Showing posts with label Small and Wonderful Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small and Wonderful Things. Show all posts

Monday, 26 October 2026

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. 


 

Yesterday was a great day.  Eileen was not in any pain at all for the most part. She was able to sit on the sofa instead of reclining and did some diamond art as well. She has come a very long way in three weeks. (today) I am ever so pleased in her progress.  She is thinking she might try to go out for a short while today.  She is still in bed at the moment, but was up earlier to use the loo. I hope she can go out, even if only for a short. I think the change of scene and air will do her good.




We have had a beautiful October.  It's been dry for the most part and sunny with just a tiny bit of rain.  Its been cool in the evenings yet almost mild during the day.   I have loved it. There has been some frost and a few windy and very cold days, but it's been a really beautiful month.




Tears that come out of nowhere and without reason . . . they are just always there.  Sometimes the dam breaks and they leak out rolling down my cheeks.  I miss my mother so very much. Out of all the people I have known and loved, and who loved me back . . . . she loved me first.  While I was in that secret place her heart beat  was the song that sang me to sleep . . . her quiet murmurs kept me company, her love followed me all the days of my life.  It has not gotten easier . . .   even though in January it will be 8 years since we lost her.  I don't think you ever stop missing your mom.  I have been feeling particularly tender over these past weeks.  Probably just everything that's been going on with Eileen, etc.

I like to think that mom is still there holding me, comforting me, loving me  . . .  I know with a certainty that we will be together again one day, and whilst I am not in any hurry to get there, I look forward to that beautiful reunion.  At the present it seems like a long, long time, but then, on the other side it will seem like it has only been a brief moment. 
 
I live at the head of the Great River
You live at the Great River's tail.
Daily I think of you; though I don't see you.
Both of us drink from the Great River.




Out in the garden early one morning this past week, I heard that familiar sound and looked to the skies to see several flocks of Geese flying South for the winter  . . .  it is a haunting sound to me, but so familiar.  It embroidered the October days of my childhood and it embroiders them still. It is the sound of time which is passing, we cannot hold it back no matter how hard we try . . . 




The power and comfort of prayer. I do not know where I would be without it. I tend to have a prayer running through my head most of my day. God hears them all, the ones spoken and those unspoken. I truly believe this. When we don't get the answers we want, that doesn't mean He hasn't heard our prayers. It just means that what we were wanting was not in God's plan for us, or in His timing. He has a plan and it is always what's best.  His timing is always perfect as well.




All of your love, prayers and happy thoughts over these past few weeks.  We have felt them and been so very grateful for them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 




Knowing, absolutely knowing that this is truth. It is a truth I have carried in my heart for all of my life.  I am never alone. Knowing this makes a huge difference. I am truly blessed.  




Having an attitude of gratitude.  This makes life infinitely better.  I am so happy that I am able to live my life with gratitude.  I hope that I always will.  




This is becoming my mantra. As I get older I realise that I need things less and less. Less IS more.  I feel much better when the clutter disappears and clean, clear spaces rise up in its place. I have a ways to go but I am trying.  




The difference between an abundant life and a life that is always in need, is all in how you look at it.  If you are happy with what you already have, then anything over and above that will always feel like a bonus. Happy mind  . . .  happy life. 

I didn't get to church yesterday as I didn't want to leave Eileen on her own for that long. Maybe next week.  I did watch it online. It was the Primary presentation which is always one of my favorite services. I like to see what the children have been learning. We also did not go to my sisters for supper, which was decided on Saturday. I couldn't say for sure how Eileen would be feeling so we decided to let it go for another week. Turns out we probably could have gone. Never mind, next week we will probably be able to go.

In any case my life is full and I am at peace. I have enough. Of everything. Enough and then a bit to share. You can't ask for much more than that.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Reading is important.
When you know how to read,
then the whole world opens
up for you.
~Barack Obama


Blue Ribbon Gingerbread



In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Blue Ribbon Gingerbread. Everything a great gingerbread should be. Dark, moist, tender and bursting with warm spicy flavours.

I hope your day is a nice one and that your week ahead is filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things. Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Monday, 19 October 2026

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. 


 

The sight of autumn leaves dancing up and down the street to the tune of a bright blue sky. We have had more than a few of those days lately and they delight my soul.


 

Late yesterday afternoon I went out to put the compost in the bin that my next door neighbour so graciously allows me to share and I could smell it. Autumn. The air was filled with the scent of woodsmoke and autumn leaf.  It was beautiful. Although it was cold I just had to stand there for a minute to breathe it all in.  I love that smell.


 

All the pumpkins I see appearing on people's porches.  Some with faces already carved.  I love this time of year. I thought of getting a couple for myself, but I don't know how to go about it. I have never bought a pumpkin. Not like they are for sale here. They are all sitting in bins out doors. How do you go about it?  Do you just tell them at the cashier that you want to buy a pumpkin?


 

There is a heavy frost this morning. Each blade of grass is coated in crystal and the rooftops across the way are dusted with ice. I can see the russet tops of the trees with the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky above them. The sun is shining and it won't take long for the frost to become naught but a memory, but it is here now and it is beautiful.


 

Eileen seemed to have turned a corner yesterday. She was not experiencing as much pain when she went to the loo and was much more comfortable. She has been sleeping a lot. I am hoping today she will spend more time awake than asleep. I am slowly letting her do more for herself. Like pulling up her own pants, etc. Most of the dressings have fallen off her incisions on her belly and all looks well.  Any pain that remains is from below. That will take much longer to heal I think.  In any case, she is doing really well. I am so proud of her.  I got her our burger supper this weekend and she really enjoyed it, although neither of us could eat it all. I picked it up and brought it home. She did drink all of the milkshake that I got for her, so that was good.

She is still resting this morning. She did get up to use the loo shortly after I got up, and then went back to bed, which is totally okay. She has always been one to sleep in anyways. There are days I wish that I could.


 

I didn't go to church yesterday, instead watching it here at home online. The Area Mission President and his wife were there and gave the talks. It was nice to get to know them better. I am hoping that next week I will be able to leave Eileen long enough to go. It is the Primary presentation and that is always one of my most favorite Sacrament meetings.

We did listen to Gospel and uplifting music pretty much the whole day yesterday. The spirit it invites into the home is such a beautiful thing. I love it.

Life is good. We are blessed and we know it.  That is a part of the goodness in and of itself.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*We are taught to fear
the autumn of our lives,
yet the trees show us how
beautiful it can be to let go
of what was never meant to stay.
~Aurelia Leafsong


Mocha Chocolate Caramel Swirl-A-Chino

In The English Kitchen today . . . Mocha Chocolate Caramel Swirl-A-Chino. I made this for Eileen at the weekend to try to tempt her appetite. She has been a bit off her food these last few days. She did enjoy it.  That made me happy. A once-in-a-blue-moon treat without the high coffeeshop price tag and very easily made.

I hope your day and week are filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things which bring you unlimited joy.  Be happy and be blessed. Don't forget!


═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Monday, 12 October 2026

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. 


 

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving and this year our cup runneth over with Thanksgiving. It is hard not to be grateful. First and foremost we are grateful that Eileen is okay.  Yes, she is in a fair bit of pain. It has only been a week today since she had her operation, but hopefully things will begin to improve slowly but surely. I think the worst is the stitches below as they dry and pull.

She is such a brave soul and takes it all with courage.  I have not heard her whine once, or complain. She will wince, but then immediately says, "I'm okay, I'm okay." When clearly she isn't.

I went to the drugstore yesterday afternoon while she was having a nap to get her some more you know what's and spoke to the chemist. Her pain killers are about gone now. She only has enough left for today. I got some Tylenol one's for her and the chemist recommended this water squirter thingie to fill with warm water and bath her lady bits with whenever she uses the loo.  And TUCS to wipe with, which we were already doing. She finds having a shower to be very soothing so we have been having lots of those.

I am tired, but it's a good tired. I am blessed to be here and to be able to help my daughter in this way. It is a special priviledge.



We were not able to get out to Cindy's for dinner. Eileen just couldn't face sitting in a normal chair. (She finds it more comfortable to sit slightly reclined in my easy boy.) Eileen was disappointed, but Cindy brought a lovely dinner to us. It was beautiful.  There was the roast chicken of course.  Stuffing (our mom's recipe) squash, turnips, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, gravy and homemade cranberry sauce.  It was all so delicious and then for dessert a lovely blueberry crumble pie.  Eileen enjoyed a slice with some vanilla ice cream on top. I still haven't had mine. I had some mint jelly in the refrigerator, which Eileen likes with her Thanksgiving dinner. A tradition she picked up from her husband's family.

It was such a kind and loving gesture on my sister's part, for which we were truly thankful.  We missed being with family, of course. That is always the best part for me, but there will be other Thanksgivings and the important thing is that Eileen is going to be okay in the long run and for that we are all really thankful.


 

I didn't get out to church yesterday. I didn't want to leave Eileen for that long, just in case, so I watched it online. (Eileen watched hers online as well.)  It was a beautiful service. I didn't get to partake of the sacrament of course, but I did get to listen to the talks.  We have two young Sister Missionaries in our area now.  The first missionaries we have had in this are for several years.  They each gave a talk and they were brilliant. I really got a lot out of them. 

I have been relistening also to the talks from our latest conference. They are also very good. I listen to one every day in bed at night. It is a blessing to fall asleep with their inspiration on my mind.



I've been thinking of getting a small tattoo on my inside wrist. I was never one for tattoos really, but this is something I have wanted for a while. A small sparrow. You know how I love sparrows. They are a sweet reminder to me of God's presence in my life, His eye is on the sparrow  . . .  and I have felt His eye on me, especially over these past few years. I think this is the one I have decided on. Now I just have to go and have it done. I think my sister has more work that she wants done as well, so maybe we can do this together sometime.



I found this and it was too good not to share  . . . 



We have felt your many prayers on our behalf and we are thankful for them.  They have made a difference and we do so appreciate them, more than you can every know. 

Enough . . .  we have enough and we are grateful for that. Many people think that the windows of heaven opening means that they are going to become richer, famous, etc. but really the windows of heaven opening means that you have enough. If you have enough, you are already blessed beyond the hopes of many, many people in the world.

And with that I will leave you with a thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Give thanks
for blessings already
on their way. 


Easy Pumpkin Streusel Bundt Cake


In The English Kitchen today, Easy Pumpkin Streusel Bundt Cake.  This is a delicious pumpkin cake with a nice cinnamon flavour and a beautiful streusel filling. Not too sweet, just right, as a cake with coffee or tea or as a dessert with some ice cream or whipped cream.

I hope you have a beautiful day today. Whatever you get up to, I hope it blesses you in untold ways. Don't forget!


═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Monday, 5 October 2026

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. 


 

So, today is the day.  Eileen's dad came yesterday at 1 to pick her up.  We had everything ready to go.  I was greatly encouraged to learn that her sister Amanda has taken several days off work (she is a nurse practitioner) and that she is going to be with them in the hospital. They stayed at Amanda's last night and are on their way to the hospital now. I know that she will get the best care possible. I have cried bucketloads and poured out my heart in prayer over these past weeks and especially these past few days. I feel as if you were to scratch me, my heart would be splattered all over the place, but I know God is good and He has a plan, so I am trusting in Him and His goodness and that all will be well, one way or another.  I am grateful that her father and sister are going to be there with her. That is a great comfort to me. I can feel all the prayers of her loved ones and of all of you, and I know she does too.  That means a lot to us both. Thank you for that.


 

Eileen and I had a really nice weekend together.  We laughed a lot. She finished her Christmas Decoration Diamond Arts things. I have ordered a couple more for her to do when she is here recuperating. Again, Christmas ones. She has been invited to participate at a Christmas fair, so that will be nice and it will be nice for her to have some Christmas ones to do for it so she can sell them.  She made $35 at her last sale, which was on Friday. She is saving the money she makes in these sales to get herself a cat. That's a good thing. I'm proud of her.


Date Night Chicken

I had dinner over at Cindy's last night and she made the most delicious chicken dish with chicken thighs, olives, dates, lemons, shallots. It was so scrumptious. We took lots of photos so I am going to share it on my page someday soon as I think you would also love it. It was fabulous.  We enjoyed it with some rice and beans. It was really good.

My sister is a fabulous cook. I love that she includes me. It was a great distraction for me to be able to go over there and spend time with her and dad and Dan. I told Eileen about the chicken and we are going to make some here at home, a much smaller batch, when she gets back from the hospital and has recovered a bit.  She had Butter Chicken at her sister's place that my son in law Tom made.  She loves Butter Chicken.



This weekend was my church's Fall Conference for this year.  With two days of talks. I have yet to listen to/watch  the Sunday afternoon session, but I really enjoyed the other three. This talk (quoted above) was one of my favorites, but they were all very good.  I will probably listen to the Sunday afternoon session this afternoon. 

I love that we get to enjoy these special talks and moments twice a year as we do, and that we get to study the words shared in between times. We are blessed.


 

It might take me twice as long to do things these days than it used to, but I still embrace the old ways, or at least those that I am able to.  My goal this winter is to get myself a foldable wooden drying rack so that I can put my laundry outside on nice days to dry.  I miss that smell. 


 

Eileen and I went out to supper mid-afternoon on Saturday.  We went to the diner we like and had the best burgers. I just had a classic cheeseburger and she had the bacon mushroom melt. Of course they came with chips.  Both were excellent.  I love the atmosphere there. Its not a big place, but the food is really good. I have been happy with my meal each and every time we have been. I got her an ice cream sundae to enjoy on the way home.  We both really enjoyed our dinner out together. We won't be able to go with Cindy, Dad and Hazel this Wednesday so this was to make up for that, and to just have a cozy meal together, just us two.

I don't really have a lot else to say this morning. As always my life is full. I have so many blessings in it that I can't count them all. I have enough. Of everything. God is good.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*God knows what is best for us
and He is eager to bless us.
~Ciro Schmeil


Boston Cream Pie


In The English Kitchen today   . . . Boston Cream Pie, an old Marion Cunningham recipe from the Fanny Farmer Book. It's the best.  

I hope you have a great day today. May you be richly blessed with all that you stand in need of.  Whatever you get up to, don't forget . . . 

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!    

   

Monday, 28 September 2026

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.    


 

I might be alone here, but I love these shorter days and longer nights. I like the coziness of it. Feeling safe and hunkered down in my wee little house. There is no place else I  would rather be.

 

Weekend with Eileen. We enjoy each other's company so much. We talk, a lot. We eat some good food and some naughty food. We always watch a good movie. This weekend it was Boyhood, which neither of us had seen before. It was a long film, so we watched it over two days. I loved that they used the same actors as they aged to portray all of the characters. It took 14 years to make this film and it was really, really good.


 

Sunday church. I love going to church on Sundays. It is an opportunity to really recharge my spiritual battery. Partaking of the sacrament, singing the hymns, the testimonies, talk, lessons. Its all good, and I love every minute of it, but then you already know that because I say it every week.

It was hard during Covid when we couldn't go to church and partake of the sacrament each week. I remember the first time back, when I was finally able to, I cried. Yes, it does mean that much to me.

 

Little visits to the egg farm. I love going up there and seeing what they have in their little farm shop, besides eggs. We went on Saturday afternoon, Cindy, Eileen and I.  We had had them save some bread for us, White and Oatmeal Brown. I also picked up some brownies fresh out of the oven, bought a large chicken for Thanksgiving and got two chicken legs for Eileen and I to enjoy. (SO good.) We had already been there, the day before, Cindy and I, to get our eggs. The Mr. told us he was going to have fresh bread on Saturday so we just had to go back and get some. He had it reserved for us.  That's what I like about them. You can message them and they will put things aside for you. And, they will also special make things for you if you ask them in advance as well.


 

Family times, they ARE the best of times. No family dinner this weekend, but there will be next weekend. But we did have Wednesday dinner out and then Eileen and I got to share two meals this weekend. So all good.


 

Prayer. I don't know where I would be without it. The scriptures tell us to pray unceasingly. I always have a prayer or a conversation with God running through my head and my heart. And what is prayer, but . . . a conversation with God.



 


Gratitude. I am a person who is grateful for all that I have been given. There, but the grace of God go I. I know that I am blessed. I have an attitude of gratitude and I like it.


 

These two. They have added an immeasurable amount of joy to my life. I am so glad that I made the decision to take them into my home. I love them so very much.





My home sweet home. I am so grateful to have a roof over my head and the means to pay for it. Again, there, but for the grace of God, go I. 



 

Enough. I have enough. Of everything.  That is a true blessing that I am eternally grateful for.


And those are my small and wonderful things for this week. I am truly blessed.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 


☾ ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Life is always rocky
when you're a gem.


Cowboy Beans


In The English Kitchen today  . . . Cowboy Beans. These are the same beans that my sister had made us for dinner a week ago. I finally got around to making them here at home myself. Oh my, but they are some good.  Hearty and delicious!

Eileen has her MRI today. I hope you have a beautiful day. May it be filled to overflowing with blessings. Along the way don't forget! 



═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 
⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════  

And I do too!