Saturday thoughts . . .

There are things that grow in beauty as the years pass . . .
with each day that goes by,
they seem more lovelier than ever . . .
oak, china . . . silver, glass . . .

Little villages
filled with quaint old houses and curiosities . . .
furnished with weathered brick and mellowed stone,
painted beams and plaster . . .
they seem to gather richly to themselves a beauty
all their own.



Time is often not kind to the human face though.
Many of us lose our looks as we age.
It is the very rare person that actually becomes
naturally better looking as they get older,
although many are helped along the way through artificial means . . .

I know I barely recognize the face
in the mirror these days . . .
the eyes are the same,
but who is the rest of that woman which looks back at me . . .
a wrinkle here . . . a line there . . .
a freckle that wasn't there yesterday . . . and yet . . .



there is still a certain beauty
to be found in an aging visage . . .
when one has allowed themselves
to grow in virtue, kindliness and truth . . .
tranquility and grace.

These are the lines of beauty
time would draw upon the aging face,
and . . .
looking at them . . . they're not so bad after all.



We decided to remove that plastic collar from Mitzie when we are with her and can keep an eye on her so that she doesn't bother her stitches. After talking to a few people, this is what made the most sense and it is what worked quite well for us yesterday. She was so much happier and back to her old self without it on. We did put it back on before she went into her crate last night so that on her own she wouldn't mither her belly and I think that is what we will continue to do for the time being.

I wasn't able to get ahold of my daughter yesterday. There was no answer so I left a Happy Birthday message on the telephone for her, which hopefully she will get. One never knows these things.

I always used to cook my children their favourite meal on their birthdays. I think most mother's are the same. It widely varied with each one, and even with age. Sometimes it changed through the years as the child grew and changed their tastes. They even had Birthday cakes that were their own favourites, with one favouring say a carrot cake, and another a chocolate cake. One thing they all enjoyed though was a good old fashioned burger!



*All American Burgers*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

A classic beef burger in a sesame seed bun with all the trimmings! French fries on the side are a given!

2 pounds chuck steak, ground
1 onion, peeled and ground
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced (optional)
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
4 sesame seed buns
2 TBS Mustard, plus extra to serve
4 lettuce leaves
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
2 dill pickles, sliced
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
olive oil for brushing
french fries to serve


Put the beef, onion, garlic (if using) Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix together with your hands, making sure that all are evenly mixed. Divide into 4 portions and shape into patties. I always make my patties thinner in the middle so that they keep their shape better when cooking. Place on a plate, cover and chill for half an hour in the fridge.

Preheat the grill or a large skillet. Brush the patties on each side lightly with olive oil and grill or fry for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until lightly charred and cooked through.

Meanwhile, split the buns and toast. Spread the bottom half of each with mustard. Add the lettuce, cooked burgers, sliced tomatoes, pickle slices, and squeeze over a little extra mustard. Add the bun tops. Serve at once with hot french fries.



Over in The English Kitchen this morning, a scrummy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Loaf!