Sunday, July 10, 2022

Saturday's Blessings

Dinner Compliments of Neighbor S

Neighbor S called me in the early evening to ask if I'd like to have some food she, her mother, and her sister-in-law had made and of course I said, "Yes, please"!  A short time later, she brought me a plate of a type of salad similar to tabouleh, a bag of beet pickles her mother had made, a plate of fruit (watermelon and cantaloupe), three pieces of gata, and two pieces of what I think is semolina cake with almonds and soaked with a syrup.  I've had it before, I know, and it is delicious!  I had some of the tabouleh-like salad, tried a little of the beets, ate all the fruit, and had a piece of cake.  I will try the gata, tomorrow.  I am so blessed to have S as a neighbor and her family are also as caring and kind as she is.

I stayed up too late, last night, catching up on all the news I was receiving from Sri Lanka and about Sri Lanka from family and friends both in Sri Lanka and in other countries.  Yes, it is nearly 49 years since I left, but, it is still the country of my birth and it's heartbreaking to see all the economic troubles and the resulting strife.  

I tried to sleep in this morning, but, of course, a certain kitty cat demanded breakfast and I woke up to cater to him!  It was a sunny and warm day with a high of 90F, which was quite comfortable for me.  I had a fairly relaxed day, watching a few videos, taking a virtual walk from Upper to Lower Slaughter in Cotswold, playing a few sudoku and nonogram games, watching some cooking shows and news on TV, and chatting on the phone with family and friends.  The only productive thing I did was sort through the linen closet, trying to cram all the recently washed quilts in there for the summer.  I persuaded myself to declutter eight cushion covers I had sewn several years ago.  I have other cushion covers and I can always sew myself another set if I need (or want) more.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Neighbor S sharing such a delicious feast with me
- Family and friends in Sri Lanka seem to be OK
- Online videos showing me things and enabling me to visit places I might never see or visit in real life
- Having a linen closet
- Chats with family and friends

Today's joyful activity was enjoying the lovely food neighbor S brought me!  There are leftovers, too!

Plans for tomorrow will include more card making - I need to make a birthday card for a friend and a "thinking of you" card.  

How was your Saturday?  What are your plans for Sunday?


18 comments:

  1. The food given to you by your neighbour looks delicious, so very kind of her and her family. You are bound to be concerned about your family in Sri Lanka, I hope they remain safe and well. I don't know where to store my two sofa covers over the summer months now they are freshly laundered as we have decided to leave them off our two leather sofas for now just for a change, I may have to do some serious decluttering.

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    1. It was very kind of my neighbor and her family to bring me dinner and it was very delicious and different from what I usually make! Yes; as far as I know, everyone is safe, but, one does worry! Storing items until they are needed again becomes a bit of a problem at times, doesn't it? Do you have an empty suitcase or two? If so, maybe the sofa covers can be stored in them? Or, perhaps in a box that you can set up in a corner and cover with a table cloth to disguise it? Good luck with finding the space to store them! :)

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  2. Wow, that meal does look good. We're both blessed with kind and helpful neighbours aren't we?

    The situation in Sri Lanka is heartbreaking but more so for you with all your connections. I hope that your family still living there are okay and that it continues to be the case for them.

    Upper and Lower Slaughter are beautiful. They are on my list of places to visit again, only about 50 miles from where I live.

    It's going to be hot today so I don't plan to do too much this morning and then it's the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final this afternoon so I will be watching that.

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    1. Yes, we are! :)
      It really is very sad to see what is taking place in Sri Lanka. So far, family members who are there seem to be OK. I am hoping that things will become better for all the people.
      There are many beautiful places to virtually "visit", I'm finding! I should buy a treadmill, turn on one of the videos, and walk!
      Hot days are meant to be taken easily. Hope you enjoyed watching the tennis match. :)

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  3. Yesterday morning I saw the news and images from Sri Lanka. It must be so scary to live there during all of this. I hope things change for the better soon as it appears things have started to boil over.
    Neighbor S is determined to interfere with your food plan lol
    What a delicious assortment of foods. I think I would've had the cake first :)
    When I find myself jamming things into a closet, I tell myself it's a good time to rethink what's in there. Good job on decluttering those cushion covers a making room for the things you actually use.

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    1. Thank you, Debra; yes, I hope things improve for everyone in Sri Lanka. Things have indeed started to boil over and I know what a mess that can leave!
      LOL, neighbor S is a blessing! That cake disappeared really quickly! :D
      Yes, it was time to declutter the linen closet. I still have more items there that can be decluttered; just need to get into the proper frame of mind - currently, it is stuck on "oh, but, I can use that for cleaning cloths, lining a quilt, making a rag rug, etc., etc., etc."! Sigh.

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  4. Our linen closet needs some attention. We have too many towels to store in the space, but it's hard to get rid of them when I know that towels do wear out. But I do know things will get better if I do some much needed straightening.
    I'm not sure what it will take, but I do hope for improvement in Sri Lanka. It's not good there.

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    1. Towels are hard to get rid of! I always think I have too many towels until there is some sort of a leak and then, I don't have enough towels! LOL. Good luck sorting through your linen closet!
      Thank you, June. I don't know what it will take, either, to turn things around in Sri Lanka. But, I hope that they will be able to do just that.

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  5. I've been reading the news about Sri Lanka, and it must be very stressful for you and your family. I hope they continue to be safe. You are very fortunate to have such kind neighbors, as I'm sure you are as well. I think sorting the linen closet is quite productive!

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    1. Thank you, Celie. I, too, hope that the situation in Sri Lanka will improve! Not just for my family and friends, but, for everyone! Some of the stories I'm hearing are absolutely heart rending.
      I'm very fortunate, indeed, to have such kind neighbors. I do what I can to be a good neighbor, too. :)
      The linen closet could do with more decluttering, but, I've managed to find room for my quilts and that's all that matters, for now!
      Hope you are having a lovely day, Celie.

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  6. It must be a relief to know your friends and family in Sri Lanka are okay. I've been watching the news and it's all very worrying. I hope the situation improves soon. X

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    1. Thank you, Jules; yes, it is a relief to know that my family and friends are OK, but, prayers for the country and the situation to improve are much needed, I think!

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  7. Praying for Sri Lanka. Regine
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Regine; your prayers are much needed and appreciated. :)

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  8. The news is covering the happenings in Sri Lanka here as well, and I always think of you. It's heartbreaking what is happening there. I hope that your friends and family are safe.

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    1. It's a big mess over there, Lyssa, but, yes, my family and friends are safe as far as I know and they are managing.

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  9. Glad to know your friends and family in Sri Lanka are OK. I think of you every night when watching the news.
    The meal from S looks wonderful! I would have gobbled up all the fruit in one go too, (as well as a piece of cake). I could eat some melon right now!

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella; yes, the family and friends are OK.
      The meal from S was such a blessing! Summer and melons just go together, don't they?

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