Thursday, 13 February 2025

My Favorite Things . . .

 



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! 


 


I don't drink a lot of hot drinks but when I do I like a pretty mug/cup to drink from. Its a small and simple pleasure.


 


A beautiful landscape whatever the season . . . 


 


Creative expression, whatever the medium  . . . 


 


Snowdrops   . . . 


 
Pretty handbags  . . . 


 


Red rosehips against a wintery and sparse landscape, a beautiful touch of color.


 


Pretty rings  . . . 


 

Mmmm . . . cinnamon  . . . 


 


Country charm  . . . 


 

Mandarins  . . . 


 

Shortbread biscuits  . . . 


 

Fresh tulips . . .  these are as pretty as a painting . . .


 


Crochet trims  . . . 


 

I have a cup like this that I love  . . .  the saucer got broken in the trip back from the U.K. however. Just makes it all the more dear to me.


 

Pretty earrings  . . .  I don't wear them myself. My ears are too old and my lobes too big, but on a young woman, pretty earrings are a beautiful thing.


 

Ruffles and bows  . . . 


 

Proper French Toast . . . 


 

Such pretty things  . . . 


 

Pink  . . . 


 

Books  . . .  they have always been my friends.


And those are my favorite things for today. I hope that some of them were also yours.


We went out for supper with Dad last night. He fell yesterday going into the Tim Hortons in town and is scraped up a bit with a black eye. Sigh . . . I am so grateful he did not break anything. The thought of it makes me cry. I love my father very much. He was very strict when we were growing up and was not always my favorite person back then, but I love him very much. I wish I could do more for him.


Vanilla Cupcakes, egg free



In The English Kitchen today.  Vanilla Cupcakes. Egg free as well as dairy free (if you wish).  These were moist and delicious. I glazed with a white glaze and topped with a cherry.


I hope that you have a lovely day. Lots of snow, freezing rain, rain, snow expected here today. Its going to be nasty and I know this storm has been blowing through Ontario/Quebec also.  Stay safe and warm everyone!  Don't forget!


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


And I do too!    

   


Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

Isn't this pretty!


I started taking an online course through my church last night.  Financial self-reliance.  At the end of it I will get a certificate from the LDS Business College. Believe it or not, I have never been taught the basics of budgeting etc. I went from my father's house to my husband's house, three of them, and in all cases my husbands were in charge of the finances. This time I am living now is the first time in my life that I have been solely responsible for everything, financially and otherwise. I know, sad to think that here I am at 69 just learning these things, but it's quite true. Even when I was working, I was not in charge of where the money went, etc. that was someone else's domain, and I quite happily left them to it.

You are never too old to learn new things.

One of my weaknesses is I spend money on others too freely, and I don't know why I do this.  Trying to buy love and acceptance?  I don't know. But I do it all the time. I need to learn how to curb that weakness and be more reasonable.  I think my love language is serving others and there are many ways to serve rather than buying gifts. 


I'm also fiercely independent and rather than ask for help, I will pay for help. I need to learn to ask.  It is a humbling experience to be sure.


 


Amidst the chaos of modern life this is something we all need to embrace.  Slow Living. Simplifying.  Cutting back. Living in the moment. Being present. I know I feel the yearning to simplify things all the time. I may have started off with very little, but I have managed to fill my house with stuff, and I am not sure why or how I did it.  I think I have some very tangible weaknesses.  Yarn. Fabric. Candles. Cookbooks. Before I buy any more of these things I need to use up what I already have.  I am like a crow that sees sparkle. When I see a new candle scent it calls to me like a siren's song to a Captain of the sea. How much pleasure are they bringing me if they are stored in a box in the closet. I could probably burn a candle every day for the next couple of years and still have candles to burn. I will never cook all the recipes that I have collected, not in a million years, and it is time for me to use up that fabric and yarn. 

I don't know why I save these things for future times. The future is now.  I need to use them now and enjoy them now. I could be making gifts to give to people rather than buying them. That is my goal. I will have the pleasure of making them, whilst I use up some of what I have gathered, and I will be able to give some joy to someone else with the fruits of my labors. And it will be good enough. Embracing simplicity. Inner peace.  Here and now.  Soul connection.  It's a good thing.





It seems like every other day there is some sort of food being recalled.  This morning it was Tuna. I don't think right here in Canada, but I can't be sure. I will have to check my tuna to see if it is affected. Lots of times it is for things like undeclared allergens, which is not so bad if you are not allergic to things, but other times it is a bit more serious, like today's tuna recall. Botulism from cans with the easy pull lids. You can read about it here if you have not heard about it.


I think perhaps we rely too much on processed foods these days.  I know I am guilty of it myself. It is much cheaper for me to buy a ready mixed salad than to buy all of the ingredients to make my own salad.  I tend to buy them because less of it will go to waste as well, but I still end up wasting half of it because they don't taste right. I can taste bleach or something in the lettuce, some sort of flavor that I don't like that much. 

When I was much, much younger I used to think a TV Dinner was a treat. Or a frozen Pot Pie. I don't think so anymore. Nothing seems to taste the way it used to. Either my tastes have changed, or the quality of these things has decreased.

How much better to just buy the ingredients and make things yourself, even if it does take time.


 

I have taken to watching the Cranford series again on BritBox. I so loved this series the first time it came out and have revisited it several times since. I know we tend to romanticize the past.  I love series such as this, or Larkrise to Candleford, anything Jane Austin, Poldark, etc. In all truth, unless you were very wealthy, things were not so nice for people back in those times. I would be more likely to have been the person changing the chamber pots than the person sitting in the parlor supping on hot tea and crumpets.

But it is nice to watch these programs anyways and to dream that maybe we would have been in the parlor. That they were kinder, gentler times, even if they were not always. I do so enjoy them.  There is not a lot of smut in these shows, no swearing, no violence.  They are pretty tame and quite entertaining. Nice.  I like nice.


 

Yes please, and that is why I do not watch the news. It is far too upsetting; on both sides of the coin, I reckon. Everywhere. It is always doom and gloom.  Good news doesn't sell papers.  

I much rather enjoy a quiet life, blissfully unaware for the most part of what is going on in the world, or at least not dwelling on it. There is not a lot that I, in and of myself, can do about any of it anyways.  So I just try to ignore it all as best as I can.

Life is so much better that way, happier, more contented. I am much happier and more content without having to worry about stuff. If that makes me ignorant, then I am blissfully so. 

For me, simplicity is the better way. I have far better things to do with my time than to juju the cookies when they come out of the oven so that they are perfectly round. They still taste the same, however irregular they might look.


 

That is not to say that I don't have moments when I just want to throw myself down on my bed and sob my heart out. I do.  I am only human. I do have moments when I cry over the fact that for some reason my life has turned out quite differently than I ever thought it would.  Why I find myself at this age alone and unloved.  No Valentines for me. Why some of my much beloved children have turned their backs on me. Why I find myself in the position where I will have to work until the day I die.  I do have moments when I cry about those very things, and moments when the fear of an unknown future tries to cloud out my joy . . .  but trust me when I say that crying doesn't change a thing. It doesn't make me feel any better and it doesn't take those things away. It destroys my peace. Comparison, whether it be to those around you, or to the future you thought you might have had . . .  it is the thief of joy.  Don't let it steal your joy.  When I find myself thinking or feeling that way, I change the trajectory of my thoughts. I dwell on what I do have rather than what I wanted to have or thought I should have had.  I dry my tears and immerse myself in something uplifting. I remember that whatever it is, this is my life, and I hold all the power to make it a good one or a bad one. I remind myself of the people who do love me and want me in their lives.  I look around and see what, through the grace of God (because all good things come from Him) has given me, and I count my blessings, of which there are many. Here and now. I will not allow myself to dwell in the "woe is me" game, not for very long anyways.


 

Sometimes I tire myself out.  Like yesterday.  I put too much on my plate. It was not enough to cook one thing. I had to cook three different things, and do my laundry, and visit my next-door neighbor, and fold my laundry, change my bed, dust, do the vacuuming, wash the floors, clean up from my cooking, and take a course. Not that any of what I did was bad things. None of it was. But I need to learn to pace myself more.  Take more breaks so I don't exhaust myself overly so. I am no longer a spring chicken.

I did not get a video done this week, again. To be honest, I do struggle with topics to do a video on.  Things I can reasonably fit into the time allotted.  It also involves a lot of work.  I just can't go into the kitchen and start doing a video. Even as simple and unelaborate as they are. I have to plan and have everything ready to go before I start. 

Then there is the problem of the speed of my internet.  I am supposed to have high speed, and I pay a lot for it. (do I ever, over $200 a month) but I always run out of the high speed in the week running up to the end of my payment period. It goes from the 15th to the 15th. As soon as I reach a certain amount of whatever's, the speed of it drops down and stays down until the 15th and that is where I find myself this week.  The last time I tried to upload a video when my speed was down it took over 48 hours to upload. That was very frustrating for me. And so, I think I am going to wait until next week to do one.

High speed fiber internet is not available on my street.  When they were putting in the street, they did something to the cables. I only have high speed satellite internet available to me. (Even though the streets on either side of me do have the fiber.) It is just something I have to put up with. At least my rent will never go up.



 



To be honest, none of my videos get a lot of views really, although the people that do watch them seem to like them, which amazes me as they are not very sophisticated videos. Statistically the people who view my videos are all women over the age of 65. I have no appeal to the younger audience, which is fine. I am not sure what the magic essence is. I watch this one lady who gets on and moans about her health, lack of money, etc. and she has thousands of views within hours of posting (One of them being me). None of my videos have reached that level, not even over months of time. But I am not about to start moaning about my health and lack of money. (Don't worry, ha ha) 

I am not sure how I could ever cope with it if I had too many people watching.  I think that it is a double-edged sword.  You get critics then, and I am not sure my skin is thick enough to abide too much criticism. And there is a certain level of expectation to produce content regularly. I have enough to do without having to meet those expectations. I would rather just keep on as I have been, popping one out when and as the inspiration strikes.  


I do admire these young moms who create videos weekly, however. With sewing, cooking, caring for their families and homes. How do they find the time?  I never would have had time to create like that when my children were young. I was far too busy.  With five children, I had a never-ending pile of laundry and was always playing catch-up with the house. Any sewing or crafting I did had to be done in the evening after they were all settled. I don't know how they do it! They must have very understanding husbands and husbands who are willing to help out with things.

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day. I have wattled on long enough!

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*.Never let loyalty and kindness
leave you. Tie them around your
neck as a reminder.  Write them
deep within your heart.
~Proverbs 3:3° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •


Carrot & Potato Soup



In The English Kitchen today . . .  Carrot & Potato Soup.  Economical and hearty. Delicious too! A tasty way to watch your pennies. 


Its freezing cold out there this morning everyone.  Stay warm and be safe when you are out and about.  Whatever you get up to, 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!    

   




Tuesday, 11 February 2025

A Day Book . . .

 



FOR TODAY, February 11th, 2024



OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Its really quite snow covered. This was before the snow that we got yesterday.  No, we were not able to go out for our Big Mary's. It snowed off and on all day. That's okay. Big Mary isn't going anywhere and there are 52 Mondays in a year.  We will get there when it is safe to do so and enjoy it all the same!




I AM THINKING ...

One of my favorite commercials during the Superbowl was this one. "Stand Up To Hate." There is so much hate in the world today.  Maybe there always has been and we are only aware of it at the moment because we live in a time where everything that happens in the world is relayed to us almost immediately. In any case, I hate that there is so much hate in the world. We are all children of God, and He loves each of us equally. Much the same as we love each of our children. When you learn to see other's with the eyes of God, the scales of hatred start to fall away.  May we all strive to look at each other with the eyes of God. That is the better way.


 

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

It has always been my intention that all who meet together on my page feel welcome and comfortable to do so. That nobody need feel bullied or harassed or judged, unwanted. I have always hoped that it would feel like we are friends meeting together to enjoy a nice cup of tea in an atmosphere of acceptance and love. I think we do pretty well on that score.  Let's keep it that way. 💞


Ham Filled Buttermilk Biscuit Swirls


IN THE KITCHEN ...

I made these Ham Filled Buttermilk Swirls with the last of my ham the other day.  They were really delicious. Beautiful, flaky buttermilk biscuits swirled around a delicious rich deviled ham and cheese filling. Buttery and flaky. I chose to enjoy mine with some baked beans. I had some coleslaw on the side. It really was a delicious meal.


 


ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

These Hungarian Shortbread Bars from Soup Addict look fabulous. I love anything shortbread.


 
Back when they were really tiny
all ears and whiskers


A CLOSE CALL ...

I sat down yesterday afternoon to do some book-keeping. I had my sewing machine on the table also as I had hoped to start on my cushion covers after. It was in its case.  Cinnamon was laying on top of the case, keeping me company.  Nutmeg, Mr. Bully, arrived and attempted to chase her off, before I could chase them both off, they he knocked my sewing machine off the table onto the floor. Talk about me being upset!  I was very cross with them. I got it off the floor and inspected it. The turning wheel on the right side appeared to be broken off or was loose at any rate. I think I got it back on alright. I tried each of the stitches and they appeared to be working okay.  I haven't tried to fill a bobbin yet. I will do so today. I really hope it isn't broken. It was an expensive machine, and I have not used it a lot. I really can't afford to buy a new one. I have my fingers crossed.



SOMETHING NICE ...

And a good reminder to each of us to mind the plank in our own eyes before we start noticing the speck in someone else's.



 


SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Having tea with the birds.  I wish I could attract more to my yard than just crows and jays.






SOMETHING I KNOW TO BE TRUE ...

This. Being humble and teachable is the best way to be. 


I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE ...


 



Spun Cotton Mice (sweet haven sancuary) A complete tutorial.





Fat Cat Crochet Pillow. I can't find the pattern. The link on the page is dead. Very cute though.






This knitted one is also cute, but again no source.




Rita Fox.  Free Crochet Pattern.  Cute. I love foxes.






Love these.  Again no link.



 


SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

Toasted fruit or raisin bread. I love it to bits. With lashings of butter.  Why are things that taste so good so bad for you?  It's not fair.




OH MY GOODNESS ...

These guys are so cute with their sweetheart toppers!



 


I WISH ...

It's very cold this morning. I wish I had a roaring fire in a wood stove to keep me warm.






I AM READING ...

BLACK WOODS BLUE SKY, by Eowyn Ivey



Birdie’s keeping it together; of course she is. So she’s a little hungover, sometimes, and she has to bring her daughter, Emaleen, to her job waiting tables at an Alaskan roadside lodge, but she’s getting by as a single mother in a tough town. Still, Birdie can remember happier times from her youth, when she was free in the wilds of nature. 

 Arthur Neilsen, a soft-spoken and scarred recluse who appears in town only at the change of seasons, brings Emaleen back to safety when she gets lost in the woods. Most people avoid him, but to Birdie, he represents everything she’s ever longed for. She finds herself falling for Arthur and the land he knows so well. 

 Against the warnings of those who care about them, Birdie and Emaleen move to his isolated cabin in the mountains, on the far side of the Wolverine River. It’s just the three of them in the vast black woods, far from roads, telephones, electricity, and outside contact, but Birdie believes she has come prepared. 

At first, it’s idyllic and she can picture a happily ever after: Together they catch salmon, pick berries, and climb mountains so tall it’s as if they could touch the bright blue sky. But soon Birdie discovers that Arthur is something much more mysterious and dangerous than she could have ever imagined, and that like the Alaska wilderness, a fairy tale can be as dark as it is beautiful. 

 Black Woods, Blue Sky is a novel with life-and-death stakes, about the love between a mother and daughter, and the allure of a wild life—about what we gain and what it might cost us.


I cannot put it down. It is that good. I don't want it to be over.


THINGS I LOVE ...


 

Fresh snow, pristine and untouched . . . 


 


Birdhouses  . . . 


 

Queen Anne's Lace  . . . 


 


Sparkles  . . . 


 

Hearts in nature  . . . 



 


I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

Peace of mind. Would not want to be without it.





SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

The Pitt on Crave.  If you enjoy a good medical drama, this fits the bill perfectly.  I am really enjoying this.


A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...


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

 *.Stop measuring days by
degree of productivity
and start experiencing them
by degree of presence.
~Alan Watts  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •


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!  

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


And I do too!