Small & 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.
 

 

It was the 189th General Conference of our church this past weekend and we were uplifted and fed by all of the talks.  I love Conference weekends and the opportunity we have to be inspired by the words of our leaders in the church.  Usually I will start off with questions in my heart, ponderings that I need addressed and I never fail to get the answers I seek. My Heavenly Father knows me and He knows what I need to hear and He knows the help I need, just when I need it.  Faith insipiring. 

  

One of the very first talks prompted me to want to do something for one of the Sisters in our Ward whose husband is in the hospital at present. She is needing lifts to and from the train station here in Chester each day as she travels up to Liverpool to be with him.  I cannot drive, but I thought that I could do something that might uplift and encourage her, so early yesterday morning I painted a bunch of individual flowers that I cut out and then put together in a bouquet for her. I then wrote a loving message and popped them into an envelope which I will post out to her this morning.  I wanted her to know that although I cannot be of any help temporally, I am praying and I do keep both her and her husband in my heart daily. I thought it might be a nice unexpected surprise for her and perhaps brighten her day.  I think I might do that a lot this year for different people I think are in need of a lift.

 

I have had this scented pear candle for about 15 years. My boss gave it to me early on when I was working at the Manor. I believe it was a Christmas Present.  I had always kept it without using it.  I don't know why we keep things and never use them  . . . .

 

My mother's home is filled with things that she kept for good and never used.  I have made up my mind this year, if I love it, I will use it. No more keeping things for good, and so yesterday I lit the candle and it kept me company early in the morning as I wrote, studied, painted, etc.  I love how the flame looks a bit like a leaf.  Amazing that  . . . 

I love the way our lounge/living room now looks . . . . with the sideboard being used as a TV table.  That is one huge television. Perhaps too big, but you know men.  They like big tv's.  I think now I wil buy two matching tea towels, in a pretty pattern, to put inside the doors where the glass is, to hide the contents.  What do you think? 

 

My glass birds  . . .  there are four, but the sparrow has turned so that he is looking at me here, so you can't really see him.   I love these birds.  Such a pretty thing and a way to have a stained glass window well  . . . kinda a stained glass window . . .  without actually having one. 

 

As you know my son Doug and his family sent me a care package recently. Inside was this egg cooker thingie.  You spray it with cooking spray and then put it in a buttered skillet, cracking an egg into each half, so that the yolk falls into the circles.  I was not sure how it would work  . . .  but I promised my son I would take a photo for the boys. 

 

It actually worked quite well, except for the bit that ran outside of the mould  . . .  not to worry, easily trimmed off . . .

 

And Todd got some breakfast eggs yesterday that put a smile on his face.  Seriously cute! 

 

I've been working on a little assemblage project based on Alice in Wonderland.  I've made a little paper dress from torn pages from the book.  Now I am trying to decided which apron I like best . . . 

  

I did a paper one, which has a little pocket  . .  but I am having a hard time figuring out how to do ruffles and it needs some work on it . . . 

 

I sewed a little fabric one which I kind of like also. It, too, has  a pocket which you can't really see very well here.   I have just lain the aprons on top of the dresses here as I can't make up my mind and have not attached either one permanently.  There will of course also be a little Peter Pan collar as well.  It is really quite cute in real life.   The whole thing is only about 3 inches tall.  I am really enjoying creating this.   I need to find a suitable box to put it in, which will also be decoupaged, etc. plus I have plans for a few other things that I want in the arrangement.  I am figuring this all out as I go along . . .  

The act of creating something is fun!  

  

My heart is full this morning, with love for my Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ, for my family, for my home, for friends, for my fellow beings,  for the Gospel . . . . for life.  My heart is just full.  Life is good. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.You owe yourself the love
that you so freely give
to other people. 
~unknown  •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In the kitchen today  . . . .  Chipotle Lime Chicken Flatbread Tacos. These are fabulously tasty! 

Have a wonderful Monday.  I hope your week ahead is filled with plenty of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!  

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And I do too!