Memory Table - Creative Monday Linky

    This holiday season I decided to have a special memory table for my late twin sister Janine and brother Sutcliffe. First of all I made sure that there were two photo frames that had pictures of them, then I decorated the table with some of our favourite decorations over the years. Janine and I loved red candles at Christmas so I lit 2 in memory of Janine and Sutcliffe. Here are some shots of the table.

 Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.     

Tribute To A Departed Brother

        Just  before 7.30 p.m. on December 28, last year, my brother Sutcliffe passed away.  On this first anniversary of his death I  thank God for the life he lived.  He was caring and always ready to help others in need. He resigned his job and came home to run the family farm after my father died. At that time my twin and I were only 13 years old.  He loved nature and so I thought it only fitting to put his picture in a frame depicting nature in all its glory. Sutcliffe lived a full life being a teacher, civil servant, farmer, politician and Justice of the Peace in the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica. We will always miss you Sutcliffe.
        Phil. 1:3 best sums up the thoughts for a special son and brother “ I thank God upon every remembrance of you."

Linking with - Flash Blog Friday, Flash Back Friday, Freedom Fridays, The Weekend Blog Hop, Lovin' the Readers Blog Hop, Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Party, Aloha Friday Blog Hop, An Aloha affair and Share The Love Blog Hop

Christmas 2012 Faves - Wordless Wednesday Linky

  

Favourite Card featuring cardinals

Favourite Candlesticks

A Favourite Decoration

More Decorations

Another favourite Christmas card featuring birds

Baked Ham

  Welcome to Wordless Wednesday hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up your Wordless and not so Wordless photo posts.

Christmas Cake - Creative Monday Linky

Recipe
1 lb butter

1 lb granulated sugar

1 doz. eggs

1 lb flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

8 oz. bread crumbs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons lime juice

2 teaspoons orange rind

1 tablespoon mixed spice

2 tablespoons browning

1 lb of raisins

1 lb prunes

1 lb currants

Fruits should be put to soak in wine and rum before baking.

Method

1. Prepare tins - grease with butter and line with grease paper

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy

3. Add eggs and beat well

4. Mix in browning, vanilla, lime juice and rind

5. Mix bread crumbs, flour, baking powder and mixed spice

6. Add flour mixture and fruits alternately to butter and sugar mixture

7. Pour mixture into two 9-inch baking tins

8. Bake at 350oF or 180oC for 1 1/2 hours.

 Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.        

Bird Figurine Series - #18

    What is your biggest wish for Christmas? It is okay to wish for all sorts of things but these days my biggest wish is to experience peace perfect peace.  What do I consider to be peace? The ability to feel a level of tranquillity notwithstanding the blows I have faced in life.  Yes, the inner strength that enables me to keep on keeping on, holding on to my faith and trusting in God always.  As I look at these beautiful dove Christmas decorations received from my wonderful blogger friend Maria I say a quiet prayer.  May you find peace in your life this Christmas.

Linking with -Thursday Favourite Things, Favourite Thing Friday, Thirsty For Comments, Flash Blog Friday, Flash Back Friday, Freedom Fridays, The Weekend Blog Hop, Lovin' the Readers Blog Hop, Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Party, Aloha Friday Blog Hop and An Aloha affair.

Christmas Memories - Wordless Wednesday Linky

Jud (left) & Jan (right)

Jud (left) & Jan (right)

Brother Sutcliffe who died last December

Sutcliffe

  
  Welcome to Wordless Wednesday hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up your Wordless and not so Wordless photo posts.

Favourite Ham Glaze - Creative Monday Linky

   

   Baked ham has always been a big favourite for my family over the Christmas and New Year celebrations. While there are a number of ways to baste a ham this is the one that we use:
Method

1. Squeeze the juice of 3 oranges

2. Add a cup of  brown sugar
3. Add 2 teaspoons of grated ginger

4. Boil the above for 15 minutes

5. Baste the ham with this mixture

If you eat ham over the holiday season what do you usually use to baste your ham?

 Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.          

Bird Figurine Series - # 17

   Another bird that my twin and I were always happy to see on several Christmas cards was the European Robin.  We were therefore happy to receive a cute figurine of this lovely bird some years ago. 

      
     This week I am thrilled to be the featured friend at the wonderful Aloha Friday Blog Hop.  Be sure to head over there and link up! Thanks to all the hosts and co-hosts. 

I am also linking with -Thursday Favourite Things, Favourite Thing Friday, Thirsty For Comments, Flash Blog Friday, Flash Back Friday, Freedom Fridays, The Weekend Blog Hop, Lovin' the Readers Blog Hop, Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Party, Aloha Friday Blog Hop and An Aloha affair.

Angel Decorations - Wordless Wednesday Linky

Special gift received some years ago from Mom's late pen-pal Dorothy

  Welcome to Wordless Wednesday hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up your Wordless and not so Wordless photo posts.

Christmas Decorations Lift My Spirit - Creative Monday Linky

    Christmas decorations have a way of lifting one's spirit even when one is going through a difficult time. I have been enjoying seeing all the wonderful Christmas stuff on blogs etc. This year I am struggling with decorating early as my brother Sutcliffe died in the midst of the holiday season, December 28, last year. Anyway I have been looking through the many decorations that my twin and I accumulated over the years.  Here are some that I am thinking of using this year.

  Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.          

Bird Figurine Series - # 16

   December is here and that means Christmas is near! Until Christmas Day I will be featuring birds that I associate with the Christmas season. Here in Jamaica we do not get to see the beautiful red cardinal but over the years my twin and I have received many Christmas cards and pictures featuring this bird amidst the snow. A breathtaking sight!   I am happy to have these  3 cardinal figurines in my collection.

Linking with -Thursday Favourite Things, Favourite Thing Friday, Thirsty For Comments, Flash Blog Friday, Flash Back Friday, Freedom Fridays, The Weekend Blog Hop, Lovin' the Readers Blog Hop Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Party and An Aloha affair.

Blazing Sun - Wordless Wednesday Linky

    
  Welcome to Wordless Wednesday hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up your Wordless and not so Wordless photo posts.

Pepper Steak - Creative Monday Linky

     One of my favourite dishes using sweet peppers is Pepper Steak. Below is a quick way of preparing this dish.

Ingredients

1 lb of beef 

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 onion 
2 stalks of escallion

1 green pepper 
1 tomato 
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon sugar
4 teaspoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method 

1. Cut beef, onion,escallion, garlic, green pepper and tomato into small pieces.

2. Cook meat, onion, escallion, garlic and pepper in oil until meat is browned.
3. Add the other ingredients and cook until meat is tender.

  Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.              

Bird Figurine Series - # 15

    There are times when one comes across an item and find it so hard not to purchase it. This is exactly what happened when Janine and I saw this bird figurine featuring  budgerigars. We were not only fascinated by its beauty but the fact that it also included a music box!

Linking with -Thursday Favourite Things, Favourite Thing Friday, Thirsty For Comments, Flash Blog Friday, Flash Back Friday, Freedom Fridays, The Weekend Blog Hop, Lovin' the Readers Blog Hop Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Party and An Aloha affair.

Lychee Tree Shock - Wordless Wednesday Linky

Lychee Tree earlier this year

Some of the many lychees I enjoyed

Brown Lychee Tree after Hurricane Sandy

 

  Welcome to Wordless Wednesday hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up your Wordless and not so Wordless photo posts.

Corned Beef To The Rescue- Creative Monday Linky

   I am so happy that come Friday of this week, November 30, the hurricane season will come to an end. From time to time I eat corned beef. Tins of this product are essential during the hurricane season, especially when you are left without electricity for several days. Today I share one of my 'After Hurricane Sandy' meals. While some persons cook the corned beef I prefer to eat it straight out of the tin only adding onion. The lunch consisted of corned beef, boiled macaroni, boiled yellow yam, cabbage and carrot salad and fried ripe plantains.

  Hello and welcome to Creative Mondays hosted by Clairejustineoxox and Judy H-J's Thoughts where you can link up all your creative posts.

1. Link up your Crafty, Recipe, DIY, Fashion, Creative writing, Photo, Family Tutorials, Favourite, Helpful, Make-up, Outfit or anything creative posts here...

2. Link as many posts up as you like.

3. Please visit a few posts and leave comments.

4. It would be great if you could grab the Creative Monday button and place it somewhere on your blog.

5. We would love for you to follow some way by GFC,Google+,Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Happy Creative Monday and have a great week.