Buddhist proverb: Three things will always rise; the sun, the moon, and the truth.
This quote reminds me to search for the small joys in life.
When I lived in my house you often found me early in the morning strolling through the garden in my robe or even in summer just in my pajamas. I loved the early morning hour strolls through the garden. I was always searching for new blooms, new growth. It is what brought me joy. These days I am adjusting and relearning how to do this. I find if I just step out on my patio at sunrise and look toward the sky I can find stars and sometimes the moon. It delights me.
If I spy a flower or take my cup of tea in hand and breathe in the scents, I smile.
My "live-in gardener" was in the hospital for a few days this past week. He is better now and we are both almost back to normal after having the "icky" virus going around. Our appetites aren't quite back to normal; so for Valentine's I thought we would have a simple teatime.
I made cucumber sandwiches, Coronation chicken sandwiches (British), cream scones, mochi with marachino cherries (Japanese), fruit, and moon cakes (Chinese); then tea was rooibos Marco Polo (French). It was a multi-ethnic teatime, but it satisfied our teatime appetite quite well.
It was a potluck and tea tasting.
Wow! There was a lot of food and tea.
I made the pink mochi balls with maraschino cherries inside.
Finding small joys in the everyday times.
What brings you small joys?
Sending love,
Marilyn
It is so fulfilling to find and appreciate small joys. In a way, I could call them Big joys. Even looking at one flower closely or an industrious bee, very fascinating. God made a lot of complex plants and animals for our pleasure to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful spread at the Chinese New Year gathering with your tea group. Oh my, it looks delicious. Your simple tea time with your husband looks very nice as well. I'm sorry to hear he was in the hospital with a nasty virus. I love that tea cup that is shown. Yes, I love candles lit, especially at night time. And that red rose is beautiful, Marilyn. Is that in your garden at your new place? I think a red rose that hasn't yet bloomed is as pretty as one fully bloomed, maybe even prettier. Also, I wanted to mention that first quote, which is very special. Have a sweet February week, Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of an international tea time for Valentine's Day. That's sort of perfect. And the New Year gathering looks amazing with all that food. But that's not good news at all about the hospital or you two being ill, though it IS good news that you are on the mend and he is home. I'm not a candle fan -- at least not real ones. Everyone gives me candles and every year I end up regifting them to other people (who probably regift them to someone else). Especially fragrance candles. That and pretty but smelly soap! But I do like the battery candles -- safer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gathering with your tea group...That is a huge blessing to have. I think I might read that book - I also love that time period! Blessings, Marilyn (My husband and son were also sick with that terrible flu - somehow, I escaped it)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are both recovering from the icky virus. We've escaped it thus far - neither of us have even had a cold this season. Your food looks delicious. I cooked dumplings, lemon chicken, and some vegetables for Chinese New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love candles, especially the natural beeswax ones.