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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Little Things





It seems ages since I did anything normal, but my sister's birthday gave us a good reason to try.





We usually celebrate our sister birthdays lunching and shopping for a few hours together. Mine was in the summer, and we strolled along then for hours talking amid the beauty of the flowering Botanical Gardens. But we wanted something cozier for a small winter fete this time.





We all have different Covid "bubbles," and so we still mask, keep distance, and mostly opt for outdoors when we are together. But a simple home get-together lunch seemed reasonable enough for three.





I feel like the occasion was hosted by Trader Joe's: as it pretty much was! I couldn't believe how no fuss but successful that can be, since we only decided how to get together the night before. (One of us was only just arriving back in town.)





Even though my own sisters are an easy crowd, I still wanted something festive. A little pot of mini daffodils served as a centerpiece very nicely. You have to hunt to see the little chocolate cake in this picture that I chose. But it was surprisingly delicious too! 





I strung my small length of party bunting over the table, and voila!










The menu was a tasty quiche and a prepared salad, both from the store, and which I had never before tried but had only picked up a couple hours before. I don't know if I was only lucky, but we found it all more than just okay! I laid out my best quilted Frenchy placemats for the table.





I love the look of delicious food on a pretty white plate.





Even more interesting if nothing matches!





My little birch tree is still up amd made a nice door stop right next to the table. We opened the doors a bit for air circulation like a streetside cafe. Only warmer! We even had the French Cafe music playing in the background.





I gifted my sister a quote book by Robert Brault. Until recently, I had no idea who he is.




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He is famous for tons of familiar sayings we all know like: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." His blog is listed on the sidebar of my blog page. But the link is also here.





For me these days it is all small things. But a trip to a fancy-ish grocery store turned into a memorable, if easy, soiree that was all about connection anyway. I picked up these pussy willow branches there that gave me small delight when I saw them. The girls each took some home after reminiscing about those that grew in front of our old elementary school when we were young. 





Over a long lunch and lively talk, we toasted to survival, to simple pleasures, to friendship, and to love. We talked of days past and old dramas, as though we might be actors on a stage, or characters from a novel. As if we lived in such perilous times, or in days so strange or of such seeming unreality that they might sometime be written down in the pages of history. . . . 






























To the little things, my friends...

Jacqueline






 

12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, both in look and in content. How wonderful to visit with siblings. I did spot the chocolate cake with the pretty little white candles on it!

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  2. Beautiful post. Little things are very important .

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  3. Indeed, to those little things. And to host a wee birthday party these days is a BIG little thing. How delightful. Funny, when (and if) this nightmare is over I can promise myself I will never EVER take the little things for granted again. The whole carpe diem thing resonates strongly in most people these days.

    Thank you for the recommendation of that book of quotes - what a perfect gift! Your table and your menu and your festivity is just perfect. Thank you for sharing.

    Stay well.

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  4. Celebrating birthdays with our siblings may seem like a little thing, but in reality it is indeed a big thing. So glad you were able to do it! 💕 Beautiful blog post!

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  5. Sometimes it is just the little things in life that are so memorable and special. Sounds like you had a wonderful time for your sister's birthday. Love always seeing your beautiful whites. Have a wonderful week. xoxo

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  6. I cannot tell you how deeply this post touches me -- right down to the very core. It was just what you needed, wasn't it? And so beautiful, as well. I'm so glad you could be together.

    Hosted by Trader Joe sounds like a fine idea to me. I haven't been to one in ages(there isn't a close one) but I was impressed by their Covid measures and felt pretty safe there. Their foods are so good! And the daffs are perfect and a bright burst of spring (or will be, when they burst!) Don't you wish they'd stay in bloom forever? It's all lovely and I especially love how you talked and talked and felt very special, your sharing that with us.

    Where did you find that darling birch tree? I love it!

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  7. It all sounds so lovely. I have 2 sisters, one nearby and one 6 hours away. I would love nothing better right now than to have high tea with them. Thank you for your beautiful post.
    *Smiles*

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  8. Beautiful post! Where did you find the fabulous wrapping paper you wrapped the book in? I'd love to get some. Thank you.

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  9. Hi, such a lovely post. I envy you your sisters as I'm an only. But to share your beautiful home and what a wonderful thing to be able to share it with sisters.

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  10. Yes, a lovely post and Happy Birthday to your sister. Mmmmm, chocolate cake.

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  11. I love this sooooo much! How very special to have this time together. During the pandemic I have really appreciated Trader Joe's more than ever. They just have those special touches and give care to their customers that I don't see in many other markets. Quote and poetry books are a weakness, so now I must go learn more about Robert. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

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  12. Jacqueline, this was such a wonderful post, as yours always are. I feel badly that I am only now seeing it but that certainly doesn't make it any less wonderful. We come when we can and just be grateful that we can. This has been a hard winter for all of us, and now that it is spring and the sun is starting to shine, maybe we will all feel better. Spending time with loved ones and good friends can certainly make it so. Everything looks so pretty and reminds us that we can never forget the little things in life..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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