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