Why Not - It's Friday & We Got More Snow

Today is a random post of random things about the weather - we just got another snow storm that gifted us with about 20-25cm more!

This is a short video clip from a few years back - it is how Canadians get through winter;

Checking The Daily Weather Forecast

About Preparing for Winter - several years ago

Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVS6PaWCdaI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgUosngyAu0

And to keep us warm & fueled for shoveling, I am sharing the scone recipe I use all the time, it's easy & makes delicious scones. I do prefer it with the added cheese.

K's (Cheese) Scones

 2 cups  all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar (baking powder)

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp butter/margarine

¾ cup sour milk (buttermilk)

*for cheese scones, use 1 tbsp sugar & 1 cup shredded cheese. I use low fat marble cheese, but use cheddar if you like a stronger cheese.

Measure first 6 ingredients into bowl, cut in butter until crumbly, add buttermilk, if using, add cheese now, stir together  until a soft ball forms. Divide into 4 equal balls, now divide each ball into 4 pieces. Arrange on ungreased baking sheet (parchment paper), bake in 425 oven for about 10-15 minutes.

TGIF - November 29th

Thanks Dr Brene Brown for this new take on an old acronym, TGIF to mean Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.

Trusting: that one of my sisters, who is traveling in the middle east, gets home safely, soon.  They had an encounter on the seas with pirates.

Grateful:  that the man we hired to rake all the leaves came out on a chance day to get all the lawns & gardens cleared of the wet packed mess that the leaves had become.  He's got all the proper equipment to make short work of this.

Inspired: by one of the elders at church.  She's an amazing lady of 80+ years & has given me some sound advice about taking risks in life.  She openly shared some of her risks taken & some risks she passed on & why/how the outcome of either choice shaped her life.  She's amazing, kind, funny, loving & I think she needs to write a book.  All her wisdom & stories have certainly inspired me to look at some of my own risk(s) pending.

Fun: a wonderfully too short a phone call (3 hours) with my best friend.  Grateful for phone plans!

TGIF - November 22nd

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this re-take on TGIF; instead of Thank Goodness It's Friday, we now go with Trusting; Grateful; Inspired & Fun.

Trusting: that my book/reading dry spell is over.  I've got 2 books out from the library & two waiting for me to pick up.  The two that I have just started to read, & I'm so far enjoying; Akin  by Emma Donoghue and Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher.

Grateful: for some better quality TV (time well wasted) in a few  series; Press; Poldark (oh swoon over Aidan Turner) both on Masterpiece; His Dark Material on HBO (I've read the books).

Inspired: by some Pinterest posts for Christmas cards.  I've now got all mine made & envelopes addressed.  Just need to get to the post office to purchase stamps for mailing December 1st. 

Fun: we got our online Advent Calendar - this year's location is an online, not real,  little village in the Cotswold, truly a magical place both in reality & an online version.  There are a few fun things in the calendar to do before December 1st.
 

Source: Internet (Cotswold Village)

TGIF - A Month of Thanksgiving #5

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this change up on TGIF; Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.

Trusting: that this new chapter in my life is a page turner of joy, wonderment & personal growth.  I have struggled with some of my decisions moving into a life I want.   I envy people that can make tough decisions quickly & then make the most of that decision.  Me, I'm a brooder, worrier & a waffler.  

Grateful: for the people that have read my blog posts over the years & for those leaving comments.  It has truly amazed me where this blogging journey has gone; is going.

Inspired: by a lovely letter from a patient couple at my last clinic job.  She & He did notice all those little extra bits of attention to detail.  It mattered.  My last two paid jobs certainly felt like that joke quote; "doing a good job here is like wetting yourself in a dark suit, it gives you a warm feeling but nobody notices."

Fun:  having the time to play with all my acquired stamping stuff &  getting into my stash of scrapping stuff.  I also attended a specialty  card making workshop.  It's amazing how the mind opens to being more creative when it's not bogged down with worries & stuff. 

November's Angel Thought is "Retreat" .  

TGIF - A Month of Thanksgiving #4

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this change up on TGIF; Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.

Trusting:  that all the peanuts I have been feeding to my chipmunks help get them through the winter months.

 Grateful:  for some amazing tools to use in the garden, the electric, battery charged,  hand clippers are amazing. 


Inspired:  by the courage of my friend who underwent surgery & now chemo treatments for breast cancer. It was during her regular mammogram check up that the lump (deep & small) was found.  Ladies please don't forget to get your mammogram!

Source: Internet

Fun: Mr Man is a big Dr Who fan, so when he was working on his home theatre room, the cold cellar/fruit cellar is just off that room, so he turned that door into the Police Call box front from Dr Who.  He built most of it himself & just ordered the peel & stick logos online. 

TGIF - A Month Of Thanksgiving #3

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this change up on TGIF; Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.

Trusting  that I've read the bands of our garden woolly caterpillar correctly; Folklore believes "If the rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter."  The photo is from the Internet, ours had even bands.

Source: Internet

Grateful for a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner this past Monday.

Inspired or Intrigued:  by nature's wonderment in this large mushroom puff ball.  There are several people in our little village that gather these puff balls when first formed to cook & eat - they say quite tasty.  This puff ball has split as it is older so not one for eating.

Fun  a lovely drive out to witness Mother Nature's spectacular Autumn wardrobe & what made it fun was that Mr Man agreed to stopping when ever I wanted to take a photo. 

"Kindness, is like snow, beautifies everything it covers".  ...Kahlil Gibran

TGIF - A Month of Thanksgiving #2

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this change up on TGIF; Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.

Trusting that the advertised over the counter cold relief medications actually do work.  Seems my parting gift from my current employer is a head cold!   6 more days!

Grateful that the overnight frosts have not killed off the majority of my summer pots of pretty pink flowers.  Still time to enjoy & savour the joy.

Inspired with all the online postings of some beautiful cards made during World Card Making Day (Oct 5th).  Here's 3 I made at a workshop.

Fun  with a friend when we went to see Downton Abbey, the movie.  It was delightful to see The Dowager again & of course our Edith does look delightfully happy (still).  I really liked the actress that played Queen Mary & I got very teary during the scene of the review of the troops when they played God Save The King (remember it was 1927 & King George V was on the throne).  The entire audience had a laugh out loud moment at Mr Mosley's curtsy.

TGIF - A Month of Thanksgiving

Thanks to Dr Brene Brown for giving us TGIF; Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun.





Trusting: That the skies will clear, the rain will stop for some sunshine time to go out & photography the beautiful Autumn leaves.

Grateful: For a stash of beautiful Autumn papers that I already own.

Inspired:  by Pinterest 31 Days of Thankful prompts.  Lots of free inspiration there. In the end the exchange rate was too much to join in the official 31 Days of Thankful.

Fun: Decorating the house for Autumn, The Harvest & Thanksgiving celebrations.  Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate.  There's the food that is traditionally only made at Thanksgiving - ooohhh pumpkin; there's decorating & there's no pressure of gift giving - just count your blessings. 

TGIF - September 27th

So playing along with Dr Brene Brown's TGIF (Trusting, Grateful, Inspired & Fun)

Trusting: that Mr Man's scheduled (another) new type of treatment for the good eye will work.  It's thankfully 90% covered by our national health plan.  Because of the 3 surgeries on the left eye, the right eye has developed serve dryness.  It apparently is quite a common "reaction".  The treatment will "express" the lipid glands in the eye & one treatment can last up to 6 months!  Now we wait for the appointment.

Grateful: for blog friends' book recommendations.  I think I forgot to mention I read one recommended by Ruth,   The Flatshare, a delightful read,  there was some cooking talk in the book that inspired one of my SPSH finds.  I've just finished one from Karen's List, The Stationery Shop.  I had a lump in my throat at the end which spilled over into tears.  To me it confirms how connected we all are by events & choices we make in reaction to those events.

Inspired:  by this quote;  "We must not confuse the command to love with the disease to please."  ... Lysa Terkeurst

Fun: It's October coming up soon & for Canadians that means the  month of Thankful & Grateful.  The fabulous Cathy Z has a short online workshop for 31/30 Days of Thankful.  I am thankful that Cathy recognizes the need for 31 / 30 days of Thankful for both her Canadian customers, who celebrate Thanksgiving in October, hence 31 days & for her  American customers that celebrate Thanksgiving in November, hence only 30 days.  There is a F/B group which is no cost.  You can sign up here for Cathy Z's online class, which has a cost: czclasses

TGIF - Goodbye August

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme & thanks to all those that follow along.  For many TGIF has meant Thank goodness it's Friday, but Dr Brene Brown has us think outside the box of what TGIF can mean ...

Trusting: that my decision not to renew my contract past Thanksgiving will allow The Universe space to present more enriched opportunities to me.  My boss had offered me a permanent full time position & was disappointed that I said no thank you.  I did waffle back & forth but in the end Mr Man & I felt this was not what we wanted for me/us right now.

Grateful: for the pdf file of Travel/Adventure cards, the gifted scrapbooker, Ruth  sent to me for my own use in my Summer Manifesto album.

Inspired: by a recent borrowing from the library's magazine rack of  Breathe.  Some very interesting & timely articles.  I also noticed a book on the "new table" at the library called "My Year of Rest & Relaxation".   Umm there could be a theme or message resting upon me! 

Fun: it's a long weekend coming up - Labour Day Monday - it's also the last official long weekend of the summer as many return to school & school related jobs.  There will be fireworks!

 

TGIF - August 23rd

Thank you Dr Brene Brown for this meme.

Trusting: that a decision I've made is the right one as it impacts several other people.  I'm such a waffler.

Grateful: that when I fell down the steps at work, nothing was broken or sprained, only damage done was my ego - oh so embarrassed.

Inspired:  by the simple letter exchange it takes one scary word to a most powerful word;   Chance becomes Change. 

 

Fun: a play date with one of my nieces has been planned for the Saturday.  She is one of the sweetness little souls.

TGIF - August 9th

Thank you Dr Brene Brown for this meme.


Trusting:  that this trail/pathway will be open for use soon.  I know that the township is working hard to get this all ready & more importantly, safe for the users.

Grateful:  that I have cats & that my fur girls celebrated their 5th birthday this week.  OK they didn't celebrate, we did ... any reason for cake.

Inspired:  by a recent sketch  to use some of my stash & do something more than just stick photos down.  Although as it lays right now, I'm thinking it just needs a little tweaking of sorts.

Fun:  watching this little beastie enjoy digging in my pots & then feasting upon the seed heads of some of the spent annual flowers.  Oh my I do find chipmunks so cute.

"A garden must combine the poetic & mysterious with a feeling of serenity & joy."  Luis Barragan

TGIF - Fully Quoting August 2nd

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme ...  TGIF = Trusting, Grateful, Inspiring & Fun.

Trusting: 

that this is a good question to ask yourself;  "does this support the life I am trying to create."

Grateful:  

"When ever you are feeling unsure, unimportant, insecure, remember to whom you belong."  Ecclesiastes 2 V19-22

Inspiring:  

"As you are shifting, you will begin to realize that you are not the same person you used to be.  The things you used to tolerate have become intolerable.  When you once remained quiet, you are now speaking your truth.  You are beginning to understand the value of your voice & there are situations that no longer deserve your time focus or energy."

  Fun:  

"I didn't see anyone today, so I'm totally wearing this again tomorrow."

TGIF - July 26th

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme ...

Trusting:  that the medication our vet gave us to give to the fur girls 90 minutes before their vet visit this weekend does the trick of relaxing them & making the whole adventure less stressful for them.  I'm also trusting that the administration of these pills does not result in either Mr Man or myself being clawed!  If any of you have ever tried to pill a cat you know of my fear & trepidation.    

Grateful: to the skills & kindness of my friend.  She was home from her cottage to tend to a few appointments so we got together for tea.  Since she won't be around for my birthday, she presented me with my birthday gift early.  She's an amazing crocheter & she's made me a pretty face wash cloth & market carry bag.  She knows I like pink.  

Inspired: I must admit that there's not a lot inspiring me lately. I've been reading some online articles about battling the thought process we all use of "I deserve it".  This thinking is what often gets us into trouble, either with too much weight, too much debt, too much stuff.  I won't say that I feel inspired by this new information, but I am pondering how in my own life I've justified certain purchases or behaviours with this very thought.  Bad day at work, I deserve that donut, or any other bargaining excuse.  These articles were accompanied with one other article.  There's two things you need to do to create a better version of yourself or your life; (1) stop doing "X'" (fill in the behaviour you want to change & (2) start doing "x" (fill in the positive behaviour)  Seems rather simple, but is it really that simple?  I'm not sure.  

Fun: Mr Man & his best friend have spent a few hours at our local library using the 3D printer, for free, to make knobs & gadgets for their telescopes.  Luckily one of the stock colours of plastic thread the library had, was Celestron orange. Celestron is the maker of their telescopes.  Boys & their toys ...

Source: Internet

TGIF - July 19th

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme ...


Trusting: that the summer clock that is seemingly ticking rather quickly, slows to allow more; more time on the patio with friends; more adventures with Mr Man; more time for crafting & not just more work; more good reads available at the library; more of every blessing.

Grateful: for the kindness of a blogging friend,Karen, who sent me a stamp set - she had two of the same & thought I would enjoy the extra set - I most certainly do.  She also made me this lovely card.

Inspired:  back in May when I mentioned in a post, that Osprey had returned to the area, Eileen at Bracelet of Days asked if I was going to post any photos of the birds.  I was inspired to keep an eye out for when the birds were visible in their nest.  It seems when the days are at their hottest, the birds will stand on the edge of the nest to catch any breeze off the lake.  I was lucky to have not only a hot day, but one where I had my camera with zoom lens & the traffic was light so I could easily pull over (non parking spot) on opposite side of the road to the nest & take a few photos.  The pole is about 30 feet in the air & the nest platform has been added to accommodate the nest & yes that is a plastic bag that the birds have used in building their nest.  It amazes me that the plants grow in the nest.  

Fun:  one particularly naughty fur girl wasn't getting enough of my attention; I was crafting; so she dug into the wastebasket & pulled out this envelope & proceeded to shred.  She was having fun.

"Smiles reach the hard to reach places."  Steve Wilson;  Smiles book from Lady Ella.

TGIF

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme ...

Trusting:  That my excellent intentions regarding my scrapbooking of each month's numbers will get caught up very soon.  I have the numbers, I just need to get them onto the page.

Grateful: Truly grateful for all the medical help there has been for Mr Man's eye problem.  He had quite an upset a few weeks back when it seemed his good eye was struggling.  Turns out he has a condition in that eye of extreme dryness, which turns out can affect your vision. The good eye has been working hard to compensate for the bad eye (the one that had 3 surgeries to it & monthly eye injections).   A good eye drop prescription  & some simple things like warm compresses twice a day are helping - this week doctor & Mr Man are pleased with the improvements.

Inspired: by so many talented scrappers, card makers & blog writers.  While not necessarily a woman's domain, it seems that the majority of those that I follow or read, are women.  I am thankful for an online tribe of woman that inspire me.  I'm inspired by the raising up of women by women to develop & share with the world, our gifts.

Fun: the continuation of our wandering as a Summer Manifesto.  We found a truly delightful back roads way to my favourite scrapping store & discovered a charming little cafe for tea & cakes.  We live in such a rich farming area & with all spring's rain, everything is still green & lush looking.

TGIF -

Thank you to Dr Brene Brown for this meme.
 
Trusting: that the new OFF Backyard & Patio mosquito repellent works!  The mosquitoes are awful this year - large & far too many.

Source: Internet

Grateful: For the shade of the trees 

Inspired:  by the quote from JRR Tolkien; "not all who wander are lost" which prompted me for this year's theme for our Summer Manifesto.  We had purchased a book "Back Roads of Ontario", which has given us 1-2 day out drives but also got me searching for some places that we can wander about in/at.  I think it's going to be a good summer.

Fun:  Mr Man & I recently had a wandering adventure day off the patio & at this particular conservation park, there was a swing bridge over the river .  Neither of us are good with heights, but we dared each other to be brave & walk across & back again. Sometimes pushing each other to do things out of our own mutual comfort zones is fun, but it's still a hard no from both of us to zip line across!!

Me On A Monday - June 10th In TGIF Form

Good Morning.  Yes I'm slipping in the TGIF on a Monday again.  

I'm thinking that I just might change things up for Summer with posting on a Friday rather than a Monday, giving Me On A Monday a summer vacation of sorts,  but not until after this week's Friday SPSH Link In.

The first of the 2019 SPSH link ins happens this Friday, June 14th.  I hope that everyone has being having some fun with the search.

Now back to our regularly scheduled meme ... TGIF = Trusting, Grateful, Inspired, Fun (Thank you Dr Brene Brown).

TRUSTING

Trusting that our anniversary celebrations will also be enjoyable for Mr Man.  He left the where, what, when of celebrating our anniversary together in what ever way I wanted.  I have arranged attendance at an event that speaks to my heart - with horses.

GRATEFUL

Grateful for the connections I've made in the 4 years of blogging.  I started in June 2015 without any idea of where blogging was going to take me, I had no clear plan.  I did not know if it would even last long.   It's continuing to push me in a forward motion.  Yes Grateful for the advice, the sharing, the kindness,  & encouragement.  So very Grateful for all of you.

INSPIRED

I am truly Inspired by this bird of prey, that she/he has so readily adapted to life in the city, that while her/his once,  field & forest home had been turned into a concrete wasteland (I'll say no more about that for now), that she/he is able to still find food & make the most of a situation that was thrust upon her/him.  This bird's situation really does Inspire me to look at some of my own life situations that are not of my making & how I need to adapt, to make the most of what is.

FUN

We had 6 baby black squirrels loose in the garden (again) & we watched them for about an hour, chase, wrestle & well I'm not sure what it was; washing or kissing.  I'm no longer a fan of the six plus Mom as they chase my chipmunks & the squirrels dig huge holes in my flower pots.  Fun - well for a moment or two, but I'm so over this form of entertainment.

Me On A Monday - June 3rd - TGIF

Source: Internet

Good morning all - bet you were wondering if I was confused (again) when I titled this post, Me on A Monday & then co-titled it with TGIF.  Most people think of TGIF as Thank Goodness It's Friday, but I have a new reference to this acronym, thanks to Dr . Brene Brown.  You can read about it here: TGIF - A Weekly Practice

TGIF = Trust, Grateful Inspired & Fun

So today;

Trusting: that June's Angel Thought; Answered Prayer, is right on the nose, on the mark, on the money ...
 

Our church's prayer garden of which I am part of a team trying to bring some tidiness to.

Grateful: for the kindness of other bloggers.  Divers & Sundry helped me discover the name of a book I have longed search for.  I didn't know the author or the name of the book, but in a comment on her blog I mentioned the main character's name & the jest of the story.  She knew it right away.  I now have this book on order.  The book is called An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden, it was my Mother's favourite book from school & she would read it to me. I hope reading it my self will re-connect me with my Mother (in spirit).

 Inspired:  Nature's resolve to just get on with the job of blooming, growing, being.  Truly bloom where you are planted.

Fun: stamping & making cards at my monthly workshop.

So what's your TGIF?