Copper Bowl Potpourri and more..

Good Evening, my dears. 

How are you all doing? 

We had our first substantial snow fall last night.. 

Woke up to find this out on our deck this morning.. 

Pretty but not really welcomed by me.. 

What can you do, though.. 

It is Winter here in Canada and this is what we do.. 

Shovel snow..  smile.. 

More to come tonight with rain so it will no doubt be a bit messy.. 

Anyway.. 

Are you dear things all ready for Christmas?  

Not me.. 

I am never ready.. 

It just arrives and I stop.. smile.. 

One of my favourite breakfasts here.. 

Multigrain toast with mashed avocado and sliced tomatoes.. 

Do you like that.. 

I do open face and avocado is good for you.. 

That's my story anyway.. 

Making a few bough things.. 

I forgot to take a pic after it was filled in and finished but when Terry hangs it then I will take one... 

 Bought a basket of pears... 

Made another big batch of fruit salad.. 

I think I am hooked on this as it is such a refreshing treat.. 

Anytime of the day.. 

Two large containers.. 

One for the fridge and one to freeze.. 

Then I dried a tray full.. 

I glue these onto gift tags ... 

After they are dried, of course.. 

Just a bit different.. 

A pic I took this morning, too.. 

Lots of apples still on the trees.. 

Nice for the birds and the visiting deer that we have all Winter.. 

The soup junkee is coming out in me again and a day like today is meant for soup, eh? 

Mediterranean Vegetable Soup using the soup base once again.. 

Oh and this is another fresh simple Christmas decor.. 

Start with a nice bowl.. 

This one is copper.. 

Then start with some twigs, pine cones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, fresh pine and I used some pomegranates that I dried last year.. 

Draw a heart on an orange and fill it in with cloves.. 

Or you can do a star or what have you.. 

This is on my kitchen table on top of a small red table riser that my cousin Val made for me.. 

Shonda and I took a weekend trip to Portland, Maine this past weekend.. 

Not a great pic but what can I say.. 

I am what I am.. smile.. 

Shonda always looks great.. 

This is a pic she took of us setting off.. 

She phoned me at 7:30 am and wanted to know if I would go.. 

Daaahhh.. 

I will call you back I told her.. 

I checked in with Terry and he said to go and so 5 minutes later I am calling her and saying I am showered and my hair is washed ... 

Almost ready to go... grin.. 

I must have known I needed to do that as soon as I woke up.. 

We had a great time.. 

Staying in nice hotels and wonderful food not to mention great shopping.. 

She said we were celebrating my birthday which is coming up soon.. 

So blessed with such wonderfully sweet children.. 

I guess this is it for tonight my friends.. 

Just a bit of this and that and not much of anything.. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to hear from you all.. 

So sweet of you to leave your lovely notes..

Take care, now... 

Psalm 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

Just Lovely Ordinary Days.. .

Hello, my dears ... 

Thank you for dropping by the Blessed Hearth today..

Just sharing a few everyday pics with you celebrating our ordinary life. 

So thankful for these days.. 

When everything is the same but lovely non the less.. Trials come for sure and little worries that usually do not amount to much but wonderful moments sprinkled here and there making our ordinary day special in so many ways.. 

We are all fine even if we are sick and we are doing well even if it is storming outside.. 

Our bodies are slowing down and things are so long getting accomplished but we are still able.. 

Not everything is kosher but everything is still good.. 

Ordinary but blessed.. 

Coming out in the semi darkness and putting the coffee pot on.. 

Looking out on a Winter's morning and knowing that mercy is renewed and God's grace is sufficient today.. 

Thanking Him and feeling His sweet presence in our moments.. 

Just another ordinary day .. 

Thank you, dear Lord..

 Planning the menu and perhaps trying a new recipe.. 

Sharing it with the sweet man who has been by my side for 45 years.. 

Phoning my Mom or sister and then the phone rings and it is one of our children..

Blessed with friends near and far and hearing their sweet voices every now ant then..

So ordinary but so sweet..  

Getting some craft supplies together and doing a little research on Pinterst..

Making a new table runner or a valance.. 

Loving the creative urges that are so ordinary.. smile..  

Putting a pot of soup on the stove or mixing a salad.. 

Baking a batch of cookies and listening to the Christian Radio station. 

Rejoicing sometimes to a truth spoken that quickens our spirit and we say.. Yes, Lord.. 

Folding a load of lavender scented laundry.. 

So thankful for the ordinary.. 

Terry bringing home a parcel or card from the mail .. 

An ordinary but welcome surprise... 

A hot cup of tea with just a rice cake is ordinary but so satisfying..

Reading an old book that has been read before but full of inspiration and the joys of living.. 

Writing a blog post for sweet girls who bless my life ..

Ordinary simple pleasures.. 

Watering the plants and scrubbing a floor.. 

Ordinary chores but necessary.. 

Decluttering a closet or organizing a cupboard.. 

Ordinary housework but the music makes it sweet.. 

  

Putting a match to a stick of Sandalwood incense, closing the curtains and setting the supper table... 

The fires are burning and the candles are lit.. 

The CD plays a sweet melody and life is good..

Smelling the coffee.. 

An ordinary but good thing..  

Going out into the cold evening to a warm little church and hearing the Word of God .. 

Looking across the way and seeing sweet grandsons listening so intently....

Yes, thank you my Lord for Pastor teaching on embracing the ordinary.. 

Going to bed.. 

A warm shower, clean flannel sheets and reading His Word.. 

Knowing He is near... 

Just waiting to hear from me .. 

Thanking him for my ordinary day and the dear ordinary people who bless my life and make it so wonderful..

Just wanted to include a little recipe for some friends of mine.. smile.. 

  

Tried my hand making Jar Salads.. 

So nice to have in the fridge for a quick lunch or whatever.. 

This is an Asian one.. 

A layer of dressing then shrimp then rice noodles, bean sprouts and then lettuce.. 

The first one was really good but after a day or so the rice noodles became soaked with the dressing and were a bit gummy.. 

My friend suggested not putting the dressing in until you served the salad and I think that is a great idea. 

I loved loved the dressing though.. 

Here it is... 

Soy and Rice Wine Vinaigrette

4 tsp. rice vinegar 

4 tsp. soya sauce

1/4 cup of oil ( of your choice) I used canola 

grated fresh ginger to suit..

pinch of garlic

pinch of hot chili flakes.. 

Put all in a jar and shake.. 

Makes enough for a couple of salads.. 

*I loved it over the hot rice noodles, too.. 

Add a few shrimp, chopped green onions and veggies of choice and you have a nice bowl meal.. 

You can find lots of recipes on Pinterest and such.. 

Really, all you do is put whatever salad you want to make such as Greek, Spinach or whatever and put it in layers in your mason jars..

Keep them in the fridge for a few days at a time.. 

Let me know if you make these and what kind ... 

We had to cancel our Keepers of the Home last Saturday due to snow but it looks like good weather this Saturday so it will be on, Lord willing.. 

Hope we have a good turnout... 

Please let me know if you are planning on attending. 

Thanks dear hearts for stopping by and leaving your little notes.. 

Take care of yourselves and your families and enjoy these ordinary Winter evenings..

 They will soon be over.. 

xo

 I Thessalonians .. 4:11

Also, make it your goal to live quietly, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands as we instructed you..

International Standard Version

Linked to.. Roses of Inspiration...