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.  We celebrate Thanksgiving a month earlier in Canada, not sure why.  I have heard different reasons for it being so, but it doesn't really matter at the end of the day.  Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving.  I rather like the American way of doing it nearer the end of November as it kind of jolts us into the Christmas season.

I think I feel homesick the most at holiday times.  That is when I miss my family most of all.  In reality it's not Canada I miss so much as it is the people I love that I miss . . . and nothing brings those feeling more home to roost than a holiday.


(source)

We always did the holidays large in our house.  With five children and a bazillion relatives always coming  for the day, it was hard not to!  We often invited singletons from my ex's work place as well for the feast.    A million potatoes would be peeled, a humongous turkey would be roasted, and about a trillion side dishes prepared.   I would probably spend about a week ahead of time getting together the things like my special homemade cranberry sauce and a variety of pies.  There would be . . . along with the turkey and stuffing of course . . . mashed turnips, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, bean casserole . . . oodles of gravy.  Dinner rolls. Pickles and the cranberry sauce . . . and at least two types of pie . . . the pumpkin and probably pecan, and if I had had the time . . . apple.  With whipped cream and or Ice Cream.

Nobody went hungry.



Most importantly of all though . . . what was served up was the feeling of family . . . that feeling of belonging to something which was greater than life itself.  Home.  Love.  Gratitude.  Togetherness.

I have many fond memories of those holidays tucked into my heart and I cherish them.  I take them out every year and hold them in my hands for a few tender moments, and then I tuck them back in for safe keeping until the next year.



This is a picture of my daughter in law Anne and my youngest daughter (Amanda) together at the park in Fredericton.   Amanda and Tom must be visiting Tom's parents for the holidays.   What a wonderful opportunity for my son Anthony and his family to get together with Amanda and hers.   Cameron looks like he is growing like a weed.   It is nice to see my daughter coping as a new mom in one of those intimate moments that I have missed with all of my children in their duties as parents.

It's also nice to see that they are enjoying great weather for the holiday weekend!



My son in law Tom, having his ear bent by Gabriel (my eldest grandson) and you can see Maryn there in the background playing in the dirt.   I think she likes playing in the dirt.  A family memory is being built and that is what holidays are all about.

I am grateful that my family is forming traditions of their own, and I am truly grateful that some of them are being shaped together.



A thought to carry with you through today . . .  

ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸. If there were a secret garden,
What would it comprise?
Fragrant flowers, a babbling brook, butterflies?
Dragonflies, birds, and bees,
there would be all of these.
But most of all, within ‘that place’,
Tranquil peace and serenity await;
Ever there for me and you to relax and renew.
So every morning before you start,
Visit the ‘secret garden’ of your heart.
~Linda Wall Hall

  

I'm sharing my secret recipe for a delicious Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sauce in The English Kitchen today!  There is a plain chocolate sauce for those of you who aren't into chocolate and peanut butter together as well.

Have a wonderful Sunday!