It's the First Day of December

And the weather is cool and icy today -- no sign of fluffy flakes either. With my monthly newsletter needing to be done this week, I've chosen to share an article originally posted last year as my offering to you on this first day of December. I hope you enjoy.

The Tradition of Gift Giving

For those of us who love Christmas, we can gleefully start our holiday preparations in earnest. Which, of course, means focusing our attention more closely on the gifts we want to give this year.

One of my favourite ways of expressing love to the people in my circle is to give them gifts. I love finding or making little treasures that I hope will give them pleasure, as well as convey my esteem and affection.

After reading Gary Chapman's book on the five love languages, I realize that gift giving is probably one of my primary love languages (words of affirmation right up there as well). I love shopping for presents at Christmas time, although I have to admit my most favourite times of the year to give gifts are those times in between, when no one is expecting them. It's the surprise element that I adore.

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the social obligation of gift giving at this time of year. Instead of feeling a sense of joy and wonder, we can feel the pressure of giving because it's expected of us. I don't know about you, but I don't want to receive something from someone if they only feel a sense of duty to give it to me.

I don't want to give in that spirit, either! For me, I want my gifts to be an expression from my heart. Whether our gift comes wrapped in shiny paper or a note with gentle words of affirmation, or an offer to provide some act of service or spend time together, it doesn't matter if we're two or ninety-two, we are all looking for that little something that says, "You I cherish....you I notice."

As we prepare ourselves for this special holiday season, may the gifts we choose be ones that come from hearts filled with affection, esteem and love. Now that's living life beautifully!

Happy Preparations!
Brenda

* * * * *

Footnote:

* Gary Chapman's five love languages include:
1. Giving gifts
2. Words of affirmation
3. Physical touch
4. Quality time
5. Acts of service

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... I'm linking to The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... Blue skies. Sunshine. Leafless tree branches. Cheeky chickadees.

I am thinking... About the aha! moment when I recognized a mindset I've nurtured and babied for a long time has been a key to what keeps me from committing to exercise on a more regular basis. I've always felt (notice that it's an emotional response) that exercising was an interruption to my life. Walking was fine, but actually taking an hour or two every other day to go to a class or the gym just seemed way too time consuming, not to mention, bo-rrrrring.

But when I finally clued in, I realized that's why I could never stay on track. My little 'guardian' inside my head kept insisting that, "We don't want to do this, it's interferes with our life, what a bore, what a chore, no more!"

For more on this great thinking business, check out Thinking For A Change by John C. Maxwell.

I am thankful for... electricity and heat as the days grow darker and colder. And for my house and that I don't have to live in a tent or cardboard box. Lord, help us to show compassion and love for those who do.

I am wearing... jeans, a brilliant green v-necked tee shirt, and dangling silver earrings.

I am going... to clean out my office this week. The clutter bugs flew in when I wasn't looking and left paper piles... again. I really think I should consider keeping more info on my computer, but, alas, I still like the feel of that paper/book in my hand!

I am reading... Healing Your Financial Soul by David Hicks. The author shares helpful insights and exercises about finding out what you think and how you feel about your finances, and uncovering those thoughts, beliefs and emotions that keep you from enjoying the financial level you desire for your family. Some very interesting thoughts are surfacing as I read! He says, "If you struggle financially, it's because you were taught, and you agreed to believe, and have made countless decisions to prove, that you're supposed to struggle."

On my mind... An old hymn I'd heard so many times growing up as a child, that I learned the words without ever having to memorize it. "Great is Thy Faithfulness... morning by morning new mercies I see, All I have needed thy hand hath provided..."

Noticing that... it gets dark SOOO early now. Makes me think of getting ready for Christmas, things like working on gifts and planning how to make our home inviting and cozy for everyone when they come this year.

From the kitchen... Lunch is leftovers today: pan sauteed noodles, mushroom sauce and three meatballs, salad with homemade creamy dressing, a small glass of Clamato juice. (My hubby, who likes things to be split 50/50 will insist on splitting that 3rd meatball -- ha ha).

Around the house... Chores like laundry, some cleaning, and a bit of organizing. Sounds tedious, but there is something I love about bring order out of chaos, even if the chaos is a tumble of clothes waiting for the dryer.

One of my favorite things... Watching Miss Kitty snooze so contently in a sunbeam. Cats really have perfected the art of napping. We should take notes.

From my picture journal... The Sunset Artist's goodnight signature as seen from my backyard one summer evening.

Wishing you a glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,
Brenda
xox

Autumn Favourites

Long before e-mail and definitely before blogging days, a former penpal and I began a little tradition where we would create small lists of our favourite things and tuck them at the end of our letters.

The theme was usually in keeping with the particular season we were in, and it was a fun way to get to know each other. Now many bloggers follow a similar tradition often creating their own lists of favourite seasons, books, movies, foods, traditions, holiday memories, etc. to share with their readers. It's still a fun way to get know new friends.

Today, I'm delighted to offer a few of my Autumn favourites. I hope they remind you of a few of your own...

• The combinations of colour, especially when there are brilliant oranges, yellows and reds mixed in with the dark greens of evergreens. It's such a satisfying combo.


• The smell of burning leaves (this is very rare where I live now), but I still remember the acrid smell from my childhood, as stubble fields were burned.


• The feeling of new beginnings as another school year gets under.


• The earlier darkening days. As the day draws in a little sooner each evening, it makes me draw nearer to my own hearth and home. It feels cozy and safe.


• Apples:  apple pie, apple crisp, apple cider, caramel apples, apple sauce, apple strudel


• Crunchy piles of leaves


• Walks in woodsy areas. I never used to like how the bare tree branches made me feel -- too stark and naked. But I've grown to truly love the clean simplicity of bare branches against autumn blue skies. Now, I get the feeling of openness and space, rather than nakedness.


• Crisp air and frosty mornings.


• Brilliant red sunrises and even bolder sunsets


• Harvest moons


• Reading books and stories set in the autumn, eg. September by Rosamunde Pilcher

Wishing you glimpses of autumn richness wherever you go today!

Hugs,

Brenda

xox

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... I am linking to The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

It's a place where you can share those 'tiny tidbits of joy that are inside your day'.

Outside my window... What a beautiful Monday morning. Bright with morning sunshine and I'm back from a walk with my father-in-law who is visiting.

Orange Kitten's family must have gone to work really early this morning, because when I stumbled into the kitchen around 6 am to fill our own Miss Kitty's empty food bowl, little Orange Miss was peering in through the window looking for attention!

The top of our Mountain Ash tree is laden with bright bunches of red berries, something our local waxwings love. We love it when they swoop in by the hungry dozens to feast on the berries, devouring most of them in surprising short order.

I am thinking... how nice it is that I no longer have to fight with crowded freeways every morning and evening. It's a short walk from my kitchen to my  little office upstairs where I write monthly newsletters for my clients.

I am thankful for... the opportunity to be in the heart of my home full-time now. It's a dream I had ever since I was a little girl. Sometimes I'm still working out what that looks like in everyday living.

I am wearing... jeans and a prettily patterned top in sea greens and blues, with dangle-y silvery earrings. Hair's done, lipstick's on, finished with a light spritz of Mary Kay Lotus and Bamboo fragrance. It makes me feel ready to tackle the day, even if it just being at home all day. Besides, I think hubby deserves to see the better side of me too!

I am remembering... Audrey Hepburn's character, Holly Golightly, in the 1960's movie Breakfast at Tiffany's when she says, "Hand me my purse, darling; a girl can't read something like this without her lipstick." It's true, I feel much better prepared for whoever and whatever comes across my path when I've got my lipstick on!

I am going... to be setting my face 'like a flint' toward getting my newsletter done this week.

I am reading... one of my library books Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell. "To do well in life, we must first think well." Reminds me of that old proverb, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

On my mind... looking for ways to add new layers of creativity in my life that will not only create depth in my own life, but add hope and encouragement for other people. I'm also asking God to bring peace to the minds of many people who are stressed out by the fear of H1N1 (swine flu). Psalm 91 is a place of peace for my own mind and heart.... He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed......fearing no evil.

Pondering these words... I've always enjoyed the phrase 'Scatter joy' which I understand is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. I like to imagine creative ways to scatter joy the same way leaves scatter in the wind during the autumn. Don't you think the world would be a happier place for more people if they could crunch their way through piles of leafy joy?

From the kitchen... I made a quick soup for lunch from left over ingredients in the frig --- chicken, soup stock, peas and rice. Added to that, a diced carrot, garlic, ginger and onions (sauteed first), with a generous dash of hoisin sauce right at the last. It was a yummy hint of oriental. And for supper,

homemade chicken pot pie which is already made and ready to pop into the oven later.

Around the house... Although dusting was not on the agenda today, I hunted for my furniture cleaner early this morning when sunbeams lit up a very dusty piano keyboard. I could not leave the grand dame in that sad state all day, so her deep wood grains shine and sparkle now.

One of my favorite things... My husband's heart-stopping smile -- I think I fall in love all over again when I see how it lights up his face and makes him look so handsome. I love his laugh too.

From my picture file... This mountain ash lives in our backyard -- the photo was taken earlier this summer.

Wishing you many simple pleasures today.

Brenda

xox

Autumn Dawn

Autumn Dawn

A quiet world lies slumbering
The frenzied bustle of noonday stands at bay

Rays of sunlight stretch lazily across the eastern sky
A golden haze bathes the morning air

Sapphire skies shimmer unmarred
Not a cloud skims across the horizon

Breezes rustle through scarlet-dipped leaves
The crisp tang of Autumn fills the air

One lone blue jay shrieks in a nearby grove
Piercing the serenity

Stately evergreens stand on guard
Fragrant boughs hang laden with liquid sunshine

Savour the tranquil beauty of this morn
O soul, well up with praise for the Creator

Daybreak is His promise of a new day and new life
The morning dawns eternal

Brenda C Leyland