My Favorite Things

Are you as busy as I am this time of year?

We deserve a little break.  Please join me for some tea and glimpse of some of my favorite things at this time of year, some I've found on Pinterest and some from my desk.

To get you in the mood you might want to turn on this music sung by a sweet little girl in a white dress with a blue satin sash.

Sing along if you like...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Source: pythons.tumblr.com via Tori on Pinterest

Warm Woolen Mittens, doodle by Tori Beveridge

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Tori on Pinterest

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Source: thismodernromance.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Tori on Pinterest

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes

Silver white winters that melt into spring

These are a few of my favorite things!

Girl in White Dress ACEO ink and watercolor pencils by Tori Beveridge

Snowflakes that stay on my nose - Otis, photographed by Tori Beveridge

Silver White Winters.. last winter photographed by Tori Beveridge

When the dog bites, when the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad, 

I simply remember 

my favorite things

and then I don't feel so bad!

I'm linking to

Deborah Jean's Dandelion House Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop

and

Liv Lanes' Little Bliss List Link Party

The Bliss of A Cooler Day and Other Things

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

It rained!  We had a wonderful day of rain on Wednesday, and we needed it.  It washed away the humidity and has brought twenty degree cooler temperatures.. it only got up to 84 today!  I never thought that I would say that was cool, but it is.

Today brought blue skies and big white fluffy clouds and cool breezes. I had the windows and doors open from early morning to about two in the afternoon, letting the breeze blow through and freshening everything after being closed up tight for air conditioning.  It was wonderful.

A Perfect August Sky

I'm happy that it has been so hot though, because our chicks were able to move outside, last weekend, at three weeks of age.   They were ready for it and because chicks like it warm, they are comfortable outside, in their mulberry tree shaded spot.  They come running to meet me when ever I go out to check on them.  Sometimes I go with a treat for them and I think they were wondering where it was when I snapped this.  Can you guess which one is the rooster?

Where's The Treats?

I've had a wonderful time with art this past week.  I am participating in Jenny and Aaron of Every Day is A Holiday's Art Journaling Class.  The first class was this week and I thoroughly enjoyed the class and making my art journal pages.

She Wore A Hat Art Journal Pages

If you want to know more about the classes (there's still time to join in the fun) and how I made my pages, hop on over to my art blog for the whole story.

Now, maybe you would like to get a cup of tea and a cookie or two and get comfortable for this last little blissful thing that I will leave you with.  I was looking at a little video on YouTube and I looked to the side and spotted this wonderful treasure.... The Secret Garden, 1949 (full length version ) starring Margaret O'Brien.  I've seen this version and probably every other version of this story, because it's one of my favorite books.  The movie is an hour and a half long, but you have the luxury of hitting the pause button if you need to.  Enjoy!

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I'm linking up with Liv Lane's Little Bliss List.

Another Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

It's been a very blissful week.

1 - It was my Mom's birthday this week and we had a lovely visit on the phone.  The next best thing to being there.

2 - I discovered this wonderful site, Tagxedo  which will take the words used on your blog or website and turn them into a word cloud.  You have your choice of fonts and shapes and colors.  I simply loved this teapot, made with words from this blog and had to share.  I had so much fun making it.

Tagxedo Teapot  - Click to see it larger

3 - Our chicks arrived at our post office, from My Pet Chicken on Tuesday morning.  All were healthy and happy after their journey through the postal system, which brought immediate joy and relief.

How fast they're growing!  I can't believe how much they change from day to day.  They have brought endless smiles and chuckles with their antics this week.

I really adore the "chipmunk' markings of the two Speckled Sussex girls, Henny Penny and Bonnie.

Chipmunk Markings, Photo by Tori Beveridge

The chicks are definitely not shy anymore and will jump up on our hands and arms.  The black and white girl is Pearl, a Barred Plymouth Rock and the red girl is Lady, one of our two Rhode Island Reds.

Pearl and Lady, Photo by Tori Beveridge

We think the chick below is our rooster.  The markings are different than on the other two Barred Plymouth Rocks.  He, I'm already calling him he, loves to be up high and was the first to be able to hop up onto the little roost we made.  We've named him Ringo because of the white ring around his head.. sure hope he's the rooster.  If any of you chicken experts have any thoughts on whether he may or may not be a rooster, I'd love to hear them.

Ringo, Photo by Tori Beveridge

Mr. B.'s favorites are the two Rhode Island Reds, followed by Ringo.  His very favorite chick is this one, Lady.

Lady, Photo by Tori Beveridge

4 - The weather has continued to be hot and dry here.  We had a power outage this week, (common here in the summer heat) which gave me the opportunity to sit and read for a couple of hours before the power came back on.

Ohh.. must give credit to the "hand model", Mr. B. himself.

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I'm linking up with Liv Lane's Little Bliss List 

My Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

This past week was Canada Day and 4th of July.  I hope everyone had a fantastic and safe holiday and enjoyed their day of patriotic celebrating.  I know we did.  It was very hot here, much to hot to barbecue.  I couldn't bear the thought of standing over a grill in 107 degree heat!  Instead, we had a spread of delicious cold food and relaxed indoors, out of the sun and heat.

I occasionally drive the dogs into the nearest town to walk, for a change of scenery.  We found this patriotic converted barn while walking the other day.  It was too cute not to photograph.

Patriotic Barn Side, Phto by Tori Beveridge

It's official and there's no turning back now.  We ordered our chickens!  Happy, happy, happy!

Here's what we're getting:

The Girls:
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Speckled Sussex
1 Silver Laced Wyandotte

We're also getting a Barred Plymouth Rock Rooster.  We read that the Plymouth Rocks tend to be kinder, friendlier roosters, yet are still brave.  Here's hoping.

They will arrive the week of July 16th as little, days old, balls of fluff in a box at the Post Office.  I can't wait.

They'll be in the garage in a special little home we're making for them out of a storage container.  You'll get to see it when they arrive, as I'll be taking lots of pictures.

For those of you who have chickens and blog about them, I'll be reading your blogs and maybe even asking your advice.  I know I'm frequently over at Fresh Eggs Daily reading and taking notes, doing my research.

On my art blog, I've been taking part in Twinkle Twinkle's Summer of Color 2, Ice Cream Inspirations and been having a blast.  I'm enjoying creating art inspired by the ice cream flavor of the week.  It has me setting aside time for art, which I haven't always done lately, which makes me very happy.

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I'm linking up with Liv Lane's Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

1 - Air conditioning!!  I love it.  I melt in the sun and the heat and it's been over 100 here the last couple of days.  I am so thankful for air conditioning.

2 - We had Otis our bulldog neutered this week and he's home now.  Everything went fine and he's "resting" .... unless he sees a toad outside.  He looks for them because they scare him.  They jump and he jumps straight up like a scared cat, all four paws in the air and then he barks at it until it jumps again.. and so on and so on...

Otis and the toad

What a dirty nose!  All that snuffling around in the dirt after the toad.

3 - I have pictures of my daughter Melissa in the Bard in The Park production of "Much Ado About Nothing", which played June 12 to June17, in Toronto, Canada.  It's the next best thing to being there.

Coverage by the local community newspaper in the Beach, Toronto.  Click to read the caption.

Backstage preparations

Melissa taking a bow with her co star and boyfriend, Holm Bradwell, who played Benedick to her Beatrice. 

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I am linking to Liv Lane's Little Bliss List Link Party

My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

Bliss is a cooler day today after so many hot humid days.  It has me re-energized.  All outdoor activities have had to happen between the hours of 6am and 10am because the weather was so hot and humid and the sun was scorching. We seem to get more accomplished, which is always good.

Bliss is listening to the Whip-poor-wills.  They must have known that I needed to get up early, for they were outside the bedroom window calling me with their distinct repetitive song every morning starting at 4:30am.  Sometimes I simply smiled and rolled over and slept for another hour.  It may sound annoying to some of you, but to me it's always had a rather romantic appeal.  I remember when we first moved here, how delighted I was to hear them for the first time, after reading about them in so many novels.

Bliss is a bowl full of cherries...

Cherries, Photo by Tori Beveridge

... and ripe pears. 

Cherries and Pears, Photo by Tori Beveridge

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I am linking up to 

Liv Lane's Little Bliss List Link Party

My Little Bliss List - Anticipation

"Good things come to those who wait."

This week I'm finding bliss in the anticipation of things to come.

I'm waiting for mulberries.  They are still green for the most part, due, I'm sure, to our dry, hot weather.  There are a few ripe ones, much to the delight of the birds and this squirrel who was having a picnic in our largest mulberry this morning.

Squirrel in The Mulberry, Photo by Tori Beveridge

My daughter, Melissa has been appearing in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" this week in Toronto.  It's the 8th season of Bard in the Park, at Kew Gardens in The Beach.  There are performances tonight and tomorrow night at 7pm and matinees tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm.  Melissa is playing Beatrice.

Admission is free, but donations are always gratefully accepted.  There is limited seating, so picnic blankets or your own chairs are encouraged.  If you're in Toronto, it would be a lovely evening out.

Sadly, I can't be there but I am looking forward to pictures of the performances, which I will blissfully share with you.

Melissa as Titania in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in 2010.

My daughter Melissa in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" June 2010

Of course, there were many ordinary blissful moments this week, watching and laughing through a couple of hours of Jeff Dunham with Mr. B., gardening, clearing out brush, morning walks... as the Carly Simon lyrics say "these are the good old days".

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I am linking up with 

The Little Bliss List Link Party

My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

Listening to the dogs and cats snore.  Yes, really.  It makes me smile.

Knowing that Mr. B. is on leave now for two months!  Count them, two months!  Finally he's able to take all the leave he's been accumulating.. I think he'll still have some left over, he has so much.

Our chicken coop has been delivered!  It's on Mr. B.'s list of things to do, so will be built soon.  I'll post pictures.

Morning walks are always blissful.  At the boat launch, we saw these geese marching in line, with the one in front honking the way.

Geese Marching in Line, photo by Tori Beveridge 

Our nephew, was given an award at school for handing in ALL his assignments this year on time.  Way to go Matt!  I know it made him happy to be recognized for all his hard work.  It makes me and Mr. B. happy too.

I'm a stalker!  I've been stalking a red headed woodpecker, trying to get pictures of him.  He likes to breakfast, lunch and dinner on our old security light pole.  Every time I see him, and try to get a picture of him, he flies away.  I'm determined to get at least one picture and I'll sure have fun trying.  You'll know when I get it, because it will certainly be in my Bliss List.  Why is this in my list?  You'd think it would be frustrating, but it's become a challenge.  I hear Woody Woodpecker laughing in my head every time he flies off. (hahahaha hahahaha hhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)  The whole situation has become very cartoon like, and it makes me "lol".

Lastly... The berries are coming!  The berries are coming!

Blackberries Photo by Tori Beveridge

I don't see any caterpillars.. 

I have fond memories of spending time at my grandparents and walking along the river to a berry patch, dodging the red wing blackbirds as they swooped at me and my sister when we passed near their nest.  We'd watch for otters along the river for awhile and then pick berries, eating as many as we took back.  We'd rinse them and then sprinkle sugar on them and wait for any teeny tiny green caterpillars to crawl out.  There were always a few and I'd wonder how many we'd eaten while picking.  (extra protein our Gramps would say)  We would all enjoy the berries as a simple dessert with milk poured over them.

I think I see berries and milk in my future.

Share your bliss.  What made you happy this week?

I am linking up with

The Little Bliss List Link Party

Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #61

and

Bliss-Morning Walks & Emergency Mood Kits

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

June 1st!  I think I lost a day or two in May because I really expected it to still be May today.  I think the weather here was feeling the same, because this morning it was in the 40s when I woke up.  Perfect walking weather.


I truly enjoy my morning walks.  They are the biggest part of my bliss every day.  My best thinking, problem solving, inspiration and relaxation comes from them.  I'm very happy I get to share a small part of them with you.

We saw these Canada Geese landing in the lily pad filled water.  Can you guess what those white things are on the right side of the picture?

Canada Geese landing

If you guessed swans, you're right!  What a blissful surprise.

Swans

They are so beautiful.  I'll try to get closer shots another time.  There were some close to the shore, but they swam away because the dogs were being very enthusiastic about seeing them.

Here's a closer look at the water lilies.

Water Lilies

The week was filled with ordinary moments, doing ordinary routine things.  Making good food to eat and enjoy, scratching behind a furry ear, polishing a mirror, all sorts of little things.  Little things, but happy things.

I was offered a very large art commission, which made me very happy.  I am going to turn it down, however, which also makes me happy.  It would involve working in mediums which I am not comfortable working in.  With the extra work involved it really does not make it worth the money they are offering.  Saying no to something like this is good for me and it does bring me bliss.

I subscribe to Mary Jane's Farm magazine.  In the latest issue, (June/July 2012) there is an article on the last page written by Rebekah Teal.  In it she says, "Here's the thing... I've always known that I need to teach my daughter how to make beds, brownies, a home, and a living.  Now I know I also need to give her lessons in how to make happiness."  How true!

Rebekah had a fabulous idea and that was to create Emergency Mood Kits, for those times we all have when we are stuck in a bad or sad mood also know as being in the doldrums.  She and her daughter sat down and made Emergency Mood Kits together.

Rebekah's instructions, as interpreted by me, for making an Emergency Mood Kit are as follows:

How To Make An Emergency Mood Kit

• Start with a shoe box and decorate it with wrapping paper, stickers, bows, turn it into altered art if you like.  I personally didn't have a shoe box, so I used a gift box that I had saved.. it's not however big enough so I will be on the hunt for a bigger box to decorate and use.
• Collect seven things that make you feel cheery, relaxed, uplifted or comforted to put in the box(the kit).  Examples are, bubble bath, a favorite cheerful, feel good book or movie, or both, a music CD, jelly beans (they're cheerful and colorful), chocolate, etc..
• Add in a little notebook and a pen.
• Write 10 things you love about your life on colored strips of paper, one per strip, numbering the strips and put them in a decorated envelope.... more fun with stickers and bows and things.. get creative.
• Make a favorite quotes booklet to add to the kit.  Write them on cards, punch a hole in the upper left corner and tie together with pretty ribbon.
• Put everything into the box and your Emergency Mood Kit is ready if (when) the doldrums hit. 

Making an Emergency Mood Kit

I hope you have some blissful moments with a loved one making a kit and hope that the doldrums will be chased away quickly if you need to use it.

What made you happy this week?  Share your blissful moments.

I am linking up with

The Little Bliss List Link Party

Friday - My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

A happy coincidence.  Color my bliss list pink this week!  It's one of my favorite colors and this week pink is in each of my photos.

One of the joys of country living is the dreaded country ditch, which runs along the road.  Our's is on the steepest angle and makes mowing very difficult.  We've planted roses and lilies along it.  It looks like they've survived the winter and the early summery weather.  I was so happy to see this brave little rose blooming, with many, many buds waiting to burst into bloom.

Brave little pink rose.

Thanks to Operation Write Home, I'm actually taking time to sit and make some cards, which I haven't done in a long time.  Their Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop starts at midnight tonight and I'm taking part on my other blog, Cruzines.

If you've never heard of Operation Write Home, they provide hand made cards for soldiers deployed overseas to write home to their loved ones on.  They do this through the help of hundreds of paper crafters who create and donate the cards to them.  I love this idea.  I know that when Mr. B. was deployed, I would have loved to have received a beautiful handmade card from him.  Skype is great, but sometimes it's nice to have a handwritten note or letter.  I can't show you what I've made, becauseI have to save it for the Blog Hop, but you're welcome to drop by and take a peek tomorrow.

We had some gorgeous sunsets this week, which I got to enjoy with Mr. B.

Coral Pink Sunset

Pink Sunset

What made you happy this week?  Share your blissful moments.

I am linking up with:

The Little Bliss List Link Party

and 

  

Friday - My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

Another week of blissfully beautiful weather.  I love it.  The dogs love it.  I captured this picture of Pamunky and Otis patiently waiting for me to finish taking pictures so we could finish our walk.

Pamunky and Otis during a picture taking break on our walk

Mr. B. is home on leave.  It has been bliss.  I love it.  The animals love it.  (lots of love its this week)  I found Mr. B., Otis and two of our cats napping on the couch... so funny.. I tiptoed away to get the camera and tried to be quiet but the cats were very aware that I was taking pictures... Otis and Mr. B., not so much.

Mr. B., Otis, Sniper and Recon piled up on the couch napping

And.. true bliss..  The mama fox and her three kits, which had moved in under our addtion aka the master bedroom, last week, are gone!  Mr. B. managed to get them to move out, after a few sleepless nights listening to them squabble, play and rustle around under the floor boards.  It sounded like they were right in the room with us.  Pamunky and Otis, of course would bark.  It was chaos and no one was getting any sleep.  Not only that, we had to clean up after them every morning.. they would leave the carcasses (snake, chicken, smaller birds, moles, a rabbit) of what they ate outside by the side of the house.  It's been blissfully quiet for three nights now with no signs of them.  We've been able to get a full night's sleep again.

(the quality of the following pictures isn't the best, I was taking through them a window and screen and the foxes were moving)

Mama Fox

One of the kits

Oh.. Tomorrow, I will be sharing my new cookbook from last week's Bliss List with you.  Drop back to read all about it.

This post is being linked to:

The Little Bliss List Link Party