Things that bring me joy. . .

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While you're waiting for tomorrow,
Get the best out of today.
While you're waiting for the sunshine
Don't complain of skies of grey.
While you wait for future pleasures
Don't forget the ones you've had.
Call to mind the things enjoyed,
The happy times, not the sad.

While you're waiting for the granting
Of the wish you hold most dear,
Don't lose sight of all the joys
That life offers now and here.
Times of waiting can be fruitful
And to you, much good can bring.
Make the winter yield a blessing
While you're waiting for the spring.
~Patience Strong

I was thinking this morning about all the wonderful things that I have in my life, despite the aches and pains that I suffer with from time to time . . . it is far better to dwell on the good in life rather than the bad . . .

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Like sweet little comments left by a lovely daughter in law . . . that bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. My daughter of my heart Anne left some lovely comments on my Twinkle Twinkle post . . . a post which also inspired her to create a lovely video for me of the boys (lil G and lil L) singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for me as well as their own version, entitled Twinkle Twinkle Little Moon. Oh my but that did bring such joy into this grandmother's heart.

Things like little texts occasionally from my middle son . . . which simply say, "I love you mom." No other words are needed. It is enough to know that right there . . . in the middle of a busy day . . . he took the time to let me know that he was thinking about me in this very special way . . .

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Stolen glimpses of a granddaughter, not yet met or held (yes, I am a FB picture thief) . . . but who has already got me wrapped around her little finger. What is it about grandchildren??? They don't have to do a thing . . . just be . . . and your heart is lost forever . . .

Getting called together with my Todd as Ward Missionaries. I have a missionary's heart and to know that Heavenly Father can see this in me as well . . . oh what a wonderful feeling that is. I love the Gospel, and it is something which I truly love to share with others . . . an awesome mantle to wear. I am truly humbled by the call . . . and as pleased as punch. I have so wanted to serve a mission for a number of years now, and whilst I know this is not quite the same as leaving home to go on a mission . . . it is a two year call, and I know we will do our best and enjoy every minute of it. Getting to do this with my husband is surely the icing on a very delicious cake.

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Sitting on the sofa, together with my Todd and our Mitzie curled up between us. She is in her little piece of heaven on earth, sheltered between our two warm bodies . . . and we are in our own little piece of heaven, the three of us a family. We know we are where we are supposed to be, and there is so much joy felt in our hearts in this easy companionship and circle of love. This is what life is all about.

Love . . . it is the oil that keeps our engines running smoothly . . . the great motivator that helps to keep us putting one foot in front of the other . . . the thing that everyone longs to hold . . . the greatest treasure to be found in this life of ours, more precious than any gold or silver . . . the gift which brings immeasurable joy . . . and the gift which inspires you to give . . . the desire to pass it along . . .

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Nobody knows what tomorrow brings . . . or where this life will take us. One thing we can count on though . . . is that joy is there in our every day, free for the taking . . . and that those who are truly happiest are those who have looked for and found a way to serve.

It's in the small and simple things . . . and it is the embodiment of love.

"Love wasn't put in your heart there to stay . . . love isn't love til you give it away . . ."
~unknown

Simple thoughts this morning. Hope your day is blessed and filled with little pockets of joy and love . . . don't forget to pass it along!

Here's a meal that my meat and potatoes loving husband just adores. I confess . . . I DO love it too!

*Pot Roast with Root Vegetables*
Serves 8

Tender and flavourful pot roast of beef, baked with delicious sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips.

1 TBS vegetable oil
1 boneless 3-3/12 pound roast beef for pot roasting (silverside, rolled brisket, chuck)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 cups beef broth
2 TBS molasses
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
2 medium dark orange sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch thick slices
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch thick slices
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Heat the oil in a 12 inch nonstick frying pan. Add the roast and brown it on all sides. Place the roast in the centre of an ungreased shallow roasting pan. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Add the onion to the pan drippings. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until tender. Stir in the broth, molasses and thyme. Bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the mixture over the roast. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake for 1 hour. Loosen the foil and place the vegetables into the roaster around the meat. Recover and bake for an additional 1 to 1 1/4 hours longer, until the meat and vegetables are fork tender, removing the foil completely during the last 25 minutes.

Remove the roast and vegetables to a heated platter. Cover loosely to keep warm. Pour the pan juices into a saucepan. Whisk together the flour and water until smooth. Gradually stir this into the pan juices. Bring the pan juices/flour/water mixture to the boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and is smooth. Boil for one minute longer.

Cut the roast into slices to serve. Serve on heated plates with some of the vegetables on the side and the gravy spooned over top. Mashed potatoes go very well with this.



Baking in The English Kitchen today some delicious Herbed Oatmeal Pan Rolls.

Poetry Saturday . . . Armchair Tourist

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

He doesn't need a coach and four,
To call for him at his front door,
Or trains or buses or white wings,
To show him the amazing things,
Scattered abroad upon the earth,
Of every kind of creed and worth.

Source: myfotolog.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

His magic is the printed word,
Whose wings are swifter than a bird,
And here within one golden line,
He visits ancient Palestine,
Follows a camel caravan,
O'er dusty roads as old as man.

Source: diana212m.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

He journeys up the sluggish Nile,
Visits the pyramids a while,
Hops with a glance to far Bombay,
Walks in the streets of old Cathay,
Buys silk and lace at the bazaars,
Dreams in the night beneath the stars.

He hears the hucksters call their wares,
The Arab priest recite his prayers,
Walks in a meadow bright with flowers,
So far away . . . yet much like ours,
With grass and rocks and grazing sheep,
And arching skies serene and deep.

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The clock strikes ten . . . and with a start.
He sees the old log fall apart,
Scattering bright coals upon the hearth,
And he comes back to common earth,
The quiet room, the curtains drawn,
A table with bright dishes on . . .
~Edna Jaques

Oh how I love to read . . . the journies I take, the people I meet . . . and the places I see, are absolutely amazing to me. Todd is a reader as well. That is something we both have in common and our tastes in reading are somewhat similar as well.

Last night we were reading travel brochures and dreaming . . . oh, if only one had all the resources you could ever want to be able to travel and go wherever you wanted to go. How wonderful that would be! We had a set of Geography Books as an addition to our encyclopedia when I was a child and I used to love going through them and looking at the pictures of all the foreign and exotic places within their covers. I remember dreaming of being able to see some of those places for real one day. Holland springs to mind as does Italy.

Oh well . . . you got to have a dream to have a dream come true. I never dreamed way back then that I would ever be living in England, and look at me now! Life does take some amazing and interesting twists!

Had no gas in the house yesterday until almost 8pm, it will be the same on Monday, but blessedly we will have gas all weekend. It was getting rather cold in here last night before it got turned on, and I couldn't cook using our stove . . . so I made do with microwave and electric skillet! We got there in the end!

Happy Saturday everyone! We're off in to town today for a boo around, and I want to pick up some Hot Cross Buns at M&S. Theirs are fabulously fruity and soooo delicious!



*Tex Mex Taters*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

These please my meat and potatoes loving husband to no end. Baked potatoes topped with chili and cheese!

4 medium baking potatoes
1 lb extra lean minced beef
2 chipoltle chilies in adobe sauce, chopped (if desired)
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups grated Mexican Cheese Blend
salt and pepper to taste

Prick the potatoes several times with a fork. Place on a microwavable paper towel in the microwave. Microwave on high for 11 to 14 minutes, or until tender, turning them over and rearranging halfway through the cooking time. Let stand for 3 minutes.

Brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large skillet, until no pink remains. Stir in the chipoltle chilis, tomato sauce, green chiles, water and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook, uncovered for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise. Place on plates. Fork up the insides a bit with a fork. Spoon the beef mixture over top and then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Serve immediately.

Note: You may serve with some sour cream and chopped spring onion and salsa if desired. A green salad goes very well on the side!



In The English Kitchen today, a round up of my favourite British Main Courses and my tweaks on them!

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, January 3rd, 2012...

Outside My Window...
The wind is blowing like crazy, although it doesn't seem all that cold and it's not raining . . . not yet at any rate! It's hard to believe that this is my first Daybook entry for 2012! Only 51 more to go! lol

I am thinking...
I was talking to my mom on the telephone on Sunday . . . like I do every Sunday and she mentioned how the step mom had felt duty bound to tell my eldest son, who was visiting in between Christmas and New Years, that I had not called my youngest daughter at their (the ex's) house on Christmas Day. First of all I had no idea any of my children were there. I had been told my eldest daughter was at her future In Law's for the day, and so I called her there. Secondly, I had been told my youngest daughter and family would be in New Brunswick for Christmas. Third, I've been told in no uncertain terms that I am not welcome in that house (eldest daughter's wedding) . . . so . . . why on earth would I want to telephone there? I am left wondering why on earth she has this need to constantly try to undermine me with my children. She must be terribly insecure.

I am thankful for...
With the way that wind is blowing, I am thankful for a roof over my head this morning!

From the kitchen...
There is half of a very dangerous pie, half a Christmas Cake and a few mince pies. I think it's called "Living on the Edge!"

I am wearing...
Pink M&S Nightie, grey and pink jim jam bottoms, slippers and robe. Yes, once again layering for warmth.

I am creating...



My first creation of 2012! A sweet little Valentine with a sweet little message! As usual she is available as a print or a card. I love her very colourful leg warmers!

I had sketched her before Christmas and then yesterday I finished her off. I think it turned out quite nice. What do you think? As always she is available as a card or a print! Just message me to find out more.

I am going...
We both have Presidency meetings at the chapel tomorrow night and then on Thursday I have the missionaries coming for their first 2012 dinner with us. I've also invited the new girl that was Baptised last week. She's a Vegetarian so I will be cooking a Vegetarian meal. I want it to be interesting and exciting enough that the lads won't be missing the meat. I have my thinking cap on!

I am reading...



Cross Stitch, by Diane Gabaldon (first in the Outlander series)

It has been a very long time since I have read anything deemed to be historical romance, although at one time I read a lot of them. I was particularly drawn to stories with either vikings or scotsmen wearing kilts in them.

The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered fantasy with a plot propelled by magical time travel as the main character, a woman named Claire, journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.

Cross Stitch(published in the US as Outlander) is the first novel in a series of seven by Diana Gabaldon. The book focuses on two main characters, Claire Randall (née Beauchamp) and James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, and takes place in 18th- and 20th-century Scotland. It was awarded the RITA Award for "Best romance novel" of 1992, so it's not a really recent novel.

So far, whilst it isn't what I would consider to be "great" literature, I am finding it to be somewhat of a page turner and quite entertaining. I think we all need to read something light once in a while. I just skim over the mushy parts . . . where they would have held my interest when I was younger, I just find them boring now. Funny how that goes . . .

I am hoping...
Todd has had a flickering of light in his right eye, which is his best eye. His left eye is very weak, due to a squint he had operated on when he was a child. He also had a rather large floater in it a week or so back. It sounds like a retinal detachment to me. He is on strict orders to call the Doctor right away today when the surgery opens. I know that is cases such as this the sooner you have them attended to the better. My Aunt ended up blind because she never had hers attended to. I am hoping that whatever the problem is with Todd's eye, something can be done and soonest.

I am hearing...
The Westminster Chimes are gonging on our clock, that means it is now 7 a.m. The wind is blowing. Mitzie is snoring. Life is good.

Around the house...

Source: elfenpulver.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I love this little storage ches which has been covered in scrap book papers. It would be so very easy to do and would look great in our bedroom, or on a smaller scale it would be wonderful as a jewelry box. I may have to give this a think and try to do one myself this year. What do you think??

I am looking forward to ...
I am really looking forward to seeing how 2012 turns out. One never knows do they . . . the future is always such a mystery. I am thinking that is a good thing . . . if we knew what lay ahead, perhaps some of us would just lay down now and get it all over with! I am grateful that our futures are in our Heavenly Father's hands and that we don't know what they hold. The only thing we know for sure is that He is ultimately in control.

"Be of good cheer. Be not afraid." ~Jesus Christ

If I could change one thing it would be ...
Right now I wouldn't change a thing about my own life . . . but if I had the power to change others for the better it would be that everyone recognized their worth and that everyone felt loved.

One of my favourite things...
Is sitting in front of a blank page, blank piece of art paper, blank computer screen and then filling them up with whatever whimsey my creative self feels like exploring.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

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Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
~Helen Keller

I have always admired Helen Keller. She was so wise and did not allow her limitations to hold her back from living a very full and unlimited life. What wise advice this is. Words we all should take in and then try to apply to our own lives. We must walk through our lives with confidence, trusting in the Lord's promises and knowing who we are . . . and how very valuable we are in the scheme of things.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"To be wronged is nothing . . . unless you continue to remember it."
~Confucius

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Comfort food for January. One thing I love about January is being able to hunker in and wallow in comfort . . . the warmth of the fire, cosy lap throws, warm drinks, and comfort foods. January is the one month of the year we can indulge ourselves with stodge and substance without feeling too guilty about it. Our bodies need the extra fuel!



*Swede and Bacon Pies*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

I love Swede, or rutabaga as it is often called. It has such a natural earthy sweetness to it and goes with just about anything. Bacon and swede are perfect partners!

8 slices of back bacon, trimmed of all fat and cut into small pieces
1 TBS olive oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 large swede, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
400ml chicken stock (about 1 2/3 cup)
1 tsp summer savoury or mixed herbs
A small handful of chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Topping:
4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 ounces strong cheddar cheese, grated (1 cup)
2 TBS butter
A little warm milk
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 TBS melted butter
½ cup bread crumbs

Put the bacon in a non-stick pan along with the olive oil. Brown on all sides and then remove from the pan. Add the onions and sauté them in the same oil until soft and beginning to brown slightly. Return the bacon bits to the pan along with the Swede and carrot. Season with some black pepper and the summer savoury and then add the chicken stock. Cover and cook over medium low heat until the vegetables are tender. About 5 minutes or so. Stir in the parsley and then divide amongst 4 individual pie dishes. Set aside and keep warm while you prepare the potato topping.

Place the potatoes into some boiling salted water and cook until tender, about 10 minutes or so. Drain well and then mash along with the butter and a little warm milk. Add the cheese and stir it in until it is melted. Season to taste with some salt and black pepper. Loosely spoon onto the Swede mixture dividing it equally amongst the four dishes and piling it up a bit in the middle. Don’t smooth it out, you want somewhat of a rough texture.

Heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Melt the butter in the microwave and then stir in the bread crumbs, mixing it all together well. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over top of each dish, dividing them equally amongst the four. Bake the pies in the heated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is nicely browned in bits and the filling is bubbling away. Eat and enjoy!



Baking over in The English Kitchen today, a delicous Brown Sugar Cream Pie. Not for the faint of heart! (Just a warning. This is seriously delicious, trust me!)

Marie's Sunday Six

Welcome to my Sunday Six post for March 13, 2011! This is one of my favourite posts that I do each week. I usually go to bed on Saturday night thinking about what I am going to write about in the morning and then I wake up thinking about it as well. It is really nice to be able to dwell on all that is good in life and some of the highlights of my week gone past!



I think the major highlight of my week had to be seeing my finished rubber stamps. You can check them all out here. I am so excited about them finally being done and you being able to see them. I worked so hard on them all and I am so pleased with the way the company has grouped them together. I do really love them. I am so blessed that I have been able to find this creative outlet for my talents. Pinch me coz I surely must be dreaming! I think this one is my favourite one, but that's because I love toadstools! Smile maker number one!



For the last 8 years Todd and I have been making do with kitchen chairs that we got at our local tip. (British term for dump) We were there one day dropping off some refuse and a lady drove in behind us dumping a table and 4 chairs. They were in better condition than the ones we had so she very kindly gave them to us. We've gotten 8 years of use out of the, but they were getting past their prime and falling apart. If Todd was the handy sort I am sure we could have kept them going longer, but alas . . . he is not. We have been looking for some more chairs for the last little while. We do not need a table as we have a fine oak table, although beat up and worn, is very sturdy. It's really hard to find chairs without a table, but yesterday we were in a second hand shop in Queens Ferry and lo and behold there they were. Four oak, rush seated chairs, with no table! The guy wanted £125 for them, but we beat him down to £90 . . . and he even delivered them to our door! Smile number two.



Our friend Doreen is always buying American Indian Figurines from this man's shop and I happened to ask him did he ever get in any fairies, coz as you know, I just love fairies. Well, when he and his partner brought the chairs to our house yesterday, he also had a bag with 3 fairies in it and he only wanted £8 for all three of them! I could not resist and I just happened to have the change in my purse. So now I have three more fairies in the house. Smile maker number three!



We had a movie night here last night, just the three of us . . . Todd, Mitzie and myself. Now, most husbands would want to watch an action film, something macho and masculine. Not my Todd. I am so lucky! Not many husbands would settle in with a bowl of popcorn and Haley Mills would they? That makes me smile. We watched The Parent Trap! There was no moaning and groaning on his part, or complaining when I picked it out to watch. He was quite happy to do so! Am I a lucky woman or what!! Smile maker number four!



Our beautiful chapel in Ewloe, Wales makes me smile. It is the Chester Ward, but our chapel is in Wales. For years we did not have a chapel here. When I first moved over to England we were meeting in an old school that had been converted into a Community Centre. It was cold in the winter and very noisy all the time. Often on Sunday mornings it smelled bad because there had been a dog show in it the day before, or a bingo night with beer and ciggarettes, or some other equally as smelly activity. It was not very conducive to the spirit, but we did our best. It is so nice to have a Chapel here now. A beautiful new chapel that we can worship in each week. We do not have to set up the chairs each week, or take them down when we are done. It does not smell like manure or beer. It is clean and quiet. It is a building dedicated to the Lord's work. It is a special blessing. Having a place to call our own to worship in . . . that really makes me smile. Smile maker number five!



These two wonderful creatures make me smile every day of my beautiful life. I am so very blessed to have a husband who dotes on me and who loves me. I am so very blessed to have this beautiful puppy that likewise dotes on me and who loves me. We are a family and we all love each other. When I think back to exactly a year ago at this time, and all the upset that was going on in our lives . . . the loss of job and home, the loss of Jess . . . I can see that although it seemed like the worst of times, it was also the best of times. We have come so far in that year. We have a lovely cosy home, a home that we don't have to worry about losing, at least in our life times. We have a beautiful little puppy that we adore. We have our health. We have each other and the deep love that we share for each other. We have our faith and the peace and comfort of mind that it brings to us. It has been a rough ride from time to time and it was not all that easy to see at the beginning of this dark tunnel that there would be any light at the end of it . . . but there is and we are so blessed to have found it. I knew there would be. There always is . . . you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. I am so happy that I have a heart that is willing to move forward in faith and that can trust in the Lord. Life is good. Smile maker number six.

Of course there have been a lot of other smiles this week, like having a knee that is feeling a lot better, and being able to finally scrub the horrible arrow that the Doctor had drawn on my leg pointing up to my knee away! (I was so worried it would be there still and I would have to explain over and over again to the children at church what it was for.) Sunny weather, singing birds, trees budding, milder days . . . and all of you! You all make me smile as well. I love the time I spend on here with you. It is just like catching up with a good friend. I do hope that you have a wonderful Sabbath day and that you have a beautiful week ahead, chock full of smiles and blessings!

Here's a delicious meal that I made often for my family when they were growing up. They always loved it. It was hearty and tasty and made just enough for us. Of course, I love anything that is called pie, so I quite enjoyed it as well. All you need on the side is a tossed salad!




*Meat and Potato Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

This is something my children loved when they were growing up. Hearty and tasty!

2 TBS shortening
1 1/2 cups of biscuit/baking mix
3 to 4 TBS water

For the filling:
1 1/2 pound extra lean ground beef
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, rubbed between your fingers
1/2 tsp dried thyme, rubbed between your fingers
1 large carrot, peeled, sliced into coins, then cooked until crispy tender
1 tin of mushroom stems and pieces, drained well
2 cups hot mashed potatoes, prepared with milk and butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated strong cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 6.

Place the biscuit mix into a bowl. Cut in the shortening using a pastry cutter or two round bladed knives, until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time and toss together with a fork, until the dough forms a ball. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9 inch pie dish. Line the dish with the pastry, trimming and fluting the edges. Set aside.

Lightly spray a large skillet with nonstock cookin spray. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the soup and seasonings. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the carrots and mushrooms. Taste and adjust seasoning as required. Pour into the prepared pie shell.

Beat the mashed potatoes together with the sour cream. Spread over top of the meat mixture. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer or until golden brown. Sprinkle with the cheese and return to the oven for a few more minutes to melt the cheese. Let stand for 5 to10 minutes before serving.



Over in The English Kitchen today there is a delicious Irish Boiled Fruit Cake.