"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 won a Giveaway over on Not Quite June Cleaver! I love the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. If this is as good as the rest of them, or the ones that I have at any rate, it is sure to be a winner! Its nice to have something unexpected happen like this. ☺
I started reading this book again. It's a delightful book. Even Todd has read it. I've read it about 3 times now since I got it, quite a while ago now actually. It has a permanent residence on my night table actually. I just love it so very much. It's my favourite of all the Susan Branch Books . . . and . . .
This one is even more special to me because it was signed by her. See that down in the right hand corner. That's her signature. I have always loved everything that Susan does. I fell in love with her work when I first discovered it in Country Living Magazine all those bazillion of years ago. She used to do an illustrated recipe each month. I used to have all of those collected as well, but they got annihilated a long time ago now. When you are moving every couple of years you can't go dragging magazines all around the world with you, no matter how precious they are to you or how much you want to. I've slowly been collecting her books through the years and I think I have just about all of them now. If you have never checked out her blog or her work check her out at Susan Branch. If you like me I guarantee you will fall absolutely head over heels in love with her. She is a kindred spirit.
It's in the air . . . can you feel it? I can. Much to Todd's chagrin. He would rather we don't feel it until December 24th. I feel it now. That Christmas spirit. It's leaking into the house from nooks and crannies and creeping in underneath the front door. I will begin decorating this week. Because I want to and because I can.
Because . . .
Yes I do!
I got us this little book to help to keep the Christ in our Christmas this year. It's only a tiny book and I bought it used. It has a devotional for every day of the Advent season. I figure Todd and I can do it together. He hates the commerciality of Christmas and I admit I am not fond of it either, although all the Christmas adverts don't bother me half as much as they bother him admittedly. I have always loved everything there is to love about Christmas, which includes cheesy Christmas adverts on the telly. It doesn't detract from the true meaning of Christmas for me.
This year I "AM" getting in all of my Christmas movies . . . the ones I love to watch each year and that I never manage to quite get watched before the 25th. Todd refuses to watch Christmas movies after the 25th. And I get his point. They do start to lose their appeal by then. That's why I am watching them now!
What are your holiday must watches? Mine are A Christmas Story, The Homecoming, The Polar Express, It's a Wonderful Life, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Home Alone, Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, Meet Me in St Louis, White Christmas . . . Oh, I could just go on and on. I love them all!
My holidays begin this Thursday. It is our Ladies Annual Christmas Dinner which we have at Plas Hafod every year. I love this dinner. It's not an official church event . . . simply a group of women who enjoy each other's company getting together to enjoy a meal and kick start the festive season. It's always so beautifully decorated. I always really enjoy it . . . and then, I am doing Thanksgiving Dinner the day after for our Missionary Sisters. I was going to do it right on Thursday, but it conflicted with the ladies dinner, so Friday it is! They're really looking forward to it too! All the decs will be up by then!
My life is filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things actually . . . I count my blessings every day and know my cup runneth over. That is the true secret to happiness I believe . . . being able to count your blessings and seeing the joy to be found . . . even in the most mundane.
A thought to carry with you through today . . .
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"Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love.
The real miracle is the love that inspires them.
In this sense everything that comes from love is miracle"
~ Marie Lloyd
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Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Stuffing-Stuffed Onions!
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May your week be filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things.
Morning Marie, from a white frosty morning also thick mist, can't see across to the trees on teh rec. so far. However hopefully once the sun gets up it will all burn away and we will haev a lovely day. I love my Mondays as it is the day my best friend Pam comes over. Sinse we both retired from our work ...it will be around 21 years now...we have met almost every Monday,.. athough we see each other on a Sunday when she drives all the eay over from Bath for church. we never stop chatting !! then we go to Guild picking up a few of the less able members on our way...I am a wee bit like Tod about Christmas...but at teh same time I do LOVE to see decorations go up...an odd mixture I am I think LOL. HAve a lovely dinner out with your friends, and I just know that your thanksgiving meal will be just deeeeeelicious xxxxx
ReplyDeleteChristmas decorations start to appear after Father's Day in September. One of the things I enjoyed about New Zealand last week was the absence of decorations. I have sung my first carol though. When we walked into see dad the ladies were trying to sing Away in a Manger.
ReplyDeleteAS I mentioned I saw dad today for the first time in three weeks. He cried and cried over mum but smartened up a little.
It has been a busy a day so I wish yo a loving day filled with kindness.
Sybil, it's very cold here this morning as well. Brrr . . . Winter has arrived! Your day sounds like it will be lovely! You lead such a happy busy life. I wish we lived closer as it would be fun to do things together! xxoo
ReplyDeleteThe shops do love to put up their decs early don't they. That part I don't like, but here at home, it is different. It must be so difficult to see your dad distressed like that. (((((hugs))))) I expect it will never be easy. xxoo
I love all things Christmas too. I'm one that believes we should keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year long. I watch Christmas movies as often as I can. Hope you have a wonderful Monday !
ReplyDeleteI would watch them all year round Pam, but Todd draws the line. He will only watch them around Christmas time. He prefers "MAN" movies with lots of action and cowboys, lol. You have a wonderful Monday too! xxoo
ReplyDeleteI made those teacups with the trees for a dinner with friends a few years ago:)
ReplyDeleteSo cute..Easy peasy too..but it added a sweet touch to our table of 4.
The onions look very good..So nice you are doing Thanksgiving !
So many things are talent..timing AND luck..accompanied with hard work..determination..and a love for what you do.
Sussan is the epitome of all that.
You know Marie..you have so many of the requisites..we have to sprinkle some more luck..:)
Perhaps that company..
The glass Christmas tree....where did you get the little lights that you have inside and on the counter? I would love some of those for decorating. Loved this post and I follow you
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I am on the look out for the little trees Monique. I saw the cutest ornament which was a bottle brush tree tied onto the top of a dinky toy! So cute! I wish I had that same faith in myself that you have in me Monique! I really do! I have high hopes with the new company. Keeping everything crossed! xxoo
ReplyDeleteThose little lights can usually be found in pound or dollar shops Janice. They are little led lights, run by batteries. Thanks so much for your comment! xxoo
I saw that ornament too:) Loved it..the trees I had bought at a USA Walmart..a few yrs ago..under $1.00 :) Ad the cups I had.
ReplyDeleteLovely MOnique. I will have to check out Hobby Craft!
ReplyDeleteThe things you wrote and the pictures along with them are all so heart warming. After Thanksgiving dinner, we start putting up the Christmas tree. We did that ever since the boys were small since we didn't have family close by. I don't mind putting it up then. More time to festively celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteBesides the ones you mentioned, we love watching "The Muppet's Christmas Carol." It's so charming. Hugs! xoxo
I agree Valerie! I have not seen Muppets Christmas Carol. I will have to add it to the list! WE watched The Polar Express last night and were children once again! xxoo
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