a spirit of simplicity

  t Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; They shout for joy, they also sing. Psalm 65:11-13 ~ ~ ~ Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  My grandchildren stayed over at my house last weekend! On Sunday morning we walked to Crocker park to watch the sailboat races. It was rainy so we wore our raincoats. On Saturday afternoon we walked around the corner to Screaming lady’s cove and threw rocks into the tide pools. Big rocks make big splashes! Saturday was bright and sunny so we walked around the corner to Screaming Lady’s cove And threw rocks in the water. The biggest rocks make the biggest splashes! My brother and sister-in-law came over and she always brings a bag of goodies for the children. She is a pre-school teacher and Verne and Abby love her! Abbie is painting with watercolour and having a wonderful time! We also went out to lunch with my mum (Reetsie) Verne ordered a hotdog which he said he didn’t really want and then proceeded to eat the entire thing And a bag of chips! My favourite part was when we walked to the harbour and Verne said, “I’m happy! I always have fun when I’m with you, Hopie!” Just about melted

Sunday morning sailboat races. It was rainy and cold when we woke but that didn’t stop us from donning our raincoats and walking to Crocker park for the best viewing of the sailboat races! We noticed that other folks were heading in that direction also. We saw big dogs and little dogs being walked up the hill and over the grass to the edge of the harbor to see which boat would come in first.  Three each of red, yellow, blue, and green sails. 3+3+3+3=12 boats dancing across the harbour in the rain And 2 children watching from the shore. When things got too wet we ducked past the daffodils and into the gazebo to stay dry. 

  The children in my class discovered a branch that the wind had blown down while in the playground this week. We explored all of the lichen that had grown on it and peeled off some of the bark to examine the tiny pathways that insects had made in the wood. ~ The yellow house across the street has chickens in the yard. Here in my little town there aren’t too many chickens and I love to hear them in the morning. The other day my mum was going for a short stroll and noticed the neighbor planting pansies in her window box. I should say that my mum is 86 years old and has always greeted people she sees and that we live (she in the first floor apartment and my husband and I in the second floor apartment) on a very narrow little lane in Marblehead, MA where many of the homes are pre-revolutionary and many of the roads are more narrow than most driveways. In New England, spring time means greeting your neighbors after a long hibernation. When my mum got home from her little stroll the neighbo

  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