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Spam

spam and eel 1.2018You 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

today 1.7.18

violetGood 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

lobster eh!

Brian and Jon lobster

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

 

day 1 2018

card 1.1.18

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

 

looking back 2017

endings, beginnings

always another day

reality, there is only now

always is

this very moment

Q

 

a door closes, one opens

Dec.13 in bloom

In life we pass through many doors, some close and never open again, others close for the moment, and then reopen slowly to let the sunshine in, and the air is fresh and clear.  Like a perfect sunny day in December should be.

dec 13th b

A favourite flower to watch bloom, when it opens is a joy to behold. I have been overwhelmed by your kindness and caring.  I felt it only right to share our news with you.  smiles out at her community of caring hearts.  The surgery was scheduled for 8, we were asked to be at the hospital for 6.  At 5:15 my amazing husband wakes me “Q it is 5:15 I am ready to go, I’ll be in the truck waiting, can you be ready to leave for 5:30”   Ladies  I ask you…  this is the faith he has in me. catch my wink and smile  You all know I rose to the challenge and was ready with my coffee with minutes to spare.

And NO.. I am not going to tell you what I looked like.. LOL …. Let us just say I was presentable

Bottom line, the surgery was to have been from 8:30 to 4:30 and I was told that I likely would not be able to see him till after 6pm.  I received a call mid afternoon, they were unable to proceed, they saw it had spread, did a biopsy and yes, it was more cancer cells.  Rather than put him through a major surgery at this time, they checked the tumour that was there, saw that the previous treatments had dealt with it in a positive way.  And “sewed” him back up.  GOOD NEWS and some not so good news.

However, we are happy, we will only be apart a short time, and he will be home. Yes there is more treatments to come, and he and the medical team he deals with, will be there to coach and help us.  ALWAYS GOD IS WITH US, every step of the way.

Myself personally, your consistent supportive encouragement and caring words have been such a blessing.  Know that we/I truly appreciate each and everyone of you for what you bring into my life. Personally, online, from wherever, I love you all. You are all so special in your own way.

dec 13th a

A flowers beauty will fade, but the last memory of the beauty in its BEING, will last forever.  PL Precept #11    Always be with God

Oyashikiri

 

The only constant in life is Change 

chop suey 12.11.

Dec.11

No, not my birthday, but I am sure it must be somebody’s birthday, somewhere.  With my husband’s surgery fast approaching, I am finding that playing in my studio is a distraction that I find “restful”   In the truck I have been listening to a story about King Henry the VIII’s last wife, Catherine Parr, and the court life she led.  Interesting enough I guess, but I have decided I can do without the court drama.

The radio is either Holiday music, or if it is talk radio… the news, happenings of the day, budgets, politics and again, not what I call ambient for a soothing companion while I travel around doing last-minute errands.

skyline card started 2.25.17

On Sunday, the church was all festive with a decorated Holiday tree, even had lights. That was a nice surprise, I realized that each year, my husband has put up coloured lights on the garage, of  course, this year, that hasn’t been done.  Seeing the lights, reminded me that yes, it is the holiday season… but… for us… we will miss it all, it will be a quiet and hopefully healing one.

The Tree 5.20.17Snow is in the forecast, starting early evening, and, on into the night and most of tomorrow.  For everyone wanting a white Christmas, looks like you just might get your wish.

May the joy of the holidays fill your homes with glad tidings.  The merriment of shared laughter and tender moments be the ingredients of your days, and peace and serenity the balm of your nights.

Oyashikiri

 

art work and photos- mine

dare you not to smile

Pippa 50's dec.7

Diva Pippa, sitting pretty for the photographer (her Mom).. all she is missing is a poodle skirt.  Loved the picture and once again, asked permission to share,

pippa_g_thats_me    found on Instagram

For some reason I thought of the actress Sandra Dee, she also has a bit of Audrey Hepburn ??  maybe someone out there remembers the beach movie..from way back when… Did you smile?

Keep the smile, spread the happiness around.. Pippa’s is an award-winning smile giver. =^_^=

Oyashikiri

 

ps. my two, look at me with eyes that say, don’t you even dare think of it. LOL Pippa is a born model.  Of course we have to acknowledge her costume and set designer too. winks and waves…

PL Church

Dec.5.17 Olinda

Good morning everyone.  Tuesday, Dec. 5, and it is a mild day with rain.  I heard that the mild weather will stick around for a couple more days.  Somewhere I saw a big sun in one of the forecasts showing on most of the days of this week.

To me,  our  church here in Ottawa is beautiful.  Clean lines, no clutter, you could be walking into a clinic, it seems so bare compared to the buildings I am entering especially at this time of year.  As I walked towards the front of the church to pray, I caught a glimpse of colour.  I paused to looked over.. WOW simplicity making  a statement.  Whether it was just the time of day, sun streaming in from the large windows but the play of light and shadows was such, that I rushed to get my phone.

A minister’s wife is someone in the PL ministry that supports and works with the minister at maintaining and providing a “home” for its members.  This current minister’s wife is very quiet, speaks little English and never misses the opportunity to give you a warm welcome when she sees you.  She is also creative and talented, there are little touches everywhere that turn up like the arrangement above, when you least expect it to.  These little offerings are not only “a breath of fresh air” they brighten a day, and for this we really appreciate her silent gifts.

Her understanding of how to help a worn out or troubled “soul” whether with a cup  of coffee, in my case, unlike everyone I only drink iced coffee, black.  Yet, like magic a cold glass of ice with coffee will appear where I am working/sitting. It is humbling to experience such generosity of SELF.  Over the time I have known her, I appreciate her goodness more and more.  Could I be so selfless, so caring, to live every day for the good of others, in a country where the language is so different, never mind customs and cultural differences.

She makes me realize what I know, but don’t always practice, that “actions speak louder than words”  In PL, it is said.. “Church is a spiritual home away from home” and a “place to find your Inner-Self”.  I was at the church to  pray and to ask for help in the coming days.  I came away with such a wonderful feeling of “happiness”  yes the praying was good, but the flowers touched me..  the knowing and recognition of what a blessing she is…Today is about saying thank you to a beautiful lady.

Dec.5.17 Olinda x

Without saying a word, this arrangement, spoke volumes.

Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 21 Live ink Perfect Liberty

 

 

 

 

the door, the fence

airplane 3

You can see it, you can hear it, but you just can’t get to it.  The door is there, it opens, but even when it is just a short distance away, there is no access.

Life holds such moments at every turn.  We can look at attaining access to the door, there is a way in, but the time, or the moment is just not right

airplane

You can walk closer, but the fence is still there, the door is still there, but at the moment in time while you are standing there …you can only look and contemplate. How badly you want access to that door, will determine what actions you will take.  Even if you obtain access to the door, what then, the operation of the plane is in someone else’s skill set, not yours.

Such situations when they occur, bring to our attention how well we do with waiting, being patient, and learning to appreciate that this is a lesson that is important.  We may not know why it is, not at the moment, we are looking through the fence… but as sure as night follows day, why the delay, or why the opportunity presented itself, will be known.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point

PL Precept # 5  One’s Self is lost by being Emotional

Being upset by something we have no control over, nor change is a waste of energy. Instead, be grateful you are alive to live the moment, and that in doing so, life is progressing, and from the experience, you will gain inner strength.. focus on the positives… the fence will stay there, but you will find a way, it is only at that one moment, that access is not possible.  If there is a fence, there is a gate, if there is a door, someone will eventually come to that door.

Change is the only constant in life.

Oyashkiri

 

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