Saturday, 21 February 2026

Saturday Nice . . .

 

Dawn called! And out across the plain
I heard the prairies move again;
I smelled the sage when dawn uncurled
Her leaves, for incense to the world;
I heard a meadow-lark get up
And pour it's song in day's new cup.

I saw the horses, dim and still
Against the shadow of a hill,
Stand up and shake the sleep away,
And snort their challenge to the day;
The roosters called across the plain
Their thanks that light had come again.

I saw Dawn walk with gracious feet,
Across the stillness of the wheat;
I touched her garments as she passed
Into a farmer's house at last,
And laughed to hear him softly stir
Against the lily hands of her.

I saw blue smoke upon the air,
I heard a woman singing there,
Close by the door and saw her stand
And breathe the fragrance of the land;
And heard her laughter, clear and sweet,
Echoing out across the wheat.

Dawn called! The prairies answered her;
I saw the grasses wake and stir;
I heard the breathing of the air;
Felt Life abundant everywhere;
Saw the glad earth, where shadows run
Drawing her substance from the sun.
~Edna Jacques, Dawn Called
Beside Still Waters, 1952



 This poem might have been about a prairie dawn, but it still resonated with me, who is living in a lush valley between two small mountains. I have seen the dawn walking with gracious feet through our valley as well, and witnessed the sight and heard the sounds of it waking up. Cindy and I watched it waking up yesterday morning as we drove up to the VRH in Kentville to have my procedure. The sky painted with a layer of orange just above the deep lavender of dawn to the South East of the car, a gold ball that rose to almost blind us as we were driving towards it at times, it being hidden behind trees at others. School busses waking up, their engines trembling and smoking, the smell of coffee from each Tim Horton's that we passed as lines to enter in grew in length. (I have seen the lines backed right out onto the roadway at times.)

There is a special light and air of excitement that attends the dawn, no matter where you live. 


 

In Chester, it was accompanied by the silent sound of the milk float as it glided down the street, milk bottles gently clinking together. We were lucky enough to still have milk delivery, and in pint glass bottles, the top of each secured with a little metal cap. It would be a race on some mornings to see who would get to it first, us or the little blue tits that loved to peck holes in the caps and sup their breakfast from the milk fat that lay on top. Thankfully I usually won.

Yes, I was so happy to have the procedure done and finished yesterday. They were very timely in their manner, a lot of the time was spent waiting around in prep, getting gowned up, etc. But the actual procedure itself took only minutes. The anticipation of it was far worse than the act itself. It did not hurt, but felt instead just a tiny bit weird. I need to have an ultrasound sometime over the next few months to make sure my kidneys are alright.  Apparently, according to the Doctor who removed the stent, when they went into remove the stone they had a real problem with it and had to use a balloon. This is probably when I had such difficulties afterwards.  I am happy to say that things are slowly returning to normal, there is no pain now and last night I was able to sleep the whole night through until about 5 this morning without having to get up to use the loo. 

I was extremely tired last night however and was in bed by 8:30.


 

I was so happy to get home yesterday morning.  I left here about quarter to 7 and was home by 11. so very quick considering the distance we had to drive.  We did stop at the Cambridge convenience on the way back and pick up a few things. They had double Nova Scotia oat cakes, put together with peanut butter and half dipped in chocolate. Impossible to resist. Cindy and I each got a box of them. Eileen and I each enjoyed one for our lunch yesterday. One of those is very filling and because of the oats you can almost fool yourself into thinking that you are eating something healthy-ish.

Cindy brought over a small gift for Eileen when she dropped dad off for his tea in the afternoon.  The knitting spool that I had gotten for Eileen was a bit awkward to use. Cindy had managed to get another one which was quite a bit easier and was even able to show her how to use it left-handed. Eileen was thrilled.

Interesting fact.  Four out of five of my children are left-handed. I don't know how that happened. Apparently this is quite rare. The only right handed child I have is my daughter who is the nurse.


 

I am planning on going to the grocery store this morning.  It's been almost 2 months. I am in dire need of a few things. You can only order so much on amazon. (And it usually costs more.)  Eileen will go as well as Cindy.  I am really craving some fresh fruit and vegetables, plus I want some plain yogurt and, as always, I need cat food. All things being well, I am hoping to go to church tomorrow as well.

We will see how I feel after the outing this morning. It is a lot harder to snap back to normalcy when you are older I guess.  I have been up now for an hour and a half and already feel like I need a nap. That's been January and February for me. Frequent napping and far too much television viewing!

I know I have not written much this morning, but I do feel the need to have another half hours rest so I will end this now with a thought to carry with you  . . . 


☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Life is full 
of beautiful moments.
Let them in.
~unknown
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

Easy Ginger Ring Cake


The recipe I am sharing in The English Kitchen today is for an Easy Ginger Ring Cake. It is an old recipe I got from my friend Carolyn in the U.K. many years ago and it is deliciously studded with candied cherries and ginger.


I hope you have a beautiful weekend!  Thanks so much for all of the prayers, love and support you have given me over these past weeks. I have really appreciated it.  Stay safe, stay warm and don't forget! 


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

And I do too!    

   

Thursday, 19 February 2026

My Favorite Things . . .

 


Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . these are some of the things in life that I enjoy, and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Let's share!




Older homes with gingerbread trim. I love this.



 

Big old farmhouse sinks . . . 


 

Old wooden rolling pins . . . 


 


Chicken bowls  . . . 


 


Greengate  . . . 


 


Recipe boxes  . . . 


 

I still love this chair. It will never be mine. But that doesn't mean I can't dream.


 

Pink . . . 


 

Flowers in flowered tea cups  . . . 


 

Tea bag cookies  . . . 


 

Brambly Hedge . . . 


 

Pretty book jackets  . . . 



Bread plates  . . . 


 

Pretty Pot Holders  . . . 


 

Bookmark bouquets  . . . 


 


Breakfast  . . . 

 

Pink Lemonade  . . . 


 
Cozy corners  . . . 


 

A sweet bedroom . . . 


 

Yes please  . . . 


 


Sew pretty  . . . 


I guess I just love pretty things  . . . 


☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*A thought to carry with you . . . 
Enjoy the little things
for one day you will look back
and realize they were the big things.
~Robert Breault


Proper Custard


In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Proper Custard.  Perfect for enjoying poured over sliced banana. Bananas and custard. A delicious dessert. And so simple.


I hope you have a beautiful day. I will not be posting tomorrow. Wish me luck on my next hospital adventure. I have high hopes.  Don't forget!


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

And I do too!    

   

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 Well, two more sleeps and hopefully this nightmare that has been my 2026 will be over. I have everything crossed.  I am afraid to hope for the best. There is a part of me that is concerned that being borderline bladder incontinent and in pain from it all will be a permanent state. This has been horrendous to say the least. I am trying to remain hopeful that the stent removal will move things back to normal. I have everything crossed from the top of my head down to the tips of my toes.

I don't know what that says about my faith. Not much I guess.   "Lord I believe. Help thou my unbelief." Mark 9:24  I do have a great deal of faith, but it is not perfect. I am only human after all.




I made the requisite pancakes for pancake day yesterday. Eileen was really happy about that. She said that whenever she tries to make pancakes they never turn out. I carefully talked her through every step along the way, so hopefully the next time she tries to make them on her own she will be more confident.

She had an appointment yesterday at the sleep clinic. Apparently she had some sleep test done a while back to determine if she has sleep apnea or not. They have determined that she has mild sleep apnea and that she snores. I have been trying to tell her for years that she snores and she would never believe me. Now she does. They are going to let her try that sleep machine thingy at some point to see if it helps.

I don't know how anyone sleeps wearing one of those, but I guess you get used to it.


 


I didn't feel really well yesterday afternoon. I think the lack of sleep over the last few months is really catching up on me. I made the pancakes but couldn't really eat them. I refrigerated the leftovers and will probably have some this morning. Not quite as nice as the first round, but I am sure I will still enjoy them. 

Eileen bought some bananas when she was out and so I had one of those over the course of my evening. It is very rare that I will eat a banana.  I like sliced banana on a bowl of cereal and I like them in baked things like cookies and banana bread. I would never turn down a slice of banana cream pie, but just eating a banana is something I hardly ever do.  They have to be at just the right level of ripeness for me to do that. Not too ripe and not too underripe.

I might make bananas and custard today. I think Eileen might enjoy that.



 


I might make some biscuits today as well if I feel up to it. I haven't had any of those in a long while now. I love a good biscuit. The other night Eileen and I had beans on toast with some cheddar cheese grated on top. She really enjoyed that. It was not something she had ever had. She is wanting me to do them again.  Beans on biscuits might be even better than beans on toast. 

We shall see.



 


Today is Ash Wednesday or the first day of Lent. The forty day period before we celebrate Easter. In many faiths they use that time period as a time of sacrifice where they will give up something or some things for that time period.  You will see people giving up things like chocolate or something else that they enjoy. Others will fast from social media. My church really doesn't do the Lent thing. For the past few years however I have been doing the Pray 40 for Lent on the Hallow Ap and I am doing it again this year. I have gotten a lot out of it the past couple of years. I love anything that helps me to focus more on the Savior and what he did . . .  that will bring me into closer communion with Him. To help tear my focus away from Easter Bunnies and chocolate.

Although it will be kind of nice to have Eileen here this year for Easter. I see a chocolate bunny in her future. Maybe mine as well. 😉


 


Yesterday Eileen and I were watching the CIA program on my Roku channel.  They were doing Mexican food. We both love Mexican food. They made the most delicious looking tacos. They basically fried some lean ground beef with onions and spices and then added some cheese to them. This is what they filled corn tortillas with and then they fried the filled tortillas. After that they filled them with lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, more cheese, etc. 

I may see some of those in our future as well.

And with that I will end this off with a thought for you to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*A loss may 
sometimes be a gain.
~Jane Austin.• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★



Breakfast Waffle Quesadillas


A new old recipe in the Kitchen today.  Breakfast Waffle Quesadillas. These are really delicious with eggs scrambled with onions and peppers, cheese, bacon, etc.  Served with your favorite quesadilla toppings/dips. You could even use gluten-free tortillas if you wanted to.


I hope you have a beautiful Wednesday. May it be filled with light and with love.  Don't forget!

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

And I do too!    

   

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

A Day Book

 




FOR TODAY, February 17th, 2026


OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Its cold and cloudy. -6*C which is 20*F. Might get up to zero today (which is 32), but we will see. It's garbage day. They've changed all the garbage rules, but I am not sure what the new ones are. I will have to look them up.


I AM THINKING ...

I am thinking about Friday and having this stent removed. I can't wait to get this over with.  A bit nervous as I don't know what to expect. Apparently they only freeze things to remove it. (Not sure how that is done.) Also nervous about getting to the area where it will be done as at the moment I cannot walk very far without my bladder feeling like it is about to burst!


 


I AM ALSO THINKING ...

About Crystal balls. How many of us would be afraid to move forward if we knew for sure what the future held? Life is so changeable and I think it is a good thing we don't really know what lies around the corner. Best thing to do is to live each day to the fullest.


I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

Grateful that I was living here in Canada to be able to help and support my daughter through her troubles. Oh, I know someone would have helped her regardless, but I am grateful that I was here to do it.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

Enough. I have enough. Of everything. I am blessed.


Cinnamon Swirl Pancake Bake

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Cinnamon Swirl Pancake Bake. A pancake that gets baked in a quarter sheet pan. Topped with a cinnamon swirl prior to baking. It sinks down into the batter and makes for a scrumptious baked pancake. Easy and delicious.



ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

These Almond Sweet Rolls from Recipes From Melanie look pretty tasty! I love fresh rolls and I love almonds!



THIS I BELIEVE ...

Its all around us if we will open our eyes and look in expectation.



SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Toast. I love fresh, crisp, toast.


 

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

A long hot soak with a good book to read.


I AM WANTNG TO CREATE ...


 

A needlebook  . . . 


 

A knitted bunny   . . . 


 

Paper flowers  . . . 


 

Botanical wands  . . . 


 

A little cat in a pouch . . . 


SOMETHING I ENJOY ...


 

Red squirrels  . . .  they are so cheeky.


 

Sheep. They are such gentle creatures.




I AM READING ...

THE CORRESPONDENT, by Virginia Evans


“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?” 


 Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime. 

 Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. 

 Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness. 

 Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

I have only just started this. I am not sure what to think yet.


THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

Log fires  . . . . 

 

Pretty mending  . . . 

 

French ham baguettes  . . . they do them so well.


 

Hollyhocks  . . . 



 

Garden statues  . . . 


 

MAKES ME SMILE ...

Watch and learn.




SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

PS I Love You on Netflix.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...


☾ ° ° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*I have found that
if you love life,
Life will love you back.
~Arthur Rubenstein
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。


And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!


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



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•. ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥╬
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Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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

And I do too!