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.

 

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Christmas week.  Hopefully a time when most can slow down to enjoy the best of the season. A time of quiet contemplation as you put together the last few bits towards pulling your Christmas together for your loved ones. Pockets of peace and tranquility.  For me, anyways. Most of my preparations are done. If it's not done now, it won't get done, and that's okay because it probably wasn't really important anyways. I can rest and really focus on the reason for the season.

 

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We had a really bad windstorm Friday night. It was just howling. When I went to get into bed, I was a bit concerned that it would blow my windows in or some such. Didn't happen thankfully, but Saturday morning when everything had calmed down, we lost our power.  It stayed off for most of the day. I had planned on cooking a few things, but it couldn't and didn't happen. No worries.  I thought to myself, I will just lay back in my easy boy chair and read. Didn't happen. My easy boy chair is electric and won't go back without electricity. Then I thought perhaps the shops are open and I can pick up some water. (Looking at the outage mapped it looked as if that part of town still had power.)  Nope.  Garage door is electric.  Then I thought I will just have some hot chocolate using water in my water boiler. I have boiling water on tap 24/7 with that. Nope. It's electric. ha ha  You never know how much electricity you use until you don't have it. 

I got all of my Christmas Gifts wrapped, however.  I got a lot of reading done. I got a lot of thinking done. It was a lovely quiet day, and I really enjoyed it.

 

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Time spent with friends. I really enjoyed getting together with my friends on Friday. It was just so lovely. I don't do it near often enough.  We all came away saying we need to do it again next year for Christmas, if not before. It was nice, nice, nice.

 

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Going to church yesterday and being able to enjoy the lovely Christmas program which had been prepared. First the sacrament, and then the program. We sang carols along with special readings, etc. It was a lovely way to get our focus on the Savior during these last few days before Christmas day when we celebrate His birth.  Many people had their families there with them, which was nice. The children were all excited. It was just a lovely service and a perfect way to begin Christmas week.

Feeding the spirit. Never a bad thing.

 

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Bread and Jam.  That was my lunch on Saturday. I had forgotten just how very good it is to have just a slice of buttered soft white bread, spread with strawberry jam. Simple and delicious.  A real treat.

It is often the simple things in life which bring us the most joy.

 

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Sunday dinner with the family. I wanted Cindy to have a night off from cooking, so I treated us all to Mary Brown's Chicken.  It was really delicious. I know it costs a bit more than KFC, but it is far less greasy than KFC is.  We had the chicken and taters, gravy, biscuits. No salad as I am the only one who enjoys coleslaw.  And then for dessert my sister had made some of her Raw Date Squares. I think I like them better than the cooked ones. They are delicious and there is no sugar in them, bar the natural sugar that comes from the dates themselves.

But the best part was being with family. I am not sure how much longer we will have dad with us. He is slowing down so much, and he said he was not feeling well yesterday.  He is also more confused these days. I am so grateful for this time I have had to spend with him over these past five years.  Another silver lining to what happened.  What a blessing.

Time spent with family. Always a blessing to treasure in your heart.

 

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I have really enjoyed my Advent studies these past weeks. Now we are on the last few days. I did it through the Hallow app. It was a wonderful way to draw nearer to God and the true meaning of Christmas throughout December. This is the second year I have done it, and I have enjoyed it every bit as much as I did the first year. The reason for the season.

And those are my small and wonderful things for this week.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

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

*With mirth and laughter

let old wrinkles come.

~William Shakespeare

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

 Because I couldn't cook on Saturday there is nothing really new to share in the kitchen today but I am sharing my recipe for Flapjack Topped Rice Pudding. A comfort dessert with a delicious twist.

Now the shortest day /longest night of the year is over, the nights will slowly start drawing out.  It will be weeks before we notice a real difference, but still . . . 

Have a beautiful day. Stay safe and stay warm.  Take some time for yourself. 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!