Finding joy in the everyday

Artist: Anton Pieck 1895-1987 Dutch illustrator best known for his fairy-tale like characters. Are you reminded of Hans Christian Anderson when you look at these paintings? ****

Do you make coleslaw? What do you put in yours? I love coleslaw in summer and we eat it quite often. However I only recently discovered that the recipe I make is not the same as anyone else. Like many people, I make some dishes just the way my mum made them and one of these is  coleslaw. My coleslaw is made from: cabbage (either  only   green  or a mix of red and green) grated carrot grated cheese mayonnaise plus (and this does stray from mum's recipe) I add maple syrup (just a dash to the mayonnaise), diced red onion and sometimes pine nuts.  I discovered that no one adds cheese to their coleslaw.  Why not? It makes it so good. It adds protein to the dish, it makes it cheesy and it makes it much more filling for hungry mouths.  However I recommend a good quality cheese with a bit of bite - not processed cheese if you can avoid it.  Are you willing to give this a go and add cheese the next time you make coleslaw? *** PS d

The Dinner Party by Sir Henry Cole You are planning a  dinner party and you are allow to invite six people that most fascinate you, they need to be famous? Who are you going to invite? You need to have a combination of those who are alive today and those who have since died? Please note that you are not allowed to invite people from Biblical times just to make it a little more tricky.    Mrs Isabella Beeton (1836 - 1865): What a fascinating lady and she would be able to give me plenty of household tips and advice! Corrie Ten Boom (1892 - 1983): survivor of the Holocaust, author of many books including "The Hiding Place".  She would certainly be a great comfort and full of Elisabeth Elliot (born 1926): A remarkable lady who has been a missionary, mother, wife, author and has shared her love for Christ through her many books. Michael Palin (born 1943): British writer, documentary maker, traveller and comedian - all round gentleman who would

Source Great love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends John 15:13 Do you have someone to talk to?  Someone who you can vent to, share your feelings with, disappointments and joys with, ask for spiritual help and guidance with.  For Christian women it can be very isolating and lonely at times. For me it certainly has been. I have friends, but they aren't Christian friends, therefore they don't always understand my point of view or they aren't close enough to really share some issues with.  They don't understand the concept of being a helpmate, or the importances of home and certainly  have no understanding of what life is like when living as a Christian. They cannot offer advise on many facets of Christian life. And they are unable to let me know if I am straying and need a little help. These things are better shared with other Christian women. Christian friendship is so important and we mustn't cut ourse

Artist: Clarence Cole Phillips 1880 - 1927 (died at the age of 47) American artist and illustrator Best known for his stylised women on the covers of popular magazines and for his use of negative space used in adverting. Here are some examples of his use of negative space (I think they are so clever) and a couple of his magazine covers. The painting above is my favourite, which one is yours? Enjoy. ****

A few weeks ago I participated in the GROW YOUR BLOG party and met lots of lovely bloggers. As a special thankyou I am giving away 2 gifts and the winners of these gifts are: Bernadett Rauski petite-armoire2.blogspot.com.au Bernadett from Serbia and according to her bio  teaches  English to young learners (I hope her students are eager to learn!), a mother of two daughters, a wife, a cross stitcher and a crocheter. Terry from  A Calendar of Gratitude http://acalendarofgratitude.blogspot.com.au This is one busy lady, according to her bio  " I  am a wife, mother, teacher, knitter, crocheter, felter. I am a wife to Gary. We have been happily married for 32 years. I am a mother to 25-year-old quadruplets.  I start my day, every day, by putting on a load of wash, making a cup of coffee, and drinking that first cup of coffee of the day alone with God. I love my life!  "   Congratulations ladies.  I will contact you to gather your details so I c

Source “If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”  Stephen Fry Up until recently I didn't really understand depression, I found it frustrating, why couldn't a person just "pull up their socks" and get on with living. It really can't be that bad - every problem can be solved. If I can do it, why can't they.  Because they can't .  It is that simple. "Every thought is a battle,  every breath is a war,  and I don't think I'm winning anymore"  (author unknown) It is far more common that we would like t

Love not the world, neither the things  that are  in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:35) There is something I have been pondering of late and something all Christian think about - and that is, the difficult task of being a Christian who is living in this world but trying hard to remain  separate from this world .  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   (Romans 12:2) This is tough and certainly one that I have struggle with more times than I would like to admit. There is a fine line between mingling with this fallen world on a daily basis (as one does when they go off to work) and not getting caught up worldly activities that look very attracting and inviting but quickly drag you downwards away from Christ. The world is always calling (Satan is very convincing), wanting us to join in.

Painting by Gregory Frank Harris, 1953 "True friends are always together in spirit" Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery The chocolate brownies are cooling.  The muffins are waiting to be eaten (banana, honey and cinnamon) The kettle has boiled.  The best china is ready. The tablecloth is ironed.  Its time for afternoon tea with all my new friends that I have made through GROW YOUR BLOG  and to all my old dear friends that I have known for ages. You are all welcome.  I can't wait to meet you all and have a chat.  It is raining at the moment so sadly afternoon tea will need to be indoors, but thats ok, it will be lovely and cosy. "We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh? asked Piglet.  Even longer' Pooh answered. from Winnie-the-Pooh - A.A. Milne Many thanks for all those who have dropped by my blog and said hi.  It was so nice to meet you and I do hope we get to know ea

Art Friday: All about love Today is Valentine's Day which means it is all about love  - so here are a collection of romantic paintings all about love. Love is kind Love is tender Love is doing things together even in the rain Love is precious and should not be treated lightly Love is joy Love is best friends forever Love brings peace and comfort Love creates two into one Love it doing things together Love is wanting to spending every moment with your perfect match Love is making music together Love is hard work, but worth every cent Love isn't just for the young Love is perfect when you find the perfect person ***