, but they did their best. I remain hopeful!  This too shall pass. No pun intended.

I will try to get back with a normal post tomorrow.  Doug is still here but I think he and Jon are leaving to go back to the Island today.

In the meantime . . . 

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!    

   

A Quick Update

 

(source)

 

I just wanted to update you all. You probably noticed my absence yesterday.  I started having a lot of pain about 10 pm on Monday night. It felt exactly the same as what I had in October with my kidney stone.  Thankfully, I still had some meds in my nightstand that I had saved from then.  I took a couple about midnight and rode the night through until I could call Cindy yesterday morning. She took me to the ER here in town.  I had blood tests, urine tests, an ultrasound, etc. They then decided I should have a CT scan, which they don't do here in town and I would have to go to Kentville Hospital. So I called Cindy to ask if she would take me and of course she would.  She even brought me a sandwich as I had not eaten since the day before. I got to Kentville and had the CT scan. Sure enough, kidney stone, but this one appeared to be lodged in place.  So Kentville wanted me to go through the ER thing all over again. Back out into the waiting room I went, etc. Long and short of it my Doctor here from Middleton called me in the ER and told me that he had put through some prescriptions for me and that I was to go home and that the Urologist would be in touch and that in all likelihood thy would do some procedure today for it. So I am just waiting for her to call and see what is up.  My son Doug has arrived and is taking good care of me and will take me back to Kentville today if the procedure is scheduled. Cindy can't because Dad has a hearing appointment to be fitted for new hearing aids. I am so blessed to have Doug here.  I was in a lot of pain last night.  I was in bed at 7:30.  I was really tired from the night before as well.  I did manage to get to sleep and I slept right through from about 8 pm until 5 am this morning when Nutmeg meowing persistently on the other side of my bedroom door woke me up. Poor thing was simply starving you know. (He is so funny.)  I got up and fed them both, had a shower, and am now waiting to hear from the Urologist. I don't know whether to eat anything or not. Nobody said anything. I do have a very strong antibiotic to take that has to be taken with food. So I don't know.  Anyways, that is the update for now. I will keep you posted!

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!    

   

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.

 

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I am so grateful for my little home. It is such a blessing for me to have a place to call my own. It is a space of peace and comfort. A place where I feel totally at ease and safe. Everyone should be so blessed.  I wish.

A season of quiet. Even if it is cold and snowy.  We may not hibernate like bears and such, but all living things need a season of rest.

 

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Warmth. Warm sweaters. Warm blankets. Warm throws. Heat.  On FB I see photos that people of sharing of people wandering around their yards in the cold taken by cctv cameras, doorbell cams, etc. all hours of the day and night.  I don't believe, in most cases. that the wanderers are looking to do harm. I think they are just looking for someplace warm to sleep. I wish everyone had a warm and comfortable place call their own.

 

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Color. I am grateful to have color in my life.

 

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Books to read. They expand the mind and widen our horizons. Inform and entertain. My father taught me how to enjoy the written word when I was very young and I have been enjoying it ever since.

Church on Sundays. A time of spiritual rejuvenation. A time to renew my covenants with the Lord through the partaking of the sacrament. Communing with the Saints. Worshiping my Lord. It is my favorite place to be on a Sunday morning. A holy space.

 

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A kettle that sings and gifts me with hot drinks and comfort on cold mornings.

 

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Yes please  . . . 

 

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The gift of creativity.  Our world is full of so many talented people. I love that they don't mind sharing their talents with others. 

 

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Hope. Where would we be without it.

I know that I get boring with this. I say the things week in and week out. It can become a bit repetitive after a time, but I cannot help being grateful.  I believe that lives filled with gratitude are fuller lives.  Gratitude for our lives, our circumstances, what we have been given, etc. I am grateful for all of it.  I do not feel a sense of entitlement over any of it. I know that all I have and that all that I am is a gift from above. I take none of it for granted. I am very blessed.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*The only thing that will make you happy

is being happy with who you are,

and not who people think you are.

~Goldie Hawn• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

In The Kitchen today   . . .  Chicken & Orzo Soup.  A nice hot and delicious bowl of comfort.

I have the lady who does my toenails coming this morning, then tomorrow morning my cleaners are here and Doug is coming with Jon tomorrow. I will have a few very busy days! I love it. I hope you have a beautiful Monday and a beautiful week filled with more than your cup can hold.  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!    

   

Saturday Nice . . .

 

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My clock has tiny golden hands,

But oh they hold such precious things,

An hour lovely as a gem,

A minute when gay laughter rings;

The scud of clouds across the moon,

The blessed miracle of June.

My clock has steady hands to hold

The minutes that make up an hour,

Ticking them off like a small bride,

Counting the pennies in her dower,

While warm love surges through her breast,

Besides her oaken bridal chest.

My clock upon the mantel shelf,

Is part of Time's eternal span,

Each beat a hoofprint in the sand,

Of Life's slow moving caravan,

Linking the ages into one,

Like stars around a blessed sun.

My clock has tiny golden hands,

That measure out my small routine,

They tell me when it's time to rise,

To eat and dress and start to clean,

The children coming home . . . the bus,

That brings the father back to us.

I sure don't know what I'd do,

Without a clock to answer to.

~Edna Jacques, The Hands of a Clock

The Golden Road, 1953

I have always loved clocks. It is a love that began as a child. Our mother had an old cowboy clock that sat on top of the bookcase in our living room.  A cowboy, arm upraised in the cowboy salute, atop his silver steed, lasso in hand as he gripped the reins . . . his horse beneath him with front legs ready to gallop. 

We were not allowed to touch it, but I reckon many a small finger traced it's lines as small minds daydreamed about riding horses out on the range, and imagined the horse's whinnies and neighs. That was in the day of going to the movies on Saturday afternoons and seeing Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Dreaming cowgirl things.

Mom had a story about when she was a young girl and they were living in the first house that they had lived in in Lawrencetown, which is the town just down from us. There was a campground across the road and someone had come over to their house asking if they had any soda crackers. Roy Rogers and his crew were camping there and Dale Evans had morning sickness. They were looking for something to help abate it.

Our mother always held a great respect for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and, in turn, so did we.

 

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We've had a bit of a thaw these past few days. The January thaw. But it will be back to the cold very soon.

For me, winter is an invitation to slow down. I welcome it.  It’s a quieter season that asks for softer mornings, earlier nights and time spent at home in a way that feels intentional and nourishing. The days linger and so do I. Winter becomes a gentle pause, one filled with warmth, comfort and small moments that restore.

 My mornings seem to unfold slowly in winter. There’s time to linger in my chair, hands cupped around a hot drink as I watch the light shift outside my window and ease into my day. The sky gifts a rosy glow just above the rooftops that lay to the South East of me. I watch it come up from my bedroom window. There are only a few months of the year when I am privy to this without having to get up in what seems like the middle of the night. To be able to watch this is a gift.

 

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 For me these moments are all about comfort, layers of softness, quiet routines and letting my mornings set a calm tone for whatever comes next in my day  . . . 

I love that Winter, for me at least, is a season of rest.

 

(Source)

In the stillness of winter, I find myself wanting to write letters. I have a box of stationary that I had purchased prior to moving back to Canada. It is personalized and has pretty little bees at the top of the letterhead. I fell in love with it and for some reason thought to throw it into my suitcase before I left.

Letter writing is a simple and special ritual. A pause in the day, a cleared space, a few thoughtful lines written with time to linger. Each letter carries a sense of presence, offering warmth that stays long after it’s been read. It’s a quiet way to stay close, a keepsake of words. Letters can be held, reread and tucked away . . . . gentle reminders of connection and care, saved for another day when their words bring comfort once again.

My mother was a letter writer.  In my younger years I could count on receiving a letter from her once a week.  As she got older and writing became more painful for her to do with her arthritic hands, letters arrived far less frequently, and towards the end not at all. I have kept them all, or at least a good few of them, in a box.  I always thought that in keeping them I would be able to take them out and re-read them when the letters stopped coming and mother was gone.

I have found myself quite unable to do so without becoming upset . . . it is hard to believe that on the 21st of this month it will have been 7 years since she left us. It still pains my heart that I was not here to say goodbye in the way I would have liked to.

 

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I am afraid that my handwriting has deteriorated a great deal as the years have passed. I do far too much typewriting and my handwriting skills have gotten very lazy. I don't want to spoil my stationary with an unkempt hand and so it sits in it's box . . .  waiting for the day when my handwriting magically improves. 

I have the workbooks . . .  The Spenserian Method of Handwriting. I take them out on occasion and do a bit, but it is something that needs to be done with diligence and frequency in order for it to really take hold.

 

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I used to love going for walks on sunny days in the winter months, before the pains of arthritis spoiled it for me. I always loved how winter walks cleared the mind and refreshed the spirit, be it a short wander through the trees or a crisp walk down a familiar road. The air feels sharper, the world quieter and everything just a little more peaceful. The smell of the crisp air, the sound of my feet crunching . . .  squeaking at times . . . atop the frozen snow. Oh how I miss going for walks in the snow   . . . 

 

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Wintering . . . gentle home projects like organizing shelves, refreshing corners, juju-ing spaces just because it brings a smile to the face. Simple thoughtful touches that make the home feel more welcoming.  I have the desire to pack things away in boxes so that its not so cluttered.  Making space, but then as I hold each thing in my hands, I cannot bring myself to part or hide any of it away. I love it all so much.

Candlelight becomes a part of my daily rhythm. A single flame softens a room, adds warmth to quiet moments and brings a sense of calm as evening settles in. Whether lit at the table, beside a favorite chair, or gathered on a mantel, candles create an atmosphere that feels so very comforting. 

I love my candles. Their gentle glow and warm scents remind me to slow down, breathe deeply and savor the stillness that this season offers.  A few years ago I purchased some little beeswax Hanukah candles. They look so sweet burning in the tiny empty Bonne Maman jars from my Advent Calendar.  Tiny candles in tiny jars.   

 

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This season encourages moments of “me time.” Reading, journaling, crafting, foot baths . . . or simply sitting in stillness. Winter reminds me that rest is productive in its own way and that caring for myself is always worth the time.  I lean into the early evenings.  Favorite books, films and shows, layered blankets and the comfort of knowing that there is nowhere else I need to be. Early to bed feels like a gift in a way that it never did when I was a child.  

Last night I was tucked up in my bed amidst my pillows watching my favorites on the iPad by 7:30. It just felt like the place I wanted to be.  The cats were nestled amongst the blankets with me until Nutmeg decided it was time to pounce on my toes and bite them. It made me very cross in a way that I never get. Thankfully it was at the time when I normally go to bed anyways, so I felt no guilt in banishing them both from the room for the remainder of the night. 

He does not do that when we are sitting on the sofa, but once I get into bed . . . it turns into nibble time for him.

I am picking up Eileen and Tim around one today and taking them for a Birthday lunch to celebrate both of their Birthdays.  They had wanted Chinese, but now have changed their minds. I think we are going to the place that lays just behind me and down the road a bit. I have a small gift for her and a card  that I did not get to give her on her actual birthday as well. It should be fun.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day/weekend . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*I'm learning to love the silence

between prayers and promises,

the space where hope blooms slowly.

~Unknown   • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

In The English Kitchen today I am sharing Oat, Apple & Sunflower Seed Muffins.  Not too sweet. Wholesome.  The perfect muffin. 

I hope that you have a beautiful weekend, filled with lots of peace, joy and comfort.  Be happy. Be safe. 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!