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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It seems our world these days is filled with voices that shout and jar and lie and cause massive discomfort.  I would much rather listen to that still small voice that whispers peace and goodness to my heart. Life is much better, calmer . . .  when I let that voice be the one which prevails. I can remember having to memorize the 23rd Psalm for my Religion in Life Badge in Girl Guides. I was 11 years old at the time. I am now 69, an old woman . . . 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

It still brings calm and peace to my soul by way of a still small voice.

 

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Hello March.  March lambs, March Hares . . .  the Spring Equinox . . . so much to look forward to. With days that are getting noticeably longer and that tiny bit warmer.  Well not today (it is -12*C/10*F) but there is a warming trend to be seen.  On Sunday next, here in North America, the clocks spring forward.  Our mornings will be dark again, but our evenings will be a bit lighter. The snow is melting, little by little. There will be days when we will have a few, maybe even a lot, more flakes . . .  but their days are numbered. Spring is on it's way.

 

Mary Oliver, from Worm Moon

in Twelve Moons

So much to look forward to. We have so much to look forward to.  Let us dwell on that and find our place of peace.

 

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I got to Cindy's for supper last night. She had made the most delicious Lentil Soup. I am still thinking about it this morning. I will have to get the recipe from her.  We enjoyed that with crusty bread and then for dessert the nicest pineapple in coconut water with some squirty cream on top. It was all so delicious. I was so pleased to finally be able to get there after a few weeks of not being able to do so. Family dinners are the best.

 

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Church yesterday. First Sunday of the month. Fast and Testimony meeting.  An opportunity to partake of the sacrament and then to bear one's testimony. It was nice.  I had been going through my dresser drawers at the weekend and I came across my Missionary badge from when I served my Mission in the U.K. and I was thinking about how nice it had been to be able to wear the badge and represent the Savior in that way.  But, each Sunday when we partake of the Sacrament, we promise to take the Lord's name upon us that we might always remember Him.  We can still wear His name, and others around us will know us by the way we bear His name in our countenance and in the way we live our lives.  It's a good thing as Martha would say. W may not have a badge that is physically tangible, but we can still wear the Savior's name and should.

 

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Remembering the U.K. and how the daffodils would already be up and blooming in March. March 1st Saint David's Day in Wales. There was a roundabout on the way to our chapel in Wales that was filled with lovely daffodils this time of year.  All the verges on the motorway, etc.  So pretty.

I should plant some daffodils in the autumn this year so that I can enjoy them next Spring. They bear such a sunny countenance.

 

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It's pancake day tomorrow. Will you be making pancakes?  I will. I think I will make enough to bring over to Sheila and bring her a little pot of Maple syrup to enjoy with them. That will be fun.

 

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The Tabernacle Choir and Sunday afternoons. Such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon. My crochet hook in hand and my growing squares for my blanket.  Their beautiful voices surrounding me.  Nutmeg lying next to me with his soft little snores.  Cinnamon laying behind me on the back of the sofa.  What a bliss filled way to spend an afternoon. 

 

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How beautiful is this. Now I need to find a wooden hanger. But where would I put it. I am sure I would find a place. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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The most beautiful sunset that I was able to witness on my way home from Cindy's last evening.  I love sunsets and sunrises. I can remember driving over to the shore with mom one time to see the sun set over the Bay of Fundy. That is a sweet and happy memory.  I am grateful for sweet and happy memories.

 

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Sometimes I need only to stand right

where I am to be blessed.

~Mary Oliver

Now I need to make some paper stars. A simple thing, but how beautiful . . . 

 

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“Sometimes,' said Pooh,

 'The smallest things take up

 the most room in your heart.” 

~ A.A. Milne

Small things. It's the little things which matter most. They may seem insignificant, but they really do matter. A hot drink. A warm blanket. A furry cuddle. Soft music. A good book. A phone conversation with a much beloved friend. Time to sew or crochet or cook. Time spent with family. Time to play.  It's all good and pretty wonderful.

I am blessed.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

*.˛.°We can complain because

rose bushes have thorns,

or we can rejoice because

thorn bushes have roses.

~Alphonse Karr° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Individual Chicken Pot Pies.   You can make either a larger sized delicious pie to feed four to six people or smaller individual ones. It's up to you. 

I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing with small and wonderful things. Things which bring you joy and put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.  Don't worry. Be happy. Don't forget!

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And I do too!