Things to smile about . . .

 

It has been noted that the skies are bluer than they have ever been.  After observing them for a time I would have to agree.

 

This is a phoo one of my friends took of downtown Chester near the clock.  Blue skies and empty streets.  Usually teaming with people.  

  

This is a photo I took yesterday in between rain squalls.  We also had hail at one point. Its turned quite cold again. No editing and no filtre.  Simply a brilliant blue sky.  

  

And I popped  my head out the door and took this a few moments ago.  Again a brilliantly blue sky amidst the clouds.  Again no editing and no filtre.  Point and snap.  That's it. 

No plane exhaust either.  This is the silver lining of lock down and self isolation/quarantine. Beautiful clear skies with brilliant colour.  Very quiet as well. 

 

We were the recipients of a "Cream Tea" from our next door neighbour yesterday.  Well, actually she and her son were from a friend of hers, the full deal.  They don't like scones with clotted cream and jam however, so she shared those with us.  I know what you are thinking.  Who wouldn't love scones with clotted cream and jam??? 

 

They were greatly enjoyed.  If I were ever to leave the UK, I would miss scones with clotted cream and jam.  Its just the best. 

  

My son Doug shared this beautiful photo of his middle son Josh.  Both middle sons.  Oh how I would love to kiss every freckle on that cute little nose of his.  Of course he would be embarassed by that I think.  At his age freckle kisses are probably not something he enjoys.  He will be 12 on his next Birthday.  Oh how very much I love my grandchildren . . . 

  

Craft Passion.  I've made a few masks and am making a few more from this tutorial my sister shared with me.  There is a video to go along with it.  I'm not quite sure what to think about face masks at this point. Our government has said that they won't prevent you from getting the virus, but will only prevent you from spreading it.  I think, personally (and this is just my opinion), that if you wear a face mask along with practicing correct hand washing and social distancing, it will probably increase your chances of not getting the virus if and when lockdown is discontinued.  So I have been making some masks.  I dont have any actually finished yet.  Elastic is the problem.  But I do have hair elastics and will probably put them into use.  This is a good pattern as it has an area to add a nose wire, which holds the mask closer to the face and also allows those who wear eye glasses to wear them without their glasses fogging up, or that is the theory anyways.  I have yet to put it into practice!  I need to finish one first! 

  

 

This year I had treated myself to a Mary Engelbreit desk calendar (along with my usual Susan Branch one.)  It had been a few years since I had gotten one, but I do love her artwork.  It makes me smile.   Its so bright and colourful.  I can't bring myself to rip off the pages, so I just check each day what the sentiment is.

  

This is the one for this weekend.  A place for everything and everything in its place.  I love how the wee girl is putting her heart into the boy's pocket and he has a bouquet of flowers waiting behind his back to give her. 

I love how the sentiment along with the photo makes you think.  Just reading the words, you might be tempted to think about organising yourself.  Making sure there is a proper place for everything and that is certainly something I need to be better at practicing.  I am always putting things in safe places and then never finding them again. Recently it was my list of sisters in church that I am supposed to minister to.    I really put it in a safe place after the last time I used it because I cannot find it for love nor money!  I will have to eat some humble pie and ask my RS president who they are.  I can remember who some of them are, but not all of them.  Bad me. 

But I think this sentiment means much more than just putting things in safe rememberable places . . .  I think it is about storing our hearts in safe places.  Places where you know they will be taken care of and I don't mean our actual hearts, I mean our feelings, hopes, desires, dreams, etc.  Are you sharing yours in safe places?  Am I?  I am not so sure about that, speaking for myself anyways.  I tend to always think the best of people until they prove me wrong, and even then . . .  I am a person of second, third, etc. chances.

 

We are living in some pretty tumultuous times at the present.  I think people's emotions are running pretty high.  I have a cousin who writes brilliant poetry.  I love to read his words.  He and I don't always have the same opinions when it comes to other things, but I just agree to disagree and move on. You don't always have to voice your opinions I guess, and that is a lesson I have learnt the hard way.  Blood is supposed to be thicker than water and most of the time it is.  Yesterday for some reason he totally blocked my sister on facebook. She enjoys his poetry as well, and her feelings have been quite hurt by this.  

  

And I can totally understand that.  This is a photo of the three of us sitting on my grandparents veranda. (I have been cut off in the photo to the right)  They are both so cute. My sister would be almost three years old here, so would our cousin, and I was going on five.  It was probabably taken around the time my brother was born.  Maybe around Easter.  My mom had had someone cut my hair short because she wasn't sure anyone could take care of it when she was in the hospital and my sister is wearing ankle socks.   So I am thinking early to late spring.  It kind of makes me sad to think that people who have been friends for this long, sixty odd years . . .  and who share dna with each other . . .  that a falling out could occur because of a difference of opinion, but it happens.  It shouldn't but it does. 

We need to tread lightly with other people's hearts. We need to keep them in safe places. None of us knows really what's going on in people's lives but that which they allow us to see.  I am from the always give people the benefit of the doubt school. I hope that my cousin comes to his senses and realises that my sister loves him.  Love and kindness are really the only things that matter.  I know my sister and I know she would forgive him.  She has a very kind and giving heart. 

 

We got that from our mom, and our father as well.   Both were/are very kind and forgiving people.  I sure  miss my mom. There are times I just wish I could crawl up in her lap and hear her heart beating against my ear.  This has been a rough couple of years for sure  . . . weren't we blessed to have someone in our lives that we miss so much? Yes, indeed  . . .

A thought to carry with you  . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *All seasons are beautiful for theperson who carries happiness within.
~Horace Friess•。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Diner Style Glazed Meat Loaf.  Delicious! 

I hope you have a lovely Saturday. The sun is shining here, but its decidedly cool this morning, and actually I think it could go either way, rain or sun.  Be kind to each other and don't forget! 

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And I do too!