Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.

 

(source)

Sunday morning church. I love to go to church on Sundays. I still miss my congregation in the U.K. but I also love the people I go to church with here in Nova Scotia, and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So church on Sunday mornings is where I want and love to be. I love the prayers, I love the hymns, I love the talks. I love taking the Sacrament and renewing my covenants with the Savior, taking His name upon me and preparing myself spiritually for the week ahead. This is a vital part of my life and of who I am.

 

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Glenna's Daffodils are all in bloom and are such a cheerful sight. Every time I look out my window I can see them dancing in the breeze. I love daffodils. I always wanted to be able to visit Ullswater in the spring and see the daffodils that Wordsworth wrote about but never got there when they were in bloom. 

 

(source)

This is such a wonderful time of year to witness. The earth coming alive again after a long cold Winter. The trees are taking on that green flush that they were in Spring. The grass is turning green, little plants are poking their heads up through the soil.  At my sister's the lupins in the ditch are already making their presence known.  The birds are singing their beautiful nesting songs. The peepers in the ditches are likewise regaling us. It is a lovely time of year.

But then, I say that every season. I am so blessed to live in a country with seasons that change so dramatically.

 

I am so loving the bread that we are able to get at Pelton's. It tastes just as good as my mother's did. And at only $5 a loaf it is not overly expensive either. Soft and delicious. I am ashamed to say that I had five slices yesterday when I count the two I had for breakfast as toast, the two I had for lunch with butter and jam (naughty I know) and then I had the crust end at Cindy's with my supper. I couldn't resist it. It is so darned good!

Love these two furry family members. They bring such joy into my life. I cannot imagine a life without them in it. I am so blessed.

I love having this sweet girl staying with me. I will miss her when she moves into her own place. She is a joy to have around. Always so happy. I have not ever met anyone who doesn't think she is a treasure. She can be stubborn sometimes, but she comes by that honestly. My family is full of stubborn people, including myself. She faces life and it's challenges with a sweet and gentle heart. Everyone should be so blessed to have an Eileen in their lives. Love her so much. 

 

(source)

Grateful for all the dandelion bouquets I have been gifted with through the years. I cherished each and every one of them!

 

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I am grateful for the talents I have been given and how I am able to use them and share them with others. I wish my eyes were a bit more cooperative these days, but I do my best.

 

(source)

Grateful also for the creativity of others and their generosity in sharing it with the world. I am in awe of all their talents.

 

Grateful for the gift of family and for mine. For a daughter who makes me smile. For sons who stay in touch and send me photographs of their cooking exploits.  For my sister and Dan and all that they do for me. For my dad and the time I get to spend with him. I am so grateful to have had these five almost six years with him that I never thought I would have. For grandchildren that know and love me, and who I love back with all of me

I love all my family so very much.

 

So grateful for my home. It is my sanctuary. My oasis. The place where I am my happiest.

My life is full of blessings. I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I have all that I need and then enough to share. I am loved and I love. I have a strong faith which sustains me, guides me, uplifts me.  I am at peace with my life and with the world.  Life is good.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Hope is a renewable option

if you run out of it at the end of the day,

you get to start over again in the morning.

~Barbara Kingsolver

In The English Kitchen today, Traditional Oat Bannocks. Light, tender, and gently nutty from quick oats, they’re a traditional Scottish bake that comes together with just a few humble ingredients and a soft touch. Simple to make and most enjoyable!

I hope your week ahead is loaded to the brim with small and wonderful things that bring you peace, joy and happiness. Whatever you get up to, don't forget! 

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And I do too!    

   

Saturday Nice . . .

 (source)

The wind is whispering April

And the woods are all aflame

Today a robin sang for me

From southern lands he came,

He brought the springtime in his song,

And practiced it the whole day long.

The sun is whispering April

And the buds are swelling green

The little creek is running wild

Its foolish banks between,

The pussy willow's silver fur

Is making vain the heart of her.

And we have tidied up the yard,

Raked up the tangled grass,

The little pool that father made

Shines like a looking glass,

Reflecting sky and clouds and trees,

The neighbors clothes-line if you please.

The wind is whispering April

And all my heart is knowing,

There will be clover in the fields

And new grass growing,

Daffodils on a sturdy stem

And golden bees to talk to them.

~Edna Jacques, April

Aunt Hatties Place, 1949

 

Each day now brings with it a new joy, a new pleasure. The days gradually are becoming a bit warmer and most night's now the temperature does not go below zero. Spring has us in her gentle grip and all is well. Hearts and fingers are itching, longing  . . .  to play in the dirt once more. Mr. Chippy has returned to taunt the cats and empty my feeder. The days  . . .  longer and brighter . . . tis not dark now until getting on towards 8 o'clock in the evening.  The air is filled with anticipation and hope. Spring has sprung.

Cindy and I took dad out yesterday afternoon to spend time with his friend Maryann. We usually drop them off at A&W.  They enjoy a lunch together and a nice visit while Cindy and I go off and do our own thing.  First we went to Walmart. I got Eileen some shampoo and conditioner and loaded up with cat food. Hopefully I have made a better choice this time.  The last lot I got neither of the cats were interested. 

After that we went to the grocery store to get a few bits. Both Cindy and I were intrigued by these Grona Cushions Puff Pastries and picked up a package of them each. They are a product of the Ukraine. We are both into pastry. If something has pastry we are invested, lol.  These are filled with strawberry filling and had such a pretty packaging. 

And, they are good.  It didn't take me long to test them out. Nice and flaky with a lovely strawberry jam like filling.  Jam. Another thing we are invested in. If you see these in your shops, you can be assured that they are delicious.  They were $3.49, so not too expensive a treat either.

 

(source)

The people that moved in across from my sister have chickens and a rooster. When I got out my car at her place yesterday the rooster was crowing like crazy.  There is something about these barnyard sounds that really appeals to my heart. I could sit outside and listen to them for hours.  Chickens cluck clucking, roosters crowing, sheep and goats baaing and bleating  . . .  cows mooing. They are sounds that comfort me and make me feel safe. Familiar sounds. 

Like rain falling, waves crashing, pavement skittering dry leaves . . . 

Almost all of our teen years we lived in a small military house nestled amidst tall pines. I used to love to lay in bed nights and listen to the wind whispering through those pines . . .  the sound lulled me to sleep and made me feel cozy and at home.  The sound made me think of Heidi and how she felt sleeping in the loft in her grandfather's house in the alps.  Safe and loved. We should all feel so blessed.

 

(source)

Cindy and I were talking about what we would do if we ever won the lottery yesterday in the car. Oh the dreams we have. Of course you have to buy a ticket to win it. Interestingly however, you don't need to buy a ticket to have the same dreams. My mind immediately went to that house that I wanted to buy before I even returned to Canada that is now for sale again. I would snap it up in a heartbeat.

Speaking of houses, apparently Tim is looking to move into a new apartment as well.  He went to look at one yesterday which just happens to be right across the road from the house I grew up in, a stone's throw from where I am now. He told Eileen that he would like to go to Avery's farm market which is just behind me, but is afraid that he will run into me there. The thought of that apparently makes him feel nervous.  I would never be mean to him. I am not that kind of person. But the fact that he feels that way must mean that he knows that what he did was wrong. That brings me a tiny bit of satisfaction, I have to admit.

 

(source)

We make a living by what we get,

but we make a life by what we give.

~Winston Churchill

When I was a much younger woman I used to love walking through the shops looking at things, dreaming about buying this or buying that. Now I am older, I recognize that there is far more time stretching behind me than I have that is stretching in front of me. I no longer feel the urge to buy things. Instead I am wanting to pare my life down. After having had to pare down Dad's when we were getting him ready to move to my sister's, I came to the realization that everything I choose to bring into my life now is something that my children are going to have to get rid of when I am gone in the not too distant future. I seriously doubt that any of them will want much of what I have managed to accumulate over these past five and some years. 

The thought of that makes me seriously think twice about anything I choose to bring into the house.  It is funny how your perspective on things changes as you age. I used to dream of having my own home and decorating it just so. Now I dream of just being comfortable and filling my days with joy, peace, love and family. Comfort. Hobbies that I love and enjoy. Blessing the lives of others in whatever way that I can. If I was fitter I would happily volunteer at a soup kitchen or some such. Standing for hours at a time is no longer in my remit, sadly. I do what I can. Write notes and letters. Make telephone calls to check up on people I know are alone and are glad for the company. Share the bounty from my own table with my next door neighbor.  That hasn't happened as much since Eileen moved in with me, but once she is in her own place I can share the bounty again. There is never much left over at present to share.

 

(source)

Dan is coming over today to help with the front garden. I am having him pull out everything in it and get rid of it. I know she and Cindy will take the Bleeding Heart and the rest is not really that important. Then he is going to lay down a barrier and top it with gravel.  My plan is to get several large pots that I can fill with dirt and annuals, and perhaps down the line get a standing birdbath.  Nothing high maintenance. Nothing that requires me to spend a lot of time or money on. I want to get a nut feeder that I can hang up. I need several more hooks and chains so that I can have all three hung. Bird seed feeder, Nut feeder and Hummingbird feeder. That's all I want or need.

Realistically speaking, I cannot cope with more than that. 

I would like to get a little table for out the front to put on the deck so that in the warmer months I could sit out there and read with a cold drink or something.  We will see what happens.

Simplify.  My word for 2026. 

 

(source)

I spent quite a bit of time last night going through photographs. There was one specific one that I was looking for but could not find. Our friend who passed this week. I had a photo, or thought I did, of him sitting at a table with my sister at my wedding back in 1975. Cindy wanted it. I know there is one in my wedding album which is in Fredericton with my son, so I have sent a message to him and he says he will look for it today, scan it and send it to me.

It was nice looking through all of the photographs. Eileen enjoyed doing it with me as well.  There is her original birth announcement, with her weight, newborn photo (they use to take them in the hospital back in the day), time and date of birth etc.  She enjoyed seeing that. It is hard to believe that it was 48 years ago now. They say time flies when you having fun and I have had a fun life I guess! 

His obituary was listed at the local funeral home late yesterday. It made me sad.

Many of the photos that Eileen and I were looking at made me feel a bit sad and a bit happy at the same time. Sad that the time has passed, but happy that you had the experience. 

And with that I best wrap this up. I have a few things to do before Eileen wakes up.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*The friendly cow, all red and white,

I love with all my heart,

She gives me cream with all her might,

to eat with apple tart.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

In The English Kitchen today . . . Get Well Custard.  A simple dessert that is delicious and comforting. Using only five simple ingredients.

I hope that you have a lovely weekend. it is going to be sunny and warm here today, so that will be nice. Whatever you get up to, I hope it brings you peace and joy.  Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

Dear Neighbor . . .

 

(source)

 April 17th, 2026
Estate Lane

Middleton, Nova Scotia

6*C/43*F cloudy

Dear Neighbor,

I heard thunder early this morning. Loud rumbling in the dark skies, but it did not amount to much. Either that of I fell easily back to sleep if it did. 

It has been a long time since I have experienced a real thunderstorm. We used to have wicked ones when I was a child.  Dark skies torrential rain, the thick smell of ozone in the air and loud rumbles with streaks of lightening that split the skies in two. 

Our mother was deathly afraid of thunderstorms. She would crouch in the corner, hands above her sheltering her head. From what I don't know.  I wish I had asked now. But I didn't.

Funny how that goes. When someone is with you, there are all sorts of things you never think to ask about, but when they have gone . . . well, you can think of loads of things that you wish you had the answers to, but . . . you left it until too late.

 

(source)

Eileen has her bible study this morning. She is really vigilant in doing her homework for it. I am not sure how much she actually understands, but it keeps her busy and she enjoys it. They have been studying the Book of Revelations. A hard nut to crack at the best of times. So much apocalyptic language and visions.

Eileen has always loved learning, even though it is not something which has come easily to her. She loves to be given grade school workbooks that she can practice in. She has a really thick one in her room, covering all sorts of subjects, but she is rather busy with her diamond art at the moment. She has a huge one of a lion that she is working on and has almost finished. I need to get a photo of it to show you sometime. It's quite beautiful really. All different shades of golds, browns and yellows. It will be lovely when it is done.

I quite understand the attraction to the art. You can easily lose yourself in it for hours. Very relaxing and you are building something beautiful at the same time.

 

(source)

We finished watching the latest series of Love on the Spectrum.  There were unhappy endings for some. I have to wonder at the wisdom of subjecting people who are already the object of people's negative behavior to even more by placing them on a worldwide venue where they can be subjected to worldwide derision and meanness. Really.  I know that most people are quite kind and supportive, but there is an element of people out there that can be so hurtful and mean. Who really don't care what they say, when they say it or who they say it to.  And this type of behavior is rampant on Social Media.  Many of the people in this series have Social Media accounts, and I know one of the participants and his mother have been subjected to some very negative feedback because of a relationship ending. Everyone has an opinion and not all are supportive.  And many of the negative voices are quick to speak up and spout off. 

I do not think I would ever allow or encourage a loved one of mine to participate in such a thing as this show, as much as I love to watch it myself. I think the danger of them getting hurt is too large. Life is difficult enough for these sweet people.  I am all for them finding love, just maybe not in a public arena where they can be subjected unduly to a abundance of ridicule and hatefulness.  Unkind remarks and attitudes. And it is, as I said, rampant in today's world.

Anyone who puts themselves out into the public arena needs to build a thick skin for themselves. There is a very unkind world outside that door. Everyone is a self-proclaimed expert.

 

(source)

It was nice to see the guinea fowl back this week. They didn't half bring a smile to my face.  They are such loud creatures and so silly acting, but great tic eaters so I would always encourage them. They seem to know their way home, which is good. I don't really mind them visiting me.  The cats love watching them and I find them quite entertaining myself.

I don't know who they belong to, but apparently they can really travel quite a ways from where they belong.  I hope that this batch doesn't decide to make their way across the main road like the other batch did. It is not a kind road to any type of animal. People hit the gas pedal as soon as they turn onto it and there are never any police around to enforce the speed limit. They have bigger fish to fry.

Once upon a time there was a lovely police force in this town, but all of the local forces were done away with and replaced by regional branches of the RCMP, who really are stretched to the limit and trying to cover a vast area. Petty crime has become quite rampant in our small town. Mostly thievery. 

There is a Facebook group dedicated to outing the criminals.  I am not sure how I feel about that. It smacks of vigilante-ism.  I have looked at it a few times and they don't mind outing people or sharing names of the perpetrators for all the world to see. Are they even correct in their assumptions?  Who knows! They think they are and that's all they care about.

 

(source)

Sit and stare time.  Diane Shiffer is a great espouser.  A time where you just sit for a few minutes with a hot drink in your hands and you just stay quiet and watch life unfold around you.  Rain drops slowly crawling down your window panes, the furry tummy of your sleeping cat as it rises and falls, air whistling in and out of it's tiny pink nose.  Quiet time where you don't let the damage of the outside world encroach upon. 

I am a huge fan of sit and stare time. It could be that too many of my hours are spent as such, but that's okay. I think it is vital to my peace and happiness. I am a noticer of things. Small and quiet things. Joyful things. Things that don't really matter to anyone else but me. 

I find it quite peaceful, and yes, it brings me joy.

 

(source)

What is it that inspires you?  Whatever it is, do that.  Sit with that.  I think that is one of the best ways to bring joy into your life.  Lately I am enjoying reading and studying the scriptures. I am not a scriptorian by any stretch, but I love to read them and I love to listen to people who are.  I watch Jared Halverson on YouTube (Unspoken) and I find his insights into the word of God really good. He actually goes through the scriptures line upon line. Some of his videos can be quite lengthy, but I break them down into smaller bits which are much more manageable for myself. With him I have read through the Book of Mormon, line upon line and the Doctrine and Covenants, line upon line. This year The Old Testament. 

I have never sat down and read any of these canons of scripture from beginning to end before or pondered them in quite the same way as I am with his help. And I am loving it. I am inspired by it.  So, What is it that inspires you?  Again, whatever it is do that. Sit with that. Joy will settle upon you in a tangible and beautiful way.

 

(source)

Its been quite nice having Eileen here. I will quite miss her when she gets her own place. We are great company for each other. Tim and his new GF have decided to just be friends which worries me. I truly hope that Eileen won't go back to him. We have talked about it a bit.  She says not, but  . . .  the heart wants what the heart wants doesn't it. I have tried to express to her my feelings that she is much happier without all of his drama. Really nothing has changed. He is still who he is and she is still who she is and sometimes it is just better to be friends than it is to be anything else.

Her CSS workers have expressed to her that she is much more settled and less anxious now that she is living with me than she was living with him. That is a plus I would say.  

She is feeling much better physically these past few days as well. Hopefully this second dose of medication will do the trick.

 

(source)

I am not sure what all I will get up to today. I have a few plans.  First I need to get Eileen settled and take her to her Bible Study.  Then I will come back here and do a bit of work. I have plans to go with Cindy later when she takes Dad to the mall with his friend Maryann.  Once more I need to get cat food. They don't like the last batch I got for them. Neither of them.

They are so darned fussy. You would think I would know by now. Nutmeg will eat just about anything, but even he doesn't like certain ones. Whereas Cinnamon is very fussy and will turn up her nose at most things quite quickly. She is very definitive in her tastes. Do you think it is because she is a female?

I don't know  . . . 

Well, Eileen is up now and so I need to go and attend to her.  That feels good. Oh, I know she doesn't really need to have me attending to her, but I like taking care of her. It brings me joy.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Above all, be the 

heroine of your life,

not the victim.

~Nora Ephron

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Hot and Crusty Curried Franks.  I have already had someone comment negatively about their appearance this morning.  They do look a bit bedraggled, but that doesn't mean they are not delicious.  My bread tore a bit when I was buttering it. It was very fresh bread, the best kind. I should have melted the butter rather than spread it. What you have here is hot dogs encased in a buttery bread jacket which has been spread with a homemade curry ketchup, honey mustard and pickle relish.  I sprinkled some crispy fried onions on top which probably didn't help. Oh well!  I have never been really good at presentation.  What you see is what you get.

I promise you they are very good.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. Whatever you get up to, I hope that it brings you untold joy.  Be happy. Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

My Favorite Things . . .

 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . these are some of the things in life that I enjoy, and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Let's share!

 

(source)

Peter Rabbit figurines  . . . 

 

(source)

Pink roses and green gingham  . . .  so pretty.

 

(source)

European robins  . . . 

 

(source)

Pretty clothing  . . . 

 

(source)

Mismatched china  . . . 

 

(source)

The Union Jack  . . . 

 

(source)

Pretty dresses  . . . 

 

(source)

Sheep in the meadow  . . . 

 

(source)

Pretty shelves  . . . 

 

(source)

Still water reflections  . . . . 

 

(source)

Quiet elegance  . . . 

 

(source)

Love notes  . . . 

 

(source)

Polka dots, any where, any how  . . . 

 

(source)

Acorns  . . . 

 

(source)

Tulips  . . . 

 

(source)

Light  . . . 

 

(source)

Fresh Herbs  . . . 

 

(source)

Spring buds  . . . 

 

(source)

Lace curtains  . . . 

 

(source)

Old pottery jars  . . . 

 

(source)

Jam jar bouquets  . . . 

 

(source)

This  . . . 

 

(source)

Lavender  . . .  

 

(source)

Cookies and pistachios  . . . 

 

(source)

Foxgloves  . . . . 

And those are my favorite things for this week. I hope that some of them were also some of yours!

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Happiness is when

the door to my home closes

and everything is safely

tucked inside . . .  

In The English Kitchen today  . . . Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.  Simply delicious. Perfect on their own as a lunch or paired with a bowl of soup for a simple supper.

I hope you have a beautiful day today.  Eileen is looking forward to a pajama day where she doesn't have to go anyplace. Just the sofa, her pajamas and some diamond art. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!