Finding The Simple Life

‘Tis a gift to be simple,

‘Tis a gift to be free,

‘Tis a gift to come down

Where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves

In the place that’s right

‘Twill be in the valley

Of love and delight.

~Nineteenth Century Shaker hymn

There used to be a show on the television called “The Simple Life.” It was about two rich girls moving to the middle of the sticks in the middle of nowhere and their struggle to get along without all the things they were used to in life. They got into all kinds of scrapes and I think they were miserable all the time and really kind of nasty, looking down their noses at simple people and country ways, elevating themselves in their minds to something better than where they found themselves and who they found themselves with. Some people called it entertainment. I just thought it was stupid and very sad.

The other night Todd and I were sitting there watching one of our favourite shows that we have on DVD. “The Waltons.” He looked at me and he said, “If you could trade your life right now and go back and live in that house, with that family, in that time, would you?” That question really made me think. Who wouldn’t want to live in a simpler time, when all you had to think about was whether the chickens laid any eggs last night and what to cook for breakfast, and the rest of the day unfolded itself in the gentle ease of whatever happened next …

Who, today, doesn’t yearn for a simpler life? But what is it we are hankering for? To give everything we have up, and move into a log cabin somewhere in the wilds of Cornwall? We find ourselves living busier and busier lives. Time seems to pass by far too quickly. Todd always jokes and says it’s a wonder that our faces aren’t all warped from the “G-force” of it all passing by so quickly! It seems the week has hardly begun before it is Saturday again and we are staring Sunday in the face, and we wonder where the week has gone. I think if we only made a few changes in our lives we could transform all of that, and it starts with something as fundamental as the simple pleasure of concentrating on one task at a time. Time can indeed stand still, and it starts with the importance of living and appreciating each moment for what it is, therein lies the secret to having and living a simpler life.

If we could take stock of our lives and be grateful for all that we have and let that gratefulness begin to transform our lives I think our lives will naturally evolve into simpler lives. In appreciating how much we have already, we can feel the urge to get rid of all the clutter in our lives, and to get back to basics and discover the things that truly make us happy. We can begin to realize the things in life that are truly important, and those things have nothing to do with new carpets or furniture, or attending the ladies club, or driving the kids to the mall. Perhaps better choices such as cleaning the carpets you already have and buying some chair covers and some pretty new cushions for the couch you already have could be a part of simplifying your life?

Some people think that simplicity means doing without. In all actuality simplicity as a conscious life choice can help illuminate our life from within. It helps us appreciate all the blessings in life that are ours already and liberates our spirits from the bondage and burden of excess and extravagance. It can help lift ordinary moments, dreary lives and inanimate objects from the mundane to the transcendent. Simply put, less can and will become more.

There is nothing more beautiful than a simple jug full of wildflowers sitting in the middle of your kitchen table, while the glow of sunlight streaming in through the windows gives the room a feeling of peace and comfort, and of home. When we concentrate on the simple things of life, the simple pleasures … we can calm our frazzled and weary minds and find the place our souls ought to be. Lets embrace the simplicity of each day and take the gifts it offers, and stop looking for something out there beyond our own reach. Lets be content with the place that’s already ours. Living a simple life has nothing to do with living in a certain house, in a certain time, or with a “Walton” like family … it is searching our hearts for the place that’s right for each of us and accepting the simple gifts life offers us each and every day of our lives. Its not about having what you want in life so much as it’s about wanting what you already have …

We had some sun yesterday, and some rain and some wind. It was really a mixed bag. I had a yearning for some burgers for our supper, but because of all the wind and uncertainty of the weather I cooked them indoors instead of out on the barbeque like I wanted to. Burgers is comfort food …

*Tasty Cheese and Bacon Burgers*

Serves 4

Delicious and moist beef burgers topped with a mixture of three lovely cheeses and sitting on a bed of shaved onions, lettuce, tomatoes and crisp bacon … what more could a person want in life?

1 pound of ground beef

1 clove garlic, crushed

Salt and pepper to taste

8 slices streaky bacon

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

4 ounces cream cheese

4 slices medium cheddar cheese

4 TBS mayonnaise

1 medium onion, peeled and shaved

Lettuce leaves

1 large tomato, sliced thinly

4 large buns, sliced in half and toasted

Combine the blue cheese and the cream cheese in a small bowl, mixing them together well. Set aside.

Mix together the ground beef, garlic and a little salt and pepper. Shape into 4 round patties. Let sit for a few minutes for the flavours to melt together while you slice the onions and tomatoes.

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the bacon slices in the heated skillet until they are crisp. Remove to paper towelling to drain some of the fat off. Keep them warm while you are cooking the burgers. Cook the burgers in the pan drippings, browning them well on each side until they are done the way you prefer them. Once they are cooked, top each with ¼ of the blue cheese mixture, with a slice of cheddar on top.

Spread the mayonnaise onto the bottom half of each bun, top with two slices of the bacon, and divide the onions, lettuce and tomatoes equally amongst them, laying them on top of the bacon. When the cheese has melted a bit on the burgers, carefully place one on top of each dressed bun bottom, and cover with the top halves of the buns. Serve.

Love is . . .

Love is patient, Love is kind,
It does not envy, it does not boast,

It is not proud, It is not rude,
It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil,
but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

L o v e N e v e r F a i l s.

Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8

Love is a family

And I'm so glad God gave me mine...

When you taste this you are going to fall in love. I did …

*Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread Pudding*

Serves 8 - 10 (can be halved successfully)

Eating this lovely pudding is like having all your birthday’s come at once! It is wonderfully rich and sinfully good! The toasted brioche crumbs on the top give it a delightful crunch and the caramel sauce is well worth the effort of making. Although it is still good without it, it is truly magnificent with it drizzled on top!

1 (1 pound) brioche bread, crusts trimmed and reserved, bread cut into ½ inch cubes

8 large eggs

2 cups of whipping cream or half and half

2 cups milk (2% or whole)

1 ½ to 2 cups sugar

¼ cup chocolate Schnapps

1 TBS vanilla essence

½ tsp almond essence

200g good quality of milk chocolate, broken into chunks (I use 2 bars of Green & Black’s Organic Milk chocolate)

Place bread into a buttered 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking dish. Scatter with the chocolate chunks. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whipping cream, milk, sugar, Chocolate Schnapps, vanilla and almond essences, mixing well to blend. Pout over the bread cubes and let stand for 30 minutes, pressing the bread down into the custard from time to time. (You can do this up to 2 hours ahead if you wish. Cover and refrigerate)

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Arrange the reserved bread crusts on a baking sheet and bake until dry, about ten minutes. Let cool and then crush in a food processor to make fine crumbs. Sprinkle 1 cup of the crumbs over the pudding. Give the rest to the birds!

Bake the pudding until it is set in the centre, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with the caramel sauce.

*Caramel Sauce*

Makes approximately 2 cups

2 cups caster sugar

½ cup water

1 ¼ cups whipping cream

¾ tsp vanilla essence

Combine the sugar and water in a heavy medium sized saucepan. Stir over medium low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Boil, without stirring until the syrup is a deep amber in colour (about 8 minutes). Watch it carefully as soon as it starts to turn, remove it from the heat as it can burn very quickly from then on! The residual heat from the pan can finish it off to the right colour. Gradually add the cream. It will spit and sputter vigorously, but that’s ok. Stir over low heat until any caramel bits dissolve and the sauce is smooth. Stir in Vanilla. Let stand until cool but still pourable.

(This has been another reposting from my old AOL journal, just to give you something to read while I am away. These are family pictures, taken during my last visit home. Hope you enjoyed! )

Nova Scotia Musings . . .

For those of you who don’t know, I am originally from Nova Scotia, Canada and that is where I just spent the last three weeks. I thought I’d tell you a little bit about the place that I come from this morning and share with you some of the experiences I had these past few weeks and some of the many pictures we took while we were there.

Nova Scotia is one of 10 provinces (and three territories) in Canada.

It lies on the east coast of the country and is almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Believe it or not, millions of years ago Nova Scotia was actually part of Africa. When the earth's crust shifted and Africa and North America separated, Nova Scotia got left behind.

One big part of Nova Scotia is actually a huge island, called Cape Breton Island.

Our neighbouring Canadian provinces are New Brunswick (which is bigger) and Prince Edward Island (which is smaller). Together, we are often called the Maritime provinces of Canada.

The nearest American state is Maine. It takes about four hours to drive from Nova Scotia through New Brunswick to the Maine border.

Most of the province is covered with forests and lakes and most larger towns are along the seacoast. When you are flying over it in a plane, it looks very different than the British landscape … there are no hedgerows bordering the fields giving it a patchwork quilt look and one is always amazed at the number of lakes and rivers. It’s also covered in fir tree forests which give it a completely different colour and look.

Nova Scotia's capital city is Halifax, an international seaport and transportation centre.

The name of our province is Latin and it means New Scotland. It was given this name by the Scots, who were the first British settlers to come here. We even have our own tartan!

I come from a unique area in Nova Scotia, known as the Annapolis Valley. It is a long stretch of land nestled between two mountains, called the North and the South Mountains. (Very ingenuous thinking there!) It’s an area of Nova Scotia well known for it’s farming and apple production and I believe it is one of the most beautiful parts of Nova Scotia, but then people from Cape Breton or other areas might beg to differ with me on that one!

My town is called Middleton and is known as the Heart of the Valley, basically because it is exactly in the middle of the valley. (You can find it's location on the map approximately halfway between Kentville and Digby)

It’s a beautiful small town. In the year 1810 on the corner of a river amongst the shrubs and alders, stood four houses and a lowly store - alone, unknown, and hardly wanted.

As the years passed lots were bought up at a slow and steady pace - to be drained and inhabited as new homes were being built. The word spread of the nice little area in the middle of the valley and it didn’t take long for the Pearce Hotel to go up. Travelers and locals wanted to be entertained and here the hospitality was more than plentiful.

Two railways soon followed - the Windsor/Annapolis Railroad and the Nova Scotia Central Railroad. Now the Town was ready to grow and expand into the business marketplace. The Windsor/Annapolis Railroad line constructed a handsome two-story station which was the finest on the route and ensured the area as a destination.

Opportunity called and two new hotels arrived on the scene shortly after. They were the Hatfield House and American House. With three hotels now in the area the soon to be Town of Middleton became quite a talked-about hotspot for travelers and area dwellers. Before the turn of the century Middleton had become the finest first class luxury point outside of Halifax.

It didn't take long for the residents to see a need for infrastructure so a water reservoir on the North Mountain was created for a mere $25,000. By then the Town boasted to have the best educational institute in the County and people were definitely paying attention.

In 1893 two churches congregations had a central gathering place - The Episcopal Church (modern style building cost of $5,000) and the Baptist (costing $7,000). The latter became the foremost for the County of Annapolis.

The Migration of new residents was continuous as the Valley Telephone Co. opened up the area and the Commercial Bank came to town. The area had unquestionably become the best fruit growing region in Canada - all this by 1895. In that original short span of 15 years the pace for the popular modern day Town of Middleton was started.

It remains today as one of the most beautiful towns in the valley, or at least to me anyways. It’s tree lined streets are full of a mix of beautiful old homes and newer modern ones. There are even a few excellent examples of Victorian architecture that I love to call the “Painted Ladies”.

My mom lives just outside the town and every day while Todd and I were there we took a lovely long walk into town and back again. Each day as we walked we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the area. Here is a view from the roadway where we walked down into the town.

Here is a view from the bridge we had to cross to get into the town.

It crosses what is called the Annapolis River, which runs the whole length of the Annapolis Valley, winding and twisting it’s way through most of the towns and small villages along it’s beautiful banks. Actually I can remember when I was a child that they rerouted it so that it didn’t actually come up so close to the town of Middleton. It had a habit of overflowing it’s banks every spring and flooding some of the homes in the town regularly and so it was decided to re-route it a bit further out of the way so that wouldn’t happen anymore. As I recall it was quite a mammoth undertaking!

One thing that always amazes Todd when we are there, are the large number of huge trucks that come rumbling up and down the mountain into town carrying logs, the lumber industry being very big in the province. The smell of freshly cut wood as they drive past is very strong, and they always go by with a big rumble!!!

There’s a lot of unique things to see in the town such as the railway museum, McDonald School Museum, and the water clock, but the one thing that always impresses me is the spirit of the town. It is a very close knit community full of neighbours and friends, a community of people that care for and about each other, and in today’s insular climate and constantly evolving and changing communities, that’s a very good thing. It’s a small town with a very big heart!

No recipe today. This has been a reposting of my last trip home to Nova Scotia, some three years ago! I thought you might enjoy seeing where I am right now and to be perfectly honest, I am probably doing much the same thing as I do everytime I am home! I hope you enjoyed this little visit!

Guest Post

Knowing that I was going away on holidays I had asked if anyone wanted to do a guest post for me while I was away. My dear friend Lura jumped at the chance. She writes over at Grammy's News, an is just the bestest friend a gal can have! We were so lucky last year when we got to meet in person and have a wonderful friendship that just seems to go from strength to strength.




It was so very sweet of her to do this guest post for me, and she even baked for it. I hope you'll all enjoy reading it as much as I know she enjoyed writing it. And Lura, thanks so much. You are a real treasure!



When Your Hut Is On Fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger. He cried out, "God, how could you do this to me?"

Early the nest day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did yo know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal." They replied.

The Moral of this story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midts of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

My daughter, Lynell posted this story on her blog a couple of years ago when her family was going through a difficult time. I am thankful for her faith in the midst of difficulties. She has been an example to her family and to me.

As I think back on the darkest periods of my life, I can see that I was not abandoned by God . . . He was just helping me to make a turn in my life's direction . . . or helping me learn valuable lessons. He was always there to support and comfort me . . . even when I didn't realize it.

When things are not going well for you, turn to your Heavenly Father in prayer. He will be there to listen, to comfort. to guide and direct you to a happier place. I know that this is true, because I have experienced His tender mercies on many occasions.

~Lura ☺

Lura even baked for us. Here is her delicious recipe for a fabulous Strawberry Rhubarb Cake!



*Lura's Strawberry Rhubarb Cake*
Makes one 9 by 13 inch cake
Printable Recipe

My husband loves rhubarb and strawberries. We grow both in our garden. However, after making several rhubarb pies and having strawberry short cake over and over again, I concocted this recipe that everyone seems to really enjoy. It is kind of a strawberry rhubarb upside down cobbler cake. It is good served warm or cold with ice cream or whipped cream. It is very easy. The only time consuming step is letting the strawberries and rhubarb set in the sugar. I often do this step first and make the rest of the cake when I am ready for it. I hope you like it.



5 cups of fresh rhubarb (about 1 1/2 pounds or a little more) cut into ½ inch slices

3 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 cup of sugar

Mix together and let stand for 1 hour until juices are flowing.

Bring to a boil and cook until rhubarb is tender.(about 5 minutes) Remove from heat. You may add

1 box of strawberry Jell-O(dry powder, not mixed with water) if you wish. It adds to the flavor and color, however it can be left out if you don’t have the Jell-O. Set mixture aside.



Prepare a box of lemon or yellow cake mix according to directions on the box.

If you prefer you can make your own recipe of yellow cake.





Pour ½ of the Strawberry rhubarb mixture in the bottom of a greased 10 by 15 pan.

(You can use a bigger pan if you like a thinner cake on top of the fruit)



Pour the cake batter over the strawberry rhubarb mixture in the baking pan.

Pour the rest of the strawberry rhubarb mixture over the cake batter.

Mix the following together with your mixer or a pastry blender until blended and crumbly.

1 cup of flower

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cube of cold butter cut into pieces (1/2 cup)



Pour the crumb mixture on top of the strawberry rhubarb cake.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 or 50 minutes or until cake is golden brown and firm.



Serve warm or cold with ice cream or whipping cream.


Thanks so much Lura for this delicious recipe. I can't wait to get home and bake it myself. I just know Todd would love this. If any of you would like to show Lura some appreciation for her efforts today on my behalf, please feel free to hop on over to Lura's Page and show her some love! Tell her I sent you!

In the meantime I am still away on my hols and having a great time with my family! Don't worry I'll be back soon, armed with enough photos to make you go to sleep I am sure!

Toodle Doo for now!

Well, today we are off on our travels. We will be driving part of the way down to Gatwick this afternoon and then the rest of the way in the morning. And then it's off to Canada. I can't believe that the time for my trip is already here! It's come up really quickly!

I am really excited at the prospect of seeing my family, and am really hoping that I will be able to see all of my children. It's been three long years since I have seen any of them. The last time I was there I got to see four of the five of them, and one of my (then) two grandsons! I did not get to see my middle son or his wife and son. since then two more grandsons have been born and, God willing, I will see all four of them and all five of my children! Happy Days!! I know I will see the biggest change in my mother . . . she's not been really well these past couple of years. I hope to be able to do lots of things for her while I am there, and try to make up in some part for my absence in her life.



All my bags are packed. Instructions have been left with the caretaker of our little place here, for plant watering etc. The house is tidy and clean. (I hate coming home to a messy house, don't you?) The fridge has been emptied of anything perishable. Prayers have been said. There's not a lot left to do now, except begin the long journey.

I shall miss you all ever so much. No computer at my mom's house I'm afraid, so there will be no e-mailing or blogging . . . how ever will I cope without my daily catching up with each of your posts and the sharing???



Nevermind . . . I'll make up for lost time when I get back. Be prepared for lots of cheesy photos and what I did on my summer holidays posts!

Take care and try not to miss me too much!! The time will probably go far too quickly and I'll be back before any of us know it! Love and hugs to you all!




*Warm Potato Salad*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

Delicious and quick to make, this is a fab potato salad with a light dressing! It tastes best served warm or at least at room temperature.

1 pound new potatoes
1 TBS Dijon mustard
1 TBS grainy mustard
2 TBS rice wine vinegar
2 tsp sherry vinegar
2 spring onions, minced
4 tsp olive oil
2 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste



Put the potatoes into a saucepan and cover with some lightly salted water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium and then continue to cook until tender, some 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. I never peel my potatoes by the way. I love the added flavour and texture that the skins give. Drain when tender and then let stand in the colander with a tea towel over top, just until they are cool enough to handle.

Cut each potato into halves or quarters and then place them into a warmed serving dish. Whisk together the mustards, vinegars and spring onions. Whisk the oil slowly in to make a thick dressing. Stir in the parsley and season to taste. Pour this dressing over top of the warm potatoes, mixing it in gently and then serve immediately. Delicious!



In The English Kitchen today, small Chocolate Amuse-Bouche. Two-bite-sized little chocolate indulgences. Fudgy, moist and covered with a moreish chocolate ganache. Fabulous.

PS - I have set up a few posts to come up while I am away, every couple of days or so. I had a bit of problem with some of them, so the pictures may be a bit wonky and the text also in some. Blogger was so not co-operating when I did them, so they won't be up to my usual standard, although I like to think that the content will be! There's even a surprise guest post, so do come back and visit every so often in my absence!