Finding joy in the everyday

Richard Geer from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman Often when women discuss a movie they have watched they will talk about how gorgeous (or cute) one of the characters was. I've done this, more than once, many times if I am honest.  The character in most occasions is some handsome male actor.  I can remember watching the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and telling others how handsome Aragon was in the films. I don't think there are many women who have not done this at some point. Most of us are flawed human beings that have minds that wander where they shouldn't.  We generally associate men with perving at women. However women "perv" too, just in a different manner. When men perv, it is out there in the open, everyone can tell, however when women do this it is perhaps more hidden eg comments made whilst watching a movie or talking to a friend at work about a male colleague.  When women are perving at men it isn't quite in the same sexual vein that men d

I  thought I would write a series  called " Keeper of the home for busy ladies ", in particular for those, like me, who work outside the house either full-time or part-time.  However, we are all busy ladies and we all need as much encouragement as possible to get through the week in one piece. Part one , two , three Part 4: Supporting your husband The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Prov 31:11) Just because you and I are busy ladies doesn't mean we can neglect our husbands.  No matter what you do, you are his helpmate and that is a big responsibility and needs to be taken seriously. The Bible is very clear on this " And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. " (Genesis 2:18) I am not perfect when it comes to helping my husband, I stumble and grumble at tim

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  ~ Edith Sitwell T his week is the start of winter. However I think winter has been with us for a few weeks now with our frosty mornings and very cold nights. I don't mind winter, I quite like snuggling under the soft blanket in the evening with my mug of hot chocolate and a good book/film. I quite like the hot soups and crusty bread that one tends to have on a very chilly night or rugging up to go for a walk. Winter is often seen as the least favourable season, but each season has its beauty and winter is just as good as any other season but for different reasons.  Winter tends to make you feel alive, invigorated when that chill hits your face . . . even though the garden can look a little sad, you know that the bulbs will burst into sunshine shortly . . . the sun often shines on a winters afternoon and it so nice

I have decided to do a GIVE AWAY. Why, because it is cold, wet and grey in my small corner of the world and a give away will brighten everything up!!  You don't need to do anything but leave a comment. How easy is that! So what am I giving away . . . 2 cookbooks The Women's Weekly "Cheap Eats"  and The Women's Weekly "Family Favourites" Both are full of great recipes such as: vegetable soup chicken leek and mushroom pies caramelised chicken cutlets spaghetti and meatballs apple pie slice pavlova toffee date and ginger puddings etc.... I use quite a few of the Women's Weekly cookbooks, they are easy to follow and most of the ingredients are already in my pantry.  Not like some recipes that require a trip to the store.  If you wish to participate, leave a comment and an email address. Ruby (my cat) will select the name out of the hat! I will post these cookbooks to one lovely person in any corner of t

A toast of friendship Artist: Susan Rios Website: link I like the art of Susan Rios - it is very feminine and soft - pretty and romantic is a good word to use to define her style.  The art is calm, peaceful and so full of beauty. I look at these paintings and could imagine myself in the setting - such as the one above.  Do check out Susan's website and see far more of her art that I can show. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Rios was raised and now resides in the Los Angeles area. She won an art scholarship to California State University, Northridge. After college she worked briefly for an advertising agency, and later, spent five years working as a floral designer. Maybe that might explain why all her paintings have flowers of some description in them! Rios has her own distinctive style that does not pay homage to any particular school of thought. The blend of illustrative realism and impressionist imagery evoke a soothing, therapeutic response which sets her work

No one said having children was easy and it isn't. It is hard work, sleepless nights (both when little and when big), worry, stress and all those other things.  However all the effort (at times it felt like climbing Mt Everest) that one puts into their children, it is returned beyond measure and when I look at my 24 year old son, I burst with joy.  He isn't perfect, nor am I. We are human with all our faults . . .  regardless, mothers look upon their sons as if they were perfect:)   This photo was taken at our Mothers Day afternoon tea . . . mother and son.  My son and his fiancé took their mothers out for afternoon and spoilt us with a wonderful High Tea. I couldn't have asked for more.  Love your sons dearly. Even when they grow up and leave home as mine have, they still need their mothers.  I get regular phone calls for help and advice . . . or just to chat. I am pretty good at providing advice over the phone these days.  Even though it is sad to far

If you mention porn, most people think men. This is true, most porn is watched and read by men, however there is a growing number of women who are reading pornographic novels.  In the past, many read in secret, however with the rise of the ebook, women are now turning to porn in greater numbers.  Still in secret but now they are read pornographic books without anyone knowing what they are reading. "Sales have always been good," said Tina Haveman, founder of eXtasy books, "but the increase has happened over the last few years because of the new ebook readers that have become available." "Ebooks are cheaper than paperbacks, and easier to buy because of the convenience of the internet," she added, "and people can read them without having to hide them from prying eyes." "You could be a mom, like, sitting in the park on a playday with the moms down the block and you could be reading, like, a real kinky novel and nobody knows," agree

I thought I would write a series called " Keeper of the home for busy ladies ", in particular for those, like me, who work outside the house either full-time or part-time.  However, we are all busy ladies and we all need as much encouragement as possible to get through the week in one piece. These are tips  and ideas for creating a cosy home for our families that don't take many hours to do, but add so much to our love ones lives. Part one , two Part 3: Cooking healthy meals She also rises while it is yet night, And proves food for her household.   (Proverbs 31) Preparing a beef casserole which we had with mashed potatoes and spinach Feeding your family healthy meals made from scratch requires planning. For ladies like me who are out of the home all day at work, this requires a little extra planning - but it is far from impossible. For me, this is essential, it must be one of the boxes I tick as a working mother and wife - to feed my family

Source: me I was waiting in line to purchase some items in the department store Target.  Target had kindly put up a TV on the wall so we had something to watch as we wait - that is, if you enjoy advertisements. Previous advertisements have included baby wear, Manchester, latest fashions and the like. Today's though had me thinking  . . . how times have changed. Today's advertisement involved 6 or so women (they all looked like mums) in their 30s parading around in bras and undies. That is to say, pretty much naked.  This advertisement played over and over again for the entire time I waited (on a large TV screen). It was probably the "ad of the day".  We are so use to seeing almost naked women, that this advertisement didn't raise any eyebrows as no-one really cared or even noticed.  It wasn't a tasteless ad by any means, but that still doesn't hide the fact that we are so use to see semi-naked women that these ads are now completely acceptable to

Apple Blossom by Martin Johnson Heade Rest in the Lord,  and wait patiently for Him Trust in the Lord, and do good;
 Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord,
 Trust also in Him,
 And He shall bring it to pass.
 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
 Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; 
Do not fret—it only causes harm. Psalm 37:1-8

I love to have a good laugh .  I like to laugh with friends and family. I like to have a good laugh with my husband. I particularly like to have a laugh at work -- nothing worse than a whole day without laughter.  Films can make me laugh, funny books can have me in tears, I love it when my son shares with me a YouTube clip that is so funny I am in stitches.  I laugh at the antics that my cats get up to and I laugh when I see funny things when I am out. But I try very hard never to laugh at someone if it will upset someone else. That isn't funny at all. Laughter really is the best medicine.  Have you laughed today? Ruby with her new friend . . . I found this funny and snapped a photo of the two of them! Charlie Chaplin once said " A day without laughter is a day wasted " and how true that is. It is the same as getting enough sunlight and eating ones vegetables. Laughter is as necessary as breathing.  We aren't meant to live joyless lives -- if I am l

Boat Artist: Anatoly Dverin Born: Ukraine, lives in the USA Impressionist style Born in Ukraine, Anatoly Emigrated to the United States 27 years ago. He now resides in Plainville, Massachusetts where he maintains his studio. Dverin earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree and B.A. Degree from the "Kharkov Fine Art Institute" in Ukraine. He also studied in the "Muchina institute" in St. Petersburg, Russia. His future in the USSR was secure with commissions from the Ministry of Culture and various publishing companies. hen, at the expense of giving up everything - college diplomas, precious old sketchbooks, and all personal property except $300 - and being repeatedly intimidated by the KGB, Anatoly immigrated to the United States with his wife and small daughter in 1976. During the last thirty years, Anatoly has worked as a professional illustrator whose astounding draftsmanship and attention to detail is so fine one could assume a colored pencil drawing