And so it begins . . .

Happiness is something we create in our minds . . .
It's not something you search for
And so seldom find.
It's just waking up and beginning the day
By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.
It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.
It's giving up wishing for things we have not
And making the best of whatever we've got.
It's knowing that life is determined for us
And pursuing our tasks
Without fret, fume, or fuss . . .
For it's by completing what God gives us to do
That we find real contentment and happiness too.

~Helen Steiner Rice

I am so very happy to be finally back online after the past several weeks of not being connected. I was missing you all so very, very much! Our move went quite well, and here we are several weeks later, pretty much all settled in at the other end. It's probably a good thing that we didn't have any internet access for the first few weeks as Todd and I were able to get almost everything done without any interruption or distractions!



The last time we drove down the drive of the Manor Estate and out into our new adventure . . . was kind of sad and bittersweet to me. I looked at the Rhodendron bushes that lined the drive and thought to myself . . . I will never again be able to drive down this little lane and see them all abloom . . . but just look at what greeted me when we got to this end!



Yes!! My very own Rhodendron bush . . . and . . . right outside my very own front door! What a wonderful surprise it was!



It has been somewhat of a chore these past weeks, unpacking box after box and trying to find places in a newer and smaller home to fit it all into. We have had to give away a lot of things . . . things like our sofa bed and cosy big arm chair. They just didn't fit in . . . our second television also had to go . . . and we are still trying to figure out how to fit in the second computer.



Our electric cooker was too large for this new kitchen . . . and there was no point here to hook up an electric cooker, and so we had to go out and buy a gas one. I think the new one is really cute, although it is a lot smaller and something I am still getting used to.

The whole kitchen is a lot smaller than what I have been used to over the past almost seven years, but I do love the new one. I think it's rather sweet and fresh and I have enjoyed putting my own stamp on it.



We've been building furniture too. A beautiful new sideboard for in the dining area. I needed it to fit in all my dishes that there was no room for in this cute little kitchen. There has been new bedroom furniture to build as well . . . two bureaus, a wardrobe and two night stands.

They are a testimony to how very much we love each other as nobody was killed during the assembling period!! Although I am quite sure Todd came close to wanting to get rid of both the furniture and me (in that order) several times during the process!!

Next will be the bunkbeds that we need to get for the guest bedroom. I think I'll give Todd a breather before we go that far though!



I am ever so thankful for all the lovely cards that were waiting for me when we arrived here and for the lovely cards that have continued to pour through our mail slot. What a wonderful welcome and how very loved we have both felt. You are all so very special, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your many prayers, thoughts and cards. You helped to make what could have been, and what was at times, a very stressful period in our lives, a bit less worriesome and a much easier task to bear.

Now begins the next chapter in our lives, and we are both very much looking forward to this newest adventure. We love our tiny new home and we love each other. We are happy and feeling very, very blessed. Each day we try to take a walk around the neighbourhood, both for exercise and to get some fresh air . . . and while we are no longer walking through Orchards and fields, we are still walking hand in hand and together. We are really enjoying this extra time we have to spend together . . . something that we have not had a whole lot of over the past seven years. It has been a real blessing to wake up each morning and count the coming day as my own . . . and indeed, to count my life as now belonging to me. Those of you who know me, will know exactly what I mean by that. I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from off of my shoulders and that is such a wonderful feeling.



There are not a lot of jobs around just at the moment, but I am really looking forward to using these next few months as a time of exploring all the possibilities that lay before me . . . more opportunities and time to create . . . new avenues to discover . . . more time to work on my Art Course . . . it's all very, very exciting!

I missed you all so very much. I hope that you missed me too!! I hope that you are looking forward to coming along with me on this new adventure of mine, and sharing right along with me, what happens next!

One thing I have had over these past couple of weeks is lots more time to cook!!! We've had guests over twice now and I have been enjoying trying to fit in to my new kitchen and getting used to the new cooker!



*Enchiladas Calabaza*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

I'm not sure where this delicious recipe started. I'm not even sure if it is authentically Mexican. I only know it's an incredibly tasty way to get some extra vegetables into the husband and children. These are fabulous!

2 to 3 pounds butternut squash
6 ounces cream cheese
4 spring onions, trimmed and slices
1/2 tsp mild chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp oregano leaves
1/4 tsp salt
a pinch of cinnamon
12 corn tortillas
12 ounces of tomato salsa, spicy or mild as you wish
8 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese

Pre-heat your oven to 200*C/400*F/Gas Mark 6. Slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking tray and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Remove from the oven and then scoop the flesh out as soon as you can handle them. (I hold them in one hand with a oven mitt and scoop out the flesh with the other using a spoon to scrape it out into a a bowl) Mash the hot squash together with the cream cheese until the mixture is fairly smooth and the cheese is melted all in. Stir in the spices and the chopped spring onion.

Lower the oven heat to 180*C/350*F/Gas Mark 4. Warm the tortillas in a skillet until pliable. Fill each tortilla with ¼ cup of the butternut squash mixture and roll up tightly. Place in a greased baking dish, seam side down. Pour the salsa over the filled tortillas. Top with the grated cheese.

Cover with foil, tightly, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until heated through. Remove the foil and bake for a further 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is all bubbly and starting to brown. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving. We like to have these with sour cream and more chopped spring onions for sprinkling on top. Yumm!!



A delicious Blackcurrant Jam Cake awaits you this morning, over on The English Kitchen. This is to die for, truly!