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.  

 

 

 

The days are getting longer.  With each day that passes daylight is increasing. By the end of January our hours of daylight will have increased by about an hour and a half! 

 

 

  

 

They're not quite in bloom yet, but I see the spikes  . . .  snowflowers.  Tinkling white bells which foretell the advent of Spring  . . . they are a reassuring sign that Winter is moving on. Poking fresh and green through the cold dark earth, they will soon produce their white bell shaped flowers,  I swear that in the winter breeze I can hear their icy tinkles   . . .  Symbols of purity, optimism and hope. 

 

 

 

 

Taking down the Christmas Decorations, which includes the cards.  The house looks fresher and somewhat empty . . .  but I get to revisit each card and think special thoughts about the sender.  That is the silver lining for me, as I hate to see Christmas being packed away for another year . . . 

 

 

  

 

Getting to try new things.  Late on Saturday this big box was delivered.  It is filled with all of my meals for the six days I will be trying out this Dietbon eating plan.  Its a new Diet program which is coming over to the UK from France.  Everything looks pretty good.  There are six breakfasts, six lunches, six dinners, some snacks and herbal teas. I have to go to the shops today to buy salad stuff, sugar free yogurts and some fruit and veg, but pretty much everything else is here.  I could never afford to subscribe to one of these plans, but have always wanted to try one.  Wish me luck! 

 

 

The new Come Follow Me Curriculum which has been introduced to our church for 2019.  It is a different way of doing things than we are used to, but I think it will be good.  Its exciting and new.  A move towards spiritual self-reliance as individuals and families. I am not a real lover of change, but if there is one thing life has taught me about change, its that if you flow with it, change comes with its own rewards.  Also nothing worth having ever came easy  . . . 

 

 

 

The opportunity we had this past week to watch the BBC Series on Great Rivers of the world.  There were three episodes in which they explored the Amazon, the Nile and the mighty Mississippi.  I learned so much about these magnificent water-ways and we got to see some pretty amazing animals, fish, flora and fauna, etc. The BBC does programs like this so wonderfully well.  it was on BBC2 if you want to find it on Catch Up TV.  On a side note, I love that Todd and I enjoy programs like this together.  Our musutal love of history and geography and nature are some of the great things we have in common! 

 

 

 

I follow an instagram account called Remembering the Old Ways.  Its just lovely. It done by a gal named Michelle Palmer and in it she chronicles her love of the home arts and all things vintage from the 30's and 40's.  She always does these special tea suppers too.  It is a wonderful, safe and beautiful glimpse into the past mingled with the present.  I just love it. They live in a thatched cottage.  

 

 

 

Facetimes with my middle son and his family.  I just love them.  He called me from his truck on Saturday where he was driving my three grandsons and a friend around their village for a Bottle Drive for the Cubs.  Well, he wasn't driving per se when he called, but parked up while they were knocking on doors.  I got to see them in action.  It was really nice!  He is a thoughtful son, a good father and husband.  He has the Simpson nose, which is what my mother always called it.  It comes down from the Simpson line of the family.  My Great Grandmother on my mother's father's side was a Simpson.  My mother and her youngest sister had the nose, and my brother has the nose and some of my cousins too.  Its a very generational thing. 

 

 

 

Speaking of my brother.  He posted this photo on Facebook the other day with the Caption, "Freezing rain, its not just a warning!"  He always makes me smile.  He has a very dry sense of humor.  I get it.

 

Family . . .  at the end of the day, its everything and the most important gift we have been given here on earth.  It is who we are and where we come from . . .  has the capacity to bring us the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows . . . . both the ones we create for ourselves  . . .  

 

And the ones we are born into and grow up with . . .  

  

Mother's and fathers  . . .  sisters and brothers  . . . children  

 

Lovers and friends  . . .  family IS everything . . . 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *If you have a garden 

and a library,

you have everything you need.

~Cicero •。★★ 。* 。

 

 

 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Turkey Chili.  Lipsmackingly delicious and pretty healthy as well!

I hope your week ahead is filled with small and wonderful things.  Don't forget along the way,

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And I do too!