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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Small Things

 
 
 
 
 
 
My blog subjects are largely about what crosses my path. It's easier that way. And easy is one of my values. Not, EASY, capital letters, as in you don't have to work like a dog throughout most of your life. But easy as in the small things. I thought of Richard Carlson (I had to look up his name) who is famous for his saying, "Don't sweat the Small Stuff. . . and it's all Small Stuff."  But that also works in reverse. We should celebrate the small things. And it's all small things.
 
 
 
I found a ton of fun stuff last week, and this little yellow apron was one of them. I got it for a dollar after finding it in a rumpled ball at the bottom of an unattractive pile.
 
 
 
 
There is no earthly reason why a little ruffly eyelet trimmed pocket should bring so much joy, but I celebrate the woman who made it, and the brilliant person who first discovered that you could so easily bring a ray of sunshine into a life of drudgery with a scrap of cheery fabric and a little darling trim.
 
 
 
 
The flowers are from my new neighbor whose moving truck pulled up at midnight across the street just a couple of days ago. They weren't expected, and we came seriously close to calling police for suspicious behavior.
 
 
 
 
She didn't wait for us to do our duty and introduce ourselves, but came by yesterday with a little bouquet tied with ribbon. She had two of her five little girls in tow, and revealed volumes about herself with one small gesture.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Carlson posed this challenge: "Ask yourself: Is there any way I can become even more loving than I am? Can I fill my heart with more loving kindness? Can you, despite the fact that there are less than perfect people in our world, think loving thoughts about yourself and about others?"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A fellow journalist wrote of him: "His tenets are less anodyne than they might seem, concentrating as they do on not equating material possessions with happiness, being kind to others, attempting to see others' viewpoints and managing conflict serenely. . . .  He did not deny the existence of "big stuff". . . . However, he claimed, reasonably enough, that we have no right to expect everything else in life to run smoothly.
"We have come to believe, especially in industrialised Western nations where we are very privileged, that our lives should be perfect," he said. "We feel like we shouldn't have to deal with traffic jams or flat tyres or people who are rude to us." (Hester Lacey)
 
 
 
I think about the climate of these times. My own intensity at a difference of opinion. All as a reminder to myself, since I'm known more for keeping my silence than for giving a soft answer.
 
 
 
 
And I show you the sweet little bouquet that crossed my path. But the small graces and charms of life add up to so much more. . . .
 













 
 
A happy week ahead my friends!
 
Jacqueline
 

 

 




32 comments:

  1. Hello Jacqueline
    Your post is so cheery and sweet. You are going find a great friend in your new neighbour... I know it! Have a great week.

    Wanda

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  2. Jacqueline, Oh, I DO so love your posts! In this one, I learned that you have a very sweet new neighbor. I have a feeling she feels the same about YOU as you did about her. I see many happy days ahead in your neighborhood!

    I, too, loved the yellow apron and when I find precious things like this in my hunting and gathering, I always wonder about the maker and wish I had known her. The white pitcher with the tiny rose on one side and large on on the other...is quite divine if you ask me...and so is that dear little bowl with the woman's face. And, the wooden coathangers...just what I've been looking for around here. I've many of those round clothespins...and treasure them, aren't we funny?

    Then in your previous post, you showed how to make those lovely tissue paper flowers...something I truly did want to know how to do.

    See, you really DO brighten our days and I thank you. pat

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  3. What beautifully simple subjects you've chosen this week, Jacqueline... A pretty apron and a sweet flower bouquet. Absolutely perfect for living life "in the moment" and celebrating every minute of it. What a delightful new neighbor you have! I hope you have many wonderful years of making memories together.

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  4. It's amazing how focusing on loving thoughts can change your whole world. What a lovely gesture from your new neighbor and that apron is adorable.

    Hugs,
    Laura

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  5. What a lovely, thoughtful post.

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  6. Very sweet and cheery flowers.

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  7. You make life beautiful; first for yourself and then, happily, for those of us who follow.

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  8. It couldn't happen to a nicer person!!!

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  9. Think kind thoughts will stick in my mind. I don't always do that. Thanks for a lovely post. xo Jenny

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  10. I loved this post and that little "pop" of yellow is so uplifting:-)

    Enjoy your gift of blooms!

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  11. Nothing says amazing fall time like aprons, hand stitching and flowers! Simply beautiful! :D

    Hugs,

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  12. How lovely of your new neighbour. The yellow daisies and apron are so cheery and pretty.
    xx

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  13. oh how i NEEDE to hear these words! truly. this Post was "no small thing." it spoke "volumes!!!" merci...:)

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  14. Absolutely delightful post, Jacqueline! Not only do your photos bring sunshine today, but the "small things" reminder is so true.
    Mary Alice

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  15. Thank you for this lovely message! have a wonderful week!
    Trudy

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  16. A little piece of yellow sunshine, always brings joy. adorable little apron..glad it found a home with you!

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  17. Such wise words, Jacqueline! And what sweet, simply joy in that pretty apron and the lovely bouquet your new neighbor gave to you. I love yellow at this time of year! I hope you enjoy spending time with her. Wishing you a lovely week.

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  18. Yes, this is so sweet and cheerful. Yellow gingham tugs at the heartstrings, doesn't it and that happy little flower to accompany it.
    Ruthie From :http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com

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  19. Beautiful sunny post to brighten a dreary day here!

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  20. Love the photos! Also love Country Diary photos too! My favorite book of all time!

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  21. A very cute apron and how kind of your new neighbour to bring flowers. Nice neighbours are a complete GODSEND. XX

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  22. Jacqueline,
    You always brighten my day...like a ray of Sunshine!!! This little apron is so sweet...adore the photo of the flower in the pocket! What a sweet gesture from your new neighbor!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  23. Your blog, your words and your lovely photos touch my heart. So much inspiration in a sweet yellow handmade apron.

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  24. Hi J,
    Well you are a bundle of sweet sunshine today... what a lovely post and how fabulous to have a great to neighbor/friend!
    I always enjoy your keen eye for the beauty of small things...
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  25. I am so moved by this post. My Etsy shop is named "The simple things", because, when all is said and done, it seems to me that it's always the simple things that bring the most pleasure. I love those little yellow flowers that bloom by the side of the road this time of year. At least those look like the ones that bloom here... what a charming thing to bring to someone, and your apron is just completely delightful as are your photos. You really lifted my day with your appreciation of it all, and by not making me feel so corny and boring for finding so much pleasure in this kind of stuff...

    Cindy

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  26. wow everything i see on thos blog is beautiful !!!!!! Very happy to follow you, would be really cool if you can follow back
    http://babyemilycloset.blogspot.co.uk/

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  27. So sweet! One person's trash is another one's treasure! The apron is lovely! I love the sweet ruffled pocket on it. Glad you found it and breathed new life back into it!
    How sweet of your new neighbor to come over so quickly! We have new neighbors but we haven't met eye to eye yet! They never seem to be around when we are!
    Good thing you didn't call the cops!!
    I always love reading your posts and your kind way of looking at the world.

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  28. I love yellow in the kitchen for some reason. I think it makes the day happy. How cute is that apron!!

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  29. This little yellow apron is adorable. I love the small details and hanging there so natural on the wooden pants hanger. I can see how it brought such joy.

    I agree about it all being small things... and small things deserve celebration too!

    Our neighborhood crime watch has been re-inacted after being defunct for a few years... and now, it seems like all the neighbors are on edge! The crime watch has given all us country folk a reason to get into each other's business! Just the other night The Honey had me call the widow next door, and ask if everything was alright...because her porch light was on and so were many lights in the house! I felt silly, but she appreciated it. She doesn't usually have her house lit up that late...9:00 pm. Silly! We're all on edge, I tell you.

    ...so I had a chuckle at your suspicious behavior comment. Pat

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  30. What a kind and seemingly now-a-days almost obsolete gesture!! Lovely! And I love the yellow check apron. I have yellow check cushions on my chairs in the dining room--well the only room with a table to eat at! And outside on my round tables I have yellow checked tablecloths and also yellow checked cushions on outdoor furniture!! So cheery and matches my yellow house! Love the sentiments. Food for thought and right now, I am sorry, but I am just so tired of rude people!! ha ha! Kay

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