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Japanese curry soup

Oh dear, I hesitated on posting this, but the soup turned out to be so delicious… I thought why not. Coming from a culture that loves its soups (Chinese)… my Mom was a wiz at pulling together a soup for almost any occasion, and usually it involved left overs and of course always rice. After my trips to Japan, I developed a taste for Japanese Curry. Since I am currently dealing with a mild concussion, I don’t feel like cooking or eating even, but being the mature .. responsible adult I am… I know I have to eat. So for the last many days I have had a soup going on the stove.

My first soup was a rice, mushroom and chicken soup, it was cooked up much like a congee… and would take from the pot a bowl every time I felt I should eat. That was eaten up… and I needed to come up with another easy peasy soup..

I found a cabbage sitting forlornly in my fridge… I chopped it up with a lonely carrot that was in the crisper and put it on the stove to simmer while I got ready to go to church… ( my symptoms were such I never made it to church, I got about 2 miles away from home and turned back.)

I turned the burner under the pot of cabbage soup back on.. and looked around for what to do with it so that I could let it cook and have myself a tempting cuppa when I got hungry. I spied box of Japanese curry in the pantry. (it comes in flat squares) I had one square left. The Japanese curries come in mild, medium and spicy, This was a mild piece. I added it to the broth.

I also found a couple of small pieces of pork liver that I had cooked a few days ago, that got chopped up and added along with what was left of the Tim Horton’s chicken noodle soup a friend brought me yesterday. I cut up a nice fresh potato into thin strips and added that too.

Letting that simmer. I came in to my office to do the blog, the aroma of the soup called me back to the kitchen. It is delicious. I took a picture of it after I realized that it was yummy and really hit the spot. It was so good that I almost demolished what was made this morning… so … I have now put in what is left of the congee and added a chicken garlic broth (Campbells) so that I will have enough to dip into for the rest of the day,

When I made the congee I had also used dried beancurd sticks.. So there will be some sticks in this new batch, can’t wait to try that later.. I’ll let is simmer for awhile.. the flavours will be richer in doing so, In the congee there was also dried chinese mushrooms and shrimps…that had been soaked and added… it will be a whole new taste delight for me to enjoy later,. Especially combined with what is left of the Japanese Curry broth. .OOOH OOH YUMMY.

Because of the way we make up our homemade soups… they never come out the same way each time, that is what makes them soooooo wonderful.

Make the best use of materials and money. You can do different things as materials and money play their roles. How to make them work is important.

Perfect Liberty 2023.16

the little green bits you see .. fresh garlic shoots cut up into tiny bits so that you get that tangy hit of garlic, you put it on (if you like garlic) fresh as a topping when you serve.

I added no salt.

July 8

Young family out for their morning stroll and breakfast

“Thank you” again and again.

It feels great if someone tells you “thank you”. even many times. By repeating this, become a person who comes up with the word “thank you” naturally. (PL 2023.8)

7-2

Sitting in silence, I sometimes get a visit from voices from the past. Always when I am on my computer at my work station, I get unwanted ads and visuals about – aging and how to look younger, … I ask myself, what is the obsession with looking younger, we are born to grow and unfold into the beautiful energies we become. In nature, the fruit trees, the flowers, perennials, they come back in the spring looking young and fresh, they blossom with beautiful flowers, then some share/ give us their bounty, visuals can be breath taking, and the taste delight on our tongues… hmmmmmm.

Have you lost “simplicity” in your life?

Are you still trying to “find” your”Self”?

What do you see when you look in the mirror? I greet the “me” I’ve become most mornings when I begin my day, and again at night when I say “goodnight”… Have you taken stock of “YOU” today, Do you “like” the person that looks back at you when you face a mirror.

Be big hearted. In fact, what you are concerned about might be something you don’t need to be concerned about. Interact with people without worrying too much

Perfect Liberty 2023.02

Bom dia, good morning

Cherish this moment, this time, this day. People keep growing as time goes on. cherish your self expression

Perfect Liberty 2023

now..19th

The turning point is now. life is a sequence of moments called now. You have the key to turn yourself around.

Perfect Liberty 2023.19

After many days, weeks and months, these two turkeys are comfortable enough with me to sit beside me on the fence and simply BE. They acknowledge that I’m an “energy” that they “know” shares space in their environment from time to time. I respect their space and they mine.

I have reached a stage in my life where I thrive on quiet, a contented state of “being” … I try to have my first interaction of the day a happy one. I remind myself of the positives in my life. Knowing that I can walk peacefully in a wilderness… where coyotes wander, rabbits join me for walks, birds of every size and colour go about their business while calling out greetings to each other … yesterday I heard and saw an “odd couple” of gulls bickering and arguing not far from where I was having lunch. In the morning I watched as a turkey vulture swooped down gliding on a current over and past my car as I drove down to P23. He landed on a tall tree where I could see him clearly .. but too far for me to get a decent picture with my cell phone.

What pleased me, I had stopped the car, my window down I called out a greeting… and he stayed in place and didn’t fly away. That was a stunning moment! These moments in time, happen because I have made the woodland part of my everyday … I do my best to simply BE … I let the energy around me happen, I try to blend in to allow life to happen.

When I was teaching meditation active/passive… I often encountered students who when asked why they wanted to meditate replied, they wanted to connect with “themselves”.. still the chattering of the mind… if the mind is constantly charging through all the “to do’s” and filtering through past events, holding on to old grudges…. your aura, personal energy will be exhausted and cluttered in no time.

Even if it is a few minutes of each day that you set aside for YOU…. you will find that YOUR personal well being will thrive. Your inner feelings are like rivers of lava, emotions can be like a volcano, they bubble under the surface…waiting for the time they can flow hot and searing with their own momentum… It is in letting go that the emotions will lose their heat ..cool and no longer be damaging and dangerous.

Today, zero in on one “thought” “thing” that is cluttering your mind.. and lose it. Less clutter (negativity) will help you stay calm.

Oyashikiri

16 = 7

Colouring, an art form that I love to enjoy visually but realized a long time ago, that this skill was not in my bag of tricks. MY friend Awen who is a genius with a colour palette never ceases to amaze me with her delightful little art pieces. She send me this little fox a few years back, every once in awhile I come across it and it always … ALWAYS makes me smile. She was learning to blend water colour pencils using a wet paint brush. Even that .. I remember being so thrilled with her little gift to me, and the way she was able to take a pencil and blend the colours like she did… that I went out and bought several sets of water colour pencils. I tried, I truly did… but finally I had to face the fact, yes I could colour, but in no way did I have the patience or the necessary “talent” to get the results I wanted.

Another example of my thinking that if I had the tools I can reproduce or do anything. Not true. it is like the time I wanted to try oil painting (my Mom painted in oils)… I lacked the patience to work with oils .. over the years my reality is I like immediate satisfaction/results from the tools that I work with. example, I love multi media products, especially acrylics and the pastes,waxes and powders that allow the artist in me to create in 2, and 3D .. I like texture and form. I want hills, valleys, shadows, lumps, bumps, swirls. I create and express my visuals in abstract.

We all have a need to express ourselves, and each and everyone of us will do so in a different way. If you are like me, you never repeat something exactly the same ..each piece has to be unique to “itself”

Make the best use of materials and money. You can do different things as materials and money play their roles. How to make them work is important.

Perfect Liberty 2023.16

No two people are alike, nor do they express themselves in the same way. Our form of expression is unique to us.. what is the same and the common thread, is the need to have the ability and outlet to express ourselves. WE all have our own way of expressing ourselves. Do you know what yours is?

Day of Peace

photo Dave Renz

Today, we pray for World Peace. Service is at 10 a.m.

Let’s Pray for world Peace. the path to World Peace will open up with each person’s prayer for peace.

Perfect Liberty 2023. 1

Oyashikiri

More birds

Meet photographer Brian Waterman https://www.instagram.com/bird_bri/ There have been so many birds signing in the woodlands it has been a treat to meet up with Brian who has graciously shared photos with us. He has a wonderful selection of birds for you to explore and enjoy, I have a few favourites that I will use from time to time because he has captured the personality of the birds that I’m drawn too. Right now the leaves are filling out so quickly, I hear the birds but I don’t see them. I appreciate Brian’s patience and his ability to find and “catch” the beauties. Check out his Instagram, make sure you have time to doddle, you’ll love what you find,

Cherish this moment, this time, this day. People keep growing as time goes on. Cherish your self expression.

Perfect Liberty 2023.30

new beginnigs

Sitting out in the sunshine yesterday, I marveled at how in just a few days the trees had doubled their foliage, even the magnolia seemed happy in her spring frock of pink/purple blooms. The long week-end just past, traditionally is when the gardeners plant get their summer gardens going, but this year, due to the frost warnings still in effect (overnight).. I heard many are waiting for another week or two for the warmer weather to really take hold.

For me, sitting out on my deck… it was wonderful, cool enough there were NO biting insects.. my guests and I could simply sit and enjoy the sun’s warm rays and the clear sky. I did see the pollen flying about, I’m sure allergy suffers are having to cope. Sending out healing vibes and a happy wave to all.

Today’s calendar

Being asked for a favour is a chance. When someone asks for a favour from you, this is a chance for you to help others. Face the chance proactively,

Perfect Liberty 2023. 23

” Making memories with you, is my favourite thing to do” I found this small card on my studio work table a left over from a card making project I had. I love the thought, and was going to send it to a special friend… then.. the thought came to me that the saying made me smile and think of YOU… so I am posting it here so anyone finding it, and enjoying the sentiment… can share it too.

I feel so blessed, sharing with you over the years… you are locate in far off places some just minutes away, others oceans away, yet… you are all part of the community that I am blessed to have in my life. thank YOU!!

Photos above.. Shirley Keen, NZ.

travel/distance

Yesterday I stepped into the past. I was standing with the wild turkeys in the woodlands listening to the baby birds chirping and singing their little hearts out … the squirrels and chipmunks were chasing each other and racing up and down the trees where I had spread the nutty butter (made for wildlife).. we were happy in the moment of sharing under the wide open sky. When a thought clear as a bell, nudged me to pay attention….

I got back into my car, drove home, emptied my trunk of bird seed, peanuts, etc. took out unnecessary clutter, got my passport and headed back out the door to the highway. No advanced planning, no wondering why … I just followed my nose. (expression)

PL Precept # 19 Begin once you perceive

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.

As the miles slipped past me, the landscaped changed from sprawling city to the outskirts, and then towards the American border, I felt oddly at peace. A quiet settled over me, and I realized that I had turned off the radio, there was just me, myself and I alone with my thoughts. In an hour I was at the border crossing being welcomed and waved through by cheerful customs personnel.

When asked where are you coming from, why are you coming over .. where are you going… I had no definite reason or plan… I simply wanted to be there. The agent smiled at me and encouraged me to have a good time… Smiles go a long way, feel good too!

Move forward with confidence Experiences you have acquired through efforts so far are wonderful. Give it all you’ve got.

Perfect Liberty 2023.20

Not two hours past, I had been standing in a conservation area, with wildlife all around me, now I found myself standing in an American Walmart under construction. Was it busy, YES. Ahhh life in 2023. I had remembered to turn off my phone before crossing into the States (avoiding roaming charges).. how grand is it that I could start my day in Canada and be in the States for lunch. I did a no brainer.. drove through MacDonald’s for a big Mac and fries (hey! on a mini holiday here)… paid and happily drove right off without my food! Was on my way to search out the airport when I realized what I had done. Had to turn myself around and go back forit.

Again I was greeted with smiling and cheerful staff who were waiting for me… I decided to eat in and discovered a new experience. On the tables are big screens to play games on while you eat. I took my time enjoying my food playing mahjong and then a word game. What fun!

The news these days has been filled with negativity, when you stop to think about it, it is always about the anger, frustration and crises situations …senseless killings, neighbours fighting neighbours, natural disasters (they do happen)… yet here I was… people all around me, smiling, chatting, going about their business, courteous, oh and the temperature was warm and balmy, Everything felt so positive. I got the directions to the “international” airport that was advertised on PBS (television) and once again got in the car and headed off to “discover”

I found one of two old, very old cemeteries. I stopped to get pictures for a Thursday door feature and was drawn to the tall tombstone you see. Period 1816 -1863, it was not the oldest, but interspersed here and there were newer headstones. It was so tranquil ,.. there were old trees, the grounds well kept… I could feel the years, sense the history. Not far off when I took to the highway in search of the airport again, I saw the horse and buggy signs… and a big sign telling me if turned right I would find a national State Park.

I was searching for the airport, so after taking the turn, I turned myself around, that will be for another day. I was headed out of the city when I realized that I had to have passed the airport, I pulled over and turned around.. all I could see was farmland, big empty fields and older well loved homes. Then I saw a faded sign on a chain link fence.. saying to watch out for low flying planes. Ah Ha… I was close.. but I had passed here just minutes before the cemetery I had been in was just on the left. slowing down I saw a paved road that led to a big parking lot.. (almost empty).. with a commercial building looking very empty. Taking the turn unto the road, I saw the way was barred… just up ahead… so I slowed to turn around. It might be small, but it has a lot of good reviews. =^_^=

Finding the airport, having spent my time wandering the Walmart, enjoying a quick lunch in a clean bright Macdonald’s.. Hey! a wonderful interlude. AND not once did I feel alone, YOU were with me all the way. we can cross borders, travel great distances, but always…. WE, me, myself and I are constant in my head/heart.

It was an adventure, and what made it all that much more special, the people.. the army photographer I met in the morning, the customs personnel, the staff in Walmart, the cheerful clerks at MacDonalds, the man who held the door open for me at the store,, the gas attendant when I stopped for gas.. It was a positively glowing day…. all because life IS good and there are opportunities always presenting themselves. we need only be open and willing to participate.

What will you do today?

MC I bought pickled eggs!!!!

Cheers everyone! Tomorrow Sunday service will be an early ceremony Day of Appreciation.. followed by another service in the evening at 7 pm.

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