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Did you know?

If you rub a potato on your snow goggles before you start your descent, do it when you get on the ski lift. rub raw potato over the goggles, and your ride down should be nice and clear.

Out of silver polish, take a few potatoes and boil them up. Remove them from the water and save them for another use. Put your silverware in the potato water, let it sit for about an hour, then remove the silverware and wash. Tarnish should be gone.

One more. Use slices of raw cold potatoes over your eyes, to make the puffiness go away.

Calorie free uses of the multi- purpose potato.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/66639269459829037/ come on now, click on the link, let me take you to a different place…..

Lessons can be learned through awareness. If you think of the hardest thing for you to do and how much you resist it, then you are looking at your greatest lesson at that moment. don’t let resistance stop you from making changes. Observe yourself, watch how you resist, then go ahead anyway. Here are some non verbal clues, of how our actions often show our resistance… Changing the subject >> Leaving the room >> Going to the bathroom >> Being late >>> Getting sick >> Procrastinating by doing something else, doing busy work, wasting time, etc….

Then of course there are the verbal clues – “I’m waiting for the stars to say it’s OK….>>>>>>> This is not the right environment >>>>> “they ” won’t let me change >>> It’s all “their” fault.>>>> how many more can your fill in here.

Oh and let’s not forget the self concepts >>> Too old >>>>Too young >>>> Too fat>>>> Maybe its just all too much >>>> and if we are honest with ourselves, there are the delaying tactics, denial and fear. Truth is… the process begins the moment we begin to think about making a change.

TAO ..The only constant in life is change …

PL .. Have the courage to take the first step. break free, start something new… believe in yourself and take the first step…

Travel on past the line of trees…

Have a great day, set your mind free…

Good Morning everyone! =^_^= one potato, two potato, three potato, four.… Give me a hug, and I’ll want more! Now to church I’m going, I’m out the door!

picture 1 is from Pinterest, Picture 2, was taken by Q

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Japan, aspects of

Now back home in Canada, in the middle of Nature’s awesome exhibit of her Fall colour palette, I find myself drifting off to memories of my all too brief time in Japan.
Japan had never been one of my travel destinations, so when I decided to go, it was pack up and go, no research or prior reading was done on the country, their customs, attitudes and behaviors.

For instance, I had no idea that in Japan public toilets did not supply paper towels, or hand dryers. I would have known to bring with me my own handkerchief.

Western tradition, we say “Ladies first”… Japanese tradition is “you first” the other person is placed on a higher social level than oneself… BUT… interestingly, going through a doorway, the senior male is expected to lead the way, and on a crowded train or bus, there is not need for a man to give up his seat, no matter how many packages or children a woman may be carrying. (social expectation)

When invited for lunch, a visitor usually leaves by 3 pm. while for an evening meal, visitors do not stay any later than 8 pm, even if encouraged to stay, the polite response is to leave. Host and family will often even go as far as the transit station with their guests. At the least, they will all stand at the door wishing the parting guests, safe journey etc.

The Japanese language is rich with special ways to express gratitude ie..
O-machido-sama deshita, -Thank you for waiting.
Go-chiso-sama deshita – Thank you for the meal.
Go-kuro-sama deshita – Thank you for going out of your way
O-tsukara-sama deshita -Thank you for your hard work.

Think how often we hear or say Thank you in our daily lives.

What I did experience and loved was the underground streets (Chikado) (areas of shopping) that are built in conjunction with major subway stations (train stations) in the larger cities, ie. Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in particular)

Every eating place (shokudo) and resutoran (restaurant) has an outdoor display cabinet that contains shokuhin sanpuru, (life size plastic replicas of dishes being served in that location). I understand that in most cases, what you see outside is a very close duplicate to what you will actually get in the shop, down to the number of slices and size of portions.

I came back home with a yen for more of the fabulous food offerings I had while in Japan.No, this taste delight has not been satisfied. I will have to continue in my searching. chances are I’ll do better in a larger city, i.e. Toronto. If you have any suggestions, please send them along to me.

In PL we say…. Saying Thank You creates a heart to heart connection. If you don’t put your thoughts into words and actions, you will not be able to express how you truly feel. By expressing your gratitude in words, you can really get your feelings across.

Blessings to you all, now and forever

Written

on October 15, 2013

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October memory

October 13

I had such a happy excursion yesterday. My husband with the two dogs, did some touring around the countryside near home. It was a simply fantastic day! What can I say, not much, I’d rather some the pictures with you…

Even in the last days of its bloom, this flower is an expression of nature’s glory.

Nature’s colour palette is filled with the richness of the shades that so brilliantly say “autumn”

Old markers in a newly discovered (to me) historic cemetery beckoned to me from the road, I had to explore. The older the cemetery, the more serene. With the dazzling sunshine, and dappled shade this one was lovely.

A tribute of another time, still sits proudly on a marker, its beauty may be faded, but it still exudes pulchritude and charm

The riot of colour that filled my day had me exhilarated and filled with a joy that was near to bursting. I love Canada and the four season it offers.

God resides in a prayerful Mind….. Evidence of the “Master’s” creativity was on full display yesterday. From pictures I saw being posted yesterday on FB
(Facebook) we were not alone in our rediscovery of the knockout day available to us yesterday. Every day is filled with new discoveries.

Let me leave you a thanksgiving greeting I got this morning, I’m sorry the graphics did not copy paste, but the verse is cute. click on pumpkin pie)

“the pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!”

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN’T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED –
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
‘TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES….
HAPPY EATING TO ALL – PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.
MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES ‘N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

PUMPKIN PIE

Blessings – Matthew 5:1 and 6

photos -iPhone -Q Kemptivlle, Mountain and surrounding areas.

Written

on October 13, 2013

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Smiles

What gives you an instant smile?
What when you see it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Could be lots of things..
One of my “smiles” are sheep/goats..
I’m not alone, I see sheep pictures, curios, soft toys in all the shops.
Sheep, in person, when you visit them on a farm, may look soft and cuddly, but if their coats are full
and they are out in the pasture, its ah… not so inviting to throw your arms around them for a snuggle.. LOL nor will they necessarily let you.

A Felter, I have tried to clean raw fleece.. what a chore that was. I loved the activity though, the thought that I was doing what pioneer women did, clean, dry, and the prepare the fleece through the different stages to either felt or knit/crochet with. I only made it so far, I stumbled and stalled when i got to the spinning wheel phase. My wheel sits waiting for me to gather the patience to sit and try again. Still when i look over and see my spinning wheel, I smile.. it reminds me of happy moments when I was knee-deep in organic fibers .. the other project that I will leave to others is the dying of the fleece. In the living room I have a showcase full to brimming of all the different colours I could find. My stash is another “smile” in my life.

Smiles come in all shapes and sizes and they originate from a happiness inside. a person who is always pleasant and cheerful, can spread their joy wherever they go.

Just imagine the thrill and happiness this athlete is experiencing. A “smile” he /she will remember for an eternity.

Always remember to smile. Seeing a resident of Raglan Shire (Zoolie), makes me smile. photo taken by Q avatar is a Loco Poco kangaroo … You smiling?

Did you know – Sheep people (Chinese Astrology) are thought to be sensitive, talented and extremely creative, elegant and charming. They get along with almost everyone, they are peace loving, ardent and easygoing.

Written

on October 3, 2013

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What colour are you today?

What colour is your world today? Have you ever been asked that before. It was a popular question back in the days when I was still working at the hospital. In Psychology colour testing, and rating was the newest topic of discussion. In the world of Fashion, the colours you liked to wear, or leaned to, gave expression to.. are you fall? spring> winter? each season of course had a rainbow of colours that went with them.

Colour symbolism is one of the most universal of types of symbolism and has been consciously used in the liturgy in heraldry, alchemy, art and literature. If you were to make yourself a “talisman” today, what colour would it be? I remember giving an art class one day where the participants decided it would be fun to do a good luck talisman as their challenge of that day, Their first choice was what the object would be, and the second was what colours they wanted to use.

Personally over the years, I have gravitated to “earth” tones, but suddenly I would take a nose dive into the brighter gemstone colours, for some reason, though I love these bright cheerful colours, I prefer to wear more subtle and darker colours. With the aging process, that has fluctuated but only in small degrees. I fell in love with a pair of a capris that were a beautiful jewel tone of amethyst, fit like a dream and are super comfortable. I’ve worn them maybe once, but I won’t pass them on, my hand will linger on them when dressing, but when push comes to shove, the familiar, stand by me, faded jeans, or worn gray win out.
In life, situations and people drift in and out of our daily waking lives, often much like the colour palette we all seem to have in one form or another in our lives, and how we interact, or “see” these “visitors” actually colours are days/nights.

**note to readers ** a glimpse behind the scenes the software of this website, just dropped the last 15 minutes of my visit with you…. I saw shades of black, then red…. sigh.. now I’m back to a neutral zone, since I feel reconnected. computers, what to do with them.. rhetorical question of course. *** end of insert

Here we go. I’ve added some colour, Ahhh… that’s better.. lighter, pastel, muted… still colour. this is what life is all about isn’t it. We chose what colour to present ourselves with when we dress, and we “chose” how to respond to situations in our lives. Some get passionate responses, bright vivid colours… other times, we are accepting, life flows along, when a bump or detour happens, we can be colorful or very dark, depending on the situation. When we hurt, colours don’t harmonize, they clash. If we get sick, we can look completely washed out.

Lets start our colour palette with a smile…. that always works…. Be Happy today and always. Let’s create a rainbow day!

Written

on October 2, 2013

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Oh Yeah! – so what!

Busy busy busy– I am playing host today to a mind that is non stop busy. Doing what you say? Haven’t a clue.
What is a “roo” to do” I want to sew, go to the gym, work on my blog, finish cleaning the fridge, make a replacement mat for next to the burner, package some costume jewelry for the garage sale, prune back the vines that are going crazy in the backyard and you want me to what!!!! Bunnies and eggs month isn’t till next spring!
S T O P …head for a quiet space and sit down and do nothing. That’s right N O T H I N G. now that is better, time to reflect on just what I would like to do in 3 minutes. Not before. First I will do NOTHING.

Works for me, by the time my brain and body realize that I am sitting absolutely still not listening to the chatter, the quiet ,moment has begun. Something magical starts to happen. From the moment you decide “you are in control, and you are going to do get things done at your pace and your way….things begin to happen.
In PL we work at being “mindful” being “present”, when the brain starts to chatter in unproductive blah blah blah. We quietly make time to center ourselves and take back ownership of our day.

Ask yourself, what is needed now and what can wait?
Oh Q Roo (kangaroo) is happy, happy happy! thanks for sharing this moment with me…..

photo- Wynx Kangaroo avatar. clothing by Qyhat Harbour (taken @ Tiny Outpost in SL)

Written

on August 29, 2013

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shaking off negatives

This is my fantasy – that like a dog, I could just shake off all the negatives, worries and distractions with one good body shake.
Oh, it would feel soooo good.
Let everything fly out and away from me…
Then start fresh… not everything will cut loose, but everything
will displace and what settles back down can be viewed with
a new perspective.

Hey, we all have our dreams, ideas and creative hiccups. When I watch our dogs come out of the water and give themselves a good shake, it always looks like it such a feel good thing to do. I thought of doing a head stand, seeing if that would dislodge and toss some of my gray matter around, but I wasn’t successful at getting into that position, never mind staying in it long enough to enjoy the moment.

I am an artist who loves to day dream and consider possibilities. I can get very excited finding the strangest things along the roadway or down a long forgotten trail or path. I grew up at a time where it was encouraged that we give our imaginations full range. Given a pencil and paper with a box full of jumbled thread, discarded what nots and old catalogues, WOW I’d be lost in my own world for hours.

Today you go into a store and there is sticker, cut out or stamp for almost everything. How hand made or scrap cards today? Ok not the time to go into my tirade on now vs. the good “old” days. The dog shaking off the water that has bogged him/her down makes me smile. The fur/hair needs to be wrung out, simple, shake and shake again. It’s done. AND its off we go to play again.

Nature is wonderful isn’t it. Simplicity is soooo Positive.

Where’s my dog I want a cuddle.. Hugs everyone….

Written

on August 25, 2013

Fresh from the farm

We are lucky where we live, during the summer, there are always fresh produce stalls in the outdoor markets. However, even better is when we drive a little out of the city and get the produce directly from the farmer. That is what we did yesterday. I was a tad restless, my son’s heart surgery was postponed till today. I wanted a distraction and it was a lovely day for a drive to the St Lawrence. (a major waterway that borders Canada and the United States) We packed the two dogs into the car and off we went, the best part of the drive for the dogs is that there is a wonderful dog park in Morrisburg, well maintained and gated. On our way back we stopped at one of my favourite farms for fresh corn, this farm always has the sweet golden nuggets, they do have the peaches and cream too, but I like the succulent gold. The plums called out to me and of course I munched on fresh plums on the way home. At just the right time of the year, the flesh of the plum is delicate and sweet, even the skin is nice.

Diet is such an important factor in our well being, yet we forget at times that there is a difference between fresh from the farm, and store bought. I confess that even for me, it is hard to always get fresh and consume it while it is still in that very fresh stage. I bought yellow wax beans and green beans, when I prepared them for supper, they were so fresh, they snapped clean when being prepared. The smell or fragrance if you will of the vegetables was alive ..unlike a packaged vegetable that lacks any smell when you take it from the sanitized packaging. The corn was “out of this world” I do mine in the microwave, it is steamed in its own sleeves. this way, when it is peeled, it is ready to eat, no salt, no butter, just the yellow meat of the kernel. Delicious.

Having tasted one of the best veggie dinners I’ve had in a long time, I then found myself thinking of preparing a stew for my meat and potatoes hubby. Using the fresh ingredients, I would start from scratch. So today I went to the butchers to find stewing beef. There was none on hand, so had to settle for a piece of steak that needed to be tenderized. The anticipation of cutting up the meat, and preparing the vegetables was wonderful. I bought turnip, parsnip, yellow flesh potatoes, and I knew I had red onion, and fresh garlic at home. Usually we are so busy, that dinners can be something quick and easy. It was nice to chop and prepare, then get things going on the stove. The aroma that filled the kitchen was familiar and relaxing. Since I was in a cooking mood, I put a pot of water on and started a pork stock with garlic and ginger (used for making different Chinese soups).. yes I had purchased pork bones to do this while I was out. It is like a ripple in the water, the fresh produce from the farm started a need for my creativity to explore and satisfy my taste buds. My son loves to cook and has done several cooking videos on a number of dishes he likes.

I want to thank the many of you who are praying for him today, it means a lot to us. A love for cooking and good food is something that we share. Brigitte his wonderful partner in life told me he went into surgery at 7:30 this morning feeling and looking very relaxed. Food nourishes the body, love and prayer nourish the soul. My son and I are marinating right now in God’s embrace.

Blessings everyone.

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Sleep

When we enter the sleeping quarters, off come the shoes. I found that very symbolic, leave the outside at the door, enter the area where you will lay down and sleep for exactly that, sleep. All the time I was away, I did not encounter a problem with falling asleep. Didn’t even think about whether or not I would fall asleep, I simply lay down and slept. That is not what usually happens when I’m at home.
I will admit that since I stopped reading in bed, my sleep has improved. No TV, no computers, in the bedroom. Not even a radio. The mind is so easily distracted. The mind is a chatterbox. if you are wanting to eliminate the need for “sleep aids”, then preparing for a sound sleep is like preparing for a special event, You have to find out what works for you and then work at acquiring the ambiance and atmosphere.
Sleep is so important to our well being.
In order to be able to apply the PL teachings to your day to day life, you first need to know how. That is why in the Church of PL, we offer individual guidance.

I actually received a consultation the other day and came away with insight I had not expected. It is good to be reminded of something you’ve let slip by or forgotten. sometimes just talking out loud about personal thoughts, and concerns helps, and again sometimes, all we need is someone to “listen” In PL we are always here for you.

Leave your “shoes” at the door. May your sleep be blessed with a deep and serene bliss.

Written

on August 17, 2013

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Priceless !

Express Yourself Freely, Without Hesitation

Two great guys, traveling companions to Japan, My journey would not have been the same without them. I was traveling with their parents who I have come to know and love dearly.
This was really my first exposure for any length of time to these two gems. They took a ton of pictures which I can’t wait to see, it was so interesting to see Japan through their eyes. What interested them and how spontaneously they reacted and lived each moment in true PL fashion.

Both Seita and Waku were traveling to Japan to do “misasage”, (volunteer work at the training) and work they did once we arrived. They could fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and be awake and present in an instant.
Their sense of humour was their own, it was fun to watch and be part of their antics.
They were caring, responsible and simply a joy to spend time with.

A P P R E C I A T I O N

There were many lessons & great moments during my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, these two young men were part of what made the journey so special.

When we appreciate the people in our lives, and everything that comes our way. We experience a deeper joy in life.