My favourite things . . .

 

These are some of my favourite things. Maybe some of them are yours too! 

 

Autumn fruits, especially plums! I adore plums and the deeper purple the skin the better.  I think my favourite has to be Pluots.  Technically they are a crossbreed of plum and apricot, but they seem more like plums to me than apricots.  I adore their flavour.  I don't get as excited about bananas or many other fruits, but plums, pears, apples and melons!  Those have me digging in for more! 

 

I am in love with the Debbie Bliss Cotton DK Print yarns.  I picked up a few balls while I was on my forces hiatus.  They are gorgeous. The colour is amazing.  Bright and cheerful! 

 

I got about a bazillion dishcloths done this week mostly using the Debbie Bliss yarn. Very happy with the results.  I also did half a dozen white ones for a friend who had requested them.  She was very happy with them also.  I thought I would get so much cooking done and maybe even some art, but alas . . .  I did not.  I mostly just puttered about. 

 

I love, LOVE feeding the Missionaries and we have the Sisters coming over for a meal today.  I am making my Cheesy Chicken Rarebits.  Its a real favourite when I make it for anyone.  I'll also cook rice, and make a salad. And I have French bread. I splurged and bought custard slices for dessert.  They are coming early for a late lunch/early supper at 2 pm. Can't wait! 

  

I love pistachio nuts.  I never even knew they existed until I was about 22 years old. We were visiting with a friend's family in Olds, Alberta and the girls were eating bags of these pistachio nuts while we were playing cards. They were died pink for some odd reason.  I was not fond of the colour, but I did like the taste of the nuts.  I have been a solid fan ever since, except I prefer them in their natural state, roasted and salted, but I am extremely fond of the salt and pepper roasted ones.  Mmm . . .  they are some good.  Apparently pistachio nuts are great for lowering blood pressure.  Probably not the salted ones however  . . . 

I was very brave and went into town with Todd one day this week.  I had some banking to do and to be honest I had not been in since my knee problem started and they opened the new Bus Station at Gorse Stacks.  Part of the reason I hadn't been in was because of the location of the new Bus Station. I felt that I would not be able to walk all the way from it to the centre of town.  However Todd reassured me that they have put on a hopper bus that takes people to where the old bus station used to be every 15 minutes. I hope that they keep that up.  We didn't use the hopper on our way in, instead we got off one stop before the bus station, which made it a fairly easy walk to where I needed to go. It was still not that easy because of my knee, but I managed to get it done. We didn't do much.  I just went to the bank and then we had a drink at McDonalds which is across from the bank and we caught the  hopper bus back to the Bus Station and then came home. I coped alright and am feeling a lot more secure in my ability to cope with the change now. Fear does keep a person from doing a lot of things.  Glad I was brave and went for it!  Its quite an attractive station, although to be sure it is not in the best location in my honest opinion.

 

I have become quite fond of baking my own bread, now that I have found a great recipe and managed to come up with a decent loaf.  I need to branch out and try a whole wheat loaf now, but have made bread about twice a week since I first cracked it!  Todd is loving it and so am I!

 

I love clouds.  I have always loved cloud watching. I used to know all the names of the various kinds of clouds, but have forgotten some of them now.  These were laying in the sky to the back of us last evening as dusk was settling in.  I loved the way the light was playing on the top of them, bathing the in a sort of a golden hue.  I thought them quite beautiful. The days are really beginning to shorten noticeably now. We are now going to bed in darkness and it is dark when I get up in the morning. enjoying the cooler sleeping temps though! 

Of all the seasons  . . .  Autumn is my favourite one.  It really is. I love the smells, textures, colours . . . I just love autumn full stop. Its too bad it can't stay autumn all year round, but then . . .  if we did not have the other seasons we would not be able to appreciate autumn as much, and to be honest there are things I really love about the other seasons of the year also! 

 

My daughter Amanda's Ultimate Team played in the Ultimate Championships last week in Ottawa and they came up Gold, winning over all.  They are now headed for the Internationals next year.  So proud of her and the team.  I so wish that I could watch them play. I love that my girls are both gold winning atheletes.  They sure don't get that from me! 

  

We just finished watching the last Episode of Game of Thrones, Season 7.  No spoilers here, but . . . I thought this was one of the best seasons so far.  Aside from the swearing, which I have never liked, I really enjoyed this season. It left me wanting more.  On the other hand we recently started watching the Gilmore Girls again for the Third time and are loving it just as much as ever.  I don't know why we never watched it when it was on the television.

And those are my favourites for this week.  Not too exciting I'm afraid.  But I will soon be up and back into the swing of things. I hated being away for the whole time we were unable to get online and I hated that I was unable to post to let you know what was up.  I don't know how anyone manages to use their phone to do stuff  like this because I just could not!  My thumbs are like hams I think!  So frustrating and of course I was very wary of using my data up as my plan doesn't have a lot of data to use, seeing as when I set it up I never figured on having to really use any!  Nevermind, all is working now and I have been working on my food blog as well, trying to make it more user friendly etc.  Its a steep learning curve for sure!  On the plus side, I got almost two chapters done on my next cookbook. (God willing!)  Hopefully it won't be long now before the first one is for sale.  I have seen the whole draft and it looks pretty amazing to me! And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day.

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° If we opened our minds to enjoyment,

we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side.

We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam,

and sit with fairies who wait on every flower.

~Samuel Smiles  .° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

Spiritual Enlightenment

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Beetroot Chutney.  Seriously tasty and so simple to make.

Have a great Thursday.  Don't forget along the way . . . 

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And I do too!  (Missed you!) 

 

I'm back!

 

I'm so sorry if I have caused you all concern over this past few days. Our internet went down Friday night and we were unable to get online.  We have been waiting for Talk Talk to send us a new modem and since it was a bank holiday weekend, it took a lot longer to arrive than it normally would have.  We finally received it this afternoon and we are back online!

WHEW!!

So impressed that Todd was able to sort it all out and get us up and running again.  I had my phone, which would let me check my e-mails, but it wouldn't let me post anything to the blog so I was unable to let you know.  I did get a message onto facebook, but unless you are my friend on facebook you were not to know.  I am so sorry that I caused anyone to worry.  That is so not like me. You can look for a new post tomorrow morning (all being well!)  Thanks so much for sticking with me! Talk soon. 

A harmonious home . . .

I have slowly been trying to bring my home into harmony with the vision that I have for it in my mind . . . it is an ongoing process, but one which I am really enjoying. Where and how we live . . . what we do in our little nests, and how we embrace the space we are given is surely something which occupies the minds of much of the world . . . and not just in the female mindset either.

Many stories have been written about men . . . out in the world at large, doing "man" things, fighting wars, sailing ships, having adventures . . . but in their hearts lays the deep-hearted desire to return to their families, vineyards and homes . . . and then . . . let's not forget Dorothy, whose very quest from the minute she landed in Oz, was the simple desire for nothing more than to return home . . .

This year my quest has been to create a home that is not only comfortable and welcoming . . . but one that is the home that I have always longed for in my heart, bringing together all of the elements which sing to my soul.

The first and hardest thing has been getting rid of the clutter . . . not that we have a really cluttery house . . . we don't . . . but we still have far too much of things, nicnacs and bric-a-brac . . . books . . . and other tat. Things which after a time become somewhat of a burden. It is much easier to clean a house which is streamlined . . . and a lot quicker too, leaving your hands free to do a lot of other things, which is all part and parcel of enjoying your home.

Harmony . . . that is my quest. I want each room to flow one into the other, like endless streams in the same country. I don't want anything to jar . . . I want to feel like when I step from my living room, into my kitchen that I have simply stepped from . . . say New Hampshire into Vermont . . . not from Italy into Denmark. I'm sure you get the picture . . .

Yesterday I went through my cookbooks . . . trying to weed out any that I had no use for. This is not an easy task. I have a LOT of cookbooks . . . and they all feel like my friends, whether I use them or not. As with anything though, I have to strike when the iron is hot, and when I feel quite ruthless in my heart. Todd is under strict instructions to remove the offending articles to a charity shop immediately . . . before I have a chance to change my mind. If I start to look through the pile again . . . I just know I will be pulling books back out, and I don't really want to do that.

All of my slimming world books went yesterday. Not that I have ever gone to slimming world. I haven't . . . I've just simply collected the cookbooks. In all the years that I have had them though . . . I have NEVER cooked from them. A cookbook you don't cook from, is a cookbook you don't need. Likewise the novels that you have struggled to read and never been able to finish. If you haven't read them already. If you find that you can't get into them now. You probably never will . . .

Now . . . if I could only get Todd to have the same vision of a home in his mind that I have in mine. I think if I could do that, I'd be a millionaire don't you think???I have gotten him to take his scorpion encased in plastic paper weight out of the lounge and off display, so that is something at least!  I have always HATED that thing! Its only taken me 17 years to get it out of our living space!

We are slowly getting there . . . baby steps . . . baby steps . . .

 

Last night was "nice" television night.  I sat here and crocheted while we watched only things that had no sex, violence or anything nasty in them. The worst thing we saw was Beaver ripping his good suit trousers!  We took ourselves back to a nicer simpler time with the Cleaver family, Andy Griffith and the town of Mayberry,  Bob Newheart in Vermont and Little House on the Prairie.  We ended with our usual episode of the Gilmore Girls and then drifted off to Dreamland on a cloud of peace and tranquility. I think you need to do that every now and then.  There is so much garbage in the world around us now, we need to make our homes sacred places, or as sacred as we can get them to be.

A thought to carry with you . . .

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° I don't think you ever
realize how much you love
something, until
you have to give it away.
~Haley Scott.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

Spiritual Enlightenment

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Late Summer Mixed Berry Crumble.  Delish!

It's August Bank Holiday weekend here this weekend.  Take care out there as the roads are bound to be heaving with traffic!  What say you to driverless lorries? (trucks)  Personally I don't like the idea one bit. Our motorways are full of transport lorries as it is, but the idea of transport lorries without drivers in them barrelling down our motorways, scares me to pieces!  Have a good one people!  Don't forget!

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And I do too!

My Friday Finds . . .

 

A few of the things I find each week that inspire me to want to create, do, think, feel, become, etc. Maybe they will do the same for you! 

Faced with a Tomato glut?  How to make your own Tomato Paste.  From The Kitchn.

 

I've seen lots of pretty lacy Christmas Angel Ornaments before, but I have never seen any like these.  I like them!  From Ravelry. Roswitha Meuller. quick and easy, crochet.

 

DIY Watercolour Fall Wreath. Innstruck Studio.  There are a lot of free tutorials if you are into watercolouring.  Great!  

 

Martha Stewart.  How to make an envelope Book with a cloth binding.  I want to do this.  

 

I could find no source for this, so if you know whose it is, tell me and I will add it.  It's a brilliant pictorial tutorial on a simple book binding method.

 

Tea Rose Home.  A complete tutorial on a bottlecap, magentic stickable pin cushion. 

 

Keep yourself limber  . . .  well, should have tried this 20 years ago maybe  . . .  probably two late now, but I can try.  Even a little is better than nothing.  Again no source.

 

Tiny Kitty, a free pattern from While She Naps.  Made from a circle of plush. Complete Tutorial.

 

Flower Pot Mushroom House.  So cute!  From Think Crafts. 

 

From Make.  How to make a sewing kit from a glasses case.   

 

16 Lunch Box Ideas for back to school.  Heck, great ideas for lunch period! Eazy Peazy Meals.  Lunch can get pretty boring. these look pretty healthy.

Sew Can She.  DIY Scrappy Pet Leash. Free Tutorial.

 

Fabric Bowl Covers.  From  Hearth and Vine. 

 

DIY Cloth Napkins.  From  Chocolate and Zucchini.  Complete Tutorial. 

 

5 Simple Steps to a paperless Kitchen.  From  Happy Healthy Mama.

And those are my finds for this week.  I hope you saw something you can use! 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° With pomp, power and glory,

the world beckons vainly;

In chase of such vanities,

why should I roam?

While peace and content

bless my little thatched cottage,

And warm my own hearth

with treasures of home.

~Beatrix Potter  •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . . .  Spaghetti & Meatballs. Such a simple thing and so tasty.

Have a fabulous Friday.   Don't forget along the way . . . 

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And I do too!  

 

My Favourite Things . . .

 

These are some of my favourite things, maybe they are some of yours as well! 

 

Not a great photograph.  I snapped it with my camera. Plums!!  I adore plums.  We didn't think we had any this year, but we took a walk down to the back of the garden last evening and lo and behold, we have what is for our tree a bumper crop!  They were all around the bottom of the tree for some reason.  Anyways, hooray for plums and for bumper (for us) crops!  What will I make!  My mind is all ablush with ideas!

 

I love this ring, so, so, SO much!  Its so dainty and pretty and every time I look at it I think of the Saviour.  I think of the Saviour all the time anyways, but this makes me "Focus" on Him and what He did for me every time I look at it.  (My wedding ring finger is bare because I need my rings re-sizing and we don't have the £150 it is going to cost to have it done at the moment.)  I am reminded of that poem I carry a cross in my pocket  . . . 

 

I carry a cross in my pocket,
A simple reminder to me
That I am a Christian,
No matter where I may be.

This little cross isn’t magic,
Nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It’s not for identification
For all the world to see.
It’s simply an understanding
Between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key,
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful
For my blessings every day,
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do or say.

It’s also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding none but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life,
If only I’ll let Him be.

~Vera Mae Thomas

 

 

Which leads me to another favourite thing . . .  poetry.  I adore poetry.   I have my favourites.  I have always loved reading poetry.  I think that even more so than books, they are a glimpse into the human heart and mind . . . I love writing poetry as well.  Some of it serious and some of it not . . . I'd show you some but I am afraid someone would steal it and make millions on it.  lol

 

 

Garden gifts  . . .  a friend stopped by the other day with a lovely bag of fresh beetroot and potatoes plucked from their garden.  Oh boy . . .  does anything tasted better than fresh picked veg?  I think not! 

 

  

 

Oh yes, I'm going to say it again, I love The Gilmore Girls.  We are now watching it from the beginning again for the third time.  Totally love it. Never get bored of it. Never.  That and The Big Bang Theory.  Colour us obsessed.  Did you know that the GG's has a facebook page?  I didn't until this morning.  I hope, hope, HOPE they do another series of a year in the life of the GG because I want more!  Yes, I am greedy like that. 

 

 

 

Bubblegum, or at least its flavour.  I don't necessarily like chewing it.  But I do love the way it tastes.  That's probably why I have always enjoyed bubblegum ice cream, which is a flavour they don't have over here  . . .  sigh  . . .  Hubba Bubba was always my favourite.  I am not sure, but I don't think they have bubble gum over here, not that I have ever seen anyways.  I could be wrong! 

 

 

There are several of my favourite things here . . .  my gorgeous granddaughter Maryn and a rainbow.  Looks like she is surfing on a rainbow.  I love this photo so much.  Those pony tails, the enthusiasm. It delights me. 

 

  

 

I saw this and two words came into my mind  . . .  "SAY CHEESE!"  Little Cam, just one of my favourite grandsons.  I have 6 favourite grandsons as you know.  I have yet to meet him in person, but one day  . . . 

 

   

 

I just love to crochet.  I had not picked up a hook in many years until I did my flower blanket a few years ago and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the mindlessness of crochet.  Unlike knitting, I can just sit there and do it while I am watching the television, without counting (for the most part).  I love stringing colour combinations together.  Its just very soothing  . . . 

 

 

Winding yarn into balls.  I could sit and do that for hours also.  It is a mindless thing as well, and yet very satisfying. I love looking at all the coloured balls when I am done.  I need to keep them in a large flat bowl so I can look at them more often.   

 

  

 

Having lunch with friends.  I am going out to lunch today with my good friend Carolyn.  We have not seen each other to really sit down and have a good chin wag in a while. We've seen each other but only in passing.  I love Carolyn.  We served in Relief Society together. She was the RS president and I was one of her counselors for several years, plus we were also Visiting Teaching partners for  couple of years.  We get along so well and have so much in common.  I can't wait to catch up with all her news.  She has just finished two weeks with the British Pageant.  She loves acting and writing.  I love acting and writing.  We both have daughters with learning disabilities.  We both love cooking. The list goes on and on . . . I love lunching with friends. 

 

 

 

The music of Abba.  I love it.  I could listen to it for hours.  It always makes me smile and want to dance!

 

 

Todd and Mitzie  . . .  Mitzie and Todd.  That is one of my favourite combinations of things . . .  either way.  Love them both to bits.  Wouldn't want to be without either one.  Daren't think of the possibility. 

  

 

They both fill my life with endless joys.

 

  

 

I have always loved making these dolls.  I have not made one in a while.  I think I should make some more soon.  Any doll. I haven't made a Raggedy or any kind of doll in a while.  I always enjoyed it.  I need to do it again soon . . . 

I guess I just love creating something new with 

my hands, be it a cake,

a loaf, or even,

a doll

...

And that best be it for today as the time is marching on and I have a lot yet to do this morning.  I will leave you with another one of my favourite things  . . .  a thought to carry with you.

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° The simple and shortest ethical precept is  . . . 

to be served as little as possible,

and to serve others as much as possible.

~Leo Tolstoy   •。★★ 。* 。*。*˚ 

 

Spiritual Enlightenment

 

One of my favourite Mormon Messages, entitled Lift

 

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.  Sized just for two and ready and on the table in about half an hour, I kid you now.  Delicious!

Have a wonderful Thursday! Hope its filled with some of your favourite things!  Don't forget!

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And I do too!