ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY

Good Morning and welcome to a "Pleasant Valley Sunday" in my little corner of the world.  The world seems to be spinning a little slower and people are out in their gardens, mowing lawns and laundry is drying in the wind (mine included).  The traffic seems quieter and even the local dogs are calm and not barking. 

It is nice to be out front and wave to neighbours as they walk or drive by and to spend a little while chatting with them.

My "To Do" list is above and it is my plan to certainly count my blessings and do my best, to expect great things and I shall always try to make the world a better place.

Although the sun is shining - it is still a cold day and winter still holds us in her grip - I have soups on cooking and lovely crusty bread to have with them - definitely winter comfort foods.

Lawn mowers are purring away and my phone has been ringing and I am finding that the day is moving along quite fast.  I must be very relaxed because I am getting days mixed up and my prompts for photograph a day out of routine - ces't la vie.  

Whatever you are doing, wherever you are - enjoy your Sunday - many of you will be watching Football games and other sports either on the side lines or on television.  Enjoy the competition and the exhilaration of your team wining or console each other if your team loses.

Enjoy the journey of your life, wherever the path takes you - be present to the moment and celebrate the joy of being alive.

I urge you to celebrate and embrace your life and all that it involves, love and spend time with your family and friends and enjoy their company.  Take time with the little ones in your life - the grow very quickly and can bring great joy.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a heart today filled with winter warmth great care.

Love and hugs,

WELCOME TO FRIDAY

It's Friday morning in my little corner of the world and life is just fine and dandy  ~ not without some complications, but all is well.   Weather is glorious ~ beautiful sunny autumn days and cool nights.

I did some early morning shopping and a full moon was still visible in my morning sky although the day had long dawned,   The moon has been amazing of the past few nights ~ go out and look when night time comes for you and when I do that I become aware of the size of the universe and yet the fact that as the moon sets for me it rises in the northern hemisphere, so for a few brief hours the moon is visible on the sky to both halves of the world.   Truly beautiful image this morning.

The days and weeks are flying so fast ~ it will be Easter soon and then we will be on the way forward to Christmas once again ~ only 290 days to go,

To those for whom Friday has dawned make it a good day and enjoy all that is has to offer ~ if the road is tough and steep ~ I hope you have a friend to walk beside you and share the load.   Someone to cheer you as you make your way forward.    Be proud of your achievements and anticipate a weekend filled with happy hours.

To those of you who linger in the mist of Thursday ~ spend a quiet evening, discuss your day, how you feel and what has happened to you and then be sure to get a good night's rest so that you too can enjoy all the lovely things that Friday has to offer.

I have started reading again after a short break ~ don't know what happened there, but I am back into books and articles and loving it.  We have taken out a subscription to Time Magazine again and I will enjoy that ~ that was cancelled during the time of my illness as I couldn't read it and no-one else had the time or inclination to do so.    So now we have the weekly mailing of the magazine and will find some interesting articles in there.

I have several DVDs to watch - and am delighted with the arrival on The Tree of Life and The Help in my mailbox this week - now to find the time to watch them, plus the others I have but haven't watched yet.   I was going to view several over summer ~ but it just didn't happen.  

I have been cooking this morning ~ a big pot of sauce in the slow cooker and the kitchen smelling of oregano, garlic, tomato and all sorts of spices ~ very nice.  I really enjoy my slow cooker and use it all year round.

I did some shopping very early this morning and it was bliss ~ no crowds, no crying children and no frazzled mothers and a staff who were fresh and not tired from the day  ~  a very pleasant experience (or at least as pleasant as grocery shopping can be.)

And apart from all of this there is little to write ~ maybe a movie on Sunday with The Golden Girls (who, by the way are doing a Cooking Class on Saturday ~ I opted out of that one.) but I shall spend Saturday with Mary (Narelle's Mum on holiday here, so she won't be alone.)

Several of my friends are struggling health wise right now and I send love and care to comfort you and ease your journey.  It's never easy coping with work situations when you are feeling a little under par, but hold tight to the friendship and care I have for you and I hope in some small way it makes the path a little smoother.

Please hold my friend Kristy in your hearts and prayers ~ she is really having a tough time right now and could use all the love and support we can muster.  It's her birthday time too - Happy Birthday Darling Girl.

No matter how dark the path or how difficult there is always something to be thankful for and I hope that wherever you are that there is some little piece of happiness that finds its way to you and brightens your heart.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart ~ a thankful and pensive heart today.

Love and hugs,

Linda.

FRIDAY AND RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lId9Er-TNeg

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head - John Farnham

Good afternoon from Adelaide - where it has been WILD, WET and WINDY - about seven this morning we had a torrential downpour and the roads and gardens were flooded - it seemed as though it would never stop - but it did - the water went away and for the most part it has been a pleasant day, with just a few showers.

The rain altered my plans for an early visit to the Supermarket for groceries but that didn't matter as they shops were not very busy today.  I met several lovely people and a lovely young man who was weighing out the cold meats and with whom I had a lovely conversation about organ donation - no idea how that came up, but it did and it was a wonderful opportunity.   He was just so keen to learn all he could about it - so it really was a good job that they were not busy.    Another nice interlude with a very tall young man who reached to a high shelf and got something for me.

I guess most of you know how it is when they pack your bag at the checkout - how the milk gets put on top of fresh bread and eggs under heavy groceries - today my Groceries were packed by a lovely young lady who did an amazing job.  Neat and packed in groups.   Boxes altogether and light things on top.  Frozen/cold things altogether and soaps and detergents separate from foodstuffs.   Well done Georgia -I have honestly never had my groceries packed as well as you did them this morning.  It is one thing to do a job, but a very different thing to do a job well - I have emailed the store thanking them and congratulating her.

It is cold here and I have the slow cooker on with Cauliflower and Leek soup in it for tomorrows lunch and I have been busy making Zucchini Slices (one with and one without bacon).  Lunch is shaping up to be rather special with little pies and sausage rolls, some cabanosi and cheese, prawns, and a beautiful spinach dip in a cob loaf. Little cup cakes and some chocolate for during the afternoon.  There are lots of nibbles such as chips etc. and a prize for the person who picks the winner of the game and the number of points they win by.   It will be fun and I can curl up in a corner with my book - they can enjoy the football and I shall just be happy to be together.

We have a public holiday in parts of Australia today which means that as I would normally have my bloods done on a Monday, I shall have to have them done earlier - so off tomorrow to try another collection centre as the one I normally use is closed on Saturdays.  

An early night is on the agenda for me as I have had a busy day and an early start tomorrow - I am so glad to be able to do my own shopping and to cook as and when I wish.  

I now must go and clean up the kitchen and do the dishes I have collected with my cooking - I don't like doing dishes but that reminds me of the saying that my Mother had in her Kitchen.....

"Thank God for dirty dishes

They have a tale to tell,

While other folks go hungry

We're eating very well."

Enjoy your Friday no matter what the weather is doing for you - smile, splash in puddles, walk in the sunshine, find joy in the little things and I am thankful to have you visit and read "the Musings from my heart."

Love and hugs,
Linda.

GOOD AFTERNOON ON THANKFUL THURSDAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpb9EbmvM5M

Muppet Christmas Carol - A Thankful Heart

Michael Caine.

I know we are still weeks away from Christmas - but I see signs in my shops that Christmas is on the way and I love this song and of course the beautiful Muppet's are timeless.   I hope you enjoy With a Thankful Heart and that you watch the film clip - it will bring a smile I am sure of that.

Thankful Thursday comes around very quickly and I have so much to be thankful for that my list could go on and on - firstly I am thankful for shelter from the storms - both real life and the troubles that beset me.   We have had very strong winds and torrential rain here in Adelaide and I thankful they are over and we are just left with gusty wind, no rain and glorious sunshine.   My sky is beautiful blue and patterned with soft white fluffy clouds.

Laughter gives me cause for thanks - I have had some lovely funny times with friends and we have all laughed long and hard and I am sure it does me good.   I am grateful for a much better night's sleep last night even though the storm was raging and bothering me a little.   I don't mind the rain but the wind unnerves me.

I shall list some other things that I am thankful for:

1. Kindness of friends
2. Help when I need it
3. Phone calls from family
4. A letter (real mail) snail mail from my cousin - including all sorts of newspaper clippings of interest.
5. A new magazine arrived in the mail.
6. A new book that I am having trouble putting down.
7.  Sweet music 
8. A lovely green and fast growing lawn (too soon will come the brown grass of summer)
9. Lovely nourishing cream safe to use on my skin
10. My warm and comfortable bed.

I could go on for much longer - what about you ?  Can you list things to be thankful for ?  I hope there are many things in your life that bring warmth and gratitude to your heart.  Little things, big things - it doesn't matter - go looking for them and you will find that they are there.

I spoke to my younger daughter on the phone - she has been out of office on the Streets of Adelaide campaigning for another Amnesty Cause and I believe it went quite well.  How I admire her tenacity and confidence - I am proud of her and thankful that she is part of my life.

I received an Avon order this morning - two lipsticks and a few other goodies - I love having the choice to buy at home and have it delivered to my door.   I really do miss Christina not being an Avon Rep. anymore.   Now to find time to go through the next catalog and place another order.  I had a lot of mail in my home letterbox this morning and nothing at the Post Office - it is different on each day.   I love mail in any form, letters, parcels, advertising material and of course email.

I have done crossword puzzles today and spent time challenging my mind - an activity I truly love ~  I love the challenge of the words and changing my thinking into such a way that I can interpret cryptic clues.

Football celebrations at the weekend means some cooking for me - zucchini and bacon slice and a similar slice (vegetarian style) and possibly some dips and the way the weather is feeling - maybe a big pot of soup and some chunky bread.  I don't follow the football but I celebrating life with my family around me.

I don't support either team playing but don't have much to wear in blue - so I am thinking I will wear black and white and be a Collingwood supporter for the day (Come on the Pies (Magpies).  Depends on the weather and the forecast is saying that it will be cold so that will intimately make the decision for me.

I have lots of reading to do, bills to pay, sewing to do, beading to do - such a busy life is mine.

Had a lovely dinner out last night at a Hotel some distance from here and my meal was lovely - Beef and Reef - which was a lovely steak with prawns and calamari in a creamy garlic sauce - too much for me.   I did enjoy the accompanying cabbage cooked with bacon - yummy indeed.  Good food, good company and no dishes - my type of evening.

Not much else to share with you today my friends - just "The Musings from a very thankful heart" - thanks for visiting.

Please visit my Pages of Avalon Blog and check the new format and let me know what you think - I am considering applying that format to this blog.

www.thepagesofavalon.blogspot.com


Love and hugs,
Linda

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjFoQxjgbrs

Rainy Days and Mondays - The Carpenters

Welcome to Monday and we have both a Rainy Day and Monday, but it isn't going to get me down.   I am warm and safe at home and the grey sky is like a blanket over me.

After a quiet weekend I have a quiet Monday, lots of writing to be done and some cooking, dishes, and the laundry can wait until tomorrow when hopefully the sun will shine.  

I am noticing the cold this winter more than usual and I think we are having an "old fashioned" winter - we used to have times like this, but during the years of drought our winters were quite mild.

Oh the bliss of Monday Morning and Raspberry Earl Grey tea - a different start to the day but a nice change from coffee.

My recipe folder is coming together quite nicely and I have disposed of lots of recipe books and now must convince myself not to buy any more.


This week sees the start of blood tests and Clinic visits again for me - but I can't complain it is seven weeks since I was on this treadmill.  I feel well and I hope the blood tests back up that - early start for me tomorrow to get bloods done and then Specialist and Clinic on Friday.  Not a big price to pay for feeling this well.


The word I chose for this year is 'ATTITUDE' and I have learned that my attitude to things can alter so much the way things go for me.  I try to be positive and encouraging to others, to cherish friendships and family, to see beauty around me in the little things.
I am ALIVE AND WELL and loving life.


My younger daughter cooked a spectacular dinner for a group of six on Saturday night and this group included her sister and partner - it is a nice feeling to know they enjoy each others company.  They enjoyed Greek Cuisine and apparently it was glorious. Well done Naomi - but that is her - whatever she puts her mind to she does well and she loves to cook. (She didn't get that from me.)


Life is good, peaceful and I do believe it has stopped raining for a while - I hope your world is peaceful and that you have a contented heart and I thank you for visiting and reading "The Musings From My Heart."


Take care and be safe, warm/cool and be happy.


Love and hugs,

http://about.me/lindajvaughan

SUNDAY SINGING IN THE RAIN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ

Singing in the rain - Gene Kelly,

Welcome to Sunday and it is wet, wet, wet - such a different day from our glorious sunny Saturday.  It is different day but beautiful in its own way.

I am sitting with coffee in my new "Linda" mug with the heater on and all is well in my little corner of the world.

I have been cooking chocolate cup cakes this morning and the child in me couldn't resist licking the beaters (don't think I will ever grow up.)  Going to ice them with vanilla and put pink hearts on them.   Don't be alarmed the cooking phase won't last long!

The house is warm and smells of cooking and it is a comforting feeling to have the opportunity to do these things.  Cooking is not something I enjoy doing, but I love it when things are completed and spread before me.  I love recipes and collect them and am currently going through those I have collected from magazines and from friends.  I bought a new folder yesterday and will enjoy sorting and clipping and filing.

I am going through a time of sorting through books and am now up to the gardening and medical books and then - oh boy and will this be a big job, comes the task of sorting through my novels and biographical books.  I am being quite merciless in the things I am culling - have lots of magazines that are totally out of date and they are going, going gone.   It will be a big job but will be wonderful when it is finished.

 I need a whole shelf for my dictionaries and word books, cryptic crossword dictionaries and there are some that I have not used for a while - will have to correct that. 

I seem to need to do these things before I can get stuck into any craft projects and I have the pleasure of anticipating my course in a couple of weeks.  

I have been exchanging emails with a friend from long ago - how different our lives are now from the days when we spent time together.   It is all part of the pattern woven for our lives and acceptance of the changes brings a contentment.  I have had a difficult time and so too has this friend.

I thought the rain had eased but "the rain tumbles down in July" a lovely day to be inside and warm.

I have letters to write and so many other things I want to do but if they don't get done today they will get done another day.  I am thankful for every day and find joy in the little things.

I have connected on Facebook with some of the beautiful girls who were nurses when I was in hospital and cared for me so very well.   It is lovely to be in touch and hear what is happening in their lives.

They will always hold a special place in my heart and I am glad to have made this connection.

More cupcakes are ready to be taken out so I shall go and be a "Domestic Goddess" and get the next batch in.

My love and care to you all whatever your plans for today - if your washing has got wet in the rain - consider it a final rinse and I hope you can get it dry soon.   If you are cooking I hope you get pleasure from it and that those around you appreciate your efforts.

If you are out and about, on a day trip or traveling home - take care on the roads and enjoy coming home.  If the weather is kind and allows you time to picnic - enjoy. If you are playing in water (swimming or splashing in the rain) allow the water to bring you comfort in busy days.

Thank you for visiting and reading "The Musings from my Heart."

Love and hugs,

http://about.me/lindajvaughan