Five on Friday: Birthdays and Other Things to Celebrate

"Whenever you are creating beauty around you,

you are restoring your own soul."

ALICE WALKER

quote found on GoodReads

I had no idea what to write for this week's post. It was Wednesday evening and my brain was muddling along with nary a clue. When suddenly a few thoughts started downloading - I couldn't jot them fast enough in my journal. Usually, as writers, we are advised not to dump everything on the reader all in one piece. But occasionally—that's where Five on Friday theme comes in handy—especially when I'm excited, I set these little thoughts down for you, all in a heap, in one post, with hopes you won't mind, that something will tickle your fancy and make you glad you stopped by.

- One -

National Poetry Month

Here in Canada, National Poetry Month has been celebrated every April since 1998. I do not consider myself a poet but I find myself once in a while dreaming up lines that, in my view, feel poetic. I do like to read poetry - I enjoy some poets very much. So I was happy to read a piece that my blogging friend Gretchen shared earlier in the week—I knew I wanted to show it to you. It's a stanza from the poem "Vacillation" by W.B. Yeats.  You'll find the complete poem at englishverse.com

From "Vacillation"

My fiftieth year had come and gone,

I sat, a solitary man,

In a crowded London shop,

An open book and empty cup

On the marble table-top.

While on the shop and street I gazed

My body of a sudden blazed;

And twenty minutes more or less

It seemed, so great my happiness,

That I was blessed and could bless.

-W.B. Yeats

I myself have experienced such occasions. When out of the blue, and often not related to anything specific, sometimes I'm just sitting and looking out the window and I realize in that moment "I’m happy." And I stop to savour it. It is a most soul satisfying experience. I think it’s what we live for between times when life is utterly ordinary, sometimes even dull or horribly painful. And then this moment of reverent joy sneaks in and catches away our breath. Surprised by joy, as C.S. Lewis once coined the phrase.

- Two -

My Unread Book Shelf Goal

You may recall, early in the year, I made a plan to read more of my pile of unread books. At the time I had counted around 180 books not yet read. You may well ask how is that going, and I'm happy to report I have ten books now read from my Unread Shelf. I admit being oft beguiled by newly acquired books; in the euphoria, the old ones lose their spark and get pushed to the back. Progress is slow - not quite ten percent read but then we're only a quarter way through the year. If interested, you can check out my 2025 reading list HERE.

- Three -

April is My Birthday Month

The actual day is later in the month, but I'm thinking about ways to give myself treats every day throughout April in celebration. Although some of these treats might be something I buy for myself, many others will be 'free' gifts providentially given—smiles received from complete strangers, hearing the wind whistle in the tree tops, savouring a morning slice of hot buttered toast with eggs, watching rivulets gurgle down the street as the sun melts the snow piles. Oh, and hearing the returning Canada Geese honk overhead. I'm listing these little gifts as they come to me. 🠇

Treats so far:

April 1st

 

- a bundle of pink and orange tulips sitting on my dining table (top photo);

- the new edition of the Bella Grace magazine

(that's me on the front cover, er, in my dreams of course).

April 2nd

- a new journal with a whimsical floral "B" on the cover;

- I'm tickled with a library book I just took out: "Bedtime Stories for Stressed

Out Adults, Tales to Soothe Tired Souls", Introduction by Lucy Mangan.

I opened it and felt like I was eight again - slipping into bed with a fairytale book

on my lap as I anticipated a gentle read while winding down for sleep.

Titles include: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde,

The Aunt and Amabel by E. Nesbit, Kew Gardens by Virginia Woolf, Heidi (excerpt)

by Johanna Spyri, Wind in the Willows (excerpt) by Kenneth Graham, The Diary

of a Nobody (excerpt) by George and Weedon Grossmith, to name a few.   

- I signed up for my niece's subscription box online designed for art and stationery lovers.

Garden Tea Party is the theme of her debut box that goes out later this month, right around

my birthday. "The heart behind this subscription is to capture the feeling of sending

or receiving a letter or parcel from a friend or family member. (It's) inspired by

art, literature, and nature and will be filled with goodies to bring joy to your door!"

She's inspired by art, literature, and nature—we must be related. My niece is a bookbinder

and is on Instagram The Bundle Bee Bindery. I can't wait to get my box in the mail!

April 3rd

- meeting a dear friend for morning coffee today;

- sharing an egg salad on a crispy croissant;

 - a wee gift of two lemon-scented/shaped soaps for the kitchen;

- whimsical strawberry-themed tea towels now hanging on my oven door;

- finding a mailing address on Friends of Susan Branch Facebook inviting

followers to send Susan a birthday card for her upcoming 78th birthday.

My handwritten card and note are in the mail. The address if you're interested:

Susan Branch Studios, 7489 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422, USA.

April 4th

- eyes and ears alert for treats on this new day.

- Four -

Shopping for Note Cards

Next to shopping for books, shopping in a stationery shop is a clear favourite occupation. I love browsing for greeting cards. There are so many wonderful artists out there who create such beautiful designs - elegant, whimsical, funny, poignant - whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find.

As is my usual habit, when I brought my new stash home, I planned to squirrel them away in my card box, in readiness for when I need something down the road. Then I decided why not leave them on the dining table along with my pen, address book, and postage stamps... use the cards right away while I'm excited about them, not saving for later when they start to feel old and jaded. There were ten cards in this collection; one is already given to my coffee friend, and the other wings its way to Susan in California.

I often whisper a little prayer when I prepare to write notes, first asking, who should I send this to? Who needs a note today? And secondly, what should I say? What message will speak directly to what someone needs in the moment? Sometimes notes are just fun 'keeping in touch' messages; other times they are filling some purpose larger than we realize. I like to keep my heart attuned to heavenly thoughts... spreading joy and maybe comfort in a few words.  

- Five -

Quotes I Fancy Today

"There is nothing more luxurious than eating while you read—

unless it be reading while you eat. Amabel did both:

they are not the same thing, as you will see if you think the matter over."

The Aunt and Amabel by E. Nesbit

"After all, the best part of a holiday, is perhaps not so much

to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working."

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (from chapter 1)

"Use your personal mementos as

prompts to write your stories."

AMY TAN, from MasterClass

"The barrenness of the poetic task: as if every day we

look out at a courtyard of rubble and from this

are required to make something beautiful."

THEODORE ROETHKE

❦

Sending my love and warmest wishes for a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Five on Friday: The Weather and Other Stuff

"In the springtime, the heart regrows hope."

ANGIE WEILAND-CROSBY

I'm not going to mention that it's snowing, except to say it's coming down thick and fast and turning our world once again into a winter wonderland. I'll be honest, at this time of year I'd prefer rain, but it's okay, we need the moisture. It doesn't stop my heart from dancing with the daffodils... even if it's only in my imagination.

I give you today's edition of Five on Friday. Hope you enjoy!

One. Books I finished and enjoyed

Becoming Mrs. Lewis (2018)

by Patti Callahan

(novel about Joy Davidman, the woman C.S. Lewis called "my whole world")

The Devil's Novice (1983)

by Ellis Peters

(Brother Cadfael mystery set in Middle Ages England)

Pond'rings, a writer's memoir (2024)

by Marcia Lee Laycock

(read my review of it HERE)

Vet in a Spin (1977)

by James Herriot

(more delightful tales from the Yorkshire Dales)

Two. What I'm thinking about this week

My health has been very much on my mind.

Certainly the politics of the day.

And finding ways to keep calm and carry on.

Because we still need to do those things that make the world go 'round—

baking apple tarts, planning birthday parties, giving each other hugs.

Three. This caught my eye and gave me joy ↓

"And then my heart with pleasure fills,

and dances with the daffodils."

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

The image of a young woman walking through a park in spring.

Like her, I want to 'be' there amongst those drifts and drifts of daffodils.

Four. Something delicious from the kitchen

Potsticker Soup with Mushrooms and Bok Choy

Below is my version of a recipe I found here:

2 cups chopped or sliced mushrooms

2 cups sliced carrots

Handful of bok choy, chopped

2 tablespoons ginger, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

5-6 scallions (white and green parts), sliced (divided)

6 cups broth (I used a mix of chicken and beef)

12 frozen potstickers (your choice of filling)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

black pepper

Sauté vegetables, white part of scallions, ginger, garlic (about 5-7 minutes).

Add broth and bring to boil. Add potstickers, simmer 3-4 minutes, or until done.

Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper.

Garnish with the green part of the scallions.

Serves 4-6

 

 

Five. These words ground me this week,

especially the second line

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Show me who to be.

Exhale: And what is mine to do.

SARAH BESSEY @ FIELD NOTES

Bonus. Advice for whatever you're working on

"Just get started.

Each morning, make a little progress.

Send out a little prayer.

Take note of something.

Try to be facing in the direction of the surprise."

CARRIE FOUNTAIN, American poet

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Top Image by Amy from Pixabay

Bottom Image by ArtEnthousiast78 on Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Hello Spring: Leaning Toward Light

I offer this as an 'escape' book

while we wait for Spring to unfold.

Thank goodness for Spring and for the delightful anticipation of new life, new growth, new warmth, and longer days filled with light. We sometimes see plants in gardens, or in the wild, leaning toward light when they find themselves too much in the shade. Jesus once said he is the light of the world, and I find myself leaning in towards him as the giver of light. My soul and body crave light. I love watching the sunshine spilling into my living room windows. Although the weather is still a tad cool around here, the moment will come when I play Spring's tune and fling open the windows to catch the warming breezes. I would definitely include that in my list of one thousand moments of joy.

I came across a lovely bit of information about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Someone online had the opportunity to peruse private correspondence between Jacqueline and other people. Jacqueline often sent books to her friends, and tucked within the pages of one such book, this person found a little card that read, "Dear—, This is an 'escape' book for rainy winter days. With much love at Christmas, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis".

In the spirit of Jacqueline, I want to share a new-to-me anthology with you. It's filled with lovely poetry and whimsical illustrations that has been an escape book for me the last few days. I love the title Leaning Toward Light, and isn't that what many of us are doing these days? If you go online, you can glimpse a few of the inside pages. Click here.

It's a pretty book and fits comfortably in your hand. Filled with garden-themed poetry, it lets a person feel part of the whole growing season. "Much like reading a good poem, caring for plants brings comfort, solace, and joy to many. In this new poetry anthology, Leaning toward Light, acclaimed poet and avid gardener Tess Taylor brings together a diverse range of contemporary voices to offer poems that celebrate that joyful connection to the natural world." - from the description on amazon.ca

What I really want to say, the book isn't just for gardeners. It's for anyone. If you find comfort in caring for plants in your home or enjoy arranging flowers in vases, I think you'd love it too. It offers that little escape when you're longing for something green and vibrant during those times your own world feels a little brown around the edges. The poems are lovely to read and the illustrations are feasts for the eyes.

Does anyone watch the British garden show Gardener's World with Monty Don? There's a wonderful poem by American writer Cynthia White in the anthology who wrote a piece "Gardeners' World, or What I Did During the Plague". She describes how the show was her own escape during the pandemic as she watched Monty tend his garden while his old dog dozed in the grass. Gardener's World was one of our own places to escape during those crazy times. Cynthia called it her 'fear-free hour'. 

So, if you're looking for something as you wait for your garden to unthaw and spring into life, this is the book for you. Escape for a few minutes and lean into the light.

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day.

As someone said, remember, they can't cancel the spring.

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

It's Too Easy To Fret About the State of the World

"You have to write (create) out of a belief
that things could be different and better."

HILARY MANTEL

I recently read an interesting book titled Write It All Down (2022) by British author Cathy Rentzenbrink. It's a book about writing and setting 'aside the fears that hold many writers back'. I certainly have dealt with my own share of them over the years, so I wasn't sure if I'd find anything new and useful, but I enjoy Cathy's writing and subscribe to her newsletter.

Something did catch my eye! Amongst the interesting insights into her own writing journey, was Cathy's practical advice about how to live and keep working when there is this never ceasing onslaught of news on social media. How do we protect our minds, our hearts? It's a problem for many of us. Having online info 24/7 makes the woes and conflicts of the world ever present and in our faces. We're not made to carry all those burdens. Especially when we can do nothing about so much of it. It isn't good for one's soul, nor is it helpful to those of us who still have to get supper on the table and write blog posts and complete needful projects.

I found myself relating to Cathy's comment about being 'wrecked in the exposure to suffering'. She says,

"The news and Twitter makes me feel like I can hear the screams of millions because there is always something bad happening somewhere. We have continual access to other people's woes just a click away, but without the ability to run to help, so I get into a frozen, paralyzed state where I can't do anything, but nor can I take any interest in my own projects, which are all dwarfed by what I have just witnessed." (I added the bold)

Oh yes, I recognize that frozen, paralyzed feeling where I feel so dragged in that I'm unable to take interest in my own quite ordinary projects because they are dwarfed by the horrors I've just seen. I do intensely feel the pain of others but there is much I have no control over and cannot actually do anything about, except whisper a little prayer. Once these sad stories are in my head, they hang around in my imagination and make it hard sometimes to get on with my own day.

How does one keep on keeping on?

Cathy, upon mulling with angst about the state of the world, asks the question, "...will the world be served if you are so aghast by everything in it that you can't do the work of finding your voice and making a contribution?" That woke me up. I do feel aghast and enraged at what I hear. She goes on to says, retrench for a while. Pull away, and don't click on every post. It doesn't help to read it all.

She also quotes the wisdom of author Hilary Mantel: "I think a novelist (or anyone) is disempowered if she is cynical or jaded, if she feels human possibilities are exhausted. You have to write (create) out of a belief that things could be different and better."

Write and work out of a belief that things could be different and better. With that thought on my mind, I carry on with what I do have control over at this moment in time.

In this, I am also humbly relearning lessons I thought I knew, thought I remembered... that I have the power to take dominion over my own thoughts. I don't have to keep going 'round and 'round with the same thoughts, the same images. And I can cast all my cares (including the cares for others) on the One who is greater than myself. I can remind myself of those words in the New Testament, "Be anxious for nothing" - I like to turn nothing into two words "no thing", not a single thing am I to be anxious about if I turn my thoughts towards the God of this universe. How many times have I reminded myself of that. Here I am practicing it again and again. For only then can I turn my thoughts towards my work, my writing, and my caring for the people I CAN do something for. I must learn to leave the rest in God's care. What else can we do?

And, as a follower of Jesus, I do have that hope and belief, if we ask for grace, He will sustain us in good times and terrible times. And whether we go through them intact or whether we succumb, He is still with us. So, we carry on. We ask for grace to care for our families, we write our blog posts about beauty and home and books, we help out where we can. All the while reminding ourselves He's got helpers all around the world to help carry the load, to help those we cannot help.

Today I'm grateful for Cathy Rentzenbrink and Hilary Mantel for their words of wisdom that I take to heart on this bright and sunny, yet wintery, Friday afternoon. I watch the sunlight glinting from the snowy roof-tops and remember I can be a light in this dark world. 

❦

Wishing you a beautiful grace-filled weekend,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

I'm Posting Elsewhere Today... Will You Come Vist?

When I say, 'a place means something to me',

the place is often a location that holds significant meaning,

often tied to strong memories, emotions, and a sense

of belonging... whether it's a childhood home, a favourite

holiday spot, or a quiet corner that provides peace and comfort.

UNKNOWN

It's only Monday, I know, not my usual day to post, but I have been working on a new piece for InScribe, my writer's fellowship blog. It goes live today, and I'd be delighted if you'd visit me there. 

I have been mulling about how 'place' matters in life. How it matters to people, plants, stories. It has been gratifying to explore the significance of ‘place’ as it relates to my own life. I'm keen to share my discoveries with you and hope something in these musings will resonate as you think about your own place in our world. Grab a cup of tea and meet me HERE.

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays