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 love my sister. She is everything to me. My best friend. My confident. My sister.  Loves me unconditionally and I love her in the same way.  She is always willing and ready to drop everything and come to my aid.  I do the same for her, but she never seems to need me as much as I need her! lol Yesterday morning when I was feeding the cats, Nutmeg got over-excited at the prospect of eating (as he was just so starving to death you know), and gave me a nasty bite on my left calf. He punctured the skin in two places, and it was really bleeding.  I got that stopped (after giving him a really cross talking to), but it was still leaking without going into further detail.  Cindy drove over in her pajamas to have a look at it and we got it cleaned up and dressed. I spent most of the rest of the day with my leg raised to try to get it to stop.  I am so grateful for this wonderful sister of mine.  She deserves a medal for what she does for both me and my father.

On a side note, I have fashioned a newspaper baton, reinforced with masking tape to bat Nutmeg away if he tries to do this again. He is just really hungry and anxious in the morning until I get him fed.  There are two bowls of dry food out for them all night so it's not like he is really hungry. He's just a greedy cat.  And male. I love him anyways, and he loves me. It was not meant to be malicious. 

 

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When I went to my sisters for supper yesterday, Dan had put up all the outdoor Christmas lights. I forget how many he said he had, something like 350.  They were quite cheerful to see.  A lot of people are putting up their outdoor lights and decorations now.  Very festive.

 

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Yesterday was the Primary Presentation at church.  Our children's Sunday school for children under the age of 12 is called Primary.  Once a year they put on a little presentation during Sacrament Meeting to show us what they have been learning all year.  It's always been one of my favorite meetings.  We have a very small Primary here in our Branch. The Youth always help to fill in the spaces, give little talks as well and help to sing the songs.  It was really wonderfully done.  I love to hear the children singing their hymns, etc.

I was not able to go because of my leg, but I did watch it on Zoom. I am so grateful for modern technology which helped me to do so.

 

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The tenacity of the human spirit.  This is the part of us that is divine. You can knock us down, but we don't stay down.  There is something in us which enables us to rise up and just keep going.  This survival instinct.  This ability to go on.  We live in such a broken world, and yet we are strengthened daily by the examples of people who do not let it break them. Who survive and even triumph despite all the odds against them.

I watched a film yesterday called Cabrini. It was about a Catholic missionary, Francesca Cabrini who migrates to New York City in the late 1800's along with some fellow sisters to help take care of poor Italian immigrants.  What an amazing example of tenacity she was, never taking "no" for an answer.  After she died, she was canonized, making her the first American Saint, her order having spread throughout the world, including China 

I watched it on the Angel ap.

 

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Christmas films bring a bit of light and nonsense to the world.  I watched one this weekend on Netflix.  Hot Frosty.  It was cute.  A bit of a fairy tale.  

 

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I am slowly progressing on my sewing project. I will have to kick it up a notch now if I am to get it finished. I can do it.

And I finally got a star cookie cutter.  Watch this space.

 

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I got my video done and uploaded to YouTube.   It's my Christmas Cake recipe. I did it on Saturday.  Can you believe that it took a full 28 hours to upload to the site?  Unbelievable. So much for High-speed internet!  Anyways it is up now and you can watch it here. My cake is now resting in its cake tin where I will feed it for a few weeks before decorating it for Christmas.  It smells some good.

Now all I have to do is figure out how I am going to decorate it. I have my thinking cap on.

 

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I am grateful that the news from my brother's scan is not as bad as it could have been. I think everything has been caught relatively early and it will be quite treatable.  Here is hoping at any rate!  I thank you so much for your continued prayers.  They are very much appreciated.

 

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A wonderful facetime with Doug and his boys on Saturday, which was Doug's birthday.  I got to see Jon with his new haircut as well.  Jake thanked me for his Birthday card which got there on time, along with Doug's.  It was just a nice way to spend some time. Love my boys.

 

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I have a lot to be thankful for on this last week of November, 2024.  I have come a long way since I arrived back in Canada, quite broken in November of 2020.  I still have my moments where I feel incredibly sad about things, but those moments are few and far between now. I note my blessings daily and am grateful for everything in my life, even the bad stuff, because that is how I have been able to grow and progress, and to become a better person.  I do not take anything for granted. I know that, but for the grace of God, go I, and He has been very good to me.   I have many "pinch me" moments when I take note of how far I have come. I have a lovely and comfortable home.  I am surrounded by family who love me. I have a job.  I have two sweet furry companions.  I have my faith which supports and sustains me through all things.  I have the love and the support of a myriad of invisible friends who help to keep me afloat and going.  I am and have been truly blessed.

I have all that I need and want for nothing. Truly.

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

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

 *.˛.Flexible people

never get

bent out of shape.

~unknown  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today, Chili-in-a-Bowl.   I found this recipe in an old cookbook of mine, and I downsized it. It is for a crisp and savory simple non-yeasted bread bowl, almost like a choux pastry. You bake them and then fill them with a quick and easy beef chili.  Altogether quite delicious!

I hope that you have a lovely day.  Whatever you get up to I hope it makes you happy and that you feel blessed.  Don't forget!

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And I do too!