Food for Thought Tuesday

You can't change the past ...

but you can ruin the present

by worrying over the future.

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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Friday Afternoon Swing

I lay in the swing, gently rocking myself with the arm resting over the top of my head. I read for a while; then I looked around and thought:
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"Ummm! It looks magical under those ferns! Hmmmm! I wonder who would paint something on the side of my shed?"

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Then I looked up and swung. Ahhhh, so beautiful!

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Then I slept to the sounds of birds chirping and kids biking and the occasional truck rumbling by on the main road.

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Friday afternoons don't get much better than this!

11 June 10 Fertilizer Friday

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Here she is; my very first poppy! Ain't she purdy! When I lived in the country, my elderly neighbor had a wonderful garden and a huge patch of purple Iris' with these poppies in the front. Gorgeous! I have 2 poppies and in 3 years, this is the first bloom. I'm a proud Mama!

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It's Friday! And before we get started on the weekend, we'll join Tootsie and friends for Fertilizer Friday.

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First of all, I'll ask you to excuse my pictures. I must be shaking with excitement over all my plants growing because most of my pictures are blurry. Also, Blogger is turning my photos sideways! But as a wise, talented man once said: "A rose by any other position, will look as sweet" (or something similar to that).

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Speaking of roses, this is one of my 3 - 99 cents rose bushes -- full of buds bursting with excitement as well in anticipation of blooming..
The Mountain Bluettes are still (excitedly) blooming this week..
Herman's Pride' (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) is also full of little blooms..

These little pinks (I believe they're from the Dianthus family?) are popping up all over the place. The pale pink bloom against the dusty sage green foliage is so pretty..

And the Sweet Williams (which is from the Dianthus family) is very striking. The color of my Sweet William is always beautiful; but my plants are very "leggy". Anyone have any ideas on what I should do?

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Here's 1 of 2 new yellow Iris' that I bought last weekend at a roadside stand. The proof of her gardening prowess was there for me to see, so I didn't mind paying the $4 each for them. They'll get planted this afternoon..
At the end of the driveway, these pansies are looking very pretty. (I hope they reseed themselves!)

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So far, this is the only Columbine to bloom for any length of time and grow to any size. I keep encouraging it's more colorful brothers and sisters to "Grow little plants, grow!" But like all children, I'm sure they look at me snidely and go on at their own pace! I'm much more patient with my "green children" (Hmmmm??) .
And here are a couple of clumps of Day Lilies from my Mum Brown trip that I ran out of room and energy to plant anywhere. I shoved them in pots with some new soil -- and look at them go! Much to my delight, they'll be blooming soon..
Plants really do just want to grow, don't they!
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The weather sounds nice today, and the rain will begin again tomorrow! So, you'll find me in the garden this afternoon -- in the swing reading the rest of my wonderful paperback (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

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Happy Weekend!

Blog Award

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A while ago, I was presented with this great blog award by Jeannie B at http://jeanniesgarden.blogspot.com/.

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A huge THANK YOU to Jeannie for this award. Don't you love the colored pencils and the heart shape.

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Of course, now I have to tell you 10 things that I am loving these days.

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1. Sunshine -- and the way my whole mood changes when the weather turns from grey to yellow!



2. I love the way my bedroom smells! I keep the door closed during the day (to keep our kitty out). When I open it after work, there's a beautiful smell from all my soaps and lotions and perfumes -- and no matter what kind of a day I've had, I'm reminded that sometimes the simple things are the things appreciated the best!



3. I love wearing sandals and going bare-legged. It may blind those who happen to look at them (they're still pretty white), but it sure feels good!



4. I love fresh peaches! I love the fuzz, I love when they drip down my chin and all over my hands; I love them raw, I love them in cobblers and I love them in Brandy compots poured over ice cream. What's not to like about a fresh peach? ....... Nova Scotia's growing season is not great for peaches; so I have to wait until mid July when we get Ontario peaches in :(



5. I love getting lost in worship with God.



6. I love watching my garden grow. (And I take a sense of satisfaction at quishing slugs or poopy-patrol for my lilies.)



7. I love watching my kids grow. (But because they're becoming independent, I cannot quish them [even when I feel like really flattening them] AND they're on their own personal poopy-patrol -- thank goodness!)



8. I love making my Mom laugh.




9. Popcorn! (But I have to stop putting butter on the top because my doctor told me the other day that my cholesterol is high!)



10. And I love oatmeal! Actually, I kind of adore oatmeal and oats in general! And oats are great for high cholesterol. So, let me share one of my favorite, quick breakfast recipes.

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Family Favorite Muesli (serves 1)

1 Tbsp rolled oats
3 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 med apple
1 tsp ground nuts
Drizzle of honey or maple syrup (optional)

Soak oats overnight in water. In the morning, add lemon juice and grate or chop the apples into the mixture. Sprinkle with grated nuts, and serve immediately with plain yogurt to taste and to consistency desired.

You can also add 1/2 of a chopped banana and a tsp of sesame or flax seeds.

Artful Penpals

When I was a 12 yr old girl in CGIT (like Girl Guides), I signed up for a penpal from Japan. Hario and I corresponded for roughly 2 years; feather-weight, delicate blue envelopes containing a single sheaf of paper would arrive every 3-4 months with exotic looking stamps on the outside. The letters didn't contain much information: "Our village is little cold this year." "My school is hard." But every time I received a letter, there it was! Tangible proof that there was an island called Japan half way around the planet! It was so exciting! I still have those letters. .
I had 2 other penpals between 10 and 16. And when I moved away from home at 20, my grandmother and I would write each other regularly on pretty stationery; hers always smelled like lavender or lily of the valley. Neither of us had nice handwriting; but those letters were precious. The thoughts, the sentiments, the emotions they contained might never have been shared in person. But there they were on paper, able to be read over and over again. They gave me a wonderful sense of home,security and love. I still have them..

Although I don't write as often as I used to, I still love to write letters. I think that my blog fills a lot of my personal need to write and my love of connecting with people in "away" places. (And it's faster and easier on my carpal tunnel and arthritis when I use a keyboard.) .

My blog friend Shelagh at AliceinParisLovesArtandTea is hosting her second "Artful Penpals" signup. Last year, I received a letter and package from Trinidad. The correspondence didn't continue between us; perhaps some people only want one letter! But that's certainly not always the case. Here's what Shelagh had to say about last year's success:
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"Last year there were 52 people from all over the world. The feedback was great. People are craving that personal touch, a return to simpler and more thoughtful things. Just like the slow food movement, snail mail is becoming something people desire. Only one person I know of did not get a letter. Here's what another wrote: I signed up for this last year and met the most wonderful friend through this project. We still talk all the time on the internet and occasionally send each other letters in the actual postal mail system too. Thank you so much for sending me a friend I will cherish forever! I hope people signing up this year have as wonderful an experience as I did. ♥ "

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Shelagh collects the names and information; she then matches people based on interests, age and requests. She sends the basic contact info to both penpals; and then it's up the writers to connect (and stay connected).

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I'm going to sign up again this year: I may get one letter, or I may be fortunate enough to find a lifelong friend. It doesn't matter.

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If you're interested, the information is all here! But you only have until June 14th.

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Yours sincerely ..... et cordialement,
Tu Ami -- Moi!

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Sunday Mornin' Comin Down....

• 2 hours until church
• quiet house
• New York Times crossword puzzle
• and this ...

I love Sundays!

Yard Saling at the SHAID

I awoke to sunshine this morning. Hallelujah! By 8:50 am, I was in line for the annual SHAID animal shelter yard sale which is held at the local exhibition grounds in the arena. I was one of the first 60-80 to enter; and unfortunately I just missed the bicycle I'd been hoping to find. A purple 10 speed ladies bike with a basket on the back for $25 :(
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There are a few key things you need if you want to attend this yard sale: (1) comfortable shoes; (2) a few cloth shopping bags; (3) time and patience; (4) and no fear of crowds or being stepped on. If you employ all of these, you can be guaranteed to find some wonderful bargains.
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Here are mine!
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• This soup/chowder tureen for $5! I fell in love with the pretty sea motif..


• This beautiful silver plated candle stand (which I found at the bottom of a box of junk) for 25 cents! I wanted to show you the detail in the piece. Voila! My 1st mosaic photo!.


• These gorgeous and totally groovy glasses for $2..


• A very pretty candy dish for 25 cents. (Found on my way OUT of the building when I "couldn't possibly carry another thing & I've spent enough money!") .

After seeing so many of you with your retro cannisters, when I came across this for 50 cents, I scooped it up. My mom used to have one just like it. (And someone even threw in the roll of aluminum foil!).

Beeswax candles (with bee) for 25 cents. .

A candle hurricane lantern for the deck at $1. .

I got these items for $1: a brand new parakeet garlic press, a purple collander (for my eldest daughter in NL), a collapsible cup (just like so many of our folks had in their car and/or purses in the early 60's) and this cool set of forks and steak knives..

And one final piece de resistance, a brand new 6" Le Creuset frying pan for $1 -- These sell online for $69.95! WOW! (I just like little iron frying pans!).

I found 2 more beverage containers like the glass watermelon one I bought last weekend. I bought both. The aqua plastic one came first for 50 cents; then I saw the black glass one for $1. I'm hoping I can use the do-dad from one of those to fix the red one because I still like that one best. .

I bought a few more "new-to-me" perennials for the garden, dropped by for my weekly French pastry fix, and spent a relaxing few hours visiting a friend before heading home in the rain.

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A fun Saturday!

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I'm joining LINDA at Coastal Charm on Tuesday for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesday! Check out the fun over there.