Wednesday morning twaddle . . .

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions . . . could have, might have and should have."
~unknown

That is just about one of the best thoughts on failure that I have ever come across, but then again I have an adventurer's heart. I just love trying out new things and seeing new places . . . learning new skills.

Life is all about progress I think. That is what makes it all so very exciting. I want to stretch my wings and feel the wind upon my face. When faced with a new challenge or experience, I always ask myself . . .what is the worst that could happen. If I can live with that, then I take the chance, and why not! Life is just far too short to waste a minute of it.



We've had some kind of bee make a nest in our vegetable garden. Right amongst the peas. I am not sure what we can do about that. Its all very strange. I've never seen anything like it before. I don't think they are wasps. They just look like tiny bees. Has anyone had any experience with that themselves? I'd be interested in finding out what happened.



It is hard to believe but our little Mitzie will be a year old in just a month's time. I shall have to make her some kind of Doggie Birthday Cake I think, and we shall celebrate it in some way. She's become a really lovely dog. The only problem we have with her is that she gets overly excited when people come to visit. We have not been able to break her of that, but we are working on it. She just loves to be a part of everything we do, and her little face is involved with every movement we make. She puts herself to bed each night at around 9 o'clock. I think she is an early bird just like Todd and myself.



I was quite chuffed with myself last evening. I managed to do the whole of my Richard Simmon's Sweating to the Oldies exercise video. It had been a long time since I had done it and I was quite happy that I managed to get through the whole thing. I need to be doing it every day really. I've been far too lazy since this knee thing started. I used to do it every morning. We shall see how it all goes. I had lost three pounds the last time I went to my weight loss class . . . they have not had it for 2 weeks now because of all the bank holidays. I sure hope that I didn't put any of that three pounds back on when I go this Friday! I've tried to be good, but it is hard when you love food as much as I do. I know too, though, that if I don't lose some weight I am at risk for diabetes or worse so I just have to stick with it.



One of my responsabilities in my new calling at church is to organize the Extra Meetings for the sisters, which are held once a month, generally speaking, although you can have as many as you want I think. If any of you out there have any ideas of fun, yet inspiring ideas of things we could do and wouldn't mind sharing them with us, I'd surely appreciate it. I've come up with a few ideas but I need a lot more! Perhaps there are things that you have done in your own Ward's that we might like to do as well?? I also need to pick an extra meeting leader and committee, which will be hard as I don't really know everyone yet. Having been in Primary for all that time meant that I really only got to know the children and the other Primary workers!

Well, I am going on a bit now with a load of twaddle so I will end this here. The sun is shining and we are looking forward to another glorious day. I hope that wherever you are and that whatever you will be doing today that you are able to find some joy in it!

Here's a really scrummy breakfast cake that is very easy to make, and that everyone always loves. I always have a tin of cherry pie filling in the cupboard. It always comes in handy for one thing or another!



*Cherry Filled Coffee Cake*
Serves 12 - 15
Printable Recipe

A delicious breakfast cake made with convenience foods. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! You can vary the flavour by using apple or blueberry filling instead.

1 (2 layer) white cake mix
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup of sour cream
3 large free range eggs
1/4 cup water
1 tin (21-oz) of cherry pie filling
1/2 cup of toasted flaked almonds
1 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 TBS milk

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Grease and flour a 13 by 9 inch pan. Set aside.

Place the cake, cinnamon, sour cream, eggs and water into a bowl. Beat with an electric whisk until well blended and smoooth. Pour into the prepared pan. Top with spoonfuls of the pie filling. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the nuts over top and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Remove from the oven to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile whisk together the icing sugar and milk until smooth and lump free. At the end of 10 minutes, drizzle this over top of the cake decoratively. Cool completely before serving. Cut into squares to serve. Delicious!!



Baking in The English Kitchen today, Simple Jam Jams!