Time To Get Positive!

Enough of the blahs...it's time to think positive and enjoy the simple things in life.

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So, let's put on some beautiful music...

Make a cup of tea or...

yummy hot chocolate!

Get out our knitting basket and get to work.

Isn't this time of year perfect for knitting?

Take time to enjoy a friend...a furry one that is.


Ahhh, a cup of tea for the puppies!

Then, there's all the activity at our bird feeders. I always enjoy watching them...the chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, finches, sparrows, doves...they bring so much life to my backyard even on the coldest day.

And there's that white stuff that starts to fall and the world becomes soft and muffled. Time to turn our thoughts toward Christmas, too, and think about the gift God gave us.

How can anyone have the blahs now?!

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What simple things do you

enjoy each day?

The Blahs...

I have to admit it...I have the blahs. Don't know why, I just do. I can't seem to get motivated, every day kind of feels the same and there seems to be a lot of bad news out there on the air waves.

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Anyone else every get the "blahs"? What do you do to get over them? I need a kick in the pants. :o)

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With Christmas around the corner, I think I'll start concentrating on it as it's my favourite time of year. I also think I need to stop watching the news! I can't handle too much negativity and I seem to be surrounded by too much of it lately. So, onward to more positive thoughts and being thankful.

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Well, it looks like I answered my own question on how to get over the blahs but I'm open to more suggestions or that kick in the pants! :o)

Gwen and Sandra's Tea-Sipping Weekend-Part 3

It's the end of our tea-sipping weekend and what a wonderful time we had! Gwen is such a sweet, loving person...truly beautiful inside and out. We were pen pals, then friends and now I think we could be called best friends. Friendship is important in our lives and I've been blessed with many dear friends such as Gwen.
After morning service at our church on Sunday, we had lunch together and then took Gwen back to a friend's house where she would leave for Ohio in a few days. Gwen's neighbour is orginally from Canada and visits her family regularly, that's how Gwen was able to travel to our part of the world. I've heard from Gwen a few times since our weekend together and she arrived home safe and sound.

I'll end this post with a few pictures of the lovely gifts that Gwen brought me. I opened this gift bag on Friday evening and found these pretty treasures: a tea-themed dishcloth and towel, tea notecards, a "music" journal and pretty beaded bookmark. And, below, two darling tea pictures/frames, aren't they cute?

Wishing you all a blessed week.

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Oh, and Gwen...the porch light is always on! :o)

Gwen and Sandra's Tea-Sipping Weekend-Part 2

I'm a day late in getting to part two of our tea weekend but here it is! We started off Saturday morning at a Canadian institution...yes, Tim Horton's...affectionately known as "Timmy's" around here. :o) I know there are a few of this donut chain in the USA but here in my part of Ontario they are everywhere! I had my favourite muffin that's offered this time of the year, Pumpkin Spice and a cup of tea. After we all filled up on caffeine and sugar, we headed to a local yarn/stitch/spinning store.

The Little Green House opened about a year ago and I've been wanting to stop in to see what it's like. Wow! there are three stores in one...a knitting shop, The Kniterary, a stitching shop, Hedgehog Stitchery and a spinning shop, The Spindle Loft. All three had beautiful items and offering classes. I bought a few cross stitch patterns and even got to try spinning some wool. All three ladies who run these stores were friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be going back often as it's only about ten minutes from my home.

After spending too much time at The Little Green House...my husband thought Gwen and I had decided to move in...we head to Markham, Ontario to visit another tea room for lunch.

"The Old Curiosity Tea Shop" was just wonderful! We loved the interior with it's cozy tea-themed decor. We had a delicious lunch of chicken pot pie and Gwen had Shepherd's Pie. For tea we shared two pot...one was "Markham Victorian" and the other, "Ice Wine Tea". The first tea was good but we all loved the Ice Wine Tea. Gwen and I both bought some to take home.

Don't you love the decorations in this tea room? The owners are a husband and wife team. The wife worked for Royal Doulton and retired ten years ago when they opened this tea room. All the teacups and teapots are Royal Doulton which made the tea extra-special.

After lunch, we head to an antique mall in Cookstown, Ontario. Bill and I have been at this antique mall several times and always enjoy our visits. Both Gwen and I found a few things. From there we stopped at an outlet mall that had a Royal Doulton store. We seemed to have found a few treasures there, too. :o)

Above, are the things I bought at the antique mall, a small Limoges tray with morning glories on it, the purple-coloured bag and a few issues of "Victoria" magazine to add to my collection (forgot to add them to the photo.

At the Royal Doulton store, I bought this teacup pin and beautiful mug. Both are from older patterns they brought back for the company's 100th anniversary.

After our shopping, we headed back to our house and order some delicious Chinese food for supper. It was a good end to a wonderful day.

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I do have a few more photos to share with you so stay tuned for Part three!

Gwen and Sandra's Tea-Sipping Weekend-Part 1

What a wonderful weekend! A dear friend from Ohio, Gwen, came for a visit and spent Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday with us. We met up with Gwen about 9:30 Friday morning and headed out to do some shopping and visit a tea room.

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Our first stop was in the village of Millbrook, Ontario where I knew there was a quilt shop. The owners, a hilarious husband and wife team, were so friendly and a delight to talk to. I took a few pictures such as the beautiful quilt above and the detail below.

Gwen spotted this fabric, below, called "Hanky Panky" and we both loved it. Of course, we each took a panel home to play with. I think we both plan on making pillows. It will be fun to see what each of us comes up with.

From there, we headed to Port Hope, Ontario a beautiful town on Lake Ontario. We had lunch at a tea room called "The Manor On Walton" where a delicious meal was had by all. I had Herb Tomato Soup with Broccoli and Cheese Quiche. For tea, Gwen and I shared a pot of "Buckingham Palace Garden Party" (at least I think that was the name of it).

Of course, we just had to have some dessert so we shared a piece of Pecan Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding with Caramel Sauce...yum!

The host at this tea room was gracious and friendly and the meal excellent.

Gwen and I are raising our teacups to our dear friend Janice (Hi Janice!) and I think my husband is just wishing he could eat, lol!
After lunch we spent a few hours looking around Port Hope and then headed to our house for supper and an evening of visiting. Gwen is such a delight to have around and a very special lady. We had no problem talking and I think even my hubby got a few words in, too. ;o)
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Part Two tomorrow!

Thanksgiving is almost here...

We're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving here in Canada. Next Monday, October 12th is the big day but I get to have an extra-special weekend this year. My friend, Gwen, will be visiting from the US. We have plans to visit some tea rooms, do some shopping and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. My hubby is going to be our chauffeur...don't you feel sorry for him? He's a good sport and is willing to go anywhere as long as you feed him, lol!

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I probably won't be around until after Thanksgiving (I know...I haven't been around too much anyway...sorry) so enjoy these autumn days.

Gobble! Gobble!

Spiced Pumpkin Nut Bread

I found this recipe in an old issue of Martha Stewart Living. I have the ingredients ready to go and will be baking it this afternoon. I thought I'd share the recipe with you. I love pumpkin and can't wait to taste it. I hope it's as good as it sounds!
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Spiced Pumpkin Nut Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 can (15 oz.) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup apple juice
4 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, divided

Mix flour, spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, juice, eggs, oil and extract in large bowl; mix well. Stir in flour mixture and 3/4 cup nuts until moistened.

Spoon into two (9x5-inch) greased loaf pans. Sprinkle remaining nuts over top of loaves.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 2 loaves.
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I'll report back on how the loaf turned out. Please let me know if you decide to try this recipe, too.