tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35674509191346925622024-03-13T20:10:09.914-04:00Seasonal HearthJoannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-60102213454205436842011-04-02T16:04:00.017-04:002011-04-15T08:29:30.803-04:00For Everything there is a Season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYkUgclxosp047dEbpCRe8VjWGD34_GA7iIoVScVFvbSIS6jBV6C1kgvVBubdhGPvVtrPuaQKxWFsgsRFuHkY0nVS3triLcPHgi6HgAlJq1oVci3L9HRhkewex9t2nDmgjyfEMnOq5Rw/s1600/Tea+Pot%252C+Tea+Bags%252C+%2526+Flowers.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYkUgclxosp047dEbpCRe8VjWGD34_GA7iIoVScVFvbSIS6jBV6C1kgvVBubdhGPvVtrPuaQKxWFsgsRFuHkY0nVS3triLcPHgi6HgAlJq1oVci3L9HRhkewex9t2nDmgjyfEMnOq5Rw/s400/Tea+Pot%252C+Tea+Bags%252C+%2526+Flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589922337228513858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecclesiastes 3:1<br /></span></span><br /><br />The sun is shining on another beautiful Spring morning, the birds are chirping so cheerfully in affirmation of this glorious day, and green shoots are popping up out of the ground in the gardens.<br />It truly is exciting to welcome this next season of renewal and rejuvenation as new life stirs beneath the earth, eager to emerge.<br />It was with this enthusiasm and exuberance, that I began my blog, Seasonal Hearth, last Spring to marvel in, then document my observations and activities, giving glory to God for the beauty in each new season.<br />Today is indeed a beautiful Spring day as I end on a jubilant note, eagerly welcoming this lovely season. Even the <a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0356?ref=topnav_homepage_savedcity">long range forecast</a> is rejoicing with us.<br />As my dear friend shared with me this week:<br />"My spirit of expectancy is on hyper alert" Don't you just love that? She is so gifted with words and has expressed so articulately the anticipation that we all have been feeling.<br />This journey has made me keenly aware of the changing of the seasons and the beauty in nature all around me. Through the lens of my camera and in my spirit,<br />I have become much more observant of the seemingly insignificant details of life, thus celebrating the 'sacredness of the ordinary'.<br />Although I will miss blogging about it and will possibly be observing everything around me in blog post format, I know that this is also the right time to conclude my blogging experience to focus on the next exciting season in my life. If I have inspired or encouraged you in some small way, then my blogging journey has truly been rewarded.<br />It has been wonderful to travel the world over through blogging, from the comfort of my home; an extension of armchair travel. It has been my joy and privilege to 'meet' many of you through your comments here. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing your beautiful blogs of inspiration with others!<br />This next season of my life will continue with work at the library which I am so thankful for as my job has been such a gift. I love assisting the patrons, and getting excited with them in their discovery of a good novel or new author. The library truly is a pleasant atmosphere to work in. I am also continuing to take the courses which have kept me very preoccupied.<br />This will be a milestone year for many reasons including a *sweet sixteen* birthday celebration for my youngest daughter, the big 5-0<span style="font-size:85%;"> (yours truly)</span>, college graduation for middle daughter, moving our university son to his new place of residence in the city, preparing for an eager reunion with our oldest daughter as she returns from India followed by an upcoming wedding celebration to plan for...so thankful for my family.<br />There will also be the gardening and home maintenance projects we have planned.<br />Once again, I have thoroughly enjoyed documenting scenes around me including the Mennonite flavour of this area, the beauty of the rural landscape/countryside, sharing my love of photography, art, poetry, music, quotes, books and movies, along with the resources of libraries, arm chair travel, my love for all things domestic including decorating, thrifty vintage goodies, new found love of knitting, recipes, tea parties, my simple joys, my faith, family and friends, of laughter and love.<br />It is my prayer that you may all take the time to see the little things in life, the seemingly insignificant, that bring pleasure and beauty to our days and know that they are gracious gifts of grace from our heavenly Father.<br />My prayer for each of you can be found <a href="http://www.andiesisle.com/ThisBlessingIsForYou.html">here</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Abundant peace to all of you,<br />along with Spring Cheer...<br />♥ Joanne<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Don't let yourself get so busy that you miss those</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">little but important extras in life - the beauty of a</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">day...the smile of a friend...the serenity of a quiet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">moment alone. For it is often life's smallest</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">pleasures and gentlest joys that make the</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">biggest and most lasting difference."</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV_40u-RlHRHxXTW9uQoMSZAwO8cr-GSee93QT6cO1cMO-50JazYpNISO-6HYq9RvR4DU78V7TahF6gLBL6CmGvClXWrYaTptnAC9p6cFwEmMxDPu-qj2TObqgXfuXSNImVqkALl7vRs/s1600/tumblr_lidgxhaQX41qak0uxo1_500.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 462px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV_40u-RlHRHxXTW9uQoMSZAwO8cr-GSee93QT6cO1cMO-50JazYpNISO-6HYq9RvR4DU78V7TahF6gLBL6CmGvClXWrYaTptnAC9p6cFwEmMxDPu-qj2TObqgXfuXSNImVqkALl7vRs/s400/tumblr_lidgxhaQX41qak0uxo1_500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590950012194153362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(images found online)</span></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-75633838886881340632011-04-01T13:20:00.030-04:002011-04-11T08:16:46.384-04:00Oh, to be in England, now that April is here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WJy0h941zRM6hThEGg7v5ViO31yzExRfUFYHi98P8A4T1bIl10hkhatvGe-OpjJ_g9E2LJeP9GhUCbZuTKCoCwzA0tqUtbW7RgPQ9cWTQ9bbL8EKgudhkeLN5xovGCtnGdAzLDMt5fo/s1600/England-Cambridgeshire-Cambridge-university-fascade.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WJy0h941zRM6hThEGg7v5ViO31yzExRfUFYHi98P8A4T1bIl10hkhatvGe-OpjJ_g9E2LJeP9GhUCbZuTKCoCwzA0tqUtbW7RgPQ9cWTQ9bbL8EKgudhkeLN5xovGCtnGdAzLDMt5fo/s400/England-Cambridgeshire-Cambridge-university-fascade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590669640553303970" border="0" /></a>Walking down memory lane,<br />I can't help feeling nostalgic for the beautiful countryside of England.<br />Before I conclude my blog,<br />I just had to share some of these visually stunning images with you that I took while on my travels.<br />I have had the opportunity to travel twice to England, once with my dear friend Karen and this last time with my middle daughter. Both travels were highlights in my life that I shall never forget as I tuck away in my mind images of the british countryside, the sheep peacefully grazing in pastures and on rolling hills, of royal castles and quaint cottages, majestic cathedrals and humble country churches, small towns and villages, wisteria and foxgloves, roses and hydrangeas, narrow winding roads lined with bramble hedges, the book shops and tea rooms, tea and scones, and authors such as Jane Austen, Emily and Charlotte Bronte, Beatrix Potter, and movies such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Ladies in Lavender, Becoming Jane, Miss Austen Regrets, Young Victoria, North and South, Wives and Daughters, Miss Potter, Bright Star, Cranford, Lark Rise to Candleford, Downton Abbey, Keeping Up Appearances, BBC, PBS, Masterpiece etc....<br />Check out<a href="http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com/"> this site</a> "dedicated to those classic films that take us to another era, to a time of simplicity and serenity. Grab a cup of tea and make yourself at home..."<br />Can you see why I have become an Anglophile?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Journey with me as we enjoy a wee bit of Spring time in England....<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Wisteria Covered Cottage, The Cotswolds, England<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(image found online)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiwU7R9IRNAiMPKMVPqF28LDMzHoUD_4uiVe4FQTa71CLkarjWLKRGyWzrTUAFGaC_aQ0J3OgoidjPHmPpuchjHsU3fp-z0D2-bo3NodRBM0h8GmEw8KNeqrL4S4t9j6A2bQ2z_vaP64/s1600/wisteria-covered-cottage-the-cotswolds-england-1280x1024.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiwU7R9IRNAiMPKMVPqF28LDMzHoUD_4uiVe4FQTa71CLkarjWLKRGyWzrTUAFGaC_aQ0J3OgoidjPHmPpuchjHsU3fp-z0D2-bo3NodRBM0h8GmEw8KNeqrL4S4t9j6A2bQ2z_vaP64/s400/wisteria-covered-cottage-the-cotswolds-england-1280x1024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590668783372947170" border="0" /></a><br />Gold Hill, Shaftsbury<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw8R7oVqzSF7vv8VoS39ODvkHBYFnhQen8vY5e0EdtuJ0pMEMG3gn1NK0gshMPhb_LUyxoJ6COzf61QTlZcrWXXvl4zdesipqbo6GhhzLbKYN_TVV8ue3n9nT__IDcQR_kE4z1lHg9Ys/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+173.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw8R7oVqzSF7vv8VoS39ODvkHBYFnhQen8vY5e0EdtuJ0pMEMG3gn1NK0gshMPhb_LUyxoJ6COzf61QTlZcrWXXvl4zdesipqbo6GhhzLbKYN_TVV8ue3n9nT__IDcQR_kE4z1lHg9Ys/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589490947076214738" border="0" /></a><br />Arlington Row in the Cotswolds<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84O5DETfppIU15Bp7l-lEOMkbP3wtAgUTBWRGVBmgaPToKl71l4XYfu-1dJRvO6BU0bi1Ew303i7c5DHrFTbcb8_n0NGAJH67lrtamhdN3LDg_RlpjqRUxxxibeuQ8wp_3_et1KmDOjI/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+360.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84O5DETfppIU15Bp7l-lEOMkbP3wtAgUTBWRGVBmgaPToKl71l4XYfu-1dJRvO6BU0bi1Ew303i7c5DHrFTbcb8_n0NGAJH67lrtamhdN3LDg_RlpjqRUxxxibeuQ8wp_3_et1KmDOjI/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590681444970054018" border="0" /></a><br />Sheep peacefully grazing<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNT10U9N4WIK657MZpfp63E-8wg5WUbrMg0gyaN4WtQQHaRLlzAbCHfSD60A3oiRHrwGpT5SYLRtn7pS_2AqL1OBppQY9GwRkfK3r5Ae84CTSW9xcd1EQwqWVkOFK_U64uF_9Ylirm78/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+094.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNT10U9N4WIK657MZpfp63E-8wg5WUbrMg0gyaN4WtQQHaRLlzAbCHfSD60A3oiRHrwGpT5SYLRtn7pS_2AqL1OBppQY9GwRkfK3r5Ae84CTSW9xcd1EQwqWVkOFK_U64uF_9Ylirm78/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590680403364360962" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful countryside<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1eT7YZL6Op3Xjw9PINadu3a9A3V_oPShgrxKD-6Xk-7bfLB2yyRAIlTbVmVoopcP5wxrZxwkLOjOPivPStJ8VLdsVxJVIBSGPCmD3S3_EhuK6mpiVWTkPwYSgGeP3XqMsV2PTzwQq20/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+298.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1eT7YZL6Op3Xjw9PINadu3a9A3V_oPShgrxKD-6Xk-7bfLB2yyRAIlTbVmVoopcP5wxrZxwkLOjOPivPStJ8VLdsVxJVIBSGPCmD3S3_EhuK6mpiVWTkPwYSgGeP3XqMsV2PTzwQq20/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590681072489092834" border="0" /></a><br />Mornings shrouded in mist and fog<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1LWLmlpvU_Xm49qjb8sty3Qa3VjDX6EtD0sGY-AZa4ISA-PEEQAQD_UtB7vS3vafw-sxwMLBgxuaYMsfOFaL1ZwNZW1IY6wq5ztJJQttWbNBzHSTtUW3FKkktOEid7wxPlkEDh0ke08/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+044.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1LWLmlpvU_Xm49qjb8sty3Qa3VjDX6EtD0sGY-AZa4ISA-PEEQAQD_UtB7vS3vafw-sxwMLBgxuaYMsfOFaL1ZwNZW1IY6wq5ztJJQttWbNBzHSTtUW3FKkktOEid7wxPlkEDh0ke08/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590680016912188578" border="0" /></a><br />dew in webs<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwBRD_XgsQIMZjhkiVMVQNeqXEaTcwnsaBS-7GHR5JkWnmW_uREdv6UiVgUgi9yAXK6OXnLLjOFf9JGJySbTC_xpAB69rmR863Er7uE1SVThU4vY8uS0t0lDwVueXFhk9pq-juX_MEvY/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+048.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwBRD_XgsQIMZjhkiVMVQNeqXEaTcwnsaBS-7GHR5JkWnmW_uREdv6UiVgUgi9yAXK6OXnLLjOFf9JGJySbTC_xpAB69rmR863Er7uE1SVThU4vY8uS0t0lDwVueXFhk9pq-juX_MEvY/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590679716430279090" border="0" /></a><br />sheep grazing<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyhXpCtLkb7Kf3gYAgXZw4MeQOV4bjyZDGaa4Kwkb2NcNvxo9QFP7pW6hlT2JSs7gun5QC98ChA3_Gi4D9fIXmJmLgSecJiaHMQHfH6YGXBkOIXDao47TDl95posunBV2fXSCT-cndGI/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyhXpCtLkb7Kf3gYAgXZw4MeQOV4bjyZDGaa4Kwkb2NcNvxo9QFP7pW6hlT2JSs7gun5QC98ChA3_Gi4D9fIXmJmLgSecJiaHMQHfH6YGXBkOIXDao47TDl95posunBV2fXSCT-cndGI/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590679527412882370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sally Lunn's Tea Room<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiDrXy5Ye24cg6jOqi7POwQwHWdf2kVohxKCAJwRBQrq3z9nQlwWYkZ0CwgUAx-3X8IWIJZyHxw6I16NbRWOMFmhVAx2Ml71OtbPlH-UuOeOXXi6ktDY8aYAgaQHA4-pbd3x-8tiKico/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+193.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiDrXy5Ye24cg6jOqi7POwQwHWdf2kVohxKCAJwRBQrq3z9nQlwWYkZ0CwgUAx-3X8IWIJZyHxw6I16NbRWOMFmhVAx2Ml71OtbPlH-UuOeOXXi6ktDY8aYAgaQHA4-pbd3x-8tiKico/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589488482014671314" border="0" /></a><br />British Post Box<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAmr4Agx-cIebSHLDObNAZnr3PWP-4hWnFhyoHRz-J6YFCFWjXjr-HYTR1cYguWyKIzmvQ0BjS-x6clsimFTP3jZopIvIn5jjQ-QMXS8uxoSqnRBHsgf7lEc6rGzWhz5yiA4SX7s51wk/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAmr4Agx-cIebSHLDObNAZnr3PWP-4hWnFhyoHRz-J6YFCFWjXjr-HYTR1cYguWyKIzmvQ0BjS-x6clsimFTP3jZopIvIn5jjQ-QMXS8uxoSqnRBHsgf7lEc6rGzWhz5yiA4SX7s51wk/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590680661459082466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Foot Bridges<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Poqgj8g7zQkx9E8R_4D0LmtG8SsEWfycXXsCWtyAhHvCCDhQDhWQW7javEY9Xc9VmjqPzfmVHTfghw1jgKdk-UtHAnm7D0-ttw7gFekpOgDtEbDoaVLAvYkHVzQHNK3na6TMSVxBhU/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+382.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0Poqgj8g7zQkx9E8R_4D0LmtG8SsEWfycXXsCWtyAhHvCCDhQDhWQW7javEY9Xc9VmjqPzfmVHTfghw1jgKdk-UtHAnm7D0-ttw7gFekpOgDtEbDoaVLAvYkHVzQHNK3na6TMSVxBhU/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589487955946695762" border="0" /></a><br />Cotswolds</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX22r-4ZZlgmvq2V2HDqFpTEYGTBYc4a0DUI1BaWvxKtOthitgGlE5eTg1etJt3AIJgFix7vE6uqC4-9P4Cj80ng8wgTCcqxkvvlDtr2CZ7CwfM52D1Ib-qoIzQR4LWzSmLkhNg7DMqc/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+396.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX22r-4ZZlgmvq2V2HDqFpTEYGTBYc4a0DUI1BaWvxKtOthitgGlE5eTg1etJt3AIJgFix7vE6uqC4-9P4Cj80ng8wgTCcqxkvvlDtr2CZ7CwfM52D1Ib-qoIzQR4LWzSmLkhNg7DMqc/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589485277575925650" border="0" /></a><br />Cottage Tea Room<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWQfe4dcaSDwEK_ek_AxBi9t0WZWkkPNs4Iv-BkyTCUzhfg2y02MKSe3qkSY8sNYk5lShs6ou7ihA791QIiQgqbvIV4zoUW_p8P3qPkBb42coWhY_8Hvi19OYxCrNph20DJCItXYPkE/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+406.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWQfe4dcaSDwEK_ek_AxBi9t0WZWkkPNs4Iv-BkyTCUzhfg2y02MKSe3qkSY8sNYk5lShs6ou7ihA791QIiQgqbvIV4zoUW_p8P3qPkBb42coWhY_8Hvi19OYxCrNph20DJCItXYPkE/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589484923994426450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tea and Scones<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSP4pt31wto2mXbOslFCAK0kycdX5JVBsGPLNmMC8DVQJYNCV7tLzBopKRJhLpH5e4mBkYFqBa2EcdlDk1tK6yb0J_d6Z-uTnmGq0nu9TX3WYrPCjJrOR5tasmBHvnn_oRUeQ58X-bl8/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+407.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSP4pt31wto2mXbOslFCAK0kycdX5JVBsGPLNmMC8DVQJYNCV7tLzBopKRJhLpH5e4mBkYFqBa2EcdlDk1tK6yb0J_d6Z-uTnmGq0nu9TX3WYrPCjJrOR5tasmBHvnn_oRUeQ58X-bl8/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589482602872024130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kissing Gates and Cottages<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYscNbPewn7ZxjXCa6hpTNpVeoAzPqyTcwzCz_c__madX0Mn6o7vxYLVo3YpoTDRoFYCyx-VQ7TQfHEAVdFCLXxbrqiRsNOUJXgYnwL5pnQmuSN_tr7HumVqxWudMcGPYBY3inqVd1PWY/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYscNbPewn7ZxjXCa6hpTNpVeoAzPqyTcwzCz_c__madX0Mn6o7vxYLVo3YpoTDRoFYCyx-VQ7TQfHEAVdFCLXxbrqiRsNOUJXgYnwL5pnQmuSN_tr7HumVqxWudMcGPYBY3inqVd1PWY/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589482223004499218" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.kissinggatecottage.co.uk/accommodation.html">The Kissing Gate</a> in Marshfield near near Bath<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6TqejDxz2Br0quZ55h2nUNjEGQm7kixP3VZT65r6LKfs-sPZzRyYdpQ7-fnXWXS71TyAC0AmyLDC8zNZmg3YU6VgusFzY447S2Has5WtlsdqmDLWLKkZVL0z2S1DXP-E0jioNizCBHQ/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+409.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6TqejDxz2Br0quZ55h2nUNjEGQm7kixP3VZT65r6LKfs-sPZzRyYdpQ7-fnXWXS71TyAC0AmyLDC8zNZmg3YU6VgusFzY447S2Has5WtlsdqmDLWLKkZVL0z2S1DXP-E0jioNizCBHQ/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589481623612398178" border="0" /></a><br />Tea and Welsh Cakes after a day in <a href="http://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/">Hay-on-Wye, </a><br />on the Welsh/English border<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXwBliqVv4EB3K1SIMYQnJKL_0NHe62sQGvPp5NixHd7FqmfKP0b4Ovx3lv3jlGGKoo54exK8byPUg4snUt8ui3z9rE-DyK07YzIm7-dL8OFMcVHLBPFs_uD3aWHgE23m44oEaBOutb4/s1600/ENGLAND+AGAIN+451.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXwBliqVv4EB3K1SIMYQnJKL_0NHe62sQGvPp5NixHd7FqmfKP0b4Ovx3lv3jlGGKoo54exK8byPUg4snUt8ui3z9rE-DyK07YzIm7-dL8OFMcVHLBPFs_uD3aWHgE23m44oEaBOutb4/s400/ENGLAND+AGAIN+451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589481283538277058" border="0" /></a><br />Memories kept in Photo Albums<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGv6NUirqpxbCvYOo2xszrFQfysUUvr4jRLRQTYIYXDE3VLRvoJEnP-Y-ulrIxPP_vHkSOFDbEi6KUfrNgmuos6eipif-e7QSz4-SHsyCmJM0IMGrAdGuVMYsMsGELorO2As4hkBt1ZM/s1600/DSC07912.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGv6NUirqpxbCvYOo2xszrFQfysUUvr4jRLRQTYIYXDE3VLRvoJEnP-Y-ulrIxPP_vHkSOFDbEi6KUfrNgmuos6eipif-e7QSz4-SHsyCmJM0IMGrAdGuVMYsMsGELorO2As4hkBt1ZM/s400/DSC07912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589486989799591986" border="0" /></a><br />Some springtime movies filmed in England include:<br /><br />~♥~ Bright Star~♥~<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqh2MSU-S7KJ3zK76SHHO1LJFEGDdcReE9gkBXPJyv1feASK1QH_poheW__Lm3o6jd79k_2Kt7hL5ErC8GqE2-_Y8vyjbjLmQc9okAoMd5FYc300m4BGLUp5cprmC970pWjQZyZb5dnE/s1600/bright-star1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqh2MSU-S7KJ3zK76SHHO1LJFEGDdcReE9gkBXPJyv1feASK1QH_poheW__Lm3o6jd79k_2Kt7hL5ErC8GqE2-_Y8vyjbjLmQc9okAoMd5FYc300m4BGLUp5cprmC970pWjQZyZb5dnE/s400/bright-star1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590667853553156226" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~ Emma~♥~<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-KP6BP4QSQaF8rE_kUuhLennNFCZk6fKxnQae5MShT0S8j4BHSwJhmZKB-6nKbKrJU8In5FkgOz6hMKRyWjEuLzj08_x9p0PKkhYBJqyg7iWNOKLqC1vXWPXuddMli6iJgLOuIHOrKI/s1600/Emma_-Romola_Garai_as_the_handsome_clever_and_rich_heroine_Emma_Woodhouse_cr-Davis_Venni_BBC.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-KP6BP4QSQaF8rE_kUuhLennNFCZk6fKxnQae5MShT0S8j4BHSwJhmZKB-6nKbKrJU8In5FkgOz6hMKRyWjEuLzj08_x9p0PKkhYBJqyg7iWNOKLqC1vXWPXuddMli6iJgLOuIHOrKI/s400/Emma_-Romola_Garai_as_the_handsome_clever_and_rich_heroine_Emma_Woodhouse_cr-Davis_Venni_BBC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590677924212196194" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~ Miss Potter and Peter Rabbit~♥~<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(click corner arrows to enlarge)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="300" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYPkH8gPDps?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYPkH8gPDps?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="200"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="300" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oXEHA6-5J-M?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oXEHA6-5J-M?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="200"></embed></object><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="300" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WIvrq8HocKs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WIvrq8HocKs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="200"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, to be in England<br />Now that April's there,<br />And whoever wakes in England<br />Sees, some morning, unaware,<br />That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf<br />Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,<br />While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough<br />In England - now<br />by Robert Browning<br />Home Thoughts from Abroad.<br /><br />Listen to stunning music by Ralph Vaughan Williams:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4awgoCFepE&feature=related">The Lark Ascending</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR5nTqGc0wn4PyBQhvQbWt3CuDSD8AbguEZCzmSLbPSowYpyya1QnP3XV8iIiE2v4Hi38BzuhbTKKxSe5Y5eiZUjPreytEDgRywYXKd9vR1oIU63wO5qZQ8nPx5Kzc2w2GyQPAsptuTI/s1600/alma-tadema-bluebells.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR5nTqGc0wn4PyBQhvQbWt3CuDSD8AbguEZCzmSLbPSowYpyya1QnP3XV8iIiE2v4Hi38BzuhbTKKxSe5Y5eiZUjPreytEDgRywYXKd9vR1oIU63wO5qZQ8nPx5Kzc2w2GyQPAsptuTI/s400/alma-tadema-bluebells.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590667500684562626" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="380" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZTwavrfsO44?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZTwavrfsO44?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="380" height="300"></embed></object></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-3797251939442315852011-03-31T16:36:00.020-04:002011-04-11T08:12:57.924-04:00Spring Cleaning and Gladys Taber<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYukBQxnZQsEueHRu5K34UgNHTZ8OplVhjS7fkZG9D3gWngmtrWuWRzhYClDwTu9CzqcvCQoTClLVsT-aOoxGhtnlsQDGXUh04wvSNBXqWLw8Yi2xbAbTWrPOqPFX6CvqmthOzFEh0u0/s1600/window-with-morning-view+from+eu+art+com.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYukBQxnZQsEueHRu5K34UgNHTZ8OplVhjS7fkZG9D3gWngmtrWuWRzhYClDwTu9CzqcvCQoTClLVsT-aOoxGhtnlsQDGXUh04wvSNBXqWLw8Yi2xbAbTWrPOqPFX6CvqmthOzFEh0u0/s400/window-with-morning-view+from+eu+art+com.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590348646177152674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />"Housework is tiresome in spring. Almost any woman gets that feeling of being simply overcome because she can never get through it...The light is brighter now, and lasts longer, and it shows up everything! You can't do it all at once, curtains, rugs, woodwork, attic and cellar.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The thing to do, I told myself yesterday, is to make a comprehensive list of all the spring jobs. I began very tidily with,,,clean attic, spray, weed out all books...discard any piece of clothing you can get along without. Give away all blankets and rugs not actually in use. Check bed linen and give away all except for beds used. Take magazines to hospital...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">By the time I made my list, I was worn out. So, since it was a warm April day, we went off with bread and cheese, hard-cooked eggs, a vacuum of boiling coffee. Sat by the falls at Eight Mile. I felt marvelously restored. The wild white violets were in bloom and below the falls the skunk cabbage was like the third act of a play, so dramatic and final. It always reminds me of Van Gogh, for it is a violent plant and greener than any green could ever be. The unfurling leaves look tropical.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As we sat quietly eating the crusty bread and cheese, spring was tangible. The red-winged blackbirds made a good landing in the maple trees and talked their heads off about the journey up...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">the water, still sharp with snow, poured over the rocks. It was free at last. A hawk went over, riding the air....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Maybe it would be better to leave the attic and cellar until fall”, I said dreamily, “there isn't any special hurry”...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"This year, I vow, the attic will be weeded out, and all the possessions which cannot prove their usefulness shall be ruthlessly cast out on the dump. It shall be a bare and lovely place, where it might be pleasant to go and think sometimes. Of course we'll have to spare the little trundle bed that Ned slept in as a child, and my sewing machine, even though I don't often use it, since it is inimical to me, and then, I must keep the rag-bag. I am old-fashioned enough to like one; you never know when you may need a piece of this and that...Now perhaps you can see why the attic has never really been cleaned out." </span><span>(in this case, it is our basement)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"This is the time of year when the house looks shabby and between mop-up jobs, we notice the wear and tear of winter. This year, we decided to get fresh pull-curtains for the family room, a soft apple green with an antique brown pattern over it.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“But that is all we will do,” said Jill, firmly. “We've got those insurance bills coming in. Just the curtains.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“You are absolutely right.” I say.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The curtains looked lovely. But after they were hung, the walls of the room looked worse. The open fires all winter long, plus the coal gas which our furnace affects had ruined them. So we repainted the walls to match the green in the curtains. It really looked beautiful but the woodwork was a sight. We had to do over the woodwork, which led inevitably, to new slip covers for the chairs and sofa.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Certainly dangerous to put up new curtains,” said Jill.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“Well, it's done now,” I said, and added, “except we really have to paint the insides of the corner cupboards. That cherry red looks awful. We need a darker tone of green.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“And wouldn't you like the floor sanded and redone too?”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Well, not until the mud season is over,” I said meekly.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"A full pink moon-April's autograph in the sky-shines down over Stillmeadow. Remembering the white gold moon of January, the ball of pale copper at harvest time, June's daffodil eye of night, I ask myself:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who can say which is the most beautiful? Each season has its own charm, each bestows its own blessing, and we welcome each in turn. The planet we in habit may be only one of countless planets, but it turns in its accustomed orbit and we accept this unquestioningly.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There is security in knowing that spring follows winter and summer comes after spring.<br />As I go back into my house, I wish all my friends, everywhere, the joy and sweetness of spring.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I pray God's blessing may fall on us as softly as apple blossoms in fall in spring. And then I put the guttering candles on the trestle table and go to bed feeling like tomorrow will be another adventure in living!</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I resolve to be more patient, less selfish, cherish my friends, and in my small way help whoever needs help. I cannot conceivably influence the world's destiny, but I can make my own life more worthwhile. I can give some help to some people; that is not vital to all the world's problems and yet, I think if everyone did just that, we might see quite a world in our time!</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Seasons flow one into the other, today moves inexorably toward tomorrow and we cannot keep even the most enchanted hour. World events shape different unknown destinies for mankind. Nevertheless these abide: love, friendship, faith in God. These arm us against the transitory aspects of life on this planet.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And so as I look forward to</span><span> (spring)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> summer, my heart is thankful. And may God bless my neighbours all over the world, I pray, as I open the picket gate...</span>"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGuckyQUz9VH-lrA1kpkYU1q0fRWscgH1O7_yBZK81eS5DjQkHBtqP09C3gV4JtCTIdiVBVLgSINSzKkMOOs-eQ4bRWmbKVOiMzJTKTL8fBCgzGiYj7v06GcpzFYGooCKjbijejmf8oE/s1600/wfPink+Roses+on+Picket+Fence.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGuckyQUz9VH-lrA1kpkYU1q0fRWscgH1O7_yBZK81eS5DjQkHBtqP09C3gV4JtCTIdiVBVLgSINSzKkMOOs-eQ4bRWmbKVOiMzJTKTL8fBCgzGiYj7v06GcpzFYGooCKjbijejmf8oE/s400/wfPink+Roses+on+Picket+Fence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590348784592844594" border="0" /></a><br />artwork by <a href="http://www.suelynncotton.com/flowers.htm">Sue Lynn Cotton</a><br /><br />All excerpts above are written by my beloved Gladys Taber and are taken from Stillmeadow Sampler, Stillmeadow Calendar, and Stillmeadow and Sugarbush.<br />Can you see why I love her writings? I sense a kindred spirit and although she is no longer here for me to tell her this, I have really appreciated her wonderful thoughts, her witty and amusing anecdotes, her nuggets of wisdom and the pearls of life she shares with her readers.<br />Like her, I would much rather escape into a good book, visit over tea with friends, enjoy a hearty meal along with lively conversation, become introspective when I consider the state of the world we live in...<br />But I have taken time to write my list and it is growing, so unlike Gladys, who longs to put it off, I will be tackling the jobs over the course of the next few months.<br />I have papers to organize, sort and file, books and magazines to donate, clothes to sort, landscaping projects to complete<span style="font-family:arial;"> ...</span> oh, joy!<br />Spring Cleaning here we come! Maybe <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301605414&sr=8-1">this new book</a> I ordered will inspire me<span style="font-family:arial;"> .......</span><br />What are your spring-cleaning goals?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6yqraPMFCq2e7J3yGHTnieRS8EiYBHEZWMZ41DokmT4KiKhn7VLupWDLFvTN3LT4-NQpV_acS35ZNL0D819-n9xL6YCkqH-JdW3xktW7ZBNgLNLN79ZBvCRSU5o1ddEYnNUCcVwQhPM/s1600/Yel+windowbox+web.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6yqraPMFCq2e7J3yGHTnieRS8EiYBHEZWMZ41DokmT4KiKhn7VLupWDLFvTN3LT4-NQpV_acS35ZNL0D819-n9xL6YCkqH-JdW3xktW7ZBNgLNLN79ZBvCRSU5o1ddEYnNUCcVwQhPM/s400/Yel+windowbox+web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590353949122154274" border="0" /></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-5254146856485942292011-03-30T19:09:00.021-04:002011-04-11T08:13:18.135-04:00Spring Beauty in Art and Music<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ0s28gpsH_KCFxYArVdoIapOMWaloC-N4bxOt20c_C_dqfsmC3_Wu9KdgsTIHQdvvM4_oi2S5XYifCvl9SMC4Zv8DRJJuPKjeCWnnxJEAZQghYlUTklATBPw7zpzFXHlg7Sxf7N-SnI/s1600/Angela-Staehling-House-of-Orchids-384064.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ0s28gpsH_KCFxYArVdoIapOMWaloC-N4bxOt20c_C_dqfsmC3_Wu9KdgsTIHQdvvM4_oi2S5XYifCvl9SMC4Zv8DRJJuPKjeCWnnxJEAZQghYlUTklATBPw7zpzFXHlg7Sxf7N-SnI/s400/Angela-Staehling-House-of-Orchids-384064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590022330031678770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It has been a quiet afternoon here with glorious sunshine streaming through the windows as I have had the pleasure of catching up on my reading as well as having the luxury of a much-needed nap.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed both books that I recommended to you yesterday, feeling like I had truly travelled to both India as well as Italy.<br />Secret Daughter has also given me a better picture of India where my daughter is presently.<br />I really miss her but am so thankful that she is in good hands (thank-you N) and that we will reunite next month.<br />In the meantime, I am gearing up for a major Spring cleaning project which I will share about tomorrow. That also means that I will be winding down here at Seasonal Hearth, which I will also share about soon. I really should be completing my course as well as the online exam but am a royal procrastinator. Can anyone relate? Instead I am distracted by the beauty of art and music, which I am now passing along to you....<br />My middle daughter introduced this group to me this afternoon. I just had to share the beauty and gift of their music with you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIzfzzD4K8zs5nPx2H_yZFi3yeK4uOfHKzO9ZaAdwRo7oBSJFG-mJl33hUTviZ1Eb1P1mMavOzqE076XY-e1Ea3ueLjmuD4mZn0FKv-nBYNZgCRnGxw0prRo8XikyI3u_dPD7fCm7IU8/s1600/Angela-Staehling-Maison-des-Jardins-383088.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIzfzzD4K8zs5nPx2H_yZFi3yeK4uOfHKzO9ZaAdwRo7oBSJFG-mJl33hUTviZ1Eb1P1mMavOzqE076XY-e1Ea3ueLjmuD4mZn0FKv-nBYNZgCRnGxw0prRo8XikyI3u_dPD7fCm7IU8/s400/Angela-Staehling-Maison-des-Jardins-383088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035605309999058" border="0" /></a><br />Art by Artist: Angela Staehling<br /><br /><a href="http://astonmusic.bandcamp.com/">Aston</a> is group of young musicians from Sydney, Australia who wanted to challenge the traditional sound of both classical and pop music. Daniel (percussion), Hanna (cello), Eliza (violin), Michael (violin), Will (guitar) and Ella (piano) bonded over their passion for not wanting to follow the traditional classical path at the Conservatorium of Music...<br />Enjoy the beauty of their music......don't forget to pause the playlist at the bottom of the screen...<br /><object width="440" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CMSr-HTzCwA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CMSr-HTzCwA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="390"></embed></object>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-82047019945637497922011-03-29T20:21:00.015-04:002011-04-11T08:11:15.008-04:00Armchair Travel Tuesday: India and Italy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagBITlgYRGkaVRPCNSIV_W6JyX0lhz3NS56opYFmVhiv7uzxVKT6xznFLqQr2mf2KnzNyNk9vRb8rvvaOlBwGDjenvAOEHdxaYd3raL7V5LQRzpVsoM4f0zSS7NvuiZ54LLiMWM5Q4Qs/s1600/51-k8W-VMsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagBITlgYRGkaVRPCNSIV_W6JyX0lhz3NS56opYFmVhiv7uzxVKT6xznFLqQr2mf2KnzNyNk9vRb8rvvaOlBwGDjenvAOEHdxaYd3raL7V5LQRzpVsoM4f0zSS7NvuiZ54LLiMWM5Q4Qs/s400/51-k8W-VMsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589662514249747602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Secret Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda</span><br /><p> On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son. </p> <p> Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles. Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, <i>Secret Daughter</i> poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families—one Indian, one American—and the child that indelibly connects them.(taken from back cover)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Asha finds it difficult to keep up with Meena as she maneuvers the sidewalk, darting through its assorted population: men who spit carelessly on the ground, scrawny dogs without owner, children begging for change. And as hazardous as it is on the sidewalk, the roads seem infinitely worse: cars weave in and out of lanes and pay little attention to traffic signals, double-decker buses careen dangerously close to oblivious cows and goats. "There are one billion people living in India," Meena says, "and nearly ninety percent of them live outside major cities, that means small towns and villages..."</span><br />You can visit Shilpi Somaya Gowda's website<a href="http://www.shilpigowda.com/"> here</a><br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Halfway to Each Other by Susan Pohlman</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q4gVeXP3eIqkeQ431pKlgR6a-Jy96SkOPjcch9MG3ZPLj8ZrTUdsCcbd_vhM0DAimkK1xWpEoL6Fd1pt167Zt9nZt06CHh9BSottiwjPifFK_boxc6c0SVCXnb1yyNpmbbAhol1G2LY/s1600/51Wmxf8aCCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q4gVeXP3eIqkeQ431pKlgR6a-Jy96SkOPjcch9MG3ZPLj8ZrTUdsCcbd_vhM0DAimkK1xWpEoL6Fd1pt167Zt9nZt06CHh9BSottiwjPifFK_boxc6c0SVCXnb1yyNpmbbAhol1G2LY/s400/51Wmxf8aCCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589662269457143010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">" Sometimes humans beg for battles to be taken away from them, not realizing that only in struggling with shadows is the Light made manifest."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">W. Michael Gear</span><br /><br />Halfway to Each Other follows the life of Susan and Tim as they and their two teenage children spend a year in Italy. Not knowing anyone in the country and not speaking much Italian, the family rebuilds their lives. This time though, they have to depend upon each other.<br />Instead of seeing each other for fleeting moments in the mornings and evenings, the family starts to spend their days together rediscovering the simple joys that bring texture and meaning to all our lives. Travel with them as they stumble upon new customs, explore medieval alleyways, browse street markets, befriend neighbors, learn to cook, and try a new language.... Amidst the chaos of daily life, we often forget to make time for each other. How wonderful would it be to just slow down and find out what's really important? <span style="font-size:85%;">(amazon review)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Suddenly I had the deep sense that God was somehow involved in this as it went against all I knew to be safe and logical. This was one of those paths He wanted us to wander. Somewhere up ahead we would happen upon the treasure He was waiting for us to discover. I had lived long enough to know that the "treasure" often comes in packages one isn't expecting, and that treasure isn't necessarily monetary. Sometimes it is in a person to be met or a tough life lesson to be learned....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sometimes this new guide to life is about good old-fashioned faith. When an unexpected opportunity or challenge lands in my lap, I now do my best to look at it with new eyes. Eyes that see possibility rather than the ones that used to see roadblocks and hazard warnings."</span><br />You can read more about Susan and her family's experience living in Italy over at her blog <a href="http://www.susanpohlman.com/content/">here</a><br />The descriptions in both of these books are detailed and exquisite as we journey with each family through the trials and challenges of life as they overcome obstacles. Each country comes alive, making me feel like I have travelled to India as well as to Italy.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Namaste and Arrivederci!</span><br /></p><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBBDVvAHtibz9SQpAcRyjM7O1isAZbNEKn7Q1lKvhsxPNTxw9yznVoACVAcn1YE9F-MQk5JEoMO9tGo1Ni1KMidJRW4TsJbhhyphenhyphenibU5y3BpzKzH0too4_mIM3yBaTMcp2lZgI7tmf3rYM/s1600/DSC07921.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBBDVvAHtibz9SQpAcRyjM7O1isAZbNEKn7Q1lKvhsxPNTxw9yznVoACVAcn1YE9F-MQk5JEoMO9tGo1Ni1KMidJRW4TsJbhhyphenhyphenibU5y3BpzKzH0too4_mIM3yBaTMcp2lZgI7tmf3rYM/s400/DSC07921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589662794304838130" border="0" /></a></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-81783778970452975852011-03-28T08:29:00.038-04:002011-05-16T10:30:05.237-04:00Spring's Simple Joys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfwseRbgLZo4nT4jJJBlgKPomY14DQa6_yKjiw4qWpV_FXmsQeaFWXyIUPqBpq1LlsryWEhSJNdd4fpWUtApBQfPuwgFk2k8XPyFnOTW2stLxCDcCuYbLFHVzgHFhx-jFUKt3WXtAmxA/s1600/501250xo.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfwseRbgLZo4nT4jJJBlgKPomY14DQa6_yKjiw4qWpV_FXmsQeaFWXyIUPqBpq1LlsryWEhSJNdd4fpWUtApBQfPuwgFk2k8XPyFnOTW2stLxCDcCuYbLFHVzgHFhx-jFUKt3WXtAmxA/s400/501250xo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589111980573120082" border="0" /></a>Last week I was careful to look for signs of Spring so that I could encourage those who were weary of this cold weather we have been experiencing.<br />God is so faithful to show us!<br />~♥~The birds have been singing their songs here every morning. I have spotted and heard the red cardinals,<br />the mourning doves,<br />the chickadees and sparrows,<br />the blue jays and robins,<br />and even the red- winged black birds,<br />one true sign of Spring which you can read about <a href="http://blog.audubonguides.com/2011/03/24/red-winged-blackbirds-first-sign-of-spring-in-northern-new-england/">here</a>. Although this article is from New England, the same evidence can be said of Ontario.<br />As I was driving to town for groceries and errands, I grabbed my camera to capture a few scenes for you.<br />I get so excited when I spot even the smallest indication of Spring, so bear with me as I tell you that I pulled over immediately when I spotted this first picture, but felt so embarrassed when the farmer stopped his tractor thinking I wanted to speak with him,<br />I quickly took the photo from the window as I drove away:)<br />The things I do to share <span style="font-weight: bold;">Scenes of Spring</span> with you...I tell ya:)<br />~♥~This was a joyful scene for me as I have not seen many farmers out spreading manure yet, and this truly reminded me of Spring.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpsM3zo6-CUy_qgYyT_E2AZryTgR56WM3GZGbmS22C0BgR_yHZGYtcuPVWpaLi6Jpwo0OxNvc7LHhm1mEA4hoeHIoDz0gen9yc3srGX-nHaxHfA0wSG9FW3pXxU2_EwmoVAq35Qtx0Bo/s1600/DSC07879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpsM3zo6-CUy_qgYyT_E2AZryTgR56WM3GZGbmS22C0BgR_yHZGYtcuPVWpaLi6Jpwo0OxNvc7LHhm1mEA4hoeHIoDz0gen9yc3srGX-nHaxHfA0wSG9FW3pXxU2_EwmoVAq35Qtx0Bo/s400/DSC07879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589120595734161362" border="0" /></a>~♥~Maple syrup buckets were hung in many sugar bush areas...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIk5lM96wsazlbnCJ0uXI-eUutrGNBWTFRDdxDrpv1kA-6911Rbe41te9-nfP7QIrwdbgQ8J14LXFMFKmXju5xoTTay5cV_nqkPdYiM9iTsGnyWcj-TAHNPBWIRoX617Ohs2xBeWzA-c/s1600/DSC07883.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIk5lM96wsazlbnCJ0uXI-eUutrGNBWTFRDdxDrpv1kA-6911Rbe41te9-nfP7QIrwdbgQ8J14LXFMFKmXju5xoTTay5cV_nqkPdYiM9iTsGnyWcj-TAHNPBWIRoX617Ohs2xBeWzA-c/s400/DSC07883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589119870450379730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~♥~The new Spring collection at Bath and Body Works...<br />the packaging alone is so adorable, so fresh and Spring-like,<br />and the scent is wonderful:)<br />My favourite new collection is Country Chic,<br />although I prefer to say: Country Chick~<br />a blend of wildflowers, woods and citrus....love it!<br />You can visit their website <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/home/index.jsp">here</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAK6WhBt9ulmcTPmoMW8D4Jdxg7kWtmvk6Jlus2NAe7t0mLvLGatYplLQfxZDUyI0bbpj58RbLsJq0bBA6jbWEZi9052fbVCQA2fWtDEcHfEKMQbEac5ZN0qH6-oJo_g8PI3tVxNbz9k/s1600/DSC07903.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAK6WhBt9ulmcTPmoMW8D4Jdxg7kWtmvk6Jlus2NAe7t0mLvLGatYplLQfxZDUyI0bbpj58RbLsJq0bBA6jbWEZi9052fbVCQA2fWtDEcHfEKMQbEac5ZN0qH6-oJo_g8PI3tVxNbz9k/s400/DSC07903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589117613756299170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~♥~The sweet and feminine dress my daughter ordered<br />for her college gala from <a href="http://shopruche.com/">Ruche</a><br />and the vintage collection of clothing,<br />including many lovely dresses found <a href="http://www.shopruche.com/dresses-c-2.html">here.</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her English Muse Ivory Lace Dress:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5WZHn-87qQ8bpG8gFwhfSoCKxJ36X0lhoNfnqaFy7k-pAkVXda-Ur7G7ckcan2wrudIBcUFndTtVPXLSeV8a423Y6lasJ_m4G5GXqjt4xP7UO1TEFBIUDZt3Zt0NRy8mKwx9EFD9b9M/s1600/6087.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5WZHn-87qQ8bpG8gFwhfSoCKxJ36X0lhoNfnqaFy7k-pAkVXda-Ur7G7ckcan2wrudIBcUFndTtVPXLSeV8a423Y6lasJ_m4G5GXqjt4xP7UO1TEFBIUDZt3Zt0NRy8mKwx9EFD9b9M/s400/6087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589122797111366850" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~The glorious Spring sunshine in the windowsills<br />as I observe this on my drive into town...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXLg9W80d0pNwC-CGIBwYLvv6Lr9NlVXZhGp8yf0n1hYmWXy4ixX8tbigWMCu64jk8eclUnCaZ6X2uICsWSfVASsYjWgsix5XZCNqcwv51ZS9158N9AiytLknSwuErO-fz-kODORersA/s1600/DSC07880.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXLg9W80d0pNwC-CGIBwYLvv6Lr9NlVXZhGp8yf0n1hYmWXy4ixX8tbigWMCu64jk8eclUnCaZ6X2uICsWSfVASsYjWgsix5XZCNqcwv51ZS9158N9AiytLknSwuErO-fz-kODORersA/s400/DSC07880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589120767382642770" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~The sunlight streaming through our windows at home,<br />morning and evening...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhT54ZH-Jvxb_sw4wbv8-x0ARvqqr9ezVkQ0K-AEI9_WZ5WIkfEJ5jQ9A9Gr-hS0h-OeCdYn3XaUQs8xNW6EVOQAqxa3DMIxvjPCa6-Mt845FvIkHZ38zRJ5kujI5IrbYxPsiseMQgoo/s1600/DSC07900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhT54ZH-Jvxb_sw4wbv8-x0ARvqqr9ezVkQ0K-AEI9_WZ5WIkfEJ5jQ9A9Gr-hS0h-OeCdYn3XaUQs8xNW6EVOQAqxa3DMIxvjPCa6-Mt845FvIkHZ38zRJ5kujI5IrbYxPsiseMQgoo/s400/DSC07900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589112683055599826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGmLkyqHjeFPuQXRhJYmGvcA3MDpHogOaWEYKsOrZAooczBoEEe46d005ykJvOI1rtwr5UFhOk9nvy7kiD1qLepE9ONcjSSHrsf_Yo2zVFAxCVVVWnVqJuAJNc4BWkCN9W7Hdq7XPTPM/s1600/DSC07890.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGmLkyqHjeFPuQXRhJYmGvcA3MDpHogOaWEYKsOrZAooczBoEEe46d005ykJvOI1rtwr5UFhOk9nvy7kiD1qLepE9ONcjSSHrsf_Yo2zVFAxCVVVWnVqJuAJNc4BWkCN9W7Hdq7XPTPM/s400/DSC07890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589112838314604162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs98u5lBMTKLGKUwxbjWGkUlI0CxFC2f6KKwqEwJHoimxQveQPgVWuyzOFBE-i6zuL1poEKLQNFwXU_xdiPr5prV_GyBc9T71y7xCg3sjPfNaSKQf41gHrjI59rifDkNh5NeEDaz45FA/s1600/DSC07910.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs98u5lBMTKLGKUwxbjWGkUlI0CxFC2f6KKwqEwJHoimxQveQPgVWuyzOFBE-i6zuL1poEKLQNFwXU_xdiPr5prV_GyBc9T71y7xCg3sjPfNaSKQf41gHrjI59rifDkNh5NeEDaz45FA/s400/DSC07910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589112399860863090" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~An action-packed Sunday as our dear friends met us at church, their excited reunion with many friends they hadn't seen in years, a beautiful service concluding with this song by Lincoln Brewster; a powerful reminder taken from Isaiah 40:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord<br />Wait upon the Lord<br />We will wait upon the Lord<br />Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord<br />Wait upon the Lord<br />We will wait upon the Lord<br /><br />Our God, You reign forever<br />Our hope, our strong Deliverer<br /><br />You are the everlasting God<br />The everlasting God<br />You do not faint, You won't grow weary<br />You're the defender of the weak<br />You comfort those in need<br />You lift us up on wings like eagles<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(<span style="font-size:85%;">pause playlist to listen;</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />you can click on the four arrows for full screen viewing.<br />The song gets loud but the ending is worth it</span>...so precious)<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><object height="200" width="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HW2szAF7xUI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HW2szAF7xUI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="200" width="280"></embed></object></div><br />~♥~And the Spring Party that followed our church service as we had three families over to our home for the day. There was so much laughter and chatter as we caught up...secretly I think that at least three of the women had a serious case of Spring Fever...but don't tell them I said that.<br />The meal consisted of caesar salad, spinach lasagne, garlic bread followed by desserts.<br />Don't you just love the cinderella glass slipper in the form of that precious little glass tea pot, a thoughtful gift from friends, who also included Lady Earl Grey tea which is wonderful. You can visit the Teaopia website <a href="http://www.teaopia.ca/store_locator.cfm">here.</a> The pretty spring collection of tea cups (<span style="font-size:85%;">for my oldest daughter</span>) was purchased for $3.00 at my favourite thrift shop, the MCC which you can check out <a href="http://thrift.mcc.org/">here</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS5QCMr9V9JaPBPxb6mS_O51ufktl8H9CIjkLe7IILs-HoVWQBjrvQ0b0sJja7SdFfWeQyA_xBVy37_z5qO2F29FlXjhUUf6s9otO3RVvx5E-1qqdMxz0Y6eZwX0Pd6OVRqHPV1bmgnk/s1600/DSC07904.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS5QCMr9V9JaPBPxb6mS_O51ufktl8H9CIjkLe7IILs-HoVWQBjrvQ0b0sJja7SdFfWeQyA_xBVy37_z5qO2F29FlXjhUUf6s9otO3RVvx5E-1qqdMxz0Y6eZwX0Pd6OVRqHPV1bmgnk/s400/DSC07904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589119375497256082" border="0" /></a>~♥~The decadent desserts included:<br />cherry cheesecake,<br />chocolate fudge cake,<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(both brought by my friends)</span><br />and the carrot cake,<br />which I shared before in this post <a href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2011/01/saturdays-simple-joys_29.html">here</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpeCN2mrEbfgJJJXSVffxEHjK6lYt6CigJrfySHTstHar59T1tgGjoCePhPQ8ueYdoCDOKkPA63MHkJnyvY_xnCjRLPT2kYjXEKCFHsxeTg_7LB_MUyibl4XxS9Rmht6y4WVGlDad-h8/s1600/DSC07908.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpeCN2mrEbfgJJJXSVffxEHjK6lYt6CigJrfySHTstHar59T1tgGjoCePhPQ8ueYdoCDOKkPA63MHkJnyvY_xnCjRLPT2kYjXEKCFHsxeTg_7LB_MUyibl4XxS9Rmht6y4WVGlDad-h8/s400/DSC07908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589119101294882066" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~The little spring gifts for my friends because:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Robin Williams</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPxHaxRCfu1xZtXzN82TnlAPMYKx9klCrQ_IeCN4ZTMOkqV4PKqKE6WoLdjE_SHMxG8vf-Q_ciIsHJ14qT1wGHRPhvzsmtkKkftRtw63LF12IuBlJWZbmt6ybtL18GkFOObmI493AAwM/s1600/DSC07901.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPxHaxRCfu1xZtXzN82TnlAPMYKx9klCrQ_IeCN4ZTMOkqV4PKqKE6WoLdjE_SHMxG8vf-Q_ciIsHJ14qT1wGHRPhvzsmtkKkftRtw63LF12IuBlJWZbmt6ybtL18GkFOObmI493AAwM/s400/DSC07901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589116570503522498" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~Cheerful Gerberas bringing Spring indoors...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QWR7eZa7wFe7u5OHHfM8AOfNMDJ3GjxHFGXcIlOebSH8GiZvIadgop9BaVJl9iYMKIe_2BUUOyN0BpLeNq8zTyR4krKfqLk6jP7Nwipg_jMxtii9FNOWdJazu8qot3elo3yEyNu77WU/s1600/DSC07899.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QWR7eZa7wFe7u5OHHfM8AOfNMDJ3GjxHFGXcIlOebSH8GiZvIadgop9BaVJl9iYMKIe_2BUUOyN0BpLeNq8zTyR4krKfqLk6jP7Nwipg_jMxtii9FNOWdJazu8qot3elo3yEyNu77WU/s400/DSC07899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589117413180247298" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The year's at the spring<br />And day's at the morn;<br />Morning's at seven;<br />The hillside's dew-pearled;<br />The lark's on the wing;<br />The snail's on the thorn;<br />God's in His heaven -<br />All's right with the world!<br />~Robert Browning</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-54988443200980139062011-03-25T06:43:00.030-04:002011-04-11T08:15:31.379-04:00Hope is the thing with feathers...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C5pWsfNDBjhLIfAxyRct5FmdE7jIjDpl9yAHiDgp6EL7j0MqoDabEENMMKzWfX0hmN-a1JFAB5oFcllVdVK9s2Ixz1I4jqL9MTAHr89ibcG4DJJ6oHrLo31mqHWElq7eW2NS9Bh3krs/s1600/normal_Marjolein-Bastin-Natures-Sketchbook-33%252C-De.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C5pWsfNDBjhLIfAxyRct5FmdE7jIjDpl9yAHiDgp6EL7j0MqoDabEENMMKzWfX0hmN-a1JFAB5oFcllVdVK9s2Ixz1I4jqL9MTAHr89ibcG4DJJ6oHrLo31mqHWElq7eW2NS9Bh3krs/s400/normal_Marjolein-Bastin-Natures-Sketchbook-33%252C-De.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587984422922731554" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/hope.html">Hope </a></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hope is the thing with feathers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That perches in the soul,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And sings the tune--without the words,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And never stops at all,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And sweetest in the gale is heard;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And sore must be the storm</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That could abash the little bird</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That kept so many warm.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I've heard it in the chillest land,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And on the strangest sea;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yet, never, in extremity,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It asked a crumb of me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Emily Dickinson</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUgpV1CBYFDfvT652_Uo31U9mzyKnCeyGr0BSYrXKn6NEu13sBUBkVHuhN07LLABktxFM1dUDIJ1scG2hdMR8MRN4uAvUut34tWQBfvHteMidD7Ebe8BIDcW2gq2uvWGz4Q0Q3aoMork/s1600/mbastin.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUgpV1CBYFDfvT652_Uo31U9mzyKnCeyGr0BSYrXKn6NEu13sBUBkVHuhN07LLABktxFM1dUDIJ1scG2hdMR8MRN4uAvUut34tWQBfvHteMidD7Ebe8BIDcW2gq2uvWGz4Q0Q3aoMork/s400/mbastin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588001238439385698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A favourite nature artist of mine is dutch artist, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Marjolein Bastin</span>, who shares this:<br /><br />"When you open your eyes and your heart for nature's beauty around you, there is so much joy and love. I see each day as a gift with a possibility to discover something new. Discoveries I want to share with you through my paintings."<br /><br />"Parents can hardly know or guess what's happening then, or what can happen, when they put their children in the garden or in the grass or in the park," says Dutch artist Marjolein Bastin.<br /><br />Marjolein's earliest memory is when, as just a toddler, she would lie in the grass outside her family's home near Utrecht, The Netherlands, breathing in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world around her. Little did her mother know that when she lifted little Marjolein from her baby carriage and placed her into the hands of nature, she was placing nature into the hands of Marjolein.<br /><br />As a little girl, Marjolein collected and treasured simple items from nature – pine cones, seeds, and flowers. As soon as she was able to hold a pencil and paintbrush, she began to lovingly capture the beauty of nature in her sketches and paintings.<br /><br />"It was my way of holding forever the impression I loved so much in nature," she says."<br />You can read her story and see her paintings <a href="http://www.marjoleinbastin.nl/index.asp?act=1&lg=uk">here</a> For more of her beautiful artwork you can visit this art gallery<a href="http://artmight.com/gallery/search?doSearch=&SearchText=marjolein+bastin"> here</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Qy-oO7JvbVxvhIBblPm2Yqvp2Hi3ocafDBIrxq1OO9w1YArKVdgz4BNXi56dw2YMjUE61At5sfFBzvwSeuFLvqcVOWDksO3zaaJ_3hv65qWDbBL_efyMS77tCGLT9Ir8pR4BD1qZkLo/s1600/normal_Marjolein-Bastin-Natures-Sketchbook-32%252C-De.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Qy-oO7JvbVxvhIBblPm2Yqvp2Hi3ocafDBIrxq1OO9w1YArKVdgz4BNXi56dw2YMjUE61At5sfFBzvwSeuFLvqcVOWDksO3zaaJ_3hv65qWDbBL_efyMS77tCGLT9Ir8pR4BD1qZkLo/s400/normal_Marjolein-Bastin-Natures-Sketchbook-32%252C-De.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587989278170013682" border="0" /></a><br />It is a glorious morning here with an early morning sunrise set in a pinkish sky; tree branches adorned with hoar frost. I am baking for my family as well as putting together a gift basket for another family that I hope to deliver later this morning. It will be a grocery shopping day today as I didn't get far in my errands on Wednesday due to the snow storm which caused driving to be treacherous.<br />Many of my dear friends have been commenting on this snowy weather, feeling like we will never see indications of Spring as it has been so cold here. I empathize with you and wanted to dedicate this blog post to all of you. I am so confident of the fact that Spring weather is just around the corner as the sun is shining warmer in the sky, the birds continue to sing cheerfully, the days are getting longer, and I have spotted green shoots coming up out of the dormant earth.<br />A dear friend of mine shared her thoughts in a recent comment left here. I just loved this and wanted to share her perspective with all of you:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"It is almost effortless to cherish the fresh hope and new life of spring - the ample warmth and lavish fragrance of summer - the vivid colours and clear air of autumn - but what about winter? It is a cold and tempermental season, to be sure, but while all around us is covered in the slumber of snow, we are allowed a time of quiet reflection and rest. Winter makes room for dreams to be explored and spirits renewed. A time to feel sad and amazed... lonely and grateful. Strangely enough, winter is necessary... for it is the very thing that sets the stage for our souls to be uplifted the other three seasons through.</span>"<br /><br />Take heart and hope, my friends, your patience will be rewarded with glorious Spring in all her splendour! We'll have to celebrate with a Spring Tea Party:)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"<br />~Robin Williams</span><br /></div><br />As I was cleaning on Wednesday, I was drawn to the windows many times to watch the sparrows and the chickadees, as well as the chubby robins as they moved from branch to branch in the trees, carrying on as if they had no cares in this world.<br />I was reminded of this scripture verse:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Look at the birds of the air;<br />they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,<br />and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.<br />Are you not much more valuable than they?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Matthew 6:26</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ98ftigm1DAzo9gVnT4cv7MoFmYdFiLsC6lGRR-ETckNMFDTzFLMgvzCC29iyyM4gHZUCfiszsl3S3EUeeY8BfPYWwMGeDMZWqo9zCBHoQ8DnJ1FqgU9HzaXbaPQYW4El_mJjPYmfBY/s1600/DSC07839.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ98ftigm1DAzo9gVnT4cv7MoFmYdFiLsC6lGRR-ETckNMFDTzFLMgvzCC29iyyM4gHZUCfiszsl3S3EUeeY8BfPYWwMGeDMZWqo9zCBHoQ8DnJ1FqgU9HzaXbaPQYW4El_mJjPYmfBY/s400/DSC07839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587976462163223058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6VcPFqVEmY8C8rtTDimKJj-B94QPSoNmvzB1sQLlLVyEPLufyh8jwx3r1D83MDJaCEJ28G2PjMlI0eK8gEowZU3XlGcImY7aGkUFZnUGX4gp_tHQnVvnb9kiVtrXhK1twn8GoChP6oQ/s1600/DSC07846.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6VcPFqVEmY8C8rtTDimKJj-B94QPSoNmvzB1sQLlLVyEPLufyh8jwx3r1D83MDJaCEJ28G2PjMlI0eK8gEowZU3XlGcImY7aGkUFZnUGX4gp_tHQnVvnb9kiVtrXhK1twn8GoChP6oQ/s400/DSC07846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588006856489386930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ov6HYBuHIyajnZpwOyGZIDCjgsRPtQP3_uqQ3TKrJPaBSgAtP0je-rCIZHDYNJ15wzsKNFDUuFlezY6v2rHeGU7g2qJBPq5X4qyLiVCS5678D6J6uNKhyphenhyphenF0ZclIjdx65Ug60it-Vmg/s1600/DSC07850.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ov6HYBuHIyajnZpwOyGZIDCjgsRPtQP3_uqQ3TKrJPaBSgAtP0je-rCIZHDYNJ15wzsKNFDUuFlezY6v2rHeGU7g2qJBPq5X4qyLiVCS5678D6J6uNKhyphenhyphenF0ZclIjdx65Ug60it-Vmg/s400/DSC07850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587976903078999778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwcO5nqsg_OxxuDKWXKa6XEImeYACWmdxl3bJSHqwUPFeXgX9X25SVay4eVpQFPdyrZmHUgUvaM0A2YubQxPvmI9rHIz8H2fWrRAN_3NHPldvu9EOZXl1sfa9sQuE8zVlvlsUZnebJpU/s1600/DSC07847.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwcO5nqsg_OxxuDKWXKa6XEImeYACWmdxl3bJSHqwUPFeXgX9X25SVay4eVpQFPdyrZmHUgUvaM0A2YubQxPvmI9rHIz8H2fWrRAN_3NHPldvu9EOZXl1sfa9sQuE8zVlvlsUZnebJpU/s400/DSC07847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587969769005270610" border="0" /></a>And in my heart I was singing this song<br />as a reminder that God is faithful<br />and He will bring it to pass...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;<br />There is no shadow of turning with Thee;<br />Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;<br />As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />Great is Thy faithfulness!<br />Great is Thy faithfulness!<br />Morning by morning new mercies I see.<br />All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;<br />Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!<br /><br />Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,<br />Sun, moon and stars in their courses above<br />Join with all nature in manifold witness<br />To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighFZGVwa2rjVHNfJxJ99inXBCq1SkDP_gtY2bbEJQQHmbtQffDbuVg5fGlAD5oC6tRUZW7ydNLqiirjIcoWJjNQdN2zcsNeTY37_M91vP0_lj3_Ys1Y5L8_UFPx2FLGGJPNniqTRRxVk/s1600/DSC07878.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighFZGVwa2rjVHNfJxJ99inXBCq1SkDP_gtY2bbEJQQHmbtQffDbuVg5fGlAD5oC6tRUZW7ydNLqiirjIcoWJjNQdN2zcsNeTY37_M91vP0_lj3_Ys1Y5L8_UFPx2FLGGJPNniqTRRxVk/s400/DSC07878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587986966926112962" border="0" /></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-3267629162584383062011-03-23T17:47:00.027-04:002011-04-11T08:16:19.861-04:00"It is a truth universally acknowledged"....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS4flhoLPIpVpZVLKJWzyyHm0ZNGIer9odAaGB4zD8uRgVpMWiClrPCSlz3dJT7rEky2ULOFQg-KKlef1JaEtDuSUkb8JIsPpBWSvW6nhU6OjRKJQntFsgQqnfqNpd8QZAX-ft7q_lWM/s1600/DSC07839.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS4flhoLPIpVpZVLKJWzyyHm0ZNGIer9odAaGB4zD8uRgVpMWiClrPCSlz3dJT7rEky2ULOFQg-KKlef1JaEtDuSUkb8JIsPpBWSvW6nhU6OjRKJQntFsgQqnfqNpd8QZAX-ft7q_lWM/s400/DSC07839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587399074090633602" border="0" /></a>...that housework doesn't happen by osmosis!<br />(thank you Jane Austen for that great introduction)<br />I don't want to belabor the point, but life has been far too busy here for the past few weeks, and the home has been seriously neglected. Sure it looked good from far, but it was far from good-looking close up.(I know, that was lame:)<br />This older home is wonderful with all the<br />beautiful trim, wide baseboards and high ceilings, but I am convinced that it is far more work to maintain. I am not complaining as I am so thankful for our home, but I do know that it gets dustier than the average home....or not?<br />I guess I don't really know what normal is.<br />All this to say that I was ever so grateful to be at home today so that I could get the house back into shape again.<br />I had to run out to get some supplies, including vacuum bags, battery for the smoke detector, scrubbing sponges, and a few essential food-related items including coffee cream (some of you will understand) and baking supplies. The roads were slick and the winds were brisk making for cautious, slow driving.<br />My oldest daughter phoned from India when I arrived home again and informed me that it was 38'c there, although it has been hotter, with no air conditioning. Here it is -6'c, with a cold wind. While they eagerly go out in the evening when it cools down to get some relief from the heat, we curl up inside with afghans to stay warm!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4IB8E04xY_P03RMzobuIHk82wcWndVuYFZWWVynjGAnC6xoQAtdcikLEmMoKdsSu9QyEPmpJyTIHg5NWbKXL0mqZY7JMFw06EKERpS3ogNlAv06G6jyP7FhxW_Mhw8mznQtScGtl_yw/s1600/DSC07832.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4IB8E04xY_P03RMzobuIHk82wcWndVuYFZWWVynjGAnC6xoQAtdcikLEmMoKdsSu9QyEPmpJyTIHg5NWbKXL0mqZY7JMFw06EKERpS3ogNlAv06G6jyP7FhxW_Mhw8mznQtScGtl_yw/s400/DSC07832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587398013173335602" border="0" /></a><br />After being fortified by my morning coffee, and equipped with my cleaning supplies,<br />I set to work, having my <a href="http://www.playlist.com/playlist/21603719179/standalone">Spring play list</a> cranked up for more motivation.<br />I must have been in Spring-cleaning mode because I was washing down walls, ledges and baseboards, furniture, floors etc. I was removing any excess 'stuff' so that everything is now less cluttered. I removed all traces of winter, and added some Spring touches.<br />It may be snowing outside, but Spring is residing in my heart and home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0H6nVsH3kza_6XaOaKEhDCoK9NLjI5LPr-3ETwoXjHncVKEyNwO8YeuE2Vq1IqbMCbYr7vuz5IBK9Caic6rR-2gnb0gLoN6ril9owtLMFqXO2Yi9vd6lK51FTE4ThRqzLElp5e9ZUsM/s1600/DSC07857.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0H6nVsH3kza_6XaOaKEhDCoK9NLjI5LPr-3ETwoXjHncVKEyNwO8YeuE2Vq1IqbMCbYr7vuz5IBK9Caic6rR-2gnb0gLoN6ril9owtLMFqXO2Yi9vd6lK51FTE4ThRqzLElp5e9ZUsM/s400/DSC07857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587397690949612882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Furniture was re-arranged for a more practical setting.<br />Doilies were added for a Spring touch much to the dismay of my children.<br />What can I say? I am an old-fashioned girl at heart, and find myself becoming more and more like my mother. Is that a good thing? I do like her spunk and fun-loving spirit, so I would say yes!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgjwUKg7OQvNFtcwy8axUFp6PyfVvQDb6yhrYdP5zZdmynjMrOM03xffn9721MDwU980PavrIBsGSHUMNfe5Afl4OBIQ1hKAxTxnWgSK45bJkhc3StdRV9Z-Zv-zB30zx055GczAct_c/s1600/DSC07877.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgjwUKg7OQvNFtcwy8axUFp6PyfVvQDb6yhrYdP5zZdmynjMrOM03xffn9721MDwU980PavrIBsGSHUMNfe5Afl4OBIQ1hKAxTxnWgSK45bJkhc3StdRV9Z-Zv-zB30zx055GczAct_c/s400/DSC07877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587397456518724402" border="0" /></a><br />My daughters helped me clean other areas of the house. My youngest cleaned the upstairs while my middle daughter cleaned out the fridge, adding a new box of baking soda to keep the fridge smelling fresh.<br />Although I am not quite finished, I feel pleased with the progress made so far, and can now relax to enjoy some library basket lovelies along with another coffee served with the<br /><a href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2011/01/baking-books-and-bbb.html">Dutch Spice Cake </a>I made this morning. (which I highly recommend as it is so easy to make and so good) Have any of you watched Downton Abbey? Did you enjoy it and would you recommend it?<br />Oh, my hubby just arrived home after a difficult drive, so I must get supper going...<br />It has finally stopped snowing and the sun is making a late afternoon appearance before setting on another day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMB6tBdX3Kri_wc3MJyDr5s1rb4X82RMiYZptZiPgiaJcN7560LqfGhmGNQNrIq22jCqFZTwwfPrJ8ApnAxIlvH2_Yctgct-3bnEe_G0RKm2DpBa27nHhQyrsbLggyI_NEREpdQBU9Yw/s1600/DSC07867.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMB6tBdX3Kri_wc3MJyDr5s1rb4X82RMiYZptZiPgiaJcN7560LqfGhmGNQNrIq22jCqFZTwwfPrJ8ApnAxIlvH2_Yctgct-3bnEe_G0RKm2DpBa27nHhQyrsbLggyI_NEREpdQBU9Yw/s400/DSC07867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587397024589438562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" >There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.<br />~Jane Austen</span><br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-49273494288442132512011-03-23T07:16:00.004-04:002011-03-23T07:28:59.025-04:00The Forecast was...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6I_GxhvlixB-URD6ZTH_wpQy8XkRXZgX4zVfm5tOxJ3vfSpCxkCp6Yelv_FyUyYFOj-hHELN4d1ySu90qNU3ZORlHuOAijTW-RtHBAqBg4UHxaytVeV9KTi1yx17PQHpnQPelNafqeI/s1600/d1869-236-p.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6I_GxhvlixB-URD6ZTH_wpQy8XkRXZgX4zVfm5tOxJ3vfSpCxkCp6Yelv_FyUyYFOj-hHELN4d1ySu90qNU3ZORlHuOAijTW-RtHBAqBg4UHxaytVeV9KTi1yx17PQHpnQPelNafqeI/s400/d1869-236-p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587232868502046018" border="0" /></a>Right!<br />"Spring officially sprung on Sunday, but the frosty season continues to hang on in parts of Ontario.The same <a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=winter_rages_on_in_the_prair_220311">low pressure system that has been blasting the Prairies</a> began to affect southwestern Ontario on Tuesday afternoon. Precipitation started as rain, but as temperatures dropped through the overnight hours, the weather switched over to freezing rain, ice pellets and snow."<br />More <a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=wintery_mix_returns_to_south_220311&eccode=WWCAON0063C&warningdisplay=ec&warningtype=aw?ref=activeweather_city">here</a><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">All school buses for Waterloo Region have been cancelled....<br />School children are rejoicing right now!<br />Farmers and Gardeners should also be grateful for their free fertilizer:<br /><a href="http://www.weathernotebook.org/transcripts/1999/04/26.html">Poor Man's Fertilizer</a><br /><br />I was up early as my list was long.<br />I had to bake for my morning Coffee Break, followed by running errands and doing groceries, then cleaning my home and finishing up the laundry.<br />There is a blanket of snow outside but I am delighted to report that I am now<br />'forced' be home all day and I couldn't be happier! Stay tuned...<br /></span></span></span>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-25386228525803329482011-03-22T07:37:00.034-04:002015-08-26T10:02:47.882-04:00The Beauty and Charm of a Tea Cosy<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90pVlcrSaA9Qw9fY9eUS6B9QGLUq0sR53CeYRd3EgQMSB6SI5BvbkeHlkNdjzy6PbED7f6AoOzZkg4nG7o-mfoRi5N63vbjoNZTQha1fXf1FW2Xgm11LAVeBffngkVwtLosExsa5vsdY/s1600/Tea-Cozies-2-9781861086594.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586877480043269106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90pVlcrSaA9Qw9fY9eUS6B9QGLUq0sR53CeYRd3EgQMSB6SI5BvbkeHlkNdjzy6PbED7f6AoOzZkg4nG7o-mfoRi5N63vbjoNZTQha1fXf1FW2Xgm11LAVeBffngkVwtLosExsa5vsdY/s400/Tea-Cozies-2-9781861086594.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 347px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 343px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">"The first </span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Tea-Cozies-Guild-Master-Craftsman/dp/1861086598/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300796135&sr=8-1" style="font-style: italic;">"Tea Cozies" book</a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> (a charming introduction to knitted, crocheted, or sewn covers that keep a teapot warm) was so popular that we needed to create another! This new collection features a fantastic range of motifs, including a cheerful Sunflower Garden with tiny bees, classic blue-and-white Cornish Ware pattern, and adorable Little Black Dress for the well-dressed teapot to wear. A techniques section explains the basic skills, and the original designs--all created by readers of" Knitting" magazine--are as easy to make as they are colorful and imaginative.</span>"<br />
~Guild of Master Craftsman<br />
<br />
"A <b>tea cosy</b> (<i>American English</i> <b>tea cozy</b>) is a cover for a teapot, traditionally made of cloth or wool, which is used to insulate the tea, keeping it warm while it brews. Cloth tea cosies often have padded inserts, which can be removed and washed separately. Many tea cosies in Britain are hand-knitted, resembling woollen hats, even featuring a bobble on top.<br />
Although the history of the tea cosy may begin when tea was introduced to Britain in the 1660s, the first documented use of a tea cosy in Britain was in 1867. It is probably the Duchess of Bedford who, by establishing the activity of afternoon tea in 1840, would have brought the popularity of the tea cosy. Afternoon tea was the time for networking and keeping up to date with aristocracy gossip and topical news. With all the chatter at teatime the teapot would get cold, which would have at times cut short some tea parties. And so, the tea cosy came about. Tea cosies then flourished during the late 19th century, where they appeared in many households across Britain, motivated by the obsession of decorating and covering objects characteristic of the Victorian era."<br />
You can read more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_cosy">here</a><br />
<br />
When I was looking for a new project to knit, I wanted something that was relatively easy, but also charming and useful. When I spotted this photo on Stephanie's blog<br />
over at<a href="http://curlewcountry.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-02-12T16%3A56%3A00Z&max-results=7"> Curlew Country</a>, it spoke of cosy comforts and domestic charm.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZSa_y02yApfsvTApCyx-qXvuwJ_6Yj2-PLC9OGDzeindDuX_E6AS39ko52Xig4QPiNzFg2KhLHmfEuWPVjWp1O8NAZkmrxi2oFCVR1vWTVWG5nHLSNHrsEsu7oB_ydU38a0ZEryJs4w/s1600/tea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586878777610512098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZSa_y02yApfsvTApCyx-qXvuwJ_6Yj2-PLC9OGDzeindDuX_E6AS39ko52Xig4QPiNzFg2KhLHmfEuWPVjWp1O8NAZkmrxi2oFCVR1vWTVWG5nHLSNHrsEsu7oB_ydU38a0ZEryJs4w/s400/tea.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 321px;" /></a><br />
I was envisioning all the garden teas I would host;<br />
my lovely knitted tea cosy adorning my tea pot.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUlM3jhluai-OFuiVwvlQzfdV8EIyny-sO3xTb7fCcp8uFl4dAbNqq0xm6KYdZnhHnq5wrJZIDVttQufsl0ZGcRAk6Oxz-v2z1gITng8Ci7Btl3RTdqN-4c3nzuMyCpp3_SEkk3eCisc/s1600/helen-afternoon-tea-029.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586879721866070146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUlM3jhluai-OFuiVwvlQzfdV8EIyny-sO3xTb7fCcp8uFl4dAbNqq0xm6KYdZnhHnq5wrJZIDVttQufsl0ZGcRAk6Oxz-v2z1gITng8Ci7Btl3RTdqN-4c3nzuMyCpp3_SEkk3eCisc/s400/helen-afternoon-tea-029.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
I ordered a tea cosy pattern book from the library,<br />
as well as browsing web sites to give me ideas.<br />
Who knew that there was such a variety of creative<br />
and gorgeous tea cosies out there!<br />
It was overwhelming!<br />
*The following tea cosies were all found online*<br />
<br />
I thought I would give you a 'fashion show' of tea cosies<br />
and I will let you pick your favourite:<br />
<br />
♥~1~♥<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX00PRGp5uLsMQLoN4x4DGsuBDbjNZRDzP7EPlSM1b66sbvWa8eCelj1vQMWB0XBgtNwcbQoO_QlkyqVU8MEFMcnBIb46s3yr2fgcl94732LdKoi3Hw-Lpnyp-_0d0GHpu5qrfvTt2RG4/s1600/f1232667ad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586869071310265250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX00PRGp5uLsMQLoN4x4DGsuBDbjNZRDzP7EPlSM1b66sbvWa8eCelj1vQMWB0XBgtNwcbQoO_QlkyqVU8MEFMcnBIb46s3yr2fgcl94732LdKoi3Hw-Lpnyp-_0d0GHpu5qrfvTt2RG4/s400/f1232667ad.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 470px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 374px;" /></a><br />
♥~2~♥</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u0P9IW1c50gOwdCUNnnMZmoCgzD00iUm_IV9e3mF1y-KfuM3aBnhsRL4K2-Bw8xGmzYISlAawmHCZmISWBn92dMXGWBOClTA4lwLUIVZSK0Rsv2d2h7GZR5hNEMMlv5-7NS3gv4eYXA/s1600/flowers_tea_cosy-0624.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586868919692401970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u0P9IW1c50gOwdCUNnnMZmoCgzD00iUm_IV9e3mF1y-KfuM3aBnhsRL4K2-Bw8xGmzYISlAawmHCZmISWBn92dMXGWBOClTA4lwLUIVZSK0Rsv2d2h7GZR5hNEMMlv5-7NS3gv4eYXA/s400/flowers_tea_cosy-0624.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 426px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 362px;" /></a><br />
♥~3~♥</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8gq5A0B_PxQobxRW09SjPOVeow4ZgpX8GEDpd0VqyQx9scPTtfEOZ02dfYoavWaUyoRgZrsJ1nmvqMu_hi0sgureoQ8AYzy874RKu22it2_5QRVlY_E8lKjdY0gDbBYRunoHSqOU9rg/s1600/P1030391.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586868626704444322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8gq5A0B_PxQobxRW09SjPOVeow4ZgpX8GEDpd0VqyQx9scPTtfEOZ02dfYoavWaUyoRgZrsJ1nmvqMu_hi0sgureoQ8AYzy874RKu22it2_5QRVlY_E8lKjdY0gDbBYRunoHSqOU9rg/s400/P1030391.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
♥~4~♥</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKhJXUjautK6WOj51EMkwcQUGbqXUYzX4yBFH-AYqlTTVxvATPRQ47UdDITflyOqRHHEpDIeTb0UPyQevYs_7kDAMZVlWcptFi6NVJk0fET4YvyvOKZRB647S5FyX_MxH0yZwYDTFJMI/s1600/catherines-tea-cosy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867888992710642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKhJXUjautK6WOj51EMkwcQUGbqXUYzX4yBFH-AYqlTTVxvATPRQ47UdDITflyOqRHHEpDIeTb0UPyQevYs_7kDAMZVlWcptFi6NVJk0fET4YvyvOKZRB647S5FyX_MxH0yZwYDTFJMI/s400/catherines-tea-cosy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 398px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
♥~5~♥</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdIBsWOoiEg6rIIE1GA-wbC_Rjj3bAtvv8G0fDqFYhqWLmTXBhbAqrkSGtJc-B8fw0-mHDOS38N0ugFGuPVf9EG-bLoWNElPGJFUUrZuWQ4KFIlhATJavpPJh6-IJXxmOnyapah-u8qA/s1600/05_25_2010Tea_Cosy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867596582394370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdIBsWOoiEg6rIIE1GA-wbC_Rjj3bAtvv8G0fDqFYhqWLmTXBhbAqrkSGtJc-B8fw0-mHDOS38N0ugFGuPVf9EG-bLoWNElPGJFUUrZuWQ4KFIlhATJavpPJh6-IJXxmOnyapah-u8qA/s400/05_25_2010Tea_Cosy.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 346px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
♥~6~♥<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3oDnv2nQH5C38Ka2t5HxIBtXexw1d5X2jb7qmlrDX2Q3iYo2lJg4P6VaqBJnCD41H2KvCuW3U_bNuwrqKm6_gLKq8dO_jGXAfY1xUN0lPMEdM912JFFtqhtAgmYVlcA7Y_ue-NoxHxE/s1600/R_KITS000636.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867531817238562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3oDnv2nQH5C38Ka2t5HxIBtXexw1d5X2jb7qmlrDX2Q3iYo2lJg4P6VaqBJnCD41H2KvCuW3U_bNuwrqKm6_gLKq8dO_jGXAfY1xUN0lPMEdM912JFFtqhtAgmYVlcA7Y_ue-NoxHxE/s400/R_KITS000636.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 384px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
♥~7~♥<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Xu8Dtw8Iw5KClKfaeSCCFNYF5yxp33YRfXcxPkSv2lGFcJu2p4XlwLtLNgMs8mz7tuzCMw1dR9Q9K0yVwBK00_GjU_XHXaTCxesN_8_G7pqifiUADsPiXM0ELXv8Ar2Y8vr5-7770w/s1600/tcosy_red2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867436307621890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Xu8Dtw8Iw5KClKfaeSCCFNYF5yxp33YRfXcxPkSv2lGFcJu2p4XlwLtLNgMs8mz7tuzCMw1dR9Q9K0yVwBK00_GjU_XHXaTCxesN_8_G7pqifiUADsPiXM0ELXv8Ar2Y8vr5-7770w/s400/tcosy_red2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
♥~8~♥<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj-JL5nNV9el70y1vpQKoueOg5Mtk4y0R-hliCqBbHjbA2LjOnlfVqLSqWGIgvk6jvWH7kkDVoJe1ZMdLMx6ZsTRa9opNFlmXJF280aIBzxdp-gPZfP4eTDVuX55AqCTiqe1tsZjivFQ/s1600/Shropshier+lamb+tea+cosy+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867334459545554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj-JL5nNV9el70y1vpQKoueOg5Mtk4y0R-hliCqBbHjbA2LjOnlfVqLSqWGIgvk6jvWH7kkDVoJe1ZMdLMx6ZsTRa9opNFlmXJF280aIBzxdp-gPZfP4eTDVuX55AqCTiqe1tsZjivFQ/s400/Shropshier+lamb+tea+cosy+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 394px;" /></a><br />
♥~9~♥</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HOawIB6mQlhUwdMMhT75nHTOyXdYJFCTfRRU0aGEmNPLxg-orgaKEZ6BGUphCcUyD9Yk5FLd0L5zMjiJKPcU9RBJhfQcW_V6OPKT_hEgDSpKVY66cVHTr9OvMMK9QcPcqYml7Z0PyXI/s1600/CHOCOLATE+TEA+COSY+WHITE+BACKGROUND.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586868027278687282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HOawIB6mQlhUwdMMhT75nHTOyXdYJFCTfRRU0aGEmNPLxg-orgaKEZ6BGUphCcUyD9Yk5FLd0L5zMjiJKPcU9RBJhfQcW_V6OPKT_hEgDSpKVY66cVHTr9OvMMK9QcPcqYml7Z0PyXI/s400/CHOCOLATE+TEA+COSY+WHITE+BACKGROUND.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 324px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
lovely felted teapot cosies:</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
♥~10~♥</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD1WbA0PTfbwC46vxaKVMjpwLVwXDWBXME67pqoVCFx0b9ciQ9E79e_39owAZL3qBZmmKEHnAfisBhK0tgMl5AIVAP8icJ41_-M8LK1ZGG_UDoVgRs_vXrYA-N2Ff9IXbC2G1S_2n-o/s1600/6a00e553a319c3883301157157e273970c-500wi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867662798368434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD1WbA0PTfbwC46vxaKVMjpwLVwXDWBXME67pqoVCFx0b9ciQ9E79e_39owAZL3qBZmmKEHnAfisBhK0tgMl5AIVAP8icJ41_-M8LK1ZGG_UDoVgRs_vXrYA-N2Ff9IXbC2G1S_2n-o/s400/6a00e553a319c3883301157157e273970c-500wi.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 309px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
♥~11~♥</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewOcL6e3-PktGuJidBl6FJ6kfp1XSmhyphenhyphenvrt5cwt95_1c8-6iRmQtmCpDPoRE3l1z-QajSo5gKuBTdgtaXEd5ADmZmZh48-gS2wl61b3r03gykyfhZm0pU0OEuVn06A5a4NuDq0RJ3vjI/s1600/zoom_IMG_1463.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586867191701871298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewOcL6e3-PktGuJidBl6FJ6kfp1XSmhyphenhyphenvrt5cwt95_1c8-6iRmQtmCpDPoRE3l1z-QajSo5gKuBTdgtaXEd5ADmZmZh48-gS2wl61b3r03gykyfhZm0pU0OEuVn06A5a4NuDq0RJ3vjI/s400/zoom_IMG_1463.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 399px;" /></a><br />
♥~12~♥</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9psyP3gHWTMHTge3BX7qrNfclaGz39C3qZn_8S_6Gv8NjdkWiWhEce8vs6yOuESlxlJUciVhPxx31nsTZvalfX2_FcrIqz_GMMNACxj46MMg1yZS8_GDRQhPsKOfNeopym6S715UlK0/s1600/jan-constantine-proud-british-tea-cosy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtugFRQ9BxJnHYcK2V-9b4wwdpkQ9BYwTHlpjY8eSwUCYlTHdl9GI5oFuu4ToIAcri9Tj8lFaqdGM3YbNw8B6XMeHTTjynvT0ydJugT1mdElMexB77RSa8g5lHD83V-Q0lAyDPU5s2aRo/s1600/constantine-tea-cosies_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586868280440891522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtugFRQ9BxJnHYcK2V-9b4wwdpkQ9BYwTHlpjY8eSwUCYlTHdl9GI5oFuu4ToIAcri9Tj8lFaqdGM3YbNw8B6XMeHTTjynvT0ydJugT1mdElMexB77RSa8g5lHD83V-Q0lAyDPU5s2aRo/s400/constantine-tea-cosies_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 350px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 390px;" /></a><br />
♥~13~♥<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvKNcbG-jawJhSUlQoE1PgpB9K_9zk-BKnDZZUBZmuwOhR5tpNYDswVgDja6CjZVGaQ0mcJXuRkwTfSvVp7rysPxqz_g6btrm8RH2ZgnuDz9Hg-ITOQcnagzor6Mck1DuYb9uCKOTn0U/s1600/KEEP-CALM-AND-CARRY-ON-TEA-COSY-TABLE_large.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586868779634311378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvKNcbG-jawJhSUlQoE1PgpB9K_9zk-BKnDZZUBZmuwOhR5tpNYDswVgDja6CjZVGaQ0mcJXuRkwTfSvVp7rysPxqz_g6btrm8RH2ZgnuDz9Hg-ITOQcnagzor6Mck1DuYb9uCKOTn0U/s400/KEEP-CALM-AND-CARRY-ON-TEA-COSY-TABLE_large.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
And the tea cosy I knit was for my middle daughter<br />
who loves all things british.<br />
Now I want to make the adorable clothesline tea cosy,<br />
featured on the front cover of the book I shared with you.<br />
It's called: Wash Day...how cute is that?<br />
I'd love to make a floral and fancy tea cosy as well.<br />
Which one would you make?</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r_le_fosIHZTssUMoxssgMLQ7CtOYizJu2kGCRxwaQ346nw5hfuaOq7lFNxA3iB-mD29jU_SOR7b2NMf6DlglFaGR2ZKURMSYIJ5X0iPeDHGxxtvky1xUNOVORpAdood0S_5SM1uQzs/s1600/DSC07798.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586879023872131618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r_le_fosIHZTssUMoxssgMLQ7CtOYizJu2kGCRxwaQ346nw5hfuaOq7lFNxA3iB-mD29jU_SOR7b2NMf6DlglFaGR2ZKURMSYIJ5X0iPeDHGxxtvky1xUNOVORpAdood0S_5SM1uQzs/s400/DSC07798.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;">There are few hours in life more agreeable<br />than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. </span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">* images found online *</span></div>
Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-40211626760988092292011-03-20T17:09:00.019-04:002011-05-16T10:27:48.184-04:00Sunday's Simple Joys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LgBspuZYdUDfaXkQgh3gqzQCWK9PmM04YYTnUGl3PKLnv9_fw8nZLFcwjZB7fbcavlamRaa1vcsSCG-VOzDdfVW6lM8lVid5Rt4nRoMrtAxDP1uo5ejtpHtjNtHIhWDLylfUNqTf_Lo/s1600/4770834571_809db74d23.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 460px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LgBspuZYdUDfaXkQgh3gqzQCWK9PmM04YYTnUGl3PKLnv9_fw8nZLFcwjZB7fbcavlamRaa1vcsSCG-VOzDdfVW6lM8lVid5Rt4nRoMrtAxDP1uo5ejtpHtjNtHIhWDLylfUNqTf_Lo/s400/4770834571_809db74d23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586275968580064450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Bless the LORD, O my soul,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And all that is within me, bless His holy name. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”</span><br />~Psalm 103<br /><br /><br />Spring Flowers<br />by Henry James Johnstone<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The first day of spring is one thing,<br />and the first spring day is another.<br />The difference between them<br />is sometimes as great as a month.<br />~Henry Van Dyke<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Although it doesn't feel like the first Spring day, it is the first day of Spring which I welcome and celebrate with all of you! It has been a lovely quiet Sunday, a much-needed Sabbath day of rest.<br />I spent some time this afternoon baking in the kitchen for my family before heading out for fresh air and a healthy hike with hubby. I thought that I would share some simple joys with you, including recipes, patterns, spring sightings and a new-to -me song.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~♥~<a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/scones.html">Cream Scones</a> and <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/fruitcrisps/r/bl30623m.htm">Rhubarb Crisp</a>~♥~<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOdU0F_t0DLWYnoC3lcFmwnWeUobifdOGrckLLF9TRn9HZwTfKg4PZHgXUy24lY9Wf1pTiNIJ8GZvQpWXGXm8Z-y4r6c0_CPpR1CKyZBO4qzeyEC9z9RHFOvSh1-fGJzQPjiVSAi7k1U/s1600/DSC07799.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOdU0F_t0DLWYnoC3lcFmwnWeUobifdOGrckLLF9TRn9HZwTfKg4PZHgXUy24lY9Wf1pTiNIJ8GZvQpWXGXm8Z-y4r6c0_CPpR1CKyZBO4qzeyEC9z9RHFOvSh1-fGJzQPjiVSAi7k1U/s400/DSC07799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586279190002111666" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~the joy of hearing and seeing the robins~♥~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjf9LxSqKNVbztcYiddX38QAFMZ-_bM2TIJsLj4wGM9NRp2ULT0Z41ZFIIiB2SlE2M35SijFFfVz_DGuOMk-cNLpV-ewNLS3F6sxJVyTziI6N9D9e-swmTau_g6l19pn_beZfd6B2uBY/s1600/DSC07811.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjf9LxSqKNVbztcYiddX38QAFMZ-_bM2TIJsLj4wGM9NRp2ULT0Z41ZFIIiB2SlE2M35SijFFfVz_DGuOMk-cNLpV-ewNLS3F6sxJVyTziI6N9D9e-swmTau_g6l19pn_beZfd6B2uBY/s400/DSC07811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586278654452467218" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~ great spring door decor~♥~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDNTid0u88NULSd7Kxq2w-t28ogFvv_fx75A5bWQ11E8ybvn9O-hKMEPnG1rANSaFiB4VNEfSBmXm7TpirCHJv6MO69lVPvxuK-r6PNZ0mFfFnAkqtj5LTZL0uf5mF_JyGpNbo1RMBDs/s1600/DSC07800.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDNTid0u88NULSd7Kxq2w-t28ogFvv_fx75A5bWQ11E8ybvn9O-hKMEPnG1rANSaFiB4VNEfSBmXm7TpirCHJv6MO69lVPvxuK-r6PNZ0mFfFnAkqtj5LTZL0uf5mF_JyGpNbo1RMBDs/s400/DSC07800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586278512454237506" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~finishing my tea cosy for middle daughter~♥~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYstaeGBvoWNtw3NvO9ffk1Gb_-fpVwNb6LRHBtBHEHtV7lpVX7_ap8bjDzrarLm3ybVXc6SAhRr0c5csW8kOlk8FcEhsLvNEq3e7E0wgt5FcTUJ0GAd3Z36noYovbYrE1Fs3gEUFx0to/s1600/DSC07798.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYstaeGBvoWNtw3NvO9ffk1Gb_-fpVwNb6LRHBtBHEHtV7lpVX7_ap8bjDzrarLm3ybVXc6SAhRr0c5csW8kOlk8FcEhsLvNEq3e7E0wgt5FcTUJ0GAd3Z36noYovbYrE1Fs3gEUFx0to/s400/DSC07798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586278231421020146" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~home from our walk in time for tea and dessert~♥~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ik4RD9A3dqe4EP7LVocdzcA2Rber7HwM45mC_5Q4OCfhU3u_NBEQvP_FLKHcuajekT_cXd3NOiOtOn1GS4e2lUb3vkIJp7sz9pZIHujfURBU4oeOWyQhbBnHkeNGqKvm9FqaEU9sy4U/s1600/DSC07813.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ik4RD9A3dqe4EP7LVocdzcA2Rber7HwM45mC_5Q4OCfhU3u_NBEQvP_FLKHcuajekT_cXd3NOiOtOn1GS4e2lUb3vkIJp7sz9pZIHujfURBU4oeOWyQhbBnHkeNGqKvm9FqaEU9sy4U/s400/DSC07813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586277997868193570" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~ another knitting project<br />since I am really enjoying<br />this new interest~♥~<br />Patterns <a href="http://dishandwashclothmania.com/grandmas-favorite-dishcloth-knit/">here</a> and<a href="http://www.groupepp.com/dishbout/kpatterns/grfavorite.html"> here</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBKgb-c7AMEjd7UpZ_USD69AZZm4lkFNA_BmX2BaV2WCZtrln1_QIjMw2VS7G_D978-g2-qf5zZlXEc2BFAmW4E-W0R4Hc-dvIL42pvFU5JFlmRYFeHlEdtPA2Qfct_xC_V5h5K-JY2o/s1600/DSC07819.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBKgb-c7AMEjd7UpZ_USD69AZZm4lkFNA_BmX2BaV2WCZtrln1_QIjMw2VS7G_D978-g2-qf5zZlXEc2BFAmW4E-W0R4Hc-dvIL42pvFU5JFlmRYFeHlEdtPA2Qfct_xC_V5h5K-JY2o/s400/DSC07819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586277834830319714" border="0" /></a><br />added: ~♥~finished project~♥~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy4CyLWPMS865r5A7yVylvpvwFtu1H8C9TyqElNJ4itjLhptLj7RFqpem5oFflu25yoRotMbqYxRkiILYpPtq0Svq3YL8JemP5sH1rOPj_tTbolD58vb8k_N7b82Omgn1kTIJLqcP8i8/s1600/DSC07827.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy4CyLWPMS865r5A7yVylvpvwFtu1H8C9TyqElNJ4itjLhptLj7RFqpem5oFflu25yoRotMbqYxRkiILYpPtq0Svq3YL8JemP5sH1rOPj_tTbolD58vb8k_N7b82Omgn1kTIJLqcP8i8/s400/DSC07827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586342855712228306" border="0" /></a><br />~♥~Bless the Lord~ Laura Story~♥~<br /><br /><object height="300" width="410"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEslwaKnOTE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEslwaKnOTE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-37352675592645486672011-03-17T22:53:00.006-04:002011-03-19T19:47:41.800-04:00Chiming in early to announce....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptWsDUFFM0kP9XE6ozbW2xedSKDpJYCGnM009fDn9phk5fAr0eIQz2IUFNsSdFAqxFhbWc6UTw5T-mDt7ybVtxfQ0ngUCf19UhMuxRCpNIfjtCDy-J4-abi90q0F3q55unY311l_M-34/s1600/AfternoonTeaMaryCassatt.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptWsDUFFM0kP9XE6ozbW2xedSKDpJYCGnM009fDn9phk5fAr0eIQz2IUFNsSdFAqxFhbWc6UTw5T-mDt7ybVtxfQ0ngUCf19UhMuxRCpNIfjtCDy-J4-abi90q0F3q55unY311l_M-34/s400/AfternoonTeaMaryCassatt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247711972890098" border="0" /></a>I was just getting ready to call it a night after a lovely day out with two of my girls today. As a result of March Break, they both had the day free and asked if I would join them on a shopping adventure to <a href="http://www.newmarket.ca/en/lifestyle/artsandculture.asp">New Market</a>, home of a large shopping mall, but better yet, the most thrift shops per capita so I am told.<br />I was going to read a few emails yet as well as several new blog posts before signing off for the night.<br />My plan was to drop by tomorrow to announce the winner of the giveaway when I came across this blog update in my google reader:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Japan with Love.</span><br />You can read <a href="http://warrengrovegarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/to-japan-with-love.html">Carolyn's touching post here</a>...it brought tears to my eyes. I shared it with my dear hubby who agreed that tomorrow would be a bloggers day of silence in our home as well to remember the island nation of Japan as we donate and continue to keep them in our prayers.<br />It is a reminder again that:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is a time for everything, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and a season for every activity under the heavens...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Ecclesiastes 3</span><br /></div><br />I do want to thank all of you who left such wonderful comments on<a href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2011/03/journey-blogging-anniversary.html"> this anniversary post</a> and sincerely wish that I could have all of you in for a special british tea complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones and clotted cream, strawberry conserves and other sweet dainties. We would celebrate the beauty of each new season as many of you shared so eloquently/articulately your favourite in the comment section. We would marvel at the fact that blogging could bring so many people together in this world, and that we all inspire one another whether we blog or not....we all have a story to tell and share in celebrating the beauty of each new season and 'sacredness of the ordinary'. Thank you to each one of you for taking the time to comment and share your love and support!<br />I have put each of your names in a basket and asked hubby if he would do me the honours of drawing a name.<br />This is the name he pulled out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8AF5jt9_Z-jip05tnqs4GfMp8U2XSls-Z6RJnSybc79XHCS5dOS9nv7HB5tIzwDjfYeYU1ANuOG_yZuN5ot564om8smg8dhoq-Tz5x7lK8SLVVl7K2ACCKfHSxm1Hin-Vz_WZ4XsQXQ/s1600/DSC07792.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8AF5jt9_Z-jip05tnqs4GfMp8U2XSls-Z6RJnSybc79XHCS5dOS9nv7HB5tIzwDjfYeYU1ANuOG_yZuN5ot564om8smg8dhoq-Tz5x7lK8SLVVl7K2ACCKfHSxm1Hin-Vz_WZ4XsQXQ/s400/DSC07792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585249720110630834" border="0" /></a><br />Congratulations to Donna, who left this beautiful comment:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hi Joanne:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy anniversary. Your blog has become a very warm and welcoming place. for me to visit in the blogging world. I know the time and effort that you put into each posting, and it is very much appreciated by this reader.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was delighted to read your post this morning, but it was also very strange, because when I first looked out the window to find this world of white, before turning on the computer, you came to mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Although this snow is far from welcome, it really is quite beautiful. Enjoy your weekend, and thanks again for your blogging efforts.</span><br />Donna, I will be emailing you for more details so that I can send this Spring gift off to you. Thank you for your kind words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizExSXRyaJAImNGlGzFJB34ErW3nBnwcDeDfmjOdkB3JkLLdhiiYyoD5ap8GKhyv6AaqsxixXxoz7KnEtjjEoAqJfpKH9ht43NIyKljmgZrmmT5qyD_E7dUlwJaycFFv-pxEzb1L28JyU/s1600/DSC07777.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizExSXRyaJAImNGlGzFJB34ErW3nBnwcDeDfmjOdkB3JkLLdhiiYyoD5ap8GKhyv6AaqsxixXxoz7KnEtjjEoAqJfpKH9ht43NIyKljmgZrmmT5qyD_E7dUlwJaycFFv-pxEzb1L28JyU/s400/DSC07777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585248292726754610" border="0" /></a><br />Blessings to all of you from me, JoanneJoannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-42534092132958398792011-03-17T09:13:00.013-04:002011-04-23T18:05:22.125-04:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm4FskmJx3k2Tmx7M2O-O67myzQq72i4cYXyZ95Pa7lZbO-pIhI-9pnqGpfW_BroAPEdYMY6jggaAUmQSEk847kwrshgCQi-DxXbeD6wBxp2VzVrfm27fiLvFXtSx14hQztM-zPa8Mls/s1600/Peter-Poskas-Red-Geraniums-56219.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm4FskmJx3k2Tmx7M2O-O67myzQq72i4cYXyZ95Pa7lZbO-pIhI-9pnqGpfW_BroAPEdYMY6jggaAUmQSEk847kwrshgCQi-DxXbeD6wBxp2VzVrfm27fiLvFXtSx14hQztM-zPa8Mls/s400/Peter-Poskas-Red-Geraniums-56219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585038407859012786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">An Irish Prayer</span><br />May God give you...<br />For every storm, a rainbow,<br />For every tear, a smile,<br />For every care, a promise,<br />And a blessing in each trial.<br />For every problem life sends,<br />A faithful friend to share,<br />For every sigh, a sweet song,<br />And an answer for each prayer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PiFxmYnuxl1WR_c_qJDL4fadNV6X0mLmZERskw5tCAOFPGzqlqkRjbzfpBIyYfJdegTquZlNH5SZ_wRaCLCB34kdklohNceXZ8mPOfR_SI-_5MMvW5Mot8Lk0uWjMXPbjV_c5sLosqE/s1600/250px-Saint_Patrick_%2528window%2529.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PiFxmYnuxl1WR_c_qJDL4fadNV6X0mLmZERskw5tCAOFPGzqlqkRjbzfpBIyYfJdegTquZlNH5SZ_wRaCLCB34kdklohNceXZ8mPOfR_SI-_5MMvW5Mot8Lk0uWjMXPbjV_c5sLosqE/s400/250px-Saint_Patrick_%2528window%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585042325424640482" border="0" /></a>From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick">Saint Patrick's Breastplate</a><br />Christ be with me<br />Christ before me<br />Christ behind me<br />Christ in me<br />Christ beneath me<br />Christ above me<br />Christ on my right<br />Christ on my left<br />Christ where I lie<br />Christ where I sit<br />Christ where I arise<br />Christ in the heart of every man<br />who thinks of me<br />Christ in the mouth of every man<br />who speaks of me<br />Christ in every eye that sees me<br />Christ in every ear that hears me<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Salvation is of the Lord.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5nKnQE0SVCU84-8G8PCK5rnMBHYUP4A-FQWvQfvbqAPMBeJz8_iCtG_zCWcE2ZuvYju3qL0aPONUtWy4Ope9K8Q3v5Utl1dA7Dr-Qm53Cb6aZK-rgsZhKc1LctvBed7zxv2CHn8iAgA/s1600/94900467_f63720a549.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5nKnQE0SVCU84-8G8PCK5rnMBHYUP4A-FQWvQfvbqAPMBeJz8_iCtG_zCWcE2ZuvYju3qL0aPONUtWy4Ope9K8Q3v5Utl1dA7Dr-Qm53Cb6aZK-rgsZhKc1LctvBed7zxv2CHn8iAgA/s400/94900467_f63720a549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585041206665644226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bless This House</span><br />Bless this house, o Lord, we pray.<br />Make it safe by night and day.<br />Bless these walls so firm and stout,<br />Keeping want and trouble out.<br />Bless the roof and chimney tall,<br />Let thy peace lie over all.<br />Bless the doors that they may prove<br />Ever open to joy and love.<br />Bless the windows shining bright,<br />Letting in God's heavenly light.<br />Bless the hearth a-blazing there,<br />With smoke ascending like a prayer.<br />Bless the people here within...<br />Keep them pure and free from sin.<br />Bless us all, that one day, we<br />May be fit, O lord, to dwell with Thee.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_cLPK1llF0HdoQEs26UJQs6bmfxP8ZgA38LcazEaQdhr1z1pB5MMyrt-e3HIn2sGJ_zkvEeAOk129oRFD4DgIVDMvmekBxCmUvBR9l0xDL-MfLI3Fog55w6BN82sJXpa4NiBy9ypJm8/s1600/6a00e54fe4158b8833011279706f7c28a4-800wi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_cLPK1llF0HdoQEs26UJQs6bmfxP8ZgA38LcazEaQdhr1z1pB5MMyrt-e3HIn2sGJ_zkvEeAOk129oRFD4DgIVDMvmekBxCmUvBR9l0xDL-MfLI3Fog55w6BN82sJXpa4NiBy9ypJm8/s400/6a00e54fe4158b8833011279706f7c28a4-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585036527127527586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sheep on the coast of County Kerry</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-83825212460913163242011-03-16T09:17:00.018-04:002011-04-23T18:05:39.957-04:00Gallop into the Wild West....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0XGQacchPDFwVAcIqbLc-D-5764JYEVDbc17ORT7fhxgJOPu_GoEhNorZBvAEOvbABIo0Im4ghtl3_uRfUsu5toeClhLiDeJJpx_T1tUEDNin8u1VQNGWodW9Pjl85-y6NwKh32fzKc/s1600/counting-his-blessings-jack-sorenson.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0XGQacchPDFwVAcIqbLc-D-5764JYEVDbc17ORT7fhxgJOPu_GoEhNorZBvAEOvbABIo0Im4ghtl3_uRfUsu5toeClhLiDeJJpx_T1tUEDNin8u1VQNGWodW9Pjl85-y6NwKh32fzKc/s400/counting-his-blessings-jack-sorenson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584667355296153058" border="0" /></a>...at your nearest library.<br />We are having a western theme this week at our library during March Break, while the children have the week off from school. There have been many programmes planned in the<a href="http://www.wellington.ca/museum.aspx?id=15"> Wellington County</a> including at our local Branch, with much enthusiasm from the Programmers as well as the children.<br />Although I am a country girl at heart and love this rural area, love country music, love horses, and love pioneer stories, I've discovered that I don't own a single western clothing item and had to borrow from friends...<br />Denim clothing and a bandana go a long way, but wouldn't cowboy boots with stirrups and a cool cowboy hat be fun?<br />I wanted to share this art with you:<br />Counting my Blessings<br />by Jack Sorenson<br />If you love horses, you will love his work which you can view <a href="http://www.joewadefineart.com/sorenson.shtml">here</a><br />You can also find some great activities for children with a western theme <a href="http://www.thewildwest.org/">here.</a><br />I thought that I would share a few photos of the great display that one of our programmers, <span style="font-style: italic;">S</span>, put together with some help. I just love her creative approach!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AWDCZ-Lmxrkd4nSpOADUWY4fJgOYjAyaVtMDVJ0y-DEYqBhXo1BbU5xbm-9noU-1e1qIonvCQFj8I-vovSqtFriJyITeP0MBP2Zm81rqgP8efGT6Z0Vmb8QBFWQe_F3dS5u8pw0G9MM/s1600/DSC07784.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AWDCZ-Lmxrkd4nSpOADUWY4fJgOYjAyaVtMDVJ0y-DEYqBhXo1BbU5xbm-9noU-1e1qIonvCQFj8I-vovSqtFriJyITeP0MBP2Zm81rqgP8efGT6Z0Vmb8QBFWQe_F3dS5u8pw0G9MM/s400/DSC07784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584667189235436738" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful Western Saddle<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O_5F-tmBjVJ8j4k_0GxL8ZqgH-gY_ha-DpPAKSaXRPyr8d6aT8qcZQ3k-Ftm9cAZTzwbd1ZA3rFIg_qQ_Zrlgdo_VgbMgw6FTCQ4nwAjFPuUapFL-nt7fBSulLr-x_T7A65_A66Q7QQ/s1600/DSC07783.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O_5F-tmBjVJ8j4k_0GxL8ZqgH-gY_ha-DpPAKSaXRPyr8d6aT8qcZQ3k-Ftm9cAZTzwbd1ZA3rFIg_qQ_Zrlgdo_VgbMgw6FTCQ4nwAjFPuUapFL-nt7fBSulLr-x_T7A65_A66Q7QQ/s400/DSC07783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584666992748730482" border="0" /></a><br />Howdy Partner!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDHDWvzEU9OHLpDknxWwFiv3BGPue0SHITKDpuj0KRcdj-ZldCr_SAwsrysJiI3pPF5Ucpox0UMPjyP8gaaljrtYw81tYd6p2k1j-KM1sd9Wbu-f-niKQbKITTrla4tYtmpXIfo2vQ24/s1600/DSC07780.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDHDWvzEU9OHLpDknxWwFiv3BGPue0SHITKDpuj0KRcdj-ZldCr_SAwsrysJiI3pPF5Ucpox0UMPjyP8gaaljrtYw81tYd6p2k1j-KM1sd9Wbu-f-niKQbKITTrla4tYtmpXIfo2vQ24/s400/DSC07780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584666703451367138" border="0" /></a><br />I am off now to get ready for my shift at another library, but wanted to drop by to say:<br />*Howdy Partner*, as I wish you all a lovely day wherever you may be, and as we continue to pray for all those affected by this recent disaster in Japan...cherish one another and celebrate the gift of each new day that you are given.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03QbLl2LSWYAvYz9iX31CRfQSe6a51fSVw6ebVJdCBjhZgbYSUI71tKDfMGug8v_3vGHoS6OPjF3BvtgsErnqnxdbO6sZdtsMVldDhTtVb65dXEbG2N31KroPyH-aan4jsgWKzZG3lq8/s1600/10092250.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03QbLl2LSWYAvYz9iX31CRfQSe6a51fSVw6ebVJdCBjhZgbYSUI71tKDfMGug8v_3vGHoS6OPjF3BvtgsErnqnxdbO6sZdtsMVldDhTtVb65dXEbG2N31KroPyH-aan4jsgWKzZG3lq8/s400/10092250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584677618352101586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Building Memories by Jack Sorenson<br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-41076788510843698052011-03-13T16:42:00.027-04:002011-04-12T20:23:11.603-04:00There will be a day...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwFghgtrtVyP5D04TyCtnibZvl5cUHpPYlpqCzNzOze41UfvpgBnFYPJsSLIP9QwWm8CiRUhIdymfTOwY1oDsWGjiiXN-n0_nPSxEokFPZ2dwXnS5H14ukiVDMXMCoBkggmPar0y047g/s1600/Mary-Dipnall-On-the-footpath-105803.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwFghgtrtVyP5D04TyCtnibZvl5cUHpPYlpqCzNzOze41UfvpgBnFYPJsSLIP9QwWm8CiRUhIdymfTOwY1oDsWGjiiXN-n0_nPSxEokFPZ2dwXnS5H14ukiVDMXMCoBkggmPar0y047g/s400/Mary-Dipnall-On-the-footpath-105803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583667994101460786" border="0" /></a><br />It is a quiet Sunday afternoon. I should be working on my course assignment, but my mind is so preoccupied with the recent earthquake, followed by the tsunami in Japan.<br />While we are living in peace and safety here, my heart has been so heavy for all those in the world who have been affected by devastation through natural disasters and extreme weather conditions,including the hurricanes and cyclones,tornadoes,volcanoes,<br />earthquakes, floods,tsunamis,fires, nuclear threats etc.<br /><div style="text-align: right;">The Footpath by Mary Dipnall<br /></div>I stare in shock and disbelief at the fury<br />and wrath in the power of the tsunami and the sudden destruction in its path. <br />It grips my heart along with the hearts of all those who have witnessed it on the television, in the headlines of the newspapers and online, but even more so for those who are living in the affected country, in this case, Japan. It is impossible to sit on the sidelines and not be affected by the suffering in this world as we are all globally connected. There is fear and anxiety for those who have loved ones living there. We continue to pray for those who are affected.<br />* Praying also for all the courageous Search and Rescue Teams; the relief and rescue workers from around the world, praying for needed supplies, praying for comfort...*<br />May the Lord be near to the brokenhearted, to those who have lost everything, to those who are suffering and grieving, to those who are despairing...<br />I wanted to share with you <a href="http://coffeeteabooksandme.blogspot.com/">this beautiful post</a>, written by Brenda who is so gifted in expressing what many of us are feeling, praying that you may also be encouraged and find comfort and hope in these turbulent and uncertain times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In this world you will have trouble.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But <span style="font-weight: bold;">take heart</span> I have overcome the world.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~John 16:33</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8057Iivs9kufscDNXk_zBZy9T6uD56L6AodyY1TV2OGK7Oy5Ou63oWBZ8n7rCqRpqkmULofN_lW7EYPMbrbsoQJdrttWMu_b09e7t8QkEiTcdFQLlznIdbijXyxheTWkM1h2UYWSm_o/s1600/506261_Seashore-Tranquility.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8057Iivs9kufscDNXk_zBZy9T6uD56L6AodyY1TV2OGK7Oy5Ou63oWBZ8n7rCqRpqkmULofN_lW7EYPMbrbsoQJdrttWMu_b09e7t8QkEiTcdFQLlznIdbijXyxheTWkM1h2UYWSm_o/s400/506261_Seashore-Tranquility.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583661197125650242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Seashore Tranquility by D. Werner<br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had </span><span style="font-style: italic;">passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Revelations 21:1-4</span><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k8gkDiTvloc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k8gkDiTvloc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-37938701654972772252011-03-11T07:31:00.017-05:002011-03-11T13:08:47.105-05:00The Journey~ Blogging Anniversary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmmaQx8eugOG66MZqtEx17ZSkEFXwn6p2HosBSppy2sRVtCj3ZWZCsEYSlN_5tJBb5myOHEtvnyZjjuM2Pg1EGGsZQzfc86ihbrjGqMgZGTN4QGJNGU90stXlximdi4lxvfUQ9wlVs9E/s1600/Norman_Rockwell_Spring_Flowers.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmmaQx8eugOG66MZqtEx17ZSkEFXwn6p2HosBSppy2sRVtCj3ZWZCsEYSlN_5tJBb5myOHEtvnyZjjuM2Pg1EGGsZQzfc86ihbrjGqMgZGTN4QGJNGU90stXlximdi4lxvfUQ9wlVs9E/s400/Norman_Rockwell_Spring_Flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582597012838943634" border="0" /></a><br />"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."<br />~King Solomon<br /><br />Spring is in the air and with it is the promise of new life, renewed hope, the singing of the birds and the emergence of new growth from a dormant earth.<br />"...the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”<br />~Henry Beecher Ward<br /><br />That was my first blog entry exactly a year ago today as I tentatively navigated the wonders of the blogging world here at Seasonal Hearth.<br />You can read my first entry <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2010/03/seasonal-celebrations.html">here </a><br />My enthusiasm for Spring is also evident <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2010/03/signs-of-spring-are-everywhere.html">here </a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and </span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2010/03/celebrating-spring-with-fervour-and.html">here.</a><br />Although I did hear the mourning doves the other morning, and my friend <span style="font-style: italic;">S</span> eagerly assured me that she spotted four robins recently, I still don't see a lot of evidence here as it is snowing again this morning with white-out conditions as I type this. How can you tell that I am craving warmer weather and lovely Spring.<br />This blogging journey has been a joy and an adventure as I have made it my goal to embrace the beauty in all four seasons (alright, so I'm flagging in zeal a wee bit now) and to see the simple joys of each season, thus the name Seasonal Hearth.<br />I was half way into this blogging adventure when someone asked me about STATS.<br />I had not considered this. In the Audience section I discovered that visitors arrived from all over the global map including Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia, Macedonia,<br />Sri Lanka, Russia, Romania, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, India, Latvia, Serbia, Czech Republic, South Korea, Bangkok, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Spain, The Philippines, much of Europe including<br />The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and of course closer by was United States and Canada.<br />I have been so blessed by all the visitors from around the world and am reminded again that blogging has become such a global adventure.<br />It makes me aware again of the fact that:<br />~blogging is a huge responsibility<br />~blogging with integrity is so important<br />~everyone has a story to share and is special and unique...it is all of us together that make up this wonderful world we live in.<br /><br />And so today, after 226 posts and one full year of blogging at Seasonal Hearth,<br />I wanted to stop by to thank all of you who have visited, those who have taken the time to comment, to email me and to tell me in person that you have enjoyed<br />reading Seasonal Hearth. You have all been such a blessing! I wish that I could have you all in for a british tea with a Spring theme of course, however, because many of you are so far away, I decided instead to have a blog give away. I put together a little Spring package including some of my favourite things:<br />♥ a lovely book filled with domestic goodness (crafts, recipes, tea parties, home decor)<br />♥ scented candles<br />♥ adorable dandelion covered napkins (even dandelions are appealing to me now)<br />♥ floral tissues to represent garden flowers<br />♥ Paderno dish cloths in cheerful Spring colours<br /><br />All you have to do is:<br />~ leave a comment either here in the comment section or by emailing me (<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">found in profile</span></span>) with the heading Seasonal Hearth (<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">♥you may spread the word ♥</span></span>)<br />~ share which country you are from(<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">optional</span></span>) and your favourite season there (♥<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">don't be shy ♥<span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></span></span><br />This offer is open to everyone in this grand world of ours. I will post the winner's name here, require your mailing address by email, then deliver this package by mail or if you are local I will deliver it to you in person.<br />This giveaway will close at the same time next Friday when I will announce the winner.<br />Thank you again to all of you for visiting and may God bless each and every one of you.<br />♥ Greetings from snowy Ontario♥<br />and from me, Joanne<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTREsxGfhAmd9mGU3qfuWh_vklYgXglRSC9Tcd0BR0zhezvN3x8bqpdCPMHVy2k7lqSoOYCedlUTupHuXhusQ8BskawxePYFmb6kR6iZsf-raulz1S4n4MQx285RYkvTiVnwyMuFUNjQ/s1600/DSC07777.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTREsxGfhAmd9mGU3qfuWh_vklYgXglRSC9Tcd0BR0zhezvN3x8bqpdCPMHVy2k7lqSoOYCedlUTupHuXhusQ8BskawxePYFmb6kR6iZsf-raulz1S4n4MQx285RYkvTiVnwyMuFUNjQ/s400/DSC07777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582782133253397570" border="0" /></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-54475966338023021192011-03-09T21:46:00.017-05:002011-04-12T20:21:37.324-04:00Library Basket Lovelies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8EpZEORNedH5yPqiRS5ECz4ciPj4a6Lh75RSzDHcc_29HLUqqxux6ptQIGdsUwa80lOjoHNL-3c_1liyLgTEe2gl_3CLwNzXVU_ClGJd5j-z6C6mRdzzeXT4aIzIZLUFZrN_h6NXNb0/s1600/DSC07770.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8EpZEORNedH5yPqiRS5ECz4ciPj4a6Lh75RSzDHcc_29HLUqqxux6ptQIGdsUwa80lOjoHNL-3c_1liyLgTEe2gl_3CLwNzXVU_ClGJd5j-z6C6mRdzzeXT4aIzIZLUFZrN_h6NXNb0/s400/DSC07770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582279910151214530" border="0" /></a>It's been a long, long day and I am so thankful to be home again after a 40 minute challenging drive through freezing rain and sleet and snow and slippery slush...<br />March indeed!<br />This tablescape was the scene I came home to, along with a cheerful greeting from two girls who were glad that I made it home safely. I've just had my tea and chatting with my girls who have now headed off to their rooms, so I thought I would drop by with a library post.<br />I wanted to share some non-fiction with you along with a CD that I placed a hold on long ago... it just arrived at the library for me.<br />Tomorrow will be my catch up day at home, as well as grocery shopping. The weather is supposed to get milder so the snow will be melting away again...yes!<br />I am so ready for Spring!<br />I am calling it a night now, but wanted to leave you with a few library lovelies that are full of lovely domestic goodness...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3Qo_hgfr3hONXxkUHvw-MWRnRAfNRkYdBWs-BmrtebDSSstGDbYSUyqr9CD8axhs717aPg1_UKlBCTm2Fa4u_r9qlnqKwtHPkX3z4hc9_5EpIUf4Xz4zjNmhGmpumIaZ-bNW4vNW_hU/s1600/51SV5arXahL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3Qo_hgfr3hONXxkUHvw-MWRnRAfNRkYdBWs-BmrtebDSSstGDbYSUyqr9CD8axhs717aPg1_UKlBCTm2Fa4u_r9qlnqKwtHPkX3z4hc9_5EpIUf4Xz4zjNmhGmpumIaZ-bNW4vNW_hU/s400/51SV5arXahL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582278528776032978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLm9MVOBldOcEbZw8yJ0LDYzR3m_qulztf-GLH3ALntl0cb8KZvR_Za3aOqYW9UFYPRljUjShbJ28jBt4Lxzt0sINHJiHzykWjKWyNF50Xmo93Fc4u9Ecvy2ZXkO698agvBic9CQzwEA/s1600/51cK0DOZWhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLm9MVOBldOcEbZw8yJ0LDYzR3m_qulztf-GLH3ALntl0cb8KZvR_Za3aOqYW9UFYPRljUjShbJ28jBt4Lxzt0sINHJiHzykWjKWyNF50Xmo93Fc4u9Ecvy2ZXkO698agvBic9CQzwEA/s400/51cK0DOZWhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582281532926984082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUERm3pIQt0LDcnQpcbRc7xZ9VolyLaNNvqz7rOTCylGIyEa0AAggvYxZatNkaon401i0mH2cZ17gI4TXnFEdl4uzr4RFPgKhHA8HxiEqqA05SbziaqTblNmeoK02eaX26k3beM_B_o78/s1600/DSC07772.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUERm3pIQt0LDcnQpcbRc7xZ9VolyLaNNvqz7rOTCylGIyEa0AAggvYxZatNkaon401i0mH2cZ17gI4TXnFEdl4uzr4RFPgKhHA8HxiEqqA05SbziaqTblNmeoK02eaX26k3beM_B_o78/s400/DSC07772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582283479883009778" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Today I’m gonna try and change the world<br /> Gonna take it one day at a time<br /> I’ve made my resolution<br /> I’ve opened up my eyes<br /> Today I’m gonna try and change the world</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">I’m gonna say hello to my neighbor<br /> Greet him with a smile<br /> Shake the hand of a stranger<br /> Sit and talk for a while<br /> Tell someone I love them<br /> From the bottom of my heart<br /> Today I’m gonna try and change the world</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">(Repeat chorus)</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">Gonna make sure my children<br /> Know there’s a right and wrong<br /> I’ll never turn my back<br /> On those of us who need someone<br /> I’m gonna try to see myself<br /> Through another’s eyes<br /> Today I’m gonna try and change the world</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">(Repeat chorus)</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">Today I’m gonna try and change the world<br /> Today I’m gonna try and change the world<br /> Not for me, but for those I’ll leave behind<br /> I’ve made my resolution<br /> Change it one day at time<br /> Today I’m gonna try and change the world</p><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love the lyrics?<br />It's intentional living at its best, isn't it?<br />It's the small, thoughtful things we do for others<br />that can make such a difference in their life.<br />You can listen to the song but be sure to pause the playlist below...<br />(I have a wide range of music love, so this may not be for you:)<br /><br /></div><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9BaIMc8XaI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g9BaIMc8XaI?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-64611148925398873992011-03-07T08:29:00.034-05:002011-04-12T20:22:04.612-04:00Simple Joys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadjcyrA4rXZK777t_oU5qLHaTbKjI0sV2OKQwGUzBL4HlcQsPbrS_z6RlS76InHvFpoN0Fm_xZG1k5Kk11x0vaPaH63KyQ4qh_AHWv3O28VVOlp-Fp-K9ZGEy0iSP7zJ1njdsvpIPZ5U/s1600/DSC07723.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadjcyrA4rXZK777t_oU5qLHaTbKjI0sV2OKQwGUzBL4HlcQsPbrS_z6RlS76InHvFpoN0Fm_xZG1k5Kk11x0vaPaH63KyQ4qh_AHWv3O28VVOlp-Fp-K9ZGEy0iSP7zJ1njdsvpIPZ5U/s400/DSC07723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581335773332663042" border="0" /></a>It is a beautiful Monday morning with glorious sunshine streaming into the kitchen as the dish washer is humming and the washing machine is working over-time to get caught up again.<br />Apart from that it is quiet here as all of my family is now heading to their respective places:<br />hubby to work, daughter to college, another daughter to high school and a son just leaving for university again after spending the weekend at home. I just love having a full house on the weekends, but it's also good to get back into routine again. Last week was such a busy week for me, that I had no time to post pictures, so I thought that I would share a few before getting ready for my shift at the library today.<br />On our drive to the Niagara area last weekend, we stopped by to visit my favourite greenhouses where we picked up some spring primroses (primulas) for my Mom as well as for my friend <span style="font-style: italic;">M</span> to bring some Spring cheer their way.<br />You can read more about Terra Greenhouses in Waterdown <a href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-flowers-and-farm-show.html">here </a>as I posted about it around this time last year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Simple Joys include:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />♥colourful array of primroses♥<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkH815h2bCuZaio7YPjtTeBBwN8rHol6IZNhetMd2ku71080jGHAMhp4IbmOcMZCiyKAbbF-HnjgciDWMUb3LSIn9ij-Yk-k-oF_y8Hz55Fe1U60dNuPwuU-V0buj_xUJe19VUyyrdvE/s1600/DSC07719.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkH815h2bCuZaio7YPjtTeBBwN8rHol6IZNhetMd2ku71080jGHAMhp4IbmOcMZCiyKAbbF-HnjgciDWMUb3LSIn9ij-Yk-k-oF_y8Hz55Fe1U60dNuPwuU-V0buj_xUJe19VUyyrdvE/s400/DSC07719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581335584170528402" border="0" /></a><br />♥Spring planter in my home♥<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxLP5zLLy9xkqI2Bm_9O2IH4E6Saw7B7kpJMiqU2xCvz3Jy2uaYxriMAP_W9d8hvavq0lU9rDTZvrZQEnwlMLVUASe-wsNS6duQkLQ7ChOX9lhuTa1dumvJ-ADXbrGjAKkxLSot6Me6E/s1600/DSC07729.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxLP5zLLy9xkqI2Bm_9O2IH4E6Saw7B7kpJMiqU2xCvz3Jy2uaYxriMAP_W9d8hvavq0lU9rDTZvrZQEnwlMLVUASe-wsNS6duQkLQ7ChOX9lhuTa1dumvJ-ADXbrGjAKkxLSot6Me6E/s400/DSC07729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581335273636759170" border="0" /></a><br />The lovely scenic drive hubby and I took last week,<br />driving the back roads to the airport in Toronto<br />to pick up two of our children, who arrived safely back<br />from their long travels to India with stop over in Dubai.<br />They were so tired and yet so cheerful<br />as they regaled us with many stories of their adventures<br />♥ Welcome Home <span style="font-style: italic;">J&N</span> ♥<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRhnmQNt2lr63T_ZcS0XelVvtNfDNI9zmsNQ9Zsju1mV-V-wrKuVUuDB4Og9VVI4WT3Ix5USuMwSM5CwxgYT6jl8AkBkxRKBIMONwHS1AZP_wjEhbHYe4Ji7AfAskDJy3ls1snSp2G0o/s1600/DSC07731.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRhnmQNt2lr63T_ZcS0XelVvtNfDNI9zmsNQ9Zsju1mV-V-wrKuVUuDB4Og9VVI4WT3Ix5USuMwSM5CwxgYT6jl8AkBkxRKBIMONwHS1AZP_wjEhbHYe4Ji7AfAskDJy3ls1snSp2G0o/s400/DSC07731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581346767913341778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF6DbMaqFijDJuoiTgNvTfyAlC5hCxTm-8Jztkn2tW4Nj0hFHMCu0VJCxGbjfBk8ixLae_nbqMvk-9UWdx7CDBW0vjC6wiK29nwV3PnOZ5aFC4BQoNPBxk2HlvyM9aJCfGOsiW9nx03s/s1600/DSC07732.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF6DbMaqFijDJuoiTgNvTfyAlC5hCxTm-8Jztkn2tW4Nj0hFHMCu0VJCxGbjfBk8ixLae_nbqMvk-9UWdx7CDBW0vjC6wiK29nwV3PnOZ5aFC4BQoNPBxk2HlvyM9aJCfGOsiW9nx03s/s400/DSC07732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581348631748208562" border="0" /></a><br />♥coffee <a href="http://joanne-seasonalhearthandhome.blogspot.com/2011/02/saturdays-simple-joys.html">at my new favourite Cafe</a> with special friends,<br />who took time out of their busy schedules to care and share♥<br /><br />♥phone calls, emails, prayers and words of encouragement offered♥<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2J4ztv2_J3r5Uo0hGGAyhUWmwS-Gp85ReWQcTYDxtX6dIOEZJ1fPQZ9TxHqHxo2mqzogaZ5ezPx08qtlvfzSOI1kTYHjZJgNboFWKSOKFCkGdZcdUmBaC6xCnauKufBhPMTntQjs8p4/s1600/DSC07767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2J4ztv2_J3r5Uo0hGGAyhUWmwS-Gp85ReWQcTYDxtX6dIOEZJ1fPQZ9TxHqHxo2mqzogaZ5ezPx08qtlvfzSOI1kTYHjZJgNboFWKSOKFCkGdZcdUmBaC6xCnauKufBhPMTntQjs8p4/s400/DSC07767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581385744487432962" border="0" /></a><br />♥catching up with a friend and colleague while on work-training...<br />thanks <span style="font-style: italic;">N </span>for sharing, caring and driving♥<br /><br />♥bright yellow tulips to greet us at the library<br />because <span style="font-style: italic;">S</span> chose to share them with us...<br />thank you for the lovely Saturday cheer,<span style="font-style: italic;"> S </span>♥<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pUgZOSjyveFMl0bJqppEuwF3l4vUMWmj3lLIJvQBhuVT72NiJpbqZvSWwxyM4zDNRUgiIkvl6zXsEAXvl6rT5oxj6-dH6nJDB3rF1WjEd_YXgCSnRTYEbwtGddRbH60E24BtTn4T2w0/s1600/sw0_86264.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pUgZOSjyveFMl0bJqppEuwF3l4vUMWmj3lLIJvQBhuVT72NiJpbqZvSWwxyM4zDNRUgiIkvl6zXsEAXvl6rT5oxj6-dH6nJDB3rF1WjEd_YXgCSnRTYEbwtGddRbH60E24BtTn4T2w0/s400/sw0_86264.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581354597234172178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />♥A lovely Sunday walk with my two favourite men in the whole world♥<br />Father and Son walking and discussing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRSQ9S_xNcUrAl66L46bwExGdpHNM2E7SjeZZJwafZfYkGI8K_8uYttRRkoATJ4vzOm1U9RBVdRun7_YqReH9K4kbFjxdG1YFIgDMY1U51YooE-77rCqD7IsV1Wqz6MOE3cH8MMKLmrU/s1600/DSC07737.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRSQ9S_xNcUrAl66L46bwExGdpHNM2E7SjeZZJwafZfYkGI8K_8uYttRRkoATJ4vzOm1U9RBVdRun7_YqReH9K4kbFjxdG1YFIgDMY1U51YooE-77rCqD7IsV1Wqz6MOE3cH8MMKLmrU/s400/DSC07737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581331885070783378" border="0" /></a><br />♥snow does look so pretty, doesn't it?♥<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVn-SQ01rOfy8OHzv8wTcNwOEmSJrKEpT1iUpH5RuldNON2pxJDEPimFlD90d9hMFCIVkSpfgG37zAABG9RM28kWi7lzFwRuP8ZeKJ4jZWKOnwX53YoZIr0eWkDQ2XRVew3wjEb0jKBY/s1600/DSC07761.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVn-SQ01rOfy8OHzv8wTcNwOEmSJrKEpT1iUpH5RuldNON2pxJDEPimFlD90d9hMFCIVkSpfgG37zAABG9RM28kWi7lzFwRuP8ZeKJ4jZWKOnwX53YoZIr0eWkDQ2XRVew3wjEb0jKBY/s400/DSC07761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581335084932261250" border="0" /></a><br />♥icicles dripping during thaw♥<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn8G4B-PqEXYJ6LqWd14U8XHVRSkRSzHuaHJmkg0URlrCcJE1bSRVRu7UQYHcRCQ9b7emmhpXivDeWoTh03k_xfRlcB4Z5iIV31SHDbAFEB8cJMvkM9rQQFzbm1qORSReo4xXQo0JAAc/s1600/DSC07753.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn8G4B-PqEXYJ6LqWd14U8XHVRSkRSzHuaHJmkg0URlrCcJE1bSRVRu7UQYHcRCQ9b7emmhpXivDeWoTh03k_xfRlcB4Z5iIV31SHDbAFEB8cJMvkM9rQQFzbm1qORSReo4xXQo0JAAc/s400/DSC07753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581331596573639186" border="0" /></a><br />♥snow-covered boughs♥<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfZZepmkOR_dK8EeGXetZj9oCN73hks4jtoT6i6lJ2p8IQcxBRX3fo5jqYWApMy86LJAAY-sc0jvbwlmyj6W9lU8Sk_bdCXHEISoh21sZlgF44Df6XxLZVe9mjmrTbMKk4UarcOze6uM/s1600/DSC07739.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfZZepmkOR_dK8EeGXetZj9oCN73hks4jtoT6i6lJ2p8IQcxBRX3fo5jqYWApMy86LJAAY-sc0jvbwlmyj6W9lU8Sk_bdCXHEISoh21sZlgF44Df6XxLZVe9mjmrTbMKk4UarcOze6uM/s400/DSC07739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581334798717878610" border="0" /></a><br />♥ice floes in the river♥<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7SPCbAY2X8c8JE5b9Iics_YNPwGLC5QQOGEsxhHjYCiwvJ57BuOMGsj6bLuw3rVbYv6ajz8N-niT6T1KSp6yxvBGcZoY6lqQ4a6NUAu1QeUS26SdhOoFcTpyAJr-Wfjlgacs3HA_IOg/s1600/DSC07751.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7SPCbAY2X8c8JE5b9Iics_YNPwGLC5QQOGEsxhHjYCiwvJ57BuOMGsj6bLuw3rVbYv6ajz8N-niT6T1KSp6yxvBGcZoY6lqQ4a6NUAu1QeUS26SdhOoFcTpyAJr-Wfjlgacs3HA_IOg/s400/DSC07751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581340240624847970" border="0" /></a><br />home from the walk in time for:<br />♥tea and goodies♥<br />♥knitting and reading♥<br />♥homemade soup made with love by hubby♥<br />♥phone conversations with family♥<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39LDzIF0_oTqdgTP2OwSkCtKycieYCR0qJqAUTvypziohG3OCIhhO9Rvb48UiMwavpVj6xqCvZMtXTd7fPrR1y2D7TK5U-JDybeIOH4WA1jr5sbEPFfvt19nWUN5K7z4Zz4HODPGgcto/s1600/DSC07763.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39LDzIF0_oTqdgTP2OwSkCtKycieYCR0qJqAUTvypziohG3OCIhhO9Rvb48UiMwavpVj6xqCvZMtXTd7fPrR1y2D7TK5U-JDybeIOH4WA1jr5sbEPFfvt19nWUN5K7z4Zz4HODPGgcto/s400/DSC07763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581330609996359810" border="0" /></a><br />♥the lovely book pile that just keeps on growing♥<br />if only there was more time....<br />Yesterday hubby finished a book on politics and history<br />son read one on economics<br />middle daughter read a topic dear to her heart: social justice<br />mom read fiction on India<br />youngest daughter read information on El Salvador for school project<br />all found in this pile except for youngest daughter's online project:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra6Fbknzwx3uYPc2pVlVtGTdOFcXKpD4jjZfNXKNIrcgMY09ETpef7qQVwLdgv0fPKd8_w7jqztu-c-69dLsdbLWlYblNEnVQMGAycLDX0Bw4gxv3GcIWqSS_WQ8u-lxjLJl2MhUgA18/s1600/DSC07766.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra6Fbknzwx3uYPc2pVlVtGTdOFcXKpD4jjZfNXKNIrcgMY09ETpef7qQVwLdgv0fPKd8_w7jqztu-c-69dLsdbLWlYblNEnVQMGAycLDX0Bw4gxv3GcIWqSS_WQ8u-lxjLJl2MhUgA18/s400/DSC07766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581330023817163874" border="0" /></a><br />I wish you all sunshine and simple joys<br />along Spring flowers to cheer you:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Y4e7ErrZs6l4WfhxsdcN_ORzu9k5VhahfbhHAUQFb4ADlDncYX_W86asGWK3jDBq7MhEiRb8yjIDmpWhSz981lpD5bPw6n2iCYeWmkdXAGkS0FzKFtSWP1BSRiVHrEcvlTqXsIkIlE/s1600/DSC07722.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 420px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Y4e7ErrZs6l4WfhxsdcN_ORzu9k5VhahfbhHAUQFb4ADlDncYX_W86asGWK3jDBq7MhEiRb8yjIDmpWhSz981lpD5bPw6n2iCYeWmkdXAGkS0FzKFtSWP1BSRiVHrEcvlTqXsIkIlE/s400/DSC07722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581357616939361330" border="0" /></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-40088274623414578142011-03-06T13:13:00.011-05:002011-04-23T18:07:06.263-04:00Creation Calls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MZf9foZHlXGeN8JuQT4LRFVlQo9vxP8B0hMqABWMvH8JnM_p0Njct_7s8bQvuiuwuj-Xv-gFrvYIpj-kUnpxoNwWkIaT8YaEuasEexyOffykzNlRoq0aKoe1aqNDedc9_URHnQYwqm4/s1600/snow-landscape-wallpaper.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MZf9foZHlXGeN8JuQT4LRFVlQo9vxP8B0hMqABWMvH8JnM_p0Njct_7s8bQvuiuwuj-Xv-gFrvYIpj-kUnpxoNwWkIaT8YaEuasEexyOffykzNlRoq0aKoe1aqNDedc9_URHnQYwqm4/s400/snow-landscape-wallpaper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581040307916579810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">He says to the snow,<br />'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'</span> Job 38:22<br /><br />The rain we had yesterday turned into snow later in the afternoon and although I wasn't going to broadcast the fact: there is not a blade of green grass to be found here, and no indication that Spring is just around the corner.<br />It was, however, a beautiful drive to church this morning with the blue skies and sunshine glistening on the freshly fallen snow as we passed many horse and buggies on the road. It is difficult to capture on camera the beauty of this area, but I don't take it for granted and am so thankful for this little corner of the world that I live in.<br />The other day my friend <span style="font-style: italic;">M</span> sent me an email with the title:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="subject">Magnificent</span>, which I really wanted to share with all of you as it is so beautiful.<br />You can watch it here: <a href="http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html">Creation Calls</a> <span style="font-size:100%;">sung </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">by Brian Doerksen</span><br /></span><br />It reminds me of the song that we sang this morning by Chris Tomlin:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea<br />Creation's revealing Your majesty<br />From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring<br />Every creature unique in the song that it sings<br />All exclaiming<br /><br />Indescribable, uncontainable,<br />You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.<br />You are amazing God<br />All powerful, untameable,<br />Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim<br />You are amazing God<br /><br />Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go<br />Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow<br />Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light<br />Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night<br />None can fathom<br /><br />Indescribable, uncontainable,<br />You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name<br />You are amazing God<br />All powerful, untameable,<br />Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim<br />You are amazing God...<br /><br /></div><object width="480" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8FlIchSJoOA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8FlIchSJoOA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="340"></embed></object>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-41146600326137654832011-03-05T08:47:00.009-05:002011-04-23T18:08:30.610-04:00Spring Rains<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyrJg4INs1B1CB0yc58CmQ8BTpY0-XYzE6xpxS9bfNJtwnawGPCyTirqCMG7ENQNrxlJBChfIJcRWeY20UjqEFb5XF3jCZGYZGR8x-qy2BX1kJdgjunQQ1cF05WGl9AECBIaZ7bBeFJE/s1600/m.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyrJg4INs1B1CB0yc58CmQ8BTpY0-XYzE6xpxS9bfNJtwnawGPCyTirqCMG7ENQNrxlJBChfIJcRWeY20UjqEFb5XF3jCZGYZGR8x-qy2BX1kJdgjunQQ1cF05WGl9AECBIaZ7bBeFJE/s400/m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580593722263169954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqX5QymQfcGan34jnLy4F1Bt5-PVpISN6_88ONmseL0gjk8ymuAzZfDfgOunB00O4K5508q1KmDrnCnp85PGFhWq8pq-30QtkTlSIJ0Yq-4JLtQOuCOHDq3GjqncUfLxRYSq1KmIiK7o/s1600/u-is-for-umbrella.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqX5QymQfcGan34jnLy4F1Bt5-PVpISN6_88ONmseL0gjk8ymuAzZfDfgOunB00O4K5508q1KmDrnCnp85PGFhWq8pq-30QtkTlSIJ0Yq-4JLtQOuCOHDq3GjqncUfLxRYSq1KmIiK7o/s400/u-is-for-umbrella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580592657087607426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">With normal spring temperatures expected for the entire province, much of Ontario should see above normal precipitation amounts, thanks to an active weather season expected for the U.S., which will see more storms track into the Great Lakes basin than usual....10-15mm is expected today<br /></span>~~~The Weather Network<br /><br />Yes, we awoke to the sound of pouring rain outside, along with gray and dismal skies.<br />But I rejoice because the rain is washing away the snow, to reveal green grass!<br />I won't mention that the forecast for tomorrow is snow again<br />because I don't want to discourage you.<br />Spring is surely going to arrive in all of her splendour.<br />We just have to be patient...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />"March bustles in on windy feet<br />And sweeps my doorstep and my street.<br />She washes and cleans with pounding rains,<br />Scrubbing the earth of winter stains.<br />She shakes the grime from carpet green<br />Till naught but fresh new blades are seen.<br />Then, house in order, all neat as a pin,<br />She ushers gentle springtime in."<br />- Susan Reiner, <i>Spring Cleaning </i><br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-37098477942799975192011-03-04T08:14:00.019-05:002011-04-23T18:10:58.947-04:00Raised on Country Sunshine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg_qyxru7ts32qVcELQxKGjCwi3KemKatA_43pKC0TR5250-LFmMEvuA9NSoLgGtcpGrX2Z-yU_wIANpr_QwRaovNtH0sGMKOOeeszumMcTaXRZdVn5KM3nOZ0Hmi5gBKGptfkLVub8I/s1600/sp_sendbinary.asp.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg_qyxru7ts32qVcELQxKGjCwi3KemKatA_43pKC0TR5250-LFmMEvuA9NSoLgGtcpGrX2Z-yU_wIANpr_QwRaovNtH0sGMKOOeeszumMcTaXRZdVn5KM3nOZ0Hmi5gBKGptfkLVub8I/s400/sp_sendbinary.asp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580216584627672706" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday morning before I left for work training, I wanted to celebrate our glorious sunshine with all of you so I created a <a href="http://www.playlist.com/playlist/21603719179/standalone">Sunshine Playlist </a>to go along with my post. You can pause it, turn your speakers off or just crank it up which is what I did this morning while baking cookies for my family.<br />The sun continues to shine today and the music is making me feel nostalgic, although I was <span style="font-style: italic;">very young </span>when many of these songs became a hit (wink, wink)<br />Enjoy a 'new to me' british artist, a wee bit of spring, some nostalgia along with country sunshine...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDPnPvRcV4s6zY7zOFVOOh2-TLgZRBwQJrKlsvcoegnQeOJgFsSs4CRaqKLFi991eQS1nDJeufVsSRis4BoZPkfIZlBmyyzmTktQeBdzs9L0S5IaW4oiNrFHwn3FBZN3ndJwGyNRSJeg/s1600/sp_sendbinary.asp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDPnPvRcV4s6zY7zOFVOOh2-TLgZRBwQJrKlsvcoegnQeOJgFsSs4CRaqKLFi991eQS1nDJeufVsSRis4BoZPkfIZlBmyyzmTktQeBdzs9L0S5IaW4oiNrFHwn3FBZN3ndJwGyNRSJeg/s400/sp_sendbinary.asp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580215153302195602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mary Dipnall says that she would rather be sitting in a meadow full of wild flowers, sketching with the sun on her back than anywhere else. Born in Portsmouth in 1936, her childhood and subsequent painting style was much influenced by family picnics and holidays in England's beautiful West Country. Perhaps it is Mary Dipnall's lack of formal art training or her pastoral lifestyle which infuses her work with such colourful freedom and warmth. Whatever it is that makes her work inspired, it strikes a chord with all those who love and value the English countryside."</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D-CnpYu8fYAWZKvFFiwly9U9MhFBc5DOUZdxlIDKSEL2kzPp0K909CTXhzKeM_1Wg4lO9gzaLUwZsDbrtN4Xf2sZPeoBpFF0CNO7mIvTKS96hxZZyqoRgZHy9NFE8RKOqIb6ltwVFDI/s1600/98318.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D-CnpYu8fYAWZKvFFiwly9U9MhFBc5DOUZdxlIDKSEL2kzPp0K909CTXhzKeM_1Wg4lO9gzaLUwZsDbrtN4Xf2sZPeoBpFF0CNO7mIvTKS96hxZZyqoRgZHy9NFE8RKOqIb6ltwVFDI/s400/98318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580214507318130994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Art by <a href="http://www.forestgallery.com/artists/index.asp?artist=DIP02">Mary Dipnall</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You say you love me and it's invitin'<br />To go where life is more excitin'<br />But I was raised on country sunshine<br />I was raised on country sunshine<br />green grass beneath my feet<br />Runnin' through fields of daisies<br />a wadin' through the creek<br />You love me and it's invitin'<br />to go where life is more excitin'<br />But I was raised on country sunshine<br />I was raised on country sunshine<br />I'm happy with the simple things<br />A Saturday night dance, a picture show and the joy that the bluebird brings<br />I love you please believe me<br />I wouldn't want you to ever leave me<br />But I was raised on country sunshine<br />There's just something bout the mornin' makes each day a joy to see<br />Nighttime brings a peaceful feelin' rest inside of me<br />I love you please believe me<br />I wouldn't want you to ever leave me<br />But I was raised on country sunshine<br />Yes, you love me and it's invitin'<br />to go where life is more excitin'<br />But I was raised on country sunshine<br />Uh huh I was raised on country sunshine<br />oh oh I was raised on country sunshine<br /></div>(pause playlist below to listen)<br /><object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-GyYuxft1E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-GyYuxft1E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="360"></embed></object>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-54683293606205818442011-03-03T08:16:00.012-05:002011-04-23T18:11:23.121-04:00Sending sunshine your way....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.illusionsgallery.com/sunshine-L.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 575px;" src="http://www.illusionsgallery.com/sunshine-L.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunshine</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">by</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lady Alma-Tadema</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">the good they do is inconceivable.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joseph Addison</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walt Whitman</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Robert Green Ingersoll</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">James M. Barrie</span><br /><br />This morning the sun is making her glorious appearance in a clear blue sky....it looks so lovely after many cold and blustery days.<br />It has been a busy past few weeks, and although I would love to stay home today,<br />I have to spend the day away for work-related training. I will enjoy the sunshine as we travel.<br />On another note, two of my children have returned home safely from India this past week.<br />We have so enjoyed their many stories and continue to take in all the sights and sounds of India with them as we do some arm chair travel.<br />My old friend (the computer) is also back and is working well for me....the benefits of modern technology!<br />Where ever you may live in this grand world of ours, may the Giver of sunshine shine His love on you today and every day!<br />May you have a sunshine-y day my friends!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Added:</span><br />Tina over at <a href="http://thequiethome.blogspot.com/">The Quiet Home</a> is generously giving away her newest knitted creation, a doll named Laura, who is simply adorable and would make an awesome gift for some little girl.<br />Go on over and pay Tina a visit as you enter your name in the draw for Lovely Laura:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZhqKoUpPWEP9RiqgUF4K8J94dkWMapFHua0M_wLl2vS6BbYe7a6J5wtidi9PxFSx7Uc9qcwKIqrAIMWSmtRk61-wqWPeu90ohqYJc8m9Nx9bbH6cg05XJ4ewFmpdwJDqoEbtR3RsiME/s1600/100_0132.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZhqKoUpPWEP9RiqgUF4K8J94dkWMapFHua0M_wLl2vS6BbYe7a6J5wtidi9PxFSx7Uc9qcwKIqrAIMWSmtRk61-wqWPeu90ohqYJc8m9Nx9bbH6cg05XJ4ewFmpdwJDqoEbtR3RsiME/s400/100_0132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579876729877054226" border="0" /></a>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-72672441194809644882011-03-01T07:10:00.007-05:002011-04-23T18:13:04.097-04:00The Arrival of March! Is Spring around the Corner?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I wonder if the sap is stirring yet,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And crocus fires are kindling one by one:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sing robin, sing:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- Christina Rossetti</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/winter-landscape-near-dummer-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 580px; height: 475px;" src="http://www.webdesignbooth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/winter-landscape-near-dummer-.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(image found</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> online)<br /></span></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-20067494359415377852011-02-26T11:43:00.004-05:002011-04-23T18:13:23.460-04:00Saturday Quote<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0tOBBCYqC4/TVnXJLIj07I/AAAAAAAAAKI/35Dotd8XeV0/s1600/2-spring-wedding-flowers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 460px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0tOBBCYqC4/TVnXJLIj07I/AAAAAAAAAKI/35Dotd8XeV0/s1600/2-spring-wedding-flowers.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(image found online)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Anne Bradstreet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> American poet (1612 - 1672)</span><br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567450919134692562.post-89232760648862981492011-02-24T20:26:00.014-05:002011-04-23T18:16:22.494-04:00Beauty in Blogdom<div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/b/3//41/879/41879312_Jim_Daly_ak.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 410px;" src="http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/b/3//41/879/41879312_Jim_Daly_ak.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.jimdalyart.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=25909&AKey=X5J4XX7L"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bedtime Story by Jim Daly</span></a><br /></div><br />My computer has been in the repair shop this past week, so I am unable to share some recent photos with you. I have borrowed my daughter's laptop while she is away but am not comfortable using it. I did want to drop by though and say "Hello" to reassure you that I am fine...just missing my three children who are still in India.<br />This past week we received a beautiful email from them which reminded me of this verse:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land'<br />~Proverbs 25:25</span><br />It sure did a Mama's heart good!<br /><br />In the meantime, I wanted to share some lovely blogs for your enjoyment.<br />I know I have shared Mia's blog before, but some of you may be new visitors, so this is for you:<br /><a href="http://miaslandliv.blogspot.com/">Mia's Country Living in Norway</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNut6g-XycCaLiZjyg7MJIc-l-NtF8NHot56Hxp7r-9-TBy60rpYt4FUIOEuSwFg3f3sBKcnEQCzSoSepS4Jrge4q-hBqa1Gq1EQ7cwMWlfSlFiV8u3jPvXeynJs91cE4tiN-MfUAONU/s1600-r/Header_til_Mia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNut6g-XycCaLiZjyg7MJIc-l-NtF8NHot56Hxp7r-9-TBy60rpYt4FUIOEuSwFg3f3sBKcnEQCzSoSepS4Jrge4q-hBqa1Gq1EQ7cwMWlfSlFiV8u3jPvXeynJs91cE4tiN-MfUAONU/s1600-r/Header_til_Mia.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Stephanie is from the United Kingdom and blogs over at <a href="http://curlewcountry.blogspot.com/">Curlew Country</a><br />I asked her if I could share this lovely photo of her tea cosy with you.<br />I am hoping to knit one for my daughter when the pace of my life slows down enough to shop for the right yarn. I started one but it just wasn't suitable yarn for what I wanted the outcome to look like. Isn't this just such a cosy scene?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUbuYvNhykZ_rqv_C-rvpLo8VoiK1eijUEtxB7IGf1SviInquIMLL5wPiJAl8ArXpwxV0HidHpyC1Dryfr-1uSFY5OM-qcHeftnlUxQtNg6bKhyosg2Ns3OLgwTR7rBtqwhQ6PwS0afg/s1600/tea.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 560px; height: 530px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUbuYvNhykZ_rqv_C-rvpLo8VoiK1eijUEtxB7IGf1SviInquIMLL5wPiJAl8ArXpwxV0HidHpyC1Dryfr-1uSFY5OM-qcHeftnlUxQtNg6bKhyosg2Ns3OLgwTR7rBtqwhQ6PwS0afg/s1600/tea.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And a new-to-me blog from Elly who lives in a small village in in Noord Holland, The Netherlands.<br /><a href="http://myeverydaythings.blogspot.com/">Elly's blog</a> is full of creative and domestic goodness! Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WdMPRZ4CYWs/TTRBWytdbII/AAAAAAAAaZQ/CZOB5bqiC0c/S650/wintertime1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 560px; height: 502px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WdMPRZ4CYWs/TTRBWytdbII/AAAAAAAAaZQ/CZOB5bqiC0c/S650/wintertime1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />For a taste of Spring and Summer, be sure to stop by at <a href="http://warrengrovegarden.blogspot.com/">Carolyn's gorgeous blog</a>, with lovely scenes of her garden and home, including the most beautiful High Tea table setting.<br />She sure has me dreaming...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.world-wide-art.com/art/va/printjpgs/l/plandry/gardenerspride.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 534px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.world-wide-art.com/art/va/printjpgs/l/plandry/gardenerspride.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/landry/">A Gardener's Pride by Paul Landry</a><br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.com