a spirit of simplicity

  ~ ~ ~ t This is my commandant: love one another as I love you. John 15:12 My mother left me many gifts. Though she’s been gone just over a year now I still stumble upon ordinary and unforgettable things when I am moving through my day.  Searching unsuccessfully for my old apple pie recipe I finally turned to my mum’s old Fanny Farmer cook book. It’s a bit tattered and I don’t open it very often because my hands have reached the age where I can tell just how much to put where just by the feel of things. The cover of the book fell open and I glanced down to see the handwriting of one of my my mother’s dearest an oldest friends. It was dated August of 1977. I can’t remember what was happening at that time or why Nancy would have gifted my mum this book back then. Perhaps we had just moved… It made me pause to think about how many women’s life long friendships the Fanny Farmer cook book has seen. How many women making apple pie or creamed asparagus to bring to a friend in need? My mother

  Today is the first day of the Marblehead Festival of Arts! The little harbour town that I live in has been having a festival of arts every Fourth of July since 1966! It lasts for 5 days, this year it runs from 1 July through 4 July. There are all kinds of artwork displayed in churches and antique buildings, there is music daily in Crocker park, and on the Fourth there is a beautiful harbour illumination and fireworks!  I happened to notice a sweet little mama robin and her baby in a nest just under the stairway as I looked out the guest room window into the back garden. As I watched them the mama flew away and came back with a treat for her little one.  Joe and I treated ourselves to lobster rolls on Tuesday evening.  They were made my very favourite way, warm with nothing but butter and a little bit of seasonings. So delicious!  Fort Sewell  is located just up the street from me and was recently renovated. The held a celebration for the town which included the Glover Regiment lighti

So much has happened! I hardly know how to begin my story. It may be best if I start where I am and ramble my way in a sort of backwards direction.  Perhaps you might like a cup of tea? We have pie. If we are to begin where we are then it is just here at the edge of the harbour in our quiet little town  At the very beginning of the Fourth of July. Of an evening Joe and I strolled down to the town landing to watch the world for a little while. This young man was cleaning out the bait in his traps and tossing treats out to the seagulls who were quite courteous and patient which is very unlike their normally greedy and loud behavior.  As you can see the harbour is full in high summer.  I’ve heard it said that in mid July, if you had a mind to, you could jump across the harbour, from boat to boat and never get your feet wet. Joe and I are quite content to sit on a bench by the water and enjoy the gloaming. It sure is pretty at this time of year.  Tomorrow I shall endeavor to tell you more

  Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter, Bonnie. She brings me so much joy. My first snow day of the year! I work at a Montessori school and we are getting our first big snow storm of the year so.... SNOW DAY!!  I made my own hummus last weekend. It was delicious. I added a little bit of turmeric along with the chickpeas, lemon, tahini, and garlic.  I plan on eating a more plant based diet this year. It's only been a week and I'm already feeling better. I did eat two slices of mushroom pizza last night and ended up having heartburn so it will be a good long time before I eat dairy again.  Each month one of our families brings in a bouquet of flowers.  We cut most of the stems off and place them on a tray which we place on the children's table.  We place another tray with a very small pitcher and a few very small bud vases.  The child fills up the pitcher using water from the bathroom sink, brings it back to the table and pours the water in a bud vase of their choosing. Th

 t When they saw the star,  they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ~ ~ ~ scripture and a snapshot Sunday Scripture Blessings You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter