Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens . . .

 

These are a few of my favourite things  . . .



My mum's Hot Milk Cake.  It was my favourite when I was a child.  It is my favourite now.  She used to split it in half through the middle and fill it with jam.  I still adore it filled with jam.  I have not made one in a long time.  I don't need to be eating cake.

 

Pretty hats.   I don't wear a hat . . .  ever . . .  because I guess I don't look good in them and I hate hat hair, but I do love to see pretty hats.  I wish I did like wearing them.  But then again  . . .  there are not a lot of places and occasions to wear a hat these days, except maybe for a sun hat in the summer and a winter hat in the winter.



The sounds, smells, sights of autumn.  I love the sound of dry leaves skittering across the pavement . . .  the smell of burning leaves . . .  the changing colours of the trees, that feeling in the air.  It changes.  It's a subtle change, but it changes all the same.   I think of all the seasons, autumn is my favourite one of all.

 

Vintage Valentines.  I used to love Valentines Day when I was a child.  My mother would buy each one of us a book of cut out Valentines each year.   What fun we had cutting them out and then deciding which valentine would go to which friend.  The prettiest one always went to your best friend, and of course there was the special ones for teachers.  Gluing the envelopes together and sticking on those little cut out stamps.  A lot of preparation went into getting these Valentines ready to give out.  Much more fun than buying the fancy already cut out ones.

 

I love paper.  Scrapbook paper.  Writing paper.  Wrapping paper.  Art paper.  Origami paper.  Tissue paper.  Velum.  I just love paper of any kind and when I find one I really like, I hate to use it.  I hoard paper. 

 

Botanical Prints . . .  be they fashion, or flowers, insects, bees . . . fruits or vegetables  . . .  whatever.  I just adore Botanical Prints.   When I worked at the Manor, one of the girls' bedrooms had framed French Fashion Botanicals (if that is what they are called) on the walls.  The other girls' bedroom had Botanical flower prints framed and hanging.  Both were lovely.

 

Old Black and White Photos.  I find myself wondering about the people in them . . .  the lives that they led, the stories they could tell . . . everyone has a story.  This fascinates me.



The Waltons . . .  we have the whole series and all of the movies that were made afterwards, on DVD.  We often watch them.   I just love this show.  It never gets old and it always makes me feel happy watching it.  I wanted a Walton's family.  Didn't everyone?  They did not have much in the way of material things, but they had an abundance of the things in life which really matter.



Little boys.  I love little boys.  They are so interesting.  They make me smile.  With all their ways.  There is a whole family of little boys at our church.  I love to watch them.  I could watch them for hours.

 

Old black and white films . . .  with their singing and dancing . . . the innocence of them.  No cursing and swearing.  No gratuitious sex and violence.  Simple plots.  Oh, I enjoy modern films as well, especially historical dramas, but I do love the old black and whites.



Pies.  Sweet or savoury.  Fruit or cream.   Nut pies.  Meat pies.   Pies topped with meringue.  Pies topped with cream.  If it's a pie I am loving it  . . .  with the exception of Star Gazy Pie.



 I won't ever be eating that.  And I was sent some bars made with cricket flour.  I won't be eating those either.   The thought of eating insects and knowing I am eating insects?  Cannot get past the gag factor.  Could you?

The End.

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .


ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ
The grand essentials of happiness are:
Something to do, something to love,
something to give, and something to
hope for.
~Allan Chambers
ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ

Spiritual Enlightenment

 


Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  a healthy and delicious Vegetable Curry.


May your Thursday be filled with light and love! Don't forget!

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And I do too!

Welcoming February . . .

  

We saw catkins on the trees bordering the motorway on our way back from our District meeting yesterday and the trees are taking on a bit of a green flush . . . it almost seems to early, but in reality it is not  . . . our Oriental Poppy in the front garden has come up all green again . . . and the buds on the tree by the front door are swollen and flushed with pink . . .



This is the soul's month  . . .  the month of whispered hopes . . .  the month when we feel as if at last we can turn our faces towards the glad promise of Spring  . . .



 The beds and borders are peppered with green tips  . . .  crocus and hyacinth beginning to push their tender green arms through the mud and a few snow drops have begun to swing their fairy bells in the teeth of a raw wet wind . . .  but these, alas are mere imitations . . .

 

The days between Candlemas and St. Valentines are days in which we must be content with hints and glimpses . . . for Winter is not quite done with us yet.  My listening heart however has caught the far-away sound on the wind and hope wells up in my soul . . .  spring is almost now within reach . . .

 

There is something about the word February that stirs the heart with an irrational but irrepressible joy  . . .  arrrows of rain fall sharp and cold from a wintery sky . . . the doors of the North not yet being barred against the threat of snow, but . . .  once January has slipped off the calendar, nothing can ever be quite the same . . .



As ghosts of snowdrops flutter in the grass  . . . a blue light lingers on the edge of the lengthening days and the voice of February's thrust comes pouring down the wind carrying with it the impending promise of spring which is waiting in the wings to burst upon the stage.

February . . .  the month of whispered hopes  . . .



We are off to Runcorn this morning to do flat inspections.  Not looking forward to it.  It's wet and windy and blah . . .  and it's a difficult place to find your way around at the best of times.  Wish us luck!

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸. •´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~ ღϠ₡ღ¸.
Always be on the lookout for
the presence of wonder  . . . 
~E. B. White
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸. •´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~ ღϠ₡ღ¸.

Spiritual Enlightenment 




Baking in The English Kitchen today  . . . Valentine Berry Cutie Pies.  For my sweetie pie.


 Have a wonderful Wednesday  . . .  be blessed.   Don't forget!


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And I do too!

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

 

FOR TODAY, February 2, 2016

Outside my window ...
It's dark, cold and very windy.  The wind has been crazy.  On our way back from dropping off a meal to someone yesterday I saw a tree which had been pulled out by it's roots, and of course because it was bin day for a lot of people lots of empty bins blowing around.  I don't like it when it is really windy like that.  It can be very dangerous to be out and about and it scares me.

I am thinking ...
Is today Groundhog day?  I can't remember.   I am starting to lose my Canadian-ness!  Either that or dementia is kicking in!  The Dementia thing really bothers me though because I forget things all the time.  Sometimes I even forget what I am talking about halfway through a sentence when I am speaking.  It's okay when I am writing because the first half is staring me right in the eyes.  But when I am speaking the words are not there for me to see.

I am thankful for ...
It doesn't appear that anything in the yard blew over or away last night.  Daylight may tell a different story, but for now it all looks okay!

In the kitchen ...


Snickerdoodle Bread.   It's delicious!  The recipe makes two loaves.  One to keep and one to give away.

On my "To Cook" list ...



Egg Roll Stir Fry from South Your Mouth.  It looks fabulously delicious and pretty healthy too.

I am creating ... 

 

I've been working on a second one of these.  I just love these Home Sweet Home papers.  I followed a You Tube Tutorial for this one.  I am loving how it's turned out.   By Annette Green.

 

Printable Valentine Treat Bags from The Farm Chicks.


  

I think these fox mitts and socks are just adorable.  From Drops Design.


 

This mouse in a box is awfully cute.  From Smitten for the Wee Generation.  It's not a pattern, it's a finished product, but how hard could this be to do?



Very, very cute Crochet Booties.  From Ravelry.  These are just adorable.

I am reading ...


The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert’s first novel in twelve years is an extraordinary story of botany, exploration and desire, spanning across much of the 19th century. The novel follows the fortunes of the brilliant Alma Whittaker (daughter of a bold and charismatic botanical explorer) as she comes into her own within the world of plants and science. As Alma’s careful studies of moss take her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, the man she loves draws her in the opposite direction—into the realm of the spiritual, the divine and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose is a Utopian artist. But what unites this couple is a shared passion for knowing—a desperate need to understand the workings of this world, and the mechanism behind of all life.

The Signature of All Things is a big novel, about a big century. Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, this story novel soars across the globe—from London, to Peru, to Philadelphia, to Tahiti, to Amsterdam and beyond. It is written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time. Alma Whittaker is a witness to history, as well as maker of history herself. She stands on the cusp of the modern, with one foot still in the Enlightened Age, and she is certain to be loved by readers across the world.

So far this is a page turner for me!

Looking forward to ...
Our District Meeting this morning.   Also looking forward to my appointment at the Gastro Clinic at the hospital on the 8th Feb.  Maybe I will finally find out the results of my Upper Endocscopy that I had in November.   It's been a very long time.  Hopefully it is nothing sinister.  I can't think that they would make me wait this long if it was.

I am learning ...
To be thankful in all things.  This is an on-going process.  I don't always feel very thankful for some of the stuff I have to go through, but time has taught me that there is always something positive to take from these experiences.

Dreaming about ...

 

Lace trimmed pillow cases . . . I am a lacy kind of a girl . . .



Script painted furniture  . . . painted wood . . .  I love painted wood.

 

French Country Kitchens  . . . look at all that light and that painted wooden furniture . . .  sigh  . . .



Glass Door Knobs . . . we just have the lever type of door handles . . . they had glass door knobs at the Manor.

 

Jade and Pearn Bee Brooches  . . . I do so love brooches . . .

A favourite quote for the day ...

(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸. •´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~ ღϠ₡ღ¸.
            ✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ. ( ¸.❀⁀ ⋱‿✿“`
                       * .¸.* ✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..

It is better to cry than to be angry, because anger hurts others,
while tears flow silently through the soul and cleanses the heart.
~Pope John Paul II

One of my favourite things ... 




Tea Parties . . . I get to use my tea cups and make dainties for people to enjoy.  Herbal teas are lovely.  I prefer the really fruity ones.

A peek into my day ...



O cup of Life that holds such precious brew,
The brightness of the morning cold as dew,
And sweet as honey in a golden comb,
The blessed comfort of a little home.


A field of purple clover out in bloom,
Filling the countryside with rich perfume,
Dipping away to the horizon's brim;
A meadow lark piping a morning hymn.

A little girl wearing a scarlet coat,
An old man hobbling out to cast his vote,
A new pram with a satin coverlet,
A little boy hugging his tiny pet.

A radio with a small golden face,
Whose probing finger seeks through worlds of space,
Across a continent and o'er a sea,
To bring a song into this room for me. 

O cup of Life . . . give me of your rich wine,
That I may drink your vintage half divine,
and half of common earth where mortals eat,
The bread of heaven . . . made from common wheat.
~Edna Jaques, Fireside Poems, 1950

I do so love to read poetry and this is one of my favourites.  I am a poetic person.



And that's my daybook for this week!

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


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


Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope there's a great day ahead of you! Don't forget!

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And I do too!!

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.

 

I have a secret board on Pinterest.  I have a few actually, but one of them is about mice.  Not real mice, but  mouse dolls, puppets, etc.   This photo is from a blog I follow called The Mini Mice.   It's a world of little tiny mice and is fascinating.  I am a child once more and peeking into Susie Mouse's mousehole on Chez Helene.  (If you are a Canadian and of a certain age you will know what I am talking about.)  I have been fascinated with tiny worlds forever.  Television programs like Friendly Giant, Chez Helene and Mr Rogers helped to fuel that fire.  Anything tiny makes me happy.

 

This is also making me very happy.  I still have a long way to go, but so far so good.  I have done the buffet in the Dining Room and the bookcase on the other side of the wall.  Oh, and we had begun on the kitchen before getting the book.  Spark Joy by Marie Kondo.   Mind you I haven't touched on what will be a very painful part yet.  Getting rid of books and craft supplies.  I did get rid of a lot of books last year . . .  but now it will be cookbooks  . . .  sigh . . . I know I have quite a few that don't bring me joy, that I probably haven't even looked at since I first brought them into the house.  Why keep them?  I just have to keep telling myself that I will feel really good when they are gone.

The trick will be not to replace them.

Oh, and clothes.   I will never ever fit into the size 12's again.  Time to get rid.

 

Look . . .  You can get a free printable Konmari Checklist.  From Jersha and Dupp.



The daily journey and process of growing closer to my Heavenly Father.  You think you are close but then surprise, surprise . . .  you get even closer!  It's all about change and becoming.  A better me.   More like Him.  Letting go and Letting God.  Loving others, truly loving others.   Seeing them as He does with His eyes and heart.  Hands to work, hearts to God.   Selflessness.  Love.  Change.  Peace.  Joy.



Belly snuffles and lap cuddles.  Soft ears and popcorn paws.  Adoring eyes.  I love this little girl so much.  She is a source of great joy for me.    I found her baby tooth again yesterday.  It is a small tooth that I found on the carpet when she was a puppy and getting her permanent teeth in.  Normally you would never see or find such things, but I did . . .  and I have kept it all these years.  When I look at it I am amazed at how she has grown since then.  It is hard to believe she was so small . . .  with her chubby little puppy belly and waddle.  She came at the right time.  She lifted us up and taught us to love again.  Our hearts had been broken when we lost Jess and we thought we would never be able to find that again, but we did . . .  and Mitzie helped us to do just that.



 

 Yes.  That IS Lucky Charms.  They have it at B&M.  I have a box which I am devouring a handful at a time.  I am a child at heart I guess.  Between that, and the package of Tim Tams my friend Tina brought me back from Down Under . . . I have been somewhat of a naughty girl.   Must do better.

Tina is home from hospital now, her knee op having been successful.   We will be going to visit her at home a bit later this week.  I am grateful that her operation etc. went so well.  She says it isn't as painful this time around, probably because this time around she knew what to expect.  Funny how that goes.




Knowing this to be true.  The Tim Tams are gone now.   Today I will do better.  ;-)


 

Living life with an attitude of gratitude.  It makes a huge difference.  Seeking out the small blessings in every day life, finding them and giving them voice.  This makes me very happy.  This brings me peace.  Dwelling on positivity.  I acknowledge the sad, but then I let it go . . . there is ever so much more to be happy about.

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ 
"Yes, we will make mistakes. 
Yes, we will falter. 
But as we seek to increase our love for God 
and strive to love our neighbor, 
the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us. 
The darkness will surely fade, 
because it cannot exist in the presence of light. 
As we draw near to God, 
He will draw near to us."
~Dieter F Uchtdorf
 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Spiritual Enlightenment



In the English Kitchen today  . . .   Bacon and Cheese Omelette.   Simple.  Tasty.

May the week ahead of you be filled with loads of small and wonderful things! Don't forget . . .

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And I do too!