Saturday, 8 October 2016

Saturday ponderings . . .


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We had a lovely Senior Missionary Meeting at Wrexham yesterday morning.   It was so lovely to see all of the other missionaries and to meet some new ones that we had not met yet.   A lot of work got covered and then we shared a lovely lunch together with some of the best Beef and Barley Soup I have ever eaten.  (Must chase up the recipe.)  There were other soups also, but I only had the Beef and Barley.  I am sure the others were just as good.  There was also salad, fruit, bread, cake, etc.    Afterwards they were all heading off to Chirk Castle for a tour and then a late afternoon supper at the Bistro there.  We did not go with them.  We have been to Chirk several times and I knew that I would struggle with the hill (its on top of a HUGE hill that you have to walk up.) and the expense of that with a meal out afterwards was a bit more than we could afford this week.

I was very glad to get home.  I had been struggling to keep it all together a bit throughout the morning.  But that is me.


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Todd outside on the grounds of Chirk Castle several years ago.

Todd had his Doctors appointment before we left for the meeting.  I wanted to go in with him and he didn't mind.   Normally when the Doctor calls and says he wants to see you, you know it isn't good news and yesterday comfirmed my theory.  It was not good news.   The last two blood tests Todd has had have contained a huge red flag and the Doctor feels that it is highly likely that he has Prostrate Cancer.  He is being fast tracked for an appointment with a Urologist at the hospital.  We were told yesterday that if we had not heard within 10 days that Todd needs to call the Doctor back and he will chivvy them up.

So there you have it.  Its not a positive diagnosis yet and there is still a slim hope that it is nothing, but with the Raised PSA levels he has it is highly likely that he does.  I spoke to a Doctor at our meeting in Wrexham,  and he says that they are definitely a cause for great concern and to make sure that Todd is seen asap, as early diagnosis and treatment are key in this.  I was looking on-line at Dr Google and with proper treatment and an early diagnosis 98% of patients are still alive after 15 years.   So that sounds promising.  I am going to be on this Doctor like a bee to honey and making sure that things go ahead as quickly as possible.

A positive attitude is the best way forward for both of us.   I know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves each of us very much.  If it is His will all will be well in the end, and if it is not, then I do know that everything happens for a purpose and I am so very grateful for the blessing of being a part of an eternal family and having been sealed to my dear husband in a Temple of the Lord for time and all eternity instead of until just Death do us Part.  I am grateful for the knowledge that this life is not all that there is and I am grateful for the time we have had together here and the time we will still have together.  And I am especially grateful that we have been able to serve a Mission together.  This has been a dream come true for both of us.  We never ever thought we would be able to serve, especially as we don't have a great income to sustain us and we knew we would never be able to leave our home to do one.  Being able to serve from our own home has been a great blessing.  We have two months left to serve and God willing we will be able to make it.

So, if you are a praying person, I think it is safe to say that your prayers over these coming weeks would be very much appreciated and if you are not a praying person, then your positive and happy thoughts would also be very much appreciated.

 

Lucy has passed her obedience training course.  What a sweet family they are.  Bruce, Sara, Baxter and Lucy.  Love them all to bits.  Which reminds me I need to get something off to them in the post TODAY.   I have been meaning to post it all week.  I keep forgetting.   I'll show you later, once it arrives what it is.



We started watching the first series of Poldark on DVD in an attempt to refresh our memories before the second series started on the telly.  The new series started a few weeks back and we haven't been able to watch it.  Happy to report we have not finished the first and are ready to dig into the second!  We love Poldark.   I hope it does not disappoint.  We have never read the books so its all new to us.  I'm so happy we both love shows like this.

 

That was one of the things which drew us to each other at the beginning aside from our mutual love of the Gospel . . .  our love of all things historical, especially historical dramas in film and television.   We also have a mutual love of books, travel, geography, nature, dogs, birds . . .  and well, shucks . . .  each other.  ♥♥♥

We are and have been blessed.

 

Its hard to believe but, one week from today we will be sitting down with not one but two Apostles of the Lord.  That will make three that we have been in the personal presence of during our Mission.  I am so looking forward to next Saturday.



We will have to be up extremely early and on the road before the crack of dawn, but it will be well worth it.  We are hoping that the Missionary Sisters are able to stay at ours overnight on Friday so that we don't have to back track all the way to Buckley on Saturday morning, but we will see what happens.  Either way it will be a great day for sure. 

And then we get to see Elder Nelson again in Wrexham with the whole Stake on Sunday morning.  Amazing.

I will leave you now with a thought for today  . . . 

 

Its a picture one.

Spiritual Enlightenment  


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In the English Kitchen today . . .  Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake.


 Have a beautiful Saturday.  A very Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian family and friends.   God bless you all.  Don't forget!


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 And I do too!!


Friday, 7 October 2016

My Friday Finds . . .

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A few of the things I find each week which pique my curiosity or inspire me to want to do something, create something, cook something, or become a better person! I hope they will pique your curiosity or inspire you in some way as well!

 

A dog hat for winter!  I wish I could find a pattern to make my own, but alas, I can't.  You can buy ready made ones here on  Lyudmila Handmade.


 

Mmm . . .  Pecan Pie Bundt Cake.  This looks fab.  I love pecan pie and I love bundt cakes.  How could this not be a winner!  From Bake or Break. 

 

Waffle Stitch Place Mats. I love the candy colours.  From You Can Make This.



Hanging hand towels.  I love these things.  I have some my mother made me.  They're great.  From The Purple Hooker.  A free pattern.

 

Crochet Hexagon Snowflakes.  Love it.  Would make a great Winter Afghan.  From What KT Made Next.

 

Months of the Year Counted Cross Stitch.    I could not find the pattern.  If you can I would love to know it!  These are gorgeous! 

Note - Connie did find the designer.  It is Nikki Leeman and you can find them on Country Cottage Needleworks.   Thanks Connie!



Homemade Pumpkin Puree from 104 Homestead.

 

Make Your Own Composter.  Found on Sunny Simple Life.

 

Knitted Beehive Tea Cosy.  Found on Ravelry.

 

Watercolor for Beginners.  From  Fave Crafts.

 

26 Lazy Girl Hairstyling Hacks.  From Buzz Feed.

 

Brow Mapping.   I always struggle with this.  From Benefit Cosmetics.

 

Top Ten Eyebrow Tutorials.  Top Inspired.

 

 Eye Liner Tutorials. Meraki Lane.  There are seven different ones on how to do your eyeliner.  Another thing I struggle with getting right.

 

Under the Sea Cookies.  Cute!  Butter With a Side of Bread.


And that's my finds for this week. I hope you found something to inspire you to get creating, or just do something better. A thought to carry through the day . . .


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The holiest of all holidays are those 
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart, 
The secret anniversaries of the heart. 
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 
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Spiritual Enlightenment

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In The English Kitchen today  . . . Inside Out  Bacon Cheese Burgers.


Have a fabulous Friday! Whatever you get up to today, don't forget . . .

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 And I do too!!


Thursday, 6 October 2016

A few of my favourite things ...

 

These are a few of my favourite things  . . .

 

Jane Austin anything . . .  books, quotes, posters  . . .



Films and mini series, especially if done by the BBC.   I love them all.   I am hoping one day that I will get to go and see her house in the flesh.  I need to make that happen . . .

 

My microplane grater.  I bet I use this thing every day in one way or another.  I have a fairly fine one which is great for zesting and grating nutmegs, garlic, onion for in casseroles and sauces where you want the flavour but not the bits, etc.  I could not be without it now.  Out of all my kitchen tools, it is my favourite one.


(source)

I adore pasta, but of all the pastas available I think I like Spaghetti the most and whole wheat spaghetti at that!  And it it is with tomatoes, so much the better.   I absolutely pasta and tomatoes together.  But even a whole of hot spaghetti with butter, salt and pepper does it for me.  Love, Love Pasta.

 

Antique fashion plates.  They look beautiful framed and arranged in a group on the wall of a bedroom or bath.  My ex boss's youngest daughter had them on her bedroom wall and then there were more in the girls bathroom on the walls also.   They looked just perfect in both of those locations.  I have always loved fashion plates.   Our encyclopedia when I was a girl had a section on the history of clothing through the ages and I think I wore those pages just about out.

 

Decorating for the holidays . . .  Autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Valentines, etc.   I love to dress up a little bit for the seasons.  I don't have a lot of resources to do it with, but that doesn't matter.  If I can put a bit of seasonality here and there I am a happy person.



 A tidy house.  We have been making great in-roads towards organising our house and making it more loveable.  We moved the refrigerator.  It is now by the back door.   You would not believe the amount of work this took, but when we were finished the sense of accomplishment was fantastic!  I know it cuts off a whole row of drawers, but we were not using those drawers anyways.  I had tea towels in one, pot lids in another and some knives in another.  So we just decided to put them in another area.


         
It just looks so much better where it is now and I am so much happier with it there.  Where it was before I could not open the drawers etc. properly, or get beneath anything to clean properly.  Now I can!  yay!  (see that cute little face down there.  She is another one of my favorite things)

 

And its tidy inside as well.  Yay!



An organised pantry.  This makes me happy beyond belief.  You cannot imagine.

Now I just need to clean my oven.  Blah!  I hate cleaning the oven. That does not belong on this page,because it is NOT one of my favourite things.

 

SubWay's Turkey Breast Sub.  This is my fastfood of choice if we are out and about.  I have never actually had one that looked like this picture, but no matter, they are tasty whatever they look like.  I always choose the Honey and Oat bread and I have everything on them, all the veggies, hot peppers, olives, etc.   Low fat mayo.    That first year after my marriage broke up I was living in a rented bedroom in a stranger's house. She didn't like me using the kitchen at all.  I know.  It was hell on earth not being able to use the kitchen.  It was hell on earth living in that house. She was not a very nice person.  I literally stayed in my room all the time I was at home.  I ate a lot of six inch turkey subs.  Its a good thing I liked them so much.



Pop tarts.  Although we never get exciting flavours like that over here.  We just get strawberry and chocolate ones.  Not so fond of the chocolate, but the strawberry ones are nice.  I know  . . .  but, what can you do, the heart wants what the heart wants.

 

Classic 20th century films.  I love them.  I don't care if they are in colour or black and white.  I could sit and watch them for hours.  Some are really cheesy, but that's okay.  I love them anyways.



Classic Novels.   I could revisit these books again and again . . .

And those are a few of my favourite things for this week. What are some of yours?

A thought to carry with you through today  . . .


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Anyone who thinks
fallen leaves are dead,
has never watched them
dancing on a windy day.
~Shira Tamir
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Spiritual Enlightenment

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In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Plum Pudding Cake.  This is one of Todd's favourites!


Have a beautiful Thursday . . . may you never forget . . .


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And I do too!!

PS - Could you please keep Todd in your prayers.  We have had a call from the Drs Surgery this morning.  I don't think everything is alright.  I am quite worried.  They want to see him tomorrow. He had his blood tests on Tuesday.



Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Wednesday This and That . . .




What a lovely time I had last night.   I am not one really for going out at night much.   I always have so much difficulty falling asleep after that I try to avoid it as much as I can, and last night was no exception.  I figured it would be worth a bad night's sleep however to get together with friends.  This ladies night out is an annual thing that the women in my church congregation do each year, and we always have a lovely time together.   There must have been about 30 of us and we all had a great time.  Its nice to get together with each other outside of church stuff and just have a good old chin wag and something to eat.

At the place we go you always have a choice of two or three courses, so my friend Tina and I each chose two courses and to share both the starter and the dessert with each other.  That way we could have three courses, but only pay for two and each enjoy a bit of all three and not over stuff ourselves . . .  although having said that we were both stuffed to the eyeballs anyways!

For the starter we chose to share the Pulled Pork and Chorizo.  It was lovely and just right for a little bite for the two of us.  It had a beautiful flavour . . . normally I am not overly fond of Chorizo, but last night it went down a real treat.  It was served with spicy nacho chips.   Just right.

 

No surprises on what I ordered for my main dish!  Everyone in my family is always the same.  There could be a multitude of delicious meals on offer and we will all always order the fish and chips if they have it.  Last night was no different.   (This is not my meal.  I felt it would be too cheeky to take photos at the restaurant. )   Mine looked way better than this.   I had Haddock in beer batter with mushy peas, chips and tartar sauce.   The batter on the fish was beautifully crisp and light and the fish succulent and tender, not overcooked, cooked just right.   The chips were also nice.  I couldn't finish it.  I ate about half the fish and a few chips and some of the mushy peas.

I'm not used to eating that late at night really  . . .  and I wanted to save room for dessert!

 

For dessert Tina and I shared Eton Mess served on a scone.  It was about six inches tall . . .  a light mix of whipped cream, fresh strawberries and broken meringues piled onto a fruited scone and drizzled with strawberrt coulis.  Oh my, it was bliss, but I could only eat half of my half!  Tina finished it off.  I was too full.    I don't know how any ever eats three courses of anything!

It was a wonderful evening.  It really was.  I am sure that the other guests thought we were all quite noisy, but no matter, it was just nice to all be together and catching up with each other like we did.  All of the food was fabulous.  The waiting staff was excellent and the company was even better!  I didn't get home until gone 11:30.



Apparently this little madame lay outside the hallway doorway, face pointed towards it and whining almost the whole time I was out.  She was ever so happy to see me come home.  Todd was too, but is there ever anything on earth as warm as a dog's welcome home?   I don't think so!  She ended up sleeping with me last night, on the floor next to my bed because there was no way she was letting me out of her sight again!  So sweet!

 

Guess who lost his first tooth!  This is little Luke, my oldest son's youngest and that must be his toothfairy lost tooth holder.  He is so adorable.   I could just snuffle him up!

This is what my DIL posted on FB:

"My lil' L's first tooth fell out yesterday - and it's not the one he's been wiggling for the last month! Wasn't sure I was going to get him to sleep last night - he wanted to leave something for Mr. Tooth Fairy, like a glass of milk, &/or a longer letter. We'll be sure to be corresponding again soon! So thoughtful, and growing so big"

Oh, I just love my DIL.  She is a dear friend to me.   She and the boys facetimed us on the first day of school this year and the night before Todd's birthday so that the boys could wish him a Happy Birthday.   My son started dating her his last year in high school, and they are in their early 40's now, so they have been together a very long time.

 

I just love this photo of all of them from 2011.  The boys are a lot older now.   Its one of my favourite family photos however.  They had dressed up to meet her sister at the airport before Christmas.   They are such a cute family.



Speaking of cute.  Look at what I got yesterday for £1.99.  Isn't that adorable?   It's a biscuit/cookie tin.  They opened a new Home Store on the trading estate.   We had gone over because I wanted someone to show me how to do something on my phone, and we thought we would pop into this new store to have a boo around.  We were pretty impressed.  Lots and LOTS of things.   Everything from soup to nuts and all very well priced.  For instance the largest bottles of Gaviscon, only £6.99. They are usually £10.99.  The 500ml bottles of diet coke, which are normally £1 at the Spar/Morrisons and 89p at B&M are only 69p, so quite a saving there.    I got a baking sheet liner for 39p.  We didn't have a lot of time to really have a good look.  We had been to B&Q (a hardware DIY store) to pick up some silicone grout and paid £5.99 for it, and could have bought the exact same thing in this shop for £1.79.  I think it is safe to say that we will be visiting again and taking a much longer look.  That is an incredible saving.

 

As of last night our Gourami was still alive.  I haven't checked yet this morning, but he was still acting very peculiar yesterday.  I am at a loss as to what is wrong with him . . .



A photo of our newest acquisition to replace the old one that was broken.  I am so in love with this.  it fits in just perfectly and looks so nice there.   Only £130 at Dunelm.  We were going to wait to get one, but Todd was there the other day and he texted me to say that they had these and they were on sale, so we snaffled one up.  I think it is absolutely gorgeous.  Made a bit of a dent in our savings, but quite happily so!

And with that I am sure I have bored you long enough for one day so I will leave you with a thought for today!

 

A photo one for today . . .  (source)

Spiritual Enlightenment

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In The English Kitchen today  . . . Peachy BBQ Ribs.  Mmm mmm good!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!  Wherever you go and whatever you do, don't forget  . . .

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And I do too!