Crafty

I was blessed with a number of plants this Christmas.  The Poinsettias came in regular brown pots and I didn't have anything to put them in, so I've decorated them all Christmassy.

This one was in a basket, but I thought it needed jazzing up a bit.

The next two came in rather nice pots, so I didn't need to change anything.  Does anyone know what the white flowers are in these two?  The flowers in the second pot are much bigger but seem to be of the same variety.

Chatterbox is upstairs with the flu, poor thing she was so feverish last night, I was a little worried.  She is still hot this morning but not as bad and is a little more cheerful.

Squidge has been busy in the meantime.

She is teaching herself to knit here.  It involves a great deal of getting very cross and frustrated and I'm not allowed to help! :)

I'll get my latest two Advent posts up later on today.  I must get on we have a dentist appointment.

Happy Homemaker Monday/Daybook Online Journal - 22nd December

Just a little change from my Jesse Tree series of devotions for Advent that I've been posting...are you impressed though that - apart from being late with a couple - I've managed to keep up with it!? *pleased with self*

I came across this at a blog called The Littlest Way and thought I'd join in with her Daybook Online Journal along with Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday because some of the prompts are very similar. :)

The weather outside is...

Windy, damp and fairly mild for this time of the year.  It's about 10°C (50°F)

On the breakfast plate this morning...

Raisin loaf with cinnamon spread with butter and golden syrup...mmmmm.

As I look outside my window...

I am distressed by the garden...we moved here in November and it's just been too rainy to do anything about it.  It's rather overgrown and the grass is 90% moss, but I've got a summer house! Yay!

Right now I am...

Writing this post...getting frustrated with my camera because my pictures keep coming out blurred even though I have the vibration adjust wobby-hand thing set.

Listening to…

The ticking of the clock in the kitchen.  Chatterbox humming upstairs.

Currently Reading…

1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and Exodus in the Bible.  It's my second time of reading 1000 Gifts and I'll do a review after Christmas.

In the Kitchen/On the Menu This Week/New Recipe…

No fires...hopefully...which, with my cooking, is always a bonus.  Probably will do pasta bake tonight for tea (NB: for the uninitiated when I say 'tea' in reference to a meal it refers to the evening meal, this is an expression used by people from the North of England who are generally of working class descent).
When I say 'tea' as in a drink I mean...well...tea.

As I Look Around the House…

I see lots of things that need changing...like the awful curtains and light fittings we were blessed with when we moved into this house.  We're going out later to get a curtain pole for the living room to put up some nicer curtains.  But I love my new house.  Here's a pic of the living room/dining room which is all one room (I'll do the rest of the house when I have time), and some pics of the countryside just up the street.

Blogging station and Boots - she still hasn't settled in this house, very nervous.

On Today's To Do List...

Buy curtain rail.
Buy bathroom sealant (I'm convinced the shower is leaking).
Buy slats for Squidge's bed which she's managed to break.
Laundry.
Ironing.
Run the vacuum around.
Get the girls to clean out the guinea pigs.


On the TV Today...

Just watched Cinderella Story with the girls.
Want to watch Expendables 3 (I'm a sucker for cheesy action-man films).

The Week Ahead…

Christmas!!  Never move house just before Christmas...just sayin...

Captured/Favourite Photo from the Camera…

Boot's toes

Praying for…

Sick family and friends, there's so much going around at the moment.  We've had our fair-share too.

Pondering…

The things that need doing around the house.

In Our Domestic Church…

Our Jesse Tree daily (ahem read 'usually' daily) devotions.

So there we are Happy Monday!

I want to know him. Day 13 Advent.

Now I've caught up on the Jesse Tree series...huzzah...see also It's OK to Fail because He never does and Drawn Close to God for the other two.

Scripture:

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, ‘You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’

6 But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king'.- 1 Samuel 8

Name of Jesus: King
Symbol: Crown

Devotional: 

‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king'

This is prophetic. Hear what the people said to Pilate about Jesus

But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’
‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked.
‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered. - John 19:5

These people didn't know Christ was King...if they had truly known Him they wouldn't have rejected Him.  The chief priests were threatened by Him, they wanted to be in control and so they bowed their heads to the one who allowed them control over their religious realm - Caesar.  I believe the people rejected Christ as King because He didn't look like what they expected a king to be and He certainly didn't overthrow the Romans like they hoped.  And so, those voices that sang Hosanna as He rode into Jerusalem were soon crying out, "Crucify him!"  They were disappointed because they expected the Messiah to be a warrior.

But Christ is a warrior.  But He is also a Lamb.  The Lion and the Lamb.  He is conqueror, but He is also the rejected King.

I wonder if any of those who shouted, "Crucify him!" were amongst those 500 who saw Him after the resurrection?  I wonder what they did?

But the issue here for me is knowing Him.  The more I know Him, the more I trust Him as King over my life and the less likely I am to reject His ways or bow down to the modern Caesars.  We only freely follow someone we trust.

Oh Lord, may the eyes of my heart be fully opened that I may know You.  To know You deep in my heart.  That I may trust You implicitly.

Until that day Lord, strengthen me each moment in You.  You are my strength and my Redeemer.

Come Lord Jesus!

Happy Advent!

Book Review: Take Back Your Life

4 stars

This book is written primarily for those who are recovering from cults and abusive relationships, but also for those who have friends and family members who are in cults or abusive relationships to help them understand what is going on. I was personally interested in it because I was brought up in a rather cultish church and I could certainly identify with a great deal that the authors wrote about.

It's an excellent read, easy to follow but very indepth. Although it does cover abusive one-to-one relationships briefly, its main content is directed at those who are cult survivors (who are basically in an abusive relationship with a group or the leader of a group). It doesn't just look at the experiences of those who have come from relgious cults, but also from family cults, new age cults, eastern cults, political cults, psychotherapy cults and even marketing cults.

I found it very helpful to identify how I perceive boundaries and how I allow other people's emotions (or my perception of other people's emotions) to control my thinking and behaviour. It helped me to see that this kind of thinking is merely indoctrination and is not necessarily part of my natural personality. That was a rather freeing discovery.

The book also has useful indictors of what a cult is and how normal, healthy, intelligent people can be indoctrinated and 'brain-washed' by cults and cult leaders. It answers the age old question that cult survivors ask and interested parties ask: If it was so bad and so damaging and so controlling, why didn't I/you just leave?

Towards the end of the book, the authors look at helpful and unhelpful counselling. This is an important aspect of cult recovery. A cult survivor really doesn't need another 'guru' to control or 'guide' them in any way - even a well-meaning counsellor. The client/therapist relationship should be one of equals and must progress as the client is ready. The book describes the possible pitfalls of certain types of counselling and warns that some counsellors may not understand enough about cult dynamics to be helpful. It then gives tips to finding a good therapist/counsellor.

Overall a very good book. My only real criticism is that I think it would be better to have dealt with one-to-one abusive relationships in a separate book, that section felt rushed. Although, on the other hand, I did find it helpful to look at how a cult is really just like an abusive relationship. I particularly enjoyed reading the survivors stories that were included. In all, a very interesting read.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 15th September 2014

For more Happy Homemaker Mondays visit Sandra!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::

This morning I had blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, Greek yogurt, linseed and granola.  Mmmm.  With a glass of apple juice and a black coffee.

On today's to do list::::

Go to grandma's whilst she has a shower and do her cleaning.
Helping Dad with decorating at their house.
Grocery shopping.
Taking Squidge to gymnastics and Chatterbox to her church youth group.

Currently reading::::

'Why, Despite Everything, Christianity can still make Surprising Emotional Sense' by Francis Spufford.

I've just finished 'Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes' by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O'Brien, and 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp.  I'm hoping to do some Good Reads reviews, if I get time, and I'll post them here.

On the TV today::::

A History of Britain with Simon Schama and old episodes of NCIS.

The weather outside is::::

Very damp.

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

Read! Yay!  Do some Good Reads reviews.


In the garden::::

Too damp to do anything today.  But I'm just trying to keep it tidy for when the new people move in, so nothing new being done.

Favourite photo[s] from the camera::::

Photos from our holiday in Devon.  I was playing around with 'Dramatic' setting on my camera.  I got some nice ol' spooky photos. :)

St Nicholas's church in Ringmore, Shaldon.  A 13th century chapel.

The obligatory yew tree found in ye olde churchyards in England.

A cottage in the village

Kingswear Castle on Dartmouth River

Eagle Owl, part of a falconry display at Powderham Castle

A stag at Powderham

Sunset view from our cottage garden

View towards our cottage, you can see the thatched roof at the end.

Homemaking Tip::::

Don't sweat the small stuff.  You're making a home not a mausoleum to display your stuff.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Nothing off the top of my head right now. :)  Read lots of lovely stuff, but can't remember where LOL

Praying for::::

Moving house.  There's so much to do and the process is so slow.  Praying that all will go smoothly and that our new home will be very blessed.

My Mum who's suffering with her poly-myalgic-rheumatica.

My granddad.

My grandma who's seemed under-the-weather recently.

Some friends of ours who have asked for prayer.

That Scotland with stay in the union!


Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:5

Unveiling

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. ~Daniel 2:22

Sometimes we live with the shadow of something for so long it seems so large it consumes our sight, but when our eyes are unveiled and it is brought into the light for inspection how small it becomes.

I've been reading a book I've had on my shelf for some time called 'Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships' by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias.  As I read I started to make a list of unhealthy boundaries I have that are a result of being part of a cultish church for most of my life using this book as a prompt.

As I made this list I wrote the following:

• Being unable to separate my needs from those of others;
• Assuming responsibility for the feelings and behaviour of another;
• Other people's actions and attitudes tend to determine how I respond;
• I am afraid of other's feelings (e.g. anger, disappointment), and that determines what I say and do.

It was like scales fell from my eyes and I could see again.  This isn't me, this isn't who I am, this is a construct!

I am oversensitive to other people's feelings and I immediately take responsibility for them. I hadn't realised I did that.  It was so normal to do it.  It was such a normal part of my every day life that I didn't know I did it.

Often I would say to G, "I can tell he's annoyed", or "I can tell she's disappointed."  And he couldn't see it.  Maybe I'm more discerning I reasoned. (LOL)

I have learned already in the past year that I am not a disappointment to God, that I don't let Him down, instead it is Jesus who is holding me up.  But the disappointment of others still crushed me, I didn't know why I cared so much.  I could see it in their faces and could hear it in their tone.  I would react to placate or even react in anger at the slightest hint that someone was disappointed - even if that disappointment was nothing to do with me.

Disappointment is bad.  It was drummed into me.  Expectations on the chuch members of my old church were high, we were responsible for the feelings of others. If someone was lonely it was our fault, if someone was sad it was our fault, if someone was sick it was our fault, if the church attendance was falling it was our fault, if the kingdom of God wasn't 'being built' it was our fault.  Fault. Fault. Fault.

All those years where I 'knew' whether God was pleased with me by watching the reaction to things on the Pastor's face or straining to detect pleasure or disappointment in his voice.

The time my husband and I arrived late to a small service of less than 20 at church and the Pastor preached angrily about people turning up at church late.  Afterwards the Pastor was so sorry, but God made him preach it, the poor Pastor, "It's OK," I soothed, wanting to make him feel better.

Those myriad of times that Pastor said that it was our fault people weren't healed - we weren't 'one' enough (in total union of agreement in thought and deed with the preached 'word').  He would weep and get angry.  I wanted to make him feel better about it.

If someone died.  Well.  The Pastor would rant angrily how he was sick of people dying.  It was our fault again.  I should be able to control death.  It's my fault again.

When during one-to-one meetings the Pastor would put his hand to his face and sigh deeply because I wasn't living up to expectations due to anxiety or depression.  Even worse I was a disappointment because I took tablets for my depression, I didn't trust God enough to heal.

God is disappointed in me because the Pastor is - this was my subconscious link.  Now even though I knew God wasn't disappointed in me, but He was holding me up, seeing disappointment or anger in other produced this visceral reaction in me, I wanted, needed, to make it better.  I couldn't bear it.  I would itch to make it better.  Striving again.

Disappointment wasn't a normal part of everyday life, but it was a MAJOR EVENT! I must work hard to prevent it at all costs!

It was during our holiday in Devon (I will share lots of pics soon, it was a great holiday!) that I read 'Take Back Your Life' and realised how this attitude was like breathing to me, I did it without even thinking about it!

One day, G, my hubby, wanted to watch an air show.  There would be various planes from history there and a number of acrobatic displays.  He was quite excited about it.  The caretaker of the cottage said that he knew a good place to watch the air show from without actually going into the very busy little town where it was being held.  We decided this was a good idea and went up there to watch.

Well, it was so far away you could hardly see most of the planes.  G was so disappointed, I could see it in his face. I squirmed.  I wanted to put it right.  But it was too late, there was nothing we could do.  I took immediate responsibility for his disappointment.  I kept checking his face for signs of the disppointment.  I itched to make it right.  I had to...

Revelation.  It isn't my fault.  It sounds so stupid, that I take responsibility for things that aren't my fault.  But now that I've seen it.  Now that I know that I do it, it's like a light has come on.  What loomed so large is small and ridiculous.

That realisation set me free that afternoon.  I could enjoy the day even though someone was disappointed.

I have not fully overcome it, I keep tripping up, but I know it now, I can see it.

Another baby step on the journey.

It's OK to fail.

Happy Homemaker Monday 28th July

For more Happy Homemaker Mondays visit Sandra!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::

This morning I had red grapes, banana, yogurt, linseed and oats.  Mmmm.

On today's to do list::::
Today I've done an hours ironing.
Started to clear out the shed.
Taken some stuff to the tip.
Done an hour sorting out paperwork.
Done a little shopping and now here I am. :)

Currently reading::::

They Shall Expel Demons by Derek Prince - sounds a bit intense, I'm reading it because one of the subjects we've covered recently at Bible college is deliverance.

On the TV today::::

Old episodes of Criminal Minds.

The weather outside is::::

Warm, it's been lovely today, but quite a bit fresher than it has been of late.

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

Read! Yay!



In the garden::::

Just a little weeding and watering.

Favourite photo[s] from the camera::::

Poor pussy-cat.

This is from a few weeks ago. Firemen trying to rescue a cat from a tree on our local field.  The owners tried various ways to try to get puddy out of the tree, but it was having none of it.  They eventually got tree surgeons in. As the man reached the uppermost branches puddy launched herself like a flying squirrel out of the tree, landed in heavy undergrowth and vanished.  Luckily she turned up the next day uninjured.  The owners have 23 cats!  23!  I struggle with just one.  I think that some of them are show cats.


Homemaking Tip::::

Open, deal with, bin or file post as soon as it is delivered, otherwise it builds up and up and ends up a nightmare of paper.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Nothing off the top of my head right now. :)  Read lots of lovely stuff, but can't remember where LOL

Praying for::::

Moving house.  There's so much to do and the process is so slow.  Praying that all will go smoothly and that our new home will be very blessed.

My granddad who's not feeling very well after a recent trip to hospital.

My grandma who's not too good at the moment too, I think it's the hot weather.

Some friends of ours who have asked for prayer.

For Israel and those living on the Gaza strip.


Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.Isaiah 52:12

Happy Homemaker Monday 21st July 2014

For more Happy Homemaker Mondays visit Sandra!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Well, it's evening now, but this morning I had pear, banana, sultanas and dried cranberries with yogurt, oats, linseed and honey.

On today's to do list::::
Today I've started clearing out the loft ready for moving house - me and the girls had lots of fun with my wedding dress, haha.
Took Mum and Dad to see our two favourite houses to buy.
Viewed another two houses - keeping our options open.

Currently reading::::
They Shall Expel Demons by Derek Prince - sounds a bit intense, I'm reading it because one of the subjects we've covered recently at Bible college is deliverance.

On the TV today::::
At the moment Police Interceptors
Later we will watch the latest episode of 24 (love it).

The weather outside is::::
Warm, it's been lovely today.  But it was like an oven in that loft!

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Do a Happy Homemaker Monday post...oh here I am LOL


In the garden::::
More of my pansies have died!  I just don't understand it. So frustrating!  My geraniums are blooming nicely though.

Favourite photo[s] from the camera::::

The girls playing around in my wedding dress that's been in the loft for 13 years LOL

Homemaking Tip::::

Line the tops of cupboards in the kitchen with paper.  When they get grubby just throw away the paper.  Saves scrubbing away at greasy dirt that you find up there.

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::

Nothing off the top of my head right now. :)  Read lots of lovely stuff, but can't remember where LOL

Praying for::::

Moving house.  We've accepted an offer on our house YAY!  We've made an offer on a house we like, but are still waiting for a response.  An old lady lived there and she's now in a care home.  The estate agents are dealing with her son who is a university professor in London.  It's far too slow! I'm so excited.   We're praying it all goes smoothly and we get the best place.

My granddad who's having another operation on his cancer. He's 95 years old! He's amazing to cope with it.  Bless him.  I'm hoping to see him Weds or Thurs as his op is Friday.

My mum who is still suffering ill health.


Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. ~  Isaiah 32:18

Oooh House Move Ahoy!

Well, we've accepted an offer on our house!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Please, please, pray that this all goes smoothly and also that we choose the right house.  We have two that we love and one that we really like, just looking at figures and seeing what we can afford.  So excited!!

We've put an offer on one house and are waiting to see if it is accepted, but having viewed another we are now in a quandry.  Just want to make the right decision.

SO EXCITED!  I think I've said that already, but YAY!

xxxxx

Homemaking meme

Sandra has done a meme - and I haven't done one in years and I've been tagged, yay! :D

The rules are simple: Just copy the meme from my blog and post it on yours, answer the questions, and tag your friends if you wish.  You don't have to tag anyone, if I tag you, you are more than welcome to just play along, but do let me know so that I can come and read yours too :)

Most of my favourite blogs are 'tag free', but if any of my readers do this meme please let me know!

Plus, I just want to add, even though it's a 'homemaking' meme, you don't have to be a full-time housewife or anything to join in, we all have homes and most of us enjoy some aspect of making it nice - whether it's decorating, cooking, family get togethers, some people even like ironing...Sandra!...LOL

Aprons - Y/N If Y what does your favorite look like?
I have aprons, but I don't often wear them.  This is my fave, it's a bit vintage looking :)

Baking - Favorite thing to bake?

Fire! Da da daaaar!  I am renowned for my attention span issues in the kitchen.   Here is a little picture I have in my kitchen, which sums me up nicely! :)

 

I remember baking a cake for Squidge's 3rd birthday, it came out lopsided, and then all the pink icing ran off onto the plate. Haha.  Awesome! :)

Clothesline - Y/N

YES! There is nothing more satisfying than a line of washing hung out.  I love the look of it flapping in the breeze and the smell of it when you bring them in. 

Donuts - Have you ever made them?

No! See note on my baking above. Haha.

Everyday - One homemaking thing you do everyday?

Washing (laundry).  Wipe around the loo. Cooking.  Washing dishes.

Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze?

No.

Garbage Disposal - Y/N

No. Not something many of us Brits have.

Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource?

The internet I suppose and my lists! Lists, lists, lists!

Ironing - Love it or hate it?

I like it when it's done... :D 

Junk drawer- Y/N - Where is it?

Haha, yes we call it a 'man drawer' where all the batteries and screwdrivers and random nuts and bolts end up.

Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme?

Teal flowered wallpaper, blue tiles, white shaker style cupboards, butcher's block style worktops.

Love - What is your favorite part of homemaking?

Making a home for my family.  When it's all done and we have time together to talk and read and stuff!  I also like old fashioned stuff.  I have lots of doilies and my Nan's paintings around the place.  I like wood and natural things too.  I like a home to look comfortable.  I also rather like gardening, I'm not particularly knowledgeable, but I love flowers and watching bees. LOL

Mop - Y/N

Yes, but I don't like it.  Much prefer hands and knees because mops don't get into all the corners. But I do use my mop...it just isn't satisfactory! :D

Nylons - Wash by hand or in washing machine?

Nylons? Are we in the 1950s?  Haha. Well, if I wear tights (as we call them over here) I pop them in the washing machine.  Having to handwash makes my eye twitch. LOL

Oven - Do you use the window to check on things or do you open the door?

I open the door and every time the sudden rush of heat melts my eyelashes. 

Pizza - What do you put on yours?

Mmm, mushrooms, peppers, olives. YUMMY! Oh and mozzarella is the best cheese - stringy!

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?

Bible study, read, watch Morse.

Recipe Card Box - Y/N

No.

Style of house

Old fashioned. Lots of wood. Woodburner stove. Smells of lavendar and polish. Oh yes, that would be my fave.  Cottage garden. Or a Hobbit hole, I'd love to live in a Hobbit house. 

Tablecloth and napkins - Y/N

Tablecloth. 

Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?

Washing powder, dishwasher tablets, various cleaning stuff...

Vacuum -  How many times per week? 

A few times a week, but not everywhere.  The stairs need a few times a week because they are red and show up every bit of muck.  Downstairs is done regularly because the girls trek in sawdust and hay from the guinea pigs!

Wash - How many loads per week?

At least 7!  I'm a bit obessessed with laundry, I think I've picked it up from my Mum.  I love my wooden pegs too, they remind me of my Nan: Beautiful Simplicity.

X's - Do you make a daily to do list and check it off as you do things?

Listomania!  Oh yes, I am LIST WOMAN!  I have lists for my lists.

Yard - Y/N - Who does what?

Yard? Over here a yard is a small flagged area, but I know this means garden.  Yes we have a garden and I generally do the gardening.  The hubster does mow the lawn on occasion and help with big stuff, like digging up bushes and the like.

Zzz's - What is the last homemaking task you do for the day before you go to bed?

Make sure the kitchen, living room and bathroom are respectable. :) Or, apply - what my dad calls - the 'sod it principle' and fall into bed instead.

Happy days. xx

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 14 July 2014

For more Happy Homemaker Monday posts visit Sandra at Diary of a SAHM

I'm a bit later getting this post up today.  I've been to Grandma's this morning whilst she has a shower and I've done her cleaning and a bit of shopping.  I've been to the vets and picked up Boots' worming tablets, done some washing, put it out - it started raining so I've brought it in, had some lunch and now here I am!

As I look outside my window:::

The clouds are just breaking up.  I've not long since rushed outside to bring in my washing as it was spotting with rain, I've put towels in the dryer and now it's cleared up - typical! LOL

Right now I am:::

Watching Morse.  I've just had my lunch.

Thinking and pondering:::

Where to start with my cleaning.  Probably the kitchen floor, the cat has been eating a bit messily and there is catfood everywhere!

Also about how useless a particular local estate agents is.  Honestly it's like chaos in that office.  We were supposed to be viewing a house yesterday with a member of their staff showing us around.  Well, we knocked on the door numerous times, waited about 20 minutes and no-one turned up.  Their excuse was they were running late and left us a message.  Chuh! There were no messages on any of our phones, I've checked they have the right number and they do - so they must be telling porky-pies!

On my bedside table:::

Lots of books & Bibles in a basket.  My earplugs (I like a good night's sleep, haha). My glasses.

On my tv this week:::

We won't watch all these this week, just a list of things to record or watch depending on time.

Yesterday:

Mock the Week
Have I Got News for You


Tuesday:
CSI - although I don't know why, I'm not enjoying this season at all.
Wednesday:
Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free
Thursday:
The Big Bang Theory
When we (I) get time:
Re-runs of Criminal Minds
Old Inspector Morse episodes
Wuthering Heights (recorded)
Royal Hampton Court Flower Show (& Weds, Thurs)
Bedlam Behind Bars - Panorama
A History of Britain - Simon Schama (recording series)

Listening to:::

Morse on the TV and the rumble of the dryer in the kitchen.

Music I'm enjoying at the minute:
Classic FM radio
Learning Yahweh by Kari Jobe for Music Group at church
Enjoying also, Oceans by Hillsong, Victor's Crown by Darlene Zschech, Arms of Grace by Beth Croft

On the menu for this week:::

Today: salmon
Rest of the week - not sure, need to make a plan!

On my to do list:::

Laundry
Bible study
Give cat her worming tablets - oh joy!
Cleaning

Happening this week:::

Taking the girls to their clubs tonight - Squidge to gymnastics and Chatterbox to her church youth group.
Tomorrow evening we are viewing a couple of houses.
On Friday the girls have some friends sleeping over.  Squidge wants to go bowling or to laser quest.

What I am creating:::

Nothing at the moment

My simple pleasure:::

A nice cup of coffee and some chocolate.

Homemaking tips:::

You can clean white PVC window frames and doors with a damp cloth with washing powder sprinkled on it.

Looking around the house:::

Need to put away the super-hero outfits from church.  We had so much fun!

From the camera:::

Squidge peeping

Up on t'hills

Prayer List:::

Granddad and the discomfort he is suffering after his operation to remove skin cancer on his head - praying for comfort and healing.
Mum for her poly rheumatic myalgia.
My husband for his job, to uphold him when he's under pressure from all directions.
Some lovely friends of ours and some things they've asked us to pray for.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;  ~ Malachi 4:2

Have a lovely day.  And don't forget to visit Sandra for more Happy Homemaker Mondays.

Lazy Saturday

It's lovely to be lazy, to rest and relax sometimes. To have nowhere to rush to, nowhere to go, no-one to see. We've not had much of that recently.

So I've had a nice time this morning.  Done a bit of reading, a bit of praying, a bit of pottering, a bit of gardening, a bit of sitting here typing this.

I've been to Bible college this week, I really enjoyed it.  The topics covered the Cross and prophecy.  I loved it.  I was particularly exercised by the teaching on the historical cross and the 'current' cross and it's effect on our lives.  Christ died once for all and our sins are eternally dealt with, but there is a daily application of the cross to our lives - carrying our cross, etc.  Very good. Lots to think about.

We had a lovely evening with G's mom and dad on Thursday, eating out at a local Tapas restaurant. Lots of fun.

Last night we had a couple view our house.  They live on my mum and dad's street. It seems a strange move to us, but we don't care the reasons LOL. Hopefully someone will buy soon!!

Today I've been pottering in the garden.

My hydrangea bush is blooming nicely...LOL amusing shot of my toes too.

Even a horrid fly is made beautiful by its surroundings :) (Click on the picture to see better)

My gorgeous dahlias - it's a constant struggle to stop the slugs devouring these.

I love my garden, but I am no expert.  The bare patch below was full of gorgeous happy pansies.  They were healthy and beautiful, but then one by one they started to wilt and die, so did a number in my pots.  I watered them regularly.  But no, they still wilted.  So I researched and found out that it could be a number of things.  Digging discovered a number of tiny worms - some tiny white ones and also some slightly bigger brown ones.  I then researched how to deal with them, but our local garden centre didn't have what I needed. 

So I dug them out, rinsed the roots (which were eaten up), removed the top few inches of soil and repotted the pansies with some rooting powder in new compost in a couple of pots.

As you can see above, some have revived, but some are just brown sticks.  My pansies failed last year too, it's very frustrating.  But IT'S OK TO FAIL! :)

My other plants are doing well (ignore the tall grass, haha).

Happy days. x