A Friday Evening in February...

Good Evening my dears... 

How are you all doing?  

I am happy to welcome you to the Blessed Hearth on this Friday evening in February.. 

Already here and partly gone!  

But I am finally back after a month of absence.. 

I am sorry about that... 

It is freezing rain this afternoon as I sit here in our Sun Room... 

The plants are keeping me company as the wind whirls the ice pellets against the windows!  The old apple trees are bracing against the wind while a few apples still cling to their stems... 

I wonder where the birds are!  smile.. 

We do not have a lot of snow here in southern New Brunswick but we are in the midst of a freezing rain storm.. 

It is to change to snow later tonight and the winds are to rise... 

Awww... us Canadians!  

How we love our weather chat!  grin... \

And how have you all been.. 

January has gone and left us with longer days!  

So love that! 

What have you been busy doing? 

We were very busy in January and that is one reason that I was so slow to get back to you but here I am.. 

Will share some of our doings as usual... 

One thing about a post once a month is that it is a long!|

Not too boring I hope! grin.. 

I have been enjoying my Winter magazine and trying out new recipes in it.. 

This was a delicious Orzo Salad and very simply made.. 

Making suppers and enjoying our long evenings.. 

One of our very fave suppers is the Cabbage Roll Casserole although I just make it on top of the stove in a large frying pan.. 

I also tried a new recipe for the Yeast Rolls in the first pic.. 

The link is Here...

I just followed the recipe and not the video.. 

These were the easiest and best recipe for a no knead yeast roll recipe that I have found.. 

And so quickly made!

It just makes eight and you put them in a muffin tin... 

Lovely! 

Now.... 

The best thing that happened in January... 

Was that our dear son came home for ten days from out west.. 

He was home only one day and we were snow bound but it was fun!  

He and his Dad enjoyed their time together so much.. 

Doing snow removal and such.. 

We had family dinners and we all went to my Mom's ... 

She was so excited to see him!  

And his brother and sister of course... 

We had a lovely time but about Thursday I started dreading his leaving!  

So longed to see him!  It had been over a year but God was faithful and brought him home and back safe and sound... 

We miss him a lot but have placed it all in the Lord's hands as He does all things well.... 

Anyway... 

On with the post.. 

Will just share a few winter doings ... 

Enjoying my herbal teas... 

Trying to get my immune system stronger.. 

I am so happy that I grew and dried lots of herbs for this.. 

Do you dry any herbs for tea or do you buy some.. 

We have a wonderful health food store in Sussex.. 

 WINTERWOOD...

They have Nettles, Horsetails and such if you would like 

to do this.. 

Just add 1/4 of cup of dried herbs to a quart mason jar of boiling water.. 

Steep for 15 minutes then strain and sup away all day.. 

Very good for you.. smile.. 

We have been to the farm often to make sure all is well ..

If we can't drive in then Terry will haul a sled in to get jugs of water.. 

We are hooked on our Spring water.. grin.. 

Then as always (even in Winter) we take our long drives along the country roads.. 

Lots of horses in our part of the country and all so well cared for by the looks of things.. 

This one is one I put on Instagram.. 

I think I took it on Wednesday.. 

We have more snow now... 

Not a lot for us but more then that... 

Love these beautiful old churches that dot the countryside here.. 

Way back on rural roads you will find many old white churches.. 

Just lovely.. 

Now the small churches are all gathering together in one large one.. 

Getting there and back is much easier then it used to be when they were built... eh!  

We go to a small lovely church and we enjoy it... 

For so many years we attended a larger church and I didn't think I would be happy in a small one but it is wonderful!  

So love the family of God... 

I am back to growing my jars of sprouts.. 

Alfalfa... 

my fave.. 

Love this bread plate that I picked up at a thrift store.. 

I seem to only eat one slice of bread now but it is still delicious.. 

Just bread, some mayo or aioli sauce and sprouts and s/p... 

Love it for breakfast with a boiled egg.. 

Am trying to get some of my silver collection cleaned up.. 

These are a lovely set of King spoons that I found at a thrift store.. 

My mother had a King George spoon that she used as a child at home ... When she married my Gram gave it to her.. 

I always loved it for some reason and so was just thrilled when I came across not only one but six of these.  

Three different kings with two each.. 

Been also working at essential oil things.. 

I read to put your empty bottles and caps in a jar and when you have enough then cover with Epsom Salts .... 

Then it sit for a time then strain out the jars and use in your bath... 

Thought I would give it a try.. 

Hoping to get some soap made this month... 

You must remember my cheapo Country Living UK calendar... 

Lol! 

I feel that to buy one and have it sent to Canada is too costly so I just take out some lovely pics from my magazine and stick to some heavy kraft paper I have... 

It is not the same but I am attached to them.. grin.. 

Here is a book I received for my birthday or Christmas... 

Can't quite remember but it is simply wonderful.. 

Chapters had it on sale for only 12 dollars!  

Have been slipping my plants and begging them from my friends.. lol... 

I love plants.. 

The little white dishes there are another thrift store find .. 

I wanted them for my homemade salad dressings.. 

Only fifty cents each.. 

Terry and I are enjoying our 50 year marriage celebration.. 

We are celebrating in different ways each month.. 

He gave me a bouquet of tulips in January and said he would be giving me a fresh bouqet each month this whole year!  

Lovely eh!

Planning our February celebration now.. 

Will share with you next time.. 

Well dear hearts this is all for tonight.. 

It has grown dark as I sit here at this old computer... 

It took me ages to find the yeast roll recipe.. 

It was in my notebook out in the kitchen but when I move this old computer turns off!  LOL!  So .... 

I finally found it! 

Then I download pics from my phone to my tablet to here.. 

I know!  

Complicated! 

But I love using this old thing...It knows me!  haha

Anyway... 

Here we are at the end of the post and I know it has not been very exciting or informative.. 

I hope to do better next time.. 

My friend is teaching me rug hooking and I have picked up a new craft called slow stitching which I so love.. 

Google it!  

Here is a heart I made.. 

Another friend invited me to a craft group day and it was lovely.. 

I worked on this while the other ladies all did their own thing too.. 

It was fun!  

I have two more to finish before Valentine's Day.. 

Thank you all for stopping by... 

I loved having you and please be patient with me.. 

I hopefully will be back sooner.. 

I have been considering doing just wee posts on here like Instagram but not sure you all would prefer that or just these seldom long posts.. 

Perhaps you could let me know in the comment section here or on the Face Book page.. 

Thanks.. 

I close with this pic of yours truly and my darling babies.. 

They are just so precious to us!  

All grown up but they will always be my babies.. 

Time flies!  

I am so proud of them all and thankful for them.. 

But do you know that their walk with God is the most important of everything to us.. 

Hope to hear from you all.. 

Here is something little I saved and read every once in awhile.. 

Hope you enjoy it... 

I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does. It doesn’t come in an envelope. It’s ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It’s the invitation to actually live life, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day. turning down this invitation comes in lots of flavors. It looks like numbing yourself or distracting yourself or seeing something really beautiful as just normal. It can also look like refusing to forgive or not being grateful or getting wrapped around the axle with fear or envy. I think every day God sends us an invitation to live and sometimes we forget to show up or get head-faked into thinking we haven’t really been invited. but you see, we have been invited – every day, all over again.
—  Love Does // Bob Goff

                  GOD BLESS!

A Stormy Friday Night Ramble..

Happy Friday Evening to you all..

It is a stormy day here in Eastern Canada.. 

Schools were closed and banks and such closed early.. 

First there was snow and then freezing rain.. 

Oh my.. 

Terry and I are snug here at home, though. 

The wind chimes are tinkling and the bird feeders are swaying to the music of the wind but it is cozy and warm inside.. 

Thank you for all the well wishes.. 

I am blessed that it is only a cold.. 

Nothing serious.. smile..

I thought I would post this pic of a craft we made at Keepers of the Home quite a while ago.. 

Nice for Valentines Day if you like the prim look.. smile.. 

What are you sweet ladies working on for Winter projects?  

I have several unfinished crafts that I need to get done.. All in the by and by.. smile..

There go the salt trucks..

It must be icy out there.. I phoned Shonda to make sure they were all home safe and also talked to the Tammy ( our daughter-in-law) and Dustin (our youngest)... 

What is it about a mother on a stormy day?? 

Even when your children are established in their own homes and their children are 6 feet tall she is wondering about them.. 

Are they home yet?  

Oh, God keep them safe.. 

It is so great that we as Mamas can put their safety in the hands of the Lord..

And although you are wondering how they are your heart has peace.. 

I think I am sounding kind of sentimental  tonight for some reason..

I guess I missed my husband this week and am just glad he is home and napping on the couch.. grin.. 

I did want to share a funny little story with you.. smile..

A few postings ago I shared a POEM with you from Edgar Guest.. right? 

Well, yesterday as I went through the old recipe box of my mother-in-laws I found a little surprise.. 

Gram (that is what I called Terry's Mom in the last several years that she was alive.. Up until I started calling her Gram I called her Mrs. Henry.. smile.. That is how I was taught growing up.. She used to say that I should call her by her first name.. I just could not.. But as the kids grew and started calling her Gram then I did the same..) had cut this out of the newspaper..

Send Her a Valentine 

  Edgar Guest

Edgar Guest

Send her a valentine to say You love her in the same old way. Just drop the long familiar ways And live again the old-time days When love was new and youth was bright And all was laughter and delight, And treat her as you would if she Were still the girl that used to be. Pretend that all the years have passed Without one cold and wintry blast; That you are coming still to woo Your sweetheart as you used to do; Forget that you have walked along The paths of life where right and wrong And joy and grief in battle are, And play the heart without a scar. Be what you were when youth was fine And send to her a valentine; Forget the burdens and the woe That have been given you to know And to the wife, so fond and true, The pledges of the past renew 'Twill cure her life of every ill To find that you're her sweetheart still. by Edgar Guest.. Isn't that a dear poem?..  Who would believe that Gram and I liked the same type of poetry.. smile..  Anyway, I am finished my ramble for tonight.. I know that some of you will read this through.. And I know a few men who do.. They told me.. grin..  So.. dear gentlemen ... be sure and give her a valentine.. smile.. I will leave you with this little item I found on Pinterest before I knew how to pin..  Sweet, eh..   I would love to make one similar.. I do not know who to give credit to for this.. Sorry.. If you know please tell me and I will link back to them..  Don't forget about the little HEART GIVEAWAY.. Thank you so much for dropping by..  Welcome to the new followers, too..  Looking forward to hearing from you all on this stormy Friday night.. smile..  Love ya.. HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND..