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.

 

I am loving autumn so far this year, but then I always do love it. Each day brings new pleasures and beauty for my eyes to behold as I watch the landscape surrounding me transform into something breathtakingly beautiful.  I echo Anne Shirley's sentiment, from Anne of Green Gables, when I say, "I am so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers."  Tomorrow is the first of October.  In  Autumn the world laughs in color.  I saw that written somewhere, or something like that at any rate. 

 

I do so love to go to church on Sunday mornings. I know that I could stay home and watch it online if something came up or I wasn't up to going, but there is something really special about being there in person and of course, about being able to partake of the Sacrament and remember the Savior in that special way.  Yesterday was our Fast and Testimony meeting as next weekend is General Conference and there will be no regular church.  The first Sunday of every month is usually given over to fasting, prayer and testimony.  I always love to hear the testimony of others, how God has been working in their lives, etc. it always helps to strengthen my own.  It is always nice to spend some time with people who sit on the same page that my faith rests, and to renew my covenants to God through the partaking of the Sacrament.

I've been reading a book by Gerald Lund entitled, "To Always Have His Spirit."  That is the promise of the sacrament, to always have His spirit to be with us.  Its a good book, but then everything Gerald Lund writes is good, fictional or otherwise.

 

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Family times  . . .  I love spending time with my family.  I missed doing that, of course, when i was over in the U.K. even though we did speak often. It was a pale substitute for being able to spend real time with them, as grateful as I was for the technology which afforded us the ability to spend together via the internet, emails, etc. 

My sister and I have always been close.  Well for all of her life, which is a long time, although she doesn't like to be reminded of her age. lol  We shared a bedroom for most of our growing up years. Oh, we had our little spats as most siblings do, but we really got along well for the most part.  I am so grateful for these years we are having together now.  Our ending years.  We may not see each other every day, but we do speak every day, and we do spend a lot of time during the week together.  It is a huge blessing in my life to have her close by.

I am also grateful for three children who strive to stay in touch and communication.  That means a lot to me as well. Love them all very much.

I've had a couple of really good night's sleep this past week.  Oh, it is never unbroken. I usually have to get up to go to the loo at least once during the night.  I try really hard to go to and from the bathroom as much as possible without waking up too much. If I wake up completely I always have a hard time falling back asleep.  A good night's sleep makes all the difference in the world to my days. When I have slept well I am much more productive, less likely to binge on things I shouldn't eat, I just have a much clearer head.  I am always grateful for a good night's sleep.

  My sister and I were talking about this recently, about how empowering it is to be able to let go of the hurts of the past.  We all have histories, and things that we wish had gone differently in our lives. People we wish that we had not allowed to have a toehold in our lives. It is best to forgive, forget and to let go. To not let these things have any sort of power in our lives. Being able to let go brings peace, harmony, and beauty into our lives.  There are some things which can be very difficult to let go of, but for our own sanity and peace, it really is better for us if we do. Hanging on to them really means that we are allowing them to continue to punish and hurt us . . .  and that is not healthy.

Forgive.  Forget.  Let it go  . . . .

 

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You just knew that a cat would make it in here somewhere.  haha  I love my two cats. They are such great companions. Not quite as great as a dog would be, because cats really ARE very independent, but great nonetheless. 

Most evenings will find me sitting on the sofa with one of them snuggled up on the back of the sofa behind my head and the other tucked into my side, next to me on the sofa.  It will always be Cinnamon on the back and Nutmeg next to me. Nutmeg loves it when I stroke his ears. He always looks back up at me as if to say thank you.  Cinnamon is not much of a one for liking to be petted, but she will often stretch out her paw and touch me, which is nice, and of course she is the biscuit maker.  She loves to get up next to me sometimes and make biscuits in my lap.

Of course, she is the one who helps me to make my bed every morning. As soon as I get up from her to go and do it she gives a little meow and trots along with me.

They have both truly enriched my life. I think I will always want an animal of some sort in my life.

 

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Serving others. The simple act of doing things for others brings immeasurable joy into my life. It doesn't have to be a grandiose gesture. It can be something as simple as a phone call or message just noting that you care about them.  My next door neighbor is very lonely. It is not hard to see that.  I usually try to contact her in some way every day.  Sometimes it is just a greeting as I am coming or going. Often when I have baked or cooked something I will bring a bit of it over to her and then visit for a few minutes. It does not take a huge effort and I know she really appreciates it. A lot of the other ladies on the street get together regularly, but they do not include her.  I don't know why. Its really none of my business.  I just do what I can when I can and I would do the same for them.  No man is an island.

 

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Being able to appreciate the beauty of things, whether they are mine or not.  I am quite able to look at things and enjoy their beauty without having to own them. I love the pretty cup in this photograph and the color of that coffee machine.  I love the pale pink of that jug next to it, with the dainty flowers on it and the blooms in it.  Its just all so lovely and inspiring.

The positivity that each of you bring into my life.  Oh, there is sometimes someone who drips negativity, but that is a rare thing and for that I am grateful. For the most part you all share love and appreciation with me.  You are all very supportive and I can feel the love. In all likelihood we will never meet in person, but you are real to me, and I feel as if you are my friends.  I have been blessed by you.  My life has been enriched by your presence, by the thoughts and comments you leave. Small gifts to me. They mean a lot. I am often slow to respond, but that is only because I want to do so in a manner which befits the gift you have given me. I don't ever want my responses to be in haste, and so I respond as time allows me to and with care.   I do appreciate you, each and every one.  Even the silent you's.  I feel the love.  I know you are there.  I thank you for it.

A clean fridge, a cozy home, people and pets I can love, who love me back, you, prayer, my faith, good books to read, good music to listen to, good food to eat, positive things to watch  . . .  I do have an abundant and truly blessed life.

I do have a busy day ahead of me today. (Being busy is a special blessing.) I do need to pop to the store early to pick up a few bits and bobs, so that I can get the work done that I need to do and I am planning on having some face-time with Doug this afternoon as he is off work.  I am looking forward to that.  I will leave you with a thought to carry with you on this last day of September 2024.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

 *When I desperately want to know

why something hard is happening,

I remember, Jesus had all the answers,

and He still wept.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Coconut Overnight Oats. Simple and delicious and healthy. The perfect start to any day.

I hope that you have a beautiful day filled with love and abundance. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too! 

 

All things Nice . . .

 

 

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There is a tang to autumn air

As if the wine of Life were spilled

In every field and vacant lot;

A spicy brew pressed and distilled

From every tree and wayside hedge,

From every door and window ledge.

Across the orchard comes the breath

Of ripened fruit on tree and vine,

The tang of peaches over-ripe,

Apples as crisp as Bourbon wine,

Blue grapes in clusters honey sweet;

Dry leaves that crunch beneath your feet.

The odor of the sun-warmed earth,

Citrons and marrow, quince and dill,

The whiff of apple juice that drifts

Out from a home-made cider mill,

As picturesque as an old print,

Bright as new coppers in a mint.

The scent of bergamot and musk,

Was never lovelier I swear,

Then the rich smell of tree and vine,

That mingles in the autumn air,

When Earth is offering incense up,

Like red wine in a crystal cup.

~Edna Jacques, Fall Fragrance

Back Door Neighbors, 1946

I don't know how she does it, but every time I read a poem by Edna Jacques, it touches my soul, and speaks to my heart.  That is a special talent, to be able to weave words together in such a way as to touch the souls and hearts of others the way that she does.  

She is not alone. We are so blessed to have had many, many people through the years who have this same talent. When I think of all of the poets and writers through the ages, I am overcome with thankfulness. How much they have brightened the lives of others, helped to inspire people to think, carried us away into places we never would be able to visit, with experiences that we could only have experienced through the gentle weaving of their words.  

What a debt of gratitude we owe to these wordsmiths, who so gently entwine their prose around us and help us to see things with a different perspective, or who manage somehow to capture the very essence of our hearts, sight unseen.  My life has been greatly enhanced by their talents, as have all of ours. Shakespeare, Austin, Dickenson, Alcott, Wordsworth, Whitman . . .  the list goes on and on. How blessed we have been to have had access to all of their words.  

And now, today  . . .  at the tips of our fingers. No need to leave our homes or even our desks.  We live in a magical time . . . 

 

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And isn't this such a magical time of the year.  The sights, the smells, the sounds, the feels. Edna has captured it perfectly with her words.  Each day brings change as the nights begin to draw in even more and are shortened. I am now waking up in darkness once more, as well as going to bed in darkness. It is the time of year to bring out our candles and throws, and, if you are lucky enough to have a wood stove, to bring in the wood, and have a small fire on the odd evening that carries with it a chill.  

I did take my hummingbird feeder down this week as I had not seen any hummers for about 2 weeks.  It just seemed to be the right time. I doubt any stragglers will be through here any time soon. It is all cleaned up and put away for next year.

I have also had my gardens cleared out and bedded down for the winter.  I don't have much, just two strips of garden, one at the front and one at the back.  I hired the same girl who came to do it in the Spring. She does a beautiful job.  And she always does a bit extra.  This time she brought two mums to plant in the front so that it wouldn't look so bare.  She said that they should come up again next year.  That was so kind of her.

Isn't it wonderful that we live in a world where such kind people still exist??  People who go above and beyond what is expected of them. They embroider our lives with simple kindnesses. Would that everyone would be like that. What an amazing difference that would make in the world.

Cinnamon has the naughty habit of getting up to lay down on the top of the electric fireplace which sits beneath my television.  It does annoy me a bit as I then cannot control the channels, sound, etc. It is hidden behind her. I snapped her photo as she lay  there last night because she was looking so cute, but look  . ..  the words from the television behind her. I couldn't have planned it any better if I had tried.  This brought a smile to my face and I hope a smile to yours.

What would I do without those two furry creatures that share my home with me.  They have added an immeasurable amount of joy and interest.  I do so love them both very much.  

Nutmeg can be a very naughty boy however. He likes to sit on top of the same electric fire and he will try to pull things out from the top shelf.  He thinks he is being very clever, and I suppose in a way he is.  Just not in a way that I want him to be.

 

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I had planned on doing at least one video this week, but life conspired against me. On the day that I had planned on doing one, I ended up going to the emergency room.  I had not been feeling well all night the night before,  and it continued on through the morning. I finally called Cindy and told her I was not feeling well, and what the problem was. Heart palpitations, accompanied with an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, and I was sweating off and on. We decided I should go to the emergency room at the hospital here in town, while it was open. It is a lot closer than having to go to Kentville, which is about 45 minutes away, and if we waited too long, that is what we would have had to do. 

So off we went. I have to say they took very good care of me.  I was seen to almost immediately, and they did all the right things and tests.  In the end, it was the same as every other time I have gone. They could not find a reason for it. It was not my heart that they could see, but they are ordering a heart halter that you can wear overnight.  My father has had the same.  Its not that easy to sleep with it on, but you do what you have to do. It will take months probably before that comes through.

I was grateful that they didn't think it was my heart.  I did feel a bit sheepish at having wasted their time, but I had no way of knowing what it was or what it wasn't, and I believe I did the right thing. It is an awful way to feel when this happens, and when these symptoms begin you start feeling very anxious which only adds to it.

At least this time I did not add the cost of an ambulance drive to it.  I am so grateful for a loving and kind sister who willingly drops everything to come and help me out.  Whatever would I do without her.  I wish that there was some special kindness I could do for her.  She says I do enough for her, but I don't think that I do.

So, no video this week, but next week for sure.  

 

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I believe we are going to collaborate together on a book, my sister and I.  She is such a talented illustrator, and I have the words.  First we need to make a plan, which I am working on.  It will be a bit of a long process bringing it all to fruition, but here is hoping that we can pull it off, and I believe that we can do it.  I believe in the power of us.  It might just be a dream or a flight of fancy . . . but  . . .  you do need to have a dream in order to have a dream come true.  I think a collaboration between the two of us would be a wonderful legacy for our children.

Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions . . . 

And there never seems to be any end to them. 

That's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain 

to one ambition 

you see another one glittering higher up still. 

It does make life so interesting.

~Anne Shirley (L.M. Montgomery)

What would life be without dreams or ambitions.

 

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One thing I need to work harder on, or to make space for in my life, is a bit of self-nurturing. I have not done much of that in my life.  I have spent the lion's share of my life caring for and nurturing others.  Perhaps that is a woman's lot in life . . . to care for others.  Since the age of 19 when I had my first child, I have been caring for others. Perhaps even before that as I had the responsibility of caring for my younger brother and sister not too long after my mother went back to work when I was 11. She employed a few women at first to do it, but they did not work out, so when I turned 13 it was decided that I could do what they had not really been doing. 

In any case, now that I find myself living on my own, it is the perfect time for me to begin practicing a bit of self-nurturing for myself, and I don't mean that in a selfish way. Perhaps it is when we truly care for ourselves, it is possible that we end up caring more profoundly about other people . . .  that the more sensitive we allow ourselves to be to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can actually be towards others.

But how does that start.  I think at first by small things and  simple rituals.  Maybe not much more than ten or twenty minutes of time a day needs to be spent.  Time in which we close off everything from the outside world . . .  perhaps  indulging in our favorite cup of herbal tea and some quiet time . . .  free from the demands of the noise from the  outside our doors and the television, etc.

One thing which I really do enjoy is organizing things. I love the clean and fresh way that things look afterwards. It really brightens my soul.  

Adding special touches here and there to a room, even if it is only a few tealights to add a special glow, or a new pillow cover. Small joys and comforts.

An hour here and there spent doing something which you really enjoy doing that is just for you and for nobody else . . .  all in the aid of self-nurturing.

 

This week I purchased some little tealight holders in amber glass and some battery tealights for in them.  These tealights are on timers.  They go off automatically after six hours, which I thought was a nice touch.  They added a special touch of cozy to that corner of my home where you come into the front door.  I think it is a corner which brings me joy.  My bookcase full of my inspirational books, with the curtain across. Luna Lapin with the outfit that my sister sewed for her.  My geranium, my father's old clock, the Bee hanging from my friend Mary, and now the tea lights. I do believe that corner is done, and I fed my soul in the process.

Do yourself a favor and fall into the world of Kristen and Joerg.  I have been watching their videos on YouTube. They are completely charming and I feel such a sense of peace and calm when I am watching them. They seem like very sweet people and totally in love with each other. Oh, I know that we only catch a small glimpse of their lives on their channel, but there are far worse ways to waste your time, and I come away with a smile in my heart every time I watch them.  They are truly something nice. They make me smile in a big way

And finally I have to show you my sister's two youngest cats. They do not look like kittens any longer.  That is Gus on top, keeping Sully (on the bottom) in place. Probably giving him a bath. Gus is the one I fell in love with his photograph on Facebook and showed to my sister as I knew she would love him also. And Dan fell in love with Sully, well, they both did . . . with his white paws and little black toe beans.  They are both siblings from the same litter. Gus has a really interesting personality.  

Ahh cats  . . .  we are cat ladies.  Sometimes I think I would like to get another kitten, but then I slap myself and remind myself that I have quite enough to cope with with the two cats I already have.

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

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

 *.˛.Autumn is a place

where words fall short.

It is magic that must be felt,

breathed, experienced

and treasured.•。★★ 。* 。

~Laura Jaworski° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Pear & Chocolate Sponge Pudding, served warm with homemade custard. Cozy. Cozy. COZY.  This is quite wonderful.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, filled with all sorts of nice things and good people. Whatever you get up to, be blessed, and safe, and don't forget!!

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And I do too!    

   

My Friday Finds . . .

 

A few of the things  I find each week that pique my interest, bring me joy, inspire me to learn, create, do, become . . . maybe they will do the same for you!

 

Swaddle Pals. Susan B Anderson on Ravelry. These are so cute.

Eight by Six (Amanda Hurrell) on Instagram.  I can't tell you how many of these blankets I have made.  At least 10.  I love them.

Tiny Little Goose. GrayBearAkswokrat on Etsy. so cute.

Ravelry.  Cat Cushion pattern. by Sue Speechly.  I love it.

Crochet Fall Garland. The Caffeinated Snail.

Cat Needlebook Pattern. Etsy.  so cute! Three of my loves. Needlebooks. Cats. Embroidery.

Solid Scrap Granny Pillow.  Mallory Krall on Ravelry.  Great way to use up scraps!

Sew Your Own Sausage Dog.  BeaKindByBea

Pleasant School House. How to make a vintage pillow.

 

Purl Soho.  Ric Rac Napkins.

Fresh Dewdrops.  A pretty little runner made from scraps.

Farm Chicks.  Make your own dish towels from vintage table cloths.

Lacreative Mama How To Give Fabric a Vintage look.

Yo Yo's and scraps, buttons etc.  Just because. No source.

Happy Cats. Ann Wood.  Love Ann Wood.

Good Morning Big Fluffy.  Cute pin cushion.

Another Just Because. I couldn't find the source.  Cute.

And those are my finds for this week. I hope something caught your eye here. I just love pretty and cute.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *I hope I can be the Autumn leaf
who looked at the sky and lived.
And when it was time to leave,
gracefully it knew life was a gift.
~Dodinsky ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

There is nothing new in the kitchen today, so I am sharing my recipe for Simple British Malt Loaf. There probably isn't a cupboard in the U.K. that doesn't have one of these sitting in it to enjoy. Homemade is even better.  

I hope that you have a beautiful day.  Whatever you get up to I hope you stay safe and are happy. Be blessed.  Don't forget!

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And I do too!