"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Friday, November 15, 2013

Crying Over Spilt Milk









It seems that I have hardly had any time for stitching, but I have enjoyed starting a Harvest Festival embroidery project I purchased from Sosae's Trellis & Thyme shop and I want to snatch up all her designs and stitch them!  So far I have just started the Harvest Festival.  I am hoping that I will have more focused time for crafting in the weeks ahead.  My youngest Grand, Rose, was born nearly three weeks ago!!!  While our household is still absorbed in the wonder of her being, soooo much is going on here and in the world around us. Last Thursday was my oldest granddaughter's 6th birthday. Friday was my youngest daughter's 30th birthday, and Saturday was my youngest daughter and son-in-law's first wedding anniversary.

Although we are doing a lot of celebrating, we are also sharing a feverish cough/cold misery, except for Baby Rose.  Two family friends are visiting for two weeks, and another couple of loved ones in need of emergency housing are in the process of moving in.  I have been co-facilitating a women's group at church on Thursday mornings, which is fun and challenging and time absorbing as well.

We are in our rainy season with many gray days, so it is a special treat when Mt. Hood peeks out from the clouds.  Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are visiting our ponds.  There are still some red and gold leaves on the trees around us, but more and more branches are barren, and the temperature is increasingly crisper.

In light of the typhoon that struck the Philippines last weekend, the random shootings, wars, and remembrances for those who died defending freedom, my personal trials are of little consequence.  In fact this point became glaringly clear to me this week.  I was able to find some great clothing bargains for gifts.  As I was unpacking what I purchased, I managed to dump a cup of chocolate almond milk into the bag!!!

 I had also purchased a seasonal kitchen towel, and proceeded to use it to mop up the mess.  As I raced to get the clothing to the sink to wash the chocolate milk out before it set in permanent stains, I felt a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.  I was so disgusted with myself.

Thankfully, though, the chocolate milk did not stain the clothes.  I had to take off all the tags so I hoped everything I bought fit properly and did not need to be returned, and it did and it didn't :) When my granddaughter has been given clothes as gifts she has sometimes been told she could not wear the items until they were  washed.  When she opened my birthday gift to her she asked me "Does it need to be washed before I can wear it?"  I told her it was already washed.  I felt both guilty and grateful when she thanked me for washing her new clothes so that she could wear them right away!

As I had mopped up the mess I had made I was using a towel that proclaimed, "Give thanks!"  At that moment I did not feel the least bit thankful.  But the message on the towel reminded me of Paul's directive, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  I understand that to mean that my relationship with the Lord is to be such that I have reason to be thankful always because He is with me always, through all my circumstances...even when my circumstances are not to my liking!

Some of the blogs I read and the folks that I follow on Facebook are listing things they are thankful for every day during the month of November.  I haven't been so disciplined, but I appreciate reading their reasons for being thankful, because it inspires me to develop an atitude of gratitude as well :) Then maybe next time I won't be tempted to ignore the old adage, "Don't cry over spilt milk!"

Have you cried over spilt milk lately?

Gracie xx








27 comments:

  1. I admit, I am guilty. I remind myself daily to be thankful for the blessings I've been given, but do get sidetracked by distracting and less important things. Thank you for your message this evening. I like the embroidery project you are working on; perfect for this time of year. I'm glad the clothing wasn't stained. Wishing you a terrific weekend. Heather

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  2. Hi Gracie! Can I give you a big hug? ((HUGS)) So sorry you spilt milk all over your new clothes, (I am glad you caught it in time) I am guilty of the same thing and I also have had a litter of coke explode in my new truck about a year ago....I really cried on that incident!

    It's my first time seeing pictures of your sweet little angel. She is just the most sweetest little thing! My heart just melts!!
    Love the scenery in your neighborhood...it's just gorgeous. I always love visiting you and Teresa, you both display such beautiful photos of Mt Hood.
    xo Shari

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  3. Oh my you have a busy household! Sorry about the milk, but it sounds like it all "came out in the wash". Rosie is such a darling and she looks like her mama already! Please let me know when things settle down and everyone is well and we'll plan a visit for me, ok? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Oh no! I imagine that would have seemed overwhelming at the moment, but you turned it around and did the best you could with the circumstance and carried on with gratitude. Good for you! Really, when we consider what is going on in the world, our little daily trials really, truly have no meaning in the grand scheme of things. It helps to keep life in perspective. You are having busy times right now. Little mishaps are bound to happen. Let go and let God ... :) Best wishes, Tammy

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  5. Great photos Gracie! We've all had times such as you describe--and they often seem to come at the worst times or when we're stressed out (or at least they do in my case). Here are my thoughts on giving thanks at times like that... I recall when King David said he would not give something to God that didn't cost him anything (II Samuel 24:24). To me, when we give thanks, in the bad times, we are offering God a 'sacrifice' of praise. We are also acknowledging His providence for us in the past and our trust in Him for future needs. Not always an easy thing to do though :)
    Grace, peace and blessings to you,
    Aimee
    PS: SO glad to hear little one did not get sick!

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  6. Gracie,you are a real star. You are giving so much in every way just now. Please also just take moments for yourself. Your pictures are so beautiful and are a tribute to you and your lovely family x

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  7. Oh, Gracie. I completely understand. You do so much for everyone in your life and you made a simple mistake. It's okay. I cry over spilled milk all the time...even literal spilled milk now and then. I've had those days where I'm just at the end of my rope and one of my kids knocks over a glass of milk and it puts me right over the edge. It happens less now that they are past the toddler years but I'm sure they'll give me reasons to cry for the rest of my life. :) I am glad the baby didn't get sick and I hope you all feel well again soon.

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  8. Congratulations Gracie on beautiful Rosie. Beautiful pictures and yes some days and weeks can be tough
    and then you think of how others cope too ♥ life has many sad times

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  9. Congratulations on the beautiful new baby! Such a blessing!
    : ) Kris

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  10. Oh! I can understand the rush time you might have gone through with all that milk thing but it turned out good for your grand daughter:) Sometimes things happen like that so let's just see the positive side.
    Rosé is looking very cute !! :)
    I try not to blame myself and God, and I liked your line ....He is with me always, through all my circumstances...even when my circumstances are not to my liking.
    I don't have specific days to thank, I keep thanking God many times daily for even bad because he saved from worse :)



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  11. Hugs to you Gracie, Rosie is such a very sweet baby and the crochet cocoon is so very beautiful..Wonderful photos.. I hope you all will be feeling well soon.. Blessing to you Gracie.. Hugs Judy

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  12. I enjoyed reading your post Gracie, it made me feel normal and thankful all in one go. Keep looking after your family and friends with the love you always show. Beautiful stitchery by the way... Jo x

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  13. aww chocolate milk on a new towel is kind of sad....
    glad it came out well.
    I try never to cry over spilt milk...a cat is usually there to celebrate it anyhow!

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  14. Such a wonderful post Gracie, and doesn't 'every cloud have a silver lining'! I really felt for you when you told of the choc milk in the bag of lovely goodies and know that those things can be so upsetting - I think more so because we are annoyed with ourselves! Gosh you have such a busy household, and your home sounds like home away from home for so many people at different times: you are such a kind caring person Gracie! Little Rosie is absolutely beautiful and I'm so glad she didn't get sick - I wish you and your loved ones wellness! Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  15. Don't ever be disgusted with yourself Gracie, spilling chocolate milk is an accident, that is it, only an accident. But I understand how some days life just gets the best of you and you feel down, but you have so much love to give, you and your whole family. So I will tkae your message with me, Give Thanks, even when you have spilled something.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  16. Hello Gracie and I completely understand what you were feeling. It is hard sometimes not to 'cry over spilt milk' but I think God understands our frailties and forgives us. At the moment, like you I am trying not to be upset over the 'small stuff' and be thankful.I have special reasons to be. It's not easy though is it?
    Beautiful photos as always. The baby is adorable - you have a lovely family.Hugs Anne x

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  17. Aw, Gracie, stop beating yourself up over an accident :) Everything was fine in the end x x
    In the meantime, have a big ((hug)) from me and take some time out for yourself this week - you deserve it!
    Hope you have a great week.....and get some more of that gorgeous needlework done, hugs Sarah x

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  18. Baby Rose is just beautiful!! What a precious little bundle with all that dark hair! It sounds like your household is going to be very busy through the Holidays! Around here anything spilt is a source of joy! At least from the critters standpoint and I never have to worry about cleaning it up either. I just leave it to my little fur buddies. Of course your situation was a bit different and I'm glad it turned out alright in the end. You're a dear for opening your home to those in need and I hope you are all feeling better soon and the little one doesn't get it.

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  19. Dear Gracie you are having such a very busy time at the moment and I am sorry about the milk spilling.....but how well you retrieved the situation. Your new harvest embroidery is looking lovely. I hope you have a lovely week this week, with time for a little more embroidery. Sending love.
    Helen x

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  20. Gosh, it sounds as if all of life is happening at your place all at once. Take a moment for yourself from time to time dear lady, returning fresh to the fray makes the small trials so much easier I find x

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  21. Congratulations on your Granddaughter! She looks very cute & tiny :)

    Really like your embroidered pumpkins and the crochet'd one I spied later on! You'll have to start on something Christmassy now :)

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  22. Gracie:
    I'm sorry to hear that the "ickies" have been going around your VERY full house. I'll say a prayer for you all and I'm very happy to hear that little Rose hasn't gotten it.

    I'm the queen of spilling things so I know how you must have felt with the chocolate milk. I'm glad it all worked out for the best. I can just hear your sweet granddaughter, knowing Grandma had pre-planned by washing her clothes. You know you'll have to do that each birthday now! :-)

    Blessings always my sweet friend.
    Betsy

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  23. Hi dear Gracie. One of the things I'm thankful for are beautiful people like YOU. Your spirit is light and lovely, and you have a wonderful way with words. Through your posts, you communicate love, gratitude and grace. You inspire me. Lots of love from the Caetano-family to your family. Well-wishes to all of you, and many happy returns on birthdays and anniversaries. And lovelovelovelove to baby Rose. What a treasure. (And when life brings me to that 'enough is enough' moment of tears, I will think of you and what you wrote, and I'll try to remember to keep it all in perspective...)

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  24. Aw, Gracie. This made me smile, because it hits close to home, especially as I am trying to adopt the practice of practicing gratitude and looking for "happies" every week! Little Baby Rose is so precious! I love that snuggle-time with newborns! And your photography is so beautiful. Prayers and hugs to you for smooth sailing for you, Gracie! :)

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  25. Och, you poor thing! My heart went out to you about the milk. A friend of mine spilled a carton of cream in the back of his brand-new car and despite all efforts to clean it slightly smelled ever after. I'm glad the same didn't happen to your pressies.

    And in answer to your question, oh yes! But then you have to look at the bigger picture.

    Lovely, lovely wee baby, and beautiful stitching. Take care!

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  26. Dear Gracie,

    It was a moment of joy when I read your comment on my blog this evening. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have read your post. Rose, oh CONGRATULATIONS on the arrival of your grand-daughter, is beautiful. I sympathise enormously about your nasty cold virus. Since Anélique started kindergarten in september she has caught cold upon cold (nothing more seriously, thankfully) and I find it quite wearying.

    Your messae about giving thanks is so important. I try each day to give thanks for the smallest things. There is so much to be thankful for. It is, however, ALWAYS good to be reminded of this important lessons. Thank you Gracie.

    Get better soon,

    Stephanie

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  27. Yes, that worked. The children are gorgeous.

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