Tuesday 17 June 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .


  photo smallsimplewomanicon_zpsac834e67.jpg

 FOR TODAY, June 17th, 2014

Outside my window ...
The sun has risen and it is looking to be another fine day.  We have had a glorious June thus far.   I cannot complain!

I am thinking ...
✻ღϠ₡ღ✻(¯`✻´¯) 
          ✻ღϠ`*.¸.*₡ღ¸.✻
 Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates.
At the first gate ask yourself, "Is it true?"  At the second ask, "Is it necessary?"
At the third gate ask, "Is it kind?"
~Sufi saying

What a different world we would live in if everyone subscribed to this edict!

I am thankful ...
For the power of prayer.  The act in and of itself is so healing, an act of release.  Often when I am praying it helps me to focus more directly on what I am seeking and helps to clear my mind.  I always feel comforted, no matter the outcome.   That saying "Let Go, Let God," . . . it's a good one!

In the kitchen ...
WE have two goodies today!

 photo SAM_5285_zps9e8bef35.jpg

Strawberry and Lime Barbecue Sauce.  Lip smacking tasty!

 photo SAM_5351_zps24d19257.jpg

Brazilian Lemonade, so thirst quenchingly delicious!

You can find both of them here.  

On my "To Cook" list ...


Warm Goat's Cheese Salad with a Sweet Onion Vinaigrette from Once Upon a Recipe.  This looks soooo good!  Must make SOON!

I am creating ...
I'm still on a high from the lovely response to the Crafting CD Rom featuring my artwork, which you can learn more about here.  I should find out this week how well it did with the television sales, but Wendy e-mailed me last week to tell me that sales had been very brisk on the website and that they are considering a stamping line and paper pads.   Bring it on I say!

Random Acts of Kindness cards - easy to print and use to spread some kindness around.  Ideas on what to do for #RAOK too!

Loving these Random Act of Kindness cards from Thirty Handmade Days.   Such a simple thing.  It's a free printable and has the wheels turning in my head about kind things I could so for someone else that I could use these cards on!

DIY These Sweet Washi Tape Tea-Light Votives

Washi Tape Tea Light Votives.   From Pop Sugar.  Such a simple thing.   I love them!  

DIY Tinted Jars

DIY Tinted jars from Start Believing in Forever.  All you need is jars, mod podge , wax paper, food colouring and a baking pan.  Easy peasy!  I love them!

Pom-Pom Balloons! Make in just a few minutes for your summer party!

Pom Pom Balloons!  Such a simple idea.  Why didn't I think of that!  From Design Improvise.  I love them!  I think they're just great and so easy to do.   People are brilliant!

DIY Sunglasses Photo Frames

Sun glass photo frames.  Such a simple idea.  Another why didn't I think of that.  What a unique way of displaying photos.  A complete tutorial on Photo Jo Jo.  Quite simply brilliant!

I am going ...
Ward Council at the chapel tonight.  Todd has to go too, so it will be a late night for us both.  Other than that there are no other plans this week.   We should just go to the seaside some day if the weather is nice.  An impromptu day out.  It would be nice I think.

I am wondering ...
I am wondering what motivates people to be unkind.   The Spam people have been really good to me and so they recently contacted me and asked if I would post something for them for National Picnic Week.  I did so yesterday.   I think I got more comments on that post of a negative nature than I ever get normally of a positive nature.  People who never comment at all.

One girl said "I've been following your blog and trying your recipes for quite some time now, and I really like them. I just think if you're going to make a sponsored post, you should at least respect your readers and say let it be very clear from the start. For me, at least, this is strike nº1 before stopping following you."  

And that was just one comment.   I am wondering why??  Why never ever comment on the nice things I post and then say something like this out of the blue.   The title of the Post was  "Have a Spamtastic Picnic Week" with the trademark sign next to Spamtastic.   Surely that was a huge hint that it was a sponsored post.  (Which I didn't get paid for, but did as a favor for the Spam people.)  I just don't get it?????  Why???
Perhaps I need to develop a thicker skin, but these type of comments really bother me.  I work really hard to make it a good page.  I post a new recipe just about every day.   I hardly ever get any comments, and that's okay.  I know lots of people read it because of the stats.   Why never comment unless it's going to be a bruising comment?  Nasty.  

I am reading ...
 photo My_Loving_Vigil_Keeping_novel_Carla_Kelly_zpsa049f73d.jpg

My Loving Vigil Keeping, by Carla Kelly
To Della Ander’s relatives, it seems like an absurd whim when the young educator accepts a contract to teach in Winter Quarters, a coal mining camp near Scofield, Utah. After all, she lives with a socially prominent family in Salt Lake City. Why teach in a place as hard as a coal mining camp, even if the Winter Quarters mines have an enviable reputation for safety? It’s no whim to Della. She yearns to reconnect with the life she knew as a child, before tragedy yanked her from a home equal parts ramshackle and loving. But when disaster strikes, what the teacher learns in Winter Quarters will change her life forever, and her heart.

Based around the true events of the Scofield Mine Disaster of 1900, this suspenseful romance from award-winning and bestselling author Carla Kelly is sure to please longtime fans and new readers alike. Thrilling and heartfelt, it’s a must-read. This is the third novel I have read of hers and I am truly enjoying it.  I love stories based on true events.   

Looking for something new.   Any ideas??    

I am hoping ...
That this lovely weather keeps up!  We are truly enjoying it!

Makes me smile ...
Cute Baby Frogs - via http://bit.ly/epinner

Todd and I were picking some of the strawberries which are ripening in the garden yesterday and the strawberry bed was filled with itsy bitsy baby frogs!  So cute!  Todd and I were both so excited to see them all!

I am learning ...
To look before I leap.   I know . . .  a lesson I should have learned a long time ago.  I am very impulsive.  I am also very trusting.

Around the house ...

Crap picture but awesome idea - Flower pots lamp bundle - IKEA Hackers

I love this Flower Pots Lamp Bundle that I found on Ikea Hackers.   It's so pretty!  People are such genius's!

10 DIY Shelves that You Can Make (Knock-Off Wood) #shelves #diy

10 DIY shelves that you can make.  I found this on Ana White.  There are links to all of the tutorials.

Good Ideas For You | Entryway Ideas

I just adore this entryway from Good Ideas for You.   I love it's simplicity and clean lines.

Window Seat w/ Built-in Bookshelves

Sigh . . .  sigh . . . sigh . . .  this is a triple sigh picture.  Wouldn't you just love a reading alcove like this?   It looks like the perfect place to read and while away time.  Found on Houzz.

Watering can by Linda Miller<3

I searched but could not find the source for this.  I just love this idea of using an old watering can for a unique planter.   It's adorable.  Why didn't I think of that???

I am pondering ...
We went out yesterday to pick up a couple of new duvet covers for the twin beds.  All the winter bedding is now packed away.   Somehow though, we ended up walking out of the bedding shop with two new duvet covers for each bed and two really nice wooden tv trays.  They were only £7.99 each, and very sturdy.  I am wondering if we should go back and get another one.  We are having a Spanish student come to board with us on the 11th of August.  It might be nice to have one for her as well.   What do you think?

A favourite Quote for the day ...
 photo 1016584_321052461369433_1175467279_n_zpsa05f533a.jpg

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

I have never met a person 
whose greatest need was anything other than real, 
unconditional love.
You can find it in a simple act of kindness
toward someone who needs help.
There is no mistaking love.
You feel it in your heart.
It is the common fiber of life,
the flame that heals our soul,
energizes our spirit and supplies
passion to our lives.
It is our connection to God
and to each other.
~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross  


One of my favourite things ...  
Cherries  
(source)

Cherries in any way shape or form!  I love to eat them.  I love to look at them.  I love to wear them.   I just love cherries!  

A peek into my day ...
 photo SAM_5184_zps294b8652.jpg 

These days if I am not cooking, cleaning or crafting (the three "C's")  I am in the garden enjoying Todd's labours!  It's at it's height of beauty at the moment!

⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ 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!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░L░O░V░E⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 


17 comments:

  1. I agree Marie, people can be really funny ...not funny funny !....when they write such horrid comments. However we know how great you are and would never ever write a nasy comment,,,mayeb we would write an encouraging one or suggest a change but surely never a nasy one...Please try to develope a thicker skin they aint worth your time in reading...
    Your new twin duevets sets sound great and the trays as well. Yes it might be nice to get one for your guest. Is this a permanent guest or just one for a wee while. It woudl be good if you coudl get a sudent or somesuch as a way to make a little extra money. Your garden sounds lovely, would just love to have these wee frogs never seem to have any of them around here... The sun has just popped out now so looks like another glorious day ahead. It will be a quietish one for me only have bible study this afternoon...so shoudl get some sitting out time ! have a lovely day xxxx






    ReplyDelete
  2. Enjoy your day Marie. Make the most of the time you have before your Spanish lass arrives.

    We managed to settle dad into the nursing home this morning and now we intend to have a quieter night for a change.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Suzan. I know you will probably miss having your dad around in many ways. Sending special hugs!

    Sybil, she is a student nurse, coming to stay with us beginning in August. She's a member of the church and I think we will quite enjoy having a young person around!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I missed your Spam post (ha! ha!) because I always just follow your links from this blog. I guess that I had better put The English Kitchen on my Feedly too. I'm missing stuff! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. No worries Laura! I normally don't link to the sponsored posts on here because they tend to be a bit like advertisements. I did the Spam one as a favour for the Spam people as they have been rather good to me. There is a recipe in that one though. But it is one of theirs and not mine.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It sounds exciting have some come to stay at your house. It will be very different for the two of you. I cannot imagine having a stranger coming in like that. Hope it all works out for you. I loved seeing the tiny little frogs. I've never seen any so small. Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MArie, I think the reason for rudeness today is twofold. I don't think young folks today were raised the way you and I were.(I am 50 and raised in India and live today not far from where you did once--Limehouse, Ontario. ) If ever we were thought to have been rude, my mother never thought twice before she gave us kids a sound switching on our rear ends. (The PC folks and the pop psychologists were not around those days! Not one of us kids were scarred for life and made each of us a lot kinder and respectful of others!.
    Secondly, I think the internet affords anonymity. People can pop into your life from whoknowswhere and say the rudest and most unkind, crass, disgusting things and stay safe behind the wall of anonymity.You could run into them at the grocery store and never know. My favorite Bible study teacher taught me not too long ago to be sure that my speech and conduct online should always be as if Jesus Himself were the recipient of it.
    But to be fair to the person who was so unkind, she does have a teachable spirit, and thankfully did come back and apologise to you. And you were as always so gracious to her.
    You have yourself a wonderful day, sweet and oh so talented lady.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope so too Pam! It will be a big change for us, but she is a nice girl, engaged to be married, non smoker, non drinker and her father is a stake president in Spain. She comes highly recommended, so we are hoping for the best!

    Yes, Anna, one did come back and apologize and I really appreciated that. All of us are capable of doing things we regret. To be honest her comment didn't bother me half as much as the one where the gal said that she was counting it as a strike against me! To me that was like a threat. I lived under oppression for so long I don't really like it very much when people threaten me! That's not what blogging is all about.

    I think you are right about today's society. A completely different kettle of fish than we were! I, too, try to think of the Saviour before I do or say things. I don't always get it right, but I try to!

    ReplyDelete
  10. PS - You have a great day too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. GEEESH.
    GEEESH..
    GEEESH..
    I just can't believe it.
    Moving right along..Pinned a few cuties here:) I am sure Todd's gardens..and yours are looking fantastic..brings joy doesn't it?:)
    I am going to see if that post is there..

    I hope I mind my tongue:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. MOnique I am always so impressed with how very creative people are and amazed at what they come up with! I am lacking in those type of talents! I don't think my garden will ever be as beautiful as yours, but they do bring us joy no matter what eh? That's what counts! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Marie: I haven't commented here for some time, but I wanted to let you know that I agree with the others. There are times when I truly wonder why people lash out with such hatred and disregard to others. Those who do are just malicious and they value kindness and compassion in such small measure. I hope that your day has been beautifully exciting as mine has just started (in San Francisco). God's blessing to you and your dear Todd.
    Judith

    PS: I have always enjoyed a grilled cheese and Spam sandwich -- not gourmet, but oh so delicious !!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Judith, thanks so much for your comment! You made my day. I just need to get a thicker skin. Thankfully this is a very rare occasion that someone is nasty like that. In any case, you have all made me feel much, much better!

    Our day has turned quite overcast and a bit oppressive now. I think we are in for rain! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Marie. I am one of those who reads regularly but rarely comments (sorry!). I agree with some of the comments above - people can indeed be plain rude and the anonymity of the internet provides a shelter for some of the mean-spirited people.

    However, I wonder if perhaps some of the negative feedback is coming from readers in the US? I wonder, because over there they have very strict legal guidelines on disclosure and very specific rules on how you must present a post for which you have received any form of compensation (either monetary or in the form of product). You have to be very clear and public about this there, so perhaps some people from America feel that you're hiding something (I know you're not, such a law doesn't exist here in the UK!)

    Just a thought, anyway. No excuse at all for rudeness, but perhaps one reason why some may react somewhat negatively? Either way, I appreciate the time you take to post thoughts and recipes and hope the negativity doesn't put you off!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my - I wonder what that makes me then because I LOVE Spam. I've eaten it all my life and I buy it quite often. It's really good fried - eeks. I'm a southern girl and we had Spam often when I was growing up mainly because it was cheap I'm sure. But I still love my Spam and I love my bologna also. I hear in Hawaii they serve spam almost everywhere. I'm sorry some people have to be so rude Marie - you don't deserve it. that makes me so upset I think I'll just go make meself a Spam sandwich. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't really know where they are coming from Nicola. I suppose it is the same with everything, the more popular you get the more negativity you attract. It's that old mean spirited build them up so you can knock them down thing I think! Thanks for your kind response. You made my day!

    Thanks to you too Brenda. Your comment made me smile. I MISS BOLOGNA!! Love, LOVE fried bologna sandwiches! I guess I will have to make do with Spam! lol

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!