The gift of serving others . . .

Only what we give away
Enriches us from day to day,
For not in getting but in giving,
Is found the lasting joy of living.
For no one ever had a part
In sharing treasures of the heart
Who did not feel the impact of
The magic mystery of God's love.
Love alone can make us kind
And give us joy and peace of mind,
So live with joy unselfishly
And you'll be blessed abundantly.
~Helen Steiner Rice

I got a letter from my mom yesterday, which is not all that unsual. My mother writes me every second week, timed in such a way that I receive her letter on the weeks that she knows I am not going to call her on the telephone, as that is something which I do bi-weekly also.

I just love getting my mother's letters and I truly cherish each and every one of them, in fact saving them in a box, so that one day when they no longer come, I can still take one out now and again to enjoy . . .



Often she puts in newspaper clippings for us to enjoy from the paper back home. There was such a one in the letter which arrived yesterday, about a 12 year old boy named Son Pham, a Vietnamese boy who came to Canada seeking treatment for a large facial growth. Son had been living in an orphanage outside Hanoi where he was discovered by someone from The Children's Bridge Foundation in 2006. This charity, which does small projects at orphanages in Asia and Ethiopia arrange a year later for Son to leave Vietnam for North America where he would receive intricate treatment on a football sized vascular malformation that was threatening to block his airways.



When he arrived in Canada the doctors at the Hospital for Sick Children decided they could not treat him, and so he was treated at the children's hospital in Boston. In between some seven surgeries and 18 other treatments he lived with a family in Halifax, the capital of the province which I come from.

It was a lovely heart warming article and just bursting with joy and with love. This young man has captured the hearts of all those who have helped to play a part in changing his life. Yes, they have blessed him with what they have done for him, but in return they have been blessed a thousand times over it would seem.



That's the way it always is with loving service . . . service given selflessly to others. This is the one single thing that brings joy into our lives above everything else. It is not something we can buy, or that we can own . . . but a treasure beyone measure, which only comes from moving outside of ourselves and our own little spheres, and in reaching out to others in whichever way we find possible.

You don't need to be rich to give service to others, you only need to be willing. It is a gift of love that always gives back more than is given. How wonderful and priceless.



We finally broke down and went to see the film Avatar last night. We had been curious to see what all the hoopla is about. Wow is all I can say. It was amazing, and beautiful and very entertaining. I just loved the 3d effect. You felt like you were right in the film along with the characters. It was a bit pricey when compared to the cost of going to see other films, but it was worth every penny in my opinion. If this film doesn't walk away with all the awards at this years Oscar's I'll eat my hat! I highly recommend. Great story and great acting, it watches like a piece of art. It did not disappoint us at all. I highly recommend! This is one you will want to watch at the cinema people,!! Watching it on the telly at home will just not do it justice.

I baked some tasty cookies yesterday. Sometimes I like to make something a bit different than the usual ones. These are quite similar to chocolate chip but have some extra tasty additions, such as cereal, coconut and oats. Incredibly edibly moreish I'd say!




*Cowboy Cookies*
Makes about 36
Printable Recipe

A variation on the good old chocolate chip cookie, except that these have an additional crunch provided by crispy cereal and some chewiness from the coconut and oats. Actually you could probably call these kitchen sink cookies, as there's a little bit of everything thrown in!

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups or cornflakes, partially crushed
1 cup shredded coconut
2 cups chocolate chips



Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly butter several baking sheets. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and both sugars, until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla. Whisk together the baking powder, soda, flour and salt. Mix this into the creamed mixture, mixing it in until well combined. Stir in the oatmeal, cornflakes, coconut and chocolate chips, until evenly dispersed.

Scoop out in large spoonsful onto the prepared baking sheets, placing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until barely brown. It is better to take them out early rather than too late, so don't let them overbake.

Remove to wire racks to cool, then store in a tightly covered container.



We're going a bit foreign on The English Kitchen today, with delicious Bombay Potatoes!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!