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.

Unexpected windfalls.  Having my recipe picked for that little extra bit of dosh the other day was a real boost.  We have a tiny account that we use for emergencies, which had been depleted when Mitzie got sick before Christmas. Now we can top it up again.  You should always have a tiny bit tucked away for emergencies. You never know when you are going to need it.  I also need to buy myself a new jacket so I might be able to use a bit of it for that.

The ability to laugh at myself.   I have wanted to do a lamb cake ever since I saw Susan Branch's lamb cake a bazillion years ago.  Could never afford to buy the proper tin to do it however.  This year I started looking at one of my scottie dog shortbread tins. (I have a bazillion of them saved to do sewing kits.)

I thought to myself, this one flipped over might look a bit like a Scottie Dog and so I made up my lemon cake batter (coz we I like lemon) and I baked the cake.  It did kind of look like a lamb.  I sliced it in half through the middle and filled it with some apricot jam and then flipped it onto a plate, trimmed off an ear I thought was superfluous to purpose, slathered it all in vanilla butter cream, sprinkled flaked coconut all over it and then stuck on a few other decorations and then I laughed and laughed and laughed. Funniest looking lamb I have ever see.  *Woof*

Susan does it so much better.

Palm Sunday and our April Fast and Testimony Meeting falling on the same day. It could not have been more appropriate. Normally the first Sunday of every month is Fast and Testimony, but because of our April General Conference it was a week later this month.   What a spirit filled Sacrament meeting it was.  During a F&T meeting we are invited to come up to the front, as the spirit directs us, and bear our testimonies to the congregation. This is the time for us to share our love of the Gospel with each other, to testify of special blessings we have received, and most importantly, to testify of the Saviour, and other things.  The meeting was crammed with the spirit yesterday.  So many people with so much to share.   I love Fast and Testimony meeting anyways, but yesterday's was extra special, and the fact that it took place on the day we celebrate the Saviour's triumphant ride into Jerusalem made it even more so.  And now begins the most holy of the holiest weeks.

Sunday phone calls with my mum.  I love this special time I get to spend with my mother each week.  It means the world to me.  The time passes far too quickly.  I would call her every day if I could, but I think she would see that as a huge inconvenience.  Her days have a special routine to them, and me interrupting that routine would be a bit too much.   I have a box filled with all of the letters she wrote to me through the years and I take one out every now and again and I read it.  Reading these fills my heart with joy.  I am so grateful for a mother who took the time to write me letters, and for the opportunity which I have to talk to her each Sunday.

Our Health Care System.  I know we like to complain about it, but at the end of the day I am so grateful for it.  Todd has developed a rash as a side effect from the radio therapy and cystitis, but he was able to get in at the last minute to see a Doctor on Friday afternoon and get some cream and tablets to help with both.  He had been going to wait until Monday (today) to try to get in to see a Doctor, but I told him to try to get in on Friday and thankfully there had been a cancellation so he was able to get an appointment that afternoon.   I did not want to see him suffering all weekend if he didn't have to.  The cream is helping the rash, but I think he is still suffering with the cystitis. Drinking lots of water hopefully will help to flush that out.  He did not sleep all Saturday night and spent all of yesterday from the time we got home from church until supper time in bed.  I finally had to go up and check to see if he was still alive, I was getting worried.

I hate that I worry about things

like that 

...

 

My crochet squares are growing in number. If I do one or two a day, it won't take long until I have enough for a lap blanket. I love the colours. I was not sure at first, but they are growing on me and I am really liking the way they are coming together.  It will be bright, that is for sure!

I am living next door to the Tikki Tikki Lounge.   My next door neighbor has been creating this little oasis of comfort over the past week.  I think she has done a super job with it.  With a gazebo, and lots of Chinese lanterns, etc.

She is so imaginative.  I love it.  I hope she gets lots and lots of sunny weather to enjoy with it over the coming months!  Her house is really cute inside also.  I have only been in a few times but she definitely has a talent for decorating!

I think that talent escaped me.  If you want

the cluttered look, I'm

your gal!

And with that I will leave you with a special thought for today  . . .

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° ˛°. . 
˛°. . Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is
to try just one more time.
~Thomas Edison  •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cheesy Pesto Bread.

Have a great day.  I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things.  Along the way don't forget!

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And I do too!

PS - Monique, Thirteen.  Episode one and we are hooked!  Thanks!