Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

March 13th, 2026

Estate Lane

Middleton, Nova Scotia

-4*C/24*F

snow showers, but hopefully stopping soon

more snow tomorrow

Dear Neighbor,

Well winter has revisited us this morning. This is such a transitional month. Snow one day, rain the next. Cold. Mild. And everything in between. It will be like this until spring finally decides to kick winter out of the room for once and for all. It won't be long now.  But in the meantime we suffer this to-ing and fro-ing.

I do look forward to the sunshine and the greening up of everything, the flowers, the birds  . . .  but not the bugs. In particular the ants. They drive me to distraction. There are just so many of them and I spend the warmer months in an on-going battle to keep them out of my kitchen and my bed. I can live with spiders, but ants.  I absolutely dislike them. And, because I live in a bungalow on a concrete slab, they are in the house, under my house, around my house.  Most annoying. But we learn to live with it.

 

(source)

Yesterday ended up being a very busy day.  Cindy messaged David and I about 9:30 or so to say that she had called an ambulance for dad. He had been in pain with his back all night and wanted to go to the hospital to have it checked. And he wasn't feeling very mobile. I went to the hospital with them. When someone is 92 you don't want to take any chances. You want these things checked out and he is not always very good at explaining things.

They gave him a good once over and any infection was ruled out. We were told how to manage his pain and we got to bring him home. Cindy had a kinesiology appointment in the afternoon so Eileen and I went over to keep an eye on him while she and Dan were away. Dad stayed mostly in his room. He came out for a bit and did a walk around for some exercise. I put some cream on his back, then he went back into his room for a nap.  Eileen and I spent the afternoon rolling coins.

Eileen has a small suitcase/container she brought that was loaded with change. Nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies, toonies. She had picked up the coin rollers earlier in the week, so we busied ourselves with sorting them out. We got most of them sorted but ran out of rollers for the nickels and dimes so need to get more. It is amazing how quickly it all added up. She is going to put them into her savings account.

 

(source)

Once Cindy and Dan got back we came home and I whipped up a quick supper of Chicken Salad Sandwiches for us.  I have gotten Eileen turned onto sourdough bread, which is much better for her than that cheap white bread. I know it is more expensive but she will be better off eating that.

Our lives have fallen into a comforting routine.  I get up first. I am an early riser. I do my writing on here while I listen to her sleeping. She gets up about 9 and has her breakfast. Then she goes off to her CSS visits if she is having one and I do some work. If she doesn't have a visit then she busies herself with copying out recipes or writing of some sort. I gave her one of my Susan Branch Recipe Binders for her to take to her new apartment, so she is busying herself with copying recipes into it that are simple and not too expensive to make. She also has her knitting spool that she is busy using as well. She is making a cat bed for when she is finally able to get a cat of her own.

I do my scripture study. She does hers. We cook. We laugh. We watch a bit of telly, do laundry, etc. She is not hard to live with and I do not feel like I have to spend my time entertaining her. We get along very well. We always have for the most part. There were some issues with masking and Covid a year or so back, but nothing too hard awfully difficult to deal with.

Sometimes we play "Where's Nutmeg." He's not too hard to find.  His white paws or bottlebrush tail give him away most times.  Sometimes you look and all you see is two eyes and those pompom white cheeks of his staring out. He makes us laugh. He is such a character. When Eileen is snoring really loud he stands at the doorway and watches her. Its so funny.

 

(source)

Now it is March I really need to get my act together and tackle my taxes. I save my receipts, etc. all year and then in March I gather everything and sort it and get it ready to go to the tax man. He is a funny little guy. A bit odd to be honest, but he does a good job and doesn't charge too much. I have been skimming a firm 30% off of everything I have received this year each time I get paid, and paying it into my CRA account. Hopefully I won't need to add any more to it. I don't have it to add.  Taxes are something I really don't understand that well.  Rich people don't pay taxes, or they pay as little as they can. They know how to hide their money. I know this from having worked for them. I have seen it all.  The poor and working class pay much more. My boss in the U.K was a tax exile from America and then when the U.K. started making them pay taxes on the money that was hidden in off-shore accounts they made the move to the Bahamas. They know all the loopholes.

I wish I knew some loopholes. Then maybe I could get ahead! haha

 

(source)

I am dropping Eileen off at the Baptist church here in town this morning to go to her Bible Study.  They are studying Revelations. I am not sure how much she understands of it, but she does enjoy the social aspect of it and they have a coffee break with refreshments which she enjoys. Tim's mother also goes and it is a chance for them to see each other.  Then after that she is walking to Tim Hortons as she has a CSS visit today and a People's First meeting.  They will drop her off home after that.

Cindy and I are going to go out and do a bit of shopping this morning.  We have not done that in a while. It is doubtful that we will be taking Dad to visit with his friend Maryann today. Because of his back.

I love these little outings with Cindy. I always really enjoy them. I am so blessed to have a sister that I get along so well with. My brother as well.  Last night we were sharing misheard lyrics on FB messenger and having a bit of a laugh over them.

All of my brother's tests re his kidney cancer, etc. have come back with good results. We are pleased about that.

 

(source)

One of the main things I need to get this morning is cat food and kitty litter. Walmart has the best prices as far as those things go.  I get a regular large box of the little pots of Whiskas chicken cuts and salmon cuts in gravy, but I also have to get a few different flavors of the little pots to off-set those so that flavor fatigue doesn't take hold. Cinnamon also likes the little soups. She is the fussy one really. Nutmeg eats pretty much everything. He is not near as fussy about what he eats.

I can only use the one kind of kitty litter as well, as Cinnamon doesn't like any other kind. Yes, she is a little bit of a Diva.

Ahhh . . . simple things. I know you were all just gagging to know all this. Sorry.

 

I have great plans for this weekend. I want to sort out my kitchen cupboards. I know there are some canned goods in there that have been there since I first moved in. I need to get rid of some things and just organize them better.  I could do a lot better in that area. I need to stop buying food on impulse and only buy what I know I am going to use.

I just looked at the clock and it is time to wake Eileen up so that she can be ready for me to take her to her bible study at 9, so I will end this now.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Life is partly what we make it,

and partly what is made by

the friends that we choose.

~Tennessee Williams 

In The English Kitchen today, Apricot and Honey Muffins.  Soft, tender and just sweet enough.  A kind of a banana muffin that is really delicious and studded generously with plenty of apricots, apples, and toasted pecans. A powerhouse of nutrition.

I hope you have a lovely Friday. Whatever you get up to, 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!    

   

 

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!

 

(source)

Early morning light  . . . 

 

(source)

Ginger cats  . . .  they have such personality.

 

(source)

Snow drops  . . . 

 

(source)

Fresh garlic  . . . 

 

(source)

A place to sit comfortably  . . . 

 

(source)

Hedgehogs . . .  they're so cute.

 

(source)

Checkered table cloths  . . .  love them.

 

(source)

Tulips  . . .  any color.

 

(source)

Unique ceramics  . . .  what a cute vase.

 

(source)

Disappearing snow  . . . 

 

(source)

White plates  . . . 

 

(source)

Maps  . . . 

 

(source)

Blue jeans, although it has been many years since I have worn them . . . 

 

(source)

Little knitted ducks  . . . 

 

(source)

Pie . . . any kind  . . .  put it in a crust and I am there.

 

(source)

Great works of art  . . . 

 

(source)

It makes the world go around, or so they say.  We need more of it.

 

(source)

Someone's being naughty . . . oh dear . . . 

 

(source)

Easter Cookies   . . . such a cute idea.

 

(source)

Friends that are good listeners  . . . 

 

(source)

Wrought iron . . . there is a whole section in the V&A Museum in London that is dedicated just to this skill. Fascinating.

 

(source)

And again  . . .  they are such charming creatures. Crazy.

How can you not love them.

And those are my favorite things for this week. I hope that some of them were yours also.  Tomorrow is Friday the 13th, again. The second one this year. Don't worry. There won't be another one until November.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*A quiet home, simple routines,
and a grateful heart.
That's abundance.

New in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Hot Buttered Corn Rice.  This is simple to make and really delicious.  A side dish that goes with just about anything!

Eileen had her last infusion yesterday. I hope she is back to normal. A blood test in a week or so should determine if they have worked or not.  I wish for each of you a beautiful day.  Wet here. But rain, not snow, so a plus.  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

 

A very busy day was had here yesterday.  Eileen ended up going to the weekly coffee morning with the CSS group down in Bridgetown. She had to be out of here for that fairly early which meant an early wake up for her.  They just go down to the main offices in Bridgetown and have a coffee morning where they play games, have snacks, coffee, etc. Tim was not at this one because he works on Tuesdays. So that was good. 

My cleaners came later in the morning. One of them was having a bit of a drama with one of her children, but other than that they did their usual great job and my place was sparkling when they left. They missed seeing Eileen, but that was okay. She was thrilled when she got home and I told her she was missed.  

Cinnamon kept them company the whole time, and as usual Nutmeg did not make an appearance until after they had gone.

 

(source)

After Eileen finished her coffee morning, she went shopping and then messaged me to say she was at Tim Hortons and did I want anything. I did not, but she had a nice visit there with her friends and then went to the Sally Ann shop and picked up a nice zippered hoodie in a beautiful burgundy color for only $2. I washed it for her when she got home.

We dined on baked potatoes topped with baked beans and cheese and salad and had some cut up melon for dessert and that was a day done and dusted.

And she has another busy day planned for today as well, with some kind of light therapy class this morning, again down in Bridgetown and then her last Iron infusion this afternoon, plus we are planning on meeting dad and Hazel at the Big Scoop for supper. Cindy is not going this week as she and Dan are going out tomorrow. Of course, our dining out all depends on how Eileen is feeling after her infusion. She is already planning on having spaghetti though, so we will probably end up going, no doubt.

 

(source)

There is some good news as far as apartments go. It looks like she is going to get that apartment which one of her friends is renting, just not sure exactly when, but probably more sooner than later.  Plus the girl is leaving a lot of her furniture and stuff behind so Eileen will be able to buy it from her. Plus I have extra things that I can give her, dish-wise, etc.  I had bought 12 place settings when I moved in here. I had big dreams of family get-togethers with all my kids, etc. but that only rarely if ever happens and I can buy in paper plates if and when it does. 

I will miss her when she is gone, so I hope it doesn't happen too awfully soon. We have gotten ourselves into a rhythm here, which is quite nice. In any case, it is a ground floor apartment so I will be able to visit her frequently in any case, something which I was unable to do when she lived with Tim as their apartment was on the third floor. 

She took great delight in telling me that Tim thinks he is going to get the new apartment, but he is not. I told her I was pretty sure he wouldn't as he already has an apartment and they will give it to her rather than him as she is considered unhoused. 

Personally I think he has a lot of nerve thinking that he could get the new apartment after everything that has happened and the way he has behaved.

 

(source)

I was taken aback a few days ago when I received the most revolting comment on a post on my food blog. I won't share it with you exactly as it is so nasty and full of such bad language that I just couldn't. But it was to the effect that they hoped my father had died and I miss him because they hate people who tell a story and don't just give you the recipe and live in misery you b****

What is wrong with people?

Then I had posted a recipe for Hamburger Gravy on my EK FB page and I got all sorts of abuse, albeit not quite as nasty as that comment, for posting a recipe that wasn't "English." Not from my regular commenters I hasten to add.

And then I had posted a question in the Ask a Question group and got abused from the get-go for asking the question.

Again, what is wrong with people?

I often really dislike this world we are living in. Oh, there is lots of beauty in it, and I do see that, but it seems that people are just becoming nastier and nastier. They sit there behind their phones and their computer screens tap-tap-tapping out the vitriol and they get away with it because they are "anonymous."

 

(source)

 It got into the double digits here temperature wise yesterday. It really was a gorgeous, sunny and warmish day. It is not supposed to get quite as warm today. I had my heat turned off all day yesterday and through the night.  I have just turned it on now to warm things up a tiny bit. 

A lot of the snow has melted. Out here there is a pile of really dirty snow in the middle of the front garden and nothing left in the back. We are supposed to get snow/rain showers later this week but it will not amount to much I don't think.

I need to call the service station today and tell them which tires I want them to order for the car and then make an appointment for the winter tires to be changed out and then an oil change.  I haven't really driven it a lot this Winter. I will never be able to afford to buy another car so this one needs to be well taken care of and kept on the road for as long as possible. There is no real public transport system here, at least not in comparison to what I was used to in the U.K. Boy, they loved to complain about it but really, they had nothing to complain about.

 

 

(source)

Has your brain/body adjusted to the time change yet. I am not sure why but it seems to be a bit easier this time. I always struggle with it anyways, but it doesn't seem quite so bad. I wish they would just leave it be. I don't see the use for it. I don't think the province of Saskatchewan has ever taken to it. (I could be wrong.) I think they just keep the time the same all year round.

And I think it changes in Europe at a different time than ours here in North America, which really messes things up.  Usually there is four hours difference between where I live and the U.K.,  but that is not always the case when it comes to time change. Sometimes it is only three and sometimes it is five. But only for a few weeks twice a year.

Are you confused yet? ha ha It mattered when I was calling my mother every week, but not so much now.

 

(source)

I am not a person that adjusts well to change at all. Not any kind of change. I like things to stay the same. I know  . . .  boring.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day.  I need to be getting Eileen up soon and feeding her, etc. as she is off out of here by 9!  

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*Wisdom is knowing

the right path to take.

Integrity is taking it.

~Unknown• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

In The English Kitchen.  Ranch Dressed Crushed Potatoes.  Potatoes cooked in a very simple way and then crushed so that you get lots of tasty craggy edges. Edges that are perfect for catching and hugging onto that delicious homemade herby dressing!

I hope that you have a great Wednesday.  I think I am going to have a nap after Eileen leaves. I am feeling quite tired all of a sudden!  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, March 10th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Periods of rain and mild temperatures have caused much of the snow to melt away and we have a few rainy days ahead of us. The temperature is expected to go up to 17*C/62.6*F today.  I expect I will see ants.  I hate ants. They are really annoying. 

I AM THINKING ...

Eileen has one more iron infusion, and then she will be done. Hopefully she will be feeling a lot better than she has been.

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

It's tax season. I hope I have enough savings, just in case I end up having to pay additional tax over and above what I have been sending in each month. Yesterday I had to have a new battery put in the car. It would not start when I went to go to Cindy's on Sunday. That cost me over $300 and I will need two new spring tires next month, plus my electric bill was way up this time. I am trying not to be concerned.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

The serenity of piano music. It is very peaceful and calming. At least the stuff I listen to is.

 

(source)

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

Home sweet home  . . . 

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Cafe-style Coffee Shortbread Cookies.  Slice and bakes, coated with crunchy demerara sugar around the edges. Can you spell delicious?

 

(source)

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Pear Muffins with Walnuts. From White Gunpowder. I love a good muffin.

THIS I BELIEVE ...

Small and simple things of beauty can make your days a little bit sweeter.

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

 

(source)

Fresh baked rolls  . . . 

 

(source)

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

A hot drink and a good book to read  . . .  and someone to keep you company.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

 

(source)

Tiny dolls  . . . 

 

(source)

Cat dolls  . . . 

 

(source)

A dog with a sausage  . . . 

 

(source)

Little dog pins  . . . 

 

(source)

Friends and cohorts  . . . 

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

 

(source)

Pussy willows  . . . 

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

 

(source)

Teacups and daisies  . . . 

I AM READING ...

IN THE GREAT QUIET, by Laura Vogt

A pioneer unwaveringly endures the Oklahoma frontier in an epic adventure about a woman haunted by secrets and searching for home. 

 A cannon booms at high noon, and the race begins in the Oklahoma land rush of 1893. 

 Amid the crowd is Minnie Hoopes. Tenacious and fiercely independent, she is determined to endure the brutal frontier and create a life of her own. Guarding her solitude, she distances herself from bordering homesteaders and finds peace under the starry nights of the vast frontier. But this is outlaw country, and Minnie soon has the blood of two gunfighters on her hands. After a renegade outlaw named Stot discovers her secrets, she forms an unlikely friendship with him. With each passing season, Minnie’s past grows more haunting and threatens the future she has risked everything to build. Minnie raced into the Wild West alone, but her grandest journey in the frontier wilderness is one she never saw coming. 

 Based on the true story of the author’s great-great-grandparents, this sweeping and transportive survival story explores a woman’s connection with the land, her reconciliation with the past, and her elemental search for home against all odds. 

 Settle in, I’ve stories to tell.

I love stories based on true stories.  Only just begun this novel. So far it's a cracker!

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

(source)

Pretty linens  . . . 

 

(source)

Wools and tweeds  . . . 

 

(source)

The smell of fresh coffee  . . . 

 

(source)

Totally everything about this  . . . 

 

(source)

Cottage charm  . . . 

MAKES ME SMILE ...

 

(source)

I fits  . . .  I sits  . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

Bridgerton on Netfix 

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*What a blessing it is

to look around and see

pieces of my old prayers

scattered everywhere.

~Unknown• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

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

  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰

⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆

  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 

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

░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ 

Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!