cheerful greeting

When meeting someone, take the initiative, be the first to open your heart
A greeting that is sincere, is one that is heartfelt.
Oyashikiri
photo from the Japanese PL Calendar for 2018 – #5-

When meeting someone, take the initiative, be the first to open your heart
A greeting that is sincere, is one that is heartfelt.
Oyashikiri
photo from the Japanese PL Calendar for 2018 – #5-
Today’s lesson… (PL Calendar) 9 – Your surroundings are a reflection of You.
Oyashikiri
You betcha… it is cans of SPAM
Good morning, there is a soft snow falling, the plow has been by, and I am preparing to head out. May not go too far, if the snow picks up.. but need to get basics, like milk and eggs.
When was the last time you had Spam, have you ever had Spam? It has been around for ages, I recall it being used for sandwiches. Never on my shopping list, nor was it part of my Mother’s inventory for meals. For years, it was totally lost to me.
Then I read an article about how Spam is a delicacy in some countries, and in Korea and Hawaii, they make special dishes with Spam. In fact, someone told me, there are areas in this world where they can’t keep it on the shelves, and it gets locked up because it is a favourite for shop lifters. Hello?????? Spam??????
Curious me, I decided to look for it in our local Asian grocers. I was really surprised at the variety offered. And now it is being made by other companies, using a different name, since Spam is trademarked. Will wonders never cease. Initially I bought one can, brought it home to try, and discovered that for a canned product, it had potential for integration into my style of dishes And my husband could easily chew, eat and digest it without a problem. Hello Spam!
As I sit here munching on my spicy Szechuan Spam sandwich made with a Chinese sweet bun.. I am very content with this new discovery.
Trying something new is fun. Leads to new possibilities, and a different taste to the palette, which in turn, makes for a truly “yummy” moment. Early morning and I am already having a day of discoveries.
Hope you are also enjoying an exciting and adventurous day. We are the captains of our own ships. Or is it the chefs in our own kitchens. Whatever, I know you get the drift.
Enjoy the day allow it to build to its fullest potential. You will be blessed!
Oyashikiri
other tins.. eel, one is roasted and the other in black bean sauce
Good Morning everyone…
I am working on a new project, this is how far I’ve progressed since the other day. Working with the medium I am using I prefer to let the layers dry before I move on to other layers.
Plus the layer I am working on might have to be done in stages since it is “come as you are” inspiration. Meaning, I work on it when I am “feeling it” Some projects get finished others do not. Simple fact. I long ago learned that I am happiest living in the moment. I am not a planner in the sense that I map out what I will do next fall, or next year.
As it turns out this has become a blessing for me. My husband having been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, we live each day, happy to start a day, and to once again share the happiness of being together. Every day is a huge blessing, one we are grateful and thankful for.
In the book “the power of kindness” by Piero Ferrucci, he has 2 lines that stands out for me. “To remember is to live. To forget is to die”
In PL we have the 21st precept. Live in Perfect Liberty.
Today we start another day, I wish you joy, happiness and all that you desire to make it a memorable one.
Till soon Q
Oyashikiri

For anyone starting the new year with me, “chop suey” = a little of this and some of that. When Chinese cooks came to America and needed to create similar dishes to their own, What would be normal ingredients to them back home, was not available in the very early years, they adapted, using what was readily available and what they could grow in their new home.
Bone Soup, this morning’s breakfast, I add an egg for protein, The egg gives a rich taste to the broth. Egg is raw, when the boiling water engulfs the noodles and covers the egg, it marinades together. Yum
It is another cold day here. Someone used the phrase “bone chilling”… that reminded me that I had Bone Soup packages, my breakfast was decided. When I finish with my hot soup, I will make myself an ice coffee, with big fat ice cubes. I have put the coffee outside for it to chill …. when I say I like it cold, I mean COLD.

I found a small chess set yesterday that I thought the dolls could enjoy, and yes, they liked the idea. My husband set up the board for them (I don’t play) and explained the game to them. This I hope will keep them entertained over the week-end. My friend Tanya who also does doll displays I think is dressing her dolls for outdoor activities. Brrrr.. for the dolls to go out, that means the human has to accompany them to set up the display. Dolls are a creative pass-time…
When I wanted to be a fashion designer and model, I spent hours designing clothes and drawing the models to wear them. Today, I still like to do set designs, and make up stories for the “dolls” to portray. With our down sizing, I have had to part with a lot of “this and that” Some dolls had to be given up for adoption, they didn’t really work into my story telling.
The positive about downsizing, is that we are finding things we had long forgotten we had, or we knew we had .. but didn’t know where they were… sound familiar.
My roller skates didn’t have pink wheels, but I did have pink laces. I would still go roller skating if we had the kind I am used to. Mind you .. in my day we skated in special roller rinks, that were covered, and had hardwood floors. Before my time, they had bands that played for the skaters, by the time I was into skating, there was an organist who would play from 8 – 10 sometimes 11 for those of us who wanted to dance (on skates). Two steps and waltzes.
Later of course we had the disco phase.. where there were special skating places with disco music and lights. Usually big open rooms, where the figure skaters could do their spins and fancy solo footwork in the middle while the rest of us went around and around in time to the music.

My sister always groans when she sees my posts with abandoned buildings or old rusted out relics… but to me they are like memories. they spark my imagination. This one I received in a Pintrest notice. I have a board on Pinterest of “Once upon a time” places …Their software searches out “like” pictures from other posts, and send them to me to see if they interest me.
You have all seen the pictures I share with you of the places I find when my husband and I are touring the roads. I like character, history, and places that show a bit of eccentricity, personality .. even with the passing of time, the facial reconstruction done by nature these places still maintain an aura that compels and second look, maybe even a third and fourth.
Heading out soon, have errands to run, wanted to share a few minutes with you, say hello, and wish you all the best as you carry on with your day. If my friend North is out there, bundle up, some of that cold northern air you enjoyed, is wanting to bring you memories of days gone by .. but in doing so… is colouring our area too.
I heard last night, that the warmer air is on its way. Yay, a change will be nice. Drive carefully, where there is snow there is white out. If you are in a place that is sunny and warm… close your eyes and send a bit this way… wink.. imagination goes a long way, believing, makes it happen.

Loving hugs being sent your way..
Oyashikiri
roller skates and abandoned building – Pinterest

I want lobster I head for a fish market or to a specialty fish restaurant. Not my cousin, no.. he and his partner want lobster they head for the wharf, no matter the temperature…Then tease us with photos on Instagram. =^_^= Obviously they live near the ocean, in this case the east coast.
Meanwhile here we look out at piles of snow and frozen rivers. An example of how while we live our daily lives, at the exact same time in another “dimension” someone else is experiencing their daily life. AND. it is so very different from ours.
The making of another person , is like ours, only the components that make up their personalities and experiences are different. Yet they love, live, share happiness, sadness and joys exactly the same way we do.
So why I ask .. when strangers meet, if they show differences in their outer presence do we hesitate in reaching out in friendship…
PL Precept #10 Love yourself and others
Oyashikiri
photo – Brian and Jon
In a store near you

coming soon
“No matter where we are, there is always another “some-where” we have yet to discover.” Q
Oyashikiri

First card of the new year. =^_^= “Life Is art” PL Precept #1. Will head out to the church soon for our 11 o’clock ceremony. We have four major ceremonies in PL, and Monthly ceremonies, today’s occurs on the 1st of each month. Day of Peace.
Through this ceremony we gather and pray for World Peace.
Let us join in prayer today, that everyday will see us focus on working together towards, making this a better place, loving, caring and sharing. Appreciation and gratitude being the foundation of our days.
Always and forever.. Oneness with the Universe…
Oyashikiri
endings, beginnings
always another day
reality, there is only now
always is
this very moment
Q
Each section represents a challenge or opportunity. Is there a storyline here, for me there is. What about you…
As another year draws to an end, a new one is waiting in the wings. The above will still be there, waiting to be found. Every day, something new is added to our personal collage. Some noticed, some not. Never-the-less, seen or not, they become part of the puzzle that is “life”
Pictures do tell a story..
PL Precept #1 Life IS Art