R's rue

  It’s time I return to one of my favourite places  Chatsworth House in Derbyshire I was only thinking the other day about when I last visited this grand old house and it must be almost sixteen years ago now. When I lived in Sheffield, only 14 miles away to the North East, Chatsworth was a favourite destination on a weekend, whether it was for an amble through the house and gardens. A visit to the famous shop, which was located in the old shire horse stables out on the estate, or just to walk by the river below the garden terraces. In a fit of nostalgia I’ve arranged to meet an old friend from Sheffield there in December  It’s a four hour round trip for me , but it will be worth going even if it is for just the day  To say hello again  to The Veiled Vestal by Monti will be a highlight from Going Gently https://ift.tt/3ofJIEw

Of course there are many useful environmental lessons that might be learned from reflecting  on what happened on Easter Island. The first settlers discovered a sub-tropical Garden of Eden - forested and green with multitudes of seabirds. There they might have made their own lasting earthly paradise but through ignorance and carelessness and other typically human traits, they gradually destroyed it till there were no trees left and the seabird population was decimated. When the first Europeans arrived Easter Island's heyday was long gone. Where once there had been forest there was now nothing but barren grassland. "The Guardian" newspaper recently announced the winners in an international environmental photographer of the year competition, organised by environmental and water management charity CIWEM and WaterBear, a free streaming platform dedicated to the future of our planet. The awards celebrate humanity’s ability to survive and innovate, and showcase thought-provokin...

 I’m finding that after all the vulnerability I’m tired.  I don’t regret it.  In bravery comes freedom. I’m humbled that you come to this space daily to affirm me, to love me, and lift me. It’s very humbling for me to be loved and genuinely prayed for simply because of I dared to be bold enough to ask. God has been waiting for me to be bold. And last week, I don’t know what finally got me to break the barriers of my own soul. I thank you for your prayers. Just to know they are there brings me to tears. Thank you.  from R's rue https://ift.tt/3c4TFyA

 Thankful for Your love A good book And  Good food Your turn? from R's rue https://ift.tt/30j69Ar

 I’m back on nights until Saturday morning. Saturday night I’m having a dinner party After writing those words, I’ve realised just how old fashioned I am Apparently people don’t “ do” dinner parties anymore . They just do food. Chic Eleanor is one guest and our friends Sara & Pask are the others. Pask is a colourful Italian doctor who is a real natural foodie, which raises the stress of what food to pick somewhat, but I’ve made it easy on myself and have kept things simple . Eleanor will bring with her the starters and the others will bring the desert.  I will be cooking an all-in-on chicken, rice , olive dish from Spain Last time they all came, Eleanor dropped some red hot french beans into Pask’s lap , causing him to tear off his trousers, ones that needed sponging down, leaving him to finish the dinner in his underpants. That was a first at Bwthyn y Llan. Anyway it will be nice to have a houseful again. I’ve been collecting a nice set of cutlery over...