Count it all joy . . .

"We choose our joys and sorrows, long before experiencing them."
~Kahlil Gibran

I had really been looking forward to a long walk through the orchard . . . but, when I opened the door to go out, I saw large drops of rain beginning to fall on the pavement and the car was becoming all spotted with wet.



The next moment, the skies opened and it began to pour and the air was filled with the smell of wet pavement, with large puddles beginning to form on the ground.

Disappointed I went back inside and stood there, staring through the window as my plans all flew away with the sun . . .



And then, I saw the little fella next door appear at the end of our drive, next to the gate. He was wearing a bright red pair of Wellies and a huge grin. It was obvious to me, that he was seeing all the rain as being a wonderful treat.

I watched him for several minutes, his feet splashing here and there, as he jumped in and out of the puddles . . . his little face filled completely and utterly with joy.

It occured to me then, that it had been a very long time since I had regarded walking in the rain as anything other than a nuisance. I quickly put on my coat and grabbed my umbrella and, before too long, I was out at the end of the drive splashing in the puddles with him, and then off I went on that walk anyways . . .



I really enjoyed that walk. What a difference a change of attitude can make. There are some things we just cannot change . . . being able to look at things with fresh eyes and a cheerful heart can make all the difference in the world and turn what seems to be a disappointment, into joy. It's all in how we choose to look at things really, and then in how we act upon them . . .

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
~James 1:2



We planted a bunch of potatoes in buckets this year, and they have done remarkably well. I don't know which kind is which . . . each time we dig one up, we are surprised. We didn't go out and buy potato sets to plant. When we went to get them, there were none left. I did have a few odds and sodds in my potato bin though that had started to sprout, and so we planted them and have been rewarded with several bucket's full of tasty tubers. I just love potatoes. I think they are my favourite vegetable, and I find that a day without having eaten some of them in one form or another, is a day that something is missing! That's why low carb dieting has never worked for me. I just cannot stay away from a potato for very long at all.

Yesterday I baked up this delicious gratin using some of the new potatoes from our pots, and some sweet onions that I happened upon at the local shops. It was really, really good. Potatoes and onions go so very well together and when you add cheese, well it's just heaven on earth!!



*New Potato and Sweet Onion Gratin*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

Make sure you use a well flavoured seasoning salt with this. Lawrey's or Nature's Season salt are both good, or make up your own mixture of herbs by mixing together equal amounts of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper and mixed herbs.

1 pound red new potatoes, peeled and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 pound sweet onions, peeled and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
4 TBS butter, cut into small bits
Season salt to taste
1 cup shredded Emmenthal cheese



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C.350*F. Slice the potatoes and onions. Butter a 1,5 litre shallow baking dish. Layer in half of the potatoes and onions. Sprinkle with some of the seasoning salt to taste. Dot with butter. Repeat. Top with the Cheese. Cover and bake for about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 30 to 40 minutes longer, until the potatoes are tender in the centre and nicely browned and the cheese is bubbly.



Are the Courgettes (Zucchini) taking over your garden??? Hop on over to The English Kitchen and discover a really tasty way to use some of them up!