A Haven for Vee

Monday, August 22, 2016

Baby Steps

Surprise! I know what I said, but you know that it is always a woman's prerogative to change her mind. I change mine often; I changed mine today because this here blog has not been looking its best lately and I couldn't take it anymore.



This is the basil with a few marigolds that live in a railing box on the side deck facing the driveway. You last saw the basil growing in a can on my kitchen window sill in spring. Until the last few days, it has remained more or less under control. Now I must harvest it often. I am making Basil Bombs and freezing them for future use in soups, sauces, marinades, salad dressings or rubs for chicken, etc. I grind up the basil in a baby food grinder and add it to some small container (not my ice cube trays, though) and pour olive oil over to cover the basil, and then freeze it. Then I chop in into TBS size bits and save it in a freezer bag. Just yesterday afternoon, I used a couple in spaghetti sauce...yummy. Think I'll try some on pizza next.





It's been such a long, hot summer that the garden has not done well. The spider lilies were prolific, but much smaller than usual. I didn't even bother with photos until this nearly last one was blooming.




Haven't spent much time on the Haven lately. As you can see, until yesterday, I still had the things out that I put there in April. My mood has not been such that I cared about making things attractive or seasonal or anything. Then I remembered how much John liked seeing the decor change around here and how often he complimented me on things looking nice. I figure that, since it was starting to register, the time might have come to make some changes.





Want to see what's in the bag? Abby made this bag for me and I really love it...the perfect size for



books! So many of you have been blessing me with books...sort of take-me-away books:

Our Love is Here to Stay from Focus on the Family





A Season for Simplicity from Harvest House Publishers





The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel




(Kim, I had not noticed that the cover of this book looks like an apron pocket until I uploaded this picture...so cute!)


If Teacups Could Talk by Emilie Barnes




Collecting teacups in Southern California is really an act of faith. Made me laugh! This book has been my bedtime reading for about a week. I learned a lot of new things. One of them is why we might want to consider using a teacup, instead of a mug, for taking our tea. It made perfect sense when I read it. (Yes, I confess to taking my tea in a mug. I might have to change that up from time to time, most especially, if having tea with a friend.)






By the way, if my teacups could talk, they'd say thank you for washing us up and getting us out of the limelight.




In the meantime, I am waiting to see what to do next...perhaps the almost empty space up there will inspire me to do something in a few weeks.


Step by step...often baby steps...it's the way to get anything accomplished.


Thank you for popping by and have a great week!


36 comments:

  1. Good for you, baby steps are definitely the way forward. A great collection of books and so thoughtful.

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  2. How I loved this! Vee....I think you have been blessed with a new outlook! It has made my morning to see your lovely photos and thoughts of your beloved! It's all going to be ok! Sending hugs! I am loving your fresh new look!

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  3. Dear Vee - I think of you so much and it's so nice to see you this morning. You have such a wonderful way with words and cozy pictures of your haven. Tea cups and books - love it! I need to do some basil harvesting too!

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  4. Vee, you are so right...Baby Steps. One step at a time, dear one.
    I'm intrigued by the basil bombs. I've never heard of them, but it makes perfect sense. I make pesto and freeze it in a similar manner. The photo of your basil and flowers is so pretty with the flags in the background. And the teacups are lovely! I must also mention the pretty detail on your oak table. I've never seen that on an oak table--so nice.
    I hope your day goes well. ♥

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  5. You my friend, are a blessing and I want you to understand that. Baby steps my friend, baby steps...

    Enjoyed your post (I always do) and I would love to have tea with those fancy cups with you, smiles.

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  6. So nice to see your post this morning, Vee. Yes, baby steps do seem like the way to go. With all that you have been going through it seems like a little time spent puttering around the haven would be a welcome change. Nice, too, that you remembered John's appreciation for the décor changes as that is a lovely thought.
    I'm liking the sound of your basil bombs. My harvest this season is rather light, but I think I could harvest enough for a few bombs. Thanks for the idea.

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  7. What lovely books and thoughtful friends. I hope you'll remember to take those baby steps and go easy on yourself for this next year. Things will get done and you shouldn't worry when they don't. Sending you lots of hugs this morning, Diane

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  8. Baby steps are good, Vee. It is nice to see you taking pleasure in the things that have always given you pleasure - and the things that your John enjoyed seeing you do. Books are always a treat, and a pretty, new bag makes them even more special!

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  9. I think baby steps are just right. Really, for all of us, that's the way to get something done. But for those who are grieving or are experiencing any life changes, baby steps are essential! Please accept my cyber pats-on-the-back for taking those steps.

    Honestly, I have been baby-stepping ever since we moved! It takes me longer to do anything and when I am doing a project, I don't have time or energy (physical OR mental) for other things. Which is why cooking (which I normally love) has taken a back seat. And blogging. And commenting. But we do what we can, right?

    I love the "selfie" of you and John! I also love that you're remembering through your blog! Blogging certainly serves more than one purpose, doesn't it? Have you ever had yours printed...or thought about doing so?

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  10. One step at a time is good when the whole shebang is too overwhelming. I find that getting up and accomplishing something small leads to more accomplishments. We left for our son's in the middle of a heat wave at home so I'm wondering what my plants will look like when we get back home and if the daughter came over to water. :) Hope you have a good (yikes) last full week of August!

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  11. Nice to see some motivation coming back and that you're tackling little things one at a time. The gifted books appeal to me as well and I have If Teacups Could Talk.
    Wishing you a lovely week Vee.

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  12. Baby steps are still progress. I'm happy to see a post :) The books look so fun. The apron one and the one by Emilie Barnes especially. My basil pretty much up and died in the heat we had. It was lovely and then it was time to harvest and so hot I kept putting it off until...well we just pulled it all up yesterday. I'm hoping I have enough warmth left to try another crop.

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  13. I'm doing these kinds of baby steps, too! I think it will feel like this for years...

    I appreciated your sharing the books - The Apron Book charmed me immediately and I just ordered a used copy for $.01 - whether I ever will sew another apron remains to be seen, but I will love perusing the book in any case, because I do love aprons a lot!

    Thank you, Vee.

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  14. Oh baby steps are the wise way to go....a little bit at a time. I enjoyed your post, as I always do, and honestly feel you have done SOOO amazingly well and it makes my heart glad. The books look good, the tea cups are soo pretty, and I wish you a WONDERFUL week sweet Vee!

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  15. Courage, dear heart. Little by little one walks far. I saw those words on a mug (not a teacup!) in a bookstore, and sent them to someone who needed encouragement. They popped into mind when I read your post today, Vee. I always enjoy your posts. The basil bombs sound like a great idea. The garden exploded here while we were away. I wish there was a way to put it on hold!

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  16. Your book collection sounds interesting, especially The Apron Book. Summer is going way to quickly and I feel like I'm missing my life with the concerns of my sister, who is now a temporary part of my life for at least another few weeks. I grew basil this summer in a pot on the deck and used some of it but I see it is going into flower so will have to use it up faster. I don't freeze it but your method sounds great and it would be lovely to add 'fresh' basil to meals over the winter months. We are getting heavy rain here today so I think the wells are topping up again and hopefully the forest fires are quenched. Perhaps you will do a fall inspiration on top of your cabinet when the mood strikes. I haven't changed my summer decor yet and don't know when I'll get inspired. I'm hanging on to summer as long as I can. Take care my friend. I think of you often.
    Pam

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  17. Baby steps are good. : )
    I like your round pictures!
    Lots of good books you have received.

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  18. You are doing so well, Vee! Bit by Bit you'll decide what you want to do on that hutch! I like your books - I have that one by Emilie Barnes too, and just moved it from my bedroom bookcase to the living room bookcase because I want to read it again!

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  19. You sound good, Vee. I'm into baby steps myself, and that kind of an outlook gets me going. Or I explain it like eating an elephant. One bite at a time. I appreciate the time you took with each photo in this post to shape or frame them. So attractive. My daily tea is in a mug but I think it would be more ceremonial in a teacup.

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  20. I love seeing you so loved! I think you sound well... and we'll take your baby steps and cheer you on!

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  21. I smiled when I read that John loved it when you changed up the decor and complimented you on it. Rich did the same, and he loved when I changed up the kitchen table with seasonal changes. I'm sure that's why I still do it. I must freeze some of my basil like you've done, Vee. Looks like you have quite a few good books to read. I do use a teacup every morning, and save my mugs for afternoon and evening. Keep on with those baby steps...xo

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  22. Hi dear Vee, Baby steps are good...John would be proud of you. What a nice collection of books to cherish. I love the fragrance of basil. John's brother, who is a chef, always shares his basil pesto with us. xoxo

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  23. One day at a time and one step at a time, that's all one can expect.
    It sounds like you sure did have a hardy crop of basil and have found many uses for it! Do you like pesto?

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  24. Your tea cups look beautiful! I like the fresh herbs sign in your garden. Basil smells so good. I grew some in my garden a couple years ago. And our marigolds are just getting started...they are such a wonderful late summer flower for when nearly all the other flowers are done.

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  25. If Teacups Could Talk was one of my very favorite first tea books - starting a lifetimeof collecting them. It is illustrated by the wonderful Sandy Lynham Clough - whom had an original chat-room kinda thing waaaaaay before there was any such thing as blogs or most social media. It was a Christian-based "society" for tea ladies, and it was changed into the forum it is today and still survives. I have been a member of STS forever - golly 15? 16? years now...and it is how I found, and nurtured and fell in love with my dearest BFF friends - my Indianapolis Tea Ladies. In fact I am going there for a nice tea party on the 10th for an overnight weekend thing. They were here in June for my daughter's baby shower. It ALL started because of Sandy Clough, the artist! Sandy has made many of her own books, cards, art, etc. over the years. Her things are sold in Christian Book Stores and online.

    Anyway, yes, tea cups- they do a gal well. Rinse, use, repeat. All is better with a pretty teacup. Hugs. ♥

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  26. What happiness to discover that you had changed your mind and posted earlier than you said. You've been so busy with cleaning out that garage that I think you must have been exhausted but noticing your home is a good sign, like remembering how John enjoyed the beautiful home you made for the two of you.
    I love and have a collection of tea cups, too, but the ones out for display are my demitasse cups which I don't really use that much. My granddaughters are the age to enjoy tea parties with Nana, so that is something I need to think about. Their Dad is German and a baker so "kafee und kuchen" is what they are more used to! That bag that Abby made for you is lovely and so are the books within it. Baby steps are wonderful. Little by little is my motto these days. Be well, dear Vee.

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  27. This warms my heart in so many ways. I have thought of you and prayed for you! Yes, baby steps, but steps! I love your blog and God just speaks hope through you to so many. Blessings on each baby step.

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  28. (((Vee)))
    You will always be special to me and I am so happy to see the sunshine and love for you here today - it all looks beautiful and I feel your sweet soul here in your words.... baby steps for sure. It is all we can do and that is doing a great deal! To walk on ... takes courage and faith ... and gives us gentle peace. No matter the path we are currently on. We must walk on. You are so loved. Big hugs! xoxo

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  29. Baby steps must come many times in our lives. Grandson just sworn into the US Army. Had to think about, but so proud of him.

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  30. Things are looking good here on your blog, Vee. I am enjoying your sense of humor. Living in earthquake prone SoCal as I do, I had to laugh at the teacup remark. Your teacups are lovely. I don't own even one teacup; I hope that does not mean I'm lacking in faith :-) I am glad you are still blogging and look forward to more visits.

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  31. Yes, keep on keeping on with the baby steps! John would be proud of the way you are handling all this and taking those steps forward.

    I am finding myself, now that my dad is more or less settled, trying to take baby steps getting back into my routines at home. Sometimes the steps have been tiny indeed, but I am jumping in where I am, and they are steps forward, no matter how small. You're an inspiration to me and to many.

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  32. Baby steps is great Vee! Thanks so much for the tip on the basil. I usually harvest and use as spice but I too would love to try your tip on freezing it! I used some fresh basil recently on Hawaiian Pizza I made. SO GOOD! Love your books....I have the one on Teacups too. It's so good to visit with you today. Just wish it could have been over TEA in a TEA CUP! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  33. Baby steps are a good thing and John would be proud. Hugs as these things take time. Love your blog and love the idea of the basil! Enjoy the rest of your week!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  34. Lovely books, the apron book looks intriguing. An empty space begging to be decorated? Empty spaces don't stay long in my home. Thanks for sharing your flowers, your home, your gifts, your thoughts. ~ Abby

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  35. What a great idea for the basil! I think I have that apron book somewhere. Now I just need to figure out where! Hugs to you Vee!

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