My favorite things . . .

 

 

A few of the things in life that make my heart go pitter pat. Maybe they will do the same thing for yours. ♥♥♥    I'm pretty sure however, that these things mainly make my own heart sing.   

 

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Crisp bacon  . . .  mmmm . . .  

 

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Homemade Oatmeal Bread . . . its the best. 

 

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Wooden clothespins  . . .  above all others  . . . 

 

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Foxgloves  . . .  one of my favorite of the cottage flowers. Can't you just see little foxes slipping their paws into those sweet gloves  . . . 

 

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Succulents  . . .  I love them, especially Hens & Chicks . . . 

 

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Bluebirds . . .  but I've never seen one in person   . . . 

 

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Plate rails  . . .  our house we built in New Brunswick had them  . . . oh but I had a beautiful kitchen . . .

 

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Blue and white dishes  . . . 

 

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Bleeding hearts  . . . 

 

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Pearly Buttons  . . . 

 

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Blueberry Muffins  . . . . 

 

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Queen Anne's Lace . . . 

 

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Fresh garden vegetables  . . . 

 

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Kitchen tools and old marmalade jars  . . . 

 

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Petticoats and boots  . . . 

But most of all  . . .  spending time with family.  I am really enjoying my brother's visit. Yesterday I went to my sister's for supper. We had oven fried chicken, mac and cheese, roasted brussels sprouts, my butter swim biscuits and my brother had bought an ice cream cake for dessert.

Today I am taking a drive up to Halifax with my brother to take my niece to her friends who she will be staying with until next week. My sister has to work.  It will be nice to keep my brother company on the drive. Time spent with family is the best thing of all. 

Mister McGregor turned 90 yesterday. He had visitors in and out all day and there were lots of pretty balloons on his veranda and bushes.  I think he had a good day. I could hear him talking on the phone as well and it rang a lot. 90 is a great milestone. I wonder will my dad make it to 90. He is 88 now. I sure hope so!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Home isn't where you're from,

it where you find light

when all grows dark.

~Pierce Brown•。★★ 。* 。 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Butter Swim Biscuits. Oh my goodness.  These are the best! A new favorite thing!!

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!  Stay safe and happy!  Whatever you get up to, don't forget! 

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!       

Wednesday This and That . . .

 

(source)

 

I have really been enjoying my brother's visit.  He got here safe and sound on Monday around supper time. I was surprised at what good time they made, driving here all the way from Ottawa. They left Sunday morning and stayed in New Brunswick overnight.  My niece will only be here until tomorrow and then she is going to Halifax to stay with friends she knows.  Actually at the moment they are staying at my sisters and then my brother will come and stay with me at some point, not sure when.

Yesterday I had everyone over for supper as Cindy had to work all day.  I made my chicken rarebits for supper which we enjoyed with baby new potatoes, broccoli and salad. This was something I used to make for the Missionaries a lot when I was in the UK. It is a simple supper and goes together very easily.  I had actually given the recipe to my friend Christine last week as she was feeding the missionaries one night. They loved it. I had not made it in a while and so I thought it was about time that I made it again.  It went down a real treat.

Today we are going to Cindy's and will be celebrating everyone's birthdays!  I hear there is going to be an Ice Cream Cake involved!

 

I am still thinking about things that I have always wanted to do but never done. About things like learning how to play the piano. I wonder if at the age of almost 67 (August) it is too late? I perhaps should have learned how to play the piano when I was much younger. 

When I was a little girl I always wanted to have dancing lessons, figure skating lessons, piano lessons . . .  the usual little girl things I guess.

I think I was a peculiar child in many respects. My mother had a Berliner Learn to Dance Book which taught tap dancing and ball room dance.  I can remember reading it and trying to practice the steps. Brush, brush, tap.  Brush, brush, tap.  I was no Fred Astaire.  haha

That's one thing I did in my second marriage. We took Ball Room Dance classes.  Inspired by our friends who were also taking them. They were held in the Scout Hall at the end of our road. I did enjoy them, and I did do Square Dance lessons once, for a few weeks.

The last time I went skating, I had to crawl back to the house because my ankles were not strong enough to support my body on skates. haha

My dancing and skating days are long gone, but maybe I still have some piano days left in me.  Food for thought.

 

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I am wanting to crochet a new blanket.  You can never have too many methinks. I think I want to do one based on that Attic 24 pattern from the other day.  I loved the brilliance of it, the mixed colors. As you know I love bright colors.  Its just a matter of my cats . . .  I have not tried to take yarn out in a while.  I wonder what they will be like now. Perhaps if I am very firm with them, they will back down and leave me be?  Right now they are sleeping like little Angels. One in the basket and the other on the chair.  

They had a HUGE ant they were chasing in the back bedroom last night. That did give me the willies a bit.  I don't like bugs in the house, especially ants.  I have ant bait traps outside both of my doors. One has to wonder if they really work.

 

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I am going to read Jane Eyre again. I have not read it in a long time. I want to reread all the classics before I die, and to read some books I have not yet read.  I confess I have not read Pride and Prejudice or Emma.  I have not read Wuthering Heights.  But I have read Leaves of Grass and Gulliver's Travels. I have not read the Lord of the Rings, but have always been told that I should. 

I think I watch too much TV.  I used to read much, much more than I do now.  I tend to only read in bed now and it takes me forever to get through a book.  

I need to read more when I am awake, alert and bushy tailed!

I need to make more time for play in my life, before it is too late.

 

That reminds me . . .  I bought a bag of cherries yesterday. I need to use them while they are still fresh. I love cherries. They are one of my favorite fruits. Strawberries are in season at the moment as well.  I have a super recipe planned to use some berries in.  Its just a matter of having the time to properly do it. 

Speaking of recipes that site I used to write for is after me to write for them again. Offering me more money, etc.  I told them I would think about it.  I need to be working less, not more. 

I really don't have much else to say this morning, and so I will leave you with a thought for today  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*And in the end,

its not the years in your

life that count.

Its the life in your years.

~Edward J Stieglitz•。★★ 。* 。 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Slow Cooker Pork and Noodles. Quite simply delicious.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!  Whatever you get up to don't forget! 

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!       

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

 

FOR TODAY, June 28th 2022

Outside my window ...

Its bucketing down, pouring rain. We do need the rain however. Everything was looking very dry, and it is a blessing it held off until today so my brother could drive safely.

I am thinking ...

I was in so much physical pain yesterday and last night. It disturbed my sleep even. This arthritis is the pits. Yesterday everything was aching from my head down to my toes. Sometimes I lay in bed and I am just hurting, hurting, hurting. It hurts just to breathe.  But then I have other days that are really good pain wise. So the good does outweigh the bad. But pain is the pits.

I am thankful for ...

My brother and his daughter got here safe and sound. It was so nice to see them!  Today everyone is coming to mine for supper!

In the kitchen ...

Chocolate shell ice cream topping. Two ingredients. Five minutes. Tasty fun!!  Especially if you add sprinkles! 

On my "To Cook" list ...

Eatwell 101  Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans. This looks delicious! 

Good to know ... 

I am wanting to create ... 

Atercrochet on Etsy. Not free, but not expensive either. Digital download.

Bear Pile.  Little pulling Sheep, tutorial and pattern. Again not free, but not expensive either. Cute!

Totiehoekom on Ravelry.  Love this pretty free form poppy bag!

Homespun Seasonal Living. How to sew simple placemats.

Happy Strong Home. How to sew a cornered tablecloth in an hour. 

I am reading ... 

The Meeting Place,  Janette Oke & T. Davis Bunn

Two young women, their lives shadowed by nations in conflict, begin a friendship that will propel them on a journey from which they can never turn back....

The year was 1753, and the lines of separation were firmly drawn. The French had named the region Acadia, their "beloved home". When the British came soon after, they battled with the French on the new continent as they had in Europe for centuries.

The settlers of Acadia were either French or English, and though their villages might be but a stone's throw apart, most could go an entire lifetime without speaking to someone from the other side.

And then the chance encounter in a meadow of wild flowers...

This story revolves around the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia, and is the first in a series of books. Very good.  

I am looking forward to ...

Seeing my family today! Doug's visit in July!

Dreaming about ... 

 

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Fresh Berries  . . . 

 

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Baby cuddles  . . . 

 

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Its simple really . . .  

 

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Its so pretty  . . .  love this  . . .  

 

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Roast chicken  . . .  I love a good roasted chicken  . . . 

Something to watch ... 

Its Complicated. I don't know why, but I have always really enjoyed this movie.

Makes me smile ... 

Cinnamon with something to say.  She doesn't talk a lot, but when she does I always listen. 

Corners of my kingdom ... 

Its raining, it pouring  . . . the old man is snoring  . . . 

A thought to carry with you ...

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Your mind will always
believe everything you tell it.
Feed it hope. Feed it truth.
Feed it with love.  •。★★ 。* 。 

And that's my daybook for this week! 

   ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
 ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆    
  



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░   
 

  

Have a beautiful day and don't forget!  


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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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. 

 

 

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Its hard to believe that this is my last small and wonderful things post for June! This month has evaporated. I want time to slow down!  My brother should arrive later today, along with my niece. I have not seen Allison since 2003 I believe, so it will be nice to see her.  I am really looking forward to spending time with David.  I love my family so very much.  I am praying him safely here.

 

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I was glad to get my talk and lesson over with yesterday. The theme for yesterday's Sacrament meeting at church was the theme for the Youth in this years Young Women's.  I had been asked to give a talk on that. Plus I had to teach a lesson on Chastity in Young Women's after Sacrament meeting.  I think I did a good job on both. I had positive feedback anyways.  Now I am hoping it will be a while before I have to do it again, although I know I will have to teach once in July also.

I don't mind giving talks, but I do put a lot of pressure on myself when I am writing them. It doesn't flow easily. I need to work at them and revise, revise, revise.  I want people to be able to get from my words the things that Heavenly Father wants them to know.  I take that responsibility very seriously!

  

I spent yesterday afternoon cleaning my refrigerator. Its not easy to do because it is right against the far wall and the door will only open so far. Its hard to get the bottom drawers out for cleaning, but I managed. I ended up with an extra piece and don't know where it goes! (Why does that happen!!)  Anyways my fridge is sparkling clean now.  I am happy to get that job done. I waste too much food. I need to perhaps do my shopping every day for fresh ingredients. That's the way they do it in Europe.  I find the quality of supermarket produce to be very poor here. Even the carrots are turning hairy within one or two days. Its appalling.

 

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My brother's bed is ready for him.  I think he might be staying at Cindy's this week and at mine next.  In any case it is ready for him. Clean linens, etc.  I know it was an added expense, but I purchased a single size Endy for him to sleep on. I had been wanting a single bed for that room anyways, and this was the perfect excuse. I am paying it off in six payments, which I can easily manage. I could have probably paid for it in one fell swoop, but I didn't want to run down my savings, if that makes sense.  I think he will be quite comfortable.  I laid down on it and its like laying on a comfy marshmallow! 

 

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Speaking of beds and sleep, one tender mercy this week was that I was able to sleep all night Saturday night and was well rested for my duties at Church yesterday.  At one time I would not be able to sleep all night the night before I had something to do. I have noticed that the last few times I have not had that problem.  An answer to prayers. Perhaps.  Why not instead of in times past?  I have no idea. Perhaps its a change in attitude?  Perhaps I am now much more relaxed in general than I was in the past?  Whatever the cause, I am grateful for it.  Thank you God! 

My cousin Sheri's visit. I really enjoyed it. It was really nice to spend some time with her. She is such a nice girl. She was my Aunt Freda's youngest child. I can remember when she was born. I think I was 14 or maybe even 15. In any case it was really nice to have that time together.  I felt bad that the cats did not remember here, but I am grateful to her for having given them to me!  I was grateful also for the cardinal's visit while she was here. They say Cardinals visit when angels are near.  We both have angel-mom's so it was an extra special blessing for both of us to experience that at the same time! 

 

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Sunday dinner at my sisters, always a great blessing to me. I love to spend time with her and Dan.  It was chicken wings yesterday. My sister makes the best chicken wings.  We had that with rice and green/yellow beans. All my favorites. Dad loves them also! 

Cindy and I are off to Kentville this morning. She has a Doctor's appointment. I love the road trips we take together. I think we are going to stop at the French Bakery as well and maybe a trip to Jonny's for a poutine. We shall see! Time spent together is the best!

Dan washed my car yesterday so it is now beautifully sparkly and clean! Yay!  I am so grateful for a brother in law who is so good to me!  It looks really nice now.

 

(source)

"Earth is hard. It is meant to be. If everything worked out, we would not long for home. And in the midst of all that is wrong, there will be refuge. Sometimes He is the refuge." ~Emily Belle Freeman

I saw this on EBF's Instagram stories this morning and I thought yes! Its so true. Things are not meant to be easy. That's how we grow. In our most difficult times we long to be with our Heavenly Father more than at any other times. Our earth lives are not so comfortable and we want to be back where we really belong,  where we came from, living in peace and comfort. But then where and how would we learn the lessons we came here to learn. 

I really am living a wonderful life, filled to overflowing with goodness and mercy. I am blessed.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *‎No half-heartedness 

and no worldly fear must

turn us aside from following

the light unflinchingly.

~J R Tolkien  •。★★ 。* 

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Honey Strawberry Jam, the small batch. The recipe makes only two half pint jars.  Delicious!

I hope that your week ahead is filled to overflowing with many small and wonderful things. Tender mercies. Beautiful moments. Along the way, don't forget! 

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!