Monday 20 July 2020

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.     
In all the years we have lived in this house the hydrangea out front have never disappointed us. Blooming profusly from spring into late autumn.  Each season bringing us beautiful colour which changes as the  days on the calendar disappear. I had never brought any into the house to enjoy before now and I am now wondering why not. These were meant to be enjoyed everywhere. 
We've been enjoying these stunning heirloom tomatoes every chance that we get.  So beautifully sweet and delicious. Last night for supper we had tomato sandwiches that were greatly enjoyed, yes  . . .  on cheap white bread with mayo, salt and black pepper. My favourite way to enjoy a tomato sandwich.  For years mom had a tomato sandwich every day for her lunch. She loved tomato sandwiches and I do too. 
  
Cold pizza for breakfast  . . .  doesn't everyone enjoy this?  I had to make a specific recipe for a pizza crust for the online site I write for. Fabulous crust by the way.  Now I'm enjoying cold pizza for breakfast. 

Sometimes a twig, sometimes a branch. Grateful for all of it. Sometimes its the only thing which keeps me going . . . this faith I have in a higher power who knows and who loves even me. That reminds me of a hymn I used to sing when I was a child.  "I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me!  I am so glad that Jesus loves me. Jesus loves even me!"  I can remember almost shouting that at Sunday School when I was a child and I knew and felt that it was true. Nothing has changed. 
Little corners of contentment scattered through the house.  We don't have much but what we do have brings me joy. Isn't that what Marie Kondo is all about? (Did I spell that right?)  Its about loving and being content with what is already yours. 


  

Most of my days I spend the mornings listening to the music on the radio channel of our church.  Good in good out.  I firmly believe that. You are what you choose to watch, read, listen to, etc.  

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good
 report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." 


 

There is nothing graceful here
Walking slowly up that hill
Lord wait for me on the other side
Where time will always stand still. 


Don't you wish sometimes that you could make time stand still and that nothing would ever change. I sit here each morning in this same place and pen my thoughts and feelings . . .  look out the back window and not a lot changes . . . except for the seasons.  The view is the same.  Same curtains. Same glass birds . . .  same Mr Woodpigeon . . . same sky, sometimes grey and sometimes blue . . .  

Would that I could throw a lassoo around it all and just keep it in place, forever.  But then life would get boring I guess  . . . 


My life is filled with tender mercies. Phone calls to my dad, facetimes with Doug and the boys, early morning conversations with Anthony . . .  my daily talks with Eileen. Simple pleasures, but then, I have simple wants and needs. Knowing things could always be worse and finding gratitude in what is.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *
Don't carry your mistakes around
with you.  Instead, place them beneath
you and use them as stepping stones
to rise above them.•。★★ 。* 。 



In The English Kitchen today, a simple Pan Fried Cod . . .  delicious in all its simplicity.

Have a great day. I hope your week is filled with small and wonderful things.  Don't forget along the way of your week . . . 


 
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And I do too!     Stay safe! 
     
 




7 comments:

  1. Lovely reflections:) Have a sweet day~

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    1. Thanks Monique! Hope yours was likewise sweet! xoxo

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  2. the simple things in life are often the very best things for sure. we take them for granted but we shouldn't I'm learning to be more and more thankful every day.

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    1. I think gratitude is truly key to a happier life Pam! xoxo

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  3. Loved your pretty pink hydrangeas, Marie. We all have lots to be thankful for and it's the small pleasures of everyday that we often take for granted. I just spent 2 hours going through my recipe drawer. Did I cull my collection, you might ask. No I did not, nary a one, lol. Yikes! Enjoy your evening, Marie. I'm going to make your cod recipe on Friday. Hugs and love, Elaine.

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    1. That is a problem I have as well Elaine. I have no possibility of ever being able to cook all the recipes I have collected through the years, but can I let myself get rid of any? Fat chance! lol You will really enjoy the cod. Simple and delicious. Love and hugs, xoxo

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  4. I love the Come Follow Me lesson this week with thoughts about Small and simple Things. I do believe it is the small and simple things that really fill our lives of joy. Having a grateful heart is key to keeping centered in Christ. I always enjoy reading this post because you do share those things in life that bring you great joy. Many times they are the same things I love too. Thanks for sharing this one today, I needed to read it and have a gratitude moment for my many blessings.
    Blessings and hugs!

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