December past and now it is January..

Good Evening everyone... 

Happy New Year to you all!  

The year 2021 has arrived and I think we have mostly all been hoping and praying it will be an improvement on 2020!  

Only time will tell!  

No matter... He holds our hand.... 

Anyway, I am so happy to finally take the time to sit down and chat with you.. 

The pic above is the first page of my 2021 List book/journal... 

It was written on the back of a promise that was given to me from my mother-in-law.. 

I love it...

And know that all will be well because He has it all in control..  

I hope you had a lovely Christmas!  

We had a mostly green one with hardly any snow but that is always alright with me as you know..

Makes travelling so much easier.. 

 

Today we are having quite the snowstorm ... 

Terry and I went to Sussex this morning before it started but by the time we started back for home it was coming down.. 

Our first storm of the new year.. 

It didn't take long.. smile.. 

Last night we had our New Year's Dinner... 

Just the two of us!  

Sometimes I just like to put a bit of effort in and make an occasion of a meal.. 

Don't you?  

I set the table in the afternoon.. 

I do love table settings.. 

They always catch my eye in pics on blogs or whatever.. 

I have been blessed with an inherited love of beautiful dishes and whatever goes with it from my mother... 

She loved setting a table and collecting beautiful dishes.. 

As do I...

Our daughter has also inherited that from us.. 

Not as many dishes perhaps but what she has she loves and she certainly sets a gorgeous table.... 

Oh dear.. I am rambling again..  

I decided to use the China that Terry gave me many Christmases ago... 

It is called "Winsome"... 

We lit a couple of lanterns..

So love the cozy light they give.. 

The little crystal one was a thrift store find.. 

Shonda made and gave me the place cards several Christmases ago too.. 

The wee individual sets of silver salt and peppers were from my Mom.. 

And I made the napkin holders quite awhile ago.. 

I only made four need to do a few more.. 

just old jewellery and a napkin ring..  

We seem to always have Ham for New Years.. 

What do you generally serve? 

And a salad... 

Terry has Caesar but I like a vinaigrette with mine.. 

We did not have dessert because we have had too many sweets the last bit.. 

I did have mincemeat squares with a drizzle of butterscotch but there were no takers.. grin.. 

I wasn't going to call this a ramble and roll but it seems to be turning into that.. 

If I would post more then once a month it would be better.. 

Maybe this year.. smile.. 

I have the dearest blog followers and I so appreciate you all.  

I was explaining to Shonda that even though we have not met in person I simply think of a lot of you as dear friends.. 

One of you sweet girls sent this to me.. 

A gift bag full of wonderful toiletries and a candle.. 

Soaps, lotion bars, bath salts and such! 

It came after Christmas at a perfect time! 

Thank you so much Becky in West Virginia. 

A few things I made lately.   

Fudge

Wrapped and gifted   ...  

We spent Christmas Day here at home with just the two of us but the next morning we were on our way to our daughter and son-in-law's for Boxing Day with all of our dear family.. 

It was a lovely day and I only have a few pics here but it was a precious time for us.. 

God has given us a wonderful family and we are indeed thankful..

The adults were seated beside us at the island but I don't have a pic.. 

Just those gorgeous grandsons and their friends.. smile..  

They gave us a beautiful set of Copper pots and pans.. 

Just so beautiful.. I did not ever expect to have such.. 

Thank you dear children.. 

Shonda had decorated her house beautifully as always.. 

The food was absolutely delicious too.. 

Sorry.. once again no pics.. 

I wasn't really with it, I guess..   

Our youngest sweet son lives in Alberta and of course could not be there.. 

We all miss him so much and especially at times like this.. 

He doesn't forget us though... 

These two big boxes arrived by mail.. 

full of the dearest gifts... 

we so loved it all.. 

was kind of like a second Christmas... 

We love you, Dustin Leigh and thank you!  

We can't wait to hug you in real... 

All in all sweet friends it has been quite a month or two.. 

Terry as I posted last time went through a couple of scary health issues but he is doing lovely.. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words of care... 

We appreciated it all so much.. 

But... 

My precious mother slipped away to heaven on the fourteenth of December.. 

The day before my birthday... 

this is her sweet face here last Christmas.... 

We were so blessed to have her with us all these years.. 

My Dad went home in 1988 so it was so wonderful to have her all this time.. 

She had kidney and heart failure and was only in the hospital a little while.. 

We got to see her with Covid and all three times ... 

She was in for a week and then went home and we went in and chatted with her through the open door ... 

She gave me my birthday present and card as she was worried I wouldn't get it.. (tears running down my face) 

It was my grandmother's work basket that she kept her yarns and knitting needles in and a homemade apron.. 

Also, a card with the sweetest verse... 

She had lovely penmanship but the last several years she has been legally blind but she signed it anyway.. 

And money so I could buy something I liked..

Then a couple of days later she went back to the hospital again.. 

We got to visit her two times only because we were in orange level but thank the Lord it changed a couple of days before she left.. 

I got to hug and kiss her and hold her hand... 

Thank you, Lord.. 

Called her on the phone that night and told her I loved her and then early the next morning she was gone.. 

I miss her so... 

I do not pass a telephone that I don't think .. 

oh, I need to call Mom.. 

At nine o'clock each night my heart stumbles and I remember that she is not there.. 

She had a beautiful funeral... 

Then the next snowy morning we took her to her resting place beside my Dad on a hillside in Albert County... 

But we will meet in the Rapture some sweet day.. 

So thankful for the hope we have in Christ.. 

My parents were both witnesses of our Lord and they wanted to share the good news... 

Because He lives we can face tomorrow ... 

We can live for Him and put Him first in our lives and meet again some day.. 

He made a Way for us to be saved and have a Hope to live again with Him.. 

We only need to seek after Him and we can find Him.. 

If you don't know Jesus please consider Him.. 

He makes a difference in your life.. 

Well dear hearts this is all for tonight.. 

Sorry it is so long but I just wanted to share my heart a little.. 

I know many have lost their parents and it is a fact of life.. 

I am happy for my Mom and Dad .. 

They are safe in the arms of their Saviour but we miss them, don't we?  

I know we will get through all of this and I really love and appreciate you girls who follow this blog and leave me your sweet notes and emails... 

I am on Instagram and have a Face Book page if you want to connect with me... 

Praying that you have a blessed healthy year and are filled with the peace and joy that only Christ can give.. 

Hugs from Eastern Canada... 

November Ramble and Roll..

Good Evening my dears.. 

Here I am once again after being absent for quite awhile.. 

I have been trying to get back here but it has been a very hectic time since we last chatted..

All is well... now.. smile.. 

I don't want to go on a lot about it but as I told you in my last post  Terry had an operation but it was successful and he was doing well.. 

We were getting adjusted and he was getting along but then took a heart attack five weeks after his surgery.. 

To make a long story short he ended up having a stent put in and is doing fine.. 

He has not enjoyed himself of course but he will soon be able to do more which has been driving him nuts! He likes doing! 

And .... he likes driving the car himself and not having me as a chauffeur !   I do not like it any better then he does..  

But just so you know.. I am a wonderful driver... I just like to get there! lol! 

He just doesn't believe that it is necessary to go the speed limit!

 (eyes rolling) 

He says the first week he almost had to get out his Nitro!  

sigh... 

He hung on the strap and almost screamed like a little girl.. lol

But he is adjusting.. 

At least we are halfway through the four weeks of me being in control of the car !  

Thank the Lord! 

But this too shall pass and we will probably stay married! lol!  

I am sort of laughing but it is not funny sometimes.. 

We have been married fifty years and I have very seldom took the wheel when he is in the car too.. (for good reason, may I add!) 

He says I am improving due to this guidance! 

Yup...sigh.. 

 Anyway on with the show.. 

Now.. 

This pic below is from the Anne with and an E series... 

Marilla's Table.. 

I love most of this series and adore the house and all it's contents.. 

If you have followed the blog here then you know I love table settings.  

The above one is very plain but beautiful! 

I know this is just make believe but believable if you know what I mean.. 

If I were talking to my friend, Janelle then I would finish the sentence with... well not really.. lol...

Please note the ordinary everyday water glasses.. 

Kind of goblet style but heavy... everyday.. 

I loved them.. 

Perhaps... I coveted them.. Oh dear!  

I am getting in deep... grin.. 

Anyway.. 

 We were allowed to go shopping all summer and every thrift store I entered I looked for these type of glasses.. 

And I needed them as I have broken several.. 

I could not find anything that suited.. 

Until.. Just a few weeks ago.. 

I went into a thrift store that was moving and everything was forty percent off.. 

This is what I bought..  

Aren't they lovely?  

Almost like Marilla's!

I couldn't wait to set the table.. 

I noticed she didn't use a cloth or anything.. 

Just the bare table ... 

Cloth napkins and as it was evening.. 

A candle or two.. 

We had one of our own roasted chickens..

pic from before.

Mashed potatoes and canned green beans ...

We also had dressing.. 

Oh and gravy.. 

A couple of dear sister friends sent me the dressing recipe and said they enjoyed it.. 

I couldn't wait to make it and see.. 

It was delicious!  

So different!  

I did as the grandmother did and pressed the dressing into a small loaf pan lined with parchment and refrigerated it..

At dinnertime, I sliced the dressing and browned the slices

in a butter fry pan and served it warm and crispy.. 

Terry loved it too.. 

I made a mistake and left out the sugars but I did use the molasses.. 

I think that was enough anyway.. 

So nice to have just for lunch even.. 

Thanks Laura and Kathleen.. 

This past week Terry has been to the doctor and he said he was okay to do some light stuff so .. 

We went bough gathering..

And saw this stately animal.. 

Isn'\t he gorgeous? 

He was a dear man this day.. 

We stuck to the back roads so I didn't have to pass a transport trailer truck or anything!  grin.. 

Some sweet old farms.. 

And such dear dear sheep!  

I would love to have been invited in for a cup of tea.. smile.. 

We loaded up the truck and came home..

 

And had a nice bowl of seafood chowder.. 

Here are a few simple meals and such that I have made over the past while.. 

Apple Crisps and pies.. 

Poppy seed and Rye No Knead Bread..

Big batch banana breads..

Old fashioned Pumpkin Preserves.. 

A rare treat for celebration.. 

Fries and Idaho Fry Sauce.. 

Here is the recipe.. 

1 cup and 2 T mayonnaise.. 

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp salt 

1/8 tsp paprika 

1/4 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp onion powder 

1/2 cup ketchup 

2 T red wine vinegar 

1 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

Whisk together and refridgerate.. 

And... 

Our sweet daughter and husband put me up while Terry was in the hospital in their city getting his stent put in.. 

They are so hospitable and gave me a lovely time.. 

The next morning she made sourdough bread and a wonderful French stew.. 

This was her bread... 

Lovely, eh! 

A dear girl gave us each some starter.. 

I made one batch and decided it was too much work for me

as we

 do not eat a lot of bread.. 

And too many dishes.. lol.. 

I am hooked on no knead bread.. 

One bowl... 5 minutes and it is rising! 

And we love it.. 

I do use sourdough flour often, though.. 

As in the pic at the top of this post.. 

Kind of cheating but us old ladies have to do what we do.. grin... 

And our dear oldest son got his deer

and sent me a pic of the first steaks.. smile.. 

Don't you just love your kids!  

Even when they are all grown up and their kids are grown up, they are still our babies .. 

Love being able to get pics and such at random times of the day from the two older ones or a pic of the weather or some antique he thinks I might like from Alberta... 

Thankful each morning when I pray for this lovely family the Lord has given us.. 

And on we go... 

We took a little trip out to the farm to make sure all was well the other day.. 

While Terry was puttering and such I looked for some old crochet that I knew was there from the shop somewhere.. 

I found it.. 

I want to make antique lace trees and socks that someone shared with me.. 

Anyway I found the little handkerchief bag up above.. 

It was just the incentive I needed to get a bag of hankies ironed that I have been wanting to get done.. 

I love hankies and since Covid started I use them instead of Kleenex..

They are so sweet and I put a drop or two of essential oil on them.. 

Aren't I turning into a typical old lady?  Oh well... 

Today was lovely out.. 

We have only had a skiff of snow so far which is wonderful in my opinion.. 

Three times the last week or so I have been able to use the clothes line.. 

It was a lovely day.. 

Here are a few projects that I have been working at.. 

A rope basket.. I do have to finish it... 

A little felted project.. I think it will be a part of a cushion...?? 

Not sure.. Perhaps something else.. 

I found this pin on Pinterest and was so excited as I had just found one downstairs when I was cleaning up.. 

\Shonda had bought me a bottle of Barkeepers Friend so I will be putting it to use.. 

And this one from English Country Shabby.. 

I love this one.. 

Terry gathered me a few wee trees so we shall see.  

Well dear friends this is all for tonight.. 

It has taken me a bit of time because I am so far behind in catching up with you all.. 

I pray all is well with you in your part of the world.. 

Our province has been a sanctuary but Covid has raised it's ugly head once again.. We are orange phase which means we are pretty restricted.. 

No visitors and not much of anything.. 

Church is online and we are thankful but miss being together.. 

But God is faithful and I am not complaining... 

We will do what we are supposed to as far as we are able.. 

We may not like everything but we are just passing through this old world and looking forward to what God has in store for us..

Just praying for our world... 

Jesus is coming soon.. 

God bless you dear hearts and will be so happy to hear from you.. 

I know this has been long and hopefully not too boring.. 

God bless...