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. 

 

My journal.  I'm actually doing it. Taking a few minutes a day to jot something down of import.  Perhaps a legacy for the kids.  Important thoughts and ponderings.  What matters to me.  Things I am grateful for. Quotes and other things which inspire me.   Here is an example of something I put into it:

"It has been said that happiness includes three things: someone to love,

something to do, and something to look forward to." 

 

Yesterday I noticed that these little Amish Dolls were now living on this sign in the Dining area of our lounge.  Todd must have moved them there.  They seem to fit. One was a gift from a friend and the other a gift from my sister.  She used to make the most beautiful Victorian Peg Dolls.  I think she still should.

Chickens and Amish go together like peas and carrots.

  

Little treasures  . . . Blue Tit salt and pepper shakers (a gift from my friend Margaret down south), Blue Bird salt and pepper shakers (a gift from Sister Jo), a blown glass rooster (a gift from the two Phils), a huge ceramic chicken (a gift from Doreen), a blue and white ceramic basket (a gift from a charity shop), Victorian Bunny salt and pepper shakers (a charity shop gift from Todd).  So much love on that shelf. 

I am blessed.

 

A late Christmas card from my sister.  Its beautiful and it is sitting on a shelf next to a polished stone and Yankee candle.  I am a card keeper. Todd wonders why I do this . . .  to me a card is more than a card. It is a piece of someone's heart they have chosen to share with you. How can you not hang onto pieces of people's hearts? 

   

She lives in a cup. A very cosy cup.  A gift from my my much beloved cousin Martha. I smile whenever I see her.  Delt blue windmills also make me smile as do pictures of Missionary sister's long gone from our presence, but still in our hearts. 

I love that I have a heart composed of spaces that are filled with all these

wonderful gifts and thoughts.

Again, I am blessed. 

 

The only piece of my art that's on show.  Why, I don't know  . . . why this one?  Another thing I don't know.  But its framed and its up there on the wall. 

 

We have a framed picture of Him in every room. I am partial to these black and white renderings by Liz Lemon Swindle.  To me they have captured the essence of His spirit and also speak to my heart in a very special way.  I love the Saviour with all of my heart, mind and soul.

 

There are chunks of my heart all over this house . . .  

 

Facetimes with Doug on Sunday afternoons and new family photos.  That is my middle son Doug, his wife Kayla, Jon, Josh (who turns 9 tomorrow) and Jake, oh . . .  and Baya the boxer. The boys are growing like weeds.

  

Doug loves to cook and he loves my cookbook.  He sent me these pictures he took of the Chicken Pot Pie recipe from the book.  He made it and he said it was . . .  

 

Awesome! 

The thought of people, especially my children, cooking recipes from my book and declaring them awesome warms my heart in a very special way.  I think someone should start a group where they only cook recipes from my book, just like they did with Tuesdays with Dorie.  Oh, but that is a real pipe dream.  Nevermind.  How very un-humble of me.  

I'm only human after all . . . 

 

My son in law Tim sent me this.  My daughter Eileen getting ready to blow out her candles yesterday at the little party they had at their apartment.   I hope she blew all of them out and gets her wish.  I am loving the hat.

Simple pleasures.

You only turn 40 once! 

♥ 

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.One small positive thought in the morning

can change your whole day.

~Unknown   •。★★ 。*  • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

Spiritual Enlightenment

 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 30:1-18 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? Why do you think Nephi warns his people about self righteousness?   

 

My Thoughts - Three things come to mind. 

 

(1) The talk 'waiting for the prodigal' by Brent H Nielson. "I realised that in some ways I was the prodigal son. All of us fall short of the glory of the Father (see Romans 3:23). All of us need the Savior’s Atonement to heal us. All of us are lost and need to be found. This revelation that day helped me know that my sister and I both needed the Savior’s love and His Atonement. Susan and I were actually on the same path back home".   

 

(2) Matthew 20:1-16.  The wages of the Labourer were agreed at the start, they were grateful for the work and glad to be employed. It was when they COMPARED their day long labour to those who had laboured less but received the same reward that they felt hard done by and disgruntled.  

 

(3) Romans 8:16-18, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". 

 

There will not be a single one of God's children that will gain eternal life without covenants made with the Saviour. All will have that opportunity in this stage of eternity or the next. We need Him to perfect us. We do nothing of ourselves, that would merit a life of eternal happiness with Heavenly Father and our families. Everything we lack is made perfect IN Him. His love for us is so great and complete and perfect that He doesn't need more that to have more than us. He is happy to share all The Father has with us. Oh how I love Him!!

 

Tomorrow's Reading (Day 72) - 2 Nephi 31:1-21 

Question - Why is baptism so important? What does 'enduring to the end' mean to you? 

 

 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Roast Chicken Soup with Barley, Parsnips & Cabbage.  This is delicious and perfect for these colder days we are experiencing!  

 

I hope your week ahead is filled to abundance with small and wonderful things.  Don't forget!

 

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And I do too!