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!