A lovely June Evening...

Good Evening my dears.. 

So nice to finally get a chance to sit down and chat with you all.. 

It is certainly another lovely Sunday evening here in New Brunswick.. 

I love these days lately.. 

Not too hot and not too cold.. smile.. 

The landscape is lush and beautiful as you can see.. 

This is my favourite view near our home.. 

Yes, we are still home.. 

There has just been so much going on that we can't seem to get to the farm to stay yet but we are there several days a week if we are not running the roads..

Last week we noticed that the cows have been put out to the pasture.. 

So surely summer is arriving, eh!  

Our flower bed here at home has been full of lovely Lily of the Valley.. 

I had to pick a few to put in a vase for the window sill.. 

And for my Mom as she loves them.. 

She tells me they were her my Grandmother's favourite flower.. 

I love them, too.. 

Do you like them.. 

There are lots of forget me nots but they are starting to leave.. 

And of course, the Rhubarb! 

Made a couple of batches of jam... 

Cherry Rhubarb and Strawberry Rhubarb.. 

Froze some and made tons of Rhubarb Sauce which we eat for dessert with added fruit perhaps and a dash of whip cream... 

There have been some rainy days and on those I usually get a soup on the go when we arrive at the farm..  

This was a Barley and Beef one.

Someone mentioned in a comment that they would like to see a better pic of my dish drainer so here it is, dear.. 

Hope that helps.. 

I really like it and it was worth the wait... smile.. 

I am slowly starting on some projects.. 

I work on the house until I get tuckered then sit down and do some stuff.. 

I will be showing you soon.. I hope.. 

Terry is so busy with the gardens that I cannot get him to do the little touch ups so that I can finish things up... 

He needs to finish painting the doors on the cupboard so I can put stuff in there and some trim needs a second coat.. 

Oh well.. 

All in due time.. 

The weather has been great so that he can work outside and keeps telling me that he will get to it on the next rain day ... 

Generally, we have been away those days!  grin.. 

Here is a meal we had last week... 

A steak of beef (I don't eat much beef) but it was good and a few fried potatoes and corn on the cob.. 

And always a salad or two.. 

Tomatoes with basil, garlic, lemon juice and oil.. 

Now that is my kind of food.. 

Hoping to make a tablecloth and a few other things... 

And of course there is always time for a cup of coffee or tea and a little read.. 

This came from Amazon last week and I do love her writing.. 

Terry bought a big bag of ripe bananas so I froze some for smoothies... 

But when evening comes then it is time to head back home.. 

I really don't mind.. 

I so love my water bed and it is hard to get used to the ones we have at the farm.. 

I will though.. No worries..

Each trip we try to take a plant or two..

More farm news next time...  

Well.... 

I have left this for the last.. 

Our dear faithful Charlie has passed  away.. 

It is still such a shock and hard to fathom.. 

I know he was just a dog but he was our dog and we loved him.. 

He honestly was such a good boy.. 

Never had to get upset with him or anything.. 

Dustin just had him trained so well it was amazing!  

We had gone out to the farm last Saturday night just to pick something up.. 

We took the truck and Charlie as always sat between us!  

He loved the farm and knew when it was coming up and would sit right up and watch.. 

As soon as we stopped he would wait for one of us to say to get out and away he would go.. Checking the barn and running to the spring.. 

I went out on the deck to come home and he and Terry were out by the garden.. 

I yelled to him to go get a drink before we left.. 

It was so sweet.. 

He would run to the spring and splash right in.. 

Then he would bend down and drink but keep looking over his shoulder at us to see if we were still watching him.. 

So dear.. 

Anyway, we came home and I fed him .. 

He ate it all and I always said.. 

Goodnite, Charlie... 

He was in his kennel .

I went to bed to read before Terry would come in. 

Terry said he let him out later and he came in and went to his kennel.. 

Terry said he coughed a couple of times so he got up and looked at him but he just turned over and was fine.. 

Later he closed his kennel door for the night.. 

Sunday morning I got up around 7am as usual and when I went to open the French door I noticed I didn't hear him wagging his tail and making a racket waiting for me to open the door.. 

By the time I got to his kennel door I knew something was wrong.. 

He was just lying on his side like he was sleeping but he was gone.. 

We couldn't believe it and still can't.. 

Only dog lovers understand this... 

Anyway.. 

We wrapped him up in a clean quilt I had just washed for him and took him to the farm... 

That is where he loved it so much.. 

Our grandson said to me one day when he was visiting and Charlie was so happy running around that that was Charlie's favourite place on earth!  smile.. 

We put him beneath the Lilac tree... 

The sweetest thing was that I have been looking everywhere for violets and never found any on the farm ever .. 

But there where Terry was digging was 3 little bunches of violets.. 

One for each year he lived with us.. 

He was over 7 years old.. 

He lived with Dustin for four years before he came to us.

Not very old but I googled it and Shar-peis only have a life expectancy of 8 -12 years.. 

He must have had a heart attack because there was no sign in the kennel of distress.. 

I am glad he went easily but sure wish it was later on... 

Dear Dustin was shocked and saddened as well.. 

This was taken one of the first summers we stayed there at the farm.. 

Terry will miss him.. 

As we all will.. 

But that is what happens... 

Life goes on.. 

So happy we had such a great experience owning him for a few years... 

And on that note I guess I will close for tonight.. 

Thank you sweet ladies for all your prayers with my eye.. 

It went great and tomorrow Lord willing I am scheduled to get the other one done.. 

It is so wonderful to be able to see!  

Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting.. 

I love hearing from each one.. 

May God bless and keep you and your sweet families... 

Hugs from me to you.. 

Happy Fathers Day, too.. 

Wednesday Evening in April...

Good Evening everyone.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth on this Wednesday ..  

It is a very rainy week here in New Brunswick..  

The rain has been falling steadily here for several days and our province is once again fighting flood waters.. 

Our capital city is in a bad state as is many parts of our province. 

We are blessed to live in an area that is not near the St. John River and is on high ground... 

Praying for these communities that suffer so during this type of Winter with lots of snow in the north then so much rain in the Spring. 

How are you all doing?  

Did you have a grand Easter.. 

We had a nice one but quiet non the less.. 

We did get to St. John and we all attended an Easter drama that Shonda and Dave were in..

 All except for our youngest who lives in the west as you know.. 

Miss him so much during these holidays especially... 

After the drama we all gathered at Shonda and Dave's house and had a lovely visit and food, of course.. 

And our gorgeous grandsons!

They are just so much fun!  

David had a big birthday so we were able to celebrate that also... 

Things have been sort of slow around here lately.. 

The weather is not helping.. 

Although it is Spring except for a few lovely days it seems that it is quite dreary... 

We went out one day looking for a few pussy willows for Easter.. 

We spied them in this ditch.. 

It was kind of neat since they were on Terry's old farm where he grew up.. 

I think I will keep some of them for awhile.. 

They are lovely and big this Spring... 

We were out to the farm on Monday and it was so nice and warm.. 

Cloudy but the brook was running and the wind was blowing.. 

It is still not very green but it won't be long... 

It is amazing how drab it is one week and you turn around twice and the place is full of dandelions and green grass.. 

I went through the house making plans for moving out there for the summer months.. 

We hope to do some painting inside before we get there.. 

I would like to paint the walls a creamy colour.. 

And the curtains need changed and so on... smile..

I wish the kitchen was this clean now but it needs some work, shall we say.. 

Soon... 

The gardens are ploughed and will soon be dry and ready for planting.. 

Our garlic weathered the winter and is up already as is a few herbs.. 

Charlie was ecstatic to be there! 

Just runs around like a puppy and drinking from the spring.. 

Although, he keeps looking back to make sure we are not leaving him there.. smile.  

I love this season the best of all of them.. 

What is your fave season?

Here is a sweet pic of our daughter and son in law with their Easter drama costumes on.. 

So cute!  

Terry and I had a dinner with Mom and my Step father but on one night we had a meal just for the two of us.. 

Roast Beef for a change from Ham and Turkey.. 

It was lovely.. 

But next year hopefully we will return to a ham dinner with all of our family here .. 

I missed that actually although it was a lot less work.. grin.. 

We did have lovely Easter service at our church.. 

We shared the Lord's supper and that is always so special.. 

Just thankful that I know the risen Saviour and He's in my heart today... 

Do you know Him, too?  

He makes life so worth the living.. 

What I so love about Jesus is that He is as close as the mention of His Name.. 

We just need to whisper his Name in prayer and He is there and available.. 

And faithful! 

Meeting our needs and comforting our hearts.. 

Like the old chorus goes.. 

Where would I be without Jesus.. 

Where would I spend eternity.. 

Lost in  a world full of sorrow.. 

Without Jesus ... 

Where would I be?  

Just wanted to share with you a bit tonight. 

And now on we go...  

My Mom turned 85 on the 15th... 

We took her and Gerald out for dinner to their favourite place.. 

St. Huberts... 

Then I wanted to make her a little somthing .. 

This is their cat Mable.. 

They both love her so much.. 

So... 

I made this pillow for her birthday .... 

Not a great job but it is the thought that counts and she liked it... 

It is amazing how fast time goes.. 

I remember when Gram (her mother) was 85.  

So many sweet years have passed... 

Praying we will have many more with her... 

This was a stir fry I made for tonight's supper.. 

One piece of steak goes a long way in a stir fry.. smile.. 

Anyway... 

Thank you all so much for dropping by.. 

As I said we will be going to the farm soon and then I will have something to chat with you about.. 

The first pic up top is one of our meals out there.. 

Anyway, dear hearts have a great week and I look forward to hearing from you all.. 

Your notes are precious to me.. 

Take care of yourselves and your sweet families and we will meet here again soon, Lord willing..

Hugs.. 

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