Saturday 30 July 2016

Saturday This and That . . .

 

This photograph makes me think of my middle son Douglas.  When he was a wee one, I used to wake him up each morning singing "Good Morning Starshine" to him.  I would go quietly into his room and the cat we had at the time would inevitably follow me and jump onto the bed where she would start treading and purring on his tummy.  He would wake up and I would ask him . . .  "Do you know what she is singing to you?"  He would say no  . . . and then I would start to sing the song to him.  I wonder if he remembers that?

I sure hope so.

What a bit of a crazy week this has been.  A mix of rain and sunshine . . .  cold one day and warm the next.  Its like Mother Nature can't make up her  mind whether it is summer or not.

 

I watched the saddest film earlier this week.  "Amy."  It was a biography of Amy Winehouse using actual footage from her life, childhood, career, etc. to tell the story.  A classic example of someone who is destroyed by fame and fortune, and I believe (after watching the film) a very unhealthy relationship with the men in her life.  (Her father and her husband Blake.)  She loved both of them dearly, but I think they were both users . . .  total parasites.  It was like watching a train wreck happening and being unable to stop it.   It was a great film, but utterly, utterly sad.

I would not trade even a portion of the life I have now for a life of fame and fortune.   What I have is much happier and more beautiful in comparison.  I believe you must sell a bit of your soul to the Devil, for it appears surely as if your life becomes hell on earth.

 

This is the first of two paintings I finished this week.  I had started this one last week.  Picking Blackberries.  They are ripening in the hedgerows now and it won't be long!

Reminds me of when my family and I were living in an old farmhouse near Meaford, Ontario.   The woodlands to the North West of the house down towards the bay were filled with wild blackberries.  I  picked tons and tons.   I made it into blackberry jelly as opposed to jam.  That way we didn't have the seeds to bother us.  It was some good.   I have happy memories of going berrying with my sister as well when we lived there.  We found an old abandoned orchard that was loaded with wild raspberries.  Good times!



I also finished this one this week . . .  "Back To School."   The summer holidays may have just begun for the children over here in the UK, but I know back in the US it won't be long now before the kiddies are heading back to school.  It won't be until September here, or in Canada.  She has her lunch pail, scribblers and an apple for the teacher, and the leaves are just beginning to turn . . . .  Loving the squirrel on top of the seasaw.

(If you click on the pictures, they will open up larger so you can see all the detail.)

I always looked so foward to the beginning of the school year when I was a child.  New shoes.  New books, pencils and crayons . . .  a new pencil box.

Does anything on earth smell as nice as a new box of crayons?

 

So much to look forward to at the beginning of the school year.  I remember being devastated one year when I went down to the school lunch room and discovered that someone had stomped my pretty new lunch box all into bits.  Sometimes kids are just so mean.



Source 

We finally bit the bullet and got rid of our Sky Television this week.  This change will save us £680 a year.  Its amazing when you think about it.   We did have to purchase a Free Sat Box, which we had been saving up for for months and months.  They don't come cheap, but we think it will be worth it in the long run.  That's a lotta lotta money saved.  Its been a bit of an adjustment to make, but we are catching the hang of it.  Change is never easy and it has been a bit of a learning curve for us, but I think we are finally coming to terms with a new remote and way of doing things.  In all honesty we only watched several channels regularly anyways.   I will miss the anytime viewing and Sky Atlantic . . .  but not £680 worth!  That's money that is better off in our savings account.

And I can still get Pioneer Woman.  Yes!

We are having the other set of Elders for a tea appointment tonight.  One of them is gluten intolerant, so I am going to be baking a gluten free cake today.

 

I have chosen this recipe for a  Flourless Almond, Vanilla and Coconut Cake.  I'll serve it with some tinned fruit as we are watching our pennies and I don't have enough ripe berries yet at the ready.  I was going to buy raspberries, but at £2.50 for a punnet . . .  I couldn't let myself do it.  We are just going to have Gluten Free Sausages (I buy Heck, they're great) and mashed potatoes, peas and carrots and I got a packet of gluten free gravy mix.  Nothing too exciting there, but its a meal!  I'll probably also make a coleslaw.   I was going to buy a gluten free loaf of bread, but again £2.50 for a loaf of bread.  I couldn't let myself do that either.

How do people who are wheat intolerant cope on a daily basis?  Everything is so, sooooo expensive!  I am so grateful that I wasn't diagnosed as a Coeliac!

 

If you are going to the seaside this summer you might want to collect some seashells!  Look at these fabulous ones decorated with a sharpie pen by Barbara Moloney Callen!  I would have never thought of doing something like that with a sea shell.   What a pretty effect!



And I just can't resist showing you this Doll in a Box, from Red Ted Art.  I know a little five year old girl who would love, LOVE this.  I think I may have found my next project.

Well, I think I will go root around the kitchen to find myself some breakfast now.  I forgot to do my overnight oats last night so they aren't waiting for me.  I think its a cornflakes and bananas morning.  ☺

A thought to carry with you through today . . .


ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ
Everyday brings a choice  . . . 
to practice stress or to practice peace.
~Unknown
ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ

Spiritual Enlightenment 


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Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Lemon and Blueberry Buckle.  Delicious!


Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!  May the sun shine and your day be filled with lots of love, luck and happiness!  Don't forget along the way that . . .


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



And I do too!!



8 comments:

  1. Good morning to you Marie. As I write I am consuming a bowl of thai chicken soup. I love the doll in a box. it is especially sweet that the doll has a doll herself. You have reminded me that I have bought several printed material dolls to make and haven't touched them.

    I, also, love the seashells. Once again it is the always elegant blue and white theme.

    The elders will love your dinner. They will enjoy the company and the fact that they don't have to cook. These young people must miss home cooking and the men are still at the age when they need to eat a lot. I often see the elders at Ikea buying hot dogs as they are so cheap there. You are spot on about the costs though. The bread is $6-7 here and it is the smallest loaf.

    Go bless your day and have a very happy one.

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  2. Your soup sounds delicious Suzan. I will have to look for a recipe. I will also have to look for printed material dolls. That sounds fascinating. I hope the Elders enjoy their dinner. The cake is cooling now. I think that food companies, grocery shops etc. need to bring the cost of these foods such as gluten free/egg free/ etc. into line with the costs of other things. Its extortion! God bless your evening! xoxo

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  3. Your buckle is delish I am sure..and the cake is so pretty..and yes those months when we thought Jaques had celiac' disease....we could not believe the price of the food..
    I would hate fame and fortune..I can't imagine living Trump or Hilary's life..always in the spotlight talking talking talking flying here and there..GIVE me peace and quiet.

    it was bad enough being a realtor in a small place for almost 30 yrs..if I happened to be in the garden out front..someone would inevitably walk by and say"not working today"? LOL.

    Your art work is precious..and it's so you.
    You have your style and that is wonderful!

    I wonder if our children remember us singing to them..I know the Littles remember some things..but the bigs? Not sure.
    I don't..just one song ..and it's the words really..but it's been over 60 yrs..
    you have a great memory for things back then.

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  4. I am not sure why I can remember things with such clarity Monique, perhaps it is the write in me. I was in the hospital for a while before I was three years old and I can remember that! I can see it when I close my eyes. I was in a type of baby walker thing, with a table on wheels and I can remember scooting around the wards visiting the men. They would give me candy. It was a Military hospital in Germany on the base my father was stationed at, so there were basically just men in it for the most part. My mother confirms that during the day they kept me in the walker/chair, so it is a solid memory. Perhaps it is the writer in me! lol Thanks so much for your kind work re my art. I'm with you on the rich and famous. Give me the quiet life any day! Have a super Sunday! xoxo

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  5. I am sure your son remembers you singing to him. I used to like to sing; "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" when waking up my teenagers. I don't think they appreciated it at all; but I hope it is a good memory anyway.
    Your painting are just so precious and I like when you tell why you painted it. Memories bring such sweet thoughts to mind and I love that.
    I know that the Elders and Sisters love being assigned in your area so that they can come and have lunch or tea. I am positive you two of a great reputation with them.
    The doll in the box; precious~
    Blessings and hugs for you!

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  6. I like to think that he does LeAnn! All of my paintings involve some sort of emotional feeling, a memory, etc. I like to put my heart into my art! We are having the Sisters for tea tomorrow night as their tea appointment fell through. I told them it would be nothing special! But you know it will, lol. Love and hugs! xoxo

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  7. Blackberries have come and gone here Marie but oh they were good! blessings, marlene

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  8. You have a very early season Marlene! They are just beginning here! xoxo

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