Thursday 28 March 2024

My Favorite Things . . .


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These are some of the things in life that I enjoy and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Lets share!  






Vera Mouse by Marjolein Bastin.  I just adore the art of Marjolein anyways, but Vera Mouse is my favourite.  I need to get myself some of her notecards. They are a wonderful way to let someone know you are thinking of them in a special way!



 



Old clay jugs.  My mother used to have a Ginger beer bottle made of clay. My Uncle Harold had a whole bottle room in his house.  He collected bottles or years and years.  There is something about old clay bottles and jugs that is very unique and pretty.  








Roasted Cashew Nuts.  They are my favourite roasted nut followed by Pistachio nuts.  My parents used to get a tin of mixed nuts every Christmas and the Cashews in them were everyone's favourites. They used to disappear first. I think my mom used to fish them all out when we were not looking! 







Chocolate Coated Almonds. Especially the ones my children used to sell through the fund raisers at school.  Oh I simply adored them. I think I was always their best customer.  I do love them still, but for some reason they don't taste the same as they did back then.






Wire Crowns. To me, much more beautiful than a bejeweled crown. There is an air of mystery about them. 






Oh how I love Kites!  I have always wanted to fly one.  You need wide open spaces to do that, and wind, and energy. I could watch them for hours.   






Hot Air Balloons.  I have not seen one in a long time now. When I lived in Kent, most sunny days at the weekend brought hot air balloons floating over our house and the Orchards surrounding where we lived.  I could watch them forever as well.  They seem to be so mystical.  I have never been up in a Hot Air Balloon, but I have always wanted to go on a Hot Air Balloon ride.  Maybe one day.  They are very expensive. Maybe if I win the lottery. 







Carousels/Merry-go-rounds.  I love them.  They are so whimsical and seem to be so safe.  Love the music that plays, etc.  I do get sick on them, however, so I have not been on one very often.  When my oldest son turned 3 I made him a Carousel Birthday Cake.  I was up all night decorating it. It was so much fun and I think he really liked it.  I never made another one because it was a lot of work. I'm not really good at cake decorating. You might think I would be because I can draw, but it takes a different kind of skill to be able to draw with an icing bag. 







Aprons. Any kind, but especially vintage. When I have one on I feel just like June Cleaver or Aunt Bea.

 




Red geraniums.  I love them.  I could fill my garden with tubs of red geraniums, and window boxes too.  They just make me smile. 







Holly Hocks.  They are a cottage garden flower.  When I lived in Suffield Alberta, the whole side of our house was planted with pink holly hocks. They were so beautiful. 







Cows in the fields . . . the sound of cow bells . . .  the sound of their moo's.  The first house I lived in when I moved to the U.K. backed onto a farmer's fields and they were filled with cows. Occasionally they would get out and we would end up with them at our back gate which wasn't so much fun, but for the most part we really enjoyed them.  Cows are very gentle animals.  






Granny Square Afghans.  They are my favourite out of all the afghans.   Amanda of Eightbysix makes the most beautiful afghans in the loveliest colors.   







 Window shelves and cornices.  I love them.  They are so wholesome looking . . . 



  




Evening in Paris . . .  it seemed to be so sophisticated  . . . at the time.









Nivea Cream.  The smell. The feel. I love everything about it.







Tomatoes.   I adore tomatoes.  Especially in season. My sister grows the nicest cherry tomatoes.







The voice of Sam Elliot. It makes me want to melt.  He just has this amazing voice. 






Jane Austin anything . . .  love it all. 






Cinnamon . . .  anything  . . . love, love, love  . . . 



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

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
There is no better test of a man's
integrity than his behavior when
he is wrong. 
~Marvin Williams •。★★ 。* 。




IN The English Kitchen today  . . .  Seared Cube Steak.  A really economical way to enjoy a tasty steak supper.      The cost of Beef is astronomical at the moment. Every little helps.


Cindy and I are off out and about this morning to pick up a few Easter bits.  Yesterday she came over and helped me clean the fridge and my deep freeze.  She is such a help to me. I do not know what I would do without her.  We both went out to supper with Dad and Hazel last night as well. The Ibuprofen is really helping with my knee.  I am still going to call this morning to make an appointment.  Whatever you get up to today, don't forget!


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!    

   

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 How did it happen?  Did I blink too fast?  Wasn't I just 17 yesterday,  and filled with hopes and dreams?  Or 25, with all of my chicks beneath my wings?  That is how it seems . . .  your days seem to pass as if in a blur and then all of a sudden you are on the precipice of something that once seemed to be eons away. You are older than you ever thought you could be.  Loved ones are missing and gone  . . .  and it all happened far too fast. In. The. Blink. Of. An. Eye.

Ahhh  . . .  but think of the wisdom gained.  And the growth in spirit. You were but a child and now . . . you are almost full grown.  Hopefully there is still quite a ways to go before you are done.  There are still hopes and dreams, and your chicks, they have chicks of their own. Such is the way of life. Its all as it should be, and quite rightly so.


 

Oh the little faces, with scrunched up noses as if something foul just passed by. Grumpy Gus's.  When I was a child I thought they danced in the garden beds.  Green toes prancing over the dirt, leafy arms held aloft . . . to music only the fairies could hear. Elfin drums beating  . . . alongside the tinkle of canterbury bells  . . . 

Yes, I did read too many Enid Blyton books and watch too much Disney.  For me fairy worlds were real and tangible, and I longed to catch a glimpse.  Too much imagination. That was me. My head always in the clouds.


 

I ventured out yesterday for a short.  Cindy and I went up to the Super Store. I wanted some fruits and some vegetables. I got what I thought a fresh salad, but it ended up being mostly stems of romaine without  a lot of leaf.  I should have looked closer. Was a person putting together salads, I fear my pride in a job well done would not allow me to do such a thing . . . fill a salad container with just stems, and then hide them beneath a tray of tomatoes, carrots, etc.  

I did get some lovely looking apples at Goucher's Farm Market though.  I plan on making  myself a bowl of applesauce. I am not one much for eating apples in the raw.  A piece here and there, but cook them and I am all in. I think it is a texture thing. I do not like the feel of the skin against my teeth. In these later years I find myself being super sensitive to textures and smells, tastes even.  Lately pepper seems to smell like smoke to me and I am not overly fond of it . . .  the smell.

I did get to the Drugstore and spoke to the Chemist and asked if I could take some Ibuprofen to help ease the inflammation in my knees for a few days.  I got some and had seen a little improvement by the time I had gone to bed last night.  I was a bit more comfortable at any rate.  The pain is still there this morning. I expect it will take a few days to ease to tolerable. I will be calling tomorrow to try to get an appointment next week to see a Doctor.


 

I watched a video by Hannah Ricketts yesterday as she ventured into Panzers (her local store) and into Chelsea to see what Easter goodies were on offer.  I was amazed at all of the different things that were for sale for Easter in just those few shops in London.  I expect it is the same in most large urban cities.  We don't get a lot here where I live.  The usual Cadbury's eggs and Lindt bunnies.     I have never seen anything so luxurious here, but then I don't think that people around here would have the dosh to spend on such things. It was very interesting however and I really enjoyed seeing everything.


 



Speaking of Easter, I posted this on my English Kitchen Facebook page the other day along with the relevant link to where I had posted how to make them.  Garden Tomb Cookies.  Anyways it was meant only to be a bit of fun and something that a person could enjoy putting together with their children or grandchildren whilst teaching them a bit about the religious traditions of Easter if so inclined.  Someone took offence.  How dare I post something so sacrilegious  and disrespectful.  The thought of inviting children to eat something as morbid as a burial place with a pagan Easter egg on the lawn. 

I mean, really?

I notice that there is becoming  more and more a level of intolerance amongst people for anything that they don't see eye to eye with, and a general lack of grace.   Almost every day I get people shouting the odds at me because I am "The ENGLISH kitchen" and how I shouldn't be posting anything that is remotely un-English. (Never mind that there are oodles of truly British recipes posted.)  Have they never eaten a pizza, a Chinese meal,  or a curry?  Not English by any definition, but appearing at dinner tables regularly all over the U.K.  Ham on a pizza?  Call Scotland Yard!  

There are only so many truly authentically traditional British recipes and I have posted most of them at one time or another.  But most of the critics never bother to take the time to look, judging solely on the recipe they are looking at.   People are really becoming rude and ignorant and not reluctant in the least at shouting the odds or being super critical of others.  Everyone is an "expert."


But then again . . . they can think what they think, it is only the odd person, and by and large most people are quite happy with what I post. I try not to let myself get drawn into the "trolling" activity, but sometimes it is hard, and one feels the need to defend oneself.


 


Its actually +6* out there this morning, and it says mostly sunny.  Is March going to go out like a lamb?  I can't remember if it came in like a lamb or a lion?   Ahh, my aging brain.  Whatever will be will be. Later today I will hopefully be meeting my dad and Hazel for dinner out.  We will see how the knee is feeling, or if my sister is going also. I prefer it if she is.  Is that selfish of me?  Probably so  . . . I just enjoy her company so much.  Oh, her kittens are adorable.  I could spend hours playing with them. So sweet.



And now, I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.If, of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
and from thy slender store two loaves 
alone to thee are left, sell one and from 
the dole, buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
Sa'di, The Gulistan, 1258° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •




In The English Kitchen today  . . . Quick & Easy Cheesy Chicken & Potatoes.  This is a simple dish to throw together in a skillet for a quick and delicious mid-week supper for two.


I hope that you have a lovely day. I hope the sun shines and that the temperatures are warm and that you are treated to a truly spring-like beautiful day!  Be happy and don't forget!


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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!    

   













Tuesday 26 March 2024

A Day Book . . .

 


FOR TODAY, March 26th, 2024


Outside my window ...

It's still dark but the sun will soon be rising. All's fairly quiet. I can hear the cat fountain percolating, the heat pump shooting out warm air, the odd car driving down the road towards the main highway.  The cats are playing. Its just a normal day here at my little Home Sweet Home.


 


I am thinking ...

This last week prior to Easter Sunday, commonly known as Passion Week, I am thinking very much about The Savior. One of the very best talks/discourses I have ever read or listened to about this week's occurrences is one by Jeffrey R Holland, entitled "None were with Him."


"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so."

I am ever grateful to the Savior. I have felt His presence in my life always, and never more so than I have over these past few years.  He truly has not left me comfortless. 


In the kitchen ...



Traditional Scottish Clapshot.  A really delicious holiday side dish composed of simple ingredients that can be made ahead of time and then just reheated when you want to eat.  



On my "to cook" list ...




Potato, Onion & Leek Gratin from a page called Oh My Veggies.  This looks really tasty. Love my potatoes.


Good to Know ...

 


This kind of thing always comes in handy. I remember my mother having a nail care kit.


I am creating ...

More like things I would love to create . . . 


 


A dollhouse in a small suitcase  . . . 


 

Anything in a matchbox  . . . 


 


A very tiny pin cushion  .  . .


 

A unique sewing kit  . . . 


 

Cute Cat Pillows  . . . 

Oh My Goodness ...





This meatloaf from Cooktop Cove looks fabulous and I am not even a fan of meatloaf!


I am reading ...



A Year of Living Kindly, by Donna Cameron

Being kind is something most of us do when it’s easy and when it suits us. Being kind when we don’t feel like it, or when all of our buttons are being pushed, is hard. But that’s also when it’s most needed; that’s when it can defuse anger and even violence, when it can restore civility in our personal and virtual interactions. Kindness has the power to profoundly change our relationships with other people and with ourselves. It can, in fact, change the world. 


 In A Year of Living Kindly―using stories, observation, humor, and summaries of expert research―Donna Cameron shares her experience committing to 365 days of practicing kindness. She presents compelling research into the myriad benefits of kindness, including health, wealth, longevity, improved relationships, and personal and business success. She explores what a kind life entails, and what gets in the way of it. And she provides practical and experiential suggestions for how each of us can strengthen our kindness muscle so choosing a life of kindness becomes ever easier and more natural. 

An inspiring, practical guide that can help any reader make a commitment to kindness, A Year of Living Kindly shines a light on how we can create a better, safer, and more just world―and how you can be part of that transformation.


Looking Forward To ...

Getting my taxes done and over with.  I spent some time sorting through my papers/receipts, etc. yesterday.  I hate tax time. It is so complicated. I have a man who does mine for me. In the U.K. you did not have to file a tax return every year. Taxes were automatically taken off at your source of income. It was so simple.

Things I love ...

 

Window seats and lace curtains  . . . 


 

Spring blooms  . . .  not quite yet  . . . 


 

A comfy bed  . . . 

 


Beautiful blues  . . . 


 


Fresh Bread  . . . 


Things I know to be True ... 




The world is forgetting how to be kind.  We all need to practice kindness whenever and wherever we can. Kindness begins with "me."

Something to watch ...




The Way We Were.  An old classic. Sad and wonderful all at the same time.


Makes me smile ...




Finally!  Someone is using one of the cat sofa's I bought!


A Thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere
without moving anything but your heart.
~Phyllis Theroux  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •


And that's my daybook for this week!



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

  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 




✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.• ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥
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Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!