* NEW Possibilities (1, JANUARY - Eastern Standard Time) !! *

We don't always understand the ways of Almighty God . . . But we accept with faith . . . the holy will with no looking back, and we are at peace - Anonymous.

. . . We can put the past behind us.  Each day is a new beginning.  And each day . . . offers us the opportunity to look ahead with hope.  A power greater than ourselves . . . is ever with us.  When we fear facing new situations, or when familiar situations turn sour, we can look to the power for help in saying what needs to be said and for doing what needs to be done.  Our higher power is as close as our breath.  Conscious awareness of its presence strengthens us, moment by moment!

______________

" The past is gone.  Today is full of possibilities.  With each breath I will be aware of the strength at hand. "

______________

K. Casey
_______
 

* " No FEAR " ? *

Man presented me with fear, but, God presented me with Love.    

Kim. 

* LUMOSITY - brain Game !

Q.1.  WHAT do you call a Penguin standing in a Desert ?

Q.2.  Lost or Found ?



A.  One or the other.

** global-Child Development Researcher !

. . . "Let's use our words to find out what is wrong." . . . Interview excerpt January 2014 'The Australian Women's Weekly' / Dr. Karyn Purvis (global-Child Development Researcher).

* ' WHERE, Oh Where, Is . . . ? ' (Quiz) . . step-by-step guide to friendship (hopefully) !!

"Stamping-tramping

reindeer feet

clomp and stomp through

polar sleet.

Step-by-step in

Christmas snow,

search for Santa,

Where'd he go?

Clip-clop, clip-clop, two-by-two.

Santa!  Santa!  WHERE are you?

 . . .  Ziggy-zaggy

tricky track.

Crisscross, crisscross,

doubles back.

Giant paws

in snowy drifts ...

Who has left

these polar prints? . . . "

excerpt Where, Oh Where, Is Santa Claus?

Written by Lisa Wheeler.

  

" Merry Christmas " (as the saying goes)!

* Are there any words that you could  hypothetically use to finish that Story - by yourself, with friends or family??

" Season's GREETINGS .. . "

"Sending warm wishes of peace and happiness this Christmas and wholehearted blessings for the New Year.

(with my love) Kim. "

"JUST In Case, you didn't know .. . "

God loves everyone !

** ICONIC no-Cook FUDGE ! **

"FUDGE is so wonderfully sweet that it is best eaten in small quantities - a small bagful is a lovely gift.

You will need:

3 oz. (75g.) butter
4 tablespoons condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lb. (400g.) icing sugar, plus extra for dusting

1.  In a big bowl, beat together the vanilla extract, butter and condensed milk.
2.  Sift the icing sugar and gradually mix it in.  You might have to use your hands to make sure the sugar is properly mixed in, so make sure they're clean.  When you are finished, the mixture should come together to form a firm ball.
3.  Now you should dust a clean surface with icing sugar and place the ball on to it.  With a rolling pin, roll the mixture evenly until it is a square about 3/4 inch (1.5 cm.) thick.  Cut this into smaller squares.
4.  Leave your fudge to dry overnight.
5.  *If you are making your fudge for a special occasion, why not cut it with pretty shaped cookie cutters instead of cutting it into squares?
6.  To make Chocolate fudge follow the recipe above and add 1oz. (25g.) of cocoa powder to the icing sugar when sifting it into the mixture."

(compliments CLASSIC Milly-Molly-Mandy.)


Bon Apetit.k.

HEART of Creation ..

 LOVE

The heart of love is the heart of creation.

All is possible through love.  All is worthwhile for love.

May all you think and feel reflect love's eternal truth.

 .. God. 

* * MEMORY-tray Game * *

"YOU and your friends can test your memory with this simple tray game.

ASK a grown-up to make up a tray in secret with lots of different everyday objects on it.

FOR example, there could be a pencil, an apple, a sharpener, a sweet, a pair of scissors, a roll of sticky tape, a carrot, a key, a bar of soap, a cotton reel, a toothbrush, a feather, a clothes peg, a coin, a paper clip, a pebble, a pot plant, a golf ball, an onion - anything they can find really.  THEY musn't show you yet and they should cover the items with a tea towel until you are ready to start.

THE tray is then uncovered and you have one or two minutes to memorise as many of the things on it as you can before it is taken away.

WHEN the tray has gone, you must each write down as many of the things as you can remember.  Congratulations to the person who remembers the most items" (compliments Milly-Molly-Mandy).

Spelling ??? ..

Choose the correct spelling of this frequently misspelled word:

flourescent

fluoresent

fluorescent

Answer:

fluorescent

* * Complete ANY Assignment ! !

"Love has the quality of informing almost everything-even one's work" - Sylvia Ashton Warner.

We are changed through loving and being loved.  Our attitudes are profoundly and positively affected by the presence of love in our lives.  EACH time we offer a loving response to a friend, co-worker, even a stranger, we powerfully influence the dynamics of the interaction between us.

EVERY response we make to someone changes us while it informs them.  When we treat others with disdain, we invite the same.  WHEN we express only criticism of others, our self-assessment is equally negative.  The beauty of a loving posture is that it calls forth love in response.  The more love we give away, the more we receive.

Any task before us is lessened when we carry love in our hearts.  Love is more powerful than fear.  Love helps to open the channel to God, assuring us of the strength, the understanding, the patience needed to complete any assignment confronting us.

________________

I am loved, unconditionally, by God.  And I will experience the reality of that love the more I give it away.  Love wants to change me - and it can! 

K. Casey

* MATCH the SONG * ... ? ?

MATCH the song to the band/musician.

Song                                                      Band/musician

1.  "Manic Monday"                               a.  ZZ Top

                                           

2.  "A Hard Day's Night"                         b.  The Who

3.  "Just Got Paid"                                  c.  The Bangles

4.  "Workin' for the Man"                        d.  The Beatles

5  "The Dirty Jobs"                                 e.  Roy Orbison

     ***

Answer

1.  c,  2.  d,  3.  a,  4.  e,  5.  b

LIFE is NOT Easy .. or, is it ? !!!

"LIFE is not easy for any of us.  BUT what of that?  We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained"  -  Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Noble Prize in Physics.

A Deed ! ?

"I do believe it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one's inner life.  AND that too is a deed" - Etty Hillesum, diarist.

" Trust .. . "

"Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down.  And trust your instincts . . . good relationships feel good.  They feel right.  They don't hurt.  They're not painful.  That's not just with somebody you want to marry, but it's with the friends that you choose.  It's with the people you surround yourselves with" (First Lady Michelle Obama).

~ BASKET Case ? ! .. ~

"Put all your eggs in the one basket and-WATCH THAT BASKET"  -  Mark Twain.

* How do you personally decipher that comment ??

~ Ruth Bell GRAHAM ~

"A happy marriage is the union of two (2) good forgivers" - Ruth Bell Graham, philanthropist, poet, and author.

~ NEW Heights ! ! ~

I have found that sitting in a place where you have never sat before can be inspiring - Dodie Smith.

REPEATEDLY, today and every day, we will be in new situations, new settings with old friends, and old settings and situations with new friends.  EACH instance is fresh, unlike all the times before.  AND inspiration can accompany each moment, if we but recognise how special it is.

"We will never pass this way again," so the song says, which heightens the meaning of each encounter, every experience.  ACKNOWLEDGING that something can be gained each step along the way invites inspiration.

INSPIRATION moves us to new heights.  We will be called to step beyond our present boundaries.  MAYBE today.  WHENEVER the inspiration catches our attention, we can trust its invitation; we are ready for the challenge it offers.  We need not let our narrow, personal expectations of an experience, a new situation perhaps, prevent us from being open to all the dynamic possibilities it offers.

________________

I must be willing to let my whole self be moved, inspired.  I must be willing to let each moment I experience to be the only moment getting my attention.

 Karen Casey

" And, " ' .... .. ' .

'One of Cooper's stunts was to pay the exact taxi fare and when leaving the cab, to slip something into the taxi driver's pocket saying, "Have a drink on me." That something would turn out to be a tea bag.'  (Tommy Cooper (1921 - 1984), comedian.)

(Tommy Cooper surely lived with a positive "quick wit" !)

Cheers,
Kim.

"I keep HEALTHY by ... "

"I keep healthy by eating a rainbow of colours every day" (Marie Maher, 61, is retired and lives in Sheffield, South Yorkshire).

' BY the light of the Moon ' ! ?

'Last night, I dreamed I ate a 10lb. Marshmallow.  WHEN I woke up, the pillow was gone' - Tommy Cooper (1921 - 1984), comedian.

IF and VALUE ??

IF I should take your pain away, where would the value be ??

"Frame, STEP, step" ? !

I came home from Hospital with a two (2) wheel frame.  

I had been reversed on by a 'four-wheel drive' in May.  I was "strolling" home on a lovely day when suddenly, I was knocked sideways by that car backing-out of its driveway..  FORTUNATELY, the car stopped when a "solid clunk" was noticed by its driver.  SUBSEQUENTLY, my new wheelchair had been jammed underneath and wedged in towards the middle.  The wheelchair was a "write-off", but, I believe I am still here to tell that story.

 I hadn't been able to lift my right foot, but, my RECENT operation in a City Hospital (emergency back surgery) has allowed me to lift that aforementioned foot.  Yay!!

Life certainly may have its "Hurdles", and at times, I felt as though I was suffocating in raw emotion.  "My God"!  

Step by step, and with that steel Frame, I am encouraged..  many steps must ensue THOUGH, if I am going to become any better.

Love to you - all,
Kim.

** FRESH ... Passionfruit 'Cookie Cutter' PASTRIES !! **

Makes 18  Prep and Cook Time 40 Minutes

3 sheets good quality shortcrust pastry
1- 1/2 cups (375ml) milk
1 tablespoon cornflour
3 eggs
3/4 cup (165g) caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pulp of 6 passionfruit

1.  PREHEAT oven to 180 degreesC (160 degreesC fan-forced).

Use a 9cm round cookie-cutter to cut 18 pastry rounds.  Carefully press the pastry rounds into greased 1/3 cup (80ml) muffin pans or tart cases.  Prick a couple of tiny holes with a skewer or fork in the base of the pastry.
LINE the pastry-cases WITH foil and fill the foil with rice or pastry WEIGHTS.  BAKE for 10 minutes or until light golden.

REMOVE the foil!

2.  IN a medium bowl, use a small amount of milk to dissolve the cornflour.  WHISK in the eggs, sugar, vanilla and passionfruit pulp.

3.  WARM the remaining milk in a pot on a stove, so that it is just warm.  WHISK the milk into the egg mixture.  POUR the mixture into the tart cases.

4.  Bake for around twelve (12) minutes or until the custard has just set.  COOL before serving.  

PLACE the fresh custard tarts on a favourite plate to serve!

(Not suitable to freeze or microwave.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

* Return FROM Hospital ..

With much rehabilitation, I RETURNED home just last night after being in Hospital for two (2) MONTHS.  I had a bulging back disc which had culminated in a twisted and therefore, bruised Spine.  
It was OUCH!

Glad and thankful that I am now home.

Hullo there - "no, I've not disappeared" !!!

Hullo there,
How are you??  Hope you are well.
At the moment, I'm typing this in a hospital bed, as I've had emergency back surgery. I've been ("holed-up" - excuse this pun for Warren; as in Rabbit Warren) for the past two (2) weeks.  I have to look after my back all the time at the moment by keeping straight.  Thought I'd let you know.  Will get back (excuse the pun) to you when I can - don't know when.  Just glad I could quickly let you know as to what's gone on!
Thanks very much,
Kim.

PURE joy !

  It is a pure joy to Post on this Blog.
  
 Indeed, "little treasures" can 
enfold us in the blessing 

of being gently
- still - 
discovering that the 
gifts of wonder 
and joy are endless.  

You are lovely.  
May your days 
be filled with lovely memories! 

I am sure God is guiding you - kim warren.

* ( You can discover the rewardingly delicious taste of Kim {not me] and Rachael's Pumpkin Soup - this Blog ). *


Keep searching.k. *

Tears ! . . .

LET your tears come.  Let them water your soul - Eileen Mayhew.

LETting down our guard, releasing the tension that keeps us taut, often invites our tears that soften us, melt our resistance, reveal our vulnerability, which reminds us that we are human.  So often we need reminding that we are human.

Perfectionism may be our bane, as it is for so many of us.  We've learned to push, push harder, and even harder, yet, not only ourselves but those around us.  We must be better, we think, and we tighten our hold on life.  We need to loosen our grip, if we will.  WHEN we loosen our grip, even on this day, this activity, this person, we get carried gently along and find that which we struggled to control, happening smoothly and naturally.  Life is a series of ironies.

We should not hide from our tears.  We can trust their need to be present.  Perhaps, they need to be present for someone else, as well as ourselves.  Tears encourage compassion; maybe our assignment in life, today, is to help someone else experience compassion.

______________

My tears will heal.  
And the wounded are everywhere.

K. Casey

" TO Be SHORE ... " ? !

Unscramble the following letters to reveal its word:

dinreaI

.. keep going ...

... do I have to keep going? ....

...  "I'm glad I kept going" ..

.. to ..

Answer - *Ireland!

The Daily EXTRA Update - "Read all about it" !

Trivia

Q.  What outlaw refused to rob a bank in McKinney, Texas, because the town was home to his favorite chili parlor?

.. hmm..,

... keep going .. 

... "going ..

.. going ..

 .. Gone!"

A.  Jesse James.

within our heart

WITHIN your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go - Louise Driscoll, poet.

Persons

All persons are given as much as they possibly can deal with - kim warren.

"Funny" TODAY !

10.30am. today:

The front doorbell rings and I'm startled when suddenly being awoken from my sleep.  A more-than-quick look at the clock and I  quickly realise that the person from the Care agency hasn't arrived.  Shock, horror! 

We had both agreed last week that she would arrive to help me an hour earlier than normal so as to allow me to get ready for my appointment at 11.00am.  I would attend the appointment in Town today.

I madly scurry? (whatever!) into the wheelchair that's situated near the side of the bed and head for the door.  The cats have never moved so fast!

Unsnibbing the lock on the front-door, I see the pre-booked taxi-driver standing there behind the security-door, and at tsunami speed (well, ... it seemed like it at the time!), I asked him if he could wait another five (5) minutes, "please"?

(He said "yes" but, he notified me that it took me seven (7) minutes before I gained the outside access. I've an important appointment and I'd had needed to get dressed.  There would be two (2) persons running to a schedule to meet me.  I really shouldn't reneg!)

I quietly .. but, quickly, raced back into the room and dressed myself.  How was I going to do that??  I visualised pulling the jeans on .. and, with my mind poised on what I was doing, I slowly lifted my right foot, then leg, ... and, pulled my jeans on.  Yay!

I knew I'd be able to assist myself with the nearby 3/4 length navy tee, navy cotton-weight jumper, multi-coloured scarfe of tightly-knitted pink, purplish blue and burgundy colours .. hey, I'm female.  I was unable to put my shoes on.  Looking at the bedsocks on my feet, I was thinking "great, these look okay". "What else could I do??"

With both persons at the meeting, I pointed to my feet and rhetorically asked, "do you like my new shoes?" We laughed about that escapade. 

Needless to say, I'm typing this, while still wearing those "nicely-coloured purple socks" on my feet.  Yes, .. I'm female, and I'm just sooo .. grateful for people who can laugh .. and purple bedsocks!.k.

* The Daily EXTRA *

Spelling Bee!

 Choose the correct spelling of this 

frequently misspelled?? 

(is it or isn't it?) word:

vaccum

vacuum

vacume

   
*Answer -

.. keep going ...

.. keep going . . .

 
Yes . . vacuum.

 
.. ah . . keeps Going?! ..

   

. . Oh no! . . . . this sucks....

                     
                        .  . .  .   

 
 Anonymous.

"The Daily EXTRA . . "

Fun Fact

Mr. Potato Head, the first toy to be advertised on television (in 1952), received four write-in votes in the mayoral election in Boise, Idaho, in 1985.

Anonymous (LOL . . is it any wonder??).

Aspiration

What we truly and earnestly aspire to be, that in some sense we are.  The mere aspiration, by changing the frame of mind, for the moment realizes itself  - Anna Jameson, nineteenth-century writer.

DEFEATED

No man is defeated without until he is defeated within  -  Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady (1933 - 1945) and reform leader.

friendships

Friendships are discovered rather than made  -  Harriet Beecher Stowe, humanitarian, novelist.

friendship

It is wise to apply the oil of refined politeness to the mechanisms of friendship  -  C., novelist

laugh !

As I get older,  I'm interested in things being funny.  Life is challenging-we need to laugh - J. Moore, children's book author.

Uncertainty!

What I know for sure:  Fear comes from uncertainty.  Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, the way to do becomes clear - O. Winfrey, media producer.

Spammers

Persons have been caught in the spamming of this site.  I have reported that to Google.  Apologies if your access to this Blog has been interrupted.k.

Change!

It's the most unhappy people who most fear change - Mignon McLaughlin, writer.

Oh!

What is cute, small Anna lovingly called? 
 Anna-gram.!

Oh ... really ... ? .. 

 Anagram??

Does that mean that Anna is being nicely reeled back into her House so that she may .. 

Rearrange the letters in the "not too distant" following phrase to discover the related words?

The Answer is a resounding yes!

(Q).  I'm not as active.

 .. keep going ...

            .. keep going ..

(A).  vacation times.

... Keep .. going.

 (Anonymous - The Daily Extra)

THE "Room with a VIEW" ?!

Most women still need a room of their own, and the only way to find it may be outside their own homes - G. Greer, writer.

There IS!

There is always more surface to a shattered object than a whole - Djuna Barnes, writer.

The Answer!

In the tiny petal

of a tiny flower

that grew from a tiny pod...

Is the miracle 

and the mystery

of all Creation (and God)!

Helen Steiner Rice

You .. !

Love you ! 

Cheers.k.

Flowing With The Tide!

Sometimes it's worse to win a fight than to lose - Billie Holiday.

---

Bowing with the wind, flowing with the tide, eases the steps we need to take, the steps that will carry us to OUR personal fulfillment.  Part of the process of our growth is learning to slide past the negative situations that confront us, coming to understand that we are in THIS life to FULFILL a unique purpose.  The many barriers that get in our way can strengthen our reliance on God of the UNIVERSE, if we'll let them.  WE need never be thwarted by people or situations.  WE will profit from taking all experiences in our stride.  THE course we travel is the one we chart,  THE progress we make toward our life goals is proportionate to the smoothness of our steps.

______________

I will flow with the tide.  It will assuredly move me closer to my destination.

K. Casey

The *beautifier !

.. love is a great beautifier - Louisa May Alcott.

MEETING life head-on, with a smile, attracts people and situations to us.  OUR attitudes shape our world-which is not to deny that problems do occur.  HOWEVER, problems can be viewed as special opportunities for personal growth-as gifts, more or less, that we are ready to receive.  WHEN the student is ready, the teacher appears.  The stumbling blocks WE encounter push us beyond our present awareness.  They teach us that we are stronger and more creative than we'd thought.  ...

Negatively confronting the day is sure to complicate any experiences.  A simple misunderstanding can be exaggerated into a grave situation, requiring the energy of persons to handle it.  On the other hand, a patient, trusting, loving attitude can turn a grave situation into a positive learning experience for all affected.

WE can beautify the day by smiling throughout all the EXPERIENCES it offers us.  The expression of love to those we meet guarantees to make us more lovable in return.

______________

How great is my influence TODAY!  I CAN go forth feeling love, IF I CHOOSE to-guaranteeing an ENJOYABLE day FOR me and everyone I meet.

(excerpt) K. Casey

rekindle

Kindness

A kind gesture rekindles your belief

in the power of love.

Remember to be kind to yourself.

Kindness

T.C. Salerno

WHAT is your opinion?!

One must be leery of words because they turn into cages  -  Viola Spolin.

We defeat ourselves with labels!  We hem ourselves in; we shorten our vision; we cut off opportunities in the making.  We influence how others think of us, too.  Someone wise said that we teach others how to treat us.  Are we teaching people to expect nothing great from us-because we are always afraid?  ...  Do we never think that we can handle what may come?

(We become the persons we have programmed ourselves to be.  We can revamp the program, anytime.  And right now is a good time to begin.  We are surrounded by persons who have done just that.)

It's time for "thanks".  We are all that we need to be, and more.  ...  We have an inner beauty that only needs encouragement to shine forth.  If we smile from within today, we will free ourselves from our negative cages.  ...

 ______________

To catch myself  each time I insult myself will be a challenge, but one worth taking on.  And it's one I can win!

excerpt  ...  'Each Day a New Beginning' (Daily Meditations) - K. Casey.

"A Wing and a Prayer" ..

It's "a Wing and a Prayer" for me on the Internet.  My youngest Daughter says that my understanding of a Cookie is of one with Icecream, but ... , I'd still like to say, that, ..  I don't have any affiliation with any else on the Web - ONLY of the development in THIS 'ORIGINAL' Blog!

Thought I'd share that.k. 

"Thank you very much ... ."

"Thank you very much for logging on to this Blog".  Much love and care have gone into the development of it and appreciate your warm supports.with love.k.

re.: Recipes

All Recipes in this Blog are "true, tried and tested"!  Cheers.k.

The Creator

All I have seen 
teaches me to trust
the Creator for all I
have not seen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A sweet short - to everyone ... ."

Whenever
I think
of you
I smile
inside.

(Tender Thoughts - Janet L. Weaver)

* "Ditto" to everyone - while I'm typing this Blog.k.

Essence

Thankfulness is the essence of humility - Anonymous.

Pure Brush Strokes

The most 
delightful 
picture of
humility is 
painted with 
the pure
brush strokes 
of the heart. 

Tender Thoughts - Janet. L. Weaver

The Everything!

Everything we do is a portrait of ourselves.  All our actions 

take their hue from the complexion of the heart.

Living the truth in your heart without compromise 

brings kindness into the world.

All that is worth cherishing begins in the heart.

(Tender Thoughts - Janet L. Weaver.)

The Seagull

If I would be like a Seagull, I could catch a wave on the breeze and fly.k.


If we let life chip away at us, we will eventually crack (inspiration from a local Windscreen Service).k.

The Moment

Our present is the moment (pause and think of that).k.

Realising Our Worth

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same  -  Anne Frank.
______________

Happiness feels so close and yet so far away.  Perhaps we look to a person for it, or to a job, or to a new winter coat.  We deserve happiness, we know.  Yet, we learn so slowly that happiness can only be found within.  The person leaves; the job goes sour, the new coat is quickly out of style.  Elusive, all of them.

But the happiness that comes from knowing who we are and how our lives fit in the grand design of the Creator never eludes us.  We are one of a kind.  And there is no other who can offer to the world of friends just what each of us can.  We are needed, and knowing that, really knowing it, brings happiness.

We can celebrate our worth, by realizing it.  We can celebrate it now.  We can glory in our worth, our specialness, and we can cherish the design.  We can cherish our parts and cherish the part each person plays.

 ______________

Combined, we are as one big orchestra.  The conductor reads the music and directs the movements.  Being in tune with the conductor feels good.  I can call it happiness.  All I need do is play my part.

K. Casey