tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19280228905338169322024-03-14T04:21:48.877-04:00Soft Winds and RosesRohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-3600927476818160462011-01-26T10:46:00.000-05:002011-01-26T10:46:24.303-05:00Celebrating the wee milestones....I wasn't too happy the year I turned 30 .... it seemed so impossible! How could I be 30? I remember vividly when my own mother turned 30 and I thought that was some very strange and abstract age that only could be reached by extremely ancient (and quite possibly prehistoric) individuals! But somehow I survived and lived to turn .... wait for it .... 40!!! some ten years later. :)<br />
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Today the number 30 is one I'm celebrating, because I have now lost a total of 30 pounds. <br />
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It's taken forever. I had a complete hiatus from losing weight for the entire Christmas season ... which stretched on and on to encompass all Christmas celebrations around the world. ;) However, the good news is that I never gained back any of the 27 pounds that I lost before Christmas. Maintaining my weight has always been difficult for me, so I consider it a complete victory that I was able to accomplish this, but when January 5th hit and I realized it was a mere month until we leave for vacation, I knew I needed to get back into my exercise routine and see if I could lose some more weight.<br />
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I've been on my exercise bike every day since and although I have only lost another 3 pounds, I have lost loads more in inches and am feeling incredibly energetic and strong!<br />
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So <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hip Hip Hoorah for 30!</span></i></b> It's a nice number after all. :)<br />
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"Look at your sun," my teacher exclaimed in horror, "it's a messy swirl of orange and yellow and red! See how everyone else is making their sun? They are making them nice and neat, with a big yellow circle with rays coming out of it! That's the way a sun is supposed to look!" <br />
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But that's not the way the sun looked to me. I saw it as a big swirl of many colours and that's the way I wanted to colour it. And I didn't want my sun perched way up in one corner of the page, I wanted a big splashy sun that took over the whole page, drenching it in colours from edge to edge. I must have been a great trial to my very old-fashioned, linear-thinking teacher!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My eyes are still constantly seeking out colour. At this time of year, it becomes a treasure hunt for me to find as many colours as I can in the winter landscapes. <br />
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Sometimes I can find splashy bold colours, like the bright red of a male cardinal, sheltering in our rose bush.<br />
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Or bright-coloured snowsuits against a snowy white hill.<br />
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And a scarlet velvety sumac surrounded by evergreen.<br />
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At times the colours are much more subtle, like hidden silvery green moss, secreting itself behind a waterfall.<br />
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And the olive green plumage of the female cardinal, hunting for seeds beside a white-capped sparrow.<br />
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Or the fluffy russet ears of a furry squirrel, happy to find a peanut on a cold winter day.<br />
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Sometimes the colours look chillingly beautiful, like the icy blue of frozen water around a rocky outcropping.<br />
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And a hazy orange sky over a frozen harbour.<br />
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The colours can be shy and delicate, like this pastel pink sky.<br />
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But they can also be so warm and inviting, like this sun-strewn path that lights our way home.<br />
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And finally, colours can be so very bright and cheerful, like a warm, snuggly cat curled up on a red blanket in a yellow chair, waiting for our return.<br />
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(Yes, this is my Tiger, fully recovered and happy, 5 months after her near-death experience!)Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-17907965162524105702011-01-08T13:17:00.002-05:002011-01-08T13:23:19.909-05:00Indescribable SnowIt snowed this week for the first time this winter, a light one inch that has almost covered the ground and turned our farm so white. Today the sun is shining brightly and the air is mild so I enjoyed a leisurely stroll through our property. Whenever it snows for the first time, I inevitably think of an Australian family I met years ago when I was travelling through Europe. The children had never seen snow before and they were so disappointed that while they could get glimpses of snow high up in the Alps, they could not actually experience it up close. I was amazed to think they had never seen snow before and attempted to describe it, but quickly came to the conclusion that it is very hard to describe to someone who has never seen it for themselves.<br />
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Not even pictures can do justice to snow. Can a picture really capture the dazzling brightness of snow as it reflects the sun back into your eyes in millions of prisms?<br />
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And how can mere words or even a picture portray snow's lovely fluffiness and the way it caresses the plants on which it lands, like the softest of down comforters.<br />
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Or the way it can frost the top of a box like icing on a cake?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can a picture capture the depths of the shadows that lie across its surface lengthening the most average of trees into veritable forests of stretching timber?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And still reveal how the snow delicately lines each branch as if an artist's brush has gently stroked over each fine detail.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TSifFaiM4eI/AAAAAAAAAy8/f9yEJrrrfrI/s1600/Etching.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TSifFaiM4eI/AAAAAAAAAy8/f9yEJrrrfrI/s400/Etching.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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and then moved on to transform garden ornaments with a palette knife loaded with titanium white.<br />
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But it isn't just the look of snow that's hard to describe ... it's what the snow reveals - like the tracks of a hopping bird, foraging for food.<br />
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And the secret midnight dance of the rabbits as they court under the winter sky....<br />
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Or the path of a lone cat, stalking silently by with its green eyes focused on a mission only he can comprehend.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are the messages found in the snow, the stories it whispers, the secrets it reveals. It covers the ground, but exposes so much more. Even the goldfinch, wearing his drab winter plumage, is more easily spotted when the rosehips have donned their winter caps of snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>And the junko, practically unnoticeable in summer and fall, becomes a focal point with his soft charcoal feathers set against a white backdrop.<br />
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I have concluded that snow is indescribable, a miracle best experienced in person. Second-hand knowledge just won't suffice. I hope, wherever you are, you have the opportunity to enjoy a little snow this winter.Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-44484415162185746502011-01-05T21:30:00.000-05:002011-01-05T21:30:51.128-05:00Crowding the MushroomsA couple of years ago when the movie "Julie and Julia" came out in theatres, I knew I had to see it. Not only do I absolutely love cooking, but *obviously* have some interest in blogging as well, so I figured it would be right up my alley. Actually, it turns out I was rather disappointed with the movie - the plot line was a little boring and I really did not find the "Julie" character to be at all endearing ... she whined way too much for my liking and I often found myself wishing the director would just stick with the story of Julia Child's life and leave the flashbacks to "Julie's" life in the ditch. However, there is one line of the movie that has stuck with me. It resonated in my head as soon as I heard it. For some reason, it was one of those lines that you can instantly recognize for it's literal and metaphoric truth. So ... after that great build up ... here's the line in question:<br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Don't crowd the mushrooms!</span></b></i><br />
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It really does make a difference! Put too many mushrooms in the frying pan, and they just seem to get all mushy and gushy and don't saute properly. But, if you just scatter them in their sparsely, they brown up in such a delicious manner! The problem is, though, that I really don't want to take so much time when I'm preparing a meal. <b style="background-color: yellow;">I want the maximum result for the minimum time investment. </b> I want my mushrooms nicely browned, but I want to crowd them all together in the pan so I don't have to cook them in batches.<br />
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The same is so true of my life. I want results but I often don't want to slow down and invest enough time in a project, a relationship, even in myself sometimes (!) to get the results that I desire. I want to make a success of all that I attempt, but I don't want to spend time perfecting my craft so that I will be a success. I want my relationships to be deep and meaningful, but can't we just text meaningfully back and forth a couple of times a day and make a go of it? I want to manage stress better, but I don't always want to take the time to breathe deep, centre myself, and let go of the bad energy. I want short cuts, recipes that involve nothing more than 3 steps, 5 ingredients and one pan, and problems that can be resolved in the same length of time it takes to play a few rounds of Bejeweled.<br />
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Since "Julie and Julia," I find myself periodically taking a deep breath and reminding myself not to "crowd the mushrooms." With all the emphasis on "quality" vs. "quantity" that seems to pervade our culture, I need a constant reminder that there is no replacement for investing large amounts of time into the areas of my life that really count. Whether it is my own physical and emotional fitness, my relationships, or my work, <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>the measure of my success will in a large way be accounted for by how much time I have invested. And the bottom line is that I am worth the investment.</u></span></i></b> We are given 24 hours in each day. I'm determined in 2011 that I won't get caught up in "crowding the mushrooms" and racing around in those 24 hours, trying to fit so much in that nothing gets done properly. Instead, I'm going to invest enough time into my own well-being to ensure success.Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-25930985082206337732010-11-16T13:49:00.000-05:002010-11-16T13:49:17.849-05:0027 - It's not a magic number, but still feels great!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOK6-409cHI/AAAAAAAAAyA/6FAEUPXqkrg/s1600/twentyseven.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOK6-409cHI/AAAAAAAAAyA/6FAEUPXqkrg/s1600/twentyseven.gif" /></a></div>Twenty-seven pounds! Yes, I am very proud to report that after what appeared to be an endless PLATEAU of non-weight loss, I am finally down another couple of pounds, bringing my total weight-loss to date to twenty-seven pounds. This method of weight loss has not proven to be the "Speedy Gonzales" method by any means.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm hoping, however, that it will prove more like the case of the tortoise and the hare ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>And hopefully by changing my life-style in small increments rather than by following some radical diet plan, I will be able to keep the weight off once it's gone, and have a healthier lifestyle pattern.<br />
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So, here are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>27</b></span></span> things I have been doing differently that are all helping me to have a healthier lifestyle, some of which are contributing to my weight loss:<br />
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1). Almost entirely switched from white flour to whole wheat flour.<br />
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2). Endeavouring to eat 80% fruits and vegetables and 20% starch and protein every day.<br />
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3). Trying to remember to DRINK LOTS OF WATER! (although I often forget this one!)<br />
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4). Walking every day - a brisk walk of between 3 and 4 kms.<br />
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5). Drinking 2 oz of Noni Juice everyday. It tastes hideous but Dr. Oz highly recommends it.<br />
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6). Taking my multivitamin every day.<br />
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7.) Taking 100 mg of B6 every day.<br />
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8). Taking 25 mcg of Vitamin D every day - which, by the way, comes in the form of a soft chewy chocolate so I consider it my chocolate fix for the day. (Most days this works, although once and a while I feel the need for a bigger chocolate fix!)<br />
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9). Taking my EstroSense everyday - a herbal blend that includes calcium, green tea extract, indole 3 carbinol (an extract from cruciferous vegetables), sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract), turmeric (curcumin), milk thistle extract, rosemary extract, and lycopene (tomato extract) - all of which is supposed to do wonderful things for me.<br />
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10). Sneaking veggies into everything! Especially having veggies ready to snack on around 4 in the afternoon when I suddenly feel at my munchiest. And trying to get the most "bank for my buck" with veggies in that I'm trying to focus on those veggies that are really crunchy and satisfying to chew.<br />
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11). Eating an apple a day. Yup, I know it's simple. But it has really become something I look forward to as an extra treat during the day.<br />
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12). Taking my metamucil once a day ... maybe this TMI, but the thing is, I have struggled with irritable bowel syndrome for most of my life and this really helps. Also, it's supposed to help lower bad cholesterol so it seems like a good idea to take it.<br />
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13). Wear bright colours every day. The thing is, I love colours and it cheers me up to wear bright colours. Maybe this sounds weird to stick this in here on the list of healthy life style choices, but if wearing a bright colour helps me feel better about myself and my day, then I figure it's a very inexpensive, painless way to help myself.<br />
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14). Making myself find something humourous every day about my life. Seriously (or actually, not seriously!), I sometimes forget to take a light-hearted approach to life and laughter really is great medicine! So, I'm trying to focus on the funny side of life more often and I'm sure I'll lose weight by exercising those laugh muscles! As a result, I am finding myself noticing more funny and peculiar things that come across my path during the day and I take great delight in sharing them with my husband so we can both have a good laugh at the end of the day. Like this hotel sign and the random weirdness of the picture ....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOK7G75YI9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/LDHZfns3gAo/s1600/twentyseven3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOK7G75YI9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/LDHZfns3gAo/s1600/twentyseven3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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15). Eat less, exercise more. Yup, it really is that simple!<br />
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16). Think about my husband's needs more than my own. Once again, perhaps an unusual thing to throw on a list about healthy living, but healthy living does include mental health and one of the drawbacks of not having children, is that I can become a bit to self-absorbed sometimes. It's really good for my mental health to think about someone else's needs. It also makes it much easier to do my daily tasks (like laundry, house-cleaning, and washing dishes) with a cheerful attitude when I look at them as ways to help Mr. Magnolia's life become easier, rather than just chores that need to be done.<br />
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17). Okay, I admit it, I'm pretty much stumped at #17. I can't really think of too many other things - except maybe to repeat the DRINK MORE WATER one since that seems to be one I have to constantly repeat to myself. Maybe by the time I've lost 50 pounds, I'll have come up with 50 inspiring things to help with my healthier lifestyle. But for now I guess I'll have to stick with 17 .... unless perhaps, I include one more ...<br />
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18). Take time to celebrate the victories! Yup, whether it's another pound lost, or another day of positive thinking, I am taking time to celebrate the victories along the way. I am celebrating the fact that I am feeling stronger and healthier than I have in a long time. And even though I don't want to get all obsessed with numbers, I am celebrating that there are 27 less pounds now that I have to lose than when I started! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOLQfkpwKHI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Yiqsi_2TL8Y/s1600/twentysevenbluedoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOLQfkpwKHI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Yiqsi_2TL8Y/s320/twentysevenbluedoor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-8671480938502388752010-11-15T15:41:00.000-05:002010-11-15T15:41:21.134-05:00Marvelous Monday - A Bird in the HandWe have the joy of living quite close to a beautiful botanical garden - the Royal Botanical Garden in Hamilton, Ontario. Along with a number of exquisite formal and informal gardens, the RBG consists of 2400 acres of natural land, and 30 km of hiking trails. It is one of our favourite places to go to enjoy spring flower displays in the incredible Iris Rock Gardens and the Lilac Arboretum. But it is also one of our favourite places to go for a Sunday afternoon hike all year round. <br />
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We spent a glorious Sunday afternoon there last week. The sky was blue and the autumn leaves were still full of colour.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The particular hiking trail we chose that day runs along an inner harbour, so periodically along the way we caught glimpses of the water through the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>And at one point, the trail took us right down to the water's edge.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw lots of birds and animals, like this nuthatch, flicker and this noisy little squirrel who gave us quite a scolding for venturing into his territory!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGWVV8Zr0I/AAAAAAAAAxw/1z4zIsbq0zs/s1600/Flicker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGWVV8Zr0I/AAAAAAAAAxw/1z4zIsbq0zs/s320/Flicker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGWbyRaX7I/AAAAAAAAAx4/NJhqOJXOYBI/s1600/Squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGWbyRaX7I/AAAAAAAAAx4/NJhqOJXOYBI/s320/Squirrel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we had a great deal of fun feeding the very tame little chickadees who love to take seed right out of your hand!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGW87TaELI/AAAAAAAAAx8/EvV4kcLZaMM/s1600/OurHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TOGW87TaELI/AAAAAAAAAx8/EvV4kcLZaMM/s400/OurHands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know the old saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" ... a great reminder to me to practice being content with what I have instead of constantly wishing for something more, or something different, or someone else's life that looks more glamorous than my own. </div><br />
So this Marvelous Monday, I am especially thankful for Sunday afternoon hikes, for sweet little chickadees, and for all the other "birds" that are in my hand ... the blessings that are already part of my life that I sometimes take for granted.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>remember that what you now have</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>was once among the things you only hoped for."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Epicurus, Greek Philosopher (341-270 BC)</i></b></span></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-46478457428716116052010-11-03T10:10:00.000-04:002010-11-03T10:10:26.238-04:00Wordless Wednesday<center><a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Wordless%20Wednesday/"><img border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/linder4/pinkframe-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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My sweet budgies are adjusting well to their "winter quarters" in my bay window.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TNFtJmMoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAxc/OnXAu2peSRE/s1600/Budgies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TNFtJmMoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAxc/OnXAu2peSRE/s400/Budgies2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-91345966953462631512010-11-01T20:36:00.000-04:002010-11-01T20:36:52.649-04:00Marvelous Monday - Wonderful ParksIt's been several weeks since I posted a "Marvelous Monday" but I've been thinking all day about how much I'd like to write this one and finally now have a moment to sit down to the computer and blog away to my heart's content!<br />
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Yesterday afternoon, we spent some blissful time hiking in one of our favourite local parks. Short Hills Provincial Park is an amazing 1600 acre park filled with hiking trails, waterfalls, beautiful trees and peaceful meadows. Some trails are designated strictly for hikers while others are multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skying, and horse-back riding. Though Short Hills is a favourite of ours, we often take it for granted instead of realizing what a treasure it really is. I'm so glad we have access to fantastic greenspaces like this. As my husband puts it, spending time in nature allows us to shake the "clinkers from our thinkers!" <br />
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Here are a few shots from our energizing hike on a brisk autumn Sunday afternoon:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TM9aurWRngI/AAAAAAAAAxM/E4S5P9TM9os/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TM9aurWRngI/AAAAAAAAAxM/E4S5P9TM9os/s400/IMG_0248.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- Raymond Inmon </b> </i></span></div></i><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- Carrie Latet </b></i></span></div></i><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- Ralph Waldo Emerson </b></i></span></div></i><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- G.M. Trevelyan </b></i></span></div></i><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- Paul Dudley White</b></i><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> </b> </span></div></i><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', helvetica, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.45em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” </div><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-- Aldous Huxley </b> </i></span></div></i>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-35488560167169205832010-10-29T10:57:00.000-04:002010-10-29T10:57:26.362-04:00Down in the Depths of my HeartI've been so grateful for all the encouraging messages since I last posted. What a wonderful place "blog land" really is, filled with incredible people who truly know how to reach out in friendship and caring to one another. You really bless me!<br />
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So, some have been wondering how my journey is coming along. On the weight loss front, things are going slowly but good. I've been continuing every day with my walking and enjoying it tremendously. Had a few weeks where I hit a big plateau but finally lost another 3 lbs this week so that's good. And my faith journey is becoming a real adventure too. I'm amazed at how God is helping me to learn new things all the time and providing me with wonderful friends for comfort and prayer support along the way.<br />
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Do you remember that old Sunday School song "Down in My Heart?" <br />
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(If you want the lyrics for the whole song you can find them here in this children's song book: <a href="https://www.catholicvideo.com/pdf/AllTheChild.pdf">All the Child</a>)<br />
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Lately, the words of one of the verses has come to mean something special to me. It's a bit of a tongue twister and if you know the song, you'll know that this is one of the hardest verses to sing, especially because as kids we used to try to sing it as fast as we possibly could without making a mistake on the words:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>I've got the wonderful love of my Blessed Redeemer right down in the depths of my heart,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>Down in the depths of my heart (where?)</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>Down in the depths of my heart (where?)</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>I've got the wonderful love of my Blessed Redeemer right down in the depths of my heart,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>Down in the depths of my heart to stay!</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>And I'm so happy, so very happy,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>I've got the love of Jesus in my heart, </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>Down in my heart,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>And I'm so happy, so very happy,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>I've got the love of Jesus in my heart!</b></i></span></div><br />
So WHY has this song become so meaningful to me now? Well, I've been waking up with panic attacks lately in the middle of the night. I'm not sure what's causing it but I've been waking up with my heart pounding and feeling horribly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><u>frozen in fear</u></b></span>. One of my friends suggested that maybe I should get tested for sleep apnea because it's possible that this is why it's happening. My sister thinks it might be just a hormonal thing. But whatever is causing it, I don't like it! I wake up frozen in fear and so afraid that I'm scared to even turn over and reach out to my husband for comfort! It doesn't last long .... just a moment or so, but it seems like a life-time to me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TMrbhI0sYCI/AAAAAAAAAw8/nlHelseBVXs/s1600/Zion+Image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TMrbhI0sYCI/AAAAAAAAAw8/nlHelseBVXs/s320/Zion+Image2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've tried to "pray" my way out of the attacks and since I'm a very visual person, I have been trying to picture my way out of my panic. So I have been searching my Bible for various "images" that will help me to picture my way out of the situation. For instance, I thought about that lovely verse in the Proverbs that says that the name of the Lord is a STRONG TOWER, that the righteous can run into and find safety (Proverbs 18:10). The only problem I have with this image is that when I'm frozen in fear, it doesn't seem possible for me to run anywhere even if it is to a strong safe tower! I end up frozen in fear with this frightening picture of <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: magenta;">a little girl fleeing through the darkness</span></i></b>, trying desperately to reach a safe haven.<br />
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So I talked to God and asked Him to give me the perfect visual to help me through the fear. I know He doesn't want me to be afraid, after all, His word says that "God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). That's exactly what I want - power, love and a sound mind! So I prayed that He would help me .... and a couple of days later, this is the Scripture I read:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>We know that we live in him and he in us, </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>because he has given us of his Spirit.</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>to be the Savior of the world.</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>God lives in him and he in God.</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>1 John 4:13-16</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TMrcQvjnbnI/AAAAAAAAAxA/mYNmGE3PpeA/s1600/heart2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TMrcQvjnbnI/AAAAAAAAAxA/mYNmGE3PpeA/s200/heart2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yes, I've read these verses many times before, but suddenly I was struck anew with the fact that I don't have to go, run, walk, or flee anywhere to find God! He, by His great mercy, has chosen to live inside of me! He's right there in my heart with me through my most difficult moments! I am not alone. And that <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">God who lives in me, is a God of LOVE! </span></b> So even though I feel like my whole being is flooded with fear, a big part of me is actually taken up by the unconditional, unmatchable, unchanging <b>LOVE OF GOD! </b><br />
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So for now, I am singing that little children's hymn over and over again in my mind, reminding myself that I really do have the "wonderful love of my Blessed Redeemer right down in the depths of my heart!" And I'm continuing to feel incredibly humble and blessed that God answers my prayers when I seek Him. He doesn't tell me to "buck up and get a stiff upper lip and get on with my life" ... instead, He has great compassion on me and addresses my fears directly by helping me to find the perfect Scripture that brings me comfort. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b>Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b>Søren Kierkegaard</b></span></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-40002472530294584482010-10-06T12:18:00.000-04:002010-10-06T12:18:59.146-04:00MIA but not Missing in ActionJust thought I'd pop in today and explain why I have been MIA the last little while. Truthfully, while I have been "missing internet action" I have not been "missing in action!" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><b>In fact, the very reason I have been less faithful with my blog lately is because I have been more active in real life.</b></span> <br />
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This past summer, I have really struggled with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><u>anxiety</u></span></b></span></span> issues for the first time in my life. I am generally a very happy-go-lucky kind of person who has floated through life feeling pretty good most of the time. So when I started noticing this past year that I was becoming a real "worry wort," I simply told myself that I needed to stop worrying and make some changes and things would improve.<br />
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One of the changes I made was that I started this blog. In one of my first blog posts, that you can read about <a href="http://softwindsandroses.blogspot.com/2010/04/bird-song.html">here</a> if you are so inclined, I expressed the hope that I would start feeling better as the summer went on. And I did most definitely benefit from all of the sunshine we received this summer! I soaked it up and reveled in all that incredible Vitamin D. And blogging helped me to make new connections. I've met some wonderful encouraging friends whom I hope get a chance to read this so they know how much their kind words mean to me. But at the same time, my anxiety levels were not going down, but rather seemed to be getting worse.<br />
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I decided it was time for further action! And by action, this time, I mean literally <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: lime;">ACTION</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: lime;">!</span></i></span></span> I did some research and came to the conclusion that at 43, my body seems to be going into that awful "perimenopausal" state that so many women struggle with. My hormones are a jumble, I'm having bad PMS, I've gained way too much weight, and it is time for me to take better care of myself physically. I wasn't sure where to begin to make things better, but I knew I had to starts somewhere. There are few things I knew had helped me in the past so I thought I'd start there. They are as follows:<br />
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- make sure I have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>regular meaningful quiet time</i></b></span> everyday where I read a portion of the Bible and spend time meditating on it and talking to God.<br />
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- make sure I get <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>enough sleep every night but not too much</b></span></i> sleep. Get out of bed at 7 am every day!<br />
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- make sure I take a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>good brisk walk</i></b></span> every day.<br />
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- make sure I eat <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>regular meals</i></span></b> that are healthy and supplement those meals with <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">fresh vegetable juice</span></i></b> made in my juicer.<br />
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- make sure I take my multi<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">vitamins</span></i></b>, Vitamin D supplement, Vitamin B6 supplement and Estrosense supplement daily. (Estrosence is a natural health product for women. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.downtoearthnaturalfoods.ca/PDFDocs/j/J82WAV75VHMH8LSE9V2LJ0CA5B8M5V9B.PDF">here</a> if you are interested.)<br />
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As a result of the changes, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">I am feeling much stronger and healthier, both physically and emotionally</span></b>. I am walking 4 kms every day and have lost 20 pounds. Although I know that I need to lose more weight, I am feeling like it is now a manageable task with reasonable goals rather than an impossible uphill battle that I can never win. My pattern of "worrying" is being broken as I am working to renew my mind through reading more of the Bible and disciplining myself to turn off the negative thoughts by handing them over to the Lord whenever I start feeling anxious. I picture myself handing Him all the things I'm worried about, and receiving a soft, fluffy comforter back in exchange. It's a visual that helps to remind me that He offers to give us peace and comfort if we will turn our burdens over to Him.<br />
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Daily exercise, eating proper meals, juicing everyday, spending quiet time with the Lord --- all of these things take time and so I find I am not always able to fit blogging into my schedule as well. But I will keep checking in here at least once a week, to keep you all up to date with my life, and check in to see how you all are doing. It's so great to know I am not journeying through life alone, but have many wonderful friends along for the ride!<br />
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Blesssings,<br />
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RoRohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-79885223738412312712010-09-27T14:59:00.000-04:002010-09-27T14:59:35.195-04:00Marvelous Monday - Autumn Day<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Autumn Day:</b></span></i></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Lord: it is time. The huge summer has gone by.</b></span></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Now overlap the sundials with your shadows,</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>and on the meadows let the wind go free.</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Command the fruits to swell on tree and vine;</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>grant them a few more warm transparent days,</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>urge them on to fulfillment then, and press</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>the final sweetness into the heavy wine.</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b> </b></span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Whoever has no house now, will never have one.</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Whoever is alone will stay alone,</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>will sit, read, write long letters through the </b></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>evening,</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>and wander the boulevards, up and down,</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>restlessly, while the dry leaves are blowing.</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Translated by Stephen Mitchell,</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b> </b></span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b>"The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke" (Random Hou</b></span></i><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">se)</span></i></b></div></span><br />
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</div><div>Ooooohhhhh ... doesn't that last stanza send shivers down your spine? Just feels exactly like an autumn wind has curled itself around me and breathed down my neck! And yet I love that poem, perhaps because it does get such a response out of me. And perhaps, because I really do love autumn!</div><div><br />
</div><div>So on this Marvelous Monday, I am thankful for this glorious season of beautiful vistas ....</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnFqMCHXI/AAAAAAAAAwk/V0AJdbX-Epg/s1600/Vista2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnFqMCHXI/AAAAAAAAAwk/V0AJdbX-Epg/s400/Vista2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">of leaves turning colour....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnWkezmbI/AAAAAAAAAwo/VIB6K0VMMP4/s1600/UpcloseLeaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnWkezmbI/AAAAAAAAAwo/VIB6K0VMMP4/s400/UpcloseLeaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDngQ7bEcI/AAAAAAAAAws/KqB_CNKWFYU/s1600/SingleLeaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDngQ7bEcI/AAAAAAAAAws/KqB_CNKWFYU/s400/SingleLeaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">of animals seeking hide-away spots for the winter ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnvMqWhSI/AAAAAAAAAww/mEEUTKPDKDw/s1600/Racoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TKDnvMqWhSI/AAAAAAAAAww/mEEUTKPDKDw/s400/Racoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div>and bright orange pumpkins finding ways to escape the farm!</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you are having a glorious autumn!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Blessings,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ro</div><div><br />
</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-2261517192963841492010-09-23T11:13:00.000-04:002010-09-23T11:13:32.015-04:00Standing StillYesterday I received the sweetest note in the mail from one of my aunts. She heard that I had been having a difficult time with my cats -- first <a href="http://softwindsandroses.blogspot.com/2010/07/wounded-kitty-prayer-request.html">Tiger, our shop cat</a> was attacked by a dog earlier in the summer (she is now almost fully recovered but it has been a stressful and expensive journey) and then <a href="http://softwindsandroses.blogspot.com/2010/09/marvelous-monday-my-cat-clown.html">Kroompli, one of our house cats</a> suddenly developed cancer and had to be put to sleep last week. My aunt sent me a kind note to encourage me and included this beautiful poem. I thought I would share it today with all of you. I hope it speaks to your hearts the way it speaks to mine. There are so many of you who are going through trials of all different sorts. I received an email yesterday from a dear follower whose mother has alzheimer's disease. It broke my heart to read how she is now parenting her mother, because her mother has become a child. And I know there are many of you who are facing other difficulties. I hope you too will have someone come alongside of you to encourage you with a little note, a sweet poem, or perhaps an unexpected hug.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Ro<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>If You Stand Very Still</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>If you stand very still in the heart of a wood</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>You will hear many wonderful things</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>The snap of a twig, the wind in the trees</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>and the whirr of invisible wings.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>If you stand very still in the turmoil of life</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>and you wait for the voice from within,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>You'll be led down the quiet ways of wisdom and peace</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>in a mad world of chaos and din.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>If you stand very still and you hold to your faith</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>you will get all the help that you ask.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>You will draw from the silence the things that you need:</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>hope and courage and strength for your task.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><b>Patience Strong</b></i></span></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-2358998362835024072010-09-21T12:27:00.000-04:002010-09-21T12:27:37.224-04:00Tea Time Tuesday - Don't Hide in the China Cabinet!It's Tea Time Tuesday again! Last week, I was so sad after the sudden loss of my dear cat that I just didn't feel up to participating, but I've looked forward to getting back into the fun today as a little "pick me up" in the middle of the week. <br />
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Once again I am so thankful for the gracious ladies who host these wonderful tea-themed memes and I am participating in the following tea parties:<br />
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<a href="http://www.marthasfavorites.com/">Martha's Favorites</a><br />
<a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/">Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations</a><br />
<a href="http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/">The Plumed Pen</a><br />
<a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/">Lady Katherine Tea Parlor</a><br />
<a href="http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/">Artful Affirmations</a><br />
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Today I am showcasing a special little tea cup that is brand new to my collection:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJjYCxDYXTI/AAAAAAAAAwY/tVZu-vXyAuE/s1600/TeaCupfromJudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJjYCxDYXTI/AAAAAAAAAwY/tVZu-vXyAuE/s400/TeaCupfromJudy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't it a sweet little cup? I think it must have been originally a child's toy as it is very tiny. The little bird on the handle is just so cute and very delicately fashioned. A truly whimsical little piece!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was given to me by a very special friend as a birthday gift a few weeks ago. I have no idea if it has any market value ... the mark on the bottom of the saucer is almost illegible and all that I can read is "hand-painted" and then what looks like half of a symbol of some sort. But this cup and saucer have great value to me because they were given to me by a dear friend who is going through all kinds of difficult trials right now, yet in the midst of her struggles, she took time to think of me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I look at old pieces of china, it sometimes occurs to me that they are a little bit like us as women! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><b>We can be so delicate and fragile, and yet somehow, we endure the test of time. </b></span> Think of all the opportunities that a really old tea cup and saucer would have had to break! How many times they may have been moved from one building to another! How many hands have turned them over, some hands frail with arthritis, others full of the klutziness of adolescence. And yet, these lovely china pieces have endured throughout the years, their exquisite fine details still intact, colours still vibrant, handles still in place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there is a dilemma to be faced with lovely china, isn't there? If we leave it safe in the china cabinet, surely it is less likely to be broken! And yet then it will never be enjoyed, it's prettiness will never cheer up another soul who would delight in the pleasure of sipping tea from the delicate cup and admiring the lovely pattern. And life is like that too ... <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>we can hide ourselves away in the "china cabinet" of life</u></span></b>, protecting ourselves from ever being hurt, but then we will never know<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;">the joy of sharing our heart with another soul, or reaching out in love to a needy friend. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm particularly thankful for this sweet little cup and saucer today, because they remind me of a dear friend who hasn't stopped reaching out beyond herself, in spite of the fact that there are days when she probably wishes she could hide away in a corner of a safe china cabinet somewhere. My prayer for her is that she will make it through this trial without any "chips" or "cracks" and that she will know how very much she is appreciated by her friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #004387; font-family: arial;"></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>but to reveal to him, his own." </b></span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>-Benjamin Disraeli</b></span></i></span></div></i>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-29517505018642483172010-09-20T07:52:00.000-04:002010-09-20T07:52:13.879-04:00Marvelous Monday - The Simple Things<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Marvelous Monday again, and today I am thankful for the simple things in life:</span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.... like the fact that I've been able to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">walk for half an hour every day</span></b> with my Mum this week, enjoying the late summer farmland while getting back into a regular exercise routine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJaiwigTaHI/AAAAAAAAAwI/UVxZOfhpIig/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJaiwigTaHI/AAAAAAAAAwI/UVxZOfhpIig/s400/IMG_9730.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Walking past the vineyards, we spot how the grapes are ripening so quickly this year. <br />
Soon the air will be filled with their sweet fragrance that will surround us as we walk by.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.... like the beautiful <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">birthday flowers from my husband</span></b></i> that lasted and lasted, filling me with cheer whenever I saw their beautiful colours.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJakCAIJaYI/AAAAAAAAAwM/f2fMhcYdBhM/s1600/BirthdayFlowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJakCAIJaYI/AAAAAAAAAwM/f2fMhcYdBhM/s400/BirthdayFlowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I still have 2 carnations left two weeks later!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.... like the colourful jars of relish and salsa I was able to can with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;"><b>our very own delicious garden produce.</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJaky0oW3MI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/IMdK6H56leU/s400/IMG_9443.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I especially enjoy making this relish which is made to my late Grandmother's recipe. Reminds me of cheddar cheese sandwiches on crusty bread, made with a skim of home-made relish - the food of my childhood.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJaky0oW3MI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/IMdK6H56leU/s1600/IMG_9443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....and like the simple pleasure of enjoying <i><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">a relaxing meal beside the water</span></u></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">,</span> watching the sail boats go by.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJal_1j8RII/AAAAAAAAAwU/cbU2GXpNr_A/s400/Old+Fort+Niagara.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mr. Magnolia and I enjoyed a leisurely meal at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course <br />
on Sunday. The clubhouse provided an amazing view of the Niagara River where it enters into Lake Ontario, immediately across the river from Old Fort Niagara, New York.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TJal_1j8RII/AAAAAAAAAwU/cbU2GXpNr_A/s1600/Old+Fort+Niagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, we just need <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc;">the simple things in life to remind us of the important things</span></span></b> in life .... like taking care of our health, spending time with our loved ones, and finding time for rest and restoration.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-47831173993360826072010-09-13T11:20:00.004-04:002010-09-13T11:46:22.392-04:00Marvelous Monday - My Cat the Clown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Today is Marvelous Monday yet my heart is feeling a little broken. This morning I took my little clown cat "Kroompli" in to the vet and had to make the difficult decision to say good-bye to him forever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42SafWYkI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/X61xjkTjTG8/s1600/Kroompli2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42SafWYkI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/X61xjkTjTG8/s400/Kroompli2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Kroompli stalks our Roomba</b></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We have been growing increasingly worried about Kroompli for the last month. At first we thought maybe he was upset that Tiger (our shop cat who was a stranger to our house cats) was living in our sunroom. Perhaps this is why his stomach seemed to be upset. Then we thought it was because the little beggar managed to sneak into the mudroom where we keep our dog food and had a huge feast of dog food. Surely that would be the reason why he suddenly had severe diarrhea and an upset tummy. We took him to the vet a month ago and they confirmed after thoroughly examining the 18 pound monster that the dog food was probably the problem. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42rWbm-RI/AAAAAAAAAvc/8TBwhhP1910/s1600/Kroompli5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42rWbm-RI/AAAAAAAAAvc/8TBwhhP1910/s400/Kroompli5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b>Kroompli investigates my flowers.</b></span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>But then Kroompli began to lose weight. This cat who would eat anything became a very finicky eater. I tried different types of food and he seemed to perk up. But this past weekend, he suddenly took a big turn for the worse ... became very lethargic and looked like he was in a lot of pain. My husband and I checked him closely all over and felt what seemed to be a hard lump on his side. I took him to the vet first thing this morning and was told he has a cancerous mass on his stomach. It has appeared so rapidly that the vet feels it is an aggressive form of cancer. It was very obvious that he was in terrible pain so I made the decision to take care of him one last time by ending his misery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42tpdxJOI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Um3TWq1iFF0/s1600/Kroompli7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI42tpdxJOI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Um3TWq1iFF0/s400/Kroompli7.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Kroompli comes for a snuggle.</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>So today, on Marvelous Monday, though I am in tears, I am celebrating the life of a very loving pet who gave us so much joy over the 8 and a half years of his life. Kroompli was born to my mother's cat "Button" on March 22, 2002 - one of 5 of Button's first and only litter. He was such a sweet little kitten when he was born - all black and white patches, with his little ears folded down and his eyes shut. He was the runt of the litter and right away I knew I would take him. When he was 7 weeks old, we took him home and he quickly made himself at home, not only in our house, but in our hearts. I gave him a Hungarian name "Kroompli" (meaning potato) in the hopes of ensuring that my husband, who is of Hungarian descent, would be happy that I was bringing home yet another kitten. We were newly weds at the time but if I had known my husband better, I would have realized that it was a completely unnecessary gesture. My husband absolutely loves cats and he and Kroompli became the very best of friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43KvfElLI/AAAAAAAAAvw/Hev9i3SIpkY/s1600/Kroompli12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43KvfElLI/AAAAAAAAAvw/Hev9i3SIpkY/s400/Kroompli12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Kroompli loved his basket.</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The runt of the litter grew fast! Kroompli became a ginormous cat - the biggest cat we've ever had. And what a clown! He was an extremely playful cat who loved to lie on his back with his paws waving around in the air, begging to have his tummy rubbed. He loved food, especially people food, and delighted in pushing his big nose into our cereal bowls in the morning, hoping to slurp up some milk and possibly some cereal too. Kroompli loved to be snuggled and if he felt it was time for his cuddle, he would climb up on top of my computer and look at me with his beautiful big green eyes as if to say "Hello!!! I'm much cuter than that stupid machine!" And of course, he was much cuter, so I would stop whatever I was doing and scoop him up off of the computer and into my arms for a cuddle. And he would look up at me with those flirtatious green eyes even as I was cuddling him, as if he was smugly acknowledging that he had me wrapped around his paw, and I would always do his bidding.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43Cf0sgdI/AAAAAAAAAvs/L6Afp13BaLA/s1600/Kroompli10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43Cf0sgdI/AAAAAAAAAvs/L6Afp13BaLA/s400/Kroompli10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kroompli discovers our wide-screen TV</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43VidF4uI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ltNtsuPOZOY/s1600/Kroompli15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43VidF4uI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ltNtsuPOZOY/s400/Kroompli15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Kroompli, annoyed that I won't let him eat the gingerbread house.<br />
<br />
</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43R9B_nEI/AAAAAAAAAv4/H9llnZs6cx4/s1600/Kroompli14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI43R9B_nEI/AAAAAAAAAv4/H9llnZs6cx4/s400/Kroompli14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Kroompli poses as a Christmas ornament.</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's hard to imagine all that personality and life can simply end in one moment of time. I can't imagine that his life is over. This morning when I said good-bye to him, I told him that I hoped he would being seeing his brother Czardas soon - the beautiful black kitten we also adopted from his litter who later was killed on the road outside of our house. And I said a blessing over him too - because I believe God created my little cat, and that somehow, He will find a place for him in eternity. I hope that place is a sunny spot, where Kroompli can lie on his back, waving his paws in the air, and that someone kind and loving is there to lean over and give him a gentle tummy rub and whisper in his ear as I have done so many times, to tell him what a beautiful cat he is, and assure him that he brings joy wherever his paws take him.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI45Li3C04I/AAAAAAAAAwA/PWuxhum_EEw/s1600/Kroompli17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI45Li3C04I/AAAAAAAAAwA/PWuxhum_EEw/s400/Kroompli17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>Classic Kroompli pose - begging for tummy rub.</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI5HAS4lbPI/AAAAAAAAAwE/EfkvyB3tB9c/s1600/Kroompli16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TI5HAS4lbPI/AAAAAAAAAwE/EfkvyB3tB9c/s400/Kroompli16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-85759465482603975032010-09-08T08:49:00.000-04:002010-09-08T08:49:36.527-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Stormy Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeFxdpFHUI/AAAAAAAAAus/1GWLaZS6Cdg/s1600/Sky1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeFxdpFHUI/AAAAAAAAAus/1GWLaZS6Cdg/s400/Sky1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF3_ZbM4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/nHV_9r8MXxg/s1600/Sky2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF3_ZbM4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/nHV_9r8MXxg/s400/Sky2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF5vI_egI/AAAAAAAAAu0/R6rSKXODB8Y/s1600/Sky3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF5vI_egI/AAAAAAAAAu0/R6rSKXODB8Y/s400/Sky3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF8DMZZeI/AAAAAAAAAu4/YTTfBtdjD8s/s1600/Sky4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF8DMZZeI/AAAAAAAAAu4/YTTfBtdjD8s/s400/Sky4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF-TvepEI/AAAAAAAAAu8/4uqg8vGu3RY/s1600/Sky5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeF-TvepEI/AAAAAAAAAu8/4uqg8vGu3RY/s400/Sky5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGBHjtM7I/AAAAAAAAAvA/fGbsertSRxo/s1600/Sky6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGBHjtM7I/AAAAAAAAAvA/fGbsertSRxo/s400/Sky6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGEG_9_XI/AAAAAAAAAvE/DBzu8BNmMgM/s1600/Sky7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGEG_9_XI/AAAAAAAAAvE/DBzu8BNmMgM/s400/Sky7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGGz0ScwI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LLWtHVMIlV4/s1600/Sky8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIeGGz0ScwI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LLWtHVMIlV4/s400/Sky8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-29959040516106827902010-09-03T07:11:00.000-04:002010-09-03T07:11:46.087-04:00Follow Friday!It's Friday!!!! And this is a long weekend! Yeah! And it's my birthday on Saturday too so we shall have to see what Mr. Magnolia has in store (if he actually remembers that it is my birthday that is!) I love my dear husband but alas, he does not always remember significant dates without a little nudging from myself. So I just might have to give him a little hint later today! :)<div><br />
</div><div><center><a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Follow%20Friday"><img border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/linder4/over40pic3-2.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Once again it's Follow Friday 40 and Over at Java's wonderful blog <a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/">Never Growing Old</a>, where Java always looks about 18 years old yet has the wisdom of someone much more mature! I love visiting her blog and encourage you to do so too as you will be enriched by her sense of humour, the great beauty tips she gives us, and the endearing way she has of sharing her life struggles with all of us.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And if you're visiting from Follow Friday, welcome to my blog! I love having visitors and if you take a moment to comment, I will pop back over and visit your blog as well (although it sometimes takes me a couple of days to do so!). </div><div><br />
</div><div>Today for my visitors, I am serving a lovely slice of "virtual" sponge cake, topped with fresh peach slices, raspberries, and whipped cream! Hope you enjoy it!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Have a blessed weekend,</div><div><br />
</div><div>Ro</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIDXkg2m4QI/AAAAAAAAAuo/hgeQliTcfP8/s1600/Dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/TIDXkg2m4QI/AAAAAAAAAuo/hgeQliTcfP8/s400/Dessert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-9040006658513645422010-08-31T04:14:00.002-04:002010-08-31T13:31:08.555-04:00Theology in a Tea CupIt's Tuesday again and time to link up with all those lovely tea parties that whisk us away to a gentler, kinder place, where the pot of tea is always fresh, everyone is on their best behaviour, and all the world's problems can be easily solved over a steaming cup of Darjeeling or Earl Grey. The only dilemma is whether or not to have a slice of lemon or a drop of milk!<br />
<br />
Tea is being served at:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marthasfavorites.com/">Martha's Favorites</a><br />
<a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/">Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations</a><br />
<a href="http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/">The Plumed Pen</a><br />
<a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/">Lady Katherine Tea Parlor</a><br />
<a href="http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/">Artful Affirmations</a><br />
<br />
And of course, tea is being served right here. Today, my inspiration came from a poem that I recently read. I read it once, and then again, and then had to read it one more time. Actually, over the last few weeks, I've returned to it again and again, and I am still pondering the meaning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>All day long</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>She has been arranging our welcome:</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Scouring down the house,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Sweeping under beds,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Pulling out the old crocheted counterpanes,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Shining glasses and tableware,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Dusting sideboards and picture frames.</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Now she sits in a deep chair</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Till we come crunching down the beeches</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>To the door.</b></span></i></div><br />
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Nice, isn't it? Sort of creates an instant feeling of coziness and love. You just know that when you arrive at that door, you are a welcome guest! But why has it caught my attention so deeply? Well, it's because of the title. Here ... I'll give you the whole poem one more time, but this time, I'll include the title.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><u>God</u></b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>All day long</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b></b></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>She has been arranging our welcome:</b></span></i><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Scouring down the house,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Sweeping under beds,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Pulling out the old crocheted counterpanes,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Shining glasses and tableware,</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Dusting sideboards and picture frames.</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Now she sits in a deep chair</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Till we come crunching down the beeches</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>To the door.</b></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ah ... doesn't that title change the whole poem? I'm enthralled by the idea. I actually have no problem with the idea of God being a woman ... because I think God is a spirit being - neither male, nor female. I also think that since God created both men and women, both genders are reflections of who He/She is. Anyway, the poem really got me thinking, and this morning I began to wonder about something -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: cyan;"><b> if God invited me over for tea, which tea cup would She choose for me to use?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I decided on this one:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THxozEOtZ1I/AAAAAAAAAug/JMYkdFoOhPM/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THxozEOtZ1I/AAAAAAAAAug/JMYkdFoOhPM/s320/IMG_9413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THxpHR-aVMI/AAAAAAAAAuk/UYmUYgSfHpE/s1600/IMG_9415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THxpHR-aVMI/AAAAAAAAAuk/UYmUYgSfHpE/s320/IMG_9415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The pattern "Memory Lane" is by Royal Albert and consists of delicate blue forget-me-nots circling pristine white china. I purchased this tea cup and saucer as a gift for my Grandmother for her 80th birthday. Born in England, my Grandma was a great tea drinker and loved to drink her tea out of a fine bone china tea cup. I wanted her to have something special to drink her tea from, that would be particularly beautiful. When she passed away several years ago, the cup and saucer came back to me, and of course they really have become part of "Memory Lane" now because they always remind me of my Grandma.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But why did I chose this particular cup and saucer when I was thinking about that poem? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Well, contrary to mythological beliefs, all grandmothers are not sweet darling little old ladies who never do anything wrong! My grandmother had a temper. She wasn't perfect. She was human. And although I'm sure there are many elderly couples who have nothing but goodness and light to say about each other, my grandparents could raise bloody hell, if you'll excuse the expression. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One day when I was visiting, I happened to notice that my Grandma was using the Memory Lane tea cup with a different saucer. She explained, with a rather odd look on her face, that the saucer had broken. Looking at her hands, all gnarled and stiff with arthritis, I assumed she must have accidentally dropped the saucer and I decided immediately that I would get her a replacement. I mentioned my intent to my Grandad later that day. He told me Grandma didn't deserve a new saucer. Apparently they had a big fight and she had thrown the saucer at him and that is how it broke.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I got quiet for a moment when my Grandad told me the story. Then I looked him in the eye and told him that I was going to go ahead with my plan to replace the saucer. I said to him, <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"Grandad, love isn't something we give because it's deserved, it's something we give because it is the very nature of love." </span></b></i> The thing is, I didn't love my grandmother less because she had temper. I didn't feel she deserved the tea cup and saucer because she turned 80 but didn't deserve a replacement because she deliberately broke it. I gave the cup as a gift because I loved her. And love isn't supposed to be conditional.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">That's a lesson I learned, not from my grandparents, but from my God. See, I'd like to claim the idea of unconditional love as one of my own, but truthfully, I only understand a glimpse of it through the grace of God. When I read that poem, I think of how God so patiently waits for each one of us to come and spend some time with Her, eagerly preparing in advance for our visit, longing for the moment when we arrive. And She loves us unconditionally, each and every one of us, not because we have done something to earn it, but simply because God is love.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I am glad to say my Grandma eventually came to an understanding of that Divine Love. After spending the first 86 1/2 years of her life as an atheist, she became a believer in the last 6 months of her life. And the amazing thing is God didn't love her less when she was an atheist than He did after she became a believer. He loved her from the moment time began and will love her through all eternity. Because God is love.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>(The poem "God" is one I discovered in a book called <u>Irish Mist</u> written by Father Andrew Greeley. I'm not sure if he is the author, or if it was written by someone else.)</i></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-39992946118107310092010-08-30T09:48:00.000-04:002010-08-30T09:48:37.467-04:00Marvelous Monday - Life's A BeachAs some of you know, I started writing this regular blog feature "Marvelous Monday!" to encourage myself on this day of the week, when I'm usually grumpy and annoyed that the weekend is over, to think of all the many things for which I have to be grateful. There's no <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">antidote to grumpiness</span></span></b> quite as effective as gratitude, so I figured I would take a little time on Mondays to "count my blessings" instead of moping around with the Monday morning blues! <br />
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I have tried to specifically be thankful on Mondays for things that don't only include weekend activities ... because really, if I'm only counting the weekends as blessings, then that just reinforces the whole idea that Mondays are to be dreaded. Today, however, I just have to say <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Thank-you, Lord, for this amazing weekend!" </span></b></i> Because this past weekend has been absolutely wonderful. The weather was perfect and the company could not have been better - yup, I got to spend some quality time with my beloved Mr. Magnolia!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsDwhXvCGI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Heb_pH-3BNo/s1600/Niagara+Region.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsDwhXvCGI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Heb_pH-3BNo/s400/Niagara+Region.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Those of us in the Niagara Region are really quite blessed to live in an area with easy access to two beautiful Lakes - Lake Erie and Lake Ontario which are joined by the Niagara River, most famous for its stunning waterfalls at the point in the river where water flowing down from Lake Erie towards Lake Ontario, slips over the Niagara Escarpment and plunges down the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Where Mr. Magnolia and I live is only around 2 kms from Lake Ontario so we have access to that lake on a daily basis - but we are also very close to Lake Erie as well, so we often take the opportunity on weekends to make the short drive over to that lake. It's amazing how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><i>the two lakes have their own very distinctive "personalities"</i></b></span> - actually, all of the Great Lakes are like that - each one unique and beautiful in its own way. <br />
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This past Saturday we drove a little further than usual, to one of my favourite summer-time beaches in Port Dover, Ontario. We started the day out by enjoying a delicious crepe breakfast at a new restaurant in Port Dover called "The Crepe House." Mr. Magnolia chose the "breakfast crepe" which was filled with egg, ham, goat cheese and roasted red pepper. I opted for the "summer fruit crepe" - a delicious paper-thin crepe filled with fresh blueberries, raspberries and peach slices, and then topped with a light drizzle of lemon curd and whipped cream. Yum!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsGFWopP_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/n75csUKxGdw/s1600/Crepes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsGFWopP_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/n75csUKxGdw/s320/Crepes2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Don't you just love the way Mr. Magnolia's shirt matches<br />
the table cloth? :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsFk6ZfUmI/AAAAAAAAAt0/JHXC6mFjanU/s1600/Crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsFk6ZfUmI/AAAAAAAAAt0/JHXC6mFjanU/s320/Crepes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Port Dover is a really beautiful beach that is quite shallow for a long stretch out into the water, so it is very popular with families who have young children. With the temperature in the low 80's (27/28 Celsius), it was a popular day at the beach - not too hot but still hot enough to make the water very refreshing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsIbgjF_kI/AAAAAAAAAt8/E6mQ2DyeTqI/s1600/Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsIbgjF_kI/AAAAAAAAAt8/E6mQ2DyeTqI/s400/Beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We didn't go swimming, instead we spent some time "people-watching" and walked out on the lighthouse pier where a beautiful breeze blew the humidity away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsI-AppKHI/AAAAAAAAAuA/LGb0XCfVSio/s1600/LighthousePier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsI-AppKHI/AAAAAAAAAuA/LGb0XCfVSio/s400/LighthousePier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the end of the pier, we enjoyed watching the kite surfers </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the sail boats go by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsJRewq4_I/AAAAAAAAAuE/bDWgckGw25E/s1600/WindSailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsJRewq4_I/AAAAAAAAAuE/bDWgckGw25E/s400/WindSailing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsJZZdRwPI/AAAAAAAAAuI/cmJKF5tu0xk/s1600/Sailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsJZZdRwPI/AAAAAAAAAuI/cmJKF5tu0xk/s400/Sailboat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we decided to really "play tourist" and signed up for a one-hour boat ride of the river that enters Lake Erie at this port. The pontoon boat was a smooth ride and the Captain gave us a great oral history of the area while we road along up the river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We passed the few remaining commercial fishing buildings left over from what used to be a thriving commercial fresh fish industry .... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsK8GgxCVI/AAAAAAAAAuM/X1Jh2RVpJug/s1600/FishingIndustry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsK8GgxCVI/AAAAAAAAAuM/X1Jh2RVpJug/s400/FishingIndustry2.jpg" width="400" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And loads of waterfront mansions that are rapidly replacing the commercial buildings ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsLNe1OdaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/S4GAWIxRAto/s1600/Mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsLNe1OdaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/S4GAWIxRAto/s400/Mansion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our lovely boat ride took us past a variety of watercraft from </div><div style="text-align: left;">luxurious yachts to wee little kayaks ...</div><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsL71x4J5I/AAAAAAAAAuU/MKYZhYSZk3o/s1600/BoatRide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsL71x4J5I/AAAAAAAAAuU/MKYZhYSZk3o/s400/BoatRide1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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And then past some turtles sunning themselves on a log, indifferent to the fancy, or not-so-fancy boats that might go by ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsMakFHf0I/AAAAAAAAAuY/xsTLEAasxgM/s1600/Turtles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsMakFHf0I/AAAAAAAAAuY/xsTLEAasxgM/s400/Turtles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the boat ride, we enjoyed a leisurely drive home followed by a brisk walk with our dogs, and then a delicious supper, not at any fancy restaurant, just at "Chez Magnolia" with fresh veggies out of our own garden to compliment the juicy steak - one of Mr. Magnolia's favourite meals!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsOO0HL_NI/AAAAAAAAAuc/G4w76Saaa5c/s1600/IMG_9297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THsOO0HL_NI/AAAAAAAAAuc/G4w76Saaa5c/s400/IMG_9297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Definitely a day to remember with a heart so full of gratitude that there's not a speck of room left for the Monday Morning blues!</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-58706801560728272892010-08-27T08:38:00.000-04:002010-08-27T08:38:21.730-04:00A Peachy Day at Follow Friday 40 and Over<center><a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Follow%20Friday"><img border="0" src="http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/linder4/over40pic3-2.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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It's Friday again! The weekend is almost upon us and today is Follow Friday 40 and Over, a wonderful blog hop hosted by Java over at <a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/">Never Growing Old</a>. So hop on over there and check it out!<br />
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Today, I'm serving all of my visitors a special smoothie .... a peach smoothie! I've been making them every day this past week for Mr. Magnolia and myself. He has his own auto repair shop and works very hard. This summer has been an especially hot one and so I love to bring him a nice cold refreshing drink in the middle of the day.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hot weather has been wonderful for our peach crop ... all that sunshine brings out a really high sugar-count in the fruit. To make my peach smoothies, I peel 6-7 good size peaches, throw them in the blender with a splash of orange juice, and a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream and voila! That's all it takes and we have wonderful peach smoothies to enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all have a "peachy" weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ro</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-56112904917167666562010-08-25T11:22:00.000-04:002010-08-25T11:22:40.931-04:00The Butterfly DanceI've always been told that there is a silver-lining in most clouds and that good can come of even the most awful experiences in life. So I suppose it should be no surprise that there have been some surprisingly good things that have resulted from my dear cat Tiger's accident (for those who may be new to my blog and want the background story on Tiger, you will find it <a href="http://softwindsandroses.blogspot.com/2010/07/wounded-kitty-prayer-request.html">HERE</a>). <br />
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Because Tiger was wild for the first 8 months of her life, and because she is still basically an outdoor cat, my husband has really encouraged me to take her outside every day so that she will have the "morale-boost" of feeling grass beneath her paws and being able to sniff fresh air every day. As a result, I too have been experiencing a morale-boost! Spending at least an hour outside twice a day, just squishing my own toes into the grass and sniffing fresh air of my own while I'm watching my little cat, I've found such a renewed love for the outdoors. So, I am truly enjoying the experience of sitting outside on our porch swing, or on a lawn chair, with one eye on my little cat to make sure she's safe, and one eye either drifting shut in the sunshine, or else watching the birds, bees and butterflies fly by.<br />
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And speaking of birds, bees and butterflies, yesterday morning as I sat with my cat, something amazing happened - something, I would have totally missed out on if I'd been inside. The butterflies began to dance! One after another, the butterflies began to arrive and soon our front lawn and the flowers situated there became landing posts for at least a dozen monarch butterflies. They danced in the air, they feasted on flowers, they drifted and spun around, only to land one more time for a banquet of flower nectar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR63mr4eOI/AAAAAAAAAsw/3LdJOD3e_qI/s1600/Monarch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR63mr4eOI/AAAAAAAAAsw/3LdJOD3e_qI/s400/Monarch1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And there I was, caught in the middle of their dance, bubbling over with delight at what I was seeing! There were monarchs on my right and monarchs on my left, monarchs above me, and monarchs chasing down near my feet. And all at once as I began to laugh with joy, I discovered I was no longer a spectator, but a participant in their dance! They landed on my head and swirled around my face and danced off again to twist and twirl together in the sky.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR7G8bu0_I/AAAAAAAAAs0/GAvsknYacXI/s1600/Monarch9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR7G8bu0_I/AAAAAAAAAs0/GAvsknYacXI/s400/Monarch9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For three-quarters of an hour I danced with the butterflies, me and my camera - because YES for once I actually had my camera with me at just the right moment! I'm convinced Tiger thought I was losing my mind. She looked at me quite cross-eyed when I returned breathless and enraptured to sit by her side. But what an amazing experience to be transported for a brief moment in time, into a butterfly's world! I don't know if the butterflies will be back tomorrow. I suspect they are getting ready to migrate and that is why they were so active today. But if I never see them again, I am so thrilled I will always have the memory of this butterfly dance!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR7zVYAnhI/AAAAAAAAAtE/aW40GY5C4dU/s1600/Monarch6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR7zVYAnhI/AAAAAAAAAtE/aW40GY5C4dU/s400/Monarch6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR79yvM0zI/AAAAAAAAAtI/G730E97Lq2U/s1600/Monarch10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR79yvM0zI/AAAAAAAAAtI/G730E97Lq2U/s400/Monarch10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR8awdXukI/AAAAAAAAAtM/TzTW3vt35Tk/s1600/Monarch8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR8awdXukI/AAAAAAAAAtM/TzTW3vt35Tk/s400/Monarch8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR8xQ9O-sI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/Y4UkepGe6UA/s1600/Monarch23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR8xQ9O-sI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/Y4UkepGe6UA/s400/Monarch23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This last picture has nothing to do with butterflies, it's a picture of the full moon rising over our house last night. I've taken it especially for <a href="http://australianinathens.blogspot.com/">Purple Cow</a> to thank her for bringing the full moon to my attention and to let her know I really was thinking about her watching the full moon way over in Greece while I was watching it here in Canada. And who knows, a full moon is a rather magical thing, so maybe it is linked in some way to the magic of my butterfly experience today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR_q5SmrRI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hd3zMS2m75U/s1600/MoonRising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THR_q5SmrRI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hd3zMS2m75U/s400/MoonRising.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-81183307389046256372010-08-24T14:36:00.000-04:002010-08-24T14:36:11.663-04:00Tea Time TuesdayWell, it's here again ... Tea Time Tuesday over at <a href="http://www.marthasfavorites.com/">Martha's Favorites</a>, <a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/">Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations</a>, <a href="http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/">The Plumed Pen</a>, and <a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/">Lady Katherine Tea Parlor</a>. Don't you just love a tea party, complete with beautiful china and beautiful friends with whom you can enjoy it?<br />
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Today I am showcasing a lovely little tea cup I picked up at a yard sale a few weeks ago. I have always been partial to pansies, so this cup immediately drew my attention where it was sitting amongst a pile of old china and glassware.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKLTBRQmI/AAAAAAAAArw/N7KGgNQQ44o/s1600/Teacup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKLTBRQmI/AAAAAAAAArw/N7KGgNQQ44o/s400/Teacup1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKV-gAjMI/AAAAAAAAAr0/r0rEEenwzqI/s1600/Teacup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKV-gAjMI/AAAAAAAAAr0/r0rEEenwzqI/s400/Teacup2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really love everything about it from the shape of the cup, to the fluted edge of the saucer. And the colours of the flowers are so very pretty. You can imagine, I was quite excited to purchase a Royal Albert in perfect condition for only $1.50! (Have I mentioned just how much I love to go to yard sales?!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKsPwhQXI/AAAAAAAAAr4/JRi17qki1Hg/s1600/Teacup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQKsPwhQXI/AAAAAAAAAr4/JRi17qki1Hg/s400/Teacup3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also found another delightful piece of china at the same sale. Unfortunately, it is not in perfect condition, but I fell in love with it anyway, and at 75 cents, I thought it was well worth the asking price. However, being a little bargainer, I asked if they wouldn't mind taking $2.00 for the cup & saucer and plate all together. I got lucky and they said yes! Never hurts to ask, does it? :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQLZMXH83I/AAAAAAAAAr8/w_hM0CdvRvg/s1600/Plate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQLZMXH83I/AAAAAAAAAr8/w_hM0CdvRvg/s400/Plate1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see, there is some damage in the glaze on the plate, but there are no chips or cracks and the design is really lovely. It's marked Royal Winton on the back of the plate and has a number 7 in gold. I'll have to do a little bit of research to find out more about the pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQOjaDtmGI/AAAAAAAAAsY/bBXxapQOx4c/s1600/Together1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQOjaDtmGI/AAAAAAAAAsY/bBXxapQOx4c/s400/Together1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't they look cute together? And just look at those sweet little treats sitting there beside them! You'd never guess, but they're actually little lipgloss containers! Aren't they adorable? I found them recently in a small boutique and couldn't resist purchasing them, with the intent of using them as a wee little gift for someone sometime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQMx3FVK5I/AAAAAAAAAsM/Rsgfa7Wj2YI/s1600/Lipgloss1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THQMx3FVK5I/AAAAAAAAAsM/Rsgfa7Wj2YI/s400/Lipgloss1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are actually four of them in the package, each one looking "good enough to eat"! They are made in England by a company called "Natural Products Ltd." and labelled "Naughty but Nice!" And why am I giving you so much information about these cute little lipglosses?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, because I just can't resist giving them away to someone, that's why! It occurred to me yesterday that I now have 100 followers. Definitely a reason to give something away. So, anyone who comments on this post in the next 7 days, will be automatically entered into a draw for these cute little lipglosses. And because I love to give things away, I'll probably tuck a little something else into the package as well, before I mail it off to the lucky recipient. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you're all having a wonderful time visiting tea parties today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blessings, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.<br />
<span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Heda Bejar</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.<br />
<span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Richard Braunstein</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.<br />
<span class="Red" style="color: #952300; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sir Winston Churchill</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-16698647197611081992010-08-23T09:45:00.000-04:002010-08-23T09:45:20.438-04:00Marvelous Monday!Oh, it has been a really crazy busy time here in the Magnolia household ... I apologize for getting side-tracked from regularly blogging last week and hope this week I'll be a little better at staying in touch. <br />
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Today is Marvelous Monday ... a windy cool day here in Southern Ontario. I'm not complaining though because we have been enjoying such a wonderful hot summer that I don't begrudge a few days here and there of cool weather.<br />
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On this Marvelous Monday, I am especially thankful for my cat's recovery! On Saturday, my little Tiger just seemed to turn a corner in her recovery and suddenly we looked up to see her walking almost 100% normal! She's still "wobbly" so Mr. Magnolia says she walks a little bit like she's had too much to drink, but she's actually standing up completely on her back legs when she walks now so she no longer looks like a raccoon when she walks. She has been only able to hold herself up about 3/4 of the way on her back legs up until now so she has been walking with a strange rolling, hunched-over gait. I can't begin to tell you the feeling of joy that flood through me when I saw her stand up totally normal on Saturday and start to walk with like a healthy cat! Every time I see her standing up properly now I get the same flood of joy in my heart. I really didn't think she would ever walk normally again!<br />
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So on this Marvelous Monday, I'm very grateful to all of you for your prayers and kind thoughts towards my cat, and hope that somehow each one of you will able to see a little miracle in your own lives, to give you hope and cheer your hearts.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Blessings,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Ro</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i>"I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it." </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><i>Abraham Lincoln</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5RmxQnSI/AAAAAAAAArk/_OCawvyBmTg/s1600/Tiger1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5RmxQnSI/AAAAAAAAArk/_OCawvyBmTg/s400/Tiger1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5djSVkzI/AAAAAAAAAro/AAVlFDFG32U/s1600/Tiger2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5djSVkzI/AAAAAAAAAro/AAVlFDFG32U/s400/Tiger2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5mnIXGoI/AAAAAAAAArs/wAwesM7GhTc/s1600/Tiger3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9J9wYZaQ05E/THJ5mnIXGoI/AAAAAAAAArs/wAwesM7GhTc/s400/Tiger3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-25629275222969934162010-08-12T14:48:00.003-04:002010-08-12T14:55:56.865-04:00Thank God for the Aztecs!I have to admit, although I am a Christian and I love to read fiction, I rarely enjoy Christian fiction. Honestly, I just find it is often incredibly insipid (think sappy stories about life on the prairies) or overly preachy (I'd just as soon go to church and hear a sermon thank-you-very-much!) and rarely do I find it an enjoyable read. However, I came across a book in our local public library recently that was categorized as "Christian Fiction" that had an intriguing title "Chocolate Beach" so I thought I'd give it a try.<br />
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Well, first off, I have to warn you that if you're looking for a really deep novel that will change your life, this probably isn't it! But, in it's own charming way, Julie Carobini's light-hearted approach was exactly what I was looking for in a book that I could read on a nice hot day, lying on my porch swing, enjoying the breeze and pretending the constant sound of traffic from the six-lane highway just a mere kilometer away was actually the song of deep blue waves rhythmically pounding on a golden sandy beach. <br />
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And though I wasn't expecting it, the book actually got me thinking deeply ... well, at least as deeply as one can think on a drowsy summer day anyway. The thing is, some of her points hit home, just not in an overly-intense way, but more in an "Ah, I recognize that in myself" kind of way. Like when her heroine, "Bri," realizes that she is spending more time worrying than she is praying, and when she gets all caught up in trying to change the exterior without acknowledging that the internal probably needs more tweaking. And of course, who can't relate to the notion of "break-up brownies" - that absolutely necessary "go-to-dish" for all those broken-hearted and in need of the ultimate comfort food?!<br />
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I won't give away the plot line, in case you all want to read the book, but suffice it to say that one of the external changes that Bri attempts, is to learn how to cook, and she starts by attending a seminar on cooking with chocolate. Smart cookie, eh? I mean, if you're going to learn cooking, you might as well learn how to cook something delicious and chocolately! <br />
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Being an avid cook, I found myself quite interested in the menu at the seminar: satiny chocolate soup, glazed chocolate potatoes, sumptuous chocolate chili and chocolate cherry fondue! Yum! What's not to like about that? I've heard of chocolate chili before and have been meaning to try making a batch myself, so after finishing the book - yeah, another good point is that it's a pretty quick read - I decided that it was time to attempt to cook some myself.<br />
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Now unfortunately, Carobini's book did not contain any recipes, so I went surfing the net and found a few to choose from. The one I landed on contained no fresh veggies beyond one onion! This just seemed really wrong to me - chocolate and chili are both soul foods to me, and soul foods just can't come out of a can alone! And right now my garden is over-flowing with fresh produce just waiting for me to slice, chop, and cook, so I switched things up a bit and below you will find the "tweaked" recipe I ended up using.<br />
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The result was an unbelievably satisfying spicy chili, with a subtle dark, earthy taste of chocolate that gave incredible depth to the dish. I am not 100% happy with the final result but I am now totally hooked on chocolate chili and intend to keep practicing until I have the perfect blend of ingredients. If any of you have a good chocolate chili recipe you'd like to share, please send it my way. As for "glazed chocolate potatoes" ... well, I haven't tried those yet, but they just don't seem quite as intriguing as the satiny chocolate soup that is probably going to be my next experiment! And in the mean time, I'm sending up a huge prayer of thanksgiving for the Aztecs who were smart enough to realize the value of chocolate! I can't imagine life without it!<br />
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<b>Chocolate Chili Recipe:</b><br />
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Brown 1 lb of ground beef and 3 medium sized onions, drain any excess fat, put beef/onion in mixture into slow cooker.<br />
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In frying pan, with some heated olive oil, gently soften 4-5 good sized sweet banana peppers and 3 jalapenos that have been rustic-chopped. Once done, add to the slow cooker.<br />
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Rough-cut 5-6 medium sized fresh tomatoes. Add to slow cooker.<br />
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Crush 3 garlic cloves and add to the slow cooker.<br />
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Add the rest of these ingredients to the slow cooker and give the mixture a good stirring.<br />
- 2 (15 oz) cans of diced tomatoes<br />
- 1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans<br />
- 1 (15 oz) can of black beans<br />
- 2 tbsp. chili powder<br />
- 1 tsp. cumin<br />
- some fresh oregano chopped fine<br />
- 2/3 cup of semi-sweet dark chocolate chips<br />
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Cook on the highest setting of your slow cooker for a half-hour, then reduce to cook for at least 3 hours more. The longer it cooks, the more flavour will be released into the mixture.Rohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03631771953626754039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1928022890533816932.post-14430915247514639092010-08-10T11:15:00.001-04:002010-08-10T14:42:30.650-04:00Tea Time Tuesday!It's that wonderful day of the week when our thoughts turn to the refined notion of tea parties, lovely china, and good friends to share them with! Martha over at <a href="http://www.marthasfavorites.com/">Martha's Favorites</a>, Sandi over at <a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/">Rose Chintz Cottage and Inspirations</a>, Wanda Lee over at <a href="http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/">Plumed Pen</a> and Lady Katherine over at <a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-spent-with-hannah.html">Lady Katherine Tea Parlor</a> are all hosting tea-themed memes! What a great way to meet new people and enjoy viewing the unique tea things that each person has so thoughtfully included in their blog. <br />
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Today, I am featuring two of my favourite tea cups. For some reason, I find myself always drawn to Aynsley china. If there are 10 tea cups to view at a thrift shop, my eye just invariably seems to go to the one in the lot that is an Aynsley! The two tea cups I'm showing you today are both the same Aynsley pattern, although they have different background colours, one being blue and one being pink. Apparently there are others available too, and I would love to add to my collection some day so I have one of each background colour. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the fact that while there is a small landscape on the outside of the tea cup, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the largest, most beautiful landscape is hidden inside! </div><br />
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The bluebell pattern is so lovely, a landscape pattern with soft blues and rose colours, it never fails to evoke the soft cool Spring days one would find in England. After emigrating to Canada, one of the few things my Mum missed about England was the long Spring weather. Here in Southern Ontario, Canada, things get hot fast and from one day to the next everything changes dramatically in the Spring. My Mum used to tell us stories of walking in a forest carpeted with bluebells and it always seemed the most magical of places we could ever imagine!<br />
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And speaking of cool Spring weather, we had a wonderful break from the hot, steamy summer weather yesterday, with the arrival of a sudden downpour. Even the cicadas stopped their incessant buzzing while the rain poured down in sheets, drumming loudly on the porch roof while I sat serenely on our swing, so enamored with the raindrops that I found myself setting aside the book I was reading so I could enjoy the spectacle of a rainfall. Once the rain had lessened, I snuck inside to grab my camera.<br />
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