Finding joy in the everyday

Did you know that dogs have toes and they can break.  I know this now as our Doberman (Brenin)  has one broken toe (front paw).  At first we thought he had a grass seed in the pad of his paw as he was limping, but when it started to swell and he wouldn’t let us touch it we decided it must be much worse.  So off to the vet on Wednesday morning to have  an x-ray.   He came home Wednesday night looking very miserable — wearing his “bucket” to stop him touching the bandaged foot, he was one very unhappy Doberman.  It will takes between 4 to 6 weeks to fully heal and during this time, NO RUNNING.  OK, if you tell a human, they understand, how do you tell a dog that they cannot run.  So, my husband is at home for the rest of this week and next to “dog sit”.  He has moved his recreational leave forward so he can be at home. He doesn't usually come inside, but he looked so sad, they we let him lie on the couch in the evening and sleep i...

People tend to remember negative images more than they do positive ones, according to a study conducted by the University of Chicago (I certainly do).   Those that are most negative tend to stick in our minds way too long (just image what they do in childrens minds?) - reports of tragedies, diseases economic downturns etc....  However for Katherine Hankey she was far more interested in "good news".  In 1866 she became very ill, as she lay in bed her thoughts turned to the Lord and she thought of all the people she had shared the wonderful story of Jesus. That's when she decided to write a poem which later became the hymn "Tell me the old, old story.   We never tire of hearing the story that because of His great love God sent His one and only Son to this earth (John 3:16).  He lived a perfect life, took our sins upon Himself when He was crucified, and 3 days later rose again (Luke 23:44 - 24:3).  When we receive Him as our Saviour, we are given eternal lif...

There is a painting in the Art Gallery of South Australia that I have loved every since I first saw it when I was teenager and I love it still - it projects tranquility and peace of a time long gone. I thought I would share it with you.  Title: Evening shadows, backwater of the Murray, South Australia Artist: H J Johnstone (1835-1907) This is a large oil painting (120.6 cm x 184.1 cm), created by H J Johnstone, that depicts a twilight scene on the backwaters of the Murray River (which runs through South Australia) in the late 19th century. The fading light has almost turned the giant red river gums that dominate the scene into silhouettes, exaggerating the bulk of their trunks and the twisted angles of their limbs. Two Indigenous people are sitting alongside a bark hut and a campfire - a third person is about to cross a fallen tree that spans the river to join them. This is an apparently timeless, pre-British colonial scene; however, a small clue, the blanket around the shoul...

I have two sons and no daughters.  I am an only daughter with three brothers.  My mother taught all my brothers to cook, clean and to knit (not sure why the later was necessary, but they all learnt to make a mean bath mat, but I doubt they have used this skill in their adult lives??!!). I have been reading a number of blogs recently regarding the teaching of daughters to become homemakers and not much (nothing to be honest) on bringing up boys to also contribute to the home.  I think it is very important to teach boys the basics, you never know when they might need these skills. Cooking :  Both my sons have been taught to cook, not just boil an egg but to make a full meal including trying different recipes and test out ideas – Tristan loves making fish soups and casseroles whilst Caius is great with pasta.   They can both read recipes and I noticed that Tristan cut a recipe from the newspaper the other day as he wanted to make it.  They can bake (Tri...

Today is the Queen's Birthday and we celebrate it on the second Monday of June each year.  It isn’t really Queen Liz’s birthday - that occurs on the 21st of April.  So technically she has already had her cake and eaten it (and I wasn’t invited to share).  Up until 1936 it was held on the actual birthday of the Monarch, but after the death of George V it was decided to keep the date on the second Monday in June - I suppose it was easier to remember and didn't bump into Easter and ANZAC Day. How do I celebrate the Queen’s birthday - well sometimes I don’t even think about her all day.  I usually have a sleep-in and enjoy the day off from work.  * * *   Zucchini & feta fritters Ingredients (serves 8) 6 (about 700g) green zucchini, coarsely grated 2 tsp salt 3 green shallots, ends trimmed, thinly sliced 1 cup firmly packed finely chopped fresh continental parsley 200g feta, coarsely crumbled 75g (1/2 cup) plain flour 3 eggs, lightly whisked Fr...

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah (words by Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) Mine eyes have seen the glory Of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage Where the grapes of wrath are stor'd; He hath loos'd the fateful lightning Of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on . I have seen Him in the watch-fires Of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar In the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence By the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on. (chores) I have read a fiery gospel Writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with My contemners, So with you My grace shall deal:" Let the Hero born of woman Crush the serpent with His heel, Since God is marching on. (chores) He has sounded forth the trumpet That shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men Before His judg...

Breakfast in bed - don't get too jealous, this wasn't me this morning (above) - I got out of bed and made breakfast myself before climbing back into bed with crumpets and honey and a mug of Jasmine Tea.  I do this every Saturday and Sunday, it makes for a very relaxing start to the day. (and perfect on a very cold and frosty winters morning)  I usually eat my breakfast and read but need to be very careful not to get honey on my book or down the front of my nightie!!  Ruby curls up next to me feeling very content. After breakfast I set off on a journey across the border into New South Wales to visit Spotlight (they sell fabric, crafty things, Manchester etc..)  - I was hunting for fabric to be made into a pinafore for winter.  Found just what I was looking for which I was thrilled with (you will have to wait to see the finished product!).  I also wandered around checking out other stuff but becuase I was being frugal I only bought  a fitted bed sheet (...