Hello New Week

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you are all doing well. In my corner of the world, I've been enjoy all the lovely tree blossoms despite our erratic weather. We had one day, I believe it was last Friday, when I actually felt overly warm in my rain jacket. Many people were out in shorts, sandals and sleeveless shirts but I found the heat was only evident if you were in the direct sunlight. In the shade it was a bit chilly. 

Anyway, soon enough it will probably be too hot for me. The summer forecast is for heat, drought and  wildfire concerns.  I shouldn't get ahead of myself.  For now,  we are still in spring and waiting for the dog days of summer. 

Ducks at the park

Spring is a time for some heavy duty cleaning after winter. I was able to clean the oven and behind the stove. I'm so glad those jobs are done. I've also wanted a new toilet seat and cover in the main bathroom but had difficulty getting the old ones off. It seemed the nuts and bolts were very rusted and fused together. I finally asked dear hubby for help and he ended up cutting through everything and pulling it all out. Again, I'm so glad that job is done. It makes a huge difference to have a new cover on the bowl.   The main bathroom also got a thorough cleaning. I even got down on the floor and looked up to see where any dirt and dust bunnies were. I don't do that very often.

Spring is also my favourite season to get out for walks and enjoy all the beautiful tree blossoms and green returning to the city after the winter's gray skies.

This month did not disappoint.

We've had a lot of rain yet we still have drought like conditions due to the early snow melt on the mountains. We've had a few sunny days to offset the rainy ones. It's usually enough of a balance to keep me satisfied.

Walking to Beaver Lake

I haven't posted any food related photos for awhile. Here are some recent meals cooked at home or picked up at the restaurant. These were all delicious.

Cabbage Roll Soup

Mixed vegetable and chicken stir fry with chili oil

Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork and Spring Roll Bun

Chicken and grape salad

Pork chops with sautéed mushrooms and barley pilau

Classic pound cake

I hope all of you are enjoying your April. I have a lot more left to do before the month is over so I'll be keeping busy.

Thank you for stopping by!

Mid-January Update

Happy Tuesday everyone. I hope your week is going well.

I'm still taking things a bit slowly, doing my household routines and enjoying a bit of television and reading. The quiet suits me. 

I've also been a bit busy with the Kenyan missions following up on a few women we've been helping including Rose who had a baby not quite 2 weeks ago and Janet who opened her small hair shop.

I also have friends in Kenya who've lost loved ones due to Covid recently. I'm praying for them during these difficult times. Pastor Jonah will be heading to Kericho from Nakuru today (Wednesday Kenyan time) to deal with land business. Long ago I posted about the widow we were helping obtain Letters of Administration from the Kenyan courts so that she could administer the estate of her late husband who died intestate (without a will). I think it was early December when the court granted the order and since then we've been undergoing the legal process to register land titles for the land (the primary asset in the estate) and that process is nearing completion. Land title deeds will provide some safety and security for the beneficiaries. Jonah will also be attending the funerals of the fathers of two men he graduated with from Bible College. Sadly, they have died of Covid and one of the sons has had to fly in from the USA to lay his father to rest. Please pray for everyone to keep safe during their travels and funeral attendance. 

My reading has slowed from last year. This is a conscious decision so that I can focus on other things, spend more time reading the scriptures and rest more.  Of course I'll always have a book handy because reading g books just comes so naturally 

The collage shows the books I'm currently reading. I also have an ebook I forgot to include in the photo. 

Dinner tonight is something I usually make during cold winter months: roasted potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage and beef sausages. Coleslaw was served along with it and it hit the spot. Last night we had chicken and rice soup. The chicken was leftover from the roasted chicken and greens we had on Sunday. Wednesday I have to go out so we'll have chicken cordon blue from the frozen food section and I'll make a nice green salad to go with it.  It feels nice to have the dinner menu sorted ahead of time and to make a plan to use leftovers to avoid food waste as much as possible.

My play plans tonight include making good progress on finishing Portrait of a Scotsman. Enjoy your day or evening wherever you are in the world.