Monday 4 June 2018

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.   
 
  
 
We popped out to pick up a few things Friday morning and when I got back, there was a bouquet of flowers stuck in our front door handle.  Peter Lee. He brought me these beautiful tulips as appreciation.  They were a lovely surprise. 
 
 
They are so beautiful and are holding up very well.  I have never gotten a bouquet of tulips before!! 
 
  
 
It was really great getting to serve on a mission with these two.  They were stellar missionaries. It was even better to see them again this weekend when they came back for a visit as a married couple. ♥♥♥  Love these two and they are amazing.  It was so much fun seeing them again.  

 
  
Being a homemaker. Its all I ever really wanted to be.  I love being in my home, taking care of it, doing the housewife type of things. Cooking, cleaning, domesticating.  To me its not demeaning, it makes me happy.  I love being a woman and practicing the home arts. I wouldn't want to be anything or anywhere else. This is my bliss.  
 
 
Our rhododendron are blooming at the moment. So beautiful.  I loved it when we lived down South and we went to visit Scotney Castle when all the rhododendron were in bloom.  Amazing.  Nature is so beautiful  . . . 

 
Being able to spend time with friends.  Its priceless.  Had visits with both Doreen and Tina this past week.  Enjoyed every minute.   
 
  
 
I am not a person who has a lot of friends, but I love the friends that I have, and the friends I have are very good friends. 
 

 
Enjoying quiet time  . . .  relaxing, listening to good music, reading . . .  I am so not a party animal.  

 
  
 
A spate of warm sunny weather, with very little rain, which has meant that I have been able to hang out the laundry most days. I love being able to do that and I love the way the laundry smells when it comes in.

 
Another six month blood test for Todd and all is still well.  Hooray!  You try not to think about it, but until the results come in, it is in your mind.  You can't help it! 
 
  
 
I renewed my phone contract, which meant I got a new phone and I got to give Todd my old phone. He was pretty happy about that. His old phone was taped together.  (I know.)  I told him he needs to be very careful with it, if he drops this one, it will break.  I can remember when neither one of us had mobile phones and when we didn't think you needed one.  We would not want to be without them now, and we are not phone/media whores, meaning we are not checking them every five minutes.  But it is nice to know that if we need to get in touch with each other, we can do so.  That when we are out and about in the car and have an emergency, we can use our mobiles to get help.  It is nice if he is in town and I suddenly realise that I need eggs, or milk, or bread and I can text him to ask him to pick them up for me.   
 
 
Partaking of the sacrament and remembering Him. Every Sunday we have the opportunity to do just that, and I am so grateful that I can renew my Baptismal convenants and remember Him each week.  Yesterday was our monthly Fast & Testimony meeting/service.  I love F & T. I love listening to the testimonies of others and hearing how the Lord has been working in lives, changing lives, blessing lives. Listening to the testimonies of others always strengthens my own.  Partaking of the Sacrament, renews my spiritual battery and fills me up ready to meet another week. 
 
 
Small and simple things . . . the practice daily of doing what is right . . . family and personal prayer, family and personal scripture study . . . caring for others . . . inviting good into our home instead of bad . . . following the commandments . . .  making a space for God in our home and our lives . . . remembering Him always and following His example.  These things done with diligence and consistency become a beautiful pattern in the fabric of our daily lives and bring us joy. I know this to be true.  A drop of water might seem like nothing, but when it drops consistently in the same spot, over time . . . . it can drill a hole in a rock.

 
Vanilla ice cream, always a treat  . . . 
 

 

 These two  . . .  they are everything to me.  
 
 
My faith, I don't know where I would be with out it.
 
I know, I live a really boring life. Not a lot happens these days, and that is how I like it.  I have all I need . . .  love, faith, health, joy, peace, comfort . . . life is good. Boring is good.  I am blessed.

A thought to carry with you  . . .  
 
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.
When people are determined
They can overcome anything.
~Nelson Mandela •。★★ 。* 。
 

Listening to:  President Nelson's WW Youth Devotional.  Here. 
 
  
 
In the English Kitchen today, Creamy Sweet Corn Mac & Cheese.  Yum!  Simple.  YUM!

Have a great week.  I hope it is filled to overflowing with small and simple wonderful things!

Don't forget! 
 

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═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════
  
 
 
 
 and I do too! 
 


 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

10 comments:

  1. BEAUTIFUL thoughts to begin the week, Marie! Sooo HAPPY and very thankful along with you that Todd is doing well--hooray! God is sooo GOOD! :) A mobile phone is very useful these days. Until about 3 years ago, I didn't have one... LOL! I'm not online with mine, which saves money. ;) Every Sunday is a blessings in sooo many ways--and especially the Sacrament! Nothing boring about life, my friend. Each day offers different gifts tucked between all the "usual," I think... Happy Days, my friend! LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!! ((BIG HUGS)) Oh, and thanks for visiting at my place--computer issues are sorted now, and I'm getting the comments sorted out! ;) Still not getting comment notifications from Blogger, and miss that.

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    1. I am not getting notifications either Tracy, and its hard to keep up! I hope they sort it soon! Love you both also! xoxo

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  2. I have to say that I think that there is nothing boring about the life you lead. It seems you are up to something wonderful every day. I too have always loved being the keeper of the home. Sometimes I had to go out and work for a living, but home was always and still is best. Hope this new week brings only more wonderful things your way ! Happy Monday!

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    1. Aww thanks so much Pam! I wish the same for you! xoxo

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  3. Yay for the blood tests..GREATEST gift.
    How sweet to find tulips on your door.So sweet.
    It's raining today ..vacation weather is over..who am I kidding often on vacation it rains..but I just took off my flipflops and big slips are back on..and a Gap sweatshirt over my summer robe..I paint quite the picture don't I/We ave a very quiet life too..Wouldn't want busy at all..
    Have a super day!

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    1. LOL You make me smile Monique. yes, a quiet life is the best life. I can't stand too much action and drama! xoxo

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  4. John’s last blood test was good too... we are both blessed and prayers are answered. And now we will try to forget about it until the next blood test. I enjoy many of the simple things that you do. Most of my friends do not understand my love of hanging clothes outside to dry. They all use their dryers in the house But to me nothing smells better than clean linens taken off the clothesline. Since we have sunshine most of the year I nearly always hang my clothes to dry. I think it makes them last longer also so it is a win win situation. John’s favorite ice cream is vanilla. He says no ice cream is better then the simple goodness of vanilla ice cream. I like other flavors too but we always have vanilla in our freezer. How nice that you got a tulip bouquet. Flowers are such a sweet reminder that you are loved… And you know that you are dearly loved by many . Hugs, Lura
    P.s. I keep leaving you messages on ourwords with friends game... take a look 💕

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    1. I always get mixed on in our words with friends. I click on ads and all sorts. I will try to check it out. So happy that John's blood tests have been good also. Whew! It is something you can manage to put out of your mind most of the time, until the next time, and then you are on pins and needles. I am with John, Vanilla is the best! Love and hugs, xoxo

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  5. It is so true small and wonderful is the best. The simple life is the best. I am like you I only wanted to be a wife and mother. I slipped in being a nurse for a few years but I too like to just stay home more than anything. I'm not a party person at all. I like just being with my sweet husband, Sammy and family.
    I do love church and I like you love partaking of the Sacrament and renewing my covenants. I love Fast and Testimony meeting too.
    I have few friends but love the moments I have with them. I treasure them for sure.
    I loved all your thoughts on this one! We think a lot a like.
    Sending loving thoughts and hugs your way!

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    1. Love you LeAnn! Thank you for the sweet spirit you bring with you each time you visit me. XOXO

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