Simply Sunday - Emily Dickinson on Love

Image by JCGuimaraes from Pixabay

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

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!

Sending peaceful thoughts your way,
Brenda

Sunny Afternoon Nap

"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, making it so easy to succumb to 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 and the head drops to one side in delightful snooze.  

Miss Kitty has been calling me....it seems she's been feeling the pull for a nap too and wants me to join her.  How can I say no?

Wishing you a pleasant afternoon,

Brenda

The Child In Me

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

"...(be) like a child stringing beads in kindergarten - happy,

absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another. "

BRENDA UELAND

For a few minutes yesterday, I felt almost eight years old again. I was leafing through the bold and fun pages of the American Girl magazine. I 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 we have daughters, nieces, and granddaughters, so we can enjoy those nice girlhood memories 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?)


Swinging on an old-fashioned swing

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

Playfully,
Brenda

Something In The Air

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. With the decided bite in the air, it looks like the last BBQ of the season. The burgers and cedar planked salmon were a hit as we celebrated a family birthday.

Peering out my study window this morning, this is what arrived during the night 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 snow!
Brenda

Favorite Snoozle Spots

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 centre of one of her favourite 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

It feels so luxurious and wonderful -- just thinking about those places makes me feel mellow.  Do you have a favourite place where naps peacefully unfold?

Hope there are some blissful moments tucked into your Saturday!

Brenda

Peace Like A River

source

It's been ages since I had an opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of a morning. With sunbeams streaming into my living room today so beguiling I took my journal and settled into my wingback chair to enjoy a few minutes of it all. It wasn't that I gave a disdainful wave of the hand for the work on my desk, the chores, or the plans of what to make for supper...

...it was more a sense that this moment on this particular morning was meant for peaceful reflection, 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. My soul is well. I am well.

Wishing you moments of peaceful 'heaven on earth'.

Brenda

xox

 

Freedom Without Guilt

"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

When my husband and I first married, we gave each other a gift. We both agreed that we'd not 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 succumb to the wishes of the worker, and visa versa.

Over the years, we've allowed the other the freedom to relax and enjoy the moment when their body or mood required a different rhythm than our own. It's worked beautifully in our home.

Here's wishing you a beautiful day!

Hugs,
Brenda
xox

    

 

Simply Sunday: Enjoy Me

Today I am pleased to share the beautiful words written by 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 first saw this poem posted by Pam from On The Road and appreciate her allowing me to repost it here. This piece really touched my heart in a tender way. Just image, the Lord of the universe inviting us to enjoy Him.  How could we refuse such an entreaty?  

Wishing you joy in this new day, 
Brenda
 

The Simple Beauty of A Glimpse

Here is 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"
Brenda

The Simple Beauty of Tea

Source

Oh, to enjoy the restorative effects 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 I found in a book I recently read. Store sugar cubes for tea in a jar with whole cloves or cinnamon sticks; they absorb the spicy fragrance. I think I'd also include cardamon as a possible spice to try.

As a young girl, I loved how my Auntie Ruth would serve black tea after a big family meal, in which she added fresh orange peel and cloves to her big Royal Albert teapot. It's still a favorite flavor for me. Constant Comment makes a tea like that nowadays.

I'm so glad for the gift of tea.

Wishing you a beautiful day,
Brenda

Soul Projects

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. That 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. The author offers 'time-tested inspiration for tending the spiritual center of house and home.'

Included in this treasury, Ingrid's daughter, Katrine Stewart, shares some lovely 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. Mendelssohn listened to the music of Bach. Mother Teresa listens to the silence of her soul."

KATRINE STEWART

What soul projects bring you joy?  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 God.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

xox

Morning Has Broken

It looked grey at first glance from my northerly kitchen window this morning. Except if you peer closely, you'll catch the merest hint of crimson at the bottom... hints of something more promising? 

So I picked up my ever-ready camera...

turned my gaze eastward,

and found these beauties...

Turning my head back to my northerly gaze,

My neighbour's house is now bathed in light.

Morning has truly arrived... and we're ready for it.

* * *

Here's wishing you a fabulous Friday,
Brenda

Linking with Skywatch Friday

31 Things I Never Tire Of

Image by Iloorraa from Pixabay

in no particular order

1. heart to heart visits over coffee

2. rainy days
3. children’s laughter
4. reading in bed
5. a glass of cold water
6. chocolate
7. my kitty cats
8. inspiring people to see new possibilities
9. the smell of bookshops

10. buying notebooks
11. sunny autumn days
12. tiny sandwiches and tea in china cups

13. the beach
14. watching people
15. winter days when the sky is bright and sunny
16. the smell of coffee

17. indigo blue and white

18. walks in beautiful gardens or nature
19. giving gifts for no occasion

20. laughing
21. hearing “I love you”
22. walking into an uncluttered, organized room
23. gorgeous color combinations
24. re-reading my classic Victoria magazines

25. journaling in pretty notebooks

26. snuggling with my sweetie

27. learning how to love like Jesus

28.studying at the library
29.  pencils and crayons
30.  English country anything 

31.  watching happy dogs out for their walks

Wishing you beautiful moments to treasure today!
Brenda
xox

Do Something With This Later

I took a look around my house and was amazed -- and aghast -- at how many corners were filled with little piles of I'll do something with this later.  I took a few photos as I wanted to make a quick mosaic (well, quick is certainly not the word to use when I've never done a photo mosaic before)....

So no mosaic today, but since we all like visuals,

here's a peek of what has ended up in corners waiting for its turn....

Tissue and wedding wrapping paper choices,

not to mention a stray 'recycle' bag...

More wrapping tissues and ribbons...

Kitchen table topped with catalogues

and  mailbox whatnot...

Small antique table with more paper paraphernalia,

not to mention the ever present birding book

for sightings in the garden...

Even the piano bench has stuff on the move:

movies borrowed from friends, 

a little pouch of saffron that should be in the spice cupboard,

and the wedding invitation...

Atop bedside table...

Beneath the spare desk...

Is there no end to the piles???

And no, we haven't posted any photos of dust bunnies.

It seems these little 'people' are quite camera shy!

* * *

I get a certain kind of energy bubbling when I turn icky corners

into something more orderly beautiful
~ I think it's that sense of bringing 'order out of chaos'!

Do you find that?

In my blog travels today, I found a blogger called Organizing Queen.

Thought it quite appropriate for the tasks of the day.

If you need any inspiration, Marcia Francois, from South Africa,

shares lots of informative and interesting posts.

Wishing you an orderly day,
Brenda