Spring has arrived...

Hello everyone.. 

Happy Spring! 

The last time I did a post it was the tail end of winter.. 

Seems as though it is still here in the Maritimes of Canada.. 

We had a day of snow and then rain after feeling very Spring like for several days.. sigh... 

I am ready for Spring although I must say I am not nearly as desperate as I have been in the past.. 

Our winter was not really all that bad and I found activities to keep me mindful of home and hearth...

Now with that said; I must say it is good to be back.. 

Especially as I am using my good old laptop..

I brought it into the sun room and just plugged it in for a couple of weeks and then did some work updating it and hopefully it will do for awhile.. 

How are your days going? 

Terry has started going to the farm quite regularly each week.. 

I believe he is getting quite anxious to be out there for the summer.. 

But here at home we are still just doing the usual retired life.. smile.. 

Each morning I make my daily quart...grin.. 

It is something I learned this past winter... 

It is for your health.. 

I am on a Nettles kick right now.. 

It is a heart healthy herb.. 

So I just boil up a quart of water and pour over 1/4 cup of dried nettles in a mason jar.. 

Let that sit for 10 minutes or till you get around to it later in the morning..  Strain into a lovely little cuppa and slug her down.. 

I was told to sip away at it but when it comes to nettle tea I just get her down.. grin.. 

It is so healthy for you.. 

I did not dry my own nettles but bought them from the health food store in Sussex... Winterwood.. 

I do dry my own peppermint, lemon balm. sage and such ...

They taste better, too.. 

You can add a touch of honey and sip away at them.. 

They are tasty and soothing.. 

I have my little cup from my shop that I used to have in St. Martins and a little strainer and enjoy this little simple pleasure.. 

After supper each night I drink a cup of chamomile and peppermint..  

Here are 10 healthy her teas you can try.. 

Chamomile Tea

Peppermint Tea

Ginger Tea

Hibiscus Tea

Echinacea Tea

Rooibos Tea

Sage Tea

Lemon Balm Tea..

Probably you girls already drink these. 

I am slow at getting on the herbal tea train but now I am here.. smile..  

I made up a couple of batches of the two ingredient bagels again..  

We took a little trip south of the border and I found a bottle of Everything but the Bagel shaker.. 

It contains poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic and such.. 

Very tasty.. 

Here is the recipe for the bagels in case you would like to have it.. 

2 ingredient bagels..

As I was saying we took a little trip to Bangor in Maine.. 

We were celebrating our 49th anniversary... 

We have made this trip almost every March for many years.. 

It is just something we both like to do.. 

We used to stay two nights but now we seem to enjoy one night better.. 

We don't shop as much as we used to and really there is not 

that much to do there for us... 

But we do have a great time.. 

We shopped at my fave places... 

This is a darling shop... 

Antiques, crafts and books galore.. 

All kinds of dishes, linens and laces.. 

I love it... 

Terry and Charlie wait so patiently in the car for me.. smile.. 

Of course Terry has some treats I made before we left.. 

He ate most at home.. 

I had to make 2 batches.. 

And for me.

A jar of homemade Hummus and Pita Chips.

Do you like it? 

We ate at Texas Road House which is Terry's favourite and at Ruby Tuesdays which is mine.. 

They were both delicious... 

Here is a Goodwill treasure that I found.. 

Magazines from 1950 to 1953

Lots of neat patterns and ideas... 

I found some wonderful finds there.. 

I also love the Tiller and Rye store.. 

Here is a link... 

HERE

There are some recipes and such there, too.. 

I bought some Rennet tablets and a new Sprout Kit... 

We had company with us, of course... 

Dear old Charlie... 

Such a perfect dog to take.. 

Never gets excited or barking or anything.. 

The kids say he is a perfect dog and he is.. 

Sorry to be dog bragging.. lol.. 

On with the show.. 

Yesterday, I did a bit of sewing.. 

Made a fresh pot of coffee and used my cup that Trevor bought me for my birthday.. 

I love the size of it and it doesn't spill... 

And stays hot.  

I started on these.. 

New dishcloths.. 

You can recycle old towels or such.. 

Terry bought me some that was a really great buy.. 

Just plain white terrycloth so I covered them like I do when I reuse an old white towel.. 

Just makes them a bit more homelike.. 

Then for my gift pantry I finished up a few more Lavender 

Sleeping bags... 

I also made a couple of sachets for a purse..

I think the secret to these is to put the lavender buds in a bowl and sprinkle several drops of lavender oil on.. 

Mix it all up and crush with your fingers and let it sit while you are making the bags..  

I have one in my pillow case and everytime I move my head I smell the lavender.. (if I am awake)  grin.. 

I gave one to my Mom and she loves it.. 

I must mention that I visited Shonda\s Ladies Group.. 

It is called REAL... 

We had a lovely morning together.. 

Made some bread and other dishes.. 

The ladies there are always so welcoming and I love being with our daughter.. smile.. 

I just wish I had taken some pics but of course, I didn't... 

Oh yes... 

the first pic is a little idea I saw a few places on the web.. 

Use a wide mouthed short mason jar and leave out the lid.. 

Stick your measure spoons and such in and you can find them so much easier. . 

The other spoons are good for tasting.. 

I put mine right by the stove on the countertop... 

Well dear hearts this is all for today.. 

Here is a little verse I have kept for years..

It is my Anniversary card to Terry each and every year.. 

It always rings true..  

Have a great weekend and so happy to get back to you all.. 

Looking forward to your sweet messages here and on FaceBook.

I wanted to mention that I was so happy to meet one of you dear girls the other day.. 

I have read her little notes for several years but not met her.. 

She graduated with my sister and is good friends with my cousin but I personally had not made her acquaintance .. 

Only on here.. 

She called to me at the Walmart and so now we have met face to face.. 

It was nice meeting you, Kathy... 

Take care everyone and God bless.. 

I will say of the Lord, 

He is my refuge and my fortress;

my God; in Him will I trust.. 

Psalms 91:2

A This and That Post...

Hello everyone.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth... 

Just a little mish mash of a post about this and that.. 

Terry and I celebrated our 45th anniversary last week ... 

We had hoped to go to our old farm for a week but there was just  too much snow there yet..

 So.. 

We decided to take a wee trip to Maine for a little get away.. 

We had a great time.. 

There really is not much to do at this time of year but we went out to eat at a favorite place.. 

Texas Road House.. 

They have a wonderful salad and rolls ... 

Steaks and deep fried pickles...

We did a bit of shopping and I visited my favorite shop in Brewer.. 

Just Between Friends... 

Terry bought me a wonderful antique picture of a shepherd and his sheep.. 

I will show you when he gets it hung for me.. smile.. 

This is the little card that I found for him... 

Years from now

when our faces are covered with wrinkles, 

And our hearts

 are full of memories,

We'll remember 

a whole lifetime together, and smile, 

And our smiles

will hold all the dreams, all the tears,

and all the laughter

that we have shared together, 

knowing that we have always been

side by side.....

in love, in marriage, and in life.

Because years from now, 

You will have become

what I always knew you would be....

My one and only forever love... 

I loved the words and thought how wonderfully blessed we are to have been able to experience these words in our life...

The years have passed and our faces have wrinkles and our hearts have the memories of a whole lifetime together.. 

There have been better times and worse... 

We have had more money and less money.. 

And there has been sickness and health. 

But we have loved and cherished and will continue 

to do so for as many more years as God spares us.. 

We are both thankful... smile.. 

After a couple of days we headed back home... 

There was still lots of snow but we were amazed how much it had gone down in couple of days.. 

There is no place like home.. 

Making chicken soup with only one bone in chicken breast.. 

I love soup.. 

Here are some fabrics I bought ... 

We are redoing over one of the spare bedrooms.. 

It has taken ages but he promised to try and finish it soon.. 

The two top fabrics are for that room..

I love ticking and it was on sale and then the bottom one 

is for Shonda... 

It was only a couple of dollars and is a big piece .. 

Another loaf of bread was made.. 

The no knead bread made with whole wheat.. 

The link is on the side bar.. 

Then this weekend is Easter so have been making a few crafts.. 

These are not finished but are styrofoam eggs covered with napkins.. 

They need to dry and then I will spray glue on some sparkles.. 

I bought this pasta while we were away.. 

Only fifty cents a box and it makes 2 big salads.. 

This is a tuna fish, green onions, celery and a home made Caesar dressing with parm... 

This is a little craft that signifies what Easter is really all about.. 

A little centrepiece ... 

Tomorrow I need to find a little stone for the door,..

Not sure if I can as there is so much snow.. 

And a few pebbles for the doorway.. 

Not as nice as the ones you will see on the web but it is fine for now... 

Anyway, this is all for tonight.. 

I hope you all have a Blessed Easter if I don't get another chance to post.. 

Thanks for visiting and your sweet comments.. 

God bless..