Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Source: Pinterest

Wednesday's Wisdom....

The following was printed on a "PARENT PAGE" sent home to me from my daughters' elementary school, many years ago.  I keep it in my copy of Simple Abundance and reread it frequently.

The resolutions suggested are as important today as they were then.

"Seven Resolutions for a Better Life

With the arrival of a new year, resolutions seem to be the order of the month.  Listed below are 7 resolutions to help you experience success in your daily living.  

These ideas are appropriate for the entire family.

Resolution 1

I will begin and end the day with positive thoughts. 

 In the morning I will be encouraged by the day ahead. 

 In the evening I will think about what went right during the day.

Resolution 2

I will take frequent mental and physical breaks to keep from overloading my system. 

 Time out for myself is important.

Resolution 3

I will eat right and not skip meals.  

My body needs good nutrition to fight off illness and stress.

Resolution 4

I will try to take a walk outside at least once a day.  

I will engage in some type of physical activity as often as possible.

Resolution 5

I will choose to associate with supportive friends and will in turn be a supportive friend to others.

Resolution 6

I will try to spend more time reading and helping others and less time watching T.V.

Resolution 7

I will try to become a more positive person.

I will work on the rough edges and polish the whole person."

Tip for a Tuesday....

Keep a gratitude journal.

This is the book I use every year for writing a daily gratitude list.

The Susan Branch "Days" calendar book lists each day of the year, along with beautiful artwork.

Calendar books, blank books, notebooks - all can work.

Colored ink pens can also add a little sparkle to the ritual.

I write down at least five things I am grateful for each and every day.

I've been doing this for many years now and have found it encourages me to look for the good throughout the day. 

"My family are all in good health, wonderful to hear the little ones laugh today, the cardinal appeared at the feeder" - all entries in my book.

 In years gone by, during tough times, being grateful for a roof over our heads, food in the fridge and a sense of hope, were frequently on my list.

I highly recommend the practice.  

New Year's Day is the perfect time to begin!

Friday Fotos....

There's no use in hiding, Christmas is on its way!

Probably the first time I have ever baked cookies for Christmas.  These are Nigella Lawson's Christmas Chocolate Biscuits. Easy Peasy to make and absolutely delicious!

(Well, I had to be sure, didn't I?)

How pretty is this?  I've been looking for a bit of greenery to scent the air inside.  I refused to pay what they are charging at the store, so the Englishman sent me this beautiful basket.

That man's a keeper!

Wishing everyone a very 

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy Hanukkah!

Thursday's Thoughts for the Day....

Source: Country Living magazine:           

                             "17 Christmas Quotes That Perfectly Capture the Spirit of the Season"

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Charity begins at home....

"Thank heaven and democratic progress, charity is one traditional virtue the modern world is willing to applaud.  But what a lot we talk about it these days, and how often we miss its implications.  Charity is not simply a donation to the community chest and a gift to the Hundred Neediest Cases at Christmastime.  It is not merely giving one's hours as a volunteer in a hospital or subscribing to the relief of flood victims a hemisphere away.  It is both larger and smaller than those things, at once easier and harder, and it does, indeed, begin at home.  Charity is graciousness and tact.  Charity is a guarded tongue.  It is picking up one's toys, giving a hand wit the dinner dishes, writing a bread-and-butter letter to one's hostess.  It is turning off television at a respectable hour so one's neighbor can sleep in peace, and being patient with bores.  It is thanking salesladies in shops, forbearing to pass on the bit of malicious gossip so tempting to tell, wielding knife and fork so that we do not aesthetically offend." 

~ Phyllis McGinley

Sixpence in Her Shoe - copyright 1960

(still true today!)

Tips for a Tuesday....

The following tips are from among the 432 suggestions listed in 

The Little Book of Christmas Joys

These are a few of my favorites:

#66 * Take pictures after you've finished decorating your home.  Not only will they be fun to look at later on, but you will have a visual reminder to help you decorate next year.

#163 * Throughout the holiday season, give your family the gift of a sweet disposition.

#265 * Add a note of appreciation to the Christmas card you give your child's teacher.
(As a former teacher, personal notes of thanks were truly precious gifts which I have kept and reread often.)

#323 * Smile at police officers, fire fighters, emergency personnel, and security guards.  Thank them for being on the job during the holidays.
(Same for those who work in hospitals, nursing homes, and public transportation.  Many people work on the holidays.)

#379 * Don't try to do everything yourself.  Remember, even Santa needs helpers.

#425 * On New Year's Day, light three candles and think about the three things that happened the past year for which you are most thankful.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

*Posted on Facebook by Country Living magazine

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"Adopt the pace 

of nature: 

her secret is 

patience."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tip for a Tuesday....

How do I manage to remember all those important birthdays and anniversaries?  A handy little sheet of paper, downloaded and printed from Susan Branch, which I keep it tucked under my Susan Branch desk calendar.  At the beginning of each month I check it, make note of that month's celebrations, and make a list of cards I need to purchase and send.

This page is available to all on her website.  

Go to susanbranch.com

 Click on the top bar marked "Shopping" 

Scroll down the left hand side to "Free Stuff" 

Scroll down to the bottom and the center page marked "A Year at a Glance" 

 Click and print!

Easy Peasy

A Monday Memory....

Source: Positive Outlooks shared The Humor League's photo

This popped up on my Facebook page late this afternoon and immediately triggered a memory.....

My Dad passed away on December 6th, many years ago.  At the time, daughter #1 was just shy of her third birthday and daughter #2 was but seven weeks old.

His passing was a shock to us all, despite the fact that he had been in declining health for a while.

Christmas seemed to come upon us swiftly that year.  Though she didn't really have the heart for it, my mother felt it was very important for "the little ones" to keep up with family traditions.  So we bought a tree and set about bringing up the decorations from the basement to adorn it.

Now, those of us who knew my mother well will recall 

that she was very particular about her Christmas tree decorating.  

She insisted that the lights be evenly spread around the branches 

and that the ornaments hung just so.

So I held my breath when I noticed that our oldest, as each ornament was handed to her, 

placed them side by side, 

on a single branch, 

and on only that branch.

When my mother noticed what she was doing, she stepped back and declared,

"That looks beautiful!"

And she left it just the way her granddaughter had arranged it.  

Thanks, Mom!

As Linus would say, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!"

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"I wish you a day of ordinary miracles.

 A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in.

    The fastest line at the grocery store.

    A good sing along song on the radio.

    Your keys right where you look.

    I wish you a day of happiness and perfection.

I wish you little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that God is smiling on you."     - Anonymous

Welcome, December!