Marie's Sunday Six Smile Makers

Here we are on February First, the month of love, one day away from Ground Hog Day (in North America) and on the right side of winter! Yes, Spring is just around the corner, although the weather people are saying that we are going to be heading back into the deep freeze here tommorrow, with a cold front and snow from Russia sweeping down upon us. That's good because perhaps Idaho won't be as much of a shock to me! Here's six things that brought a smile to my face this week. Perhaps they'll bring a smile to yours too!



Just like most people nowadays, Todd and I both have cell phones. We resisted for a long time, and then, about 5 years ago, someone gave us their old one because they were getting a new one. We used it as an added measure of security when we were going on a trip in the car. This way the RAC would truly be at the end of our fingertips should we break down. Well, within a short period of time the phone stopped working, so we decided that perhaps we should bite the bullet and buy one. When Todd went to look at them, he realised that they were not all that expensive afterall, and so we got two cheapies without any bells and whistles. All we really wanted them to be able to do was to text and voice, and these do just that perfectly. On my contact list I have Todd at the very top, and just underneath him is my friend Angie from Can You All Hear Me At The Back . I can't tell you the number of times I have gone to text Todd and sent the text to Angie instead! I reckon she is just about used to getting wierd texts from me now. Yesterday she got yet another one saying, "almost done". I had thought that I was texting Todd to tell him I was almost done with the grocery shop and it was time for him to come and help me pack it up. I am not sure what went through Angie's mind, but I got a text back within a short from her and we both had a giggle about it. It's a good thing I hadn't been texting him "sweet nothings!"



Of course the real biggie this week was answered prayers! I was so relieved to get a message from my son Friday evening to let me know his eye test had gone well and that he was not going blind. It could so easily have gone the other way and I am ever mindful of a Heavenly Father who listens and cares, even if I don't always like His answers. This time, thankfully, I got the answer that I wanted, which had me doing the Happy Dance all over the kitchen here at Oak Cottage. Not a pretty sight I am sure, but felt good nonetheless!


Only five more sleeps until I leave for Salt Lake City and Idaho and guess who's picking me up at the airport?? Jen from Tater Tots and Jello! I am so excited to finally get to meet her. (I hope she doesn't mind me stealing this picture of her from off of her page.) She is such a sweet lady and I love reading her page and seeing what she is up to. She has a lovely family and her gentle spirit comes through on every thing she posts. It will be so wonderful to get to spend some time with her. She makes really lovely things too. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase one of her really cool clothes peg holder thingies earlier this year and everytime I look at it, it reminds me of a sweet friend, her! Jen, I can't wait to meet you!



About a month before Christmas, well in time for the Christmas mail rush, I packaged up several parcels to sent to my family over in Canada. I always send them airmail because I want to make sure that they get them in time for the holidays, especially my mother and the grandsons. I can remember what a big deal it was when I was a child to get a package in the mail, and so, even though I could just send money, and it costs a bit of an extra penny to send them, I make a point of sending my grandchildren packages! (Besides I have a lot of fun picking out their gifts. Why deny myself that easy pleasure!!!) This past Christmas though, my middle son never received his package. I was so disappointed. I was worried that my daughter in law would think that I had forgotten them, and worse than that I was worried that my grandson would think I had forgotten him. They've had problems with their mail in their apartment building going missing and they've long thought that there was a thief about. It made me sad to think that some dishonest person had gotten all the lovely things that I had chosen for them . . . I got a message from my son last night to say that it had finally arrived! For some wierd reason it had gone sea mail??? This is rather annoying as I paid extra for it go by air, but I am relieved nonetheless that they finally did get it and well . . . alls well that ends well!



Here is a little glimpse of the little lady I painted yesterday afternoon. She surely made me smile. I'll be posting full details of her on Blossom Time Creations when I finish here this morning. I am enjoying re-discovering my artistic bent so very much. There's always a little picture playing around in my head and itching to explode out from my fingertips. I had been going to do a little boy as well yesterday, but discovered I was all out of art paper! How did that happen??? I have ordered more, so hopefully it doesn't take too long to arrive! I have ever so many more pictures waiting to become a reality.



I am so thankful for all of you, my dear readers. Your kind thoughts and prayers, and the thoughful and caring comments you always leave me each day . . . they really make me smile and do my heart the world of good. I am so thankful for each and every one of them, even if I don't always have the time to write back. I do appreciate them and each one of you so very much!

My friend Terry is coming with us to church this morning, which is really nice. She's 83 and works as the Ironing Lady up at the big house, amongst other houses. I don't know how she does it! I sure hope that when I am her age I am as lively and agile as she is! Terry's a vegetarian so I have done a vegetarian meal for us to enjoy afterwards and I also made this tasty dessert, which I know she will enjoy. I gave Todd a taster last night while we were sitting and watching the telly. He loved it!



*Cherry Dump Cake*
Makes one 9 by 13 inch cake

Nothing could be easier or tastier than this. I know it's a bit of a cheek using a cake mix and pie filling to boot! This is so NOT diet food!

1 (21 ounce) tin of cherry pie filling
1 (20 ounce) tin of pineapple chunks, undrained
1 (18 ounce) box of yellow cake mix
1 cup of melted butter




Pre-heat your oven to 180*C/350*F. Dump the cherry pie filling into a 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Dump the undrained tin of pineapple chunks evenly over top. Do NOT stir together. Shake the cake mix evenly over top of the pineapple chunks. Again, do NOT stir together. Finally pour the melted butter evenly over top, again do NOT mix in.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until bubbly and nicely browned on top and fairly set.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a real taste treat!

*note - try other pie fillings such as blueberry or apple for another variation!

PS - I know I have not gotten to my make me bake or cookbook challenges this past week, but will make up for that before I go away on Friday. I won't be putting another one up now, until after I come back from my trip!