Faith Family Friends

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.

Monday 25 June 2018

A Hodge Podge of Happiness

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abe Lincoln

Hello friends! This post is going to be a little bit of this n' that. 

Why a hodge podge of happiness? Well, it's because my hubby started a part time job at a sporting goods store a month ago. He retired the end of 2017 but he wanted a part time job. We have been busier than ever because of his schedule but he's happy to be working at something he enjoys. He's a people person and he loves sporting goods! So it's a good mix.


Another reason for happiness...For Father's Day, one of the things I surprised Hubby with were his favourite cinnamon rolls. I have not been able to make them for almost a year so I was pretty pleased with myself that I was able to do this. He was happy when he got home from work and found them sitting on the table!
 I always bake my cinnamon rolls in muffin tins so they bake up thick like a muffin. Yum!
If you're interested in my recipe just click on the link.

Another reason for happiness...We went out for dinner on Father's Day and he had the boring hot beef sandwich with veggies. This is what I had!
Doesn't it look delicious? It is a mandarin salad with a breast of chicken drizzled with a Thai sauce. I ordered it without the seeds and when our little waitress noticed I was scooping the seeds off, she immediately came over and apologized and brought me another one without the seeds. Oh, was it ever good! Don't you find a meal served attractively always tastes better? This time last year, I was just beginning to ease myself back into a regular diet after having two surgeries.



Last week our little granddaughter was in a dance recital and here are a couple of photos her mom sent us.

She is the little brunette in the center.


Yet another reason for happiness...I can't wait to see her next month! Our middle son, his wife and our two youngest grandchildren along with their darling fur baby, Boomer, are all coming for a visit and I'm so excited! 
This is Boomer. Isn't that a sweet face?? He almost looks like a stuffed toy.
We haven't seen our DIL and grandchildren for two years other than on FaceTime/Skype, although our granddaughter is always sending her Papa little love notes on the phone. There is no doubt, she is Papa's girl! Our sons were all home last year and it will be good to see our middle boy with his family and pup again. 

There is so much to do to prepare for them; baking some favourite treats, cooking, cleaning, and getting their room ready. I need Hubby's help because my hand is not back to its full use yet but I'm getting there. One day at a time. 

I value this delicious home feeling as one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow. ~ Washington Irving 

Unfortunately, our youngest won't be coming this year because he is moving to another state in July. 


Another reason for my happiness...It's a good move because he got tenure-track at a university in MI and he's pretty happy about that. Oh, I love and miss that dimple and those big blue eyes!

I am very blessed with a family who loves one another and even though most of us live far apart, we are close in every way that counts. And I know Whom it all comes from, my Father above who loves us all. 

God's love for us offers us the sense of belonging and identity we all crave. ~ Our Daily Bread 

Now, how about a cup of tea while you're here? I saved some cinnamon rolls for you so you may help yourself.




May your life always be like a pot of tea...overflowing to warm the soul. ~ Irish Proverb


A little blue and white just before Canada Day when everything will be red and white.

The teapot, creamer, and tea cup and saucer are all made by Port Meirion called Botanic Blue and have a motif of flowers, dragon flies and butterflies on them; perfect for summertime! I love looking out at our big maple tree out front.


What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfilment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~
Gertrude Jekyll - excerpt from Victoria May/June 2011

A simple tea time setting with creamy white roses in front of the window also brings me happiness.

So there you have my hodge podge of reasons for Happiness today. I am so thankful for the simple things in life because it is the simple things in life that are perhaps the best things of all. I believe Laura Ingalls Wilder said that. 

Have a beautiful week dear friends and thank you for your visit.



I am joining the following parties as well~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Friends Sharing Tea  
 Home Sweet Home

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

20 comments :

  1. the cinnamon rolls look delicious! So does the salad, and I think that yes, you chose more wisely than hubby. But I won't rub it in. LOL Very attractive family you have, and it's encouraging to hear that you can stay close even when the distance is far. Have a great week!

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  2. What a beautiful post, Sandi. So full of love and happiness! A reminder that family and simple pleasures are the best things in life...

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  3. My goodness you have been busy. You are so lucky to have a family that loves each other. In these times that is becoming rare.

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  4. Lots of lovely things to be happy about it!! Praise the Lord! Your cinnamon rolls looks delicious, I am sure your husband was pleased. Your granddaughter is adorable! Your son has beautiful eyes! Such beautiful china, love the blue in that set. Have a wonderful week!

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  5. I totally agree that it's the simple things in life that can make us happy. Congrats to your son on the tenure-track position in MI...he's getting a little closer to the Island! Your scrumptious Thai chicken and cinnamon rolls are making my mouth water. I'm also admiring your pretty blue and white dishes. In the ideal world, I'd only work part-time...but I gotta earn money to support my tea hobby!

    Thanks for the visit. I also loved the tea room's tea by the fireplace set-up...I may have to borrow that idea for my own place (minus the Victorian chairs).

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  6. What a beautiful post. The cinnamon rolls look delightful and delicious! You have lots going on there, too, I see. Congrats to your very handsome son. I know how hard it is to miss them.
    I am tickled the kids are coming to visit! They make like worth-while don't they? Your little dancer girl is just beautiful!!!!
    I am back at work full-time so don't get as much time to blog as I once did.
    Hope you have a great night-xo Diana

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  7. Sweet post as ever!It is a pleasure visiting you!Love that beautiful table,the teaset is gorgeous and the roses are stunning!Hugs!

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  8. What a wonderful post! It was filled with love, happiness and family.

    Your tea tables are always lovely and those cinnamon rolls look so yummy. Baking them in a muffin tin sounds like a great idea.

    Happy Summer ~ FlowerLady

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  9. i see your son is moving to our state, i know he will enjoy it here, it is a lovely state and so much to do with all the lakes....sue

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  10. Such a lovely post. You sound good through your writing. Happy your family is coming. The pup does look like a stuffed animal. Oh so cute.

    Your granddaughter looks adorable and I love here crown.

    Happy you are feeling better and the cinnamon rolls look yummy

    Cindy

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  11. Oh I enjoyed your hodgepodged of happiness this morning Sandi. That little grandgirl....she is beautiful! Nothing like the grands. Glad your man is doing something part time that he likes and enjoys. Those cinnamon rolls looks so good! Oh I have never thought of baking them in a muffin pan! I would love to have your recipe. Happy 4th dear Sandi. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  12. A lovely post, Sandi, full of happy things. The blue tea set and white roses are so pretty. I enjoyed the family news, as well. You have lots of things to look forward to and that's always a good thing. Enjoy the preparations!

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  13. Your hodge podge made me happy too :-)

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  14. How awesome your family is coming in! Love the pictures. Your grandaughter is getting so grown up. The little girl I watch is too. So much joy they bring! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  15. Your Hodge Podge of happiness brings joy to my heart...so happy for you to be anticipating this wonderful visit of family. Truly a blessing. Love the cinnamon rolls...makes me want some...and the blue and white tea set is lovely. I wonder where you keep all these lovelies? I always enjoy seeing them. thank you for sharing your happiness with us.

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  16. Your son is moving to Michigan - where in Michigan? I'm north of Detroit so I couldn't help wondering if he's anywhere near me. If you ever come to visit him, my welcome mat is always out and I'll put the kettle on. I thought about you while on my recent Southern Tea Time Getaway. I mentioned you in one of my blog posts when I was reviewing a B & B's where we stayed. They used Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz china for our Afternoon Tea and breakfast the next morning.

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  17. I had to scroll back to see what I've missed. Glad I did. Sounds like some happy things indeed! So thankful you are feeling better this year. xo

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  18. Your teatime looks wonderful. Yummmmmm! Cinnamon rolls!!! It is always lovely to gather family and friends together.

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  19. Sandi, this is the first time I've seen the Botanic Blue pattern -- gorgeous! Your cinnamon rolls look superb. I'm so glad your husband found a part-time job that will keep him amused and that things are hopping in the family!

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  20. Sandi:
    Your granddaughter is absolutely a doll! I am just arriving here and trying to start catching up. I love all your wonderful cinnamon rolls and printed the recipe out renaming the title with "by Sandi on PEI"! Your son is very handsome, I love your pretty blue teaset and so happy for your husband's retirement job!!! They help a lot!

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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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