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.

 

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As I sit here typing this morning, there is something warm and furry laying between my feet.  One of them is never really far from me.  They are always close by.  I love how Cinnamon and Nutmeg love me.  Animals truly love unconditionally. It doesn't matter what you look like, or how much you weigh,  or anything else. They just love you.   As human beings we have a long ways to go before we can meet that.  I try to accept people who they are as they are, but it does sometime take great effort. Animals just seem to be able to do that as a matter of course. They just love, or they seem to at any rate. 

I know my two are always really happy to see me.  If I have been away for 5 minutes or 5 hours, it matters not. I always get a warm greeting when I return.

 

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Church on Sundays. When I don't go, something vital is missing from my week. I love going to church and partaking of the sacrament, renewing my covenants with the Savior. It does my heart good to watch the young men of our branch blessing and then passing it.  It gives me hope in this rising generation.  I love to listen to the various talks that are given and to attend Sunday School or Relief Society and participate in the lessons which are shared them. I love singing the hymns  . . .  the beautiful hymns, singing praises to God. 

I enjoy the time that Glenna and I spend together in the car on the way to church, catching up on each other's week. It is always nice.  We get along very well together.  I did not know Glenna very well before I moved over to England. It has been really lovely getting to know here now.

It is not looking very good for our friend Eileen who has liver cancer.  She was supposed to have an operation on Saturday, but the Doctor got in there and wasn't able to continue, so he was going to try something else yesterday. Please pray for her and her family.  Liver cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, next to pancreatic, and it is almost always fatal. Please pray for them to have the strength to get through these next days, weeks and months.  Thank you so much.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts that you can give another. It truly is a gift from the heart.

Cindy had a small Birthday celebration for me at her house yesterday. Dan will be at work on Tuesday when it is my real Birthday and we always like to include him in these things. He is family.  I love him. Cindy had picked up a whole LaRocca Chocolate Fudge Cake. So decadent.  It is both of our favorites. She said it was half price and I truly hope that it was because I hate to think of her paying full price for it.  It was/is so delicious. I brought a couple of pieces home with me. One to give to Sheila, one for Glenna and one for me.  So rich and decadent.

 

I now have four very pretty cards sitting on the top of the bookcase.  I am so blessed. 💗

And look!  A toadstool bird house!  I love it.  I will have to think very carefully about where to put it. My sister knows what I love.  And I do so love toadstools. I think they are meant to go outside, but I don't want to put it outside. I want it here, right inside my house, with all of my other much beloved treasures. I am so blessed.

 

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I did another video yesterday.  This one was just a chatty one. I was still in my church clothes and I thought why not take advantage of that.  I also had wanted to explain a little bit more about myself to the channel.  So far the trolls have not found me. (Give it time, they will I am sure.) I have enjoyed reading all of the comments left and I have enjoyed stretching outside of my comfort zone. The cats made their debut in this one.  Nutmeg especially.  I have kept them locked up for the cooking ones, well the last two anyways, as they are always so eager to be a part of everything.  Yesterday I did not.  They are always fascinated with who I am talking to.  Or maybe they think I am talking to them because that is usually the case!  In any case, if you did want to see it, you can see it here. 

I am still not totally comfortable with showing myself, with all of my wrinkles, grey hair, etc. But I am who I am.  And I need to love me. This  is actually helping me to do so in an odd sort of way. (Not in a narcissistic one, I promise you.) I do really need to do something about my hair . . . sigh . . . 

 

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My sister and I discovered a new place to get farm fresh eggs and a whole lot more on our way home from taking dad and his friend Maryann out the other day. It was up in Torbrook on the mountain.  It was actually on the route that the bus that I used to take to Vocational School went back in 1974/75, so it felt a bit like home sweet home to me travelling down that familiar road.  Such a pretty drive it was.  Anyways, we found this farm stand and they had fresh eggs, fresh/frozen meats, all local and grass fed beef, chicken, pork, etc.  Some baked goods.  Jams and pickles, fresh vegetables, etc.  I will be checking them out again. I got some eggs and Cindy got some frozen ground beef. It as cheaper than the stuff we usually get at Gouchers and the eggs were only $5 a dozen, which was almost $3 cheaper than the ones I get at the grocery store.

Finding new places and meeting new people, always a treat!

 

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I can already see signs of autumn showing up in the tops of some of the trees. The odd red or brown bunch of leaves are making an appearance.  As the days continue to pass these will be showing up more and more. I wish you could just lasso time and hold it still, but alas it passes, and usually far more quickly than we wish that it would.  But aren't we all so blessed to still be here and still enjoying these simple things in our lives . . . faith, family, friends, home  . . . these are the things which help to build a life and make it sweet.  

And I have a very sweet life indeed, despite the drama which sometimes makes an appearance. In the end things always turn out the way they are supposed to.  God has a plan. There is a little scripture about that  . . .  which I love  . . . its one of my favorites. 

 

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

This is a scripture verse which has greatly uplifted me from time to time throughout all of my years. May it uplift you and give you hope as well.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

 *Love in its essence

is spiritual fire.

~Emanuel Swedenborg

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

In the English Kitchen today a tasty little casserole called Angel Chicken Rice. This is a fabulously tasty repurposing of leftovers.  Creamy, rich and delicious.  Simple to make as well.

I hope that you have a beautiful Monday and week ahead, that it is filled with lots of small and wonderful things that bring you joy.  Along the way don't forget!

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And I do too!