All Things Nice . . .

 

 

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Tonight I pray . . . that as the year goes by

I shall grow better . . . kinder less afraid,

And easier to live with. Often, Lord,

I grouch about the way the table's laid,

As i it matters how the dishes lie

When there is enough bread to satisfy.

Tonight I pray that, as the months are spent,

I shall look ever in my heart to see

If there be aught unclean -- no evil thing

To grow and spread its branches over me;

But only good alone shall lift its head,

And only kind and gentle words be said.

Tonight I pray that this New Year shall bring

No sudden riches . . only just enough

For every day's small need -- a warm clean bed,

Strength enough for the going, be it smooth or rough,

And always, God, a light to guide and bless,

And in my heart a song . . . for happiness.

~Edna Jacques, Prayer for the New Year

My Kitchen Window, 1935 

 

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Funny . . . this poem was written almost 100 years ago, and the sentiments remain spot on and meaningful . . .  they are things I wish for myself, ideals that I wish to live and to continue to live. How I want my life to be and to remain.  What was important then, is still important now.  It is truly the simple things in life which still bring us the most joy . . . faith, family, friends . . . health.

Simple needs met . . .  a warm bed, food . . . enough . . . just enough. Ample to fit our needs and lives.  To be loved and accepted for who we are. Kindness . . . in words, thoughts and deeds. Enough strength to pull us through whatever the New Year should bring to our tables and into our lives.

Faith to carry on.

 

This is little Mac sporting his Christmas Sweater.   He is so adorable.  He is filled with personality and brings a smile to all our faces and is even winning Dan over, little by little. 

 

I mean how can you not love a little charmer like him. It's impossible! 

How about a box full of kittens?  My cousin's cat had yet more kittens. I believe they are all spoken for now.  Serious cuteness.  In a box. My heart melts.

My sister brought Little Mac over one night.  It was so fun to see the cats all together.  At one point Nutmeg did a double take.  It was like he thought he was seeing double . . . Cinnamon and Mac look so much alike. There was not as much hissing and spitting as I thought there would be. I think in time they would get along great.

A funny photograph from Christmas day. Luke's sock monkey (I think he is called socker monkey) was wearing the funny glasses from the stocking.  So funny. 

 This is the infamous Santa Jacket.  Every year my mother used to let us pick some clothing from the Sears Catalogue for ourselves at the beginning of the school year.  There was a certain dollar amount that we could choose.  My last year in High School, I chose this coat.  I have always loved the color red and it had lovely lamb's wool cuffs, pocket trim and collar. I fell in love with this coat.  Sadly, I did not wear it as much as I should have. My first day wearing it to school I got on the bus, and someone started singing, "Here Comes Santa Claus."  Kids are so mean.

I look like I am enjoying it here, however. It was at my first husband's parent's house on the tire swing in the back yard. They were a farming family.

This is me that same year at the Highschool production of "Promises, Promises."  Loving the Hot Pants and the Aviator glasses.  I was so cool, lol

I would kill to have that figure now!

 

This photograph is almost 48 years old.  From left to right, my brother David (14), my father (41), Mom (42), myself (19), Cindy (16) and she is holding Anthony who looks to be about 3 or 4 months old.  What a treasure to see this.

My son brought over his photo album when he was here for Christmas. His paternal Grandmother had left it to him when she passed away. It is filled with gems like these.  

 

What a poser I was!  haha

(This was a stone BBQ, not a headstone!)

I look back at that girl and all of her hopes and dreams. I thought I knew it all and life was going to be so rosy and sweet.  I had no idea of how many challenges I would have to face in the coming years.  I sit here almost 50 years later and marvel at all I have been through in my lifetime. I think it is the same for everyone. It is a good thing that there are no crystal balls in life. Would any of us want to go on? Perhaps, perhaps not.

I can say though, having gone through my life I would not exchange any of it really. I am the person that I am today because of the journey I've taken, and I like me. Oh sure, I would love to be thinner (who wouldn't) but I like me and the person that I have become. I would not be that person without all that I've experienced.  The good and the bad have all served to shape me into who I am, so how can I be anything but grateful for the journey that got me here.

 

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Here we are sitting on the cusp of another New Year. The old one seems to have passed by very quickly. It always does it seems. It begins and before we know it, it is ending. I normally like to pick a word for the year to come and I think my word for the year 2023 will be BLESSED.  I will seek to find the blessings in each and every day and in every experience. If there is one thing that life has taught me it is this, even if we cannot see it while we are in it, almost every experience comes with some sort of blessing attached. It may be years before we can see the blessing, but if we look for it, the blessing is always there.  Whilst I can appreciate that this may not apply to everything, but I do believe it applies to most things. So, my word for 2023 is going to be BLESSED.  And every time I find myself not feeling so I am going to remind myself that I am.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.We do not remember days,

we remember moments.

~Casare Pavese•。★★ 。* 。

 

No new recipe today (still taking a break), but I am sharing something delicious with you nonetheless.  A fabulous Chocolate Eclair Cake.  This would make a great dessert for New Year's Day dinner!

I hope you have a wonderful last day of the year. Stay safe and be blessed!  Have a wonderful New Year's Eve, no matter what you get up to!  I'll see you next year. Don't forget! 

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And I do too!