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. 

Its a very misty day out there this morning, but its going to be a good day. Mom always said that a misty morning meant a good day was in the offing. They are still managing to hold the fires, and the fires are not progressing, so that's a good thing. A very good thing.

 

(source)

I really do not know what I would do without my sister to help me out. I appreciate her so very much and not just because she helps me so much, but also because I love her and she is my best friend. You could not ask for a better friend. Loyal, trustworthy, faithful. She is the kind of friend anyone could ever hope to have.

On Saturday I opened my refrigerator to get something out and it was full of gnats. I just sat down and cried and cried. I had hit my gnat low.  I called Cindy in desperation. She came over, armed with those pest strips. She helped me to clean out my refrigerator and get rid of everything. Hung up the strips, etc.

There are a lot less gnats in the house today, two days later. I don't know how I would have coped with that daunting task without her.  I really don't. 

Being able to go to church, partake of the sacrament, listen to the talks, sing the hymns, go to Relief Society and learn and share thoughts with the other sisters in the Branch, etc.  Sunday's fill me with hope in a world where hope is becoming increasingly scarce. My faith sustains me.

 

(This is not a photo of my niece, just the book with

the books author and subject)

My niece illustrated a children's book and it is doing well.  I am so proud of her.  She is such a talented artist. It looks really cute. You can purchase the book here.  Artistic talents clearly run in the family. My sister is a fabulous artist in her own right.

I have a pear to prove it.  I love my sister's work so much. I bought this painting from her shortly after I moved into my place. I just thought it was phenomenal. I hope she doesn't mine me showing it to you. I consider it to be one of my great treasures.

The other day when the guy was here to clean my car, this scamp got spooked and ran into the bathroom and jumped in behind my washing machine and dryer again. Thankfully I was able to get him out without help this time. I have kept my bathroom door closed ever since. I need to get a shelf built to put over it to prevent this from happening again.

I am so grateful for my comfy little home. Finding this place was a real blessing to me. It's just the right size. I could not cope with anything larger.  

On a side note, I love my window candles.  They make me feel super cozy.

 

Sunday afternoons with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I always put them onto my YouTube when I get home from church, and my afternoon is filled with warmth, comfort and good uplifting music.  I find listening to them very peaceful.  I always listen to one or two hymns sung by them at night in bed as well, after I say my prayers. I find them on the Gospel Library App under music. 

One of the highlights in my life was when I got to go to Salt Lake City and then got to attend Music and the Spoken Word in the Tabernacle at Temple Square and see them sing in person. It was a pretty wonderful experience.

Cinnamon had a sore eye earlier last week and it seems to have completely healed. I was worried. It looked like it had gotten scratched.  Cindy had some eye ointment from one of her cats and we applied it once and the eye is looking great. Thank goodness. I wasn't able to get a Vet appointment until the 26th. I am going to cancel that now. I don't need it. Why spend money I don't need to spend.

I, too, am grateful for my cup.  

I am grateful for the perspective I have on life.  For being able to see the beauty of small and wonderful things. Things many people might take for granted. I see them for the blessings that they are. Serving and being served. There is great value in these small and simple things and actions.

I was up about an hour later this morning. I had a bit of a lie in for me. That happens sometimes it was almost 6:30 before I opened my eyes.  I was grateful for the gift of one more day. I hope I use it well.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

*Learning is not attained by chance;

it must be sought for with ardor 

and attended to with diligence.

~Abigail Adams

In The English Kitchen today a round up of my favorite Traditional British Teatime Bakes. With all of the hubbub going on in my kitchen as of late with the gnats, etc. I had not been able to get anything new cooked to share. There are a lot less of them this morning, so hopefully I have turned a corner! (Fingers crossed!)

I do hope your day and your week ahead is filled with an abundance of small and wonderful things. Can you believe we have reached the middle of September?  Wasn't it just Labor-Day? Whatever . . .  don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════     

And I do too!    

   

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. 

So, this happened yesterday.  It was pretty much misting off and, on all day, but by the time I went to drive home from Cindy's place after supper it had turned into full on rain. I had to drive home with my windshield washers on. Our whole church stake had held a fast and prayer for rain and help yesterday. I am not saying that this was the result of that fast and prayer effort. Many people have been praying. I am saying this was the answer to many prayers.  We need more for sure, but this was a great boost. 

The update on the fires yesterday was still burning out of control, but they were gaining ground on it, which is encouraging.

A bad air quality advisory is still in effect for today.

These Guinea Hens have been visitors to the area pretty much every morning. I don't know where they are coming from, but you can pretty much count on them to show up without fail.  They usually head across the main road to the motel area. The big green colored house over there has some pretty large feeders, and they head right for those. I could see them enjoying themselves under it as we left for church yesterday.  I am surprised that none of them have been hit by a car as that is a pretty busy road. Let us hope that none of them ever do get hit. Fingers crossed.

 

(source)

The opportunity to attend church and partake of the sacrament, renewing my Covenants with the Lord.  To listen to the various testimony's being born by the members. To commune with the Saints and to fellowship together.  This is always a great beginning or ending to the week, depending on how you look at it.  A nice jolt of energy to my spiritual battery. I would add my testimony to the others that I know Christ lives. I just don't believe in Him, but I believe Him and all that He said and did. I know He will come again, and I hope to be ready for Him when He does. I love Him. I trust in Him and His teachings, and I try to live my life according to them. God is good.

 

(source)

I see signs of it appearing everywhere, not just the early Autumn imposed by the drought, but a sincere Autumn. More leaves are turning and starting to fall now. I love the Autumn. It is one of my favorite seasons. Not just because of the colors and smells.  I love the cooler nights and I love the feelings, the anticipation of cozy. And if there is one thing you all must know about me by now, it is that I love cozy.

 

(source)

Sunday dinner with the family.  I love to gather together around some good food and enjoy each other's company. It was good to see Dad back at the table. He had a really good day yesterday.

My sister made him a really good breakfast in the morning. Toast, bacon, eggs. He was very happy with that. Usually on Sunday's he goes out for breakfast, but this week he stayed at home. (I personally would not like to see him driving himself anywhere just yet.)  Then yesterday afternoon he would not stay home so Cindy took him to Tim Hortons for his cup of tea and donut. He was quite tired last night, but still ate a good supper.  Mashed potatoes, shake and bake chicken wings and corn and then some banana bread, buttered, for dessert. He is using the walker in the house. Thank goodness, but he didn't want to use it yesterday when he went out. 

He is doing good though and we are happy that he is out of the hospital, and back where he belongs.

 

(source)

This is a very busy week this week. I have my toenail person tomorrow morning and then I have the guy coming to detail my car on Wednesday morning. Thursday we are supposed to have lunch with my cousin and no doubt on Friday, dad will want to go to the mall with his friend Maryann.  Now that he has been to Tim Hortons anything goes. We will not be successful in keeping him down I don't think, not for long anyways. 

I believe there are fewer gnats in the house this morning, but I had a whole weekend of routing them out. I will persevere and keep at it. Hopefully in time they will all be gone. This can't last forever.

 

This little guy and the many ways he charms my heart daily. His sister too. They bless my life in so many ways. Would not be without them. 

They bring endless amounts of joy into my life.

Faith, family, friends, home, love.  I am living a life abundantly filled with the things that matter most.

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day. I have a lot to get done today, and I want to go to the grocery store early. I also need to make an appointment to have my car safety done in October and I might as well have my winter tires put on at the same time.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

*We can easily forgive a child

who is afraid of the dark,

the real tragedy of life is when

men are afraid of the light.

~Plato  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole.  Simple. Delicious. Great for company or for family.  Anywhere, any time. I am enjoying the fresh veggies that are available locally at the moment!

I hope that you have a lovely day.  Whatever you get up to, I hope it brings you joy and that you week ahead is filled with a multitude of small and wonderful things. Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════     

And I do too!    

   

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. 

 

(source)

Latest Fire Update as of yesterday at noon.

The Long Lake wildfires complex is still out of control. The new estimated size is 8,465 hectares, based on more precise measurement. There are no new reports of damage. Favorable weather is helping crews make good progress, but they have not yet completed a line around the entire fire zone. Fire breaks along some sections of the perimeter are nearing completion. Work is focused on the northern end of the fire to prevent spread toward communities and allow firefighters to advance from the outside in to fight the fire. The aim is to get evacuees home as soon as possible.

It is a great blessing that there has been no loss of life. Other communities are rallying together to help those who have lost their homes. I believe that there have been 20 homes lost. This is a great opportunity for good people to step up and do something to help others, and many people are doing just that. Volunteering to feed and care for the people who are fighting the fire. Donating food, water, etc. Providing places for those who have been evacuated to shelter in and for their animals, etc. Donating financial aid. etc.

It does the heart good to see everyone stepping up.

 

(source)

Dad continues to improve. They have concluded that he had some sort of viral infection and that his gall bladder is full of stones. He has had a bit of discomfort since the procedure that they did on Friday.  A bit of pancreatitis, I think. My sister knows more than I do. I tend to forget things almost as soon as I am told them.  I am not sure why that is. Epstein Barr? In any case, each day sees a bit of improvement. He is very tired of course. He has been sitting up in the chair a lot of the time now and was actually wearing his pajamas when we went in yesterday morning but was back to his hospital gown last night. He is on a liquid diet. For now. They have two choices, tomato soup or mushroom soup. He gets one or the other for his lunch or his supper.  He likes soup so that's okay and he is not really hungry anyways, he says. Although I am sure his eyes would light up if a Buddy Burger appeared on his tray. He has a roommate again. This man seems to be very elderly, with breathing problems, and I do not think his family appreciate us being there. We are a bit loud, but that is only because we need to speak loud in order for dad to hear. I noticed that shortly after we arrived last evening, the man's daughter asked him if he wanted her to take his hearing aids out.

They say dad will be in hospital for another week or two.

I am grateful for all of the nurses, etc. who are caring for him so diligently.

 

(source)

I didn't get to church yesterday but I was able to listen to Music & the Spoken Word on YouTube. I love that program. It is very uplifting and inspiring. It's good to fill your mind with these types of things, I think.  I do enjoy listening to the Tabernacle Choir.

 

(source)

Happy September. We are in the "brr" months now. Things will be cooling down, which will help with the fires a lot.  Also we may, HOPEFULLY, start to get more precipitation, which will also help. I do love the "brr" months. It is my favorite time of year with the changing colors, temperatures, etc.  Already it is getting darker noticeably earlier and will do even more so when the clocks go back in early November. That is a long way off. 

I do wish that they would leave the time as is and not keep switching it the way that they do.

I took this photograph of Cinnamon at the weekend. She was sleeping in her tunnel, but her hind legs and tail were hanging out one of the windows in the tunnel. I thought it was funny.  Kind of like me kicking the blankets off my legs and feet in the night because it is too warm in bed.

What would I do without these two little bundles of love and energy in my life. Things would certainly be a bit more boring I guess.  They do add a certain element of excitement to my days and nights. I love them to pieces.

 

(source)

Having a pet, any kind of pet, adds an element of joy into most people's lives. Its undeniable. That's why most care homes will have a resident cat.  It's good for the cat who gets very loved up and it's good for the residents.

 

(source)

I had a message from someone this morning saying that if I continued to show ads on the food page pertaining to Ice, they would not continue to support the blog. First of all, I do not control the types of ads people see. Those are chosen according to the things the viewer has already shown interest in. So, this person had to have been viewing political stuff.  Secondly, if you do not like a certain ad, you can click on the x in the corner of the ad and it will shut that type of ad down. 

That is the way the internet works. The www is always gathering information from you. Every time you click on a site, or show an interest in something.  What you see on my page, other than the food and the recipes, is nothing to do with me, but something which has been geared to reflect your own internet browsing history.

I don't even know what Ice is. As far as I am concerned it is something you get when you freeze water.

Yes, I am really that ignorant, and I really do NOT watch or read the news as much as I can help it.

 

(source)

Apple season. The early varieties should soon start to appear in the farm shops and with them, pumpkins, squash, etc. I love this time of year!

And once more I wish to express my gratitude for my faith, my home, my family, my friends and all of you!  My life is filled with abundance.

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

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

*"The summer has been splendid, 

but it has lasted long enough. 

This morning I welcomed 

the chill in the air.” 

~A.A. Milne  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today, a tasty Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Toastie. Such a satisfying sandwich. Nice and crisp and buttery. I do love a tasty toastie!

I hope that you have a beautiful day filled with lots of small and wonderful blessings and that indeed your whole week ahead is as well. Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════     

And I do too!    

   

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. 

It's very difficult to be in a blind panic here at the moment. This was yesterday afternoon, looking South down the #10 highway.  We were plagued all night with a heavy smell of smoke as the wildfires burning south of us raged out of control. The air was thick with smoke and ash has been falling. It has felt very much like Armageddon.  I hardly slept all Saturday night because of the smell and the fear. 

At Cindy's place there were huge chunks of ash and burnt leaves falling into the yard. 

The sky was like an orange ball in the sky. I don't know what the other orb is. Perhaps the moon?  I have my bag packed. The car is loaded with water, cat food, litter, etc. My tank almost full of gas although I may go out today and top it up just in case.  

The fires are about 25km away, but it is moving rapidly. We did not get any rain from the hurricane, just high winds which exacerbated the fires.  We need help here in Nova Scotia. Our firefighters are exhausted, and it just keeps growing.  We also need rain. A little bit is expected today, but it will not be enough. We need some rain that will be prolonged and not a deluge as the ground is so dry now it would cause flash floods. We just need a gentle, prolonged, sustained rain.

My church is fasting and praying for help, rain, etc. I am grateful for the power of prayer and fasting.

It is hard to feel calm.  But I am trying.

Dan came on Saturday and scrubbed the siding of the hose, as well as my garage door inside and out.  The landlord came and did it the first year I was here, but nobody has come to do it since, and it had gotten quite bad. He did a wonderful job. While he was out there doing it, several neighbors came over wanting to know what he charged. I told him he could have himself a little business going there if he put up a notice on the bulletin board at the local shops to do handy work for local Seniors.  There re lots of us who need help with things, things that we are unable to do for ourselves. He is supposed to go tomorrow and do Jacquie's house for her and sweep out her garage. 

What a blessing it is to have someone to do such things for me.  I am grateful.

While Dan was working outside, Cindy was inside and she helped to trim the cat's nails. Also their flea treatments.  I keep the doors closed to the other rooms so that they can't hide under the bed.  These are not their favorite things to have happen to them. 

We thought we were done, but noticed that some of the flea treatment had spilled down Nutmeg's back so we had a piece of paper towel to clean it off. I had already opened the doors not thinking anything about it. As soon as he saw the paper towels, he took off into the bathroom and jumped in behind the washing machine and dryer. When he was a kitten and did that I would hang a towel over the back of the dryer, and he would crawl up it to get out. He weighs 17 pounds now and we had just cut his nails so there was nothing to grab a towel with.  And he couldn't turn around enough to be able to get enough leverage to jump back up.

Dan moved the washer out some to give him more room.  I ended up having to drop a case of Kleenex behind the washer so he could jump up onto that and then out of the space.  He looked so pitiful as I was looking down at him. His eyes were pleading "get me out of here."  

Never a dull moment. It's all go here.

So grateful we were able to get him out safely.

I was grateful for the opportunity to go to church yesterday morning and partake of the sacrament.  Even though I had only slept for 3 hours Saturday night, I was also able to give my talk. It was well received.  And I was just glad to get it over with.

I do enjoy going to church. It is a great way to renew my spiritual batteries and a great beginning to any week.

 

(source)

I am grateful for my wee little home. I don't need a mansion to be content.  I am thankful for all that I have and I know it is more than enough.  I long for nothing more than what I already have. It brings me peace and contentment. I lack nothing. 

I really hope and pray that it stays safe. 

Yesterday, it felt as if we were in a War Zone. It was a terrible feeling. I don't know how people cope.  I really don't.  As a planet. We need to smarten up. We need to just be happy with what we have and use some of that to help those people who have not.  We need to make peace, not war. To love and not hate. To share of our abundance so that everyone has enough. 

I really don't have a lot more to say this morning. I am grateful for what I am and what I have, for this life I am living.  For my family. For my faith. For my health and my home. 

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

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

*Always walk through life

as if you have something 

new to learn and you will.

~Vernon Howard° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today, Ham & Cheese Quesadilla. This was simply delicious.

I hope you have a truly beautiful day.  Stay safe, be happy, be blessed. Please pray for all who are being affected by wildfires, etc. This is going on all over, not just here in Nova Scotia. Pray for our planet.

Don't forget!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ════════════     

And I do too!    

   

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. 

We did get a bit of rain throughout the night, but we need much, much more. It was not enough.  The wildfire south of us is still spreading. We will need several protracted days of rain. I am so grateful for all of the firefighters who continue to work diligently to try to bring it under control. It has more than doubled in size over the past two days.

I am grateful for the rain that we did get last night, but please God, we need some more.

Cinnamon last night giving me her love eyes just before bedtime. She knows that her night treats are imminent.

And in the meantime, this was the scene from the other side. He also knows treat-time is imminent.  

I am so grateful for these two companions of mine.  Yes, that saying is true about cats having slaves. But I am a happy slave to these two sweet babies.

Being able to attend church and partake of the sacrament. To listen to the talks, sing the hymns and fellowship with the Saints. Over recent months the church has added some new hymns to our hymn book. I love the choices that they have made.  Yesterday we sang one of the newer ones, "I'm Gonna Live."   It is the kind of song that makes you want to tap your toes. It is an African American Spiritual song.

I love all of the newest hymns that the church has decided to add to the hymnal.  My favorite is "His Eye is on the Sparrow," but in truth I love them all.  Worshipping my Heavenly Father in song is one of my favorite things to do.

 

(source)

I've gotten my talk pretty much written. I sat down later on Saturday afternoon and wrote it. All I have to do now is to go over it a few times and refine it.  I am grateful for this opportunity I have been given to spend this time digging deep into my spiritual well for apples of gold. It is a great exercise in being able to verbally tap the wellspring of goodness that has been sprinkled through my life and to share it with others.

 

(source)

It was nice yesterday to get to spend some time with Glenna in the car and in church. Jacqueline was not there, so I called her after I got home to see how she was. She has had a bad cold this past week and is still not feeling 100%.  Since her stroke and the operation she had afterwards, she has struggled a bit.  I think her immune system has taken a knock. It is taking her a bit longer to recover after things like this.  Rest is what she needs most.

It was nice to see my friend Christine in church yesterday also.  Glenna, Christine and I have plans to go out to lunch one day this week.  I look forward to that.

 

(source)

I also spent some time yesterday afternoon talking to my friend Val who lives in Colorado, via facetime.  Just a voice call.  It was lovely to hear her voice and to talk over the happenings in each other's lives. We had not spoken in person for quite some time.  It was really nice. We have vowed to do it again soon.  

Friendships are one of God's greatest gifts.

 

(source)

Family is another one of God's greatest gifts and I am so grateful for mine.  My older sons who stay in touch to make sure I am okay, my oldest daughter also. My sister, who is not just my sister but my best friend. My brother who keeps in touch daily and makes us smile with his wit and whimsey.

He was doing a day camp with the children at his church along with his wife all last week. He posted photos daily of all their goings on.  He's such a great guy, always giving back to his community, and his family for that matter.

Grateful for my father also.  We took him out with his friend Maryann last Thursday. He also stops by periodically to have the odd impromptu visit with me.

Family.  I am grateful for mine.

 

(source)

Every day may not be a good day, and I do have my struggles for sure, but I am grateful for the good that I am able to find in every day. This is in no way a small blessing.  It is like the icing on this cake called life that I am truly grateful for.

Faith, family, friends, home, pets, health.  Each one of you.  Your love and your prayers. I am indeed blessed beyond measure.

These small and wonderful things, they are not really so small . . . 

A thought to carry with you . . . 

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

*It's better to have a heart without words,

than to have words without a heart.

~Mahatma Gandhi° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

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

 

In The English Kitchen today I am sharing Five Easy Weeknight Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love.  Delicious, economical and easy to make. Perfect for these last busy days of summer.

I hope your day is filled with light and with love. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!