A Week of Small Things : 7

This is it, the end of the Small Things Week. And today has been FULL of Small Things, so many that I'm ready to go and burrow down on the sofa for the evening with a good book. But that's been the whole point of this week - noting the details, seeing the beauty, in the simple everyday.

Such as the morning bathtimes - those are not my sweet crinkly feet!

I can't pretend to get overly excited about the weekly shop, but I do love visiting my favourite place Highland Wholefoods and seeing what goodies they have on the reduced shelf (as well as buying what I really need!) - oh, I know, it's a bit sad, a very Small Thing but don't you think this boxful has the makings of a good night in? I can't tell you how strong my chocolate willpower has to be in that place!

And I love seeing my boys chilling out at our fabulous local library - it's very small indeed, but we love it and you can indeed lie all over the floor, and there's loads of great books and games and films. And I got very lovely crafty book today for myself. Libraries are underrated, but they can be truly wonderful.

Feeding everyone does take a lot of time, and I'm no Delia. But I think all providers of family meals should step back and pat themselves on the back for coming up with something reasonably yummy and healthy etc everyday.

So, ta daa, for your delectation, Lentil Bolognaise (no rude comments, carnivores) and Baked Bananas - with just a little bit of chocolate. And yes, it did all get eaten up. A Small Moment of maternal triumph.

Obviously the domestic stuff isn't my greatest stength (ahem) but it's been a good week for me to look for beauty everywhere, and not just in the snatched times of creativity. However, there have been one or two of those as well. You'll have to wait and see what the above turns into, you're just getting a wee peek.

Thank you for sharing this week with me. I hope you've also found some lovely corners of your life too.

Week of Small Things : 6

Just one tiny Small Thing in very full day. I almost don't need to say anything, but the sight of these tiny brave flowers always give me hope. And they were a wonderful gift from a friend.

A Week of Small Things : 5

Today I came across a verse in the Old Testament that I don't think I have ever consciously read before:

Zechariah 4:10 (New International Version)
"Who despises the day of small things?"

Well, I must say I felt that was very serendipitous, given my Small Things Week. And indeed, there was nothing to despise in my day of Small Things. We went to church, which we do most weeks. I can say, after many years of being a Christian, that sometimes it all becomes over familiar and too comfortable - just something that we do. But, like most of my small things, when I stop and look once more, with a bit of attention, I am totally overwhelmed by the beauty of what it truly means to be loved by God. No small thing at all.

Later we had a bit of a drive and a muddle around at a local loch. A Small Thing, but oh so glorious.

It was freezing, but it didn't stop playtime.

In fact, one of us paddled so enthusiastically that the wellies and socks got soaked, then somehow got covered in sand, and a remedy had to be found for freezing toes....

Beauty is always in the detail!

A Week of Small Things : 4

Out for a walk on a pretty wild day, head down against the wind, hoping that the rain doesn't suddenly bucket down. Small things, but oh, such good things - stiles for example. Fences seem to say "Keep Out" (even if we do know technically we can walk almost anywhere in Scotland), whereas a stile says "Welcome, come on in, have a wander..." The person who makes a stile seems a very welcoming kind of creature. Thank you very much indeed.

Well, how can you not think these are rather lovely? Small but quite perfectly formed.

Now this drystane dyke is something seen all over the Highlands, but it is really beautiful. Built with great skill, no doubt with quite a few bruised fingers and maybe toes. Very sustainable too, from local material, and then enduring for years and years. And now it is the home of lots of wee tiny beasties and lichens. Can concrete do all that? And be so visually pleasing?

They're just trees. But I love them!

Enjoy the weekend.

A Week of Small Things: 3

Every week, since the boys were tiny, a group of us from L'Arche Inverness have met for lunch at our home on Fridays. Sometimes we've met more often, but Fridays have remained constant. The lineup has changed occasionally, but Syd and Lilias have been faithful to the Friday Lunch. Lunch is such a Small Thing. Soup, bread, cheese. Always good strong coffee....and tea! Sometimes (quite frequently) laughter and silly jokes , especially with Syd. Sometimes we're just tired, quiet and even plain old grumpy. But long live the Friday Lunch! It's such a source of love and life.

A Week of Small Things: 2

Here are the Small Things inspiring me on a freezing, blustery day: the second flower unfolding on the narcissus....

The tart juiceness of winter oranges....

clean sheets and cosy quilts...

And of course, the fire...

Have a toasty evening!

A Week of Small Things: 1

In the amazing world of Blogland, I'm constantly finding sites of incredible beauty and talent - often created by other women, who perhaps will never have a book published or even make their living with their skills. Nonetheless, their work is humbling and enriching, and yet it is easy to feel a little overawed. So I found myself asking, why am I doing this blog? Certainly, I want to connect with friends and family, but I'm not in the market for competing with anyone else. I realise that most of all, I want to see my life as it really is. All too often our days are spent rushing around fulfilling various demands. There isn't much time to see or remember what is happening day to day, that is actually very beautiful in its' simplicity. Much of my life is taken up with small things - nothing earth shattering, but the simple stuff of the everyday journey. And I know that as I grow older, I won't remember the details. So, for a week, at least, I will be sharing with you the small things of my life, and perhaps inspiring you to see the beauty in the small things of your life.

Like coffee and toast...

Finished homework (!)

Building train tracks and having adventures...

A pile of cords all washed and folded...

Playing farmers...

Bedtimes....