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 from the past week which brought untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.

 

Spending time with my big guy.  This is my oldest son Anthony.  We didn't get to church yesterday as our drive over slept, so I took advantage of the time to chat with Anthony for a while on the iPad.  Something which we don't do near often enough. This special man has been blessing my life in one way or another for 42 years!  Hard to believe I know.  That I am old enough to have a son that old, lol.  

  

This was his first Christmas.  He was 7 months old. He was such a cutie pie in his Santa sleeper.  That is one of his cousins holding him. You can just see his first two teeth there on the bottom. 

 

A year later. He is 19 months old and engaged with the wonder of Christmas.  This was at my mom's and dad's.  I think my mom still has that little tabletop tree.  Oh how I love my son.  He is such a good man.  How wonderful it would be to be able to hold him in my arms again as a wee one and to be able to whisper sweetness into his ear as only a mama can do, to feel those small arms around my neck.  Sigh . . . the years pass by far too quickly!  He is a good, good man, with a good, good heart. 

 

I also got to speak to my middle son this weekend, Doug.  (Here with his oldest boy Jon.)  He had gotten my cookbook and we were able to facetime and spend some time together.  He told me he was proud of me.  That meant a lot to me. It really did.  Plus I got to see three of my grandsons, the three J's.  I love them to bits.  All of them. They have such character. It is hard to believe that Jon is 12 now and will be a teenager in a few months time.  Things change when they become teenagers.  They are not little boys anymore. He was sitting there reading "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," next to Doug while we were talking.  That was a book I sent him for his birthday last year, I believe.  Jakey was busy showing me anything he could.  Pens, etc.  lol.  He makes me smile.  Josh is a bit quieter and shyer.  Jakey though, he makes up for all of his brother's shyness because he is full on. Oh how I would love to spend time with them all.  Maybe one day.  My Doug is such a sweet and gentle man and so kind.

I am so proud of these two boys of mine.

 

I came across this photo from 5 years ago now. It was Christmas day 2012. We had all the elders over for dinner and the day.  That was Elder Hopper, Elder Rapata, Elder Thomas and Elder Eliason reclining on the others.  What a fun day that was!  Such great guys!  They actually convinced us that they were allowed to watch Jack the Giant Killer.  We let them, and they enjoyed it.  Such a simple thing.  But kind of a no no because of the violence in it.  I think they might have been allowed to watch Winnie the Pooh, lol, not Jack the Giant Killer.  No mind, we had a great day with these cheeky chappies.  They are all married now and living responsible lives.  Elder Hopper is also a dad! 

 

He was the first one to get married.  It is such fun to see these lovely young men (and women) finish their missions and then go on to live happy fulfilling lives!  We have missed being on our Mission so much. Being on a Mission ourselves gave us a much deeper understanding of what these young people go through for those 18 months to two years they are on their missions.  I thought the world of them before, but I have a much deeper respect for them and love for what they do now, having seen and participated in it personally.  They are really special young people. 

  

This little madame brings me such joy it is immeasureable.  She is supposed to be going to the Dog Groomers today, but alas we are going to have to call and cancel.  We had thought the car would be on the road by now, but it is not. I hope they are not too annoyed with us for having to cancel the last minute.  We did cancel it initially, but then the called us and said the car was okay. Todd went and picked it up and brought it home, so we re-booked the appointment.  Then Saturday night Todd went to do something and the car would once again not start, and of course it would not start again yesterday.  Blah  . . .  so now we have to call the groomers and tell them its once again a no go.  I hate having to do things like that. I know it is their living, their bread and butter.  We will have to give Mitzie a shower ourselves, lol.  She hates that, but what else can we do.  She will have to remain shaggy now until the new year.  I found this photo of her this morning. It is from a few years ago now, but she is still every bit as adorable.  What can I say.  😊 We love her.

   

Someone take it away please  . . .  its just too darned delicious for my own good.  Seriously, I am in love with this torte.  I am glad it is not something I make very often.  Remind me next time to make it when we have people here other than Todd to help me eat it. 

 

This man I married who embroiders my days with laughter and love.  He is such an amazing man to me.  He is always up for whatever humiliation I force him into, like putting on silly santa hats and letting me take his picture, watching corny old Christmas films, walking blocks to the shops because I am out of butter or whatever.  He makes me laugh.   I needed butter on Saturday and so he went to the shops to get some butter for me. I wanted to bake some cookies. 

 

He brought back two packs of this.  Lurpak spreadable, which is butter which has been blended with vegetable oil for easy spreading.  We will use it of course  . . .  in time, but it is no good for baking.  LOL He tried!  I keep forgetting that I have to really spell it out when I send him for something.  He invariably always comes back with the wrong goods.  Poor guy. 

On the plus side we are all set for spreadable

butter for the holidays and beyond!

 

 

 I am so grateful to live in a country where you can do your grocery shopping online and have it delivered, and I am also grateful that there were still a few slots empty this week so that I was able to grab one! Whew!  That makes being without a car the week before Christmas that little bit more bearable!  I was telling my mom about it yesterday, this online grocery shopping thing.  She had never heard of it.  Do they do this in North America at all?   Just wondering!  I think you spend far less money because you cannot impulse buy.  You just make a list, go online and then shop.  Now all I have to do is cross my fingers and hope that everything arrives without any substitutions! 

Life is good.

We are blessed beyond measure, our cups

truly do runneth over and over and over. These things I share

are only the tip of a very large iceberg.  

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.°What's the greatest lesson a woman should learn?

That since day one, she's already had everything

she needs within herself. Its the world that convinced

her that she did not. ~Rupi Kaur  •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment  

  

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 21:1-22:6 

Question -What have you learnt from the reading today? How does learning of Christ's second coming affect the way you live your life?  

 

My Thoughts - This phrase jumped out at me today . 'he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes'. I straightaway thought of the hymn that says 'in the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see'. I love this line and I love the attribute of kindness. If you can be one thing  . . .  be kind.
'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting their own hard battle. As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to allow others the space to do the same. Let us speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.  

 

 I do love that our saviour can know us by our hearts. It's what we want for ourselves and it's what we can do for others! And I know from these verses that I need to have the attitude of earnest invitation when I speak to others. I need to invite them unto the gospel of Christ as if He were to descend to the earth tomorrow. Learning about the second coming of Jesus Christ renews my hope. It strengthens my faith. It gives me purpose and direction. I can participate in His great work by being open about being a member, sharing my feelings about Him and His gospel with those I come into contact with. Sharing with everyone that God is good. He is full of love. 

 

Tomorrows Reading (Day 60) -  2 Nephi 23:1-22 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How might we have a foot in Babylon? 

 

In the English Kitchen today  . . .  Panettone Muffins.  Too tasty and quick to make for your own good.

Have a marvelous Monday. Stay safe and be happy.  I hope your week ahead is filled with a multitude of small and wonderful things.  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!