Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Little Celebrations

Hello you.  Thank you for stopping in.  
This morning Bill and I were drinking our coffee and talking about what holidays look like and how our lifetime celebrations, family gatherings, change over time.  In the almost ten years that we've been grandparents we have had MANY meals with our family.  We hold them loosely, trying to allow for changes that have and will occur.  This discussion got me thinking about how we might make the ordinary day get togethers more celebratory.  I'm wondering and dreaming about small touches that say to the people gathered under our roof, "I wish to celebrate YOU!"  For example, when the book club ladies come in September, I am going to scrub the scruffy bathroom that guests use and place two big pots of chrysanthemums in the bathtub.  I think the surprise of flowers in an unexpected place might bring a smile.   
 Many brides these days like all white dishes.  One of my nieces said that she likes the way food LOOKS on white plates.  That makes sense but I like colorful dishes and I like the idea of choosing a cup or plate for a child and saying, "I am happy that you are here and I put your cocoa in this cup because I wanted you to know how special you are to me."  I must get my bunny mugs and my Winnie the Pooh mugs from high shelves and start using them more before the grands get too old.  Time flies.

I usually have candy around for the adult kids and the grands.  Sometimes the grands gorge and their parents have to step in and move the basket to a high place, but I keep filling them because a sweet is sweet and THEY are sweet and they are SO "my favorites" and Bill's favorites, these precious ones.

So many of things we do are considered "productive" or "worthwhile" and sometimes this causes us to forget to play.  Even if nobody reads our words, it's still fun to play around with our imaginations while writing.  Creating characters.  Creating scenes.  Why not do it just for your own entertainment?  I think I'd like to have this kind of a discussion with my friends and family.  We could all dream up a unique character that only we could create since everyone brings their own diverse mind to the table.  What does this character only you can come up with LOOK like?  What does she think about when she's waiting in the grocery store check out line?  What are her favorite things to eat?  What kind of a birthday cake does she want this year and why does she like that kind?  What goes through her mind the minute she wakes up?  How does she feel about order and disorder?  Instead of focusing on ourselves (absolutely essential in light of the inner journey) doesn't it sound fun to create a fictional individual and then to go back and analyze your own creation?  This thinking definitely causes me to have more awe for the Creator God. Everyone is SO different and fascinating.  I guess I'm thinking of ways to celebrate our own ideas, others' ideas, all the originality around us, and ultimately to revel in the beauty of the human personality.  I realize that this quest demands extreme attention to detail (always useful).
 (This relates to the photo below) My friend Gigi told me about a range of yarns from ElmTreeYarns on Etsy.  It's called Beatrix Potter range/Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.  Gorgeous!  When I was at the quilt shop buying a gift, I popped an image of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle up on my phone and then the nice lady at the quilt shop helped me put together a little pile of fat quarters that matched her clothes.  It was VERY fun!  I gave them to my neighbor (her birthday).  The flannels below were a pile I bought a few years ago for a quilt for Miss Bug.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

 Well, anyway . . .  back to little celebrations.  I think we should light and blow out candles on ordinary days as well as birthdays.  Little gifts given throughout the year are also appreciated. I might ask the grands what they consider to be celebration food.  If and when I make a podcast I think I might dress up (I rarely do this) and wear a few of the things I have that were purchased for celebrations of some sort.  Hmmmmmmmm.

Random topic: crickets.  The other night after three grands left I walked into our bedroom quietly (Bill had already gone to bed and gone to sleep) and I heard a very loud cricket chirp!  I found the cricket behind my cleaning bucket!  It'd definitely almost fall.  The crickets are singing up a storm! 

Do you have some unique ideas relating to little celebrations?  Maybe you like to iron a tablecloth when people are coming to dine with you.  Maybe you brew a special variety of ice tea.  Maybe you place a small vase of flowers in the refrigerator.  Maybe you rub a back or cup a lovely face in your hands.  Maybe you ask a question nobody has ever asked before.

I hope you have time to think some smaller thoughts today even if your life lends itself to big expansive plans and absolute necessity.  It's always life giving to pay attention to the little things. 

23 comments:

elizabeth said...

HUGS to you. Yes, life is for celebrating. I like all sorts of dishes for this very reason!

Melanie said...

Very sweet post. We should celebrate just to celebrate and not wait for a special occasion. Have a great day.

Happy@Home said...

Good food for thought, Pom Pom. I like the idea of special little touches to celebrate life. I'm looking forward to creating memories with my grandson.

Attic Clutter said...

oh fun stuff Pom..love the worms..my kids used to eat them..
hugs,patty

Julie said...

Lovely thought provoking post today dear Pom Pom. I always remember something my Mum in law told me (she has passed away now dear soul - I did not always appreciate her wisdom when she was alive). She told me "Julie you have sons, they are not going to want all your lovely china & lace table cloths - use them every single day, enjoy them yourself - do not save them for a special occasion but make everyday special for you & those around you". And guess what - I do !!! I use my pretty china & my lovely tablecloths & it doesnt matter if they get broken or spilt on. I would rather this than they sit away in a drawer waiting for "someday" !!! Hope you have a lovely day dear girl & I too, love those candy worms !!!

TexWisGirl said...

we do need to celebrate our average days, don't we?

Kim said...

I love this post, so many wonderful thoughts. There is always time to play throughout our day, isn't there. Time to imagine, time to dream, time to enjoy a cuppa in a pretty tea cup, time to dress up, time to stroll through the garden (or indeed just sit....and be) and pick a bunch of flowers and perhaps gift them to someone and put a smile in their heart, time to kick off your shoes and enjoy a little stitching or knitting, time to iron pretty doilies with lavender water....so, so many lovely things to make one's day perfect. I love the dish rack filled with pretty crockery and those flannel fabrics are so pretty. I am so happy I happened upon your lovely blog!

happyone said...

What great ideas you have.
I love the idea about putting the flowers in the bathtub. : )

Marcie said...

Just reading this post is a celebration! I make pretty glass pitchers full of herb-infused water or herb tea when guests arrive. We also make a ritual of drinking pots of herb teas when it's "just us." Tonight it was chocolate mint and peppermint. :) I garnish food with pretty touches, like edible flowers, for guests and for just us. I like to celebrate company with a clean house, and when everything is tidy, fill vases with wild flowers and garden beauties. I always include herbs so that a beautiful scent lingers in the house.

I'm getting so eager for you to do your podcast! :)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I loved this from the beginning to the end. I love your words...your thoughts..and your way of thinking! I wished I could be such a craftier of words like you are. Mostly I love your joy for life!!!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I think what I love the most is you said what I was trying to say in my post this morning...which I wrote before I came here. I really should have read this post first and just said..."Go READ!" LOL

Granny Marigold said...

What an extra lovely post today! I couldn't agree more with you. Making our homes warm and welcoming is so important and celebrating the ordinary days is too. People are far too busy these days ( now doesn't that sound just like an old granny. Which I am.)
I must give some thought to creating an imaginary personage and see what she will be like.

Julia said...

Hi Pompom, I love your idea of celebrating the ordinary and our love ones. Great idea to put flowers in the bathtub to make your guests smile.
Have a great September.
Hugs,
Julia

Nancy McCarroll said...

Love the point of your putting two tubs of geraniums in your bathroom for your friends. Smashing idea.

Will re read your idea about creating stories with others, as we are always in a hurry just to pass on information, not letting our creative side work in tandem with others.

Yes, I do like "Jesus Calling."!

Farm Girl said...

What a sweet reminder this morning. I am always so glad when you write what you have been thinking about. It speaks volumes to my soul. I also love all of the bright colors that you surround yourself with. It makes me so happy. I will be thinking about what you wrote today.
Have a lovely day.

Anonymous said...

Can I be your granddaughter? :) I love your thoughts on celebrating and the sweet touches you are thinking of. I like that idea of putting flowers in the bathtub. Fun. Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

What a delightful post! I agree with you, make every day a celebration, and every gathering special, and use your special dishes for the special littles! I agree with you about using colorful dishes, there is a special joy in using fun dishes! It is hard to believe how fast life passes, and we must just enjoy each moment to the fullest. Blessings and hugs to you my friend!

magsmcc said...

Oh I love this. So very Francis Schaeffer. So very you x

Amy at love made my home said...

Wonderful and thoughtful and true! I have some of those yarns you mentioned, they are beautiful, I love the idea of taking the inspiration of Mrs Tiggywinkle for quilt fabrics! A lovely thing to do. Happy celebrating just being Thursday!!

Elderberry-Rob said...

What a wonderful post and yes, we do have special treats - every week I have something nice like a magazine or some flowers or maybe a sauna at the gym; this weekend we are having scones with jam and clotted cream for our treat. When my boys were growing up they used to take it in turn to be 'special boy' for a day when they got to choose where we would go out, what was for dinner and the other brother would be in line for the dishwasher duties etc! then next week it was the other one's turn ... I think they learned to appreciate each other and dto know how nice it feels to give up something for someone you love.... I love having friends over and always have cake of some sort, dare I say wine, bring out pretty cups/glasses and it's a great motivation to have a good old tidy of the house too and put out some flowers. I do like your idea of dressing up too. I hope you have a wonderful time with your book club - may I suggest you bring out lots of your own books and let everyone borrow something they might not have come across - that would be fun (wish I was coming)!!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Small things make a BIG life!

Heather LeFebvre said...

YES!! I recently saw those Beatrix Potter yarn matches on instagram! What a great idea!! I never thought of translating that to fabric!!! I love that!!! May have to steal that idea sometime!!!

M.K. said...

Hmm. Private home celebrations. My mom didn't really do that much, so I think I don't do it much either. Birthdays were private, small affairs. When I'm alone in the house (which I love!!), I wash the dishes, make tea, find something lovely to watch on the screen, make hot tea, light a scented candle, and relax into it with a dog or two. I'm not sure if that's celebration. Adam and I like to go out to a simple dinner or picnic. We don't have grands yet ... but I'm always thinking about what I want for them here to play with. I'm eager for those little ones.

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