A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, April 8th, 2024

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

It's back! Light rain and snow are expected for most of the day off and on and then pretty steady through the night and into tomorrow.  Well, it is Tuesday. We always usually get some form of precipitation on Tuesdays!  Or at least it seems to be that way.

 

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I AM THINKING ...

About preconceived notions. Do I believe what I believe because I have been told it is so, or because I have tried it for myself, researched it for myself, tested it for myself.  I think it is a much better way to try things for yourself and make up your own mind rather than follow the crowd.

 

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I AM ALSO THINKING ...

About AI. This is obviously an AI generated image for a teddy bear croissant. It's far too perfect, and has that AI look about it. It's not hard to tell most of the time when something is fake (and this is). Far too perfect, having a whisper of reality to it but smackingly unrealistic.  It is all around us, especially in the food industry.  I can't tell you the number of recipes I have looked at recently that are simply someone posting a recipe for something and then adding an AI generated photo.  In all likelihood they have never even cooked what they are sharing. I really dislike that kind of thing.  If I am going to go to the expense of and take the time to cook something that you are sharing, then you better have cooked it yourself. 

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Speaking of cooking. I cooked these fabulous pork chops yesterday. I took a chance on what was obviously AI generated and lucked in this time.  The recipe was quite sound. The chops came out tender and moist and the sauce was amazing.  Texas Roadhouse Pork Chops.  A small batch recipe.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

These Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars look really delicious, but again, are they real?  I can't tell. Fake perhaps.  I think I will look for another cinnamon bar recipe, but you see what I mean?

 

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SOMETHING I KNOW TO BE TRUE ...

This. Being kind to others never hurt anyone, and is an act that enriches both the life of the giver and the receiver.

 

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SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Farm fresh eggs. You can't beat them.

 

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SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

The smell of fresh coffee. I may not drink it, but I do love to smell it. I have a few coffee scented candles and some coffee scented shampoo. Both are favorites.

I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE ...

 

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Cat dolls  . . . 

 

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Pretty bedding . . . 

 

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Little knitted cats . . . 

 

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Knitted hares  . . . 

 

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Needle felted dogs  . . . 

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SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

Pancakes, especially blueberry pancakes.

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SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

French Toast.  I can still remember the very first time I tasted it. It was at my friend Eileen Sargeant's house in Grade five. On a Friday. At lunch. I thought it was amazing.

OH MY GOODNESS ...

My two babies when they were just kittens. I wonder what they were looking at with such rapt attention.

JOYMAKERS ...

 

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Those eyes  . . .

 

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.

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

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Old wooden chairs  . . . 

 

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A painted staircase  . . . 

 

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Wisteria . . . those lilac colored blooms. I remember being in a small town in Germany and all of the streets were festooned with wisteria. Beautiful.

 

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Cottage gardens  . . . 

 

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Honey pots  . . . 

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

Feeling contented  . . . 

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ...

 

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All the goodness in my life  . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

From Rock Star to Killer, on Netflix

An intriguing perspective on a high-profile case that shook French society in 2003. It is centered around the popular French musician and singer Bertrand Cantat, who also happens to be a convicted murderer. I do enjoy engaging documentaries.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

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

 *.You must love in such a way

as the person you love feels free.

~Thich Nhat Hanh  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

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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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!