Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 Sharing the picture of this room again because I just love it. There is something about the colors that makes my heart smile. Roses, teals, flowers, etc.  It is just a very happy looking room. 


How can it be possible that we are already at the end of April.  This year is absolutely slipping by at the speed of light.  We must be all having a ball! One of my friends on Facebook has had hummers at her feeders so I think I must have had some as well, I just have not caught a glimpse of them yet. The ants are out in full force however, so I am doing battle. Just in the bathroom so far, but it won't be long before it will be the kitchen. I have my Terro ant bait all at the ready.  They have been gobbling it up in the bathroom so it won't be long before they are gone from there. That stuff is like magic.


 

I thought that I would share the latest news reference my brother's kidney cancer as I know many of you are praying for him.  This is what he posted on his Facebook page. He can say it much better than I can.

"Just an update on my cancer journey. In the meeting with the specialist last month I had selected the option to have the tumours removed by ablation. That had to go to the tumour review board, and they agreed that it was a suitable option for my case. Today I went for an ultrasound appointment, needed to ensure that they could use ultrasound to guide the probes to the tumour site. This was successful, so I'm cleared to go ahead for getting the treatment. The timing is about 9 months, but the two tumours are small and slow growing, so this is ok. Surgery, I'm told, could be a 2 year wait, so this still seems like the best and fastest option. I feel good with my decision. The treatment takes 20 minutes, but all the moving in/out of ct scan and ultrasound and other stuff means it takes about 2 hours to perform. The doctor thought that my case looked really good, so that's encouraging. So, it looks like I'll be going ahead and enjoying the summer. No news for awhile. Just pray that the tumours continue to stay small and not cause further issues in the meantime."

So, it all sounds very promising a present.  But still, a bit disconcerting to have to wait so long for treatment. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thank you so much!



 


I had a bit of time to play yesterday. I had gotten this new artbook several months ago.  Ink & Wash Florals.  It is an exercise book on doing ink and wash florals. (No kidding! ha ha)

Anyways, I started off in my art journal that my sister had made me, yesterday, with the daisy. I will fill the page with daisies I think and see if any of them get any better.  In any case, I was happy that I had a bit of time for play.  Watercolors and inks. I used the Micron pens and Grabie watercolor paints. I forget what kind of paper was used in the journals. I know it was a good one though.






I have been reading this book on my Kindle.  I have not been to the Temple since I think October of 2019.  I went with Tina that time and stayed overnight. It was a lovely couple of days.  Then Covid hit and then my life experienced quite a trauma and I ended up back here in Canada and I just have not been back since.  I do hold a current Temple Recommend and have all the clothing I need for it.  I just have not had the opportunity to go, I guess.  And I have struggled a bit with going.  It bothers me that I could have been sealed to someone in the Temple who was obviously not Temple Worthy and a liar from the start. I know this is between him and God. That was such a special day for me. I have always loved being in the Temple, and yet . . . it's hard to put into words, now, instead of it being a place I have loved to be, it is the scene of the deepest betrayal I have experienced in my life.  I have kept my own covenants intact because that is between me and God and I want Him to know that I am a Covenant keeping woman, but I have struggled with going.  Anyways, I am reading this book in an effort to help me feel good about going to the Temple again, without the experience being colored by the past.

"Everything that we see in our daily life is more or less distorted by acquired habits. Something very like courage is required to overcome those distortions. Nothing is more difficult for a true painter than to paint a rose, because, before he can do so, he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."
~Matisse 


 

It was 13*C/56*F when I got up this morning and is supposed to get warmer today. The days are warming up gradually, being very spring-like.  I could see Glenna out in her garden with her sister yesterday, doing some digging, etc. The lawn furniture has come out on the decks all up and down the street. I have two chairs on mine. I would like to get a little table to put out there.  You never know, I might have the urge to sit out there from time to time. 

I am really not much of an outdoor person. I don't mind sitting outdoors in the shade, but I have never been fond of full sunlight or extreme temperatures.  I do like fresh air.  Like my mother, I am not fond of insects.

I can see that my bleeding hearts are coming up and the Hosta's as well as the lilies. I don't know if I will fork out for any hanging baskets this year or not. We will see.

I know this weekend I need to get anything out to the road for the spring clean-up pick up next week.  My sister is going to come and help me get that dollhouse put out. The smell from it has never dissipated. It still smells like a pig barn and has been taking up room in the garage since I got it. It is time to get rid of it. I am never going to be able to do anything with it. 


 

I have started to crochet the squares to my latest blanket together. I should take a photo of it to show you, but I will save that for another day. I am liking the way the colors are going together. It's actually not that hard joining them.  Once I have them all joined then I can work on a border.  That will take a lot longer to do.

I was hoping to get some cotton yarns to make dishcloths at Michaels last week, but couldn't find any that I liked.  I wanted to get the ones that have the patten for the dishcloth printed on the paper wrapping, but they no longer seem to carry that brand.  Only their own brand. I wanted the pattern and the yarn so I could know what size needles to get. I am not sure where I would find the time realistically speaking to knit dishcloths, so I don't know why I am bent on getting the supplies for this. Perhaps it is best to leave it as a thought rather than make it a reality. It is not like I don't have enough to do as it is!

I have dolls I want to make and clothes for the dolls I have. Paintings I want to paint, etc.  


 



And I started this the other day.  It's not public yet. A spot to hold all of the vintage recipes that I enjoy exploring and cooking. It may come to nothing, depending on how much time I have to spend at it.

I know.  As if I don't have enough to do already.  ha ha  I am a glutton for punishment. This will probably amount to nothing, but if it does ever amount anything more than a pipedream, you will be the first to know.


 


I am not sure what I will get up to today. A bit of this and that I suppose.  I have a telephone Doctor's appointment this afternoon. And dad's friend Hazel has messaged me wanting me to go out for supper tonight, but in all honesty, I really don't want to.  After paying my taxes the other day I am a bit skint and I am not sure I should be wasting money eating out, especially when I have a house full of food that I can eat.  I know she finds it a bit boring with just her and dad, as he cannot carry a conversation as he doesn't hear much of what anyone is saying.  I will have to think about it.



 


I just heard a ruckus outside and look at what is across the street from me. I have no idea what they are but they are huge birds, acting a bit like chickens. There are about six of them.


 


It was very hard to get a photo of them as they were moving.  Does anyone have any idea of what they are?  Sorry the photo is not clearer.  Exciting going's on in the neighborhood.  Things are getting curiouser and curiouser.  

 
I will leave you now with a thought for today.  Not much else is going on here, so I have run out of topics to explore!  Some weeks are just like that I suppose!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 


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

 *.The time you enjoy wasting
is not wasted time.
~unknown  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •



Swedish Cardamom Loaf



In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cardamom Tea Loaf.  This is a delicious tea bread flavored with ground cardamom and cinnamon. Simple to make and not overly sweet.  Perfect to enjoy with a hot drink.


I hope that you have a lovely Wednesday filled with lots of light and love.  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!


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

   








Tuesday, April 29, 2025

A Day Book . . . .

 



FOR TODAY, April 29th, 2025


OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...



You can see that it is clear and sunny, although it is not yet seven a.m. Garbage day. There is a huge contrast to my pile and that of my neighbors. That's because of the garage cleanup. You can also see how the trees behind the houses across the way are starting to get ready to burst into leaf. It is below zero this morning, but it is actually supposed to get quite warm as the day goes on!


I AM THINKING ...


I am thinking about my plans for the rest of the day.  I did not get much done yesterday. My foot lady came to do my feet.  I had forgotten she was coming, but she messaged me to say she would be a bit late as she had to help watch a friend's wife (she has Alzheimer's) as he went to help his son whose car had broken down.  That was okay by me as I had forgotten the appointment and had a few bits to do before she came.  It ended up being well into mid-afternoon before she got here.  You know how that goes. You get nothing done because you don't want to start anything because she might arrive any minute.  Making up for it today I think.


 

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

I am well pleased with the election results from yesterday. I think we have the right person in place to protect our rights as a country, and sovereign nation. And that is as political as I will get.


Bacon Dill Pickle Pasta Salad



IN THE KITCHEN ...

Bacon, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. I did not actually have time to make anything yesterday. I do keep a few extra's up my sleep in the case that something fails or that I don't have time. This is one of the recipes. I actually made this last spring but am sharing it now. It was really delicious actually. I am a lover of pasta salads. They make great lunches or sides to other things. I love any kind of salad to be honest and could eat salad any time, any how, any day.



ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Christina Cucina  Rhubarb Sauce.  I love rhubarb anything and this looks fabulous.


SOMETHING I KNOW TO BE TRUE ...


 

Happy bees. Happy garden.  (I do believe this is the artwork of Marjolein Bastin.)



SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

I love the curtains on my front door window, both the lace ones on top and the cherry and gingham ones on the bottom. Although I could have them spread out a bit better, lol I hope this doesn't jar anyone's ocd with wanting to straighten them out as much as it is jarring mine. Be right back.


 

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Birdsong in the springtime. Such a beautiful sound.


I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE ...



Crochet Table Mats . . . 



 


Daisy Coasters  . . . 


 


A cherry pie hot pad . . . 


 


Pie oven mitts  . . . 


 


Daisy Hot Pad  . . . 


SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

 


Baking  . . . 



SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

 


Pretty soaps  . . . 


 


OH MY GOODNESS ...

Looking for a belly snuffle or scratch or tickle  . . . I would happily oblidge.



 

JOYMAKERS ...

Raisin bread toast with lots of butter  . . . 






I AM READING . . . 

THE HEART OF WINTER,  by Jonathan Evison


Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke were never meant to be together—at least if you ask Ruth. Yet their catastrophic blind date in college evolved into a seventy-year marriage and a life on a farm on Bainbridge Island with their hens and beloved Labrador, Megs. 

Through the years, the Winters have fallen in and out of lockstep, and from their haunting losses and guarded secrets, a dependable partnership has been forged. But when Ruth’s loose tooth turns out to be something much more malicious, the beautiful, reliable life they’ve created together comes to a crisis. 

As Ruth struggles with her crumbling independence, Abe must learn how to take care of her while their three living children question his ability to look after his wife. And once again, the couple has to reconfigure how to be there for each other. 

 In this bighearted and profound portrait of a marriage, Jonathan Evison explores seventy years of big moments in subtle ways, elegantly braiding the Winters’ turbulent history with their present-day battles, showing us how the oddly paired college kids became parents, fell apart and back together, and grew into the Abe and Ruth of today. 

Endlessly heartwarming and moving, The Heart of Winter is a reminder that true love lives in small, everyday moments.

I am thoroughly enjoying this.  It's probably one of the best books I have read this year. Seriously good.  I read a chapter every night, or as close as I can to that much. I am making the pleasure of reading it last as long as I can. Yes, it is that good.


THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...


 

Forget-Me-Nots  . . . 


 

Spring Blossom  . . . 

 

Pretty benches  . . . 


 


Dachshunds . . .  love them.


 

A dedicated work space  . . . 


I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...


 


My home sweet home  . . . 



I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

 

An attitude of gratitude . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...





Endeavor.  I am rewatching the whole series on Prime. I love a good whodunit.


A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

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

 *.We have a little garden,
A garden of our own,
And every day we water there
The seeds that we have sown.
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •



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


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



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


Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!    

   



Monday, April 28, 2025

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.  


 


The reverence I have for the sacred things in my life. For faith, family, home . . . There is a difference between reverence and familiarity. When we are reverent, we demonstrate the value of something. When things are familiar, they can become casual. Familiarity with miracles can lessen their importance in our lives.  Familiarity with prayer can make it seem humdrum.  Familiarity with family can make them lesser than what they really are. Familiarity with home can make us appreciate less the blessing of what home really is. All these things are sacred gifts.  Faith, family and home.  I hope and pray that I never begin to take any of them for granted and that I always show them the reverence they are worth and the divine dignity they deserve.





This photograph of Cinnamon came up in my memories this morning. It is perhaps not the best photo that I have of her, but I love it anyways.  She has such a sweet personality despite her looking so aloof. I love it when she jumps up and nestles in for a nap if I am laying back in my easy boy chair reading or some such. She is the one who trots alongside of me when I go to make my bed in the mornings.  The one who is usually to be found lying on the back of the sofa behind my head in the evenings while I am crocheting and watching television. She is the quiet one with the soft voice who purrs the whole time she is eating, the one who rolls onto her back on my bed covers willing me to scratch her belly. My little tigress.




The maple tree in my back yard is covered with buds. It is the first to leaf out in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in the autumn. It covers my yard with shade all summer long.  I love to listen to the breeze rustling its leaves on a warm summer day. It is a comforting sound. quite peaceful.





Sunday night suppers.  I am so grateful to have family that I can enjoy supper with each week on Sundays.  My sister is a great cook and always cooks us a lovely meal.  Usually a roast of some sort. Yesterday it was a beef roast, and it melted in the mouth.  There was delicious gravy and mixed vegetables and the tastiest roast potatoes all crispy brown on the outsides and fluffy inside.  I am grateful to be included.  I feel guilty sometimes because I have done nothing to help put it together. She does all the work.  I hope she knows that I never take this effort of hers for granted.  That I always enjoy what she had made for us all, but more important than that, that I enjoy the blessing of feeling a part of their lives and a part of a family. That I enjoy her company and that I love her very, very much.  I love spending this time together.  But then again, I always enjoy all the time we get to spend together.




Each of you. You come here every day, and you read whatever I have written. Some comment, some don't. It's all okay, although I do truly love the interaction of the comments, even if it sometimes takes me several days to respond. It is not for lack of appreciation.  There are not a lot who blog these days.  Most prefer to post on Instagram or other social media platforms.  I love blogging.  It gives me the chance to write and to journal my feelings, my thoughts, my life. I have always loved writing, since I was a child.  The written word is a vital part of my life, whether I be reading the words of others or writing them out myself.

Some of you have been coming to read my thoughts and words for years and years.  I do appreciate each and every one of you. You help to inspire and uplift me.  Thank you. I would really miss it if I did not have this to do each morning. It is a vital part of my day. 


 

The creativity of others and the time they take to share it with the world.  I am so inspired by these things. I appreciate them.  Now I am wanting a cookie lid with a little cookie bird sitting on top.




 

It's election day here in Canada. I already voted last week so I don't have to go out and do it today.  I know it will be super busy.  I am so grateful that I live in a democratic country where I have a voice that is not silenced.  Where I have the opportunity to make that voice count even if only in a small way. Every vote counts.  It was not always so for women. 

On January 27th, 1916, women in Manitoba became the first in Canada to win the right to vote in Provincial elections. The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan followed several months later.

By 1918 all female British subjects (and we were considered as such) over the age of 21 could vote in Canadian federal elections and by 1922, women could vote in most Canadian jurisdictions.  The exceptions were Quebec (1940), and the Northwest Territories (1951.) In Newfoundland, which was not yet a part of Canada, women got the right to vote in 1925.

This right came at a cost. I will exercise it every chance I get so all of the efforts of those who paved the way to win me this right will never be in vain.


The outcome may not always be what I wished for, but at least I have had a chance to have my say, if only in a small way.


 


My taxes are done now and all paid up.  Whew!  It was not nearly as painful as I thought it would be, but still, I wish it were less. But at least I pay my fair share.  Would that everyone did.  Quite often the wealthy pay next to nothing.  I am not sure quite how that works, but I am glad to pay my share. 

I wish I were a better bookkeeper and that I did not have to go through the angst of having to sort all my paperwork out every year the way I do.  I should be better at keeping on top of it.



 



I am thankful that I have a heart filled with gratitude for the many blessings I enjoy each and every day.  I have all that I need and there are many who cannot say that. I have a warm and comfortable home to live in and stand in need of nothing.  I have enough that I am able to share a portion of my abundance with others. That is a great blessing in and of itself.  What did I ever do to deserve such a thing. I don't know, but I do not take any of it for granted. 




I choose joy.  Each and every day. I choose joy. It beats the alternative. It is found in the small and simple things which surround me, and which embroider my life with abundance. I know, I go on and on each week about all the good in my life. I just never want to take any of it for granted.  I am not always up, as you well know. Sometimes I can feel very low, but I am incredibly blessed in that I can usually shake off the negative most of the time. Not everyone is able to do that.  Some days it is harder to choose joy.  But choose it I do. Sometimes I have to dig deep to find it.  But I dig deep.  I am grateful for the strength I have to do so. I hope that I never tire of counting my blessings.


I will end this now with a thought for you to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *.The real luxury in life is:
Time to dilly dally.
~Unknown  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •



Twin Mountain Muffins



In the English Kitchen today, from one of my vintage cookbooks, Twin Mountain Muffins.  These are plain muffins, just slightly sweet, not too big, not too small. Just right.  Especially served warm with butter and jam. Perfection. 


I hope you have a lovely day. If you are in Canada and have not done so yet, don't forget to vote!  Whatever you get up to I hope that you have a day filled with joy and abundance. Don't forget!


═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  


And I do too!