Simply Sunday - Emily Dickinson on Love

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Who has not found the heaven below

Will fail of it above.

God's residence is next to mine,

His furniture is love.

~ Emily Dickinson

Mmmm... pondering this.....

If I imagine God's love is like furniture in his heavenly realm,

then every time I sit or lay down,

I can sink into His perfect love for me.

I feel the comfort....the cozy....the protection...... the bliss!

Sunny Afternoon Nap

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap. ~ Barbara Jordan

Sun beams stream into the living room -- the mellowness of the day makes it easy to succumb to the the warm seduction of a nap.

For me, there's nothing quite so luxurious as having the freedom to let yourself drift off for a few moments in the middle of the day.  The heaviness of drooping eyelids seem to outweigh the book wavering in one's hand as the head drops to one side in delightful snooze.  

Miss Kitty has been calling me.... seems she's been feeling the pull for a nap too and wants me to join her.   I can't say no, can I?

Wishing you a pleasant afternoon!

The Child In Me

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

For a few minutes yesterday, I felt almost eight years old again.

I was leafing through the bold and fun looking pages of the American Girl magazine; I had bought a copy  to include in my young niece's birthday gift.  The magazine, aimed towards girls ages 8 though 14, includes articles, fiction, arts and crafts, party plans and projects, quizzes and all manner of activity ideas.

Dare I admit it, I almost wanted to go back to the store and get my own copy!  For as I read, I felt  the stirring of my happy girlhood memories.  The joy of remembering those simple, innocent childhood pursuits.

What I've discovered (maybe you have too), we are never too old to rekindle those pleasures... even if only for a few minutes before we put on our grown up faces again.  Maybe that's why God gives us nieces and granddaughters, so we can enjoy them all over again.

I still get pleasure in........ 

Playing with paper dolls

-- and creating a make belief world for them;

Browsing through the children's section of a bookstore;

Borrowing children's picture books from the library

-- and letting my imagination go with the flow;

Sitting down with a new box of wax crayons

and a thick coloring book chock full of exciting choices --

(I mean, wasn't that half the fun, deciding what to color first?);

Where has your mind happily skipped off to in reading my list?

Joyfully,

 
 

Something In The Air

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

We knew something was up yesterday.... when my nephew had to don his large parka and gloves to do BBQ duty for supper last evening.  There was a decided bite in the air.

  

Looks like it will be the last one for this season... BTW, the burgers and cedar planked salmon he BBQ'd were a hit as we celebrated a family birthday.

Peering out my study window this morning, this is what arrived in our corner of the world.

 

Mr. Magpie doesn't seem to mind.  He hops down on the feeder, picks up a seed and flies to a higher branch of a nearby tree.  Back and forth, back and forth, till he flies off.

 

Mmmm..... do you think it's too early for the Christmas music?

Enjoying the beauty of our first day of snow!

 

Simply Sunday - A Dog and His Man

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good...

who gives food to every creature.

Psalm 136

I first saw this video on The French Elements, which by the way is a lovely new blog I found.  The video was so cute I went in search for it on YouTube so I I could share with you!

Wishing you grace for the day!

Favorite Snoozle Spots

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Cats truly have one of life's great pleasures figured out.  And Miss Kitty is ahead of the class on that one, for she knows all the wonderful places for naps in every corner of the house. There's that sunny spot that arrives at a certain time of day... nestled in the center of one of her favorite chairs, tucked in a quiet out-of-the way corner for a really serious snoozle... atop a willing lap where half-naps and gentle chin tickles occur at the same time.

I have my own list of favourite snoozle spots.... 

Under a palm tree on a sandy beach in Maui 

In a sunny bedroom where gentle summer breezes
billow lacy curtains

Nestled beneath a downy comforter on a rainy day

Beside the warmth of a fireplace on a wintry evening

In a nice hotel room after a busy tourist-y day,
just before you dress for dinner

Stretching out on a blanket under the trees
after an alfresco lunch in the park

Ahhhh... it feels so luxurious and wonderful.  Just thinking about those places makes me feel mellow.  Do you have a favorite snooze-spot, a place where naps peacefully unfold?

Hope there are some blissful moments tucked into your Saturday!

PS. I posted something new on InScribe yesterday. Click here for I Have A Dream.

Transition...

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

With the help of my nephew, I just transferred my beautiful life blogspot blog over to my new wordpress website.... turns out I lost my list of Friends in my sidebar during the transition.  Even in cyberspace moves, things go missing... funny thing!  Wonder if anything else.

As far as I know, you should still be able to access my site with the old address... they promise that  people would still be able to find me. So I think what happens is if you key in the old URL (http://awordfromhomeblogspot.com) it will connect to my new URL (http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com).

Wishing you a pleasant evening!

Friday In Between

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

HAVE BEEN BUSY getting some posts ready for the next few days, when I remembered I need something for today too. 

As my day is filled with writing and errands, I thought I'd share a link to a posting by Jeanette over at Audience of One.  (when you pop over here, you'll see the cutest pictures to add smiles to your faces)

As well, Jeanette guests posts elsewhere on the topic "Poop Happens".  You may be wondering how such a topic fits in my 'beautiful life' theme, but if you read it to the last sentence, I think you'll agree it works.

And now I'm off.....................


Wishing you the best Friday!

Peace Like A River

glittergraphics.com

IT'S BEEN AGES since I had an opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of a morning.  But the sunbeams streaming into my living room were so beguiling that I took my journal and settled into my wingback chair. It wasn't that I gave a disdainful wave of the hand for the work on my desk, the chores, or the plans for what to make for supper; it was more a sense that this moment on this particular morning was meant for peace, not toil. 

Miss Kitty had already settled in her chosen sunny spot on the floor and so while she semi-snoozed, my own thoughts meandered along like a river, no thoughts of guilt that I should be doing something else.  It felt like heaven.

It was just a few minutes but I felt peace settle about my shoulders.  And I felt a shift in my soul... a sense of things coming into balance. Ahhhhhhh.  I didn't realize that my soul feathers had been so ruffled from the busyness of the past few weeks.  But in a twinkling all felt well again.

I'm reminded of a phrase from an old hymn... when peace like a river attendeth my soul..... that's what happened this morning.   You think that fellow in the picture with his dog fishing along the river feels that peace too?

I'm ready for the day...... ready to pick up the chores and vacuum hose.......... they don't seem burdensome now.... for it is well.  I am well.


Wishing you moments of 'heaven on earth'.

 

The Simple Beauty - Relaxing Without Guilt

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"People have to know what relaxes them,

and not feel guilty about using a piece of time

when it is necessary for them,

or when they do not use it exactly as somebody else would."

~ Edith Schaeffer

Thank you, Edith, for that wise word!  It's good to be reminded.

I don't know about you, but for many years I tended to live according to what I thought were the expectations or standards of other people (even if I only assumed I knew what they wanted from me). 

Perhaps true love does not really have full sway in any relationship where guilt hovers over decision or action.  It's been said by one wise writer that perfect love casts out all fear.  If we can learn to stay enveloped in that Perfect Love that only God can give, we won't need to fear rejection or judgment of others.  And in response, we also will be free to love without putting the pressure of our expectations on them.

When Rick and I first married, we gave each other a gift -- we both agreed that we'd never place a sense of obligation or guilt on the other when it came to activities or chores around the house and garden.  If one of us wanted to take a nap on the couch or read on the deck, while the other was thoroughly engaged and eager to get the chores done, there was no pressure for the napper or reader to succomb to the wishes of the worker, or visa versa.

We've always allowed the other the freedom to relax and enjoy the moment when their body or mood required a different rhythm than our own.  So far it's worked beautifully.

It's all part of making a beautiful life for everyone around us!

Hugs,

    

 

Simply Sunday...Enjoy Me

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I have a 'guest' blogger today -- St. Teresa of Avila.  It's amazing that the words penned by a woman who lived centuries ago can still resonate within the hearts of those who call the Lord Jesus their King and Savior in the 21st century.  Words live a long time and I'm very grateful these survived for us to enjoy today.

"Just these two words He spoke changed my life."

~ St. Teresa of Avila

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry -

a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me, "I know a song,

Would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street.

And from every pore in the sky.

After a night of prayer, He

changed my life when He sang,

"Enjoy Me."

I want to thank Pam at On The Road who first posted this piece on her blog. She gave me her permission to repost it here,  as it really touched my heart in a big way. Just image, the Lord of the universe inviting us to enjoy Him.  How could I refuse such an entreaty?  

Wishing you the beauty of this new day in all you do! 

 

  

 

Saturday Happenings

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I'm away at a conference today.

It's a beautiful day -- bright, sunny, crisp.

 No time to create a real posting this morning,
but Sandy over at He shall direct my paths
posted an excerpt I'd sent her yesterday in response to her earlier posting.

So if you're looking for something to ponder today,
I'm giving you the link to Sandy's.
The excerpt is about taking time in this busy life.

Sandy, thanks!  You're a kindred spirit.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

 

The Simple Beauty of A Cupcake

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

My sister makes the BEST carrot cake.

Over the years she's perfected her recipe

and we're always glad when she says she's making carrot cake

for a family occasion.

The most recent and enjoyable event was for her son's wedding.

The bride asked for carrot cake disguised as wedding cupcakes.

For the recipe and photos, stop for a sweet treat at 30yearsworth.

I'm off to visit my mom!  Enjoy your day too!

Hugs,

The Simple Beauty of A Glimpse

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

HERE'S A GLIMPSE of what I found in my garden this morning.  Those of you who live further south on our continent may wonder why all the fuss, but here in northerly Alberta, it's common to have snow this time of year.  So to find these little primulas in bloom is a real treat!

Perhaps these quiet bloomers are as surprised as I am..... for they usually do not have a foil of crunchy autumn leaves to frame their pretty heads.  I like this texture and color combination.

"Here's wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places..."

The Simple Beauty of Tea

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Oh, the restorative nature of a simple cup of tea.  Especially during those really busy days.  Whether you sip the steaming brew from a mug, a pretty china cup, or one of these exotic tea glasses, tea gives us a chance to sit and gather strength for the rest of the day's busy tasks.

I don't add sugar to tea, but if you like to add sweetener, you might enjoy this simple suggestion.  Store sugar cubes for tea in a jar with whole cloves or cinnamon sticks; they absorb the spicy fragrance.  This was a suggestion I found in a book recently.  I think I'd also include cardamon as a possible spice to try.

As a young girl, I loved how my aunt Ruth would serve black tea after a big family meal, in which she added fresh orange peel and cloves to her pretty teapot. It's still a favorite flavor for me.

I'm so glad for the gift of tea.........

Losing Touch and Homesick

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

For me this is a cozy time of year.  Evening shadows lengthen so early now that I've been putting on the little twinkle lights on my fig tree.  And, I long to draw closer to the fireplace and snuggle under the warmth of a fuzzy blanket.

Funny thing is, I also get homesick for the cozy ambiance  of my office because I remember those early days of blogging -- it was this time of year -- when it was all so new and wondrous.

Which now makes me want to snoop in my old postings to find links of former blogging friends, because suddenly I am homesick for these beautiful souls who impacted my life so richly at some season of my blogging journey.  How does one lose touch?

One desire over the coming days is to find some of them again and reconnect (if they are still blogging).  Tonight I was delighted to find Rebekah at Beautiful Days. And Cindy at Rose Haven Cottage. Their sites are as lovely as ever.

Here's to blogging friendships old and new!

One Thing Leads To Another

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Have you ever heard the phrase One thing leads to another?  Sometimes people use it in a negative way, as in one bad thing leads to more of the same.  I tend not to focus on the negative, and recently I've seen it operating in a positive way.

It all started when the blog coordinator of the InScribe group blog for which I write posted a note saying she could no longer do it, would someone else be interested in taking over?  The job was simple -- make sure everyone knows when it is their turn to post and keep the blog site current and fresh.  I thought I can do that... I love blogging.... and so I said yes.

That was last fall.  As I got to know the members better, pretty soon I was e-chatting with them and then 'one thing led to another'.  Before you know it, I was invited to be a presenter at the fellowship's annual writers fall conference and do something about blogging and online presence, geared to writers. I was delighted and honoured.  And what fun I had getting ready for it.

With the conference over a couple of weeks now, I've been pondering what next I could do with all this material.... along comes the e-conversation where InScribe members are suddenly asking for help about how to start a blog.  Waving my arm wildly in cyberspace, I'm thinking, I can help, I can help.

I responded to the request for help, created a little blurb advertising my intention in about 2 minutes and posted it to our membership listserv.  Before the day's end, I had several responses saying, sign me up!  (I didn't even wake up Saturday morning with anything like that on my mind -- I was just checking my e-mails before hubby and I headed out for breakfast!)

All because I jumped on the the opportunity when I saw it.  Now, I am usually not that quick to take action, but one thing I've been learning from one of my online mentors, Carrie Wilkerson of The Barefoot Executive is to implement quickly and not spend so much time thinking and aspiring, and to get over being a perfectionist because sometimes 75% perfect and DONE is better than 100% perfect NOT done!

This quote by Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)  has been kicking around my desk the past couple of weeks.   "The best way to become acquainted with a subject is to write a book about it."

 

 

I think I have the momentum to actually get to those articles and books I started and never finished.... because you know how it is... one thing leads to another!

Wishing you beautiful possibilities today!

  

PS. On another note, we had a great Thanksgiving gathering  with family yesterday (including the newlyweds).  We all ate lots, laughed lots, shared lots of stories  --  my idea of what constitutes a good time.

Today we need to set the house back to rights, get some laundry done, and a few other little chores.  As you can see, Miss Kitty has started her share of them.

The best part of it all? There's enough leftovers from yesterday's feast, that I don't have to cook tonight!

Simply Sunday - Canadian Thanks

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 

To all our Canadian friends ~

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Soul Projects

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

With autumn drawing the curtains of evening earlier each day, it's the time of year when I like to gather what I call my 'cozy' books around me.  Books that create the ambiance of drawing near the fire, catching hands with loved ones, and thinking more about journeys of the hearth, heart and home. 

Which is why I reach for a well-loved book by Ingrid Trobisch, Keeper of the Springs, Making Home the Place For Which You're Longing. In it, Ingrid Trobisch 'offers time-tested inspiration for tending the spiritual center of house and home.'

Included in this treasury, I found a wonderful quotable by Ingrid's daughter, Katrine Stewart.   I hope it provides inspiration for you as it has for me..................

Thoughts on the joy and healing of soul projects

"Soul projects bring a smile to your face, light to your eyes, new energy to your heart, joy to all around you. Soul projects are like healing ointment on the sore places of your life.

Beethoven went for walks in the countryside.  Golda Meir polished her silver teapot.  Josephine, Napoleon's wife, tended to her roses.  Claude Monet gardened.  Katharine Hepburn wrote her journal in bed with breakfast.  Winston Churchill liked to paint.  Einstein took long baths.  Mendelsohn listened to the music of Bach.  Mother Teresa listens to the silence of her soul."




What soul projects bring me joy and/or healing?  For me, this would include listening to Mozart; journaling in bed with my first cup of coffee; walks in the countryside; being completely quiet for a few minutes, just waiting with Him.

How about you?