A trip down Memory Lane . . .

I am a bit late starting this morning.  I was checking my e-mails and got onto Face Book and next thing you know I  was sucked into a vortex of 60's  early 70's music and reminiscing.   I can remember sewing myself dresses just like these and looking good in them too!  It was such an innocent time.  We thought we could change the world didn't we?




Of course this is who we all really wanted to look like, with her long skinny legs, big doe eyes, pixie hair style and little pout.  The British accent would have been nice too . . . 



I remember thinking she was so beautiful, and she was . . . she still is!    A girl with kinky brown hair and short stubby legs, didn't have a hope, did she?   haha, but we did dream.



If I had ever dared to go out of the house with that kind of makeup on my eyes, my dad would have had a hissy fit.  In short, I would not have gotten out of the house!  It was hard enough convincing him that our dresses needed to be above the knee.





Who else had one of these in their house?   We did.  it was not as snazzy as this one and it belonged to our mom, but sometimes she would let us use it.  It smelled like hot plastic when it was on, mixed with the smell of Lady Patricia Cream Hair Rinse.



Did you have these fat yarn ties for your hair?  I remember saving up my allowance to get some and I managed to get two pairs of fish net tights too.  One pair was bright green and the other psychedelic orange!  They went really well with my neon coloured orange and green striped shirt dress.



Who else wanted to be Marcia Brady???   I know!  She was a little bit more achievable than Twiggy.  She had the nicest clothes and she was so pretty, and had the nicest furniture in her bedroom, and such a cute older brother too.  Of course, in reality, if he really was your brother that would have just been ick.



I was so jealous when she got to meet Davy Jones, because . . . well . . .  I was supposed to marry him you know, and it felt a little bit like he was cheating . . . and with Marcia Brady, no less!



Mind you  I always had "Plan B" to fall back on, doncha know!  And . . . he came with a cool bus.



And if he let me down . . . there was always Bobby.   I remembering wishing I had a pretty name like "Julie."  Then it would have been just if he was singing to me and me alone . . . Julie, Julie, Julie do ya love me?



This would have been the ideal Christmas present.  I had to make do with magazine tear outs, taped to  the inside of my closet door, away from prying eyes . . .  sigh . . .



WE did finally get one of these though, and it was orange, and . . . I had to share it with my sister and brother, which wasn't so cool, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.   I am sure my parents got very tired of listening to the same song over and over again, until I could afford to buy a new record, which wasn't very often.   I used to do a LOT of babysitting so that I had money to spend, but at only 25 cents an hour it took a lot of time before it amounted to much of anything.



Of course we had Dick to thank for all of our latest dance moves.  I remember watching American Bandstand religiously so I could learn what was "hip!"  There was a Canadian version as well, but it was not quite as cool.  And then if you were uber cool . . . there was Soul Train, and MoTown.

It's fun to look back and think on these things . . .



The closest I ever got to Davey Jones was through my friend Anna, who got to meet him at a Monkee's Concert in Manchester just a few months prior to his passing away.    She got to meet Barry Manilow a few months later as well.  (Her husband gives her the nicest gifts.)

Nevermind . . . I got my almost Beatle in the end . . .



And he loves me to pieces.  You can't ask for much better than that!

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

 ╔══ღ═════╗
• ✿ღℓ σ √ ε ღ✿ܓ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
 ╚═════ღ══╝
 At times our own light goes out
and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted the flame within us.
~Albert Schweitzer 

ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღ  


 

Cooking in the English Kitchen today . . . Lemon Curd Bread and Butter Pudding.

♥░H░A░V░E░♥░A░♥░B░E░A░U░T░I░F░U░L░♥░D░A░Y░♥

 

Friday Finds

 A few of the wow moments, or things I discover each week that tickle my fancy.  I hope that they may inspire or tickle yours too!



I think I am pretty much the most disorganized person on the face of the earth.    When the organization skills were being handed out, I must have been at the back of the line and I got the leavings.   In other words . . . I am not good at any of it.   I found this blog however, which has printouts and schedules, etc..   I think it's fab.  Find out more on Simplify 101.  




From Rustic Living.   A wine rack re-purposed as a towel rack.   Now why didn't I think of that.   I'd see a wine rack and only think, hmmm . . . I don't drink wine.   This is really using your noggin!  I love it.  I need to learn how to think more outside of the box!!




Are you like me?  Do you struggle when it comes to folding sheets, well the fitted ones at any rate.  I found this fab tutorial on The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking.  It's really good!   I did this to all my sheet sets this week!  Now, everything is neat and together!  Yay me!



A Quaker Oats Box recycled into a ribbon caddy!  Another why didn't I think of that moments.  I am sure the cornmeal boxes would work well also.  This little gem was discovered on BHG's Scrapbooks etc.



I think I just died and went to heaven.   Why oh why doesn't Todd like chocolate cake.   This Snickers Cake from Plain Chicken is ticking all the boxes and ringing all my bells.   But it looks far too dangerous for me to have in my house for just little old me.  I will have to save it for sometime when the missionaries are over here to sup with us.   Sounds like a plan!



I don't know about you, but I do wear makeup every day.  Not a lot of it actually . . . just foundation, blusher, mascara, eye brow pencil.  10 Makeup mistakes that make you look older from Top Inspired.   There are some great pointers here!



Dr. Oz Teeth Whitening Home Remedy:  1/4 cup of baking soda plus the juice of half a lemon.   Apply with a cotton ball or q-tip.  Leave on for no longer than 1 minute, then brush teeth to remove.  Sounds like a plan.  We will see if it works!




Looking for some Inspiration???  Look no further.  I just adore this man's talks.  I have never listened to or read one of his talks that did not leave me either feeling better or wanting to be better, or sometimes even both!  You can find out more here.  I think my favourite talk that he has given is his talk, "Safety for the Soul" which he gave in 2009 .  He is such an inspiring man.




The Chickabug Blog guide to how much to serve as eats and drinks at a party.   I don't know about you, but I always end up with far too much.  I do the same when I invite people over for dinner.  I am always afraid I won't have enough and go way over the top.   This handy guide promises to dispel all the mystery involved in figuring out how much is enough!




Road Trip Pillow Cases.   Everything your child needs to take with them in the car on a road trip, tucked into their own pillow case.  Pillow, a nifty pocket to hold their treasures, a handle for carrying with ease.  I found this on the Amazing Mae blog.  I sure wish I had known about something like this when my kids were growing up.  It could have saved a lot of grief!   We had some horrific road trips which involved bored boys teasing the girls . . . etc.  Need I say more?

And that's it for this week.  I hope that you found something which will inspire you to do something different or to help out.   I know I sure did!

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

✿(◠‿◠)✿
Walking with a friend in the dark is better
than walking alone in the light.
- Helen Keller   
✿ `*.¸.*♡.¸¸.♡ *´¯`.¸¸.♡ ✿  




There is an Irish Boiled Fruit Cake in the English Kitchen today.   Scummo!  We love fruit cakes in this house!

Have a great Friday!  Hasn't it come around quick!

And so it goes . . .

There is nothing that brings a song into my heart more than the sight of one of the first harbinger’s of spring, the pussy willow. I can remember as a child, gathering bunches of them to grace our family home and being very excited to do so. Even now when I happen upon them I like to do the same.

Their long slender twigs and soft grey buds make the finest of Easter trees. I'm quite sure that the trees don't mind me borrowing just a few. They're my one weakness . . . as Dorcas Lane would say.




There is a legend about how they came about that I think is very sweet and lovely. A cat once gave birth to several unwanted kittens. It’s owner, the dastardly person, threw them into a river. As they floated off, the mother cat ran along the banks of the river mewing so plaintively that the willow trees bending down near the water took pity and leaned down their branches even lower so that the kittens could climb out to safety. Ever since then, we have had beautiful pussy willows every spring.

Somewhat of a tall story to be sure, but how wonderful a thought, and something to bring a smile to your face the next time you stroke one of those soft grey buds on a pussy willow branch. There are sure signs of spring  in abundance here at the moment, and not just the wonderful increase of birdsong and myriad of daffodils that are blooming profusely at every corner.   The fields are full of prancing lambs.




The camelia bush by the front door is filled with a thousand blooms, and all of our bushes are greening up . . .  with tender green buds.  Many trees in the neighborhood are covered with May Blossom, which is quite soon and I saw some cherry trees in bloom.   All around me the earth is coming alive again and it is so wonderful to see . . . a real breath of fresh air after what seems like a very long and wet winter.   It's come a month early, but we won't quibble about that!  We are just happy to see it.

I am late posting today as I have been doing a favor for someone.    I hate to cut this short, but am now out of time.   My day is about to begin in earnest and so I will leave you with a thought to carry with you as you meander through your day . . .

╔══ღ═════╗
• ✿ღℓ σ √ ε ღ✿ܓ
╚═════ღ══╝

At times our own light goes out
and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted the flame within us.
~Albert Schweitzer

⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯Love
⋰ ⋮ ⋱ ƸӜƷ Blessings
ʚįɞ .' ه `' ه ` ه `' ه Integrity
.ه `' ه ` ه `' ه' ه `' ه ` ه `happiness
ه .̆ . ه ʚįɞ ه `' ه ` ه `' ه ` ه Faith`  




Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious Lemon Curd and Blueberry Loaf.
 
Have a wonderful Thursday.  May you be blessed in countless ways! 

Psst!  I am guest posting over on Not Quite June Cleaver today.  She's in the midst of moving home and I told her I would help her out.  If you would like to read it click HERE. 

How to Shake the Blues . . .

Yesterday I found myself feeling out of sorts.  It's happened far too often this winter . . . this blue feeling.   Feeling low down, but not knowing why.  It's inexplicable and happens suddenly.   I don't decided that I am going to feel blue . . . it just comes upon me from out of nowhere.   I am usually a very up person and I hardly ever feel sorry for myself, or down, and when I do I normally shake it off quite easily, but this winter . . . it's been dogging me more often than not.

So yesterday I decided to try to do something about it . . .


I began by counting my blessings and naming them.    It's so easy to lose sight of the things in life that really matter, when faced with what the world tries to tell us that matters.   I think it's important from time to time to sit down and really think about the different ways we are blessed in our lives, and to be grateful for them.   Simple things like even just having clean water to drink, or being able to see.   Being loved.  Having a dry place to live and to sleep.  Food to eat.  The power of gratitude can never be underestimated.




Then I got stuck in and busy.  I cleaned the bathroom. I dusted.  I baked a cake.  Idle hands are the devil's work.   It's hard to feel sorry for yourself, when you are busy and bustling about.   Being creative helps, making or baking something new.  Tidying up.   Looking outside of yourself and just being busy.  That helps.




Puppy cuddles.   They help a lot too.   I am sure even a cat cuddle would help, if that's all you have to cuddle with.   Animals give love freely with abandon and ask for nothing in return.   I have never had a problem that the touch of a wet nose or furry paw hasn't at least helped in some way however small.



Talking to a good friend.   I was so pleased yesterday to find Lura on line at the same time as my self and we were able to share a nice conversation with each other.  It had been a while.  Of course she hasn't been well.  Did you know her blood clot extends all the way from her upper arm to the middle of her chest?   Wowsa.  I thought it was just a clot.  I had not realised it was a looooooooooooong clot like that.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers that it will dissolve and things will get back to normal for her.   She is such an inspiration to me.   She has had a lot of health problems since her car accident and yet she has remaining cheerful and up about it all.   Sharing with a person like that is always uplifting.   Yesterday we lifted each other up.   It was so nice.




And then I got busy getting supper ready for the missionaries.   Feeding the missionaries is a service and a gift, both to them and to ourselves.   It is the privilege of the Ward to feed these special young people, which helps to keep their expenses down, and gives us an opportunity to get to know them better.  They, in turn, bring such a special spirit into your home.  We laugh.  We talk.  We learn.   We teach.   It's all very special.   I wish we could feed them every week, but alas we are only allowed to feed each set once a month.  In our Ward we are doubly blessed as we have two sets, so we get enjoy their company not once, but twice.  Having these special young people in your home.   Sharing spiritual thoughts and stories with them, bouncing ideas off each other . . . breaking bread.  It's all pretty special.  It's kinda hard to feel blue when these youngsters are around.  

Then it was time to say goodbye to them, and Todd drove them to Buckley whilst I cleaned up.  When he got back I was in my jim jams and we settled in and watched a nice cuddly family type of show on the telly and just enjoyed being together.



And by the time I crawled into bed last night, I wasn't feeling blue any more.  I was feeling blessed.
And that's how you shake the blues . . .

A thought to carry with you through today . . .


 ♥════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════♥
Trust in the Light.
Darkness is not a force -
it is merely the absence of light.
Observe that when a light is 
brought to a dark place,
the darkness disappears.
Sadness is similar -
when joy is brought to suffering,
the sadness disappears.
Open yourself to the Light!
Hold back nothing,
Trust in the Light.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
 ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ  


 

Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . Stamped Snickerdoodles.   How can you not love a cookie which is called a snickerdoodle . . .  I declare it is impossible!


╔══════════....๑ ƸӜƷ ๑♥๑ ƸӜƷ ๑....═══════════╗
ღ♥ღƸӜƷღ♥ღ Have A Lovely & Blessed Wednesday. ღ♥ღƸӜƷღ
╚══════════....๑ ƸӜƷ ๑♥๑ ƸӜƷ ๑....═══════════╝


 

The Simple Woman's Day Book

 

FOR TODAY March 11th, 2014

Outside my window...
Its another sunny day in store for us today.  All winter the jet stream hung down below us bringing us storm after storm, but now it's moved above us and we are in a high, so good weather at least for this week anyways!  We can sure use it.  Our ground needs to dry out a bit!  Mitzie was allowed in the grassed area of the back garden for the first time in months yesterday and she was in heaven!

I am thinking...
`•.¸.•´¸¸.¸.☆¨In prayer it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.
~John Bunyan

I often have a prayer running through my head.   Someone's name will pop into my mind and I pray a silent prayer for them right then and there.   My Heavenly Father knows my intent.   That's all that matters.

I am thankful...
I am thankful for sunny warm days that lift the spirit immeasureably.  I've been in a bit of a funk all winter and it's nice to see the fog lifting from my spirit and the sky!

In the kitchen...



It's Italian Wedding Soup but not as you know it.  It's a tasty one pan supper dish that is hearty and filling.   It was delicious!  Italian Wedding Soup Skillet Supper.

I am wearing...
A blue nightie and my brown shoes. No, I have still not made myself a pair of slippers. I need a good swift kick up the backside!  And yes, I do change my nightgown more than a couple of times a week!  I Just have lots of blue ones!

I am creating...



Polka Dot lined envelopes from  Ruffled Blog.   So cute and so easy too!  I love cute and easy, don't you?




A free printable for DIY Mini Envelopes from The Creative Place.  You can never have too many envelopes.  I love envelopes and I love them in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  They come in very handy from time to time!  I've never met an envelope I haven't fallen in love with!



The 60 second GIANT Pom Pom!  Genius from Handmade Charlotte.   It does seem a lot of yarn though.   But would that all pom poms were this quick and easy!



A DIY egg garland for Easter (no source) that you can make out of paint swatches you pick up at the Hardware store.  Although I do think they would raise a few eyebrows if you walked out of the shop with that many.



A fun Spring Break Activity for the kids.  Making monster mail boxes out of tissue boxes!  Found this on Giggles Galore.  So fun!   That blog is filled to the hilt with fabulous crafting ideas!

I am going...
No plans this week really.   I lead a pretty boring life it seems.  Well, that's life anyways isn't it?  Some times are exciting and other's not so much.

I am wondering...
I am still wondering what my next calling will be.  So far nothing.   I am learning patience.  Enjoying my time off too.



Sane New World, taming the mind, by Ruby Wax
Comedian, writer and mental health campaigner shows us why and how our minds can send us mad and how we can rewire our thinking, especially through mindfulness, to calm ourselves in a frenetic world. Ruby Wax - comedian, writer and mental health campaigner - shows us how our minds can jeopardize our sanity. With her own periods of depression and now a Masters from Oxford in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to draw from, she explains how our busy, chattering, self-critical thoughts drive us to anxiety and stress. If we are to break the cycle, we need to understand how our brains work, rewire our thinking and find calm in a frenetic world. Helping you become the master, not the slave, of your mind, here is the manual to saner living.  It's early days yet, but so far quite an enjoyable read.  I was telling a friend how bad my insomnia is and how I can't turn my head off at night.  She recommended this book.

I am hoping...



This is the rhubarb so far this year in the garden.   I am hoping we have nicer rhubarb this year than it's been the past couple of years.  The past two years it has been spongy and useless.  I really have my fingers crossed this year that it is normal and edible!

 Makes me Smile...   



This is just three of the bazillion frogs that were sunning themselves in our pond yesterday afternoon.   It is filled with frog spawn and there must have been at least 20 frogs in the pond, at least that we could count.   A bit of sunshine and they were all out.   It was crazy!  I don't know where they all came from!  I call these the three amigos!

I am learning...
That is it just not worth talking about God with some people.   There are people in this world that are just more interested in trying to destroy your faith than in anything else.  I don't understand it.   What does it cost to be kind and say nothing?   No, I cannot prove that He is there any more than you can prove that He is not.   You can't see the wind either, but you can see what it does.  It is the same with God.  You may not be able to see Him face to face, but you can sure see the difference having faith in Him makes in people's lives.   For me, that's proof enough!  You cannot make someone feel something they are not ready or willing to feel.  It's very personal I guess.

Around the House ...   



I just love, LOVE this wall paper.  No source for it, just found it and fell in love with it.  I think it's quite beautiful with it's apple blossoms and blue birds and butterflies.  I wonder where you could get some??



Once again, no source, but I love the colour of these kitchen cabinets.   Medium grey.   I have never seen cabinets this colour before and I like them a lot!  What do you think of them?  I wonder if I could get Todd to paint ours.




I just adore this old mirror.  It doesn't matter how worn something is if it is this beautiful to begin with.   I would love to have an old mirror like this.



Sigh . . . I am in love.    This is just beautiful.   Perhaps a bit frou frou for Todd, but I still think it's gorgeous.    Very feminine indeed.  

I am pondering... 
The missionaries are coming for supper tonight.  It's the lads this time.  I am wondering if I should make them meatloaf and mashed potatoes, or something else.    I think they would like meatloaf, but Todd doesn't like meatloaf.   What to do, what to do . . .

A favorite quote for today...   

 

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~  

The place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.
~Hafiz  

 One of my favorite things...     



Birdhouses.  If I could afford it, my garden would be filled to overflowing with them.   I just adore them.  

A few plans for the rest of the week ...
Not a lot really.   The missionaries today and I feel like I am coming down with a cold.   So I expect I will be trying just to get over that without too much problems.  Great news, Lura is home from the hospital, but still do keep her in your deepest prayers that she will continue to get better.  Thank you so very much!

A peek into my day...    



It never hurts to stop and smell the roses I think.   Each day should be filled with a bit of work and a bit of play and a bit of nothing at all . . .

⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  


Wherever you go and whatever you do I hope there's a wonderful day planned for you!