All posts in Bits Of My Personality

Little Cookie Cutters

by admin on December 30, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Domestic Damsel, Little Things, People In My Heart with No comments

This has been a Christmas of sweet reminders that people ‘get me’.  My sister got me these little cookie cutters and they came straight off my amazon wish list (which she took the time to track down).  This is a first!  Someone found and went from an online wish list of mine!

Oh these sweet little cookie cutters reflect a piece of who I am.  I am a tea lady and can hardly wait to cut out cookies for my next tea party with these, not to mention SANDWICHES, thanks to hearing about that clever idea from a childhood pal of mine.

I like little ‘you get me’ gifts!  It reminds me it is OK to let people know who you are, to share who you are and to keep being MYSELF!

TTFN

Families Be At Peace This Holiday:)

by admin on December 14, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Holiday Messages, Music Flavor, People In My Heart with No comments

Peace be unto all, especially your families. Be nice to each other this holiday season! As my mom always used to say, ‘If you can’t be nice to your (enter brother, sister, mother, grandpa, in-laws etc.) then treat them like acquaintances instead of relations!’

And with that, enjoy some lyrics from a favourite band of mine. This Christmas song of theirs has really been a blessing to me this year.

“Christmas lights tangle in knots annually
All families huddle closely
Betting warmth against the cold
All the bruises seem to surface Like mud beneath the snow

So we sing carols softly
As sweet as we know A prayer that our burdens will lift as we go
Like young love still waiting under mistletoe
We’ll welcome December with tireless hope

Let our bells keep on ringing
Making angels in the snow
And may the melody disarm us When the cracks begin to show

Like the petals in our pockets
May we remember who we are
Unconditionally cared for By those who share our broken hearts“

~Sleeping At Last ‘SNOW’

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TTFN

The Settling of Christmas Sentiment Upon My Heart

by admin on December 12, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Feeling It (Thankful), Holiday Messages, Life Keeps Changing, People In My Heart with 1 Comment


After a heavy hitter week I fell into loving my family for the weekend. We had faced scary days at school, emotions at an all time high at home and death of a YOUNG sister in the Lord. Although the whole weekend was a whimsical reminder of Christmas’s approach, Sunday was particularly sparkly with special moments.

My sister performed in a jazz choir concert the day before, so I was already full to spilling with Christmas tunes in my heart when I arrived at church for a music service Sunday. With the special service all about ‘hope’ I must have cried and smiled the whole way through. The music was so moving and the message such a strong supportive embrace to my raw little spirit.

A cozy road trip followed as we trucked out to my before mentioned sister’s place. We had three BIG reasons to celebrate with them and so stopping to get them chocolates was in order. My eldest daughter insisted on the ‘joy’ Christmas tree decoration for them too. Her and I agreed it was applicable in such a case, a triple celebration kinda case! Our two families shared ‘non-sissy sushi’, yup, the real deal! We chatted, laughed and toured their lovely new condo.

We hadn’t made it back to the city when we managed to arrange a stop in to my brother’s home. We had hopes of meeting his doubly expanding family and dropping off a special little someone some toy trucks. It was a blessing to find time to drop in on more family. Time that was squeezed right in and worked out just right.

What a tired crew we where as we finally arrived back home. A small cold supper and big mugs of tea where in order. I got my crew of four tucked into bed and then found the LAST shortbread cookie. Feet up, lights down, except the Christmas tree.

Sighs and tears escaped me as Christmas sentiment settled into my heart and I reflected on a week of pain and love. SO much blessing! Such a mysteriously marvellous combination of pain and love life is. Thank you Jesus for it all. For the rain and for the sunny day. Times of struggle and rejoicing educate us in such essential and different ways; giving and growing us so very very much. All that is good comes from you and you are so good to me Jesus.

TTFN

Merry Christmas to Me?

by admin on December 12, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Little Things with No comments

While shopping for gifts, last month, I picked up a little something for me. Call it my early Christmas present to myself:) This cute little sweatered hot water bottle is a perfect gift! It has proven to stay cozy warm most of the night and my icy feet are no more. I slept SO good with it to snuggle. When you have cold feet like I do and live in a climate such as my family does I no not why I haven’t had one sooner. So glad it’s sweet little sweater, red with a white snow flake in the centre, caught my eye and reminded me that I could use warmer toes all winter long! My first hot water bottle and I am sold! It will make my winter so much more bearable! The sweater makes my heart warm with it’s cuteness and the warm water makes my feet cozy all night, and it all makes me grin!

Merry Christmas to all!

TTFN

Expectations Meet Grace

by admin on December 7, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Feeling It (Thankful), People In My Heart with No comments
(My families dainty Christmas tree, all decorated up by my three eldest children.)

Just watched a program about expectations. It shared the importance of finding the fine balance between bonding and empathising with the people you are close to and then expecting them to be like you.

When you start to see the similarities you will often assume they see, think and will react in the same way as you, or that their life is very much like yours. The fact is no matter how much we empathise, or connect, with people we are putting our slant on that too and we have to remember they are their own person.

The best thing we can do for those we love, in this regard, is empathise with them and wrap that in love so it doesn’t leak into unrealistic expectations of them. Expect too much, and then others failing you hurts, but it wasn’t that person who failed you as much as it could be you putting too much on them.

Assume the best of people when they make decisions that ‘let us down’. Seek to understand where they are coming from, and that it might be unlike anything in your world view; then offer your loved ones a large dose of grace.

TTFN

Thrifty Holiday Attire

by admin on December 4, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Domestic Damsel, Little Things with No comments
(The brightly coloured small fitted cardigan was so pretty! All the more pretty for 4 dollars.)

I take great pleasure in finding what I need at thrift shops, it all helps keep this single income family running smoothly. I went on the hunt for a dark brown long sleeved cardigan, a white long sleeved cardigan and a holiday dress for myself yesterday during nap time. My husband took over and set me free to shop for a few hours.I found the dress right away. It was more then I had hoped for with a sweet feminine look to it, modern in cut and SPARKLY. Ideal for the holidays and 9 dollars!

Although I found a long sleeved cardigan it was neither brown nor white but my favorite color, turquoise. I had to leave before finding exactly the right brown and white sweaters but I will find another calm afternoon to go for it again.

Finally, I spotted a long sleeved, transparently soft material, mid-evil inspired wrap that I couldn’t pass up for three dollars. It was a good night and although I am still hoping to find the two cardigan colours I am missing from my collection I feel successful. Ah, how lovely are the calm afternoons where I can take my time hunting through the massive array of clothing at thrift shops. The hunt is just as fun and rewarding as the finding of the treasures.

TTFN

Doily Appreciation

by admin on December 2, 2011 in Better Check Out Links, Bits Of My Personality, Domestic Damsel, People In My Heart with No comments
(A favourite doily from Grandma)

While the doily may not be in general a in trend style around the house I have noticed they are popping up everywhere else. I have seen some cute versions of them framed in stylish ways, necklaces with tiny crochet doilies and one of my favorite trendy scarves is basically one long doily.

Thanks to my Grandma Hicks I have a fabulously large collection of them now. I love presenting them on surfaces, in their traditional use, but I have plans to frame some pinned to pretty wall paper and I found a fabulous craft there you turn your sweet doilies into adorable dressy collar complete with pearl buttons.

Thanks to Grandma for these handmade treasures and I sure hope I can get over to learn how to crochet from you soon!

Fab ideas LINKED HERE,
and a necklace idea HERE,
OH and this sweet collar HERE,
More with a bracelet idea HERE,
and a scarf idea HERE!!

TTFN

Winter Wonderland Maquerade Tea

by admin on November 27, 2011 in Adventure and Me, Bits Of My Personality, Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me with 1 Comment

Trying something knew and having a winter tea was an adventure for me, especially when I decided to have my first masquerade party. After seeing so many pretty masks in October I was looking for an excuse to wear some. My summer tea this year was a grand affair but many important ladies where not able to attend and so I decided to throw a winter-y event.

Most of the evening I wore a lovely brown fur cape I have that has the prettiest satin bow paired with my pink dress gloves, but it got a little warm. My youngest daughter managed to keep her furry red scarf on all night, with her feathered mask, and she must have drank tea all night long. My oldest put on her cat mask and looked adorable in a hand made pink collar that my mother had found. Icing on the cake was finding out last minute that my Mom was going to be able to attend. She was so much help and such a great conversationalist.
It was grand fun to see what everyone picked to wear and all the creativity and uniqueness my circle of women have. One talented friend came in a costume dress she herself had made. Another had made her own lovely blue mask. A third had her daughter make hers in true sweet heart of a mother style. We had a lady who looked the princess in her gown of soft blue and ladies in more modern attire that suited their sophisticated taste.As usual everyone contributed to our snacks and we had a beautiful spread. It was so pleasant to see a collection of modern women drinking from my pretty collection of ‘real’ tea cups and all in all it was a sweet evening.You just don’t fine two women completely alike and they are so fabulous to get to know, each and every one!

TTFN

Dedicated Tea Drinker

by admin on November 24, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Foodie Like Me with No comments

I suggest you get a cup of tea and pull yourself, and it, up to this here computer and then read on!

Don’t get me wrong I like my coffee, and espresso especially, a lot but it is a heavy duty drink and I have got myself used to just a cup a day and anymore really does seem HEAVY to me. Tea, on the other hand, is available for every ordinary and extra ordinary occasion in my days. It is a comfort drink to me where coffee is kinda get pumped up and go for it drink. Tea is cozy, coffee is intense.
I wake to my black tea each morning with breakfast. I find it slows me down in a lovely way by being an excuse for couch time; ‘I could use a sit down and a cup of rooibos‘. When my tummy is upset, even just from nerves, then my mint green or mint chamomile are a good friend and confidant. Wrap my hands around a cup of it and breath…drink… think… breath… When I feel like rewarding myself, usually with a side of chocolate, the double chai is there to make me feel like I am having a hurrah moment or a personal little party (any reason will do, did the dishes really fast LETS CELEBRATE, pass me the chocolate and tea).
Ah yes, tis a grand thing to drink tea and to think I used to wonder at the amount my great great aunt Ruth could drink in a day and the amount of times she would break out the tea pot and cups to sit with… I am just as bad if not worse. When I am home for the day I stare down a full cup of tea over and over and over and over and…

Here’s a little facebook post I put up to get some fresh ideas for tea types. And after my post are some of the responses.

Asking all dedicated tea drinkers to share their top 5 favourite teas with me:

Here are the four teas I count as favourites as I go to them through out each and every day… (the teas I own and enjoy are a much longer list for sure)

  1. Rooibos (plain)
  2. Stash’s Double Spice Chai (gotta have my chai SPICY)
  3. Stash’s Mojito Mint Green (the only green I can really enjoy)
  4. Twinnings Earl Grey (my faithful morning friend)
  5. Peppermint Camomile (when I wanna calm right down)


One pal was all about loose leaf tea and a company called ‘Steeped’ in particular, here are her picks:

 1. Machiatto dreram (roobios)
 2. Dark chocolate Chai
 3. Earl grey de la creme
 4. Toffee crunch (roobios)
 5. Eggnoggin (green tea/black tea mix)

My second friend to share had three and I have to say, knowing she ADORES pomegranates and introduced me to pomegranate tea, I wasn’t surprised by her choices:

i like chai, peppermint, or pomegranate (green tea)

Third response was this:

Rooibos Caramello. It’s from my favourite tea store called The Blue Teapot in North Vancouver.

Fourth response:

I like Cherrybana by Paper Street Teas. Fruit combo, great warm, amazing chilled.

Fifth response:

Blooming teas in a glass teapot are my fav… Then a good authentic chai.

The Sixth response was my husband, he needed to put his two cents in:

1) Rooibos Provence is pretty amazing.
2) I also enjoy Mulberry Leaf tea from time to time.
But watch out for teas by a company named BIJA, yes they are healthy, but you might have a nicer drink by simply filling your tea cup with dirt and weeds.

Seventh response:

I have a fav ginger tea….can’t remember who makes it though.

Eighth response was from one of my sisters:

My favourite is Lime Gelato from David’s Tea, it is amazing. My next favourite from there is Buttercream. They are both pricey , but I am always glad I splurged when I have them.

Ninth response:

I love Chai! Twinnings Earl Grey, then Ginger Peach, good ol’ Orange Pekoe, and Lemon zinger for when I’m sick.

TTFN

Surrender is The Focus

by admin on November 21, 2011 in Bits Of My Personality, Feeling It (Thankful) with 2 Comments

I didn’t go looking for a healer preacher. This conference was on a very different subject. And yet… yet as he spoke he struck a personal cord of mine. Like anyone with new health issues I have been scared and hoping ever so little, if I can be totally honest, for a new approach that could make it all go away. His view point was it isn’t about healing… it’s about surrendering. No matter how much you desire to be whole in body what you really need is to be whole in spirit and that only comes from surrendering your life to Jesus. For sure divine healing of the body happens, of the mind as well, but we all need to focus less on what the world focuses on and more on Christ’s concern, and he came for the sake of our eternal spirit FIRST and foremost.

I got scared off of faith healers years ago when I was personally attacked a few times after their attempts didn’t work in the area of my birth defect. I was told it was my fault and my lack of faith… as if my level of faith has to be high enough to move the healing hand of God. This harsh treatment didn’t even rock my faith in Christ but it broke my ‘faith’ in men… men who call themselves faith healers.

The preacher this weekend kept it real, and simple… the amount of faith isn’t a question. If you have come seeking him you have enough. If you feel that all you need to do is reach out and merely touch Jesus and all will be right then you have enough faith. I know when I reach out and touch him he heals me. With surrender and trust I seek to walk in Jesus.
P.s. LINK HERE to read about a personal miracle of healing from the hand of CHRIST alone.

TTFN

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