Monday 22 February 2016

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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Something to keep you warm in the winter.  I don't think Baxter is exactly too thrilled about his.  He seems pretty rigid there, but Lucy seems pretty comfortable with hers.  I think she has the sweetest face.   They seem to be getting along pretty well, which is another blessing.  Makes me wonder if Mitzie might not get along with another dog were we to get one for her to have someone to play with . . .  but then again . . .  it would be twice the expense at boarding if we wanted to go on holiday, twice the vet bills, twice everything.  I think we shall just stop and count our blessings with one.


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The only thing that might could making wearing a winter coat a bit easier to cope with is to have one that kinda sorta matches your dads.   I love this photograph and not the least because my handsome son is in it.  My son is a good dog daddy.  That is reassuring because it means he will probably be a good baby daddy too.      Mind you  . . .

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He's always been great with his nieces and nephews . . . they adore their Uncle Bruce.


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Princess twirls.   They're the best.   There's nothing like a  pretty pink princess dress to make you want to twirl about is there?  I need to get me one of those  . . .

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A fur baby that faithfully awaits your return home.  Our furry family members are so special.   I love cats . . .  have always loved them, we had cats the whole time I was growing up and while my children were growing up, but I have come to realize that I love dogs more.  I know they are more work . . .  but they give so much more love and loyalty in return.  They need us just as much as we need them.  You only ever rarely hear a story about a cat pining away after the death of it's master.  In fact I don't think I have ever heard a story about that type of thing.  Cats are much more independant.  I will take the loyalty of a dog over the independance of a cat any day of the week . . .  not to insult any cat owners out there or anything  . . .  waggy tail welcomes are the best!

 

Shiro Miso Paste.   I discovered it at the weekend when I tried a new recipe.  Shiro is the  lighter miso paste and a lot lighter in colour than the darker one. I had never tasted Miso before.   I am in love.  It has a wonderful flavour, which I think they call umami . . . the fifth taste.  Outside of bitter, sweet, sour, salty  . . .  umami is a quite pleasant taste . . . and very distinctive from the others.   Anyways, I have a big tub of it now that I need to find uses for.  Watch this space.

I wonder if you can freeze it? In tablespoon sized dollops.   Hmmm . . . I will try.  It's a shame when you buy a specialized ingredient for a certain purpose and then can't use it all up before it goes off.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day.   I might be going in to town today with Sister Johansen.  She wants to go to Primark and we are going to take the bus together. She has never gone on the bus over here yet.  It should be an adventure.  ☺

A thought to carry with you through today   . . .

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
"If for a while the harder you try, 
the harder it gets, take heart. 
So it has been with the best people who ever lived."
~Elder Jeffrey R Holland
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷღೋღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Spiritual Enlightenment

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Skinny Broccoli and Potato Casserole . . .  in The English Kitchen today.  Healthy, low fat and delicious.

May the week ahead of you be filled with loads of small and wonderful things! Don't forget . . .

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And I do too!

8 comments:

  1. Good morning Marie. Enjoy your girls day out. It could be so much fun. I bit the bullet and booked myself a place at a crafternoon tea today. I am desperate for some time doing things on my own. I am quite solitary and life wears me out.

    Dogs are wonderful creatures. I swear they must have a soul. Their eyes tell so much. I miss my Sam, who passed away in 1988. If there is a doggy heaven I cannot wait to be with him again. The girls know I am a dog person deep at heart. One of their friends has puppies and the pressure is being applied. There is a very good reason I chose cats though. It is not the time for a pup. I understand the heart ache and the yearning. I am so pleased you have your darling girl.

    God bless your day and you.

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  2. Thanks Suzan! I am glad that you are doing something for YOU! I hope you really enjoy it. I can't wait to hear about it! I think dog really is man's best friend. They understand us and want to be with us. It's a God like quality, covered in fur . . . xoxo

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  3. I can see you in that pink twirlie outfit..w/ a pink streak!!!

    Cute pets..kidlets and son..I vae to try Miso..!

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  4. Hi Marie~

    Those little pups make me smile. Their little coats are so cute, and I love the matching one with your son, very stylish! I too love cats, and I would love to have one outside to catch mice. But, I have a Black Labrador, who does not like cats, so, that will have to be for another lifetime. My sister has a beautiful cat, Rudy, who I love to cuddle with when I am at her house.

    Your broccoli and Potato casserole looks delightful! My Dr. put me on a low carb diet, and so I am just having to imagine how yummy it would be . . . I even dreamed about cookies last night! Oh well, I need to stay healthy . . .:0)

    Have a great day!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  5. You must try Miso Monique. It's gorgeous! Twirling here, minus the pink streak. ;-) haha xoxo

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  6. Hi Barb! I tried low carb before but when the potato is your favourite vegetable, it doesn't work very well, lol. Over here when you have diabetes they put you on a low GI diet as they say you need some carbs as carbs are energy. You just have to pick and choose. New potatoes are low GI, so they are okay. There are three cats in my mother's house! They all get along amazingly well. I don't think any of them are cuddlers though! xoxo

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  7. I love cats too and we had one for 18 years and I was so sad when we lost him. Now we have our sweet Sammy and he does bring great joy into our lives. Our Sammy always waits for my husband when he is gone. He has a favorite place to wait; its' so cute.
    I do love the photo of your son and his dog; so sweet.
    Blessings, love and hugs for you!

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  8. Thanks LeAnn! My mom had a cat for over 20 years and was devastated when he passed. Pets are great. You can tell them all your secrets and know they are safe with them, unconditional love, super hugs and kisses, etc. Mitzie pines for Todd when he is out and is so very excited when he returns! Blessings, love and hugs to you too! xoxo

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