Saturday meanderings of the mind . . .

I was laying in bed last night and I came to the realization that I am a Princess.  Now hear me out . . .  I didn't just decide that I was a Princess . . .  I do meet all the criteria!  Its not so daft as it sounds!



I was laying in bed and somehow a crumb or a grain of sand had gotten into my bed and all I could do was feel it.  It was like I was sleeping with a rock.  I knew I would not sleep until I got rid of it and so I routed it out . . .  afterwards I thought to myself  . . .  that is just like the Princess and the Pea!  And then the wheels began turning and I realized that I really am a Princess . . .  



First of all . . .  I kissed a LOT of frogs before I finally found my Prince!  Kissing frogs is no fun.   They are slimeballs and hurtful.  They tear at your self esteem and bring you down . . . they try to turn you into a frog.  For a time they can even make you think you are a frog.  Thank goodness I found a Prince!  A Prince who isn't afraid to show me who I really am, or to allow me to be strong and smart and capable.



By the time I found my Prince I felt as if I had been sleeping for a hundred years. His kiss woke me up to the possibility that happily ever afters did exist and that not all men were frogs.  And that I was special in the many ways that truly count.  Real Princes are not afraid of Princesses knowing who they are and what they can do.  Real Princes encourage, support and help Princesses to be the best that they can be.



I'm not afraid of hard work.  I am quite willing to get my hands dirty and to serve others . . .  because I know in my heart that I am not the woman on her knees scrubbing the floors.  There is value in serving others . . .  and I recognize that . . .  even in serving those who don't appreciate what you are doing when you are doing it.



My foot fits into the glass slipper.  That is because I have developed qualities that deserve to wear glass slippers . . .  qualities such as compassion, understanding, mercy, selflessness, humility.  That sounds conceited, but it really isn't.   You learn these qualities by going through the fire.



I am brave and not afraid to stand up for the right or to fight for what I know to be true, even if I am afraid.   I am strong and capable of enduring many things . . .  of standing in the fire . . . able to rise from the ashes, dust myself off and keep moving forward.  I know that in my weakness I am made stronger.



I recognize my potential and my worth.  I know that I am beautiful, if not on the outside, then certainly on the inside.  I know who I am and why I am here.



I am the daughter of a King. Despite my problems, my mistakes, my troubles, He NEVER gave up on me, and never will.  He is always there. He loves me no matter what. He sees me the way He made me; beautiful. He treasures me more than I can imagine! I am His daughter. I am a child of the One True King.

I think that's the most important criteria of all.  You are also the daughter of a King.  Isn't it wonderful?

It's pretty miserable out there this morning.  Cold.  Wet.  Windy.   We are off to clean the chapel once Todd wakes up.   It's our turn this week.   We all take turns.  They break it down into four different jobs.  This week we are in charge of Job 4.  We don't mind.   We're just happy we have a chapel to meet in as for so many years here in Chester they did not have one.  It's nice to be able to share in the service of helping to keep it clean.

A thought to carry with you through today . . .


  ❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
What if you woke up today with
only the things you thanked God
for yesterday?
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Baking in The English Kitchen today  . . . . a delicious Caramel Glazed Toffee Loaf.

Have a  fabulous Saturday!   Don't forget . . .

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And I do too! 

Friday Finds . . .

 A few of the wow moments, or things I discover each week that tickle my fancy.  I hope that they may inspire or tickle yours too!




Fifteen minute Puff Pastry!  Dessert For Two.  I have not tried this, but I am going to.   I'll let you know how I get on!



This is from Etsy.  It's no longer an active piece, but what a fab idea.   It's a Mermaid Blanket.  If you are a sewer, I can't think it would be really difficult to replicate it.  What little girl wouldn't love being a Mermaid?



Garlic Confit in a Jar.   You get all of this lovely garlic and when it's done . . .  garlic flavoured oil for cooking.   From Circa Happy.



Homemade Soft Pretzels from Recipe Boy.   Can you believe I have never had a soft pretzel?  Never!  I have always wanted to try one.  Now is my chance!  These look really easy to make!



I just love this chunky crochet Popcorn Scarf.   I think I am going to give this a go.  I've got lots of yarn left from my blanket.   From Hopeful Honey.   There are actually a LOT of crochet patterns on her page.   Brilliant!



Craft By Photo DIY Tin Can Lanterns.   These would be great in the summer for out in the garden.   A lot cheaper than buying fancy garden lanterns too!  Now's the time to be saving those tin cans!



Printable Old School Wall Charts.  I love these!  They would come in handy for all sorts!  From  Knick of Time.



All you need for this cute little craft is some wooden peg dolls and sharpie pens.   Adorable!  From The Red Thread.



Felt Paper Dolls from The Prudent Homemaker.   Such a nice idea.  Perfect for little hands that are not as tender as they should be and that might rip real paper dolls.   Great way to use up some fabric scraps also.



Free Printable Love Coupon Book for Valentines Day.   From I Heart Naptime. The perfect Valentine's Day gift for that person who is difficult to buy for.  It's a really cute idea.



And as a bonus, free printable treat toppers for Valentines day.   I think they would be great to put together treats for your Sunday School Class, Grandkiddos, etc.   From Makoodle.

And that is it for this week.  I sure hope that you found something of interest here.



We had a little bit of snow here yesterday.  I tried to take some photos of it, but I need to figure out how to adjust the shutter speed on my camera.   Mitzie enjoyed being out in it.



It snowed quite a bit in a short period of time, but none of it stuck, thank goodness.  They really got lambasted with it in other areas.  I saw something on the computer about a Thunder Snow Storm.  Apparently it is like a Thunder and Lightening storm with all of the thunder and lightening, but no rain . . .  snow instead.   We did not get that here.

I have pulled a muscle somehow in my back/side/front.  It's quite painful so  I didn't sleep well last night. I hope it doesn't take too long to go off.

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

 ❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥

Not all those who wander . . .  are lost.
~J R Tolkien

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Baking in The English Kitchen today.   Wholemeal Sweet Bannock.   An Irish Soda Bread.  Quick to make and quite enjoyable! 

Happy Friday!  Have a wonderful weekend!   Don't forget . . .

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And I do too!

Five Things About Me . . .

I never look at lilacs without thinking about my first pregnancy.   I got married the first time when I was nineteen.  Big mistake.   What did I know at nineteen?  Nada!  But my parent's could not convince me any different.  I knew it all . . .  anyways, back to the lilacs.    We lived in a big old house at the top of a hill in a University town, Wolfville Nova Scotia.  Our apartment was on the first floor at the front of the house and we had a veranda out front.   The drive was lined with lilac bushes that were so beautiful that first spring.  They smelled heavenly.  I remember cutting armloads and bringing them into the apartment.   My son was born at the end of May, so it was not long after the lilac bushes bloomed that he made his appearance.

Yep . . .  Thursday . . . Five things about me, and that was number one.



I love classic films . . . I always have done.   That was something my ex MIL and I had in common.  She used to tape them and then when we went to PEI to visit her, she and I would stay up late watching them together.  My very favourite one is Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, which stars Edward G Robinson in a rare role as an ordinary man not a gangster, Agnes Moorehead, Margaret O'Brien and a very young Jackie Cooper.  I just love it.   It follows the life of a family of Swedish Immigrants in a farming community in the midwest of America just prior to WW2.  It's so well done and I can watch it over and over again and never lose interest.   I also love the old Black and White Television Series.

Call me old fashioned.



I love old cookie jars.  I collected them at one point.   I actually still have this one I am showing you here this morning.  I also had a very rare sherrif pig jar, but he broke when we moved.    I think I picked up this pretty girl pig one at a yard sale once upon a time.   I don't know how old she is, but I am thinking at least from the 1950's or older.   I love old things like this . . .  dishes, tea pots, etc.



I don't drink black tea, but I have a great love for china tea cups and saucers.   I think I have about ten or so of them now.  I used to have more, but they have gotten broken through the years.  They are such fragile things.  I like the flowery ones most of all.  They only ever very rarely get used.  Time for a tea party methinks!!

Tea parties are so much fun!    The finger sandwiches, the little cakes . . .


 

I have an irrational fear of stinging insects.   It took all my courage to photograph this bee when I did it.   I especially hate wasps.   I was stung very badly by a group of wasps when I was a small child.   I suppose that sort of thing sticks with you.  If one gets in the house I am on pins and needles until it gets routed out and removed.  I am absolutely terrified of them.   They are nasty things and can sting you again and again.  At least bees can only sting you once, but wasps are just horrible.  Bees have a purpose and I don't know if wasps do or not, but I don't think they have any purpose other than to irritate and annoy you!

Bonus thing  . . .



I try so hard to please everyone that I often end up not pleasing anyone.  I forget that I am only human and only have so many hours in the day and can only do so much.  I take too much on because I can't say no.  I want to be everyone's friend and do kindnesses for all . . .  and then I get upset with myself because I fail at it sometimes and I let people down I am sure.

And that's it for this week.  Nothing too interesting there this week . . .  perhaps I am running out of interesting things about me to share?   I hope not!

A thought to carry with you through today  . . . .

❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
If your actions
inspire others to dream more,
learn more
do more and become more,
you are a leader.
~John Quincy Adams
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I am cooking a store cupboard favourite in the Kitchen today  . . .  Cheesy Tuna Bake.  Quite good actually!  I love Tuna Bakes!

I hope you have a beautiful day.  Don't forget . . .

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And I do too!

 

=^..^= This and that on a Wednesday . . .

"You often say, "I would give, but only to the
deserving."   The trees in your orchard say not
so, nor the flocks in your pastures.  They give
that they may live, for to withhold is to perish."
~Kahlil Gibran

I think it was William Blake who once said that there is no greater act than that of putting another before yourself.  Nothing new in those words . . .

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
~John 15:13

Yep, Jesus said it first.  This speaks to the selfless giving which lays at the very root of love  but we are also to love others as we love ourselves . . .  so we must love ourselves first in order to love someone else.



And I don't think this means that we love ourselves in an unhealthy way . . . or being totally self centred or selfish.  There are many ways to love ourselves without it being unhealthy.  I think we need to be kind to ourselves . . . we are often very critical of ourselves, more critical of ourselves than we would be of someone else.  Self love involves treating ourselves with respect . . . honoring ourselves in the way we act, dress . . . think.  Being as compassionate about our own failings and weaknesses as we would be about someone else's. Not being afraid to celebrate our talents or to be proud of ourselves when we have done something right, or good.  Giving ourselves permission to love and celebrate who we be . . .

Just as water, unobstructed, flows downhill . . .  we, if we give ourselves the chance . . . the permission . . . to be who we were truly meant to be . . .  will extend ourselves in kindness to others.  It's only natural.

 

Poor Ariana, she struggled yesterday to get enough sleep in so that she would be able to work her night shift last night.   Todd drove her in and dropped her off and started on his way home again, only to have to go back and pick her up as she had it mixed up and didn't actually start her night shifts until tonight.   I hate it when something like that happens myself . . . a day off wasted.  It's like waiting in all day for a delivery that doesn't arrive until 6 pm.  Sheesh!

I had a lovely facetime with my Doug and his lads yesterday afternoon.  They were all at home because of the big blizzard of 2015.   I guess a lot of snow has fallen all along the Eastern side of North America.  He showed us outside his house and it was quite snowy.     They were getting it in the Valley also as my sister's partner Dan was also home from work yesterday, and my DIL posted a video of Baxter running down the steps of their back deck, only to run right back up again once he touched the snow.  Cute. 

They are saying we might even get some snow before the week is out.  We'll just have to wait and see what happens. It is a bit windy out there this morning.  I can feel the cold air coming in through out front windows.   We are supposed to be getting new windows and doors this year.   The landlord has brought around several contractor to do estimates so we will see.  Just so long as they don't end up putting up the rent to cover it . . .   If that happens we will have to move.  I am not too worried.  Our landlord usually takes forever to do anything, so we will probably still be sitting here next year this time waiting for them to make up their mind about who is going to put in the new windows and doors, lol.

 

I got six dolls sewed together and cut out yesterday.  Yes, I am making Raggedy's again.   Today I am going to do their faces and start stuffing them, and then I'll sew them some clothes.  I always enjoyed making Raggedy's.  It has been a couple of years since I have made any.



 

It's something that I always enjoyed doing.  So now you know how my day is going to be spent!  I have to go to the shops and pick up a few odds and sodds also, so that will be my day. 

Oh, and we returned our fancy smancy Printer that we had upgraded to  back to the shop we got it from yesterday and got another HP printer.   I may be able to offer prints of my artwork again.  Fingers crossed!  That other printer just was NOT working out.   We had it for about 4 months, and it kept paper jamming and  it wouldn't take my specialized art paper, plus Todd had to un-install and re-install it about five times during that time as it kept cracking up.  More expensive doesn't always necessarily mean better.

With that I'll leave you with a thought to carry around with you for the day . . .


❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
You're only given a little spark of madness.
Don't lose it.
~Robin Williams
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Cooking in the English Kitchen today  . . . Easy Beef and Peppers.   Delicious. 



Enjoy your Wednesday.  May it be blessed beyond measure.  Don't forget
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And I do too!

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

FOR TODAY,  January 27th,  2015

Outside my window ...
It's cold and dark.  I don't remember turning the heat on this morning, but it's on.   I know I turned it off last night before we went to bed.   Maybe Todd turned it back on, thinking he was turning it off. 

I am thinking ... 
Ariana starts another set of night shifts today.   She worked four nights last week, then had two days off and is starting another set of four nights.  This week they are broken up by one day off in the middle.  I don't know how she does it.  I would be totally exhuasted.

I am thankful ...
That I don't have to work nights!

In the kitchen ...


Sage Roasted Bangers with Mash and Onion Gravy.  This gravy is ab fab!

On my "to cook" list ...

Tartiflette from January's Delicious Magazine.  In fact it was on the cover.  It looks so good.

I am creating ...
 First I want to show you what my sister made!

She has been needlefelting these toadstool mushrooms and . . .

She put them into a tiny spice jar terrarium!  Aren't they adorable.   She will be opening an Etsy Shop once she has enough stock.   We were deciding on a name for it yesterday.  Stay tuned!

 I love this cardi/vest from Garn Studio.  I haven't done any knitting in years.  I would love to do some.   We shall see.

I love this paper wreath.  It's so cute.  From DCWV Diary.

Crochet Bunting.  It's so cute and there are hearts in the middle.   From Jam Made.

I am going ...
I think I was supposed to go and get my hair cut last week.   I think I need to make another appointment because I am pretty sure I missed it.   I am torn between wanting to let my hair grow a bit longer and having it cut.   My hair dresser always cuts it so short though . . . .

I am reading ...

 Amy and Isabelle, by Elizabeth Strout

Isabelle Goodrow has been living in self-imposed exile with her daughter Amy for 15 years. Shamed by her past and her affair with Amy's father she has submerged herself in the routine of her dead-end job and her unrequited love for her boss. But when Amy, frustrated by her quiet and unemotional mother, embarks on an illicit affair with her maths teacher, the disgrace intensifies the shame Isabelle feels about her own past. Throughout one long, sweltering summer as the events of the small town ebb and flow around them Amy and Isabelle exist in silent conflict until a final act leads ultimately to the understanding they both crave.

This is a book by the same author of Olive Kitteridge.  I enjoyed that so I thought I would read another one of hers.  Actually this is the first novel she had published.  So far it is quite good.  I want to pick another Inspector Gamache novel to read also.  I really enjoyed the first one!

I am hoping ...
I am really hoping that one my sister gets her Etsy shop opened, she achieves some success with it.   She could really use a lucky break.

Makes me smile ...

  




















 Oh, that it were that easy! 

I am learning ...
How to needlefelt.  It's a lot harder than it looks!

Around the house ...

Papered Floor Boards.  Can you imagine?  So beautiful.  I would love this in the bedroom.

I love this antique looking post box.  From Dot and Bo.

I love this fabric slip cover for a chair.  The colours are so beautiful.   From grrl + dog.

 










I have always wanted a stove like this. Mind you, you need a house big enough to keep it in.   But a gal can dream can't she?

I have always loved blue and white china.   These cannisters are gorgeous.  I could live with these quite happily!

I am pondering  ...
The Power of Positive Thinking  . . .  I know it works.   I think I need to start a positive thinking journal, to help attract positivity/employment into my life.

A Favourite quote for the day ...  

 
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~      
ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ.
(¸.❀⁀⋱‿✿“

It is a great art to saunter.
~Thoreau

Today I will try sauntering.

One of my favourite things ...

Lace curtains.  I just adore them.

A peek into my day ...

I write every day.  Blogs, journals, letters  . . . poetry, stories.   I always have something making the journey from my brain to my fingertip . . .

And that's my day book for this week!
  
⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  

Wherever you go and whatever you do I hope there's a wonderful day planned for you! 

Don't forget . . .

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And I do too!