Count Your Blessings

Some of you might know of the hymn " Count Your Blessings .  It was a hymn I grew up with and came to mind just recently with the challenges we've been facing.

I thought I'd share a few lines with you as a way of encouraging you if times are tough.  Sometimes it can  feel like there's no hope,  or nothing to be grateful for.  Remembering  our blessings no matter how big or small can be a wonderful way to lift our spirits and give hope to continue on.

Each time I pick food from our garden,  I'm grateful we can eat.
Each time I fill up my car with petrol,  I'm grateful I have the money to do so.
Each time I look in the wardrobe.  I'm grateful I have a choice of what to wear.
Each time I put the heating / cooling on,  I'm grateful I can be comfortable.
Each time I go to work,  I'm grateful for strength to finish the job.
Each time I see Darren,  I'm grateful for love.
Each time I come home,  I'm grateful it's ours.
Each time the girls ring / text / visit,  I'm grateful they are in my life.
Each time I see the sky,  I'm grateful for it's beauty.
Each time I look at my blog,  i'm grateful for the opportunity to share.
Each time I'm blessed,  I'm grateful that God knows our needs.
Each time we need to cut the budget,  I'm grateful for the skills to make it work.

Here are some of the words to the hymn -

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Will you count your blessings this week ?

From our garden

The love of my life.

What Makes You Happy ? March 2015

Here are three things that make me happy and bring a smile to my face -

*  My daughters calling me Mama.  When they were young they like to watch the Aristocats movie.  In this movie the kittens call their mother " Mama ".  Ever since then on occasion my girls call me mama and it makes me smile.  It's such a lovely endearing name and I feel special when I hear it.

*  Having a free day when there's no housework to do.  It's very rare in my house but lately I've been able to work extra hard during the week so that I have Saturday free to do what I want.  I've spent the time making cards and other craft items.

*  Autumn.  Darren and I love to get into the garden during this time of the year when the weather is mild.  We prepare the vegetable garden beds for Winter planting.  Vegetable seeds are planted then transplanted,  bushes need to be trimmed or pulled out and we do lots of weeding.  The weather isn't too hot or cold and we enjoy breathing in the fresh air.

What makes you happy ?

What Makes You Happy ? February 2015

It's time to reveal another three things that bring joy to your life.  For me it's not the latest phone,  fashion trend or expensive overseas holiday. I find pure joy in the simple things in life.  Here's my three things for February -


*  Picking produce from my garden.  I just love to spend time in my garden,  pulling a weed here and there and picking the lovely fruits and vegetables to feed my family.  This also makes me feel rich as it costs very little to grow our own.

My garden haul on Wednesday 11th Feb.

*  Having a lovely cup of tea with some home baking.  I'm not into the fancy teas that are the latest trend.  Give me a good strong cup of normal / English breakfast tea with a little sugar and milk and I'm happy.  A homemade muffin,  scone or biscuit finishes off a relaxing morning tea for me every day.

Peanut Butter Choc Chip Biscuits

A good cup of tea in my Grandma's cup and saucer,

*  Having a stockpile of good wholesome food in my pantry,  fridge and freezers.  I feel happy knowing that I can afford to buy ingredients to cook and bake for my family.  I'm happy and content knowing that if the supermarkets closed unexpectedly or weather or illness prevented me from grocery shopping,  I could provide many, many meals and not have to worry.

A monthly grocery shop.

What three things make you happy ?

What Makes You Happy ? January 2015

When Darren and I lost our jobs at the same time back in 2005 we were devastated,  shocked and quite frightened of what the future held for us.  Even through this hard time,  we tried to focus on the positive things in our life.  This included the things that made us happy.  To this day,  no matter what comes our way whether it be good or bad,  we always look on the bright side of life.

Here's what makes me happy -

*  My home.  Although it is not a grand big home,  it's clean,  tidy,  organised and comfortable.  I just love spending time at home.  I'm at peace there and no resort,  shopping centre,  restaurant,  motel,  event or outing can make me as happy as my home does.

*  My cat or should I say " our cat ".  After all,  Princess is the family's cat.  She loves to climb into the recliner chair with me at night for a snuggle,  wash then sleep. When I'm on the computer she likes to smooch the computer cord,  plonk herself on the ground and roll over for a tummy rub.  She escorts me to the chicken coop,  helps me in the garden and chases butterflies ( and the birdies ).

*  Making my own things like jams,  relish,  brown sugar,  laundry powder,  sweetened condensed milk etc etc.  The list could go on and on.  I feel a great sense of achievement when I can make it myself and not rely on the supermarket to provide every little ingredient.   It saves me a small fortune and saves the health of my family.  What more could I ask for ?

 

 

What makes you happy ?

What Makes You Happy ? December 2014

With December being so busy for many,  it's still important to take time out and reflect on the things that make you happy.  It will bring you a sense of peace,  contentment and joy to your life.

Here's what makes me happy -

*  Christmas decorations.  I look forward to getting them out each year.  I also like to make some and they look great on the tree ( if I do say so myself ).

*  Our chickens.  They are such funny creatures to watch as they run around fighting over a strawberry.  It's almost like watching a cartoon but in real life.

*  A good home cooked meal.  It warms me up inside knowing I'm feeding my family good food that will help them to stay healthy and strong.

What makes you happy ?

What Makes You Happy ? November 2014

A big thankyou to everyone for commenting on last month's " What Makes You Happy ? " post.  It's always great to spend some time reflecting on what really does bring a smile to your face.  Please share this post with your friends and encourage them to share three happy things.

Here's what makes me happy -


* Beautiful vintage china. I have some of my Grandma's cup, saucers and plates. My Grandpa used to play lawn bowls and was very good at it. When he won, quite often his prize was a cup, saucer and plate set. Many of them are well known brands and I treasure them. I also love to use them on the odd occasion.

*  When Darren cuts a rose from our garden for my bedside table.  The fragrance is beautiful and it's the last thing I smell before I go to sleep and the first thing when I wake up.  I also love to stop and smell the roses in the garden.

*   I love the color apple green. It's a happy, fresh color and if I see homewares in apple green, it always puts a smile on my face and warms me up inside. I have towels, tea towels, ramekns, table cloths, clothes and a handbag in apple green. I was attending a Cheapskates workshop a few months ago and was wearing my apple green coat. One lady there commented on my coat and showed me her price book. It was apple green too. I then picked up my apple green handbag to show her and we all had a laugh over our apple green accessories.



Some of my apple green things.

What makes you happy ?

 

  

What Makes You Happy ? October 2014

Just the other night Jessica came in to kiss me goodnight as she usually does.  We started talking about what makes us happy.  Earlier that day I'd wrapped more Christmas presents and was feeling very happy about being so organised this year.  Jessica said that ( raw ) carrots and bubble wrap make her happy and she'd like them in her Christmas stocking.  We had a good laugh over that and continued talking about other things that make us happy.  There are so many things that make my family happy.  Nothing big or expensive.  Mostly it's the simple things that brings a smile to our face.

As I was at work today I kept thinking about this topic.  Then it came to me.  I should start a new post for all of you to share the things that make you happy too.  We live in a world that likes to dwell on the negative.  I prefer to have a postive outlook on life.  So once a month I'll put up a new post that gives you all the opportunity to share your happiness.

I'm putting the challenge out there for anyone who reads my blog to take the time to post three things that make you happy.  Please keep in mind that this will be a regular post so don't list everything in one go.   Keep us coming back for more  !!!!

Three things that make me happy -

*  My miniture tea set / tea pot collection.  I've been fascinated with small tea sets since I was about 6 or 7. I bought my first small tea set when I was eight.  Then I started collecting them about five years ago  Every time I look at them I feel so happy inside.  When visitors come they like to look at them too.  They bring a smile to everyone's face and that makes me happy all over again.

*  Darren pickng some flowers from the garden for me.  At the moment I have iceberg roses on my bedside table.

*  Cuddles and kisses from my girls.  They are 17 and 14 and I know I'm blessed to have that affection from them.

Part of my tea set collection

More tea sets 

Roses Darren picked.

 What three things make you happy ?