The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

FOR TODAY, June 30th, 2015

Outside my window ...
It's overcast, but the kind of overcast you know is going to burn off and leave in its wake a beautiful hot and sunny day.   I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that I am right!  Call me a party pooper, but the canuck in me doesn't like it when the weather gets too hot to sleep in.

I am thinking ...
I cannot pretend to know the answers to everything or even begin to comprehend all of the problems or questions in the world today.  All I can know is what I know and believe to be true.  The rest is simply irrevelant until I do know the answers or at least have some comprehension.  I do, however, see many things coming to pass that we have been warned about in the scriptures. Thankfully, I also know the end of the story.

I am thankful for ...
See above.  Oh, and Call The Midwife on DVD.   ☺

In the kitchen ...


Onion Pot Roast.   So good.   An oldie but a goodie.  That lone pea in the far right is driving me crazy.  How did I not notice that and then take a bazillion photos of it.   The lone pea in the wilderness . . .

On my "To Cook" list ...


Crunchy Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas.  From BHG.  It's not even 6 am yet and I am craving these.  A true foodie.  I'll just take the peas even . . . raw, no butter, cheese, breadcrumbs, etc.  needed.   I love crunchy vegetables.

I am creating ...


Another little chubster.   Little Miss Violet.   I quite like her!



Sew Mama Sew.  A pictorial tutorial on quick piecing tiny squares for quilting.  Love it.



I wish I was better at knitting because I quite simply adore these pretty knitted slippers.  Found on Knitting for the NICU.



I love these pretty little hot pads and ruffled tea towels.  I think they are just gorgeous!  From Making It Up As I Go Along.   A great way to use up scraps.



A lovely tutorial on how to make your own makeup bag.   Feltromama.

I am reading ...


Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery.  It just never gets old.  Love, loving it.

"Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her."

 I am hoping ...
Tomorrow Todd and I are travelling down to Crewe via the train to go to Mornflake.  I hope the weather is fabulous.  We will be visiting the farm where they grow their oats as well as having a tour of the factory.   It's been on the cards for several months now.  I think I probably receive an offer for a visit to some company, restaurant, or event of some kind to do with food or drink, just about every day.  I don't go on most of them because it involves travelling down to London and it's just not practical for me to do so.  Even if they paid my way, the travel is far too stressful and time intensive.  It's just not all that important to me.  This one was okay however because Crewe is only 20 minutes away via the train and they were supplying the tickets.  Win/win.

Makes me smile ...
Being able to serve a mission with my husband. ☺

I am learning ...
He who shouts loudest is not always right, but they are the one who gets noticed.

Around the house ...



12 Kitchen Organization ideas from Domestically Speaking.   I am always looking for ideas to organize my kitchen better.




Overstuffed Life.   How to keep your house clean when you don't have time to clean.



Tips and Tricks to Clean Your Car.   From Fluster Buster.


 
DIY Clothesline from Big Red Couch.



How to use vinegar to kill weeds.  From Better Homes and Gardens.

I am pondering ...
WE have these little bugs on our plum tree and the leaves are all curling up.  I am wondering what they are and how to get rid of them.   They are about 1/4 inch long, almost caterpillar like, black and rusty red with white on them, and lots of legs. We have no fruit at all on our plum and pear trees this year, and very few apples on the apple tree.  No idea why.

A favourite quote of the day ...

 


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

A Diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.
~Henry Kissinger

One of my favourite things ...


Minimalist Scandanavian Design.  I love it.  Functional.  Uncluttered.  Peaceful.

A peek into my day ...


Journalling.  I have a journal.  I don't always have anything exciting to write in it, but I write in it anyways.   Do you keep a journal?

And that's my Daybook for this week!


  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
 ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
 ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░

Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope there's a great day ahead of you!

Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════


And I do too!!

Small and Wonderful Things . . .

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard


A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.




We haven't done a heck of a lot just yet, but what we have done we have really enjoyed.   This week will be a lot busier.   Last week we had a couple of meetings, visited some people, visited a different Ward, etc.  We've been digging into the scriptures more diligently each morning and doing it together.   This was something I had been doing on my own, early in the morning before Todd got up (he doesn't get up until about three hours after I do most days.)  and it's nice to now be doing it together.  It means I have to wait a couple of hours, but it has been well worth the wait.  Things will be a lot busier this week than last.  My boring life just got a lot more interesting!



Our garden is overflowing with blooms at the moment.   Mostly roses.  They seem to be a bit later this year, but they are making up for their late arrival in abundance!  The smell is just gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!




The lavender is in bloom as well.  This year I WILL press some to put in letters I write throughout the year.   I have made that promise to myself!  (I hope I keep it!)



We've been enjoying the ripening strawberries in our garden one handful at a time.  They are so good.   Nothing tastes better than an English strawberry (it must be the soil) freshly picked with the warmth of the sun still on it's flesh.  I feel happy doing that because we don't use any chemicals or sprays in our garden.   Everything is pretty organic.  We also picked a container of black currants on Saturday to take to some friends and had a lovely visit with them.   Their garden is gorgeous.   A fairy land.  Truly.  



Everywhere you look in their garden there is magic happening.   This is one of their photos, but I don't think they would mind me sharing with you.   I just had to show you how very sweet their garden is.   And it's like this everywhere you look.   Lots of tiny blooms, in  variety of spots, a feast for the eyes and soul wherever they rest . . .  a hundred little vignettes to please the soul.

Some people are just so very talented that way.  Our friends surely are.   Even the inside of their house is like that.   Whimsically inspiring.




Making a new friend.  That's always, always a special thing.



Sunny days which mean I can hang my laundry on the line out of doors.   They smell so nice and so fresh when I bring it back in.    Oh, that I could bottle that smell  . . .



Each one of YOU, with your faithfulness in reading and commenting.   We may never have met in person, but I feel of your love and support each day.  That's no small thing, but it's sure pretty wonderful!  I think KNOW I have the best readers in the world!

And with that I will leave you with a thought to carry with you through the day . . .


❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥
Lean upon the Word of God
and it will take your weight.
Giving you the strength to face
whatever be your fate.
It will always hold you up
when evil powers assail you.
Lean upon the Word of God
and it will never fail you.
❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥

  

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Creamy Garlic Mushrooms.   Delicious!


Happy Monday!!  I hope the week ahead of you is filled with a multitude of small and wonderful blessings!  Don't forget . . .

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════


And I do too!!

Saturday thoughts . . .

 "Let your love so shine about
in the world in which you live,
that others may be warmed and
gladdened by the light you give.
Trim the lamps of faith
and keep them burning constantly,
serving man and praising God
wherever you may be."
~Patience Strong

I think that most people would agree that yesterday was a pretty dark day in the world with what has happened in various locations.   I haven't even bothered to check the news this morning . . .  to see if there has been anything else either yesterday or today  . . .

So many needless deaths and for what . . . some sick and twisted version of an ideology that is far, far from the God that so many of us know and love with all of our hearts.



I do not have to go very far  to be able to see the existence of God and proof of His being.   I see it in the warmth of the rays of sun that beat down upon my head, and in the raindrops which fall to the earth . . .  and in every petal of every flower in our garden.   In the fluttering wings of butterflies, and the eyelashes of chubby babies which fall upon their sweet little cheeks . . . and so much, so very much more.

I do not see God in what these evil people do, and yet there are many who will blame Him for it happening.  Is God not the creator of all people, of all things???   Certainly.   Without a doubt He is  . . .  but He also gave us, His finest of all His creations the greatest gift of all, and that is Agency.   The will and power and freedom to choose for ourselves the things which we will do whilst we are on this earth.

Most of us choose to live very good lives.  We are decent . . .  law abiding . . .  loving and kind to others . . . respectful and caring.  Giving.




Others are not.   They take this beautiful gift which they have been given and they use it to conquer and destroy . . . they try to turn everything which is good into something which is bad . . . they use it to subjugate those around them, and to try to bend others wills to their own sick twisted version of what they think is right.  They use their agency to create havoc and sadness . . .  and evil and mayhem.  They create fear, which is the greatest tool that they use to their own ends.

This is the opposite of religion and does not come from a loving Heavenly Father whose only purpose in sending us here was so that we could learn and grow and become more like Him.  So that we could become BETTER.

I believe that there is truth to be found in almost all religions and faiths . . .  but I see no truth in the faith these individuals practise.  Where is the joy?  Where is the love?  Where is the peace?

Joy is not found in subjugating the will of others.   If God is love  . . .  and I firmly believe and indeed KNOW that He is . . .  then where is He to be found in any of this evil which is being done in His name.

HE IS NOT IN THIS.  This is not what He wants.  For any of us.  Oh how He must weep for His children and what they do to each other.  Oh how His heart must break.



Our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us, even those who do bad things.  We are all His children, whether we choose to follow Him or not . . .  this is not something which changes.  We quite simply are His, created in His image and for a special purpose.  When things are going very well in life, most people never even give Him a second thought . . .  they forget to be grateful for the gifts they have been given . . .  give themselves all the credit . . .

But when things go wrong, or bad things happen  . . .  when evil raises it's ugly head . . .  they point towards God and cry out why?  Why did you let this happen?   Why?

I do not know all the answers.    But I do know some things to be true with certainty.   I have a Heavenly Father who loves me beyond all comprehension and I feel of that love every day of my life.  In large and small ways. I know this with assuredness.  Because I am open minded and soft hearted, that love manifests itself in my life in a multitude of  miraculous ways, that some might call co-incidence but which I call God-incidence.  He is real.  He does care.  Enough to let us choose for ourselves which pathways we will take.  When we laugh, He shares in our joy.  When we cry, He shares in our sorrow.  I know that one day I will have the opportunity to return into His presence and what a happy reunion that will be.  And all the lessons which have tried and tested me here on earth . . . will have been worth it.

Please do not blame God for any of the evil which exists in this world.  Know that for all the evil which exists and which happens, there is an even larger amount of things which are good and honest and true.  Dwell and rest upon those.  Do good.  Be kind.  Be grateful . . .  because there is always something to be grateful for.

I am sorry if I sound preachy this morning.   I know that some of you are not religious and that's okay.   I just want you to know that this isn't God, or the God that I know and love, and who knows and loves me back.



I did another little chubster yesterday afternoon.  She seems a bit taller than the others.   Not sure how that happened.  But it's okay.



We ate the first of the ripening strawberries from our garden last evening.  Just as God intended for them to be enjoyed.  Ripe and out of hand.   They were so good.   There was just a handful that were ready to pick.  Todd would have picked every one that even had a flush of red on it.  I have a hard time making him wait until they are truly ready, but yesterday I managed . . .  and we both enjoyed them very much.

 

In The English Kitchen today . . . Summer Fresh Cherry Trifles. 

Today we are out and about visiting a couple of people from our church congregation, so a busy day is planned and we also have a full day planned tomorrow.  We are traveling up North to a different Ward as Missionaries, so don't worry if I don't get on here first thing.   We have to be up very early and on our way if we are going to get there for ten o'clock.  I'll tell you all about it afterwards!

Love you all.  I really do.  Have a great Saturday.   Dwell on the good!

Friday Finds . . .

A few of the wow moments and things that I find each week that tickle my fancy. I hope that some of them might tickle yours also!



How to Clean and Care for your Mattress.  Always handy to know.   From  Clean Mama.



Colouring Tips for shadow colouring on fabrics.   Found on Quilt Maker.   I think this pillow is just beautiful, don't you?



I am the Queen of Google Search.  I use it all the time, multiple times a day. It drives Todd crazy.  Whenever I have a question I want answered, information, etc.  I click Google and I search!



I love it.  Not that I ever have any kids around here, but I might!  From Live Like You Are Rich.




Free Printable Storage Labels.  From BHG



25 Ideas for A Storage Smart Garage.   Again BHG.  I am assuming some of these would work in a shed also.



 Ten Sneaky Ways to Hide All the Clutter.   I need this.   Again BHG.  There are some really great tips here.



The Top Ten Best Ways to Display Family Photos.   From Top Inspired.



DIY Dry Shampoo.  I may give this a go once my hair gets long enough that I don't wake up looking like a crazy maniac each morning. From Story by ModCloth.  (Seriously, every morning when I wake up, my hair looks like I have been spinning on the top of my head all night!)



Lego Brownies.   From the Instructables.  I would use my own Brownie recipe, not a boxed mix.   Simple to do however.

And that's my Friday Finds for this week.  I hope you found something you like amongst them!

I have done some more chubbies this week.  I've been fitting them in here, there and everywhere while I still have some free time.



Once Upon a Time, far, far away  . . .



A little gardening one . . .



I can't pick a favourite.   I love them all.  I have done ten chubsters now and I love them all.

A thought to carry with you through today . . .


❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥
Every man dies,
but not all men truly live.
~William Wallace
 ❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥


  

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  a Basic Macaroni Salad.  Delicious!


Have a wonderful Friday! Hasn't the week just flown by! Don't forget . . .


═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════


And I do too!