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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Wednesday 10 May 2017

Flowers and Enjoying the Simple Things in Life.

To find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest, or over a wild flower in spring -
these are some of the rewards of the simple life. ~ John Burroughs

Hello my lovely friends! Have you missed me? A lot has happened since my last post and I want to thank all of you wonderful blogger friends who have been praying for me. What a difference prayer cover can make in one's life! 

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~ Jean Baptiste Massieu



I've had one of my surgeries and I'm recuperating from that. Over the weekend, Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary and on Monday, his birthday. This upcoming weekend is Mother's Day so it has been a busy time for sure.




My hubby brought home a gorgeous bouquet of red roses and carnations for me and then yesterday our church delivered this huge bouquet to me. So I'm enjoying all of these lovely flowers right now. 



Reflect on our present blessings of which every man has many -
not on your past misfortunes,
of which all men have some. ~ Charles Dickens

I am on a strict diet to control a cranky gallbladder which will be going bye-bye but in the meantime, my meals are rather limited and there is no treat warm from the oven these days. So, the pie I usually bake for Hubby's birthday was replaced by an apple pie from the bakery. I can't have any so he is enjoying the pie all by himself. He says he would rather have my home made pie which is a nice compliment but this pie will do for now. 



He forgot the ice cream so he's eating it plain. If I was able to eat it, I would most likely enjoy it with a piece of cheddar. How do you like yours?



My teacup is one my sweet Auntie P sent me from her own collection. It is a Paragon and it is lovely. I love the ruffled saucer and the pretty shape of the cup. I used a couple of posies from my bouquet and doesn't the lavender coloured rose match perfectly?


I told one of my blogger friends that once the gallbladder comes out and I'm able to enjoy a real meal again, I am going to indulge in everything I've been going without the last few months. A tea party might be in order. What do you think?


The extraordinary thing about the timing of all of this, is that outside my window the trees are budding, the grass is a vibrant green and the songbirds are back. One can't keep from smiling when there is all of this beauty right outside your window. And let's not forget the beautiful bounty of flowers inside too.



It's springtime and no time is a good time to have to undergo surgery but springtime offers a wealth of new beginnings every day with a fresh new beauty all its own. 



So for me, the incredible changes this time of year lend a very calming and healing effect on me. For that I am grateful! God's timing is always perfect.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means. ~ Ronald Reagan



What are you thankful for today? 

I am thankful for so many things. Those blessings include you, dear blogger friends. Over the past few weeks, I have received emails, cards, and gifts from some of you. The lovely quotes throughout this post were chosen from a beautiful book called Daily Calm which was sent to me by dear Deborah of The Beautiful Matters who knows how much I love quotes and poetry. 



She included the latest issue of Tea Time magazine as well as a package of assorted teas. This was a delightful surprise from my friend south of the border. Thank you Deborah, I am touched by your kindness and friendship.

What started out as a rather short post, gradually became longer. I hope you don't mind. Have a beautiful day everyone and thanks so much for stopping by. The Lord bless you all and be sure to stop and smell the roses!




I am sharing my post with these lovely parties ~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Tea In the Garden
 Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

27 comments :

  1. Dear Sandi,
    I'm glad the first surgery is over with and you are healing. The renewal of spring time is a good time to be looking outside and taking gentle walks. I have some Paragon teacups and like you, I think their shape is so very pretty. You've received some lovely bouquets.

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  2. 'This too shall pass' comes to my mind. Hoping for a swift recovery for you. Thanks for sharing that pretty cup.

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  3. Dear Sandi:
    I am so thrilled to find you recuperating and doing better. I to mailed you a package last week but I think they send things all over the world before they get to Canada or at least, so it seems.....so it may take a while. I don't advise standing by the mailbox waiting. I so enjoyed your lovely post here and thank you for linking!

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  4. Blessing to you from Virginia...hope you will be doing all you want to do real soon.

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  5. Sandi, it is so good to hear that you are recuperating from the first surgery. Thanks for this beautiful post.

    I would prefer cheddar cheese with my apple pie too. Your flowers and tea things are lovely and you're right, it is a beautiful time of year to rest and recuperate.

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  6. I am so pleased to see your return post. As always, the photography is beautiful. Take care of yourself!

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  7. So glad this surgery is over Sandi and it will be nice when the gall bladder is out too. You received some beautiful flowers for your anniversary and getting well, they surely are food for the soul.
    You have been on the prayer list of my Tuesday morning small Bible Study class and remain in my own prayers.
    xx

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  8. Hello Sandi,
    It's good to know that you are doing better. We have missed you here in Blog Land. To be surrounded by beautiful flowers can be so uplifting for the spirit. I hope and pray that your gallbladder surgery will go well. I'm also very thankful for the improvement in my life and my family. Spring reminds us that there is always hope and renewal.
    Blessings to you.
    hugs,
    Sissie

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  9. Oh such lovely bouquets...and yes, the roses are exquisite! Thank you for sharing the flowers with us...I can smell them from here! Love the tea cup you shared...perfect! Praying for you as you continue to rest and recuperate...and prepare for "stage two". May the Lord bless you and keep you...and make His face to shine upon you...and give you peace.

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  10. Happy Anniversary and Mother's Day, Sandi! I've had pie a la mode, but have never tried it with cheese. I have quite a number of Paragon teacups in my collection so I'm loving the cup from your aunt. We'll definitely have to celebrate the removal of the cranky gallbladder with a tea party! One down, one left to go...

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  11. Hi Sandi! So wonderful to hear you are recuperating and on the mend. I always say if you're thinking about food, you must be feeling better! I love that photo of the little bird's nest in the cup...a metaphor perhaps for a new life? Thinking of you, Pat

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  12. Dear Sandi, so good to hear you are healing up from this latest surgery. Pretty soon the next surgery will be over and you'll be feeling so much better.

    You've received some lovely flowers and your tea cup and saucer are very pretty.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  13. Sandi , so refreshing to see a post from you .glad to hear that you are healing . Praying for a quick healing with this next surgery . Hugs and blessings , Cindy

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  14. It's soooo good to read a post from you, dearest Sandi. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday to your sweetie. Your flowers are so lovely from your hubby and the church. I'm looking forward to when you can enjoy some treats and yes, we should have a virtual tea party and celebrate you! Wasn't that sweet of our friend Deborah? She's such a dear! God bless you as you heal, my friend, and then on to your next surgery.
    Happy Mother's Day! ❤️

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  15. Thank you for another wonderful post of yours, darling Sandy, I so love your flowers, your teacups, the love you put in everything you do !

    Wishing you a lovely end of your week - Happy Mother's Day
    I'm sending blessings across the many miles

    XOXO Daniela at - My little old world - (Dany)

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  16. Wonderful to get this post notification and your sweet email. I am so glad to know you are doing well, and will continue to pray. Wonderful teacups, quotes and flowers....but the best is good news about you!
    Ruth

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  17. Gorgeous teacup and fabulous flowers!Blessings for you!Hugs,Maristella.

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  18. You got such lovely flowers! I pray for a speedy recovery and this will be part of the past soon. Take care!!

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  19. Oh, my goodness, your flowers are simply stunning!

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  20. The flowers are so pretty, and your pictures of them are stunning! I do think a proper tea party with all the fixin's will definitely be in order. I would be planning the menu already! And I've never had apple pie with cheddar although I know it's classic combination. Continuing to pray for you, and looking forward to sharing a virtual tea party with you soon. xo Deborah (ps so glad you liked your pkg)

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  21. Glad to hear that you are on the mend and over one of your surgeries Sandi. What gorgeous flowers and tea cups. It's a cold Spring here with a lot of rain and flooding. I hope it warms up soon. Take care xo

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  22. Hi Sandi,
    So good to have your surgery over and I hope you continue to improve.
    Nice to have a beautiful bouquet of flowers to enjoy.
    Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  23. Praying for your speedy recovery Sandi! So sorry you're having troubles. Your flowers are beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  24. I did miss you Sandi and glad that the surgery went well. I think with gall bladders its laser - a friend of mine had hers out. The recoup time too is pretty fast. Also I love the tea cup with the bird's nest. keep getting stronger and enjoy the beauty of the season - tons of hugs.

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  25. Sandi, I was just talking about you a few days ago as we watched "Anne With an E." Have you seen this production? I think a full afternoon tea is definitely in order once you're rid of that pesky gallbladder! I like my slice of apple pie plain or with a bit of custard sauce.

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    1. Yes, Jean, I have watched the new Anne production although I still prefer Megan Follows as Anne. Having read the book dozens of times and once again a couple of weeks ago, I was disappointed in many of the storylines in this newest series. I felt too many changes had been made and were not true to the book as LM Montgomery wrote it. I thought the acting was superb however.

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  26. Sandi, I was disappointed about some of it as well, probably the same things that you were. I was very surprised that they had a new Matthew and Marilda that I liked so well. I was fully expecting to hate them! :D

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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