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.

 

Anniversary flowers.  Todd brought me home a beautiful bouquet on Saturday afternoon and then yesterday he gave me a beautiful card.  He is such a thoughtful husband.  I love him to bits.  Eighteen years seem to have flown by unbelievably quickly.  I hope that the next eighteen don't!  I want time to slow down! 

  

Ariana taught an amazing lesson in Relief Society yesterday based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk from last conference, Believe, Love, Do.  It was a lovely talk and she was so confident in her manner of teaching.  Hard to believe that English is not her first language.  There was plenty of discussion within the class. She knew just the right questions to ask.  I really enjoyed it. 

 

My Bonne Maman Advent calendar.  I can't stop looking at it and wondering about the tastes of certain jams. It has all the classic flavors in addition to new, holiday exclusives including Raspberry and Lychee, Strawberry and Red Currant, Pineapple and Passion Fruit, Orange and Cinnamon and Morello Cherry . . .  and there are several Quince ones.  I can't wait to try them.  Admittedly I will only be able to taste most of them, and Todd will be actually eating them, but I can't wait to taste!  And those jars, even some with blue lids.  I love the jars.

 

Peter Lee came over last night and I was able to actually help him with some computer stuff that he had been having problems with.  I was happy about that.  I think he was too!  Computers can be such a pain in the butt at times, especially when you can't get them to do what you want them to do! I really like being able to help others full stop, not just with computer stuff. I just like lending a hand whenever and wherever I can.  

 

My daily chats with my daughter  Eileen.  They mean the world to me. I really enjoy them.  I really appreciate them. I look forward to them every day and miss them when they don't happen for one reason or another.  I love this relationship I have with my oldest daughter. Its very special to me. 

 

The annual baking of the Christmas Cake.  Every November like clockwork.  It smells so good when it is baking that it is hard not to be able to touch it until Christmas, with the exception of the decorating that is.  I have tried store cakes, but they just are not the same as a delicious homemade one.  I think it is Todd's favourite cake of all.  I think I might make a white one this year also, but am not sure I can get the candied pineapple for it.  I might have to make my own. 

 

My weekly calls to my mother.  Sometimes they are difficult and I do most of the talking, but when she is having a great day they are so wonderful and the time just flies by.  I know I say this every week, but these calls truly are small and wonderful things to me. I cherish every moment of them, even the hard ones. 

  

Being able to take time to honor the countless fallen dead yesterday on Remembrance Day.  Some people see this as glorifying war. They could not be more wrong.  It is remembering and honoring the sacrifice of all those lives that were given so that we could enjoy the freedoms we oftimes take for granted today. Freedom comes with a price and we must never forget that or them.  It would be wrong not to honor them. 

In Flanders Fields the poppies grow

between the crosses row on row . . . 

There is a Canadian War Cemetary here in Blacon where I live.  We sometimes visit it.  The amount of lives that have been lost in our conflicts on all sides is immense and incalculable. We must never forget.  Never. 

  

Being content with and knowing that I truly have enough. Of everything. I lack for nothing. I am blessed.  There are people in this world who would give their all just to have a portion of what I have. I know that and try to live my life with gratitude every single day. 

 

For all of you who continue to visit each time I post, whether you leave a comment or not, I am grateful for your presence and I feel your love always. It really does mean a lot to me.  Thank you! 

And those are my small and wonderfuls for this week. Truly I could go on and on and on.  I am truly living a life overflowing with small and wonderful things, a life that is blessed, and I count my blessings every single day. 

 A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *The moment you start acting 

like life is a blessing,

it starts feeling like one.

~Unknown   •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Honey Hot Chicken Burgers.  Oh baby  . . . 

I hope the week ahead for you  is filled with lots of small and simple things!  Don't forget!

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And I do too!