A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, December 31st, 2024

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Today I took a picture from my bedroom window towards the back of my place, through the parking lot at the farmer's market. As you can see the sun is just barely coming up. The snow is all gone now, but at least we had it for Christmas. That smaller white house across the way has usually had some beautiful Christmas Decorations up but this year they didn't put up any. As a child for several years I lived right across the street from the house next to it.  I would have never dreamed that I would live out my life just a stone's throw away from there one day.  I can remember it being a very long walk to school each morning.  Especially in inclement weather!

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I AM THINKING ...

Should I take down my Christmas Decs today or not. I have the family coming over for New Years Day Dinner tomorrow, so I guess I should just take them down and get the chore done and dusted. I enjoyed them very much over the holidays, but I guess it is time now. Normally I would take them down on New Years Day as my mother always did, but with company coming tomorrow, I will take them down today. Its probably the best plan.

 

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I AM ALSO THINKING ...

The weight of what my youngest son did just prior to Christmas was weighing heavily upon me yesterday. It was almost unbearable.  But somehow, I got through it. I managed to keep myself pretty busy the whole day, but every so often it would weigh me down again.  I just cannot comprehend what I might have done to cause this to happen.  I ponder it over and over again in my thoughts and I can come up with nothing. That first Christmas I was back, I got a lovely picture Christmas card from them, sent by his wife no doubt. I had so much hope.  And then when time went by and still no contact from him, I prayed for an answer as to what to do. I wavered from time to time thinking I should just stop trying, but then I thought the answer from my prayers was to do the right thing and to just keep in touch no matter what.  Clearly, I had misread the answer. Those thoughts to stop contact must have been the answer and I ignored them. I just wanted to keep doing the right thing and to keep letting him know I loved him and was here if he ever needed me. It is cruel to do what he did, but it is even crueler to do it without giving a reason. I did not think I could ever raise a cruel child, but clearly, I did. It breaks my heart. I feel numb.

 IN THE KITCHEN . . . 

A Simple Beef Steak Diane.  For two.  I thought perhaps it would be nice to showcase a celebratory recipe for people to share on New Year's Eve if they were staying in together for a special meal. It is gluten free as well. Tender and juicy steak with a delicious creamy brandy sauce.

ON  MY "TO COOK" LIST . . .

These Cheddar Croque Madame Waffles look really delicious! From Cooking with Carlee. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO . . .

New Year's Eve Tortiere at Cindy's for supper today. Cindy invited me a few days ago to come for supper on New Year's Eve and said she would be serving her homemade Tortiere.  I did not get any made this year.  They look some good!  I am really going to enjoy a piece!  She makes the best Tortiere.

 

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SOMETHING NICE . . . 

Candles and needlework in the winter.  Canoodling.

 

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SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE . . . 

Classical music to listen to of an afternoon when you are canoodling.  The perfect backdrop for a good book.

THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE . . .

I think happiness is fleeting. True joy comes in giving your life away. In serving others with love and with compassion.  To truly love others as we love ourselves. With honesty and not just paying lip service.

I AM CREATING . . . 

Well, I would like to create at any rate!

 

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DIY Clay Snowmen. These are so cute  . . . 

 

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Easy DIY Tea Towels. I love tea towels.  I love any kind of linens, kitchen, bedroom, bath  . . . 

 

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Cloth napkins.  I had some lovely ones in the U.K. I miss them. They come in handy for all sorts.

 

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Knitted dolls  . . .  I did enjoy knitting bunnies.

 

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Now this is really cute!

 

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OH, MY GOODNESS . . .

The beauty of nature astonishes me. A skeletal leaf amidst the glitter of new fallen snow. Breathtaking.

 

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HOW I WISH . . .

That there were more hours in the day and that I had much better mobility so that I could get all the things done in a day that I want to get done.

I AM READING  . . . 

SAINTS, THE STANDARD OF TRUTH

In 1820, a young farm boy in search of truth has a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Three years later, an angel guides him to an ancient record buried in a hill near his home. With God’s help, he translates the record and organizes the Savior’s church in the latter days. Soon others join him, accepting the invitation to become Saints through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But opposition and violence follow those who defy old traditions to embrace restored truths. 

The women and men who join the church must choose whether or not they will stay true to their covenants, establish Zion, and proclaim the gospel to a troubled world. The Standard of Truth is the first book in Saints, a new, four-volume narrative history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fast-paced, meticulously researched, Saints recounts true stories of Latter-day Saints across the globe and answers the Lord’s call to write history “for the good of the church, and for the rising generations” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:8). 

We are studying the Doctrine and Covenants in Sunday School this year.  This is a worthy companion to that study along with the other two volumes which come after.

THINGS I LOVE . . .

 

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Warm Socks  . . . 

 

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Violin music . . . 

 

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Kitchen Windows  . . . 

 

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Any kind of bread with butter  . . . 

 

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Quality fresh fruit and veg . . . 

 

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I AM GRATEFUL FOR . . . 

A place to shelter in the storm.

SOMETHING TO WATCH . . . 

The Family Man with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni

I love that film. I watch it every Christmas.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU . . . 

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

 *.You're never too old to set a new goal
or to dream a new dream
~C.S. Lewis  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!

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



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

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Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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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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Keeping the Sabbath, and this begins with going to church and partaking of the sacrament, renewing my covenants with Him. I have been going to church for most Sundays for many, many years now. During Covid we had no church, and I really missed it. Then we were allowed back but only sitting in our own individual family bubbles and masked, which meant I sat on my own. We were not allowed to sing the hymns. Special protocol was in place for partaking of the sacrament. It was a very different time for all of us. I do not always feel like going to church every Sunday morning. There are weeks I would rather stay at home, but I do know how much better I feel if I do go, and I remember how much I wanted to be able to go when I couldn't go . . .  when there was no church, and so I go and yes, I do always feel much better for having done so.  My weeks begin with all of the spiritual nourishment I need to get through the rest of the week.  That is a very good thing as Martha would say!

 

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My sacred space, my home, the music I listen to, the things I watch, the things I read.  I have tried to make my home a place of sanctuary.  A place where I can feel safe from the outside world and the smut that exists there.  Hallowed ground, a sacred space. The world stops at my door, and I do not let it inside if I can help it. It's not hard to do.  When I was setting up my space I did so with the idea in mind that only things which brought me joy and peace would be allowed inside its walls. I choose the things which I hung on the walls very carefully.  There is nothing without meaning or that does not inspire. I have surrounded myself with things which I love and that are meaningful.  Tender remembrances from friends and family, etc.  I do not watch the news. I try to always watch things on the television which are inspiring and uplifting, joy filled. I listen to music which fills my heart with peace and with joy as well.  My home is a sacred space to me, a sanctuary. A blessing.  I treat it with the reverence that it deserves. 

I am blessed to have a space to call home. 

 

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Family times.  I have been able to spend a lot of time with family over these past days. Eileen and Tim, Cindy, Dan, my dad. It has all been very wonderful.  When I think of the empty years that I spend overseas, not having any family close by, these times I do spend with my family become even more treasured in my heart.  Oh, how very much I longed to have family close by.  How very much I missed them.  

I have a sorrow in my heart that I did not have the time to spend with my mother before she passed, I would give anything to be able to have had even a few hours, but that's not how life works.  I am blessed to be able to spend special time with my father now and that means a lot to me. I can see him slowing down with each week that passes, but he is happy, and he is content, and he is well cared for. I love him. These past few years have been a gift to me.

A gift also is the time I get to spend with my sister. I treasure this. We always said when we were children that we would be old ladies together like the Baldwin sisters on The Waltons.  We are not quite the Baldwin sisters, but we are blessed to have each other close by and to have the special relationship that we have.  

Siblings are gifts from God. If you are blessed enough to have them, then you must always treasure them. You share a history with your siblings that you share with nobody else on earth.  There is nobody who will ever understand you and who you are more than a sibling. They "get" where you come from because they "came" from the same place.  I am so grateful for my sister and my brother. I love them dearly.

 

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I was blessed to have had good parents. Parents who loved me and took the best care of me. A father who worked hard to provide us with a home and all that we were in need of.  A mother who nurtured and taught us.  They kept us safe. We were loved and cared for in every way. We did not always appreciate it, I am sure. We often took these things for granted. They were not perfect, nobody is.  I look back in my old age and I recognize the love and the care that was there, through all of the years.  My brother, sister and I are good people. We are kind people. We are decent and law-abiding citizens of our planet. We all care for others and have compassion. We are these things because our parents were these things and taught us to be likewise.  What a blessing it is to have been given good roots to steady us and strong wings to carry us, and love . . . so much love.

 

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The truthfulness of this scripture has been proven to me again, and again, and again.  There have been many times over the years when I have been tempted to just give up. To wallow in my sadness, but just like a joy that is shared is a joy doubled, a burden that is shared is a burden halved. It has happened time and time again. I cannot refute it for the very life that I live is proof of the truthfulness of these words.  He does sustain me.  Often it is through the actions of others and the love and support that they give.  I believe acts of kindness, kind words, etc. are all inspired. If He cannot touch us with His hands, He provides and inspires others to use their hands to reach out and help us. When my life fell apart at the end of 2020, you were the Lord's hands to me. I was surrounded by caring people and so much love.  It was everywhere. He gave me the strength to keep moving forward and a safety net to catch me when I faltered.  When I look back on the times of my life, I can see clearly that He has always been there for me every single time that the hard times came, and He has rejoiced with me on all of the hill tops. I am so grateful for the faith that I have and for prayers, both my own and those having been uttered on my behalf. 

 

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Can you believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2024?  How quickly this year has gone.  It has been a year filled with a myriad of joys and some sorrow, but all told a good year.  I am so grateful to have been given it. What will the next year hold for us.  Good things, I hope. And if not, then I hope we will have the strength to cope with whatever it brings. I am grateful that I do not have a crystal ball, and I am grateful for each day I am given, one day at a time.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *.˛“Most of the time the universe 

speaks to us very quietly 

in pockets of silence, in coincidences, 

in nature, in forgotten memories, 

in the shape of clouds, in moments of solitude, 

in small tugs at our hearts.” 

~Yumi Sakugawa  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

A little nibble for New Years Eve in the kitchen today . . . Puff Pastry, Honey, Cheese and Herb Bake. Such a simple thing to make and oh so delicious.  Real decadence. You can either use it as a dip for people to enjoy, or you can cut it apart into servings for each person to enjoy individually. The key word here is "enjoy."

I hope that you have a beautiful day, and a beautiful week filled with an abundance of small and wonderful things.  Be happy, be safe, be blessed, and don't forget!

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And I do too!    

   

All Things Nice . . .

 

(source)

If I could know the reason why,

That small new babies have to die,

Or understand the mighty power

Behind one small unfolding flower,

I too would know the meaning then

Of all this mystery of men.

If I could measure with a bar

The height and wonder of a star,

Could sound the depths of summer seas,

The warm sap rising in the trees,

Explain in little faltering words

The daily miracle of birds.

If all my reasoning could explain

The needless agony of pain

The why of suffering . . the despair,

The burning of unanswered prayer,

If only I could know and see

These questions that arise in me.

And yet my faith is strong and deep,

That He who would these secrets keep

Knows all our frailties, all our fears,

The little happiness . . the tears,

And some day we shall come to know,

The clean divinity of woe.

~Edna Jacques, If I could know

Beside Still Waters, 1952

That age old mystery of why good things happen to bad people, why evil exists, etc. I don't think we will ever know the answers to these questions here on earth.  But I do know one thing. Opposition is essential in all things otherwise we would never be able to experience the sweet.  You cannot know sweet without knowing what bitter is, joy without having experienced sorrow, etc. These sad things in life give us experience so that we recognize the opposite when we see it.  Suffering gives us the opportunity to serve, and as Garth Brooks once sang, one of God's greatest gifts is unanswered prayers.  Still, there are some things I do not think I can ever begin to comprehend in a million years, and that is where faith really comes into play, that someday I will know the why's and wherefores.

For now we see through a glass darkly. 1 Cor. 13:12

 

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What a miracle it was to be able to experience a white Christmas this year. I have not experienced one of those in over 25 years.   It was as if the cosmos knew that I would have some sadness to navigate this year and so it iced my life with a bit of frosting to make the blow a bit easier to take.  It is hard to be totally sad when the world around you is dipped in white frosting. I am reminded of all the Christmas's of my childhood with frosty windowpanes and candles aglow. 

We wore our Sunday best for Christmas morning so we would look good in the ensuing photographs. Everyone dressed for Christmas back then. Society was much more formal.  You used to dress up to go on an airplane. There was a dress code.

I went to drop off something at my next-door neighbor one day this past week, and a lady was there visiting that had known our mother for many, many years.  She remarked to me about how lovely mom always looked. Every hair in place, well dressed and turned out, and about how tiny she was.

Yes, mom was all those things.  But she was also much more than those things.  She was a good and loving mother and wife, a loyal friend to those who were lucky enough to call her friend.  She was a hard worker, always giving her best. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was bright and intelligent . . .  and much, much more.

I miss her every day. There have been many times over these past few years that I would have loved to have been a small child again, able to crawl into her lap just to feel safe once more. One day, I will see her again. I am grateful for my faith which allows me to believe such things.  And believe them I do.

 

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Cindy and I were remembering the other day about how mom always used to like to burn Bayberry scented candles at Christmas. I had forgotten them until Cindy reminded me.  I like to burn the scents of Christmas through the holidays also.  I have been burning one which smells of balsam and wood, and another of apples, peppermint and spice.  Those are the smells of the holidays for me.

I have also kept the fireplace app flickering on the televisions, sometimes playing carols along with it.  It is funny how the sight of the flickering flames somehow makes you feel warmer.  The power of suggestion.  And how the scent of balsam and wood next to an artificial tree somehow makes it seem much more natural.

No man is an Island. Human beings need something other than themselves to believe in, something to draw upon. We do much better in our lives when we have something to feel passionate about and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.  Having a believe in something, anything at all, helps us to be the very best (most of the time) version of ourselves. Belief helps to prevent our minds and bodies from atrophying.  Belief makes it impossible for our hearts, minds and lives to stand still. Once activated, belief itself takes on motion, and as we hold on to belief, we, too are set in motion.

That is why it is very important to carefully choose what or who it is we will believe in. One of the ways we can tell if a teaching or a belief is good or right is by how it makes us feel. It should not make us feel drained, or confused, or powerless. It may challenge us, but that is often a very good thing, something we can rise up to meet with joy and enthusiasm. Good belief should empower you and inspire you to become the best that you can be.  Good belief sets you free and inspires you to soar. Good belief strengthens us.

When we feel better, we act better. When we act better, our lives become better. Fully satisfied, nourished and vibrant. At peace with life.

 

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Kindness is a choice and the more often we choose to be kind, the more natural to us being kind becomes. Life is just better when we make kindness the prevailing choice.  We live in a world that is often very unkind. Being gracious no longer prevails. There is far too much name-calling, insult and derision around us . . .  at times too much dishonesty.  It can be so tempting to fall into the same trap and to behave in the same way. 

Doing so does not bring joy or peace into life. Doing so can destroy life at its very core . . . this being unkind . . .  seeping into our health, our relationships our happiness and even our success. 

Choosing to be kind, to take the higher road and higher values, no matter what . . .  is a strength.  It can be a superpower. Being kind gives us the power to transform not only our own life, but the lives of those around us. It is within our power to create a much kinder and caring world.  We don't need to be rich, or articulate.  We don't need to be famous or even outgoing.  We just need to be . . .  kind.  Just to pay attention and when the choice is ours to make, make the kind choice.

Kindness begins right where we stand.  We cannot force others to be kind, but we can set a example of kindness which in time will begin to rub off on those around us.  When we choose to be kind our lives are truly transformed. I believe this to be true. Bringing more kindness into your life changes it for the better.

Make the kind choice, give the benefit of the doubt, turn the other cheek. Ignore that which is disruptive and defacing. Be kind in the face of negativity. That way kindness prevails.

Eileen and Tim gave me this lovely photograph of themselves for Christmas. I love it.  These are two of the happiest people I know.  No, their lives are not perfect, and they do not get along with each other 100% of the time.  Nobody does. That would be unachievable.  They are amazingly happy, however.  They live simple lives. They don't have a lot of money or things. They are challenged with their learning and mental disabilities, but they take what they do have, and they make the most of it.  

I love them both very much. It was so nice to be able to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with them. We all enjoyed each other's company very much. It was a simple time for the most part. We laughed a lot. The time did not drag but flew by. I need to do this more often.  It's hard-to-find time to spend together most of the time, as they are also very busy people. But we do need to make some time to spend together more often as and when we can.  That is one of my goals for the coming year. To spend more time with the people I love when and as I can, and as they are able to as well, 

This is his begging face.  His face that is "willing" me to do something that he wants me to do.  Either play, or feed him, usually. It is a face that is hard to ignore. Animals may not have a lot of words to use to communicate with us, but they manage to get their wants, needs, and viewpoints across in any case!

What would we do without them!

I best get a move on. I am supposed to go shopping with Cindy this morning. I just have a few bits to pick up. It is cold out, but dry and clear.  It will be good to get out of the house!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *.˛.I may not have gone

where I intended to go,

but I have ended up

where I needed to be.

~Douglas Adams° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚  

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Mincemeat Muffins.  These are fabulous muffins and a great way to use up the rest of that jar of mincemeat that is languishing in the back of the refrigerator!

I hope that you have a lovely weekend filled with lovely things. This is the last weekend of 2024.  Let's make it our best!  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!    

   

Dear Neighbor . . .

 

 

(source)

3 ESTATE LANE, N.S.
-9*C/15.8*F
mostly cloudy

Dear Neighbor, 

So, Christmas is over with for another year.  We spend so many weeks preparing for it and anticipating it and then it seems to be over in a puff of smoke. Here in Canada, we have Boxing Day, which was yesterday, the 26th of December, the day after Christmas. This is also a holiday in the U.K. Traditionally it was the day that the servants who had worked so hard for their Masters on Christmas received their Christmas Boxes and a bit of a rest and celebration for themselves.  No stores were open here yesterday, but today will begin the Boxing Day sales, when all of the Christmas merchandise will be reduced in price as well as other things.  Many people save their money to spend in the Boxing Day Sales after Christmas. 

After the shops having been closed for two days and the sales beginning, I would imagine the shops will be as busy as ever today.  I have no plans to go anywhere or spend any money.  I have all that I need right here.

 

(source)

I picked my daughter Eileen and her husband Tim up yesterday and we spent Boxing Day together. Normally each year they spend Christmas with Tim's parents, but they were away this year and so they spend Christmas Day with me as well as Boxing Day. They were invited to go to Eileen's dads, but they didn't really want to go there. Not that she doesn't love her dad. She does very much.  They just wanted to be with me instead.  I am not sure why, but I was not going to complain about that!

I cooked a simple meal yesterday.  I had picked up some frozen lasagna at Costco several months back when Anthony was supposed to come over. So, I cooked one of those and I made Hawaiian Pizza, just in case Tim did not like the lasagna, and I had made a salad. We had plenty of sweets here leftover from Christmas.

Surprisingly Tim wanted the lasagna. He says he is not big on pizza, so that worked well.  I found the lasagna to be very spicy, so I was not that keen on it. Eileen liked everything. Hawaiian Pizza is one of her favorites.  It was a very simple make. Just a Pillsbury refrigerate pizza crust, pizza sauce from a squeeze bottle, some good mozzarella, and pineapple slices with some torn Italian ham. It was very good, despite the simplicity of the ingredients.

 

(source)

After our Boxing Day lunch, Eileen and I cleared everything up so that was not left looming over our heads. (I like to get things cleared up right away if possible.)  Then we decided to facetime with her brother, my oldest son, Anthony and his family.  Anthony was cooking his turkey yesterday.   He had cooked Peking Duck on Christmas Eve and so they didn't cook their big Christmas turkey on Christmas Day.  It was nice to see him and the boys and Anne. 

The boys were doing the dishes!  I was surprised. It was the first time I have seen them doing something like that.  So that was nice to see.

Afterwards we messaged Doug, but there was no response.  I supposed he was busy with the family and would get back to us at some point.

 

(source)

It was game time then.  I have lots of board games that I keep for when the family comes over from New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.  Games to keep the grandsons busy and contented.  We went through the games and picked one to play.  They each enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie and whipped cream while we were deciding which one we wanted to play. 

We settled upon a game called Things.  I am not sure we played it the way it was supposed to be played, but we sure had fun playing it.  Some of the answers we came up with for some of the questions were quite funny. It was fun making each other laugh with our responses. 

For those who don't know, Eileen and Tim are both developmentally challenged so we keep things on a simpler level for them. We had a great time with this game, and enjoyed many, many laughs together, which was the whole purpose.

 

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I used to make these wire bodied dolls a few years back and I had thought to make some again.  I had picked up supplies to make them and had them in a snap top plastic storage container.  I had bought a pack of 100 pipe cleaners in several colors.  Black, white, brown and beige. They were in the box.  Cinnamon loves to play with pipe cleaners.  I had coiled a few into cork screws and she was enjoying playing with them.  She kept trying to get back into the box and so I ended up locking it up in my closet.

Odd though, each day I was finding a few pipe cleaners on the bedroom floor.  I couldn't figure out where they were coming from as the box was locked up and in my closet.

I can't get down to look under things these days with my knees being the way that they are. To put any pressure on them at all is excruciating.  I asked Tim while he was here would he have a look under my bed to see what was under there. 

Guess what he found.

A plastic bag of 200 pipe cleaners in several colors.  The sneaky little minx must have taken the whole bag out when I wasn't looking and before I locked it up and had secreted it under the bed.  Taking a few out to play with each day and when I would get rid of those, she would take out a few more.  Naughty little monkey.  Smart though.

They are all gone now and her little game is finished. She was giving us dirty looks as we disposed of them.  Poor thing.  I will have to find a better place to hide my pipe cleaners from now on.

 

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It was starting to get dark then and so it was time for me to take them home and our day together was ended.  All in all, though we did enjoy ourselves very much both on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day.  They really enjoyed going to Cindy's as well, and spending time with them and with Grampy (my dad).  We also got to facetime with my brother David and his wife Christine when we were at Cindy's, which they also really enjoyed.

Last evening my son Doug called me back on the facetime and we got to talk for a bit, just us two.  He wasn't feeling too well as he had a bit of a toothache and had been laying down resting when I called him earlier.  He has to work today but has a couple of days off this weekend I think, and we decided we would have a longer conversation then and the boys would be home as well so I could talk to them also. He said that the boys love me very much. That made this grammy's heart feel very good.

I hope his toothache feels better soon. There is nothing worse than toothache, or any ache in the head part of the body.  Tooth, ear, head, etc.  All are a nuisance and hard to ignore.

And so, I got to spend some quality time, even if only visually, with most of my loved ones this holiday season. Time spent with loved ones is never wasted and always a blessing. I love my family very much.

 

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These few days in between Christmas and New Years are a time of quiet for many people. A time to catch your breath after all of the festivities and to just relax a bit as we start to ponder and think about any goals we might have for the coming year.  I try not to call them resolutions because it seems that most resolutions end up being broken.  Instead, I try to pick a word for the year to follow and focus on that. Simplicity is my word for 2025, as I make an effort to pare down things in my life and to pay attention to the things which matter most and are important to me.

Faith, family, friends and home. Those are the things which matter most to me. 

Being present in the moment. Finding peace and clarity in the moment.  Focusing on the important rather than on things which really don't matter at all in the eternal scheme of things. 

All my life I have cared far too much about what other people think of me. At the age of 69 I have finally come to realize that it doesn't really matter all that much what other people think. If I feel good about things and am doing my best, how other people think about me is really quite irrelevant. My best is my best. I do pride myself on being authentic, or as authentic as possible, and I aim to keep being so. We live in a world where we are surrounded by lies. In the media, in the shops, etc.  Everyone is very busy telling us how we should live or should look, what we should buy, eat, etc. People are not really very nice anymore.  

Kindness matters. In my life, kindness matters, and if I strive always to be kind and always to be true to myself and my God, then all will be well.  It is the simple things in life which matter the most and which bring us the most joy.  And so, Simplicity.  Simple pleasures and joys.  That is my word and my plan for 2025.  Being present and finding joy in simplicity.

Peace instead of chaos.

 

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I hope that these past few days have been very good to you. I hope that you have felt loved and at peace with your lives. That you have gotten to eat some really delicious foods and spend time with people that you really care about and that really care about you. I hope that there is more to come.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *.Using your talent, hobby or

profession in a way that makes you

contribute with something good to

this works is truly the way to go.

~Simon Zingerman  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ 

There is really nothing new in the kitchen today as I was too busy enjoying my family yesterday, so today I am sharing my recipe for a delicious pea soup.  If you have a ham bone leftover from Christmas, you can make some stock and then make this soup.  Of you can use ham stock cubes.  Heck, I think chicken stock cubes would also work when it comes to this delicious soup called The London Particular.  So called after the thick pea soup fogs that used to plague London.  A hot bowl of soup is a beautiful thing on a cold, cold day.

I hope your day is filled with peace, love and beauty.  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!