Temporarily down

Sorry everyone, due to a crisis with our daughter I am temporarily unable to post, however, as soon as the water calms I'll be back....my sincere thanks for hanging in there.
Blessings,
Joy

Katie and her children's group at camp

Soap making day

Shredded soap from the base I made last week. Looks like grated cheese.

Into the mold and set aside to cool.

First batch cut and trimmed.

Second batch prior to trimming.

At last, after a busy summer I have finally managed to get some soap made. It is always a rewarding experience for me and I am forever fascinated at the way oil and water, which we all have learned simply do not mix, come together to produce a hard, cleansing, bar of bubbly soap.

Today's efforts yielded 12 bars, each weighing around 4 ounces, and because there were 3 separate batches I have three different scents. The first one is tangerine & spice and smells like Christmas! The second batch is one of my all time favourites - rose with a touch of baby powder, and the third is cranberry orange spice which is truly spicy and absolutely mouthwatering.

I have been invited to place some soap bars in our local art gallery so I will be testing these ones out over the next few days on various family members and if I get a thumbs up some of them just might make their way into town. I love to experiment and do my own thing so I am always playing around with the formulas and getting different results which may not go over well if I had steady customers wanting a consistent supply. But the art gallery would allow me the freedom to produce something unique each time meaning it would remain an adventure rather that become a mundane job.

Another new baby in the family! Finally getting these pictures up of little Danae - firstborn daughter of my nephew Andrew and his girl Kat.

This artist makes his music available free for downloading. What a great ministry!

http://www.seandietrich.com/All%20I%20Need%20is%20Jesus.mp3

Sobering Words

"Isn't it staggering when you think that one sermon on the day of Pentecost produced 3000 Christian people? And we had some cities yesterday where 3000 sermons were preached and nobody was saved. And it doesn't even faze us. The church used to be a lightning bolt, now it's a cruise ship. We are not marching to Zion - we are sailing there with ease. In the apostolic church it says they were all amazed - And now in our churches everybody wants to be amused. The church began in the upper room with a bunch of men agonizing, and it's ending in the supper room with a bunch of people organizing. We mistake rattle for revival, and commotion for creation, and action for unction. Look, I think this is a critical hour in history, the most critical hour in history; the Middle East is ready to blow up... the prestige of this nation we love has gone down ... As someone said, "We live in a theater of the absurd...When did you last tiptoe out of the sanctuary when you dare not say a word? The church has to rediscover two things. One, the majesty and the Holiness of God, and the other, the sinfulness of sin."

-Leonard Ravenhill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Ravenhill

http://www.ravenhill.org/

Totally pointless but very cute...

This is the cake our 14 year old granddaughter baked for her own birthday. It was SO delicious with a creamy layer of pudding in the middle and all topped off with fresh strawberries dipped in silky white chocolate.

Where did summer go?

My sister and I with our cousin, Carole

August 20th. How can it be? It seems that all summer long we have been waiting for summer to come and so far it's been a never-ending game of hide and seek. I feel sorry for those who booked their camping holidays expecting warm, dry weather and sunny days for lounging on the beach, and instead encountered rain, and hail, and wind.

For us it has been a summer for doing the jobs which have piled up on us during our busyness of life. We began with the rebuilding of our back sundeck and though it seemed to take forever it is now to the stage where we can use it again. We still have to put down the permanent decking material and stain all the wood, and next spring we will replace the temporary overhead cover with plastic roof panels but for now it is protected so Kelly will be able to BBQ without donning his gumboots and umbrella!

Earlier this month I enjoyed a lovely break with a visit to my sister's home. She is such a wonderful hostess and she spoiled me rotten with delicious meals, lunch and dinner out, going to the movies and strolling through the open air market. We also had a chance to visit with my very special cousin who's home is in the extended care section of the hospital and with several other family members. My sister's hubby is a great guy - easy to please and so gracious in allowing us girls to come and go as we pleased and sit up late watching movies and talking. He never complained even when he had to eat his meals in solitude (that's it! he probably liked the peace and quiet when we were out). Our 3 days went all too quickly.

Once home our attention turned to painting the house. Kelly had tried to get it all finished while I was away as a surprise for me but sadly the weather did not cooperate for him so together we went at it full force as soon as it was dry enough. What he did get done in between rain showers while I was away was all the high up ladder and roof top work and knowing that he was home alone hanging off the roof make me feel extremely uneasy. Had he fallen and injured himself no one would have known and he could very well have spent the day or night lying in a heap on the ground. So as much as I've grumbled about the weather, I recognize that God is in control and I am thankful for the rain which prevented him from doing more than he did.

With the completion of our wood splitting for the year we are both utterly exhausted. We rented a splitter and worked like mad for 2 days straight - through sun and rain. It's done now, all the wood in our stockpile is split and piled to finish drying, ready for the winter months ahead. We are achy, sore and tired but it's a very good feeling to have it done.

A few more areas of the house need a second coat of stain and the flashing and gutters still need paint but for the most part the critical stuff is behind us now. This week , weather permitting, we should be able to get the fence stained and then take a breather.

It has been a very intense yet rewarding summer and though I am usually somewhat reluctant to let go of the season I am now beginning to look forward to the beauty and quiet crispness which autumn brings.

Here are some tiny fleece baby shoes made to look like the old fashioned 'Mary Janes'. In this picture I had just completed the embroidery on the toes using what is called a Boullion Stitch. It's my first attempt at making roses which I needed to learn because I could not find the appliques I had in mind.


Except for the buttons, the shoes are now finished. I was supposed to glue rick-rack around the top but opted instead to trim them with thread to match the fleece. I'm pleased with the result and am now on the look out for some real wool felt to make another pair. I could make my own felt but I'm still a novice in the art and my handmade felt would be too thick to sew up. Maybe I'll try the thrift stores for an old garment I can cut up.

Making Yogurt

We have been enjoying the taste and quality of homemade yogurt for a while now but I must confess I was getting a bit weary of the process.

Yogurt can be made successfully with canning jars and a heating pad. However, our heating pad shuts off automatically so I had to remember to constantly check on it. Several times I got busy outside and when I came indoors found it was off. The yogurt was always good but I was getting stressed out over having to keep such a close watch on it. So, after 25+ years I have taken the plunge and bought another yogurt maker.

What freedom! What liberation! I am no longer a slave to automatic shutoff. This little gadget simply plugs in and keeps on going until I choose to turn it off (what power!) whether it be 3 hours, or 6, or even 10. The yogurt is still tasty, and the 7 little jars make a total of 42 ounces. I only wish the jars were bigger. They hold 6 ounces each but you'd never think so as they look like over sized baby food jars. I kind of liked using 2 - 16 ounce canning jars, it made me feel like I had more product (I know, it's just psychological), but also two big jars was a lot less fiddly than 7 little.

Ah well, I guess there are trade-offs in having convenience and I think I can live with this one.

Happy August and bon appetite,

Joy

A humorous story

A month has passed since I posted anything here so I thought I would put something up so you would all know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth! I set out to post something original but while reading through some devotional material this little story jumped out at me - probably because I see so much of myself (oh dear) in this writer's words.To read People and Laundry click on the link:

http://www.christianwomenonline.net/2007/07/people-and-laundry.html

Have a blessed day,
Joy

Zamfir, our favourite flutist, playing one of my favourite melodies.

My Heart Will Go On

Father's Day 2007

My father, Stanley, 1914 - 2003

Dad left us very suddenly on August 11, 2003. We were shocked and deeply saddened.

The last conversation Dad and I had was about peanut butter cookies for he had come across a recipe on the back of the peanut butter jar which required only 3 ingredients. He was so excited about cooking up a batch that he wanted me to have the recipe too. Sadly, I never found out if he did, and whenever the topic of peanut butter cookies arises I am reminded of our conversation that day and his enthusiasm for such a humble treat.

My dad taught us to be honest and to have integrity. He taught us to keep our word and stick with it when the going gets tough. He taught us that people always matter more than things. And he taught us to appreciate the world around us and the beauty of nature.

He was a loving and generous man who is remembered for his service in his community, his love and compassion for people, his steadfast devotion to his wife of 66 years and their children, and his life-long passion for gardening.

He continues to live on in our hearts.

One of the most delightful gifts a mother can receive has to be flowers.

Especially potted ones. The tiny roses here are snipped from a miniature plant which was a present from my daughters many years ago. Summer after summer the little bush faithfully bears delicate blooms in varying shades of apricot to peach and continues to do so until late into fall. Providing so much beauty and pleasure, they are a constant reminder of a daughter's abounding love.

(Girls - this is in no way intended as a solicitation for more flowers! It's simply appreciation for the many you have already given. Love you all, mum :D )

The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas

1. Just one God.
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa.
3. No tellin' tales or gossipin'.
4. Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
5. Put nothin' before God.
6. No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
7. No killin'.
8. Watch yer mouth.
9. Don't take what ain't yers.
10. Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

The Choice

When I was young I believed that I would go to Heaven when I die as long if I have been good enough. And if I hadn't been good enough then I would simply go to sleep forevermore and that would be the end of me. Nothing too scary - Heaven sounded nice for sure and that's what I wanted but the thought of going to sleep and drifting off into oblivion if I didn't make the grade didn't sound like a painful alternative. After all, I wouldn't even be conscious of anything, right?

WRONG!

That is a lie. There is no such thing as eternal sleep.

There is one, and only one, alternative to Heaven and that alternative is Hell.

The Bible says that while our body will pass away our soul is eternal and that we have one of two places to go after death - either Heaven or Hell. There is nothing in between. And if we are not for God then we are considered to be against Him. The choice is ours and we have to make it before we die because it will be too late after. And God will never force us to choose His way because He wants us to come on our own free will. He has given us the freedom to choose either eternal life or eternal destruction.

The Bible makes it clear that a terrifying, horrific place of pain and suffering referred to as Hell is very real and that those who choose it will still have to give an account of themselves standing before God. Revelation 20:13 says;

"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Described in the Bible as a place of horrendous pain and suffering (because evil resides there) the one and only alternative to Heaven is not my choice. Will it be yours?

p.s. "by their works" does not signify that we can buy our way into Heaven by being good enough or doing good things, for God tells us that is not enough. There is something else required of us. Check it out while there still is time. Read the Gospel of John.

A young bear cub we saw along the roadside when we went for a cook-out last week. He ran and hid by this tree when we backed up to get a closer look.

Our 'Farmer Boy'

...in his glory mowing the grass and making paths so we can hike around all 12 acres. We've always dreamed of making the property into a little park with trails and stops along the way where you can rest your feet or enjoy a picnic lunch. We have a couple of campsites, 'Pine Site', which is closest to the house and so named because it is set amongst the pine trees, and 'OutBack' because it is literally out back. Scorch Hill, which is in the background in the trees, was given it's name years ago by our daughter because it gets so hot there. There is a creek (which runs dry in the summer) and a bridge over it which leads up the hill and out to the back pasture. We usually get about 200 bales of hay off but this year we decided to keep it cut as a way to lessen allergies.

Years ago my sister and I each bought yogurt makers and made our own yogurt with raw milk. It was good but since my yogurt maker died I've been buying it ready made. I like the variety of flavours available but am finding them all too sweet. That led me to buying plain, unsweetened from the health food store at a cost of about $4.00 a litre.

After a little research I found out that it can be made without a yogurt maker if you have a heating pad. I had heard before that you could make it in a thermos or in the oven but my oven doesn't go low enough (lowest setting is 150 degrees) and I don't have a big, wide mouth thermos.

The heating pad worked great! I put the pint sized jars onto the heated pad, folded the pad over the top and covered the whole thing up with a heavy towel. In 4 hours it was ready. It may have been ready even sooner but I forgot about it so it might only take 3 this way.

It turned out very nice, thick and tasty, not too tart and definitely not too sweet! And all it needs is a bit of jam or fruit for flavour and there you have it. Very inexpensive with a litre of milk costing around $1.00!

To learn more about yogurt making at home check out these links:

http://chetday.com/howtomakeyogurt.htm

http://rubyglen.com/kitchen/yogurt.htm

Blessings, Joy

Really Nice Coleslaw

Our weather has finally warmed up and it feels good to be munching on cool, crisp salad for supper.

Coleslaw is a salad we make lots of and I usually just toss the cabbage, carrots, raisins, etc. with some mayonnaise and add some sugar and seasonings. But I found a great recipe for salad dressing which Jill from Living on a Dime has on her site (Crunchy Veggie Salad) and today I adapted it a bit and used it for the slaw.

So what I did was mix about 1/2 cup mayo, scant 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar (could even use a bit more), and lots of coarse black pepper. Pour over the mixture of cabbage, carrots and raisins and add 1/2 tin of drained, crushed pineapple. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This was very tasty with a nice tropical touch and of course the sugar makes you want to eat more and more. But hey, at least the veggies are good for us!

Happy eating,
Joy

My sister just sent this to me and I thought it was worth sharing. Thanks Sylv.

:: A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said," Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like." The Lord led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.

They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and although each of them found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoon back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew, which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well-nourished and laughing and talking.

The holy man said, "I don't understand."

"It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill." "You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy only think of themselves." ::

Kelly - nice hat!

While sorting through our pictures I came across these priceless old ones, a few of which I snapped myself around the age of 10 or 12 with my very first camera. Wonderful inventions cameras are... and what lasting memories they create!

My brother Bryan. Handsome fellow.

My brother's nifty new car

My brother Norman. Very cool guy.

My nephew, David, just learning to walk

'Davie' - He was the cutest little guy you ever did see. He's still pretty cute (his wife would agree).

Oh, to be a Bear!

Here's something cute that I saw the other day.

I Wanna be a Bear

When you're a bear you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months.
I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs.
I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.
I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, I wanna be a bear!

My mother-in-law is the Thrift Queen. She deserves the title because she was recycling long before reclycling became 'fashionable'. Nothing gets wasted around her house because she delights in turning trash into treasure. She has made school desks into coffee tables, table legs into tea trolleys, and tomato juice cans into footstools or what she calls 'bollies'. No fancy schmancy cookbook covers for her, she just slides her book inside a clean bread bag and voila, her pages stay splat free! Even her plastic grocery bags get snipped up and turned into rugs.

When putting away the leftovers after supper today I found myself employing another tactic which my dear MIL taught me long ago as a way to save on plastic wrap. USE BREAD BAGS! Instead of using a clingy wrap (which often won't cover the plate properly anyway) slide the whole thing into a clean bag, twist the end and tuck it under. If the bag isn't wide enough simply slit it up one side and you'll have a little tent which will cover almost any plate. This works great for big items like a roasted chicken or ham, etc. and doesn't cost a penny :-) (it's the scotch in my blood).

If any of you have frugal tips to share I'd love to hear them and post them.

Cheers, Joy

Here's a neat idea which I read while exploring another lady's site. I'd really like to try it!

Flower Pot Grill

:: A good ceramic (terra cotta) flower pot makes the perfect vessel for a quick grill. The ceramic material holds in and focuses heat while insulating the outside. The shape and size of a 10 inch pot is perfect for a few kebabs and the charcoal will stay hot for hours of cooking fun. And, of course, a ceramic flower pot is very inexpensive.

What you want to buy is a good quality 10 or 12 inch ceramic flower pot with two saucer. We'll get to why you need two saucers for each pot later. You will also need some sand, enough to nearly half fill the pot. This is all you need for the grill. Of course you will also need charcoal and some skewers, as well as something to cook, but the grill is done.

Warning: I said that the terra cotta of the flower pot will insulate your grill. This doesn't mean that the pot will not get hot. It will get horribly hot and should be placed somewhere stable and safe. At all times someone should be responsible for each pot you put out and at all times until that pot's fire is extinguished.

A good pot shouldn't have any cracks. Cracks can cause your pot to break when filled with burning coals, and that would be bad.

Preparing the Pot

Place your flower pot onto the saucer. Flower pots have a hole in the bottom and you don't want your sand to pour out through that hole so from this point onward the pot and saucer have to be kept together. Fortunately the saucer will remain cool no matter how hot the pot gets so you can handle the pot by the saucer, but please, be very careful.

The pot needs to be nearly half full of sand. The sand insulated the bottom of the pot from the heat so you can set your flower pot grill on surfaces that won't take the heat. Of course you need to keep flammable materials far away from your flower pot grills.

Building your fire

For a single 10 inch flower pot grill you will want about 12 to 14 standard charcoal briquettes. You will want them burning when they go into the pot. So you need something to light the charcoal in and a way to move the hot coals into the pot.

To light the charcoal a charcoal chimney works great. This will let you quickly and easily light plenty of charcoal. Light the charcoal and with a pair of tongs transfer the burning hot coals into the flowerpot on top of the sand. The coals do not have to be completely ready (white and ashy) yet, but they need to be hot and burning.

Transportation Problem: Moving a hot flower pot grill, heavy with sand and burning coals can be difficult and dangerous. However, filling a flower pot with burning hot coals sitting on a table can also be dangerous. You can choose to do either. I tend to fill the pots on the table and not try to move them too much. I fill the pots with the table clears and everyone a safe distance away. Use a pair of good tongs to pick up the coals one by one to place inside the pot. You need a single layer of coals in your pot. Do not over fill them because the excess heat can cause your pot to crack or break.

Cooking on your Pot
You can spend days trying to find the perfect cooking grate for your flower pot so you can set a single burger patty on it, one at a time. Or you can choose the smart path and go with kebabs for your flower pot cookout. A 10 inch flower pot can hold three good sized kebabs and cook them in about 10 minutes. Since you have the pot handy your guests can take turns grilling up a wide range of foods over the course of the two hours that your flower pot grill will stay hot. Most of all have a good time.

I said that you needed two saucers for each pot but I haven't told you what to do with that second saucer yet. When you are done cooking on your flower pot grill, place the second saucer on top of the pot to extinguish the fire. Warning: Do not pour water into your flower pot grill. The sudden shock of cold can break you pot, making a very big mess. ::

I'm not sure though what she means by a charcoal chimmney, do any of you know?

I've been asked if I would consider making some soaps, etc. to sell at a local farm stand. This would require considerable footwork as I would need to register with Health Canada (yes, in Canada SOAP is considered a cosmetic), and redesign all my labels to comply. Canadian regulations now state that labels must be in both English and French and all ingredients must be listed with the INCI ( International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredient) names. Some of these names are reeeeally long and will be hard to fit on smaller items. Have a look at this list -

Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil

Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil

Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract

and the list goes on.........

Thankfully, water is simply 'Aqua'.

A big undertaking. I would need lots of prayer for this one.

A tribute to my mother on Mother's Day

My mother left her earthly home in 2003. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever known; so sweet and gentle, loving and kind, and I'm so thankful she was mine.

She had 5 children and endured all our childish antics with the utmost of patience - no matter what we did she loved us all the same. She had 19 grandchildren and gave lovingly and generously to each and every one.

We miss her terribly but take solace in the fact that the day will come when we will be together once again.

I came accross this little poem which, I'm convinced, must have been written about her...

WONDERFUL MOTHER

God made a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He molded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful mother,

And He gave that dear mother to me.

(by Pat O'Reilly)

My mother's favourite song

A short little story from another family who also lost their 'girls' to predators .

Click link to read.

http://www.joshharris.com/2006/02/tragedy_at_the_harris_farm.php

Me. [with dripping paintbrush in hand] Hello?
She. Hello!
Me. [a little slower - not sure who it is] Hel...lo.
She. [with a little giggle] Hello!
Me. Can I help you?
She. [chuckling] Have you got the tea on?
Me. Pardon me?
She. [laughing harder] Have you got the tea on?
Me. Tea??? Um...ah...who might you be looking for?
She. We just thought we'd come for tea.
Me. Ummm...okay, but who are you looking for?
She. [totally cracked up by now] You're not my daughter, are you.
Me. [laughing] Ah...I don't think so.
She. Oh, I am so very sorry! My daughter does this to me all the time. She changes her voice when I call her to make me think I've got the wrong number. Oh, I sure hope I didn't take you away from anything important.
Me. [laughing hard, phone in one hand, paintbrush in the other] Oh, no, that's okay. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who has does things like that!
She. [after saying "what? "to someone in the background] Oh, Hank says where do you live? We'll come for tea anyway.
Me. I'll put the kettle on.

And so goes the hilarious phone conversation with a complete stranger this past week. I do love the comical events in life that pop up so unexpectedly and leave us chuckling for hours or even weeks later.

A little squirrel waiting for breakfast. Note the hummingbird in the top right corner. You can click on the picture to enlarge it.

A new way to play Solitaire

Yes... that is a wireless mouse in Kelly's hand, and he has found a new way to play his favourite game.

my brother Norm, sister-in-law Lois, and their very first grand baby, Cadel. Cadel is a welsh name and is pronounced caDEL (as in cadet).

Our very dear friends with whom we have shared many happy times. They moved to the UK in November and, needless to say, they are sorely missed.

Eggs Again!

Our new hens have arrived and have started production! March 24th the first 6 came in and just 3 weeks later the first eggs made their appearance.

Our supplier was shorted on their order - they were expecting 450 hens and only received 125 so we were fortunate to get any at all. April 21st we were able to get 4 more so we now have 10. They were quite skitterish at first but after lots of coaxing and hand feeding they learned to trust us and they now run to meet us when we approach the gate. They do their little chicken dance and follow us around waiting for us to dish out some yummy sunflower seed or turn over rocks so they can get the bugs. We're getting 5 to 6 eggs a day now and the eggs are increasing in size so it won't be long before we will be able to sell again. Proceeds from egg sales go to our daughter who is disabled and cannot work so has very little money for the fun things in life. However, selling eggs provides her with funds to do things like go out for tea or lunch, see a movie, or buy an ice-cream treat.

The other 4 should be laying in the next week or two so all is well in the little hen house in Gumboot Country.

O Lord, how many and varied are Your works!

In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.

Psalm 104: 24

Thank you to those of you who have left comments - it's great to hear from you.
For those of you who have tried and have been unable to because it required a Google account, I have now changed the settings. All comments will still be moderated (approved before being published) in order to filter out any undesirable graffiti but the whole process is very simple. Write your comment, type the random letters that appear in the box provided (prevents automated responses) and choose 'other' or 'anonymous'. Your comment will be sent to my email address, and from there I can publish it.

The most recent sweet addition to our family, my great-nephew.

Dark and Rich Hot Chocolate

We are hooked on dark chocolate.

But we have found a supply of high quality bars which are made near our own home town. Though they are somewhat expensive, we find we don't have to devour the whole thing in order to satisfy our craving. One piece will do it. So one bar actually lasts the two of us for three days which, in reality, makes it cheaper than corner store candy bars.

However, since we've become accustomed to dark chocolate my husband has found his favourite hot drink, a comforting cup of Nestle's cocoa, no longer tastes so good. The supermarkets and health food stores do carry different brands of a richer dark chocolate mix but they seem quite expensive so my husband came up with his own solution. He simply adds some good old fashioned cocoa powder to the usual amount of Nestle's Quick and wow - what a difference!

Here's what we do to make one cup;

Place 2 teaspoons of powdered Nestle's Quick (or other brand) into a cup.

Add 1 teaspoon unsweetened dark cocoa powder (I buy the Dutch process dark chocolate from our health store as I find Fry's just isn't dark enough)

Mix well, adding just enough cream to make a thick paste.

Stir until smooth and fill cup with boiling water.

Stir well and add cream.

Delicious!

Extra special topped off with a dollop of whipped cream and some shaved chocolate, and you will feel like you've sipped on something decadent from a ritzy coffee house!

She shares a little story

We just celebrated our aunt's 85th birthday last evening with a family dinner. It was a fun evening and a great time to reconnect with cousins which I haven't seen for many years. Our aunt is a peppy little gal who spreads cheer and happiness wherever she goes - a very special lady indeed!

My brother Don

He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 16: 20

Can't believe it's March 2nd

Happy March Everyone!

So far this year the old time rhyme rings true - "in like a lion, out like a lamb". Well... in like a lion it is with snow falling here again today making it the 3rd time this week. Hopefully the other half of the jingle will also prove true with the month of March going 'out like a lamb'.

I was going to head off to town to look at some bathroom rugs, and back splash material (maybe tin??) for my new appliance/message centre in the kitchen but it appears to be more of a baking and project day instead as the snow is actually falling quite heavily. I am quite content to be at home :-)