From My Inglenook ♥ April Musings

for the beauty of the earth

Before our state went into "lockdown", my mom, sister and I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon going on a wee nature drive. We simply drove to a couple nearby parks and the town center just up the road to admire the flowers blooming and just to soak up the sun and breathe in some good fresh air. The tulips were in full bloom and quite cheerfully dancing in the gentle breeze. Azaleas were boasting bright colors, even though it seemed a bit early in the season. The daffodils were quietly swaying in tune with the wind and we even saw our own "white way of delight" with a gorgeous row of Bradford Pear trees in full bloom. And of course, I can't forget the redbud tree and all its glorious blossoms right outside my bedroom window...such a lovely thing to look out at. When we sit outside these days (instead of going out and about), the scent of freshly cut grass and the sweet song of birds chirping fills the air and I am filled with little reminders of hope and the goodness that is still alive in the world.  Springtime offers so many promises and I think that now, more than ever, we all need to be reminded of those promises...and how amazing that a flower blooming or a tree covered in big, bright, green leaves or a bird singing it's sweet song can offer that to us. What a grace!

musical treasures

Instrumental music soundtracks have been my go-to here lately. Particularly the music from the 1994 version of Little Women as well as Pride and Prejudice. I find the gentle, soft melodies calming to my spirit and easy for my mind to listen to at this time. They've accompanied me as I've cooked and baked and done a bit of crafting and writing in the evenings.

bookish ramblings

As I mentioned in my post on Saturday, I just finished Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh and yesterday morning, I began a cozy tea shop mystery book. I've only just started it, but so far, it looks like something that I'm going to really enjoy!

in the world of TV and movies

I've been thoroughly enjoying a sweet K-drama these last few weeks and am right in the middle of the series at the moment. We've also enjoyed watching The Middle again; it's one of our very favorites and such a nice escape these days. It's hilarious and light and I just love it!

a grateful heart

Warmer weather, sunny days and blue skies, homecooked dinners and freshly-baked muffins, music and books and poems, time with my family, our home sweet home, our sweet fur babies.

from my kitchen

The kitchen is a place for me to escape for a while...it has it's advantages, you know! We get to enjoy some really tasty things as a result, so I don't think any of us are complaining. On Friday night I made a favorite chicken herb pasta dish for dinner...delish! We also had some bananas that were a bit ripe and needing to be used up, so I came up with a banana spice muffin recipe (with a crumble topping!!) which I will be sharing later this week. Trust me when I say they were awesome! {{smiles}}

fashionable fun

Spring days mean old jeans rolled up to capris and a three-quartered length striped shirt and the most comfortable sandals on the planet. 

((recipe coming later this week!))

home and hearth

Right now, I am especially thankful for a cozy home. These last weeks have impressed the importance of home on me even stronger than they already were. We were homebodies already, but because of the current situation, we've spent even more time here and we have all said multiple times just how much we love our home and having our lives here. We cook and bake and listen to music and watch funny videos and old favorite show and movies. We sit in our yard and chat and laugh together. We seek new and fun ways to make it extra cozy and homey and comforting. We watch our furries play and chase each other and do all their funny things. We play games and act like total weirdos and just have fun. Home is truly a gift and I'm thankful that I've always known that, but I'm even more thankful for it now.

my cup overflows

Before I came upstairs this evening, I made myself a French vanilla iced coffee, but right now I've got a mason jar full of water. That's my go-to drink and I rarely drink anything else. And in all honesty, it's my favorite.

these are a few of my favorite things

I'm loving my Hope's Table cookbook still...my mom is too! She has stolen borrowed it and made dinner out it several times last week. FYI: It's still in her book stack. {{winks}} Also, these sandals here...they're the ones I mentioned above and I don't know how I ever lived without them! Hee!

for the love of words

In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.
-Dave Hollis

I think that quote is profoundly wise and worth pondering for longer than a hot minute. Even though the world is a eager to get things back to normal (I'm right there with you), I think we would all do well to really pause and think about how we wish to live in the future. What really matters and returning to that which is truly important. Perhaps going back to a simpler, slower, gentler way of life. More in harmony with the earth and kinder to the planet as well. Seeking to be good stewards of Mother Earth. Just a thought.

((now that I'm looking at this picture, I realize that I need to add another birdie at the far right end and adjust the spacing...so ignore the bad spacing.)

crafting and creating

I saw a lovely little paper bunting on Instagram a couple weeks ago and it reminded me of one that I have hanging in my room. I made it probably five years ago and it has a butterfly and flower design. I decided, after being inspired by that IG post, to make a new one with a bird and leaf design...which is what the one that inspired me looked like. I have it hanging on my window and I absolutely love how it looks! The only thing I think I want to change at some point (when the craft shops open again) is to cut the shapes out onto pretty floral scrapbook paper. I think it would stand out a bit better than the white, but for now, I just used what I had and am quite content with the result. Paper buntings are one of my favorite things, so you never know...I may just make another one for somewhere else!

I'd love to hear some of what's been happening in your corner of the world, dear friends? So, please do share below...and let's chat! 

♥

Grace and peace be with you this week!

Recently...Just Some Bits & Bobs

 

Happy weekend, friends! 

Life has been filled with many little gifts along the way recently, and I thought I would share just a few of them with some simple pictures from my phone. Despite the world being turned upside down and things feeling "off" even though our day-to-day hasn't changed that much, I am purposing to delight in the things that bring me happiness and peace. With our state being in lockdown mode, it's officially time to stay in and find joy within our homes. (Even though we've been in for about four weeks now.) And finding joy in my home and the activities I can do there is exactly what I've been seeking to do...

One of these gifts is the above book. I recently finished my first novel by Courtney Walsh, but it most definitely will not be my last. It was a wonderfully delightful book...a contemporary romance with a beautiful message of letting go of the things that are holding you back and embracing the beautiful blessings right in front of you as well as sometimes taking that step forward into a possibly magical adventure that could change your life forever and bring you the gift of love. This story of Quinn, a small town florist, and Grady, a hopeful-Olympian skier, took place in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, which was, by far, the most charming fictional town I've read about thus far...and I so wish I could live there! {{smiles}}

Our baby, Orla, loves to sit on our laps at night and this is how I often attempt to do a bit of blogging. 

Warmer days are coming more and more and I couldn't be happier! Now, if we only had a bit more sunshine instead of so much rain and clouds...{{winks}} With the spring weather, I am gladly wearing one of my favorite t-shirts. Hello, introvert here! ((Eww, people!))  

Late nights reading and doing a spot of crafting here and there (I'll share more about my simple project soon!) and listening to instrumental music have brought such peace and calm to my nights...when my anxiety seems to get worse. I'm hoping to begin a new book this weekend...fingers crossed I can find one that really sucks me into the story.

Last Friday I declared it the perfect excuse for a pizza night...and oh my! It was so wonderful scrumptious! I used the crust recipe from Hope's Table, which I shared about recently here on my blog. Our toppings were simple, just pepperoni and black olives. I find the rhythm of breadmaking and home baking bring peace any time, but especially now, with all the news and headlines and upside-downness of everything. Plus, we are getting to enjoy some tasty things as a result! (I'll be sharing my recipe for banana spice muffins next week, which are heavenly...if I may say so myself!)

Warmer weather also means...ICED COFFEE! And that is a reason to celebrate! I shared our recipe for the absolute best iced coffee last summer, so you can check it out if you'd like. (CLICK HERE for recipe.) My favorite is French vanilla, but we also make a caramel kind, too. 

One of my current projects is to finally dive into something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've delved into vlogs in the past here and there, but now I know more what I want to create and such, so I've finally gotten started. This is the view from my cozy corner in my room where I'm currently sitting writing this post. More on this coming soonish...

And finally, I enjoyed reading Andrew Peterson's book "Adorning the Dark" a couple months ago. It was by far one of the best books I've ever read and spoke to me so many times...I felt it was a gift to read it and I'm so thankful for the words he shares within its pages. If you are looking for an awesome non-fiction book, this is one I *highly* recommend. I don't think you'll be sorry!

What have you been enjoying recently? Do share below! I'd love to hear what's been happening in your corner of the world.

May your weekend be delightful and filled with lots of homey goodness!

♥

Pleasant Pastures ♥ Creating Beauty, Magic & Delight in The Times in Which We Live

Morning, y'all! 

How are you doing? Are you well? 

Things have gotten crazier and the world is shutting down. The news is still scary and the numbers are still rising. It's time to come home and slow down. It's time to settle ourselves and gather in. It's time for simple pleasures and ordinary joys to become mainstays. It's time for beauty to take over, for light to permeate the darkness, for simplicity to be cherished once again.

Our day-to-day hasn't changed all that much, to be honest. We're homebodies, to begin with. I'm an extreme introvert who honestly practices social distancing on a regular day, so this whole staying home and avoiding people isn't anything new for me. My heart is at home and I find great pleasure and delight in domesticity. I find tremendous beauty in a life centered around home and hearth, so I know there are ample treasures to be found there. For some, though, this seems to be a newfound discovery and for others, it is extremely challenging. If there is anything good that comes from this whole worldwide crisis situation, I hope that people's hearts are turned back towards their families and that lives are recentered around the home once again. After all, this was how it was a century ago...and in the grand scheme of things, that wasn't all that long ago.

With all that said, even though I am an introvert who doesn't really like being around big crowds or people who aren't "my people" too much, and even though I know the beauty of home and the treasures of simple, ordinary days, the news is still loud and powerful. My anxiety is high and my nerves are frazzled. My mind is full and overflowing with all sorts of fears and thoughts. As I mentioned in my post last week, I've decided to purposefully set those things aside and fill my soul with goodness. And that's exactly what I want to share with you all today...

This slowness and home-centered time is a time for creating beauty, magic and delight right where we are. It's possible, friends. And you have the power within you to do just that. I'm spending this time of filling myself with goodness by trying new recipes (I made hamburger buns for the first time over the weekend), reading new books, watching favorite shows and movies, listening to good music and trying to get out in nature as much as possible and as the weather allows. Spring showers have begun and are getting more regular. We're also changing our clothes out for the season and putting out seasonal decor. I'm also wanting to write more and share blog posts a bit more frequently. I'm practicing photography and cleaning and tidying. These simple things bring a peaceful rhythm to the everyday and when stress is high and nerves are tense, it is our rhythms and rituals that bring us peace and calm.

Last night I sat for a bit and complied a LONG list of all my family's favorite TV shows, movies and books. These are all our most favorites. It's quite the smorgasbord, as the choices are all over the place and pretty random. We like a variety of genres so that is well reflected in the lists below. These are the picks that bring us delight and magic and beauty, and it is my hope that you will find a few to give a try for yourself. And, as always, if you have any to add, you are very welcome to share yours in a comment below.

May your find bright light shining through little windows in your everyday, ordinary moments. May you discover, or rediscover, the treasures of home and hearth and the simplicity of domesticity. May you be inspired to create beauty, magic and delight in every nook and cranny of your life and home. May you be filled with peace and calm because of it!

Movies:
Julie and Julia

No Reservations

Sweet Home Alabama

Dear John

Leap Year

Under the Tuscan Sun

You've Got Mail

About Time

Father of the Bride (1 & 2)

Letters to Juliet

P.S. I Love You

How to Make an American Quilt

Anne of Green Gables
Little Women (1994 version; I haven't seen the new one yet)
The Sound of Music
Love Comes Softly series
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Prince and Me
Because of Winn Dixie
The Garage Sale Mystery series
Aurora Teagarden Mystery series
Chronicle Mysteries series
Harry Potter series
A Cinderella Story
Princess Diaries 1 & 2
The Parent Trap (with Lindsay Lohan)
The Chronicles of Narnia series

TV Series:
Downton Abbey
Call the Midwife
The Middle
Gilmore Girls
Road to Avonlea
Lark Rise to Candleford
7th Heaven
Home Improvement
Reba
H2O: Just Add Water
Wolfblood
Murder, She Wrote
Signed, Sealed, Delivered 
Walker, Texas Ranger
Heartland
Blue Bloods
The Great British Bake-Off
The Big Family Cooking Showdown
Little House on the Prairie
I Love Lucy
Andy Griffith
Leave it to Beaver
Dennis the Menace
Hazel
The Brady Bunch
The Waltons
Merlin
Little Women (BBC Edition)
Crash Landing on You (Korean-Drama)
The Third Charm (Korean-Drama)
When the Weather is Fine (Korean-Drama)
Cinderella and the Four Knights (Korean-Drama)
Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo (Japanese-Drama)

Books:
Prince Edward Island Dreams series by Liz Johnson 
A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay
There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
*Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon
*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
*Tales from Ivy Hill series by Julie Klassen
Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh
The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel
A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery
The Mitford Years series by Jan Karon
Miss Read books
*The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series by Susan Wittig Albert
*Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs
*Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
Janette Oke books
Colleen Coble books
Close to You by Kara Isaac
Can't Help Falling by Kara Isaac
The Father Christmas series by Robin Jones Gunn
The Grace of Enough by Haley Stewart
The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson
The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson
Handmade by Melissa Norris
The Made from Scratch Home by Melissa Norris
Theology of Home 
*Elizabeth Goudge books
*Carla Laureano books
Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson
Dreaming with God by Sarah Beth Marr
Whispers and Wildflowers by Sarah Beth Marr
Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson
Recapturing the Wonder by Mike Cosper
Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
Roots and Sky by Christie Purifoy
*Placemaker by Christie Purifoy
*My Life in France by Julia Child
*The Awakening of Miss Prim
*First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
*On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Lucy Stone Mystery series by Leslie Meier
Hannah Swensen Mystery series by Joanne Fluke
*Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham
*Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin
*More than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer
*The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels
*Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
*Ember Falls by S.D. Smith
*The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Amish books by Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter
*Heidi
*Alice in Wonderland
*The Secret Garden
*Matilda

(All books marked with the star * are ones that I have on my TBR list, so they aren't necessarily recommendations yet but are rather ones that I am either currently reading or am planning to read soon. I included them because they are similar to other books on my list and to share what's on my book pile at the moment. All the others are recommended either by my mom, sister or me.)

Bless you, dear friends! And peace be with you, as always ♥

Stay well. And savour the richness of home and family! Find the abundance in slowness, hiddenness and quietness...it's there and it's overflowing!

(If you have any questions about anything I shared here, or want any specific information, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, if you have any specific topics you would like to see in a post, be sure to send me a message!)

Come By the Hills ♥ Irish Reflections on St. Paddy's Day

May the strength of God pilot us,

May the wisdom of God instruct us,

May the hand of God protect us,

May the Word of God direct us.

-St. Patrick-

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends! It's a cloudy March morning here today, but that is quite suitable for this time of year. Spring is nearly here and rain showers are bringing all the green and flowers and beauty that this season will hold. And seeing as today is St. Patrick's Day, it only seems appropriate that we would have some "Irish weather"...that consists of cloudy skies and drizzling rain.

Today I want to invite you to come along with me as I share some personal photos and memories of the Emerald Isle. My family and I had the immense pleasure of travelling to gorgeous Ireland in 2016 and 2017. If you've been around for a while and read my old blog, you will perhaps recognize these photos. At that time, I shared all about our trips in length and it was so fun! That blog is no longer public, but I always enjoy sharing some scrapbook reflections come St. Paddy's Day. So, pour a cuppa tea, grab a biscuit or two and get comfy. Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?

While I have been to Dublin and Galway City (and Belfast in Northern Ireland), I'm not a city gal. Take me to the countryside and I'm beyond happy! Ireland is no different. I have been to nearly every county in the country and visited many towns and villages, but of course, a girl has her favorites. For me, those would be Connemara in Galway, the mountains in Wicklow, Howth Head in Dublin and Killarney and Dingle in County Kerry. Each of these places holds a special place in my heart and a picture just can't capture the beauty of the landscapes.

Our second trip started off on a rocky start and continued to have many bumps along the way. We ended up getting terrible colds on the flight over to Dublin and spent the first couple of days in bed at our holiday house. Thankfully, it was a cozy farmhouse surrounded by fields of sheep and cows...it was the birthing season so there were cows giving birth on the farm where we stayed and we saw many, many baby lambs frolicking in the fields as we drove all over the countryside. 

One night, after a day at the holiday house, we were getting ready to go to bed. The house was dark except for a few small lamps. My mom was walking into the laundry room when all of a sudden, we heard a loud shout. My dad and sister went running, and I stayed in bed because I was feeling the worst that day. They were shouting about some dark thing laying on the ground in front of the washing machine. It was still pitch black because in all the commotion no one had thought to turn on a light. (It was a bit chaotic!) Then I hear my sister yell, "Don't kill it! Don't kill it!" You can imagine what I was thinking from the bedroom at this point...what in the heck is going on? I should mention at this point that earlier in the day we had discovered the backdoor in the laundry room that led out to the backfield had been left open since we arrived, which was a couple of days. We were thinking that some critter had made its way into the house and we were freaking out! My dad finally was able to make his way to the light switch and what do you know? The black thing was a sock! We about fell over from laughing so hard!

That moment was one of the highlights of our trip. And it was much needed as we all felt so lousy...and the trip proceeded to have many bumps. From a nightmare of an experience at our second holiday house to it downpouring rain every single day we were there. (Note to self: February and March probably isn't the best time to go to Ireland. Ha!) But, there were some good moments in the midst of it all. We ended up staying at the cutest inn right at the center of a small village where we heard church bells every hour from right around the corner. We actually went to St. Patrick's holy well in Tipperary and discovered the marvellous, peaceful Connemara. We loved it so much there we ended up going back probably four or five days! {{smiles}}

Don't miss all the beautiful colors of the rainbow looking for the pot of gold.

-An Irish Proverb-

Our first trip to Ireland was in June and July, so the weather was much more pleasant. In fact, it was a dream, especially coming from southern USA, where the summer is hot and humid. We wore jackets and autumn-like clothing and it was so dreamy! The skies in Ireland are so glorious and the clouds so low and puffy, like cotton balls floating in a sea of blue. We spent our days driving a cute little car all around the country, some nights not getting back to our holiday house until one or two in the morning. 

When we travel abroad, we love staying holiday houses and preparing picnic lunches and cooking dinner at home. It's fun getting to shop in the markets and find our favorite places to get different foods. (We have a list of all our most favorite shops and restaurants!) The little shops have the best pastries and donuts and they're all fresh and homemade. We probably ate way too many, but hey, when in Ireland, right? 

May every sunrise hold more promise,

 and every sunset hold more peace.

Celtic and Irish trad music are some of my favorites, and one of the best memories is driving around Connemara and the windy roads of Kerry listening to that music. I had heard about all these places in songs for years and there I was with them right before my eyes. Now, whenever I listen to those songs, I am transported back to the green, rolling hills and ribbon roads and wild Atlantic sea, and am reminded of the beauty and magic and wonder that I experienced there. We saw abbeys and castles, fields of green and sheep happily grazing hillsides. Ireland truly is the place of fairy tales.

One song that comes to mind is Come by the Hills. I especially find the words of this song inspiring and soul lifting at this time in which our world is going crazy and the news is scary and uncertain. I hope the words offer the same blessing to you...

Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free

And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea

Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun

And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done

Come by the hills to the land where life is a song

And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long

Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune

And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done

Come by the hills to the land where legend remains 

The stories of old fill our hearts and may yet come again 

Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won 

And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done

An Irish blessing for you, kind readers...

May there always be work for your hands to do.

May your purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine upon your windowpane.

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near.

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Irish blessings to you, friends! I hope your day is peaceful, beautiful and full of lots of tea, biscuits and good food! 

Have you ever been to Ireland before? If so, what are some of your favorite places? And if not, what are some places you'd love to see? Let's chat below!

♥

Potato-Leek Quiches ♥ St. Paddy's Day Tea Party

Happy Monday! St. Paddy's Day is nearly here and I wanted to be sure to share this recipe before the day arrived. I think it's one that you will want to make not just for this holiday, but for any tea party, as it is that good!

Quiche was one of those things that I just didn't want to try for the longest time. However, once I finally did, I understood why people loved it so much and wondered why I had wasted so much time avoiding it. The same is true for avocados. {{winks}} This is an Irish spin on the quiche with potatoes and leeks, which is often a common combination for soups. In this quiche, however, they are really taken over the top to a whole new level of YUM! 

Be sure to give these a try in your home soon!

Potato-Leek Quiche

4 baby golden potatoes

1 package (2 sheets) refrigerated pie crust (homemade works great too!)

1 Tbsp. butter

1 cup sliced leeks, white parts only

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 egg

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley OR 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley. chopped

Dice potatoes into smallish pieces. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain and allow to cool.

Unroll the pie crusts out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a 4.5-inch circle cookie cutter, cut 8 circles. Place each circle in a greased mini tartlet pan. Press the dough gently into each tartlet space. Prick holes in the bottom of each crust with a fork. Freeze for 15 minutes. 

Bake at 375*F for about 8-10 minutes, or just until very light golden brown. Let cool completely before adding the filling.

Reduce oven temperature to 350*F.

In a small saute pan, melt the butter and saute the leeks until tender, for about 10 minutes. 

Layer cooked potatoes, cheese and leeks in prepared tart shells.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Divide mixture between the tart shells. Top with sprinkled parsley. 

Bake at 350*F for about 15 minutes, or until the center is set. 

Serve warm and enjoy!

Blessings upon your week, my friends! See you again very soon!

♥

When You Feel Worn Down ♥ From My Heart to Yours

Dear friends,

Today I had planned on sharing a teatime recipe for St. Patrick's Day, but alas, another post has been swirling round in my heart and mind these last few days and I felt that it needed to be shared instead. The recipe will be posted on Monday, and Tuesday will be a post with some (what I feel are) beautiful photos and reflections on my trips to Ireland in celebration of St. Paddy's Day. 

It is no secret that the world is going mad at the moment. The news is literally filling our eyes and ears at every waking moment. People are responding in a whole host of ways. And to be quite frank with you, my heart is heavy and my mind is full.

The whole coronavirus pandemic has swept the planet over. Countries all over the world are literally having to shut down it seems. Businesses are temporarily closing. Schools are cancelling classes. Airports and airlines are cancelling flights and travel is being halted all over creation. It is serious. We are in a worldwide crisis mode.  

I'm not normally a news watcher. It's something I avoid as much as I can. Of course, if there is something major going on, I find out about it. (How could you not?!?!) But in my everyday, regular living, I do not watch or read the news. However, these last couple of weeks, I've found myself turning to the news sites on my phone on and off throughout the day. My anxiety has returned in full force. The news can be confusing. One outlet says this and another says this. It is very evident that some news outlets' sole purpose is to scare the bejeebers out of you. I, for one, am thankful for the news sites that simply wish to inform people and be a voice for others to hear and receive valuable, reliable information from. However, most are in the first category. 

People are losing their minds it seems. On our local news a few nights ago, a man was being interviewed and the reporter asked if he was doing anything to protect himself from the virus. He confidently declared that no he was not. In fact, he went on to state that he didn't normally wash his hands before the outbreak, so he sure wasn't going to start now. We wondered where in the world they find the people that are interviewed on the news! 

If you are one of the people who have a problem with the precautions the government is taking and telling people to stay home and avoid travel and crowds and to only be out in public when absolutely necessary. If you are online making memes and joking sarcastically about washing hands and applying hand sanitizer. If you don't give two figs about the fact that the world is in crisis mode and people are dying and this virus is dangerous for folks, especially those with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly, then I bid you a good day. 

I read a good article yesterday in which the journalist said that we are not being asked to go off to war like some of our ancestors were. We are simply being asked to stay home. And honest to goodness, how hard is that? It's not going to kill people to stay home and live simpler, slower, quieter lives for a bit. Now I'm ranting, but seriously, this is something I'm passionate about on a normal day, but when something like this comes up and people are just ignoring the simple things they're being asked...wash your hands, avoid crowds, stay home and don't travel...that just kicks it up a notch. I have an extremely low tolerance for ignorance and yet that is what is being displayed by so many people at this time. It is better to be overly cautious and prepared and nothing happen then it is to be completely ignorant and unprepared and then something happens. Tell me I'm not crazy for thinking that! 

My mind is full and my heart heavy. I'm sick and tired of all the ignorance and the downright foolish behavior that I've seen. I'm nervous about what this virus might continue to do and how long it will stay around. And I feel worn down. Period.

I've already decided that I need to greatly reduce my news intake. We all should if you ask me. I've pulled out a tall pile of DVDs of shows and movies that are calming and bring peace back to my soul. Anne of Green Gables, The Road to Avonlea, Gilmore Girls, Little Women, Lark Rise to Candleford, Downton Abbey, 7th Heaven, and some favorite movies. I've selected a variety of music to fill my heart with hope and gladness and some bliss...the Little Women soundtrack is playing in my ears as I type this post. I've pulled a stack of recipes that I want to try. I've been in a breadmaking kick since the New Year started, so it may be time to try out our new kitchen scale and make some English muffins. Paul Hollywood's recipe, to be precise. Maybe some hamburger buns...I'll have to see if my mom can put that on the menu plan. After all, the grilling season is about to officially begin. Which brings me to...

I need to get outdoors more and allow the fresh air to clear my mind and breathe hope and life and magic back into my body. Springtime is almost here and there are signs of her grand arrival all over our yard. The redbud tree outside my window is budding and will soon be covered in gorgeous blossoms. The same goes for the dogwood in the front yard. It's been raining here which should encourage the growth of all the things. And I cannot wait for the trees in our yard to be full of bright leaves again...I love living under a canopy of green!

 When I'm stressed and filled with anxious thoughts, I simply cannot read, despite the fact that I well know that reading is one of the best ways to relieve stress. I'm determined to allow a book to calm my spirit, though. There's a stack of probably eight books next to my bed...books that I know share stories of a simple, calm, home-centered life. Books that speak beauty into all the corners of the earth and individual lives. Books that offer adventure with the turning of the page. I have also found some profoundly beautiful poetry here lately. A few, in particular, caused a lump in my throat. Perhaps I'll share some here on the blog soon...I think you would find them lovely as well.

Friends, the world is going nuts right now. To put it plainly. There's a lot of news out there, some of it true, some false. Some written to inform but most to scare. Every morning brings new mercies with the sunrise and there's still so much to be grateful for, so much beauty to behold and so much kindness out there.  

Remember, home is a haven. Embrace the gift that is. Slow down, live simply. Quietness and hiddenness are blessings, not just now, but all the time. Find little things that bring delight and bliss and magic. Allow the ordinary, simple things to become magical, beautiful and lifegiving. Be at peace and seek after it, too. Sometimes it doesn't just land in our lap, but we have to seek it and cultivate it and create an atmosphere where it can bloom and grow and flourish. Be kind and gracious and gentle and compassionate. If there's something our world needs more of, it's that.  

This, too, will pass and all shall be well again. The world has gone through hard times before and it will again. My grandparents and great-grandparents shared stories to prove this to be true. Every time something like this happens, someone declares it "the end of the world", and yet here we are, centuries later, still trodding on. This is one of those times, but it will not go on. No winter lasts forever and no spring skips her turn.

Read a book. Listen to good music. Watch a beloved movie or show. Get out in nature. Breathe in fresh air. Admire the beauty of the earth. Allow the spirit of God to fill you with peace, for He did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. Eat food that's good for your body. Be wise and use your common sense.

Grace and peace be with you, friends!

♥

Springtime Pea Salad in Phyllo Cups ♥ St. Paddy's Day Tea Party

A cheery March day to you, lovely readers!

Continuing on with my St. Paddy's Day tea party recipes, today I've got a super simple one to share. This one isn't an Irish recipe, but it is green. So that counts, right? And it's so tasty! Truly the perfect teatime savoury or even a great appetizer for any other occasion at that.  

Combining sweet peas with the tanginess of green olives and the sweetness of pickle relish, along with a lemony dressing makes for one heck of a flavor bomb! The flavors of springtime, if you ask me! And anything with a phyllo crust is a winner in my book {{smiles}}

Springtime Pea Salad in Phyllo Cups

2 cups frozen sweet baby peas

2 Tbsp. mayo

2 Tbsp. minced celery

2 Tbsp. finely diced pimento-stuffed green olives

1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 boxes frozen mini phyllo cups, thawed

Place peas in a colander. Run very hot water over peas for one minute to defrost. Drain well.

In a medium bowl, combine peas, mayo, celery, olives, relish, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Toss to combine, making sure to stir well. Cover and refrigerate until needed, up to one day. 

(This is the perfect mixture to make the day before!)

 Just before serving, evenly divide pea salad among the phyllo cups. 

Serve as part of your beautiful springtime afternoon tea...

Enjoy!

On Friday I'll be sharing a recipe for an Irish quiche that is delicious and perfect for St. Patrick's Day...so do be sure to come back then!

Until then, what are some of your favorite teatime savouries to serve? I'd love to hear your ideas and add some new ones to my list!

May your day be a beauty, dear ones...

and may your teatime be delightful!

♥