a spirit of simplicity

  Orecchiette pasta Rainbow Swiss chard Cannellini beans  Grape tomatoes Shaved Parmesan cheese While the pasta was boiling I cooked the Swiss chard in a sauté pan in olive oil and a bit of the pasta water. You could also use some white wine if you had any on hand. When it was about half-way done I added some tomatoes and when they had burst open I added the beans.  Everything was added to taste and according to what I had on hand.  Yum! ~ ~ ~ The hearth and soul

  Well I was going to spend Sunday at home since I’ve been taking an all day class every Saturday and could use a day at home. But, my daughter, Hannah said she was going to be visiting my daughter, Bonnie on Sunday so I jumped on the chance to be able to spend time with the both of them...and my grandchildren!  The weather has warmed up quite a bit this week which is lovely. I drive past Dane Street beach on my way to work and sometimes it’s just so pretty that I have to pull the car over and take a short walk.  I picked up some tulips at the market the other day. They look so pretty in the morning sunlight.  Tucker’s meow-box came in the mail the other day. He get’s pretty excited when the box filled with toys and catnip comes for him.  Last autumn the toddlers I teach planted teach planted some bulbs.  They are now beginning to come up! It’s rough going to wrastle all the toddlers out of the garden so the flowers may look a little worse for wear...but happy Spring! ~ ~ ~ Friday fave

  Dane Street beach on my way to work in the morning. Sometimes it’s just so pretty I have to pull over and take a little walk. I’ve been taking an all day class on Saturdays and haven’t had much chance for being out of doors. ~ ~ ~ Nature notes Our world Tuesday Pictorial Tuesday Image-in-ing You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  t But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. And whoever would be the first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45 ~ ~ ~ Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  Friday was a profession development day at school for me so there were no students but I attended an on-line AMS conference with some of my colleagues. I was at work on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am through 8:00 pm. I did get to see a few workshops that were thought provoking though. And, I won a raffle! I took home some wonderful teas, and a tea mug with a cover and a strainer! I love it. I shared my raffle basket with a co-worker because there was also an adult colouring book, coloured pencils, and a t-shirt that she wanted.  My oldest daughter, Hannah, called to ask if I would come to her house and help her rearrange and decorate. Of course I said yes!  She had these beautiful white chairs down in her basement because she didn’t know what to do with them. I put them in her office and added a little Asian trunk/table. The art work was done back in the 1940s by her great-aunt. We rearranged things in her bedroom as well...and added a few things and took a few things away.  At th

  My daughter, Hannah, lives in an old Victorian duplex. It’s got beautiful old windows and wooden floors. She’s busy with work and doesn’t have the time to do much decorating. She called me the other day and asked if I could come up and help her do some rearranging and of course  I said, “Yes! I’d love to!” So we spent Sunday afternoon together rearranging her office and bedroom, listening to some of her  Favourite music and talking about poets and documentaries we had recently watched.  She loved the way her rooms ended up looking. “I can’t believe they look this good. I never thought I could have room that look so nice.” She told me.  She has her own style...sort of a little traditional meets a lot of funky. She has some really great artwork that she’s picked up here and there. I just helped her put it all together. It was such a great day with my grown daughter! ~ ~ ~ The hearth and soul Little cottage link party Charming homes and gardens

  T  The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 ~ ~ ~ Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  Little Natalie loves being outdoors. When it’s warm enough my daughter gets her outside. Even at her young age it’s important for her to get out of doors.  Bonnie (my daughter) is looking forward for the weather to change so that the baby can be in her backpack/carrier while she’s gardening. Of course Abigail and Verne love to be outside as well! Abby isn’t quite as fond of the cold as Verne is and usually only lasts about 20 minutes before she’s saying, “I go home now.” She’s only out in the back yard but she wants to go inside where it’s warm.  I don’t blame her.  Verne will stay outside for much longer though. He and his dad will build a little fire and hang out in the back yard or take a walk through the back woods. ~ ~ ~ Pictorial Tuesday   Image-in-ing   Our world Tuesday Take time on Tuesday Nature notes You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  t Create in me a clean heart, O Lord And renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ~ ~ ~ Scripture and a snapshot Sunday scripture blessings You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  I didn't’ get many photos this week.  Sunday was the 5 year anniversary of my step-daughter’s death. In years past this date racked my world for a month. This year I was able to feel the sadness at all she missed but also recognize how blessed I was to be able to have her in my life.  I happened to glance out of the window on Sunday morning to see this beautiful sunset. I think I posted earlier in the week that it was a sunrise because that is what I normally see. By sunset I’m most either at work or driving home. But when I paid more attention to the photo this morning I realized that the sun rises from a different direction than this photo so it must have been sunset.  It’s pretty either way and I’m glad I was able to step out the back door and get a photo.  I got a gift from an old friend when we got together a few weeks ago. She gave me the mug and the Irish part of it prompted me to add some Bailey’s to my hot cocoa.  Michelle over at  Living our days  always has wonderful b

  Sun rising of a morning.... It was so pretty Sunday morning I stepped out back to take a picture. Sometimes it’s all bright orange, red, and pink and other times It’s just sort of a beautiful brightness rising up over this little town that I live in.  ~ ~ ~ Pictorial Tuesday .  Our world Tuesday .  Image-in-ing Nature Notes Take time on Tuesday My corner of the world You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  t But I am like a green olive tree In the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God Forever and ever. Psalm 52:8 ~ ~ ~ Today is the fifth anniversary of the death of my step-daughter, Ashley.  It is not true that it gets easier. You just adjust yourself to it.  Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  I would add a glimmer of dragonfies to the list as well An eclipse of moths A bouquet of flowers A gathering of friends ~ ~ ~ Nature Notes Our world Tuesday    Pictorial Tuesday    Image-in-ing You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  Monday: Quinoa lentil pilaf -roasted chicken breast -steamed broccoli Tuesday: Shepard’s pie Wednesday: roasted tofu, green beans, and mushrooms, basmati rice Thursday: fettuccine with peas, asparagus, and artichokes Friday: pad Thai Saturday: salad and leftovers Sunday: fish, salad, rice ~ ~ ~ The hearth and soul Meal plan Monday Menu plan Monday Little cottage link party

  t And above all these put on love,  which binds all these in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 ~ ~ ~ Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  It was school vacation week and since I work at a school I spent four of those days at my daughter’s house. I spent Monday and Wednesday nights there as well. She appreciated the extra help since my newest granddaughter was just 3 weeks old...well almost 4 weeks old now. She’s growing so fast! We knew my grandson, Verne, would be wonderful with the baby but we were a little concerned with how Abigail would do. We didn’t have to worry though she is doing fine. Verne is such a great big brother that Abby just follows his lead.  My other daughter, Hannah, came to visit one afternoon with presents for all the children. She gave Verne a little wooden sword and he immediately became a pirate. His sister became a pirate as well.  Verne and I watched one of his favourite movies. It’s an old DVD with four short cartoon stories about the American heroes John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunion, and someone else who I can’t remember. It wasn’t a Disney film though and the illustrations were ab

 Into the conservatory  February is mostly a grey month here in New England.  Every once in a while however, the sun comes out and lights up the conservatory of a morning. This is the tiny room where keep most of our instruments, some plants, my pretty desk... And a spot for meditation and devotions. ~ ~ ~ The hearth and soul Little cottage link party You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  t Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,  you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 ~ ~ ~ Scripture and a snapshot Sunday scripture blessings You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  We got two snowstorms in the past week or so.  One all day Sunday and another one on Tuesday. The were both snow that looked beautiful.  My school closed campus for 2 weeks because of COVID so I’ve been working from home. That leaves me with time to do some slow cooking which I love. Onions are the start of all things deliciousness.  I’ve also had the chance to putter around the house and get some deep cleaning done.  I bought a baby BT2 guitar. It’s a small Taylor. I have no idea how to play but I’ve been wanting to learn. I needed a smaller guitar because I am just over 5 feet tall and my husband’s guitar is just too big for me.  I went to visit my grandchildren yesterday. Little Natalie has grown so much in the few short weeks! She’s gained a pound in 2 weeks! She’s such a calm little baby. Verne and Abigail love her so much! ~ ~ ~ Friday Fave Fives Thankful Thursday