Simple Abundance - December

"Simple Abundance"

Simple Abundance - November

Simple Abundance

November is the pause between Autumnal color and Winter white in many parts of the country.  It can look bleak and dreary oftentimes.  Perhaps that's why November was chosen to celebrate Thanksgiving--to give us something to look forward to that encourages us to be grateful for what we already have.  It is also a time to gather family near and far and celebrate the bond of kinship.  I've hosted Thanksgiving for so long that the few times we've been invited to another's home it just did not feel like Thanksgiving to me.  Tradition carries with it heart memories.

My menu is always the same except I like to try different vegetables every year.  Sometimes I add soup.  I also like to vary the way I make the sweet potatoes.  I've not changed the Sausage Sage Dressing or Shaker Corn Pudding I've made for many years now.  I've always made Heavenly Hash (also known as Ambrosia) and pumpkin pie--two things my mother always made.  And of course the Turkey!  But we did try Splatch-cock Turkey one year.  Since this is the only time of year we have a whole turkey, it is special.  I love making the table look festive and always use the tablecloth I made many years ago.  Last year I added name tags with my own illustration. . . .

As a young child we always went to Mamaw's and Papaw's farm in Mississippi for Thanksgiving.  I remember going along to pick out the turkey at a farm down the road.  There were always lots of cousins to play with.  By the time I was a teenager we'd moved north and we'd usually go to my other set of grandparents.  One Thanksgiving, however, my mother hosted her parents and four siblings and their families.  There were cousins galore that Thanksgiving.

This month Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests these Joyful Simplicities from "Simple Abundance". . . . 

🦃   Write your own personal grace and offer it for the first time on Thanksgiving.

🦃   Fill a basket of food and take it to a shelter the day before Thanksgiving.  If you have children, let them help you shop, load the basket, and deliver it with you.

🦃   Don't rush out the day after Thanksgiving to do holiday shopping with the rest of the world.  Instead, make a pot of homemade turkey vegetable soup, write out a shopping list for the Christmas pudding ingredients, create an Advent wreath, and start listening to holiday music.

The Thanksgiving before my mother died I had everyone write what they were thankful for on the back of an artificial leaf.  I put them in an arrangement that I bring out each year.  Her leaf is always there to remind me of that Thanksgiving.

We often still have family the day after, but once they leave I will start thinking about Christmas.  I'll put away my autumn decor and bring out the winter things.  Then I'll start making lists of what needs to be done when for Christmas.

If you need a Turkey Soup recipe here is one I posted last year from Mary Mason Campbell's book, "The New England Butt'ry Shelf".  Drag it to your computer desktop to print. . . .

What about you?  Do you have Thanksgiving traditions?  Would you rather host the dinner or let someone else host it?  Do you have any special memories from your childhood Thanksgivings?

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Take Joy!

Simple Abundance - October

Simple Abundance

If I could pick only one favorite month of the year I'd have to choose October.  I'm sure it has to do with the vivid colors this time of year.  Spring's colors are certainly lovely, but the colors are more pastel except for an occasional bright red tulip🌷or deep yellow daffodil.   I can see myself in Anne Mary Lawler's description of October "dressing in flame and gold like a woman afraid of growing old."  I've always loved color and tend to buy colorful clothing, but as I grow older I find that colors speak to me even more.

This month Sarah Ban Breathnach's Joyful Simplicities from "Simple Abundance" include these possibilities. . . .

🍁     Plan an outing to a pumpkin patch of farmers' market.  Select the perfect jack-o-lantern, but get an assortment of smaller pumpkins on which to carve different designs🎃, like checkerboards, hearts, or the moon and stars.  Pie pumpkins are the perfect size for creating luminaries for steps or driveways, and midget pumpkins make charming votive candle holders for dinner tables.

🍁     Create a seasonal table.  Set aside one small space on which to arrange an autumnal still life:  wheat sheaves, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, or bittersweet, with bouquets of dried flowers and preserved autumn leaves.

🍁     If you live in a four-season climate, take a Sunday drive in the country to revel in Mother Nature's flamboyant fancy dress.  Pack a picnic.  Linger as long as you can.

🍁     Mull cider and/or wine on the weekends for an autumn cup of cheer, especially delightful after raking leaves!

For years I planned an autumn get-away for my family during the long Columbus Day weekend.  The boys loved hiking in the woods and following the trails to hidden water falls.  Now that it's just the two of us our choices of when and where to go and where to stay have opened up considerably.  The world-wide web has certainly helped facilitate finding wonderful places.  Here are some we've been to. . . .

Eagles Mere, PA

Glenlaurel Inn, Ohio

New Castle, DE

Skyline Drive, VA

Western Maryland

World's End State Park, PA

Little Grand Canyon, PA

I also love decorating my house for Autumn.  I even change my dining room curtains from blue to red and summer paintings to autumn scenes. . . .

It is also a time to change my menu.  Now I'll make Sausage-Bean Chowder with pumpernickel bread, Meatloaf with acorn squash and baked potato, Beef Brisket with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts, Chili with crackers and butter, Sauerkraut and Pork with potato pancakes and peas, Beef Stew with corn bread, to name a few--all dishes I haven't had in months!

What about you?  What delights you about Autumn?  Do you change your decor?  Go "leaf peeping" (as it's called in my part of the country)?

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Take Joy!

Simple Abundance - September

In Sarah Ban Breathnach's book "Simple Abundance" she gives us suggestions each month for ways in which to enjoy the month.  Here are a few of Sarah's Joyful Simplicities for September:

🌻   L' été c'est fini, as the French say, so end summer on a high note.  Make a really big deal out of the last cookout of the summer.  Serve your favorite summer recipes with a final flourish.  Linger in the twilight, watch the sun go down, and bid summer a fond adieu.

🌻   On Labor Day weekend take 15 minutes to write down all the things you wanted to do over the summer but never got around to.  Put your list in an envelope.  When you get your next year's calendar, paperclip the envelope to the first day of June and open it then.  Try to block in some time on your calendar to make postponed pleasures a priority when summer returns.

🌻   Celebrate the autumn equinox (22nd) with a festive dinner of homestyle cooking.  Do this especially if you live alone and rarely cook a descent meal for yourself.  Bring home a small pot of mums for your dining table.  Draw hearthside and light the candles, pour the wine or cider, and enjoy the simple pleasure of comfort food.  Have you ever tried an English "fidget pie," a traditional harvest meal?  It's composed of potatoes, onions, apples, and ham pieces in a vegetable stock seasoned with a little brown sugar, salt and paper.  Pour into a pastry shell, cover with a top crust and bake as you would any filled pie.

🌻   Observe the autumnal festival of Michaelmas (29th), which is the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel.  This ancient English harvest festival dates back to the sixth century.  Legend has it that on this day the devil was driven out of Heaven by St. Michael and landed in a patch of blackberry brambles.  It's traditional to have blackberry treats--pies, tarts, or jam on scones for tea on this day.

🌻   Start making your Christmas list this month so that you won't be frantic in December.

🌻   Take a walk under the huntress moon (16th).

I always buy potted mums in September for my porch then plant them in the garden before winter. . . .

Sarah writes, "Since ancient times, September has been viewed as the beginning of the new year, a time for reflection and resolution....... It seems to me that January resolutions are about will;  September resolutions are about authentic wants."  Sarah asks this question:

What do you want more or less of in your life, so that you can love the life you're leading?

When my children started school September became the beginning of my year.  It's been hard to break the habit even though it's been seven years since my last child went off to college for his final year in September.  I always felt bittersweet this time of year.  I was glad to see the worst of the heat and humidity come to an end, but sad to no longer have my sons about, even as I was glad to have more time to myself. This time to myself allowed me to reflect on my life.  Making new resolutions would always come out of it.

September is also special for me because it's my husband's birthday month.  We spent a wonderful week on Martha's Vineyard in 2012 for his birthday.  We stayed in a carriage house that had a small garden behind it where I'd write in my journal each morning before we went off to explore more of the island.  You can read about it on Morning Musings starting with this Post and clicking on the next one for a total of eight more . . . .

And September is the month Gabriel came into my life in 2008. . . .

What about you?  What does September represent to you?  Do you have certain rituals or celebrations like Sarah suggests?  Special memories?

How would you answer Sarah's question?


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Take Joy!

Midsummer's Day

Today is Midsummer's Day.  I wrote about Tasha Tudor's Midsummer's Eve celebration earlier in the month.  Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote about Tasha's festivities also in her book "Simple Abundance," then goes on to tell us how she, herself, celebrates Midsummer's Day. . . .

I wander out into the backyard very early in the morning and pluck a blossom from the garden heavy with dew.  With my fingers, I’ll pat the dew upon my face, for legend has it that any woman who washes her face in the dew of Midsummer’s Day will grow more lovely with the passing year.  Fairy cakes are made for tea, midsummer’s syllabub (a delightful concoction of cider, lemon, berries, and whipped cream) is prepared for a moonlit picnic, and personal dreams are renewed.

I think it's a lovely idea to find reasons to celebrate the seasons.  There was a time when Summer was all about children home for school vacation, finding activities and trips to keep them busy and enrich their young lives.  Now Summer is about enjoying my garden.  Things are growing and therefore my garden must be tended:  weeding, watering, fertilizing, deadheading.  But I also take time to just enjoy it. . . . .the fragrance of Lavender as I harvest it. . . .

The sight of daisies and evening primroses rioting together. . . .

Climbing roses creating bowers over my garden path. . . .

Hearing the high-pitched croak of the frog as I startle him back into the pond when I draw too close. . . .

But I think one of the most joyful beauties of the place where I live is the sun filtering through the tree tops. . . .

Anne Shirley in "Anne of Avonlea" says it best. . . .

I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls sipping off a string. 

May you find Joy in every day!


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Take Joy!

Repose of the Soul

"We have all met her, that special woman who draws you into her orb with a radiant smile.  Her eyes light up as you tell her how you've been.  She attracts men, women, children, and animals, for her complete attention is soothing and hypnotic.  When you walk away from her you feel as if you have been bathed in a beautiful warm light."   --Sarah Ban Breathnach, "Simple Abundance"

When I read Sarah's description of the type of woman that makes you feel "bathed in a beautiful warm light" I immediately thought of Susan Branch.  I took this photo at a book signing in 2014 as the couple in front of me were getting their book signed by Susan.  As you can see, Susan had a big smile on her face.  I was the last in line and she'd been signing for over an hour!  When it was my turn she rose up out of her chair and hugged me when I told her my name because she recognized it from all the comments I've made on her web journal over the years. . . .

Bringing joy to her readers is one of Susan's hallmarks.  She has been someone I've aspired to be like, besides wanting to draw and paint as she does.  I practice my handwriting in hopes one day it will suddenly look like hers, but practicing her warmth does not come easily to me.   She does not profess to be an outgoing person, yet she gives you her full attention and makes you feel special while you are in her "orb."  So I was glad to read further in Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance" how I might acquire this ability. . . .

Sarah reminds me that if I will take the time to "step outside my own sphere to embrace others, [I] open [myself] up to the power of Spirit. "  She says, "We are suddenly lit up from inside, and this illumination can transform our looks more effectively than any fancy salon beauty makeover."  This, indeed, is repose of the soul.

P.S.  If you want to print out Sarah's quote with Susan's artwork, drag it to your computer desktop.

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Take Joy!

Twelfth Day of Christmas

♫Joy to the World♫

On the twelfth day of Christmas I give to my true loves:

The gift of Joy

Just for today celebrate the gift of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  This is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones.   If you truly do this, you will want to celebrate not just for today, but everyday.

May Peace, Love & Joy be yours today and always.

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Take Joy!

Eleventh Day of Christmas

♫Silent Night♫

On the eleventh day of Christmas I give to my true loves:

The gift of Peaceful Surroundings

There's something about a crackling fire that brings peace to my inner world.  Perhaps it touches on some ancient memory of being warmed by a fire when it was a matter of life and death.  Just for today do what you have to do to make your surroundings peaceful.....even if it's just your inner world.

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Take Joy!

Tenth Day of Christmas

♫I Wonder As I Wander♫

On the tenth day of Christmas I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Wonder

The gift of wonder is what keeps us young.  Once you think you know it all what is left to live for?  Just for today find someone who needs reminding of this and take them for a wander through nature.  Help them to see things they've never seen before and to ask questions.  Or go outside after dark and look to the sky and wonder what the shepherds saw that very special night long ago in Bethlehem.


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Take Joy!

Ninth Day of Christmas

♫Up on the Housetop♫

On the ninth day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Surprise

When my children were very little it was easy to surprise them on Christmas morning.  They would get a few things they asked for, but also other things they didn't know about.  As they got older it got harder for me to figure out what they might like, so I just stuck to their list.  That's when I started adding a different element of surprise to their gifts:  clues as to where to FIND their gifts.  Sometimes I'd write the clues in rhyme.  Other times they'd be given a clue to where to find the next clue and so on, until they eventually found their gifts.  Even now I will sometimes hide one of their gifts or leave it for their stockings.  You have three days to think of a way to surprise your family this Christmas.  Come back here after Christmas and tell us what you did!

This is what I did in 2003.  My boys were 24, 21, and 16.  I read them the story, then gave them their clues (click on to enlarge). . . .

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Take Joy!

Eighth Day of Christmas

♫We Wish You a Merry Christmas♫

On the eighth day of Christmas I gave to my true loves:

The gift of Communication

Hopefully, you've already sent out your Christmas cards by now, if that is your tradition.  I've always sent cards, but it's only been in recent years that I've tried to personalize them.  Newsletters have gotten a bad rap in my opinion.  Yes, they can become a form of "gloating" about our good fortunes.  But we all know there is always more to the story that isn't being shared because who wants to share the not-so-good news at Christmas.  So instead, I see them as a way to keep in touch with the folks who are not a regular part of my life.  I LOVE receiving others' news about their families, so I thought maybe others would like to hear what we've been up to as well.  Some years I even add a poem or a story just to personalize it a little bit more.  Just for today, even though your cards may already be in the mail by now, take a moment to share what's going on in your life with the people you come in contact with.  By sharing first, maybe they'll share with you when you ask, "So how's it going with you?"


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Take Joy!

Seventh Day of Christmas

♫Let It Snow♫

On the seventh day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Beauty

We've only had snow on a couple Christmases here in Maryland.  So when we do, like we did on Christmas Eve 2012, it is even more beautiful than the snow we have later in the winter.  While you can't make it snow, just for today make a point of bringing something of beauty to someone's attention.  It may be the sunrise or sunset, a bird in a tree, a particularly delightful window display.  And there are always Christmas lights to admire in your community.  Why not make an evening of driving, or better yet, walking through a neighborhood or downtown with someone you love.

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Take Joy!

Sixth Day of Christmas

♫Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer♫

On the sixth day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Good Cheer

I think animals are a great way to bring Good Cheer to others during the holidays.  My photo montage of Gabriel's first Christmas when he was six months old brings a smile to my face every time.  I was trying to capture him in my little Christmas scene for our Christmas card.  The four side photos are only a few of the photos I took before getting the final one in the center.  Just for today try to bring Good Cheer to someone's life that you know is feeling down.  Christmas can often be a sad time for people who have suffered loss this time of year.  It may be a phone call, a visit, or posting a fun photo of your pet on Facebook to bring a smile to someone's face.


P.S. Be sure to watch the video that comes with the song!

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Take Joy!

Fifth Day of Christmas

♫Away in the Manger♫

On the fifth day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Tenderness

Sarah did not explain what she was thinking when she made her list of gifts so I am interpreting them from my own perspective.  When I think of giving the gift of tenderness I think:  understanding, compassion, forgiveness.  To me tenderness means making allowances for others' mistakes, inadequacies....even intentional unkindness.  It's meeting a harsh word with a kind word.  Everyone is under pressure this time of year.  Even if you are the one doing all the work, if you are stressed out about it, your loved ones are feeling it.  They may "check out" or "lash out."  Even if someone does not give you the gift of Tenderness, just for today try to give it to them.  They obviously need a great deal of it.  You can give them some of yours.


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Take Joy!

Fourth Day of Christmas

♫Here Comes Santa Claus♫

On the fourth day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Simple Seasonal Pleasures

There was a time I resented the intrusion of the secular celebration of Christmas on the spiritual celebration--even though I'd grown up believing in Santa.  It was a great deal of fun as a child to anticipate the presents waiting for me Christmas morning.  My little brother would always be the first to awake, though, and come get me.  Perhaps he thought Big sister would make it OK to sneak into the living room before our parents woke up because then I'd get the blame.  With fond memories such as these I continued the Santa tradition with my children even as I felt guilty doing so.

Now, I believe that all of life is spiritual if you just move the veil aside.  I believe that God can be seen in all things, if we are looking from that perspective.  There are lessons to be learned and truths to be gained by enjoying the simple pleasures in life.  Just for today take the time to enJOY whatever the season has to offer with someone you love.


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Take Joy!

Third Day of Christmas

♫Good King Wensceslas♫

On the third day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Creative Energy

Creative Energy can be anything that you've put some thought into.  It's that little extra--like dining by candlelight with soft music playing in the background.  It's making a handmade card for someone telling them you love them just for who they are.  Just for today take some time to do something out of the ordinary.

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Take Joy!

Second Day of Christmas

♫A Holly Jolly Christmas♫

On the second day of Christmas I gave my true loves:

The gift of Enthusiasm

Who better than a child to look to for enthusiasm.  Do you think just for today you could get as excited about something as simple as a ride in a wagon around the living room--and then share your enthusiasm with someone?


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Take Joy!

First Day of Christmas

♫All I Want for Christmas is You♫

On the first day of Christmas, I gave to my true loves:

The gift of my Undivided Attention

This one will not come naturally or easily during these last 12 days before Christmas if you still have shopping and baking and card writing and the million and one things on your list still yet to do.  But just for today any person or animal you come in contact with, give your undivided attention to them.


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Take Joy!

Twelve Days of Christmas

♫Twelve Days of Christmas♫

Sarah Ban Breathnach writes in Simple Abundance, "All those bright, pretty baubles blowing your budget are only symbols of the gifts you really long to give."  She says she knows "a one-size-fits-all gift that would be absolutely thrilling for everyone on your list:  the gift of yourself."

For the next 12 days leading up to Christmas I will be sharing each day one way Sarah says we can share ourselves.  It will cost you time, creative energy, and emotion, Sarah says, but the rewards will be well worth it.

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Take Joy!

Becoming Real

♫The Velveteen Rabbit♫

Sarah Ban Breathnach uses the story of The Velveteen Rabbit, written by Margery Williams in 1927, to talk about authenticity.   She writes, "For a long time, the bunny remained just another plaything in the nursery.  But he didn't mind because he was able to carry on long, philosophical discussions with the old Skin Horse who was very old, wise, and experienced in the strange ways of nursery magic."  One day the rabbit asked the Skin Horse , "What is REAL?  Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"  The horse replied . . . .

Sarah says, "In order for us to become Real, we must become lovers of real life in all its complexity and uncertainty....The Velveteen Rabbit isn't alone in wishing to become Real without any uncomfortable or unpleasant things happening."  She suggests growing gradually into our authenticity to alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with change.  She says, "As you learn to acknowledge, accept, and appreciate what it is that makes you different from [everyone else], the process begins.  As you learn to trust the wisdom of your heart and make creative choices based on what you know is right for you, process becomes progress.  As you learn to endow even the smallest moment of each day with Love, progress becomes reality perfected."

When we are children if we feel neglected we too often try to please those around us so we will gain their love and attention.  Sometimes we give up and just go for their attention which can be gotten either in the form of getting into trouble or becoming perfectionists.  You may not even realize that you are not your "real" self because it's the only self you've ever known.  That is the hard part of becoming real--digging deep, tearing away the layers, and finally reaching the most sensitive part of yourself.  If you have someone in your life who will love you no matter what, the process will go more quickly.  Their unconditional love will enable you to begin to change.  It helps to let the people in your life know that you've begun this journey and ask for their understanding and support.  In the end, though, it's your own commitment to do what your heart leads you to do.  

For me, this has been my spiritual journey--discovering who I was created to be, and how that would play out in what I do.  My process began when I realized that I could not become a lover of real life unless I knew there was Someone who was able to look out for me.  As my faith grew I realized that the God who created me is good and wants only what is best for me.  I knew He would love me no matter what--that I could go to Him when others did not understand.  And that even the hard things work together for my good.  

Skin Horse said, "You can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."  Once I became  confident in God's love I no longer needed others' approval.  Now I am beautiful in God's sight, and that's all that matters.  

For a taste of The Velveteen Rabbit:

               

If you'd like the entire story read to you, here is an entertaining young man to read it to you:  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

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Take Joy!