Edouard Vuillard, Interieur a la Table à Ouvrage 1893
It seems everywhere I go in the Blogiverse, everyone's reading it. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I am too. I'm not too far in yet, but it's a book to read slowly. Slowly is mostly how I read anyway, so that's good. Somebody said, "Ever forward, but slowly," and I think it's a fine way to read or to live, even though I sometimes go forward fast, or should that be fast-forward? Anyway, the author challenges herself to be thankful, to take joy, to live fully in the moment, to see God's hand on all things. Throughout the pages, she lists simple joys -- actually writes them down in her journal, no matter how silly or trite they might seem to someone else. These, I am supposing, will be the One Thousand Gifts.Back when I was homeschooling a passel of children every day at our kitchen table, we would take turns reading a chapter of the Bible every day aloud. When we were done, we would always pray together. Each of us would choose one person to pray for and then give a *thankful.* A *thankful* was just that. A thankful. Whatever you happened to be thankful for at that very moment. It was the prayer that we all wanted to pray. Thousand Gifts is like that. And my list below is a list of simple joys or thankfuls, for to be thankful brings joy. Don't you think?
Simple Joys
Spring.... new bird arrivals daily, baby calves, warm days followed by snow and frost. Wild winds which will eventually bring more warm days to us.
Edouard Vuillard
Lack of sleep. Everyone takes their shift to check the first-calf heifers through the night. Sleep deprivation makes going to bed a joy and sleep comes easily. "O Bed! O Bed! Delicious Bed, that Heaven upon Earth to the weary head." ~Thomas HoodCold cookies thawed perfectly from the freezer. A blend of cold, yet not frozen, and chewy, not crunchy.
I love you's and thank you's and kisses on the cheek from the people I live with. (They are the best of people!)
Spot and Big Boy just joined the bum lambs after their mother died. Big Boy has always sucked the bottle, but not Spot. Spot just started sucking yesterday and he is so happy to have milk now.
Wet snow. I really don't want any more snow, but I know that snow is good. It makes grass grow and fills up our stock ponds with fresh water. There are so many folks in the USA who are drying up and blowing away and experiencing fires. I've been there. I don't want that, so I'll take the snow.
Steak and eggs and toast for breakfast. All homegrown, homemade things.
A little time to read in my bed with my cozy shawl wrapped around my shoulders and a cup of herb tea on my nightstand.
Edouard Vuillard, The "Voiles de Gênes" Boudoir
Art. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy lovely art like Vuillard's on my computer.
Deviled eggs.
Wool-fleece lined slippers. There's nothing like them for comfort.
Holding hands.
What simple joys are you thankful for?
What a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for finding your blog.
OK Mary at Neat and Tidy beat me to it! I, too, am so thankful for finding your blog - and making the friends that this electronic world provides for all of us no matter where we live, what kind of jobs we have or what religion we are.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful list Jody. I do so love my visits here. I'm thankful that I can complain about trivial things, when so many others are suffering real losses. I hope Mother Nature brings a warm-up to you this week!
ReplyDeleteIs there a limit on how many words the comment section can handle? My simple joys...
ReplyDeleteA cozy home that we can rest in, create in, host in, hunker down in, love in, work out problems in, pray in, cry in, laugh in and on it goes.
A green space we can look out on and enjoy to the fullest and observe the local nature (even in the midst of suburbia)
My husband's faithfulness and love for the important things of life. His hard work and provision
That I can walk and see and smell and hear today.
For hot coffee in the morning
For the webcam to visit our kids and grand-girl.
For books to read, material to sew, food to cook, clothes to wash and iron, floors to sweep, pictures to hang,
For green plants and colorful flowers that make me smile
For my oak table in the kitchen/family room. Lots of real life happens here.
For letters and friends to correspond with
For my Bible--all marked up and a 'friend' that welcomes me everyday.
I best stop and do the dishes!
Joyce
Simple joys that I enjoy are a hot shower, a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, Sunrise and sunset, those slippers are high on the list, too.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Thank you, everyone for your very kind, loving comments. I think we could all make very longs lists of a Thousand Gifts.
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You know, Clarice, I thought of you while I've been reading One Thousand Gifts because I thought how interesting that in your book, Wren Bay, Wren has a list of Blessings each day, much like the Thousand Gifts. Counting blessings and seeing life as it is and being joyful is really nothing new, is it?
I'm glad to hear that "sunny" is in your blessings today which means it might be on the way to me soon! I do have lots of birds at the feeders right now. One grosbeak which I haven't seen all winter long. I'm anticipating more birds as the days of spring march onward.
Jody
Lovely thoughtful words and beautiful photos (especially love the last one)! Love your thankful heart Miss Jodi - what a treasure it is you share with us.
ReplyDeleteAnd what am I thankful for? Well, of course, I'm thankful (first and most) for my wonderful family -- my best friends. And, simple joys I'm thankful for these lovely Spring days are beautiful sunny skies, singing birds, blooming flowers brightening up the earth as it turns from dowdy brown to lovely emerald green, the soft feel and beautiful colors of wool I'm knitting into something for someone I love (or me ;), friends who laugh and pray and have good hearts, Puppers and our kitty friends who are cosy companions, tiny strawberries in the garden, and tomato plants in blossom and angels to watch over us all.
Blessings,
GG
This was refreshing and inspiring. I haven't heard of this book and am going to definitely look it up. Thank you for sharing your list..it encourages my heart to be thankful for the simple things too.
ReplyDeleteSo many simple joys--the first cup of coffee in the morning, the feeling I get when I slip into my cozy bed at night. Walking my dog, drinking really good iced tea. Guacamole. And yes, deviled eggs!
ReplyDeletexofrances
Today I am thankful for my husband. He is a sweet, kind and patient man with a huge servant's heart. At 3:30 this morning he as up with me helping to care for and clean up after a sick child, even when he only had another hour before he had to get up for work AND he had stayed up late working on a project for me and our home school group. I don't appreciate how he puts us first like that as much as I should.
ReplyDeleteI love the Boudoir picture best of all. I would love a room just like that.
Sloppy toddler kisses from my little boy, a quiet lunch with my Hubby, long phone calls with my parents, and feeling the kicks and jabs of my very active unborn baby…. These are some of the many things I’ve grateful for.
ReplyDeleteHi Jody!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I'm making a long "gift" list, too.
I'm thankful for home. I loved seeing my parents and now I LOVE being home with my loved ones, my junk and my books.
You choose the best art. Thank you!
Such beautiful art --- melding sweetly with words that make so much sense.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautifully written book - I too am reading it slowly and savouring each line.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for so many things - here are a few - sunrise and sunset, the sound of waves, a kitten's purr, music, a daughter's kiss, a young man's "Love you Momma" - a husband's hand to hold - for 34 years!! And so many more! God is infinitely good!
Today I'm thankful for finding your blog, for the link to the homemade detergent recipe, and for discovering Vuillard!! Many, many thanks from central Pennsylvania.
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