And Then We All Had Tea: A Day Book . . .

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

A Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, January 20th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

It has snowed again during the night. I was not able to post yesterday as we lost our power very early in the morning and it was off until mid-afternoon. I was able to do a few posts on my FB page using my phone, but it would have been impossible for me to do it using my phone. I have thumbs like hams.

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I AM THINKING ...

I was reading on my kindle in bed last night. I have been reading Even This by Emily Belle Freeman again. I read these words:

"It was in the depths of the place that I didn't want to go that I was able to understand more clearly the capacity of God. His goodness. His realness. His love."

and

"Maybe the trial isn't always about God trying to prove us or build our character -- what if He is trying to help us discover HIS?

I have been truly suffering over this past week. Ever since the kidney stone, and it is a suffering that became even worse when they put in the shunt. If you have ever had a UTI you will know what that has felt like, with no relief in sight. Just hour after hour and day after day of pain, discomfort, etc. wanting to go to the loo every time you move or stand up, etc. And when you do go, not pleasant. Not being able to sleep more than an hour at a time, etc.

Last night in bed, around midnight, after having been to the toilet already about 3 times since I landed in bed, I told Him . . . "I do not know how much longer I can cope with this unbearable discomfort. Please strengthen me so that I can tolerate it better. Please, please, please."

Somehow I was able to fall asleep. I woke up abut 3 am and had to go to the loo. While in there I felt the kidney stone pass. I am sure that I did. I could not find it but I felt it and I heard it hit the water. I went back to bed and slept through until 5 a.m. This morning already the pain and discomfort are much more tolerable. Co-incidence? I do not think so. He is lifting me up and carrying me.

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I AM ALSO THINKING ...

Maybe today I will actually be able to get something done. All of my days since I had the stent put in have been spent sitting and doing nothing because I daren't move for fear of wetting myself. That is not to say that I don't still feel it, but I feel much more tolerant of it.

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I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

The power of prayer, and answered prayers. For all of the prayers that have been given on my behalf over the past days. I have felt them.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Tender Vanilla Breakfast Cornbread. I am sorry if I have only been sharing rewritten older recipes over these past days, but I have not felt up to cooking anything new and they need rewriting, updated recipe cards, etc. They are also great recipes that have been forgotten. This is a beautiful cornbread that makes a perfect breakfast, especially served warm with butter and fruit.

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Taste of Home. Spumoni Cookies. These look fabulous. Maybe for next Christmas.

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THIS I BELIEVE ...

We need to fill our days with things which bring us peace and joy.

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SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Cake. A moist and tasty homemade cake.

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SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

A hot drink to enjoy with the cake.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

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Little knitted kittens in bonnets . . .

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Buttons to push . . . .

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A happy box . . .

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Little felt cats in sweaters . . .

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Pretty deer . . .

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

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The needlearts . . .

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

Unusual words . . .

I AM READING ...

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE, by Rhs Bowen

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook.

Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora―each needing escape―impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet.

Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman.

As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches. Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning―and becoming an adventure she never expected.

I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thoroughly.

I know I should be finished this by now, but life has gotten in the way.

THINGS THAT I FANCY ...