Just Putting Away...

please excuse my messy kitchen

i make such a mess when i am pickling.. 

Good Afternoon dear hearts..

Just a wee post for you of my first few days of just putting away for the winter season... 

Terry  has been busy picking garden veggies. 

Green beans, swiss chard, beet greens and such.. 

I always can our green beans as we like the taste more than frozen ones and they are more shelf stable..

We bought fifty pounds of pickling cucumbers from a farmer as ours are not ready yet except for a few here and there.. 

I like to get them done up and over with..

I made Bread and Butter Pickles, Sweet Dills, Sandwich Dills, Farmer Pickles and my favourite Baba's Dill Pickles..

They are said to be the best pickle this side of the Vistabula River...  

I used oak leaves to keep them crisp and in the Sandwich dills I used black tea instead of pickle crisp...

Nor did I have any grape leaves which a lot of people use.   

I think there are 20 litres of green beans done up . 

I am also doing up Salad Beans.. 

They make delicious winter salads.. 

Our oldest son used to love that salad... 

Terry picked another pail yesterday.. 

I need to get them done soon but my knee is acting up.. 

Of all times!! 😟 

But... this too shall pass.. 

Tis amazing what can be accomplished sitting on a stool... 😊

I am resting it again today as I kind of messed it up again last night.. 

It is really nice day to rest though as it is pouring rain... 

Terry requests these cookies every once in a blue moon.... 

We call them Chocolate Macaroons... 

Everyone has a name for them but many are different.. 

What is your name for them?  

Here is my recipe in case you would like it... 

Chocolate Macaroons. 

In a saucepan put in 2 cups of white sugar, 1/2 cup of butter or margarine and 1/2 cup of milk. 

Bring to a good boil and boil for about one and half minutes.. 

Then add 3 cups of oatmeal, 1 cup of desiccated coconut and 1/2 cup of cocoa.. 

I always mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk together before adding to sugar mixture... Have this ready first though.. 

Also have a piece of parchment ready too.. 

Stir well and spoon out onto parchment paper.. 

Well, this is it for today.. dearies!

So happy I was able to get back so soon.  

Will keep trying to do better.. smile.. 

What are you putting away?  

I actually love this time of year and all the pickling, canning and such.. 

Much better then spring cleaning... 😏

God bless you all today.... 

Looking forward to reading your sweet notes.. 

The Autumn's Past Ramble and Roll...

Hello there!

How are you?  

So happy you dropped by the Blessed Hearth today.. 

It is Sunday evening here in Eastern Canada and last night our clocks went back an hour.. 

So... 

I would say the Autumn is over!  

Although we have had a glorious Indian Summer!

But...

When the time goes back to me it is onward and upward to Christmas!  

I don't usually get too involved until after Remembrance Day but this year I must admit to starting earlier.. 

I am hoping to have some special Christmas company and so I want to get things organized at least in my head!

Hoping it gets further then that!  smile.. 

But we will ramble on here a bit and show you a few things we have been doing the last couple of weeks.. 

The table centrepiece has changed..

Terry made me this old box many years ago and I just found it down in the workshop when I was  trying to find fall decor.. 

He picked these hyrangeas because I planned on making a wreath but yesterday I plunked them in here instead.. 

Just until the Christmas one is decided on!  grin

I was so excited to make some beeswax candles... 

Last winter I took a Hibernate course and one of the projects were these candles.. 

I am so slow but finally got around to doing them and I love them.. 

Of course, I made a mistake but it is fixable! 

When she said to use a certain size wick then don't make do just because one already has some.. 

I burned the first one and  after several hours it began to smother itself out.. 

The wick was not the right size but I melted the wax and replaced the wick and it burns lovely!  

Lesson learned!  grin.. 

As you dear followers of the blog know I am a definite 

soup junkee...

This is the season for sure although I eat soup all year long.. smile.. 

This is Cabbage and Leek in a beef broth and so tasty!  

I put this on Instagram and mentioned a little tip I do.. 

Buy fresh Bay leaves from your Supermarket and then dry them yourselves and they are fresher... 

Better for crafts too as they are more flexible.. 

Like in making a dried fruit, bay leaf and cinnamon stick garland.. 

I have that on my to do list to hang in my pantry.. 

Do you make them?  

A nice gift too.. 

Ok.. 

Rolling Onward... smile 

Every Fall I collect rose hips... 

\

Just so much you can do with them and they are so healthy for you. 

We went picking them the other day.. 

I picked them in a bowl and Terry decided this was the easier way!  

I wanted them both ways anyhow.. smile.. 

I especially like to use them in a face oil that I put on before I go to bed.. 

Very easy to make.. 

Dry your hips just a bit 

I have this old fashioned flower dryer that I use.. 

When they are pretty dry then put them in a mortar and pestle and smush them up a bit.. 

Put them in a jar and cover them to the top with Almond Oil.. 

About half and half... 

After a few weeks just strain them through a cheesecloth or coffee filter and put in a lovely decorative jar.. 

Then you just wash your face and apply ... 

They are full of Vitamin C and make a lovely syrup or jelly...

I wanted a bunch to make my wreath I was talking about.. 

Hydrangea and Rose Hips but we will see.. 

I hope to make a Wild Yarrow and Rose Hip Soap for Christmas gifts.. 

He said he would help me very soon.. 

I find soap making is a two person job in this house.. 

Two temps and such make me nervous...

And I found a recipe on Vimeo for Rose Hip Pickles.. 

You only make one jar so I guess I can handle that.. 

I washed up and packed all the preserving stuff and he took it back to the basement.. 

Sooooo glad it is done!  

I love doing it but after awhile it is like Whaaaat!  

More veggies!  lol... 

This was my final preserving project..

Pumpkin Chutney... 

Oh my it is delicious!  

I will be using it for gifts but it is so good with cold meat and cheese... 

Also I made a pumpkin jam... 

You can make a pie with it..
Imagine!  

Here is the link.. 

Here..

You can use up your pumkins you used to decorate with.. 

I love working with paper crafts as you know... smile..  

Made this journal using magazine pics from "Somerset Magazine".... 

Almost done dear hearts.. 

just a bit more rambling along.. 

Roasted Veggies..

Put several cloves of our garlic in there to roast with them.. 

Love having our garlic harvest.. 

Just so fresh!  

We had a huge rain and wind storm here this week.. 

Wow!  

You know how I love the wind and rain... 

Must be my Scottish bloodline!  grin.. 

Anyway.. 

It was lovely until the hydro went off!  

I really dislike it when that happens but at least it was not for long and it was not freezing cold out.. 

Very mild actually! 

Our farm was out of hydro for over 2 days... 

I really need to get my act together for the coming months.. 

I have a feeling that it may go out more often then before.. 

I usually have a standard plan but don't think it will cut the mustard anymore with the way the weather is.. 

We do have a generator but ohhhhh.. 

I do not like it.. 

Anyway... 

A supper meal.. 

I know I post this meal often but it is just so good.. 

Rice with mushrooms, onions, garlic and celery.. 

Chicken Breasts.. 

Oh and use cream of mushroom soup in the rice.. 

Sear the chicken pieces first, too.. 

Not a real recipe but not hard to do.. 

When I make it there are not any leftovers as he likes it.. grin.. 

Him and Dustin used to say the sentence... 

She ruined the chicken again..... grin.. 

Just because I like trying new recipes.. 

Sheesh... 

This one is acceptable though.. grin.. 

Well.. 

Almost finished.. 

Gathered up all the Fall stuff and packed it away again.. 

And on to newer things... 

A couple of new Make and Do books!  

Love them.. 

The best ones I have bought in ages!  

Starting tomorrow I am spending at least an hour or so a day making something!  

Stay tuned.... lol... 

Meanwhile.. 

Another Sabbath is over.. 

God has been faithful as always the past season and I know He will be in the future.. 

The lights are on earlier here at home now.. 

Home... 

Such a lovely word.... 

But as Terry and I were talking in the car the other day after our country's election... 

We don't know what is down the road for our country... 

The love of God and sacred are beginning to be among the missing elements of Canada.. 

But the thing is ... 

This world is not our Home.. 

We are just a passing through.. 

Some sweet morning we will be going Home.. 

To be with the One who loves us..

That is what we are looking forward to.. 

But for now we love the precious gifts that Jesus has given us with our Homes and sweet Families... 

Thanks so much for stopping by.. 

I love your notes and hope to hear from you... 

Take care of yourselves and your dear ones... 

Till next time.. 

I will keep you in my prayers...   

God bless!  

Home...

Good Evening my dears.. 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth on this Sabbath .. 

So glad you dropped by.. 

Just sharing a little thought from my heart today... 

As you know this is a Christian home making blog.. 

I endeavour to use up this wee space on the internet to display the joy that Christ can bring into a home..

There is no place on earth that is as precious to us as our homes.. 

This is where we live.. 

Where we nurture our children and love our husbands.. 

Where we build memories that last in the hearts of our loved ones as long as they live.. 

When trials come then it is home where we find comfort..

Even Ikea has a slogan: 

Home is the most important place in the world... 

And it is...  

Not that our home here finds Terry and I jumping up and down with joyful glee every day but just a steady even pace of life with the joy of the Lord blessing each day..

We go through storms of life just like everyone else but the blessing we have is of knowing and serving a God who is close enough for us to lean on .. 

No matter what storm threatens us we can rest knowing that He does all things well and He will be right with us in the midst of whatever storm we go through.. 

He is standing right next to us.. 

 He knows us on a personal level.. 

He knows where we live and He knows our hearts.. 

2 Chronicles 16:9

The Lord's eyes scan the whole world to those whose hearts are committed to Him and to strengthen them.. 

When we call on his Name he is faithful and true..

Psalms 100:5

The Lord is good.

His mercy endures forever.

His faithfulness endures through every generation... 

When we accept Christ as our Saviour through faith we have the peace of God because Jesus Christ made a Way for us.. 

Our days are blessed with peace because He lives...

Romans 5:1

Now that we have God's approval through faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done,.

There are days that are joyful..

 Days with family or friends or just each other doing whatever it is t that we love to do.. 

There are also days when we annoy each other to no end or we receive sad news.. 

Just living life like the rest of the world..

Psalms 68:19

Thanks be to the Lord, 

who daily carries our burden for us. 

God is our salvation.. 

As we all know the world is changing so quickly.. 

The importance of God in our lives has almost completely diminished in so many homes.. 

Teaching our children that there is a God and that He loves them has changed it's focus and parents look to the god of this world.. 

Money and what it can bring..

It is scary to this old grandma.. 

I see so many sweet children who don't even know that Jesus Christ died for them and made a Way that they can have eternal life.. 

Life on this earth is so short but focus is on what can be accomplished and accumulated in this life and no mention of eternity and what they need to do to prepare to meet God... 

If you don't know the Lord but realize in your heart that there must be more then this life can offer then please turn to Him today.. 

He will make a difference in your life and your home.. 

Putting Him first in your daily life leads to a life of joy and peace..

And a life eternal with our Creator God.. 

We try to give our children all the best that life can offer but do we try to show them a way to have eternal life when it is all said and done.. 

This is a choice we make... 

Either to serve Him and teach our children that there is something worth living for or to live this life like there is not anything after it is all over.. 

Whether we believe it or not does not change the fact that there is a righteous God who made a Way for us to follow so that we could live with him through eternity.. 

At the end of the journey is God.. 

A dear precious God who loves us and gives us a life worth living and a hope for a life when this one is all over..

He came to earth as our Saviour and gave us a plan to follow so that we could be saved and have a home with HIM... 

There are many people today who do not believe that there is a God or a life after we die.. They think it is a waste of time serving the unseen God.. 

But...

He is real.. 

If you have ever physically felt the presence of the Lord then you know He is real. 

And you will will never forget that touch in your heart no matter how far you wander from Him.. 

His love is long reaching and brings such a feeling of joy.. 

It is unexplainable but undeniable... 

His mercy is unlimited and his grace is sufficient .. 

He is so worth while.. 

God bless your sweet hearts this day.. 

xo 

January .. A time for the Lovely..

Hello my dears.. 

A little different post tonight.. 

A few pics from my Pinterest boards.. 

I was wondering if you would like to tell me which ones spoke to you the most ... 

January is such a great time to do things that we usually may not have time for... 

Our hearts are looking at empty calender pages and we would like to fill them with lovely things.. 

In the Bible in the book of Philippians 4:6-8

tells us not to be anxious about anything but to take our cares to the Lord and He will give us His peace but also to think about things that are lovely and such.

.New International Version (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

So.. 

with that in mind I am trying to fill my mind with the lovely.. 

I thought you might like to join me .. 

The above photos are a few that fill my heart with peace and gives me creative inspiration.. 

Perhaps you would like to comment and even send me a link or two to pics that inspire you... 

Or if you have a blog you would like to do a similar post and link back here.. (just an idea)

You can just copy and paste your link to your comment or just tell me what gives you a sense of the lovely..

In my pics I have tried to select the attainable.. 

Lovely rooms, little projects, simple pleasures and as always the Word of God.. 

There are lots of things on Pinterest or the internet that inspire but there is no reality if you know what I mean.. 

A lot of it would never come near our budget so I am trying to be real and find doable projects and such...

OK?

I hope you have enjoyed this stray from the usual.. 

Sending love to you all.. 

Linked to.. FROM THE FARM BLOG HOP

Also...Pin Junkee Friday Link Party

The road leads home..

Good Evening dear hearts.. 

Here I am back once again.. 

I have been absent for a bit but thought that tonight I would try and catch up with you all.. 

The last time I posted we were doing the Closing for the Season sale at the shop.. 

It turned out well and so enjoyed seeing everyone and selling several large pieces of furniture and such.. 

Then last Sunday we did have the ART IN THE PARK SALE even though it rained all day... 

We ended up being situated at the Interpretive Centre which was a plus as far as I was concerned.. 

This was my view from the back veranda and it was simply gorgeous.. 

Terry helped me get my preserves and such up and ready for sale.. 

One dear gentleman called out that he was glad the pickle lady had arrived.. grin.. 

I used to be known for my crafts but I guess that has changed.. smile..

The flowers hanging on the porches were spectacular, eh?

I was sitting there covered up with a quilt and enjoying the wind and rain.. 

Listening to the waves as the tide came in.. 

And drinking delicious hot coffee.. 

If you remember I am a stormy weather girl.. smile.. 

It was a lovely day...

There were many booths and Terry actually won one of these pictures that they were giving away.. 

They served a lovely lunch and we packed up and decided to take a wee drive along the trail.. 

I believe that this is one of the most beautiful places on earth and I don't think I am prejudiced...

We had several people into the shop this Summer who said that the Bay of Fundy was on their bucket lists.. grin.. 

One dear lady from Alberta, Canada was 90 years old and she arrived there with her daughters saying that it was one place she wanted to visit before she was too old.. 

Isn't that wonderful.. 

She said it was well worth the trip.. 

On the Fundy Trail there are falls and bridges and so much more.. 

This is a lookout that shows the Centre where we had our sale.. 

A very long ways down... 

The fog lifted late in the afternoon and then we headed back to the cottage.. 

Here is Terry getting some spring water for the last time this Summer.. 

We enjoy this little drive and love drinking such pure water.. 

But now we say good-bye for another Summer.. 

On Monday we closed our old cottage for another year.. 

We packed up most of our stuff and loaded the car and the truck.. 

And we closed up the shop for another season.. 

It was a good Summer.. 

I loved the weather as I do not like a lot of heat

but now the leaves are changing already here in Eastern Canada.. 

Kind of hard to believe that the season is all but over.. 

But you know me... 

When that first fall breeze blows in our bedroom window there at the cottage this girl is ready to head home..

The view is certainly different.. 

No smell of the sea or sound of crashing waves.. 

More the smell of some farm and sheep on the hillsides.. 

The wind blows lovely here though and our waterbed is just so wonderful.. 

Everything is on one level and there are lots of things to look forward to.

Like heading to the farm whenever we get a chance.. 

Going to our own little church

and enjoying our sons and their families.

 But I must say that I already miss our daughter and her family. They make the Summer special but we will get together just the same but not quite as often.. 

I have a new list book that Terry bought me and am busy filling it up with projects..

I bought some hot peppers today to make my special vinegar and am very excited as my sweet hubby bought me some new appliances which we needed.. 

Black ones.. smile.. 

Anyway, dear hearts, I must go for tonight.. 

We were busy all week and did not get the internet working until this morning but I do hope to do much better with my blogging.. 

Thank you for being so patient with me this past Summer.. 

I could not seem to do it all .. 

Just not as young as I used to be, I guess.. 

So glad you stopped by and so love your notes as you know.. 

Tell me what you have planned for Fall.. 

Any projects on your list of to do things??.. 

Isn't God good.. 

I appreciate Him so much tonight.. 

So privileged to know Him and have Him leading and guiding our lives.. 

Take care, sweet friends.. 

Hugs..