Brenda @ It's A Beautiful Life

Five on Friday: Celebrating My Birthday Week

2026-04-17T10:44:00.000-06:00

Image by Muneeb Malhotra from pexels.com

"There are two great days in a person’s life –

the day we are born and the day we discover why."

WILLIAM BARCLAY

My birthday has snuck up on me this year. Of course I knew it was coming but still the weeks have flown. And as I write this post on the eve of my birthday, it certainly doesn't seem possible to have reached the grand age of 69 years. My goodness, wasn't it just yesterday that I celebrated my 60th with a wee visit to Oxford, the city of 'dreaming spires' and the home of my soul.

- One -

We have not been best pleased with the weather this week. It's not supposed to be this wintry anymore, we say with hands on our hips. We get a warmish day here and there, then we think, okay, now spring is here. My deep purple crocuses were coming up all sweet and innocent in the sun warming days. And then yet another blast of winter—snow, freezing temperatures, and wind—settles for a few more days. As I mentioned in a note to a dear friend, a lesson can be gleaned from these little brave souls of nature. I looked out my study window and saw the green shoots standing sturdily amidst the snow. They knew to just wait it out. (I love winter, but on my birthday, I'd much prefer pussy willows and spring bulbs.)

- Two -

I believe that no matter what condition you are

in when someone close to your heart remembers

your birthday and wishes you a happy birthday,

you feel happy.

A. Singla

It's true. I feel happy. My mail box has been filling

with birthday cards and delightful surprises all week.

Cards from friends near and far. I am well blessed to

have such lovely people in my life.

- Three -

I've been indulging in a little BritBox watching. I had taken advantage of a 7-day free trial through Prime to watch a series with David Suchet travelling where Agatha Christie once travelled. With the free week nearly up, I went to cancel, except they offered me three months for $2.75/mo instead of the usual $10.99/mo. Well, how can a person refuse such a bargain. My first film has been to watch Persuasion with Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth. There are none finer, in my books, than these two to portray one of my favourite Jane Austen novels.

- Four -

A dozen gorgeous red and pink roses

from my sweetheart. He really is a sweetheart!

- Five -

A collection of 'eldering' birthday quotes that lift my spirits this week.

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see

beauty never grows old."

Franz Kafka

"All we have to decide is what to do

with the time that is given us."

J.R.R. Tolkien

"With long life will I satisfy [you]

and show [you] my salvation."

from Psalm 91 (NIV)

"[You] will still bear fruit in old age,

[you] will stay fresh and green."

from Psalm 92:14 (NIV)

I opened today's post with those words attributed to William Barclay. And as I close, I want to muse a moment on them. At age 69, I hope after all these years I have figured out why I was born.

I believe God made me for a purpose.

He made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.

Eric Liddell, in the movie Chariots of Fire

(I have often thought of those words in relation

to my own life, especially to my writing life. He made

me good with words, and when I write I feel his pleasure.)

He has good works for me to do.

- to love him and to love my neighbour.

- to live in gratitude and thankfulness.

- to live in the beauty of kindness, creativity,

and companionship.

On the eve of my birthday, as I sat at my desk writing this post, the grey skies had cleared. And the setting sun filled my room with that soft, gold light... filling my soul with joy. In my heart, at least, Spring had arrived.

❦

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead,

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Six on Saturday: This and That

2026-04-04T10:30:00.003-06:00

"Lord, give me an open heart to find You everywhere,

to glimpse the heaven enfolded in a bud, and

experience eternity in the smallest act of love."

MOTHER TERESA

We had our family gathering yesterday for the Easter weekend. Ham and scalloped potatoes are often a favourite item on the menu when it comes to the family celebration around the table. Chocolate eggs never go amiss either. We enjoyed a little of everything on the buffet. It was all delicious.

Here are a few things I've gathered this week that I hope you might enjoy...

One

Something about me

I am a Lover of God, Seeker of Beauty, Word Artist

I live in Alberta, Canada

I receive great pleasure in writing and blogging, giving

gifts, pottering, flowers in gardens and bouquets, walks in

nature. I love sunny winter days and summery twilight

evenings, books, and conversations over coffee.

I value compassion, kindness, consideration for others,

integrity, autonomy, laughter, beauty, and solitude.

I don't consider myself as a 'leader' out in front but more

of a come-alongside helper of others.

Two

From Facebook

Someone asked the question of her female readers:

"What do you find is the most non-sexual turn-on in a man?"

My response:

A sense of humour. Thoughtful of others.

Wearing a crisp white shirt with sleeves rolled

up over tanned forearms.

Three

Books read more than twice

I've a long, long list of books I've read more than twice. Here is a excerpt:

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Heaven, The Heart's Deepest Longing by Peter Kreeft

Keeping the Feast by Paula Butterini

Life of the Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Living a Beautiful Life by Alexandra Stoddard

Martha's Vineyard, An Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch

Mitford novels (the whole series) by Jan Karon

Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Persuasion by Jane Austen

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

Four

Movies watched at least

a half dozen times

A handful of favourites:

84, Charing Cross Road

Bertram's Hotel (Miss Marple)

Chariots of Fire

Enchanted April

Home Alone

Miss Potter

Out of Africa

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Pride and Prejudice (1995 miniseries)

Persuasion (1995 version)

Sense and Sensibility (1995 version)

Shall We Dance? (with Richard Gere)

The Bishop's Wife (with Cary Grant)

The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars)

The Shell Seekers

You've Got Mail

Five

Little delights this week

Unexpected parcels and cards from friends in the mail

Two new China mugs in spring floral greens

(found at HomeSense)

That our tax accountant noticed the scent I was wearing.

He mentioned he liked to catch a nice fragrance wafting

in the air. I was wearing "Rose" by L'Occitane.

Chatting with strangers in the grocery line and whilst

waiting in the lab with my mom

Rewatching two favourite old movies after busy days:

Evil Under the Sun (Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith always

make me laugh in this Agatha Christie mystery);

and Miss Potter with Renée Zellweger (I sigh with

emotions fully satisfied every time I watch this one).

The gift of English Breakfast Tea in a

Beatrix Potter "Peter Rabbit" tin (perfect

timing as it arrived after watching Miss Potter).

Six

A writing thought

A fellow writer wrote how she had once joined a writing group where, as it turned out, they focused on their tragic life situations as writing fodder. She eventually left the group as she felt she didn't fit; she hadn't experienced such terrible and sad family circumstances. She certainly understood, as do I, that writing about these situations may be their way of processing their experiences, healing from them, and helping others from what they've learned.

As for her and myself, I had a loving family upbringing, and I hadn't experienced such terrifying, tragic life events. Having often felt "too blessed" with a gentler, more pleasant unfolding of my life, being grateful that I didn't have to endure the hardships so many others do, I was glad I eventually came to see that God can use all our stories—the good and beautiful along with the horrid and the ugly. So here I continue to write on It's A Beautiful Life. Not ignoring the horrors going on out there, they are very much on my heart, but writing about the ordinary, small things of grace and pleasantness that continue to fill our world with beauty and hope.

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day, and if you watch and celebrate,

Happy Easter Weekend.

Brenda

Photo credits:

Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays (usually)

Five on Friday: Almost Too Small To Mention

2026-03-27T08:27:00.001-06:00

“Some hours are long and some days are short.

Find time to cherish the small moments.”

—JULIETTE ROSE KERR, To Fill a Jar With Water

One. Mother Nature

I've been having a chat this week with Mother Nature, hands on hips, letting her know that in these parts we'd really prefer rain to the snow that fell off and on for three days. First she teases us with melting snow and warmish sunny days. And then she changes her mind and hits us with another bout of winter, which includes sharp, cold winds and deep freeze temperatures.

Of course, we're trying not to complain—moisture is moisture and we certainly need it.

My bright spot amongst the falling snow was watching our neighbourhood bunny (hare) in our backyard as he scrounged for twigs and dried vines for lunch. Such meagre fare. Between munches, he catnapped with eyes half closed, ever watching over his escape routes. He must have felt safe for then he started grooming himself, washing his face, his ears, his paws, just like a kittycat. His fur is still white, so he blended into the fresh carpet of snow (well, except for the tips of his ears which stay black all winter).

Two. Watching

I have been slowly watching my favourite 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. I have watched it so many times over the years that many of the beloved, or funny, scenes are forever etched in my memory. It's interesting how a story can become such an integral part of one's life. These people are my friends, my neighbours. It's comforting to visit them one more time.

The other day I came across a reel on Instagram of a father telling his tale: "I have four daughters. That means I have spent approximately 1/3 of my fatherly life watching the six hour version of Pride and Prejudice." Patient man, I'd say, haha. My dear hubby has seen it enough times with me as well.

Three. Reading

Good Wives

by Louisa May Alcott

From my bit of research Little Women and Good Wives were originally published as separate books, the second a sequel to the first. The two books were eventually combined and published as one book under the title Little Women. I looked in my paperback copy, sure enough, both were included as Part 1 and 2. So I wouldn't have needed to buy this hardcover in the Cranford edition (but I'm glad I did - it's lovely).

I quite enjoyed revisiting the four charming March sisters, who are now grown up and leaving the March nest. Meg marries Mr. Brookes, Laurie's tutor from next door. Jo spreads her wings and moves to New York City to look after a family friend's two children while their mother runs a boarding house for impoverished gentlefolk. Beth, who contracted scarlet fever in her childhood, the effects from which she never fully recovered, continues to give joy and light at home with her parents. And blossoming Amy accompanies her Aunt March on a grand tour of Europe where she studies art and painting.

Acqua Alta

by Donna Leon (1995)

Donna Leon is a crime novelist best known for her series set in Venice, Italy, featuring the Commissario Brunetti, Venice's version of our own Canadian refined and principled Inspector Gamache (Louise Penny). In her novels readers are given rich descriptions of crime mixed with culture, history, and food. The author's love for Baroque music is often reflected in her work. I really enjoy her mysteries.

Acqua Alta is the fifth in the Brunetti series (published in 1996). An archaeologist and old friend of Brunetti's has been savagely beaten in the doorway of her lovely home. The incident serves as the starting point for Brunetti's investigation into a broader conspiracy involving stolen Chinese antiquities.

Four. The Recorder

Did you ever learn to play the recorder in school? I never did, as it didn't come into vogue until I was older. I saw a clip on social media the other day. The fellow says, "I'm so glad I was taught to play the recorder at school. It has really come in handy during my adult life. I've lost count of the times I've resolved a difficult situation with a quick blast of Three Blind Mice."

I said to my sister, having missed out on learning the recorder in school, I now know why I always felt a little bereft at not having this bit of musical arsenal for difficult situations.😉

Five. Quotable

"Not everything asking for your attention deserves equal space

in your mind. Some things are meant to be handled, and some are

simply meant to be released before they quietly drain the day."

—from Cottage Whimsy Facebook Page

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Top Image by Natalia Lavrinenko from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

An Essay: A Kaleidoscope of Creativity

2026-03-20T01:00:00.000-06:00

"The kaleidoscope of quiet creativity,

in a variety of shape, colour, and focus,

buoyed my spirits and kept me sane. My hands

stayed busy, and my mind stayed on Him."

BRENDA LEYLAND

Happy first day of Spring! In true Spring fashion, it's raining here and we are happy about that. There are puddles and rivulets gurgling down the street. We've seen the odd 'early bird' pairs of ducks and Canada Geese flying overhead towards the pond. There's no sign of full flocks arriving just yet. It's a tad early with ponds and lakes around here still thawing. Life for us is less hectic these days, and we're glad to be getting back to our writing here on the blog. I've missed you all. Thank you to everyone who came by and left notes on recent posts - although I didn't respond to them at the time, please know I appreciated each one, and you.

Today I am excited to share with you an essay I wrote for the anthology Creativity & Chaos, Artistic Endeavours for Trying Times, published by InScribe Press in 2024. I wrote the piece following the global pandemic (which now seems a lifetime ago). I hope you enjoy my reflections from that season.

A Kaleidoscope of Creativity
by Brenda Leyland

Who could even think about artistic pursuits at such a time? All thought of creativity vanished as we heard alarming news of an unknown virus fast-tracking its way across the continents. Seismic shockwaves threatened the fabric of our societies, our homes, and our very lives. Described as the greatest peacetime crisis of our lifetime, millions faced devastation. We stayed glued to our televisions, smartphones, and computers, desperate to learn what was this hellish thing.

At home, our personal world shrank—it came to a standstill. My husband and I, both retired, quarantined inside our own four walls, minds whirling with how to figure out what it meant to go out only for essentials, to mask up, social distance, and stick to one’s cohort group. All to stay safe in a world that felt unsafe and scary. It didn’t seem quite appropriate to carry on with business as usual; for many, there was no business to carry on with. For me, I asked myself how I could continue writing on my blog about living a beautiful life amid such circumstances.

Still, hope is that feathered thing that rises on a breath of air. And glimpses of it began shimmering out of the darkness. In our home, it happened to be the spring bulbs we planted in pots months earlier. No one could have imagined just how priceless those little brown globes of promise would become. The world had shut down around us, but inside our house it was a veritable greenhouse of bulbs sprouting and blooming in shades of spring daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, and irises. My troubled thoughts lightened. My camera took on new significance as it captured shades of beauty from every angle at every stage. Those harbingers of spring soon appeared on my blog and social media, their message to the world: Look at us. Take hope, dear friends, take hope.

Still super-glued to my smartphone for the latest news, there was something else going on out there, something most interesting. People were converging on social media platforms like I’d never seen before. Creatives began saying, we can’t do our normal things, we’re stuck in our homes, what can we do to keep occupied and sane? How can we support each other during these ghastly days?

Creativity and creative expression blossomed and exploded. Artists, writers, and performers took to social media, creating community despite the isolation. Opera divas sang from their balconies. Pianists performed spontaneous concerts in their homes [and posted them online]. Artists painted. One actor began reciting Shakespeare’s sonnets—all 154 of them in as many days. And actress, Jennifer Ehle, with her oh-so-familiar Elizabeth Bennet voice (1995 film), started reading Pride and Prejudice to the delight of her followers on Instagram.

Artistic energy radiated through cyberspace. And to our huge surprise, people everywhere were joining in. Children hung their art from their living room windows. Folks stocked up on flour and yeast, turning their kitchens into centres of doughy creativity. People offered their ‘regular life’ skills on YouTube videos and showed us how to exercise in place, cut our own hair, play the guitar, paint, and quilt. You name it, they showed us how to create it at home. At first, I was content enough to be an observer appreciating their many efforts. Soon I longed to join in—I wanted to be a part of this astounding phenomenon. Pandemic or not, my heart still pulsed with the desire to write about life's beautiful moments. People more than ever needed some respite, a few moments that made them feel normal in an abnormal time. I wanted to offer them something that buoyed the spirits and provided a hint of beauty so that, once heartened, they could carry on.

So, what could I offer? Well, I could blog more often, every day for a season, instead of weekly. I had books. I could press my books into service and write about my favourites. You know how it is when you visit friends in their homes, you hanker to peek at their bookshelves. Since readers couldn’t come to my house, I brought the books to my readers. I chose volumes that would inspire, give comfort, and a sense of well-being. It was especially meaningful to find comments from readers who were so glad I was still there, writing, despite the strange times. My purpose was confirmed. The horrid sense of isolation faded. I felt connected—my online community was real. Something lovely and unexpected came out of this book series. The author of a favourite book I had written about got in touch with me all the way from The Netherlands. Daniel Blajan had authored a delightful volume twenty-five years earlier, and during Covid lockdowns, he found my blog post about it and emailed me. We enjoyed a small flurry of emails back and forth across the Atlantic, and then one day his charming real mail letter arrived in the post with a personalized autograph. It’s now safely tucked inside my copy of Foxgloves & Hedgehog Days, Secrets in a Country Garden.

Summer came and our flower garden, like the tulips earlier, gave us infinite joy and beauty during those stay-at-home days. My iPhone camera captured hundreds of floral poses, and soon many of them were being published on my blog and social media. I designed several photo books, including one that featured my mom’s gorgeous Peace Rose, which I gave to her on her socially distanced 85th birthday. Another album, also for my mom, showcased her family, including pets, scattered across the provinces, to document our Covid-restricted first year. It included visits out in parking lots, family birthday cakes enjoyed virtually, and happy but heart-sad pictures of my dear niece’s wedding which her entire family could attend only via Zoom.

Home, usually a peaceful place, became a true sanctuary. I no longer felt the restrictions as I had at first. I found purpose, and despite all, continued to catch glimpses of heaven in unexpected places, right in my own house and neighbourhood. The simpler, slower pace of my days gave me other opportunities to be more reflective. I engaged in several smaller creative pursuits, such as sorting through old scrapbooks from my school days and writing some of those stories that still wanted to be told. I picked up my love of writing old-fashioned letters the snail mail way and stocked up on boxes of artsy greeting cards (thanks to Amazon’s delivery service). Along with my handwritten notes, I’d tuck in small surprises: sachets of tea, quotes, stickers, blank postcards, anything fun that snugged inside a card-size envelope. The real thrill for me was imagining a friend’s face when she discovered real mail waiting for her in the mailbox.

Out of these tumultuous times, came beautiful things. My mind a creative blank, having gone into hiding at the outset, was set free when I poured myself into something other than fretfulness and anxiety. The kaleidoscope of quiet creativity, in a variety of shape, colour, and focus, buoyed my spirits and kept me sane. My hands kept busy, and my mind stayed on Him. I will never forget the world’s ingenious creative response to this terrible season. And I am so grateful to have been a tiny part of this luminous world-wide creativity during a global pandemic.🙟

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

From the Archives: First Impressions

2026-03-13T10:06:00.004-06:00

Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay

From the Archives is a series where I revisit old posts and essays from my writing archives. I'm also cleaning up old files. Some posts are so outdated they are easily discarded. Some pieces still have relevance, while others are just fun to look back on. I'm hoping this turns out to be an entertaining series - a monthly segment here on the blog.

Here is one short post I wrote back in 2012 on a blog called Perfectly Pink.

First Impressions

“Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not

a woman really knows herself.”

Hubert De Givenchy, Vogue (July 1985)

Spring is in the air. You’ve just had a new makeover and your face looks fab. Maybe you’ve added a couple pieces to your wardrobe. And now your hair style needs a serious update. Brenda Kinsel, author of several books including 40 over 40: 40 Things Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know About Getting Dressed, (1999) shared this interesting hair tip:
“Go to a new hair designer looking your best self. Introduce yourself to the hairdresser fully clothed the first time, before they get you into a smock. Let the hairdresser see who you are. Here’s a place where first impressions will really help ensure that you get the cut that works with your lifestyle and taste.”
That was an aha moment for me (for I was all too familiar with leaving hair salons disappointed). Years earlier, not related to my hair, as a young woman I came to the city to find a job. It was the late 1970s, and I decided to use a temp agency, hoping this would get my foot in the door to a nice place in the downtown area. I didn’t think to dress up for this initial interview with the agency—after all it wasn’t a potential employer who'd be seeing me. But I soon began to wonder why the temp jobs I kept getting were never in those plushy downtown offices, but in more casual, industrial kind of places. It wasn’t until much later that it finally dawned on me: the agency's first impression of me was that I was a casual 'pants' kind of girl, and so the jobs they sent me to were to the more casual kind of sites. (After that, I did my best to look the part whenever I went for an interview. And things improved, I'm happy to report.)

It’s true, first impressions matter...at job interviews, and now we learn even at hair salons. If you haven’t been getting the style you want, maybe you’re giving them the wrong impression of who you are in ‘real’ life.

I never really thought about what I wore or how my hair looked when I arrived at a salon; after all, they were going to wash my hair, cut it, and style it all anyway. But if they only see me in a way that doesn't reflect my most authentic self, in my relaxed 'at home' stance rather than in my 'how I want to present myself to the world', no wonder a person can walk away disappointed.

That first impression turns out to be the unconscious standard people will refer to forever after. So it's something to keep in mind for all our first encounters... not just in hair salons.

Here’s to living your life more beautifully... more truly you everywhere you go!

❦

Wishing you a beautiful weekend,

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Guest Blogging Elsewhere: The Writing Advice I Needed

2026-03-11T09:58:00.000-06:00

Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

I have a new blog post up on InScribe, my writers' fellowship blog. This month we are chatting about the best writing advice we've ever received. You can find what I share by clicking on the link HERE.

I will be back here on Friday...

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Happy March: Five on Friday

2026-03-06T01:00:00.247-07:00

Image by Christina Zetterberg from Pixabay

"Everything is brimming with possibility. Everything is pointing

forward to what is to come. And isn't that the way with

spring? It feels sweeter even than the highest summer day

because it arrives while winter still holds the earth."

ROB COWEN

from Spring Anthology (Melissa Harrison)

Image by Joanna from Pixabay

TODAY

One. Outside my window

We've had a mix of winter and spring over the last few weeks.

As I write this paragraph, it's snowy, cold, windy, and hazy.

A good day to hibernate indoors.

Oh...oh... the sun came out and warmed the air.

Rivulets begin to trickle down the street.

And suddenly it feels like maybe spring is really

on its way. A big sigh of relief.

Wait...wait...wait...

Oh dear, it's snowing again, now with

a force behind the shreds of cotton flakes.

It's March in Alberta.

Two. Rose Postcard Giveaway

My apologies.

I made this announcement in my February 6th blog post

with names to be drawn on February 13th.

Then I totally forgot about it with other needful

things vying for my attention.

I went back to the comments section on that post and

on my FB page. Collected the names into the proverbial

hat. Pulled out two (as I said I would).

We have two winners!

A big congratulations to:

Tamara Willems

Sharon Goemaere

Three. Inside my head

"Do you ever listen to a song and remember exactly

what life was like when you first heard it?"

Asked someone online.

Oh yes, indeed!

There I am, about six or seven years old, sitting on

the back step on a warm summer afternoon with my

little sister and older beloved cousin, our ears

attuned to Larry's little transistor radio as a new

band sings, "We all live in a yellow submarine,

a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine..."

We fell in love with the Beatles. And maybe

drove our mom crazy singing the song over and over.

Sweet and delightful memory of a time long ago.

Four. On my lap

These days, whenever I have a chance, I disappear into

the stories inside my books. It helps me escape from what's

going on in my own world, not to mention what's

happening in the world at large.

I recently read and enjoyed these novels:

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

(mystery, sequel to The Maid)

Molly the maid finds herself in the middle of

another murder at the posh hotel where she works.

The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

(during WWI)

A young woman, who has worked in the bookbindery

in Oxford since she was 14, longs to go to the Ladies

College across the street.

Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

(WWII novel)

A young female journalist crosses the Atlantic Ocean from

America to the UK near the beginning of WWII to write

for two magazines about the war from London. Happily

there is a bit of romance tangled in the threads.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff

(biography in letters)

A favourite book that I love to read on occasion. It's the

correspondence between a woman living in NYC

with a bookstore employee on 84 Charing Cross Road.

Having watched the movie numerous times, I love reading

the book - I hear and see the actors in my head.

A lovely book in which to escape.

The Limestone Manor by Jonny Thompson

(cozy mystery by Canadian author)

I wasn't familiar with this author, but his work started showing

up on my FB feeds. His 2-3 books have good reviews.

He writes a great little story about a group of seniors living

in St. Mary's, Ontario, who find themselves suddenly aware of

something nasty about to happen in their small town.

The characters are eccentric. I was delighted by the story.

Not so much of a nailbiter that you can't relax

and let them solve the mystery.

I'm currently immersed in Hilary Mantel's

award-winning Wolf Hall. Set in the early 1500s

during Henry VIII's era. He sure is eager to get rid of

his wife Katherine and marry Anne Boleyn.

Don't do it, Anne!

Five. A wedding

My beautiful niece is getting married this summer.

We are excited. Ever since I got married years ago,

I always had a dream that one day I would pass along to

one of my nieces my beautiful pair of handmade earrings

(made by a dear friend especially for my wedding).

❦

On that note, I'm wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Five on Friday: Small Moments

2026-02-13T13:38:00.009-07:00

"Celebrate small victories."

UNKNOWN

Life has turned busy and suddenly it's Friday. But I wanted to share some small moments that have brought cheer and delight this week to my heart. I hope you will enjoy my tiny offerings today.

One. Clementines

We've been eating clementines imported all the way from Spain.

What a delicious treat. We savour every thick-skinned, juicy fruit—

enjoying the scent of citrus zest on our fingers as we peel them.

Two. At the deli counter

I stopped the other day at the deli counter to pick up

some flatbread pizzas and sandwiches. An older fellow

was also scouting the display, probably for his own lunch.

We caught eyes. I spied what I wanted and reached around

to the back of the cooler, conspiratorially saying to him, "I

always take from the back as they are the freshest."

He nodded.

It was almost as if he'd tapped his finger on the side

of his nose - with that congenial secret understanding.

It left a warm feeling of connection.

Three. A tiny pile of new books

Three new books arrived at my house this week.

Their titles and descriptions look so inviting

(I have not read them yet):

Seaview House

by Elizabeth Fair (novel, 1955)

(described as a comedy of domestic life)

A friend has read this author and really enjoyed her books.

Your Second Life Begins When You

Realize You Only Have One Life

by Raphaëlle Giordano (novel, 2018)

(one woman's quest to cure her "routinitis")

I thought I could use that kind of cure 😉.

Peril at End House

by Agatha Christie (1932)

(Poirot mystery)

One can never go wrong with a Christie mystery.

Four. Twinkle lights

I never got around to adding twinkle lights around my

bookcase over the Christmas season—life was too busy then.

But I saw twinkle lights at Michaels the other day and

thought it's never too late to cheer up a dark corner.

Spring is still a long way off.

Five. From a novel I'm reading

"May God make safety your companion."

The English Patient

by Michael Ondaatje

Madox is bidding farewell to his colleague as they

part company after years of working together in the

Libyan Desert in North Africa. It's at the start of

World War II and everything is changing.

That's all for today. Please note I will be away for the next couple of Fridays. We are fine but we're tending to needful things in our circle of loved ones. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I hope you will feel the love and will have a taste of something sweet to celebrate.

❦

Heart hugs and wishes for a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Top)Image by No_Name13 from Pixabay

(Twinkle lights)Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Five on Friday: And here it's February

2026-02-06T20:50:00.001-07:00

" I urge you to please notice when you are happy,

and exclaim or murmur or think at some point,

'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.' "

KURT VONNEGUT

I could feel myself smiling when I caught sight of tulips at the grocery store the other day. There is nothing like a bunch of pretty tulips to lift the spirits and add a cheery brightness to our world. With the winter holidays in the distant past and my days of hibernating in January also history, thoughts of Valentine's Day and spring begin to bubble up. The days are growing lighter. Cheery rivulets form as snow and ice melt on these spring-like days. If winter weather returns, and it probably will, it feels like we're ahead of the game at this stage.

I'm starting to feel like writing again. So I hope you enjoy today's edition of Five on Friday. Thank you for stopping by.

One. "Rose Postcards" giveaway

Sometimes when you're just browsing, that's when you find the best things. A box of postcards sat on its edge, like a book, on the shelf in the gardening section of our local bookstore. My hand reached out immediately. Inside were one hundred rose-themed postcards from the archives of The New York Botanical Garden. I was enthralled. What fun it will be to send these out in the mail. I think I'll even have a tiny giveaway and give some away here on the blog. Share the wealth, spread the joy.

In fact, if you leave a comment either here on my blog, or on my social media - Facebook or Instagram, mention "Rose Postcards", I'll put your name in the draw which we will do next week on Friday, February 13th. Two lucky winners for 5 postcards each.

Two. Things that cheer me up

- coffee brewing in the morning

- putting on the kettle

- a cup of tea in the afternoon

- hot buttered toast

- a pot of scented hyacinth in bloom

- a square of dark chocolate after supper

- the sound of trickling ice melting in early spring

- knowing a good book awaits at the end of the day

- putting things in order

- fresh sheets on the bed

- browsing a nice magazine

-going for a drive on a sunny afternoon

Three. Inner thoughts

How does one carry on without saying anything in response to the deeply unsettling events happening in the world around us? Some of it is just too close for comfort. And although it's often on my mind, and likely yours too, I want to assure you that I won't be sharing my opinions or thoughts about anything even remotely political here on my blog.

Some years ago, after much soul searching, I came to recognize that, as writers, we each must find our own place from which to write. Some may be called to address the issues of the day. And are good at it. God bless those who wrestle those issues and try to make sense of them for the rest of us. We need people in that arena. But I am not one of them.

When I started the blog in 2008, I knew its theme and focus would be about encouraging readers to find ways to live life more beautifully. Since then, our world has changed a lot. Because of social media, we now have the world's woes at our fingertips (and I daily wrestle with the desire to be well informed which is at odds with my desire to remain sane).

I have asked myself on various occasions, do I need to change the way I write? Should my writing reflect more of the societal and cultural concerns many of us share; should I write to address these troubling issues?

A few years ago I received a comment from a quiet reader of my blog posts. She wrote to me saying, "Since deleting my own blog last year and trying to spend less time online, I haven't been by as much as I have in the past, but today, I was just longing for a glimpse of a beautiful blog, and yours immediately came to mind. … Truly, your little home on the internet adds beauty and joy to my days."

That, my friends, puts the thumb on the pulse of my reason for keeping this place set apart for beautiful, hopeful things. Sometimes we just need a space where we can 'get away', where we can feel normal for a few minutes. And where we can focus on something that buoys the spirits so that, heartened, we can return to the fray and carry on, at least for the moment.

"Because even with the dark parts and the light parts and the good parts and the bad parts, dinner must still be served." from Once Upon A Wardrobe, p. 102

Four. Recently enjoyed

Babette's Feast (1958)

by Karen Blixen

(This exquisitely written novella is set in a remote village

in Norway during the late 19th century where two pious,

elderly sisters live their quiet lives. When a stranger

shows up on their doorstep one stormy night.)

The Queens of Crime (2025)

by Marie Benedict

(Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, and three other

Golden Age crime novelists join forces to solve a 'real' murder)

The Bookseller's Secret (2007)

by Michelle Gable

(a thrilling novel about the English novelist

Nancy Mitford during WWII)

The Other Windsor Girl,

A Novel of Princess Margaret (2019)

by Georgie Blalock

(a fictional peek into Princess Margaret's young life

through the eyes of her lady-in-waiting)

The Maid (mystery, 2022)

by Nita Prose

(Molly the maid loves her job. And I loved the relationship

she had with her Gran who raised her. A story with mystery,

humour, an upscale hotel, and a body in a bedroom... all

interspersed with bonus quotes from Molly's wise Gran.)

Four quiet nonfiction books I'm also spending time with:

For Such A Time As This (2025)

An Emergency Devotional

by Hanna Reichel

Reclaiming Quiet (2024)

Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention

by Sarah Clarkson

Journeys to the Nearby (2025)

A gardener discovers the gentle art of untravelling

by elspeth bradbury

A Thousand Feasts (2024)

Small moments of joy, a memoir of sorts

by Nigel Slater

Five. My 5-year commonplace diary

I began this pint-size five-year commonplace diary in January 2022. The idea was inspired by author Austin Kleon who used this diary to jot a favourite line he came across each day. Last month on January 1st, I started the fifth year. By the time I write my last quote on December 31st, I will have curated 1825 quotations—how is that for one tiny diary. Something I noticed as I watched the pages fill with quotes over the weeks, months, and now years, I am amazed at how often I recognize my frame of mind and what might have been going on, either in my life or the world at large, by the quotes I was drawn to at the time. Here's a handful to close out today's post:

February 2, 2022

"You're the right woman to handle your life."

Sally Clarkson

February 3, 2023

"Your work matters. God

intended you to make a difference."

Sandi Somers, "Building a Body of Work", InScribe blog post

February 4, 2024

"Always have something to look forward to."

Unknown

February 5, 2025

"Even in the darkness we will trust : that

our lives are still in your hands."

Shayne Claiborne, Common Prayer, p. 243

February 6, 2026

"Count your many blessings,

name them one by one."

line from the hymn 'Count Your Blessings'

❦

Dear beautiful friends, thank you for visiting.

I am so grateful for your presence here.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Top)Image by pezibear from Pixabay

(Hyacinth)Image by patrizzia from Pixabay

(Rest of pics)Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Guest Blogging on InScribe: A Joyride in a Journal

2026-01-30T04:28:00.004-07:00

"I've always been a journal keeper. I've always

tried to write about how I'm experiencing life,

and my feelings and thoughts."

SUE MONK KIDD

This week I have been busy working on a new piece for InScribe, my writer's fellowship blog. It goes live today.

I have been a journal writer for nearly forty years. Today I share why I journal and a few things I learned along the way. I'm excited to share my thoughts with you and hope something might resonate with you. Won't you grab a cup of something comforting and meet me THERE?

With January almost over, I will be resuming my regular blogging schedule - I post on Fridays. I have lots to tell you since I last wrote on December 31st.

Until next time, I'm wishing you grace for your journey in the days ahead.

❦

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

From My Archives: A Quilt Made of Days

2025-12-31T03:02:00.002-07:00

"Each day is like a panel in a quilt. Some days are

ugly and some days are raw and some days are chaotic

and some days are colorful and some days are orderly

but if you keep adding them up they turn into something."

AUSTIN KLEON, "A Quilt Made of Days" online article

This piece was originally posted on my blog on December 30, 2023. As we wrap up the old year and greet the New Year, I'm sharing it with you hoping you won't mind seeing it again. Mom is now at home and doing well. We're well. We'll chat soon. —Brenda xo

'A quilt made of days.' That phrase—borrowed from Austin Kleon who wrote about his idea HERE—captivates my imagination. Although I am not a quilter, I am an ardent admirer of talented seamstresses, including my mom, who skillfully piece swatches of fabric into gorgeous patterns that become something beautiful and useful in one's home. Their creativity inspires me.

Perhaps that's why I gravitate towards creator/author Austin Kleon's words. His comment above seems particularly fitting as we stand on the cusp of a brand new year. The days yet to come in the new year are unknown to us but we guess that some will arrive bright and colourful; others will show up muted and dull, some will be raw with pain and filled with chaos. And still other days will arrive, thankfully, with calm and peace as the order of the day. To create an actual physical quilt, crafters start with a plan. They know the pattern they want to create; they have chosen their colour scheme. They carefully pick out the fabrics, cut them into the appropriate shapes, and sew them together into the design they dream about. When it comes to creating the more ethereal quilts made of days, in life we aren't given the materials ahead of time; we can't plan the pattern, we must make use of what appears. Still, if we pay attention we can make use of what shows up and gather the pieces—memories, experiences, events—that are our life story. We can watch as patterns emerge. We can learn to recognize the value each block brings to the developing design.

When I took a water colour painting course years ago, I came to see how paintings need contrasts: they need dark to show light, shadows to give depth and perception, darker backgrounds to set off brighter foregrounds. For me, I found the most important contrast was the juxtaposition of using something plain or dull, maybe even ugly, in order to set off a thing of beauty. It was a life lesson to learn that maybe we need ugly and pain to truly realize the immense value of beauty, order, peacefulness, and joy. I'd rather not experience the pain, but would I know the great joy without it to compare?

It's the same in the world of quilting with fabric... or the days of our lives.

I have always been drawn to Victorian crazy quilts (see the photo above for an example). Rather than blocks that march squarely into place, there's a kind of creative higgledy-piggledy that makes use of the tiniest bits of fabric alongside the larger pieces, all in various shapes, colours, textures, and patterns. Victorians would use scraps of fabric, often from worn out clothing and linens. They'd include swatches that had been handed down from one generation to the next—maybe from a great grandmother's wedding dress or a baby's christening gown—creating these lasting works of art that burst with texture and colour, embroidery and ribbonry. Fashioned from the days given to them.

As I said earlier, I'm not a quilter, but I'm mulling what a quilt made of days would look like for me. I'd probably fashion a 'quilt' from the bits and pieces of how my life unfolds in the new year, and rather than sew or craft with fabric or paint, I'd probably create a 'quilt' using words, watching for the patterns, hoping for more red letter days than chaotic ones. And when something ugly turns up, dear Lord, I'd want His help as I waited for the beauty when it isn't yet fully evident. Taking days as they come, all the while learning to walk with confidence and hopefulness, being comforted during trying moments embroidered with prayers, when laughter and cheer have flown off. There is something comforting about recognizing there's a bigger picture, one I cannot yet fathom, of One who is making all things work together for good, One who is creating something bigger than our individual lives. For in God's created world, we believe there is a greater plan and purpose, trusting that He is taking all things and fashioning them into something truly exquisite and out of this world.

I wonder what kind of a quilt it will become. With the craziness of life in our upside down world, I'm pretty certain my quilt of days will have its own slant on crazy quilt. While things happen to me and around me, it's also up to me to do something with what's given, whether I think a piece will fit or not. It's my job to creatively work my attitudes, gratitudes, prayers, and dreams, staying hopeful through the storm darkened days, enjoying the small joys 'that tip the balance towards hope' (a phrase borrowed from Sarah Clarkson). All the while imagining something beautiful... my own quilt made of days.

❦

Happy New Year to you, dear beautiful friends!

With love and heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Top Image by chenspec from Pixabay

December Daybook

2025-12-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

For Today

Outside my window...

It is cold and sunny with pale, clear skies. Lots of snow and waspish wind.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go..."

I am thankful...

For a home that keeps me warm; a pantry full of food that nourishes me;

a husband who makes me laugh even though he keeps telling me

he doesn't know any funny stories;

for fingers that can hold a nice pen to write notes,

play the piano, or touch the face of a loved one.

Happy update about Mom...

After being in hospital for nearly six weeks, Mom is scheduled

to be discharged on Monday. She'll be home for Christmas.

Shall we do a happy dance here?

We are grateful for her improved well-being of body and mind.

She's more than ready to be at home in her familiar

surroundings and to pick up her life again.

It's a great Christmas present for her and us, her family!

Reminding myself daily...

When things in my world feel tilted sideways,

I don't need to line up all my ducks in a row.

There are things I have no control over—I can

only focus on what I can do today.

'Sufficient for the day.' God's mercies are new every morning,

His grace is sufficient in all things, His peace

undergirds everything when I lay down my frets and cares.

And I remember that joy is my strength and humour goes a long way, too.

I am wearing...

Black jeans with a black tee-shirt

and a spritz of Rose scent.

I am creating...

Quiet spaces in my day to let the Christmas spirit waft in as it will.

Whether on the strain of an old familiar carol or through a line I'm

reading or while watching afternoon shadows outside my

window wrap up another day.

I have recently finished and enjoyed...

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery

Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read

Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon

I am currently slow reading...

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater

Looking forward to two I haven't read yet...

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Old Peabody Pew: A Christmas Romance

of a Country Church by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin (1907)

In my kitchen...

Yesterday there was a big pot of vegetable beef soup

simmering on the stove. Today a batch of Mom's recipe

of soft ginger cookies is almost ready for the oven.

One of my favourite things...

Finding beautiful cards and notepaper for writing

notes when the spirit moves. Especially at this time of year.

Although I don't do it as much as I used to, it still gives joy

to the sender and hopefully provides a 'happy surprise'

in a mailbox to the receiver.

I didn't have much time or energy for Christmas cards this season,

but what I did get done is now winging its way through the postal system.

Something I wrote a few years ago...

YOU KNOW WHAT I REALLY WANT
FOR CHRISTMAS?

I want to feel the magic of being five or six or seven again
When everything about the season was new and fresh and thrilling.

When I felt the tremble of expectancy as parcels
mysteriously appeared under the Christmas tree;

And the wait of three more sleeps grew so excruciating
I felt my body would burst from its skin.

When the HUSH of soft, holy moments hugged me like a blanket
As I sat mesmerized by tinsel glimmer and tree lights;

And the sweet, sweet strains of Away in a Manger
filled me with shivery delight.

Yes, I long to feel again the secret yearnings of a child's heart
for the inexpressible and the MIRACULOUS. . .

As I wait in Wonder for the Christ Child.

* * *

Acknowledgement:

This piece was inspired by something I read in Robert Fulghum's

book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

❦

I will be staying with my mom for a while

so I won't be here on the blog for now.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas.

I hope you will find moments of "merry" even

if things aren't as perfect as they ought to be.

Heart hugs to you all,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Top) Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay

Five on Friday: This and That

2025-12-05T01:00:00.026-07:00

"Gradually there gathered the feeling of

expectation, Christmas was coming."

from The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence

I'm still very much involved with Mom at this time - she's still in hospital - so I feel a little outside of normal life these days. Thankfully the Christmas spirit whispers between the moments... giving my heart a giggle of joy.

One. Oh, the weather outside

We've had fog and snow and sleet and rain. Sometimes all on the same day. The sun set today at 4:30 in the afternoon, and the nights are now as dark as the inside of a boot. But the full moon last evening peeped past the clouds...and glimmered in its shiny glory from that far away place. Straight into my heart which needed a bit of a lift after a busy day.

Two. Update on Mom

It's now over three weeks since Mom fell and ended up in the hospital. There were a few days last week when it felt like I was watching my mom disappear... word by fading word. For several days she couldn't find her words and it was horrid to watch her trying to grasp for phrases not quite within her reach. The speech therapist came by, and she so encouraging. She gave us a helpful layman's description of what happened when she fell and hit her head. A little like having a full filing cabinet knocked over. Nothing was lost, but everything's in a jumble and needs sorting, organizing, and putting back where it belongs. How precious is our ability to speak and communicate. It's what makes us human, I guess.

I'm happy to report she is doing much better this week. She's been slowly finding her words and stringing sentences together in her more 'usual' manner. We are relieved. She has now been transferred to a rehab hospital where she will be going back to 'school', as her doctor teased her, to get her speech back as much as possible. And make her ready for the next step - going home. Which they told us today might not be until after Christmas. She is getting such good care, we're grateful for her medical team.

Three. Hemming dresses and sleeves

The other day I was sitting by our Christmas tree with the lights on—bent over doing some hand stitching to shorten sleeves on a couple of tee-shirts Mom needed for her stay in the hospital. It made me think of long ago memories when Mom would be busy hand sewing lace or buttons or finishing hems on our new Christmas dresses. In that moment, I felt a connection in that memory to my beloved mother. She was sewing for me then, and I'm sewing for her now.

Today over on InScribe, I have shared a few of those old memories... it's a piece I wrote years ago and have since revised. You can find Whispers of Tissue and Chiffon HERE.

Four. 2025 reading goal wrap up

Last January I decided to tackle some of the roughly 130 to 150 books that are currently sitting on my 'to be read' shelves. They include new acquisitions, gifts, library sale books, and thrift store finds. As I see it, it never hurts to have a grand 'pantry' pile waiting in the wings—I always enjoy browsing the titles when looking for something new to read (and there's nothing new coming from Amazon).

From those shelves, I selected 33 titles to read during the coming year. To date, I have finished 25 books from that list. I won't finish any more as I'm now into my Christmas reading. If you want to see the list, check it out HERE.

Five. Books for the holiday season

It's the season when we want to sing 'old familiar carols' and read our favourite seasonal books. There is something comforting about traditions - the same tree, the same decorations, the same recipes for special cookies and holiday meals, the same books that we remember with fondness from previous Christmases. It's tradition, we say.

There is one book I'm relying on at this time that, although not a seasonal one, fits as though it were. It's Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson. In this Advent season we like to find those quiet moments where our hearts can listen and be in wonder and awe. Sarah's writing helps me do that. And even though it may be just a couple of pages at a sitting, her writing helps my heart settle and be at peace.

Here are a few of the Christmas stories and books I enjoy having around this time of year. I enjoy browsing here and there, picking a handful of favourites to get lost in on a cozy afternoon or evening (the four stars indicate my forever favourites). It's always fun to have choices from which to choose. And I'm always tickled when I discover a new book to add to the collection.

Nonfiction

Gospel of Luke, Chapter Two, KJV****

The Christmas Story

haphazard by starlight

A poem a day from Advent to Epiphany

by Janet Morley

Christmas Poems

by Wendy Cope

Winter Solstice, An Essay

by Nina MacLaughlin

The Christmas Chronicles****

by Nigel Slater (musings, recipes, traditions)

Christmas (Recipes and Holiday Tips)

by Susan Branch

Home for Christmas (short memoir)

by Susan Branch

Fiction

Winter and Rough Weather

by D.E. Stevenson (gentle English novel)

The Country Child

by Alison Uttley (Children's Fiction)

Rumpole at Christmas

by John Mortimer (seasonal short stories)

A Child's Christmas in Wales

by Dylan Thomas (Children's Classic)

Christmas at Thrush Green

by Miss Read (gentle novel)

"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Christmas mystery)

Once Upon A Wardrobe****

by Patti Callahan (Christmas Narnia-related novel)

An Irish Country Yuletide

by Patrick Taylor (Christmas novella)

An Irish Country Christmas****

by Patrick Taylor (novel)

A Christmas Carol (classic)

by Charles Dickens

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding

by Agatha Christie (Poirot mystery)

Winter Solstice****

by Rosamunde Pilcher (novel set mostly in Scotland)

Small Things Like These

by Claire Keegan (novella set in Ireland at Christmas)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe****

by C.S. Lewis (Narnia series)

Little Women****

by Louisa May Alcott

Shepherds Abiding****

by Jan Karon

A Christmas Memory

by Truman Capote

Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Trollopian Stories (unread)

by Anthony Trollope (short stories)

Christmas Bells (unread)

by Jennifer Chiavernini

Christmas with Anne and Other Short Stories

by L.M. Montgomery

Midwinter Murder, Fireside Tales

by Agatha Christie

The Mitford Snowmen (gift booklet)

by Jan Karon

Esther's Gift (gift booklet)

by Jan Karon

Simeon's Gift (children's)

by Julie Andrews

The Winter Mystery (novel)

by Faith Martin

Anthologies

A Classic Christmas

A Collection of Timeless Stories and Poems

Thomas Nelson

Nature Tales for Winter Nights

Editor, Nancy Campbell

Christmas Classics

from the Modern Library

(excerpts, classic stories, poems, songs and carols)

Christmas in My Heart

A Timeless Treasury of Heartwarming Stories

by Joe Wheeler

Christmas Penhaligon's Scented Treasury

(poetry and prose excerpts)

Editor, Sheila Pickles

Christmas with Hot Apple Cider

Stories from the Season of Giving and Receiving

Editor, N.J. Lindquist

Christmas Miracles

Chicken Soup for the Soul Anthology

Christmas: Stories & More

InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

(I have a piece in this anthology)

Winter Anthology (nature essays and poems)

by Melissa Harrison

An Oxfordshire Christmas

compiled by David Green (unread)

Magazines

Bella Grace Magazines

Christmas/Winter Editions

Victoria Magazines

Christmas/Winter Editions

Country Living Collection

Christmas British Edition

Christmas!

A Collection of Favourite Seasonal Blog Posts

by Brenda Leyland

This is still available on Blurb.com

❦

"Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow,

they represent a gift of love given a long time ago."

TOM BAKER

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Top) Image by Anastasia538 from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

A Short Catch Up

2025-11-21T13:08:00.009-07:00

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside

the fire: it is the time for home."

EDITH SITWELL

With the mix of grey hazy days alongside sparkly blue-skied ones that darken so early in the afternoons, a person needn't look at the calendar to determine that we're deep into November. The holidays are fast approaching. Already there are houses in the neighbourhood with roof tops and trees all aglimmer with lights, while others, like ours, are easing into the Christmas mood at a slower pace.

I won't say I'm not in the mood because I do get the twinkle in my soul as the sun sets so early now. But life is a little discombobulated around here so I'm holding off before going full tilt into Christmas. Thankfully, twinkle lights are a simple addition to creating a certain coziness to our dark evenings.

I want to say, before anything else, a big heart-felt thank you to everyone who reached out to me, both here on the blog and elsewhere, with your good wishes and prayers for my mom after her recent fall. She is still in hospital. Regaining her strength and now awaiting re-tests to ensure her head injury is indeed on the mend and her medical team can confidently send her home. And where I will stay with her until she's back on her feet.

As you can imagine, with that on our minds, I haven't done much of anything else except the absolute basics these past couple of weeks.

Let me quickly share what I've been reading. Thank goodness for books at times like these. First, I've been quietly dipping into Sarah Clarkson's soul nourishing volume entitled Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention. Her words are brushed with grace and beauty—and gentleness—that feels heaven-sent to me right now. Let me share a couple of lines from two prayers she wrote:

"Help us to recall the grace in which we already stand, the love that need never be asked for because it is already given." p. 29

"When the darkness looms large, help us to look up, and find the constellations of your love. Be gentle with us as we learn again to listen, as we enter once more the world-making joy of your voice." p. 41

There is one poem she refers to that really touched my heart one morning in the wee hours. Called Psalm Fragments by Denise Levertov, one line especially melted into my heart: "Yet You hold me minute by minute from falling". I felt a deep sigh of release as I cradled into those words (click HERE for the whole piece).

Then, for entertainment and distraction, I have been re-reading the series Her Majesty the Queen Investigates by S.J. Bennett. There are now five books in the series. The latest was delivered the other day and I am now in the middle of The Queen Who Came in from the Cold, a story set in 1961 when a murder is witnessed from the Royal Train.

And for some relaxed nature writing as we head into the winter season, I'm dipping into an old favourite, Winter, An anthology for the changing seasons, edited by Melissa Harrison. I find when I can't get out into nature directly, reading other people's descriptions about the changing seasons helps me imagine what I might see and hear and smell—and it's amazing how restorative that is.

So far, my other seasonal and Christmas books sit in small piles on the floor waiting until I can set them front and centre in our living room, for easy access by our comfy chairs as the nights draw closer. I do look forward to rereading some of my old holiday favourites again.

Otherwise, life is simple and focused on my mom. I will try to post next week - I won't promise. Please take care, and best wishes for a beautiful, grace-filled day.

❦

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Postponed...

2025-11-14T01:00:00.048-07:00

"May your days be crammed full of the

small joys that tip the balance towards hope."

SARAH CLARKSON, as seen on Facebook, 2022

I am called away from my everyday life for a little while to

tend to my dear 90-year-old mom, who took a tumble—every

elder person's nightmare. Thankfully no broken bones,

but it will take a while to gather fresh wind for her sails.

I won't be posting this week. Fingers crossed and

prayers whispered. I hope to be back next week,

but we're taking it one day at a time.

❦

Until next time, I'm wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Photo by Kim van Vuuren on pexels.com

Five on Friday: This Week Small...

2025-11-07T11:16:00.003-07:00

"What is small?

Children are small.

Seeds are small.

Moments are small.

Yet of these the whole world is composed."

Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention

Sarah Clarkson

Sometimes a person pulls a book from a shelf looking for something. In this case, I was looking for a line of inspiration that I could open with. I flipped through Sarah's much underlined book, hoping something would pop out. That's when I found those lovely lines above.

It's been another full, busy week and my offerings today are small. A few thoughts, scraps, really. But in the spirit of Sarah's words, I hope you will find a measure of cheer... the lilt that lifts the soul a little.

One. Small Lights

As soon as I saw it, I knew this photo was joining today's post.

The candle drew me in with its comforting wick of light. I could

almost feel its warmth. I'm grateful to live in an age when

candles and twinkle lights are so readily available to fill dark

corners with cheer as winter approaches.

Oh, and I love how the pink rose peers from the dark background.

Another lift for a soul longing for a thing of beauty.

Two. Little Pockets

"Joy doesn't cancel out heavy things but it

gives you little pockets of strength to carry on."

from Sharecare on Facebook

Three. Weather Changes

The weather has switched gears—I could feel the chill of winter

in the air yesterday. Which means, in my corner of the world,

this will wrap up my last autumn-y post for the year. And signals

the season of creating cozy nooks inside our homes and souls.

Four. Reading Pile

Looking forward to dipping into these books new to me:

Book of Lives, A Memoir of Sorts (2025)

by Margaret Atwood

Dearly (new poems, 2020)

by Margaret Atwood

The Queen Who Came in from the Cold:

Her Majesty The Queen Investigates

by S.J. Bennett

(releases on November 11th)

I'm now planning to re-read

Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention

by Sarah Clarkson (2024)

I've started to gather my cozy reads for the

coming season—will share soon.

Five. Remembering

Remembering those who gave their lives for others.

May their sacrifice never been in vain.

November 11th

And I want to add that there have been a

couple of people recently, who I only knew through their

social media presence and who poured so much goodness here,

who unexpectedly passed away.

Two Canadians who cared and made a difference,

whose posts filled my life with light and hope,

especially on those days when the world felt dark and grim.

To Stan and Darren. RIP

❦

As I wrap up, I glance out the window to discover that winter has arrived on the wings of snowflakes. Already rooftops are covered and evergreen branches are sugar dusted. And with that, the air shifts. I begin to feel that 'certain' something swirling around me... I must go find my twinkle lights.

❦

Hoping your days are pleasant whatever you're up to,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(top) by Thomas Wolter from Pixabay

(one) by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

(two) by Валерий Григоренко from Pixabay

(three) by iPicture from Pixabay

(four) by by Alana Jordan from Pixabay

(five) by Kevin Graham from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Daybook: October Edition

2025-11-01T08:23:00.006-06:00

"We must become friends before this coffee cools."

TOSHIKAZU KAWAGUCHI

Today's post was meant to go up yesterday - the last day of October. But my week ran out of time before my 'to-do' list was finished. I had a couple of writing projects with deadlines. And there were the usual tasks and commitments that needed attending to. Not to mention that I couldn't very well drop my usual couple of hours of scrolling everyday for 'important' news and entertaining feeds to keep me sane (wink).

I have been wondering if someone out there, instead of turning up the heat as the days get cooler, has accidentally jacked up the speed of the universe—for the weeks keep flying by like shooting stars.

Here is my October Daybook. I hope you enjoy.

TODAY

Outside my window...

Watching dull grey morning skies

turn into pale autumn sunshine.

I am thankful for...

- Moments of peace in the middle of chaos.

- Inside jokes that I can giggle about with

someone without explanation.

- Deep breaths that do help me relax.

I am currently reading...

Louise Penny's latest Gamache mystery

The Black Wolf - sequel to The Grey Wolf.

If you are looking for something cozy

to curl up with, this is not the book

(it's a nail-biter).

I recently read and loved...

A Flute in Mayferry Street

by Eileen Dunlop (1976)

It's a delightful children's story that, for me, has a

feeling of Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan,

as well as a hint of Elizabeth Goudge.

It's a new forever favourite.

I am wearing...

Black jeans with an olive green cable knit shell,

tiny pearl-like earrings, and a spritz of rose scent.

I am writing...

a memoir that I started more than 10 years ago.

It's working title is Waiting for Love, the journey

between a prayer and a proposal.

At this point in time, I am writing it to my dear

girlhood friend, Linda, in installments like letters.

Her time here on earth is short and she so wanted to

read my story. We were girlhood friends.

I feel the weight of it. I also feel the rightness of

writing it to Linda. One day I hope to publish it.

First things first.

I am smiling...

My sister shared a bit of conversation she had

with our 90-year-old mom, who had been looking

online for a new cardigan, because her old black

one made her feel like 'a little old lady'.

(There is not a woman on this planet, however old

she may be, who wants to feel like a little old lady.)

A favourite link...

Today the link happens to be for a post I wrote last October.

Observing Trifles... or the Spectacle of the Ordinary

In it, I share about a lovely book I read on walking.

And observing the world around you. The author

mentions her joyful insights when she walked with a dog,

when she walked with her toddler. She saw the world differently.

Rick and I walk most days, so I thought it would be fun

to revisit that inspiring book. If you've never read it, it might

just be what you need to inspire your own legs to get out there.

A favourite quote this week...

"You must do something to make

the world more beautiful."

BARBARA COONEY, Miss Rumphius

A glimpse from my walk...

I love the white bark of birch trees. They have been

a favourite since I was a little girl.

Closing note...

"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead

has never watched them dance on a windy day."

SHIRA TAMIR

❦

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Pumpkin cups) Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

(Typewriter) Image by Joanna from Pixabay

(birch tree) Image by Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Nothing Today - Will Post Tomorrow

2025-10-31T11:05:00.002-06:00

I'm sorry I don't have anything prepared so far this week. It's been a busy one—I had two projects on the go, and both had deadlines. BUT, I am now working on a post for tomorrow.

Hope you'll come back.
Enjoy this last day of October!

Brenda xo

Photo: Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

A Little Small Talk

2025-10-24T01:00:00.021-06:00

"No matter what's going on in the world, have your tea,

make your list, plan your meals, fold the laundry, bake

something for the family, and be a light for your home."

The Sprouting Homestead on Facebook

Today I feel a little like Jane Austen when she once wrote, "I do not know what is the matter with me today, but I cannot write . . . fortunately I have nothing very particular to say."

As I sat and 'proverbially' chewed the end of my pencil, I thought of one thing I could mention. I bought an autumn-themed grocery store bouquet for our dining room table last week. When the flowers started fading, I placed the above sprig of bronze-golden chrysanthemums into a smaller vase. And set it on the coffee table in our living room. This morning while we were enjoying our coffees the sun suddenly brightened and beams fell on the flower petals 'just so'. Making an ordinary spray look most glorious as if it were posing for an artist's paint and palette. I love how my photo turned out.

I could also tell you about the tasty Butternut Squash Soup I made for supper last night. Served it with hot buttered toast. Yum! The ingredients were simple: a package of already-cubed squash (approx. 4-6 cups), a chopped onion, a chopped MacIntosh apple, 2 cloves of garlic diced, a fresh sage leaf chopped into teeny pieces, a sprig of fresh thyme, and a teaspoon of diced ginger. I sautéed everything first for about 10 minutes, then added enough broth (I used chicken) to cover the ingredients, simmering until everything was soft. A quick whirl in the food processor. A sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste. That's it. A simple, easy meal.

When you don't know what else to chat about, there is always the weather. So, how has it been in your corner of the world? We've had a lovely few days. Sunny, blue skies with lots of clouds drifting in and out. Windy. It's definitely late autumn now. Many trees stand like skeletons against the sky. Surely they exude something more romantic than skeletons but it's the image that popped up first. Probably because Hallowe'en decorations are everywhere now.

Speaking of Hallowe'en, do you get many kids for treats at your door? We get maybe 30 or 40. I was thinking about what to hand out this year. I handed out cookie packs last year, potato chips the year before, and chocolate bars the one before that. What about packages of hot chocolate or hot apple cider along with cookies? If you were a trick or treater, would that interest you? What was/is your favourite treat at Hallowe'en? I used to love molasses kisses and old-fashioned popcorn balls. It's been decades since I have eaten either - they were so yummy.

Do you remember a favourite costume you wore? We'd have our party at school and go all dressed up for the day. It was so exciting to dream about what costume we'd wear. I wasn't very old, maybe Grade 2 or 3, when Mom sewed me a nurses uniform from white crepe paper along with a cute nurses cap to match. I think my favourite was the princess outfit she put together from her old pretty dresses, maybe from the soft chiffon bridesmaid dress, that were in the dress up box.

I think I will find myself in the mood for Agatha Christie's Poirot mystery, Halloween Party. And if I can find it on YouTube, I wouldn't mind watching that old Cary Grant movie Arsenic and Old Lace. That was such a great old movie - just plain silly and fun.

Two delightful books I am enjoying right now are The Country Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills and A Year Unfolding, A printmaker's view by Angela Harding. Both include seasonal sections that help create the right ambiance for this time of year.

I do wonder if Miss Austen found on that day she had nothing particular to say, once she got started, there were all kinds of bits and pieces that became entertaining fodder in her letters. Speaking of Jane, I recently finished Lucy Worsley's autobiography Jane Austen at Home. It was a really good read. Lucy had some wonderful insights and ideas about this famous lady, her life, and the times she lived in.

Look at that, a few paragraphs done, and I have a blog post nearly finished. On that note, I shall bid you a pleasant goodbye.

❦

Wishing you grace for the week ahead, and may

there be beauty in its many details,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Some Favourites (In No Particular Order)

2025-10-17T12:22:00.002-06:00

“Isn't that the only way to curate a life?

To live among things that make you gasp with delight?”

MAIRA KALMAN, My Favorite Things

Surrounding ourselves with our favourite things can turn ordinary moments into special ones. Favourite things add sparkle to our lives. They come in many categories—favourite authors, beverages, things to eat, songs or poems, colours, holidays, and seasons. Not to mention bookshops, cafés, family traditions, certain garments or jewelry, and times of day. As you see, I could go on and on, the categories themselves are endless.

Our favourites usually tickle our fancy; they suit our tastebuds or satisfy something on the inside of us. Sometimes we can say why a certain thing is our favourite; other times we find it hard to peg our feelings to the right words. All we know is that when we happen upon them (or deliberately plan for them on occasion) something shifts and suddenly we know we can face our day—even with a certain joie de vivre.

I think it must have been Julie Andrews singing her famous song in Sound of Music who started the trend all those years ago. Many of us loved her lists... 'whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens'. Our faces lighted with smiles when we recognized our own few favourites in those lyrics.

I recently came across this list that I wrote on a blog post a long time ago. Reading it over, I find it's still current; I've added a few new things. Here it is, in no particular order. Hope you enjoy.

Foggy mornings

Children laughing

Getting into one's jammies and reading in bed

Condensation on a glass of ice water

Raindrops on rose petals

Dark chocolate

Kitty cats

Bees humming in the Sedum

Lovely old bookshops

Vintage stores

Notebooks dressed in pretty covers

Tiny sandwiches with tea in China cups

People watching

Sunshine glinting off snowy rooftops

The smell of coffee brewing on a cold morning

Colour combo of indigo blue and white

Walks in a park in autumn's quiet

Giving a friend a gift 'out of the blue'

Laughing with someone until you can hardly breathe

Wrapping paper and ribbons

The words “I love you” and "you're my favourite person"

Walking into an freshly cleaned and uncluttered room

Blustery autumn days

Re-reading favourite books

Browsing beautiful magazines

Snuggling under the covers at day's end

Holding hands

Visiting the library

Pencils, pens, paper

English country anything

Hot buttered toast

A good mystery novel

Happy dogs out for their walks

The scent of earthy autumn in the air

Honey lavender lattes with pretty designs on the top

Pictures of my favourite people around me

Bridal bouquets

Walking through crunchy leaf piles

The word 'cozy'

Persuasion by Jane Austen (book or 1995 movie)

Days getting shorter

Watching for the Harvest Moon

Getting snail mail from a friend

When the Soprano scales the High "C"

The cacophony of an orchestra tuning up before a concert

Writing blog posts with my beautiful readers in mind

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

(Tea)Image by Penelope883 from Pixabay

(Leaf)Image by ZAIDoo Pro from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Hear Blessings Dropping

2025-10-10T14:17:00.001-06:00

"God has two dwellings — one in heaven,

and the other in a meek and thankful heart."

IZAAK WALTON, Wikiquote.com

Autumn is that time of year that fills my soul with a sense of well-being, and on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there is much for which I am grateful. The sky is blue and cloudless and sunny. And the grand brilliance of Autumn's palette has now truly muted into what Sarah Addison Allen describes as 'a world covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon'. Fields and gardens are mostly harvested. And the ponds around our place are now silent.

I'll assume many of us practice the art of gratitude and thankfulness all year long, but there is something extra-special about a day aside for counting our blessings. One Thanksgiving years ago, I started a list of what I was grateful for, and upon reading it to Rick, he said he'd add Brussels sprouts. Well, each to their own. Sure, I can be grateful for this cute cabbage-like ball of a vegetable—they are lovely roasted with pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup—but let's just say, I'd have to be running low on favourites before I'd ever think to add them to a list.

Today I'm thankful for turkey dinner with stuffing and French apple tart. I am grateful for reasonable health and vitality. I am so thankful for my dear mom who truly has been the best mom in the world. I am over the top thankful for my sweetheart of a husband who is one of the kindest men I know. I am thankful for my dear siblings and their partners, my wonderful nephews and nieces, and my lovely set of friends who help make the journey through life bearable, enjoyable, and so worth it.

Let's see... I'm also grateful for perfectly made latte coffees, cups of tea, my piles of books, and dark chocolate. And for roses, sweet peas, and marigolds and for eyes to appreciate their beauty and colour. I'm so glad for a nose that can breath in the scent of freshly baked bread, cinnamon buns, and apple crisp. And for plenty to eat, shelter in a cozy home, and peace in my heart and our friendly neighbourhood. I'm glad to be Canadian. There's no end to what I could add to this list.

And I must not forget all the wonderful blogging and social media friends I've met here who visit and leave comments, who share their own life glimpses, funnies, and thoughtful words. Thank you! Let me reiterate that it's my desire to keep this blog as free as possible from the woes of the world. It's not that I don't care, for I care deeply about the many sad and hard things going on out there. And I know many of you do too.

But it's nice to have a spot somewhere where we, for a few moments, can focus on something other than the horrid, cruel stuff. Besides, we cannot keep mourning. Our hearts are not made to mourn all the time. Joy is what gives us strength. I remain committed to keeping this small place in cyberspace a safe haven. Where we can come to rest a moment, think about everyday pleasures, as we carry on loving those around us and living our lives with grace and finesse. We keep searching for the hope, kindness, and beauty that is everywhere, sometimes hidden except to the most earnest of searchers. And we pass it along so others can enjoy and be cheered.

I say a wee prayer of blessing for good gifts to come to every person in this big old world. I sure hope you have a share of them. And I hope your heart can hum with gratitude - even a little bit, no matter what you are facing...

" For one moment quit being sad.

Hear blessings dropping

their blossoms all around you."

RUMI

❦

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,

With love,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

A New Reading List From An Old Book Meme

2025-10-03T01:00:00.266-06:00

"Autumn is for reading good books

in cozy little nooks."

PIPPI POST, as seen on Instagram

And a Happy October to you! Lots of trees in the neighbourhood now stand leafless while others hold fast their greenery until that first hard frost (which we haven't had yet). With days growing cooler and shorter, 'tis the season for drawing closer to home (at least in our imaginations), for lighting candles or turning on twinkle lights, and for thinking about the books we might want to read as dusk settles in the corners.

Going through my blog archives, I came across an old book meme I once participated in (2009). Remembering it was a fun way to create a reading list, I started thinking up all sorts of titles - some are already on my own shelves, some I could borrow from the library, and others are on 'to be read' lists.

Here is my list. I hope it stirs up ideas for your own list of books to read this autumn.

📚

A book with a 'profession' in its title

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

The Farmer's Wife by Helen Rebanks

A book with a 'time of day' in its title

4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie

The Clock Strikes Twelve by Patricia Wentworth

A book with a 'familial name' in its title

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith

Feeding My Mother by Jann Arden

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

A book with a 'body part' in its title

The Seven Longings of the Human Heart by Mike Bickle

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

A book using 'one of the five senses' in its title

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge

Simple Acts of Faith: Heartwarming Stories of

One Life Touching Another by Margaret Feinberg

A book with a 'building' in its title

Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

House Lessons, Renovating a Life by Erica Bauermeister

A book with an 'animal' in its title

The Comfort of Crows, A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl

Mr. Poppers' Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

A book with a 'month' in its title

September by Rosamunde Pilcher

A book with a 'holiday' in its title

Halloween Party by Agatha Christie

A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas

A book with a 'character's name' in its title

The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh by Kathryn Aalto

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

A book with a 'famous person' in its title

The Story of Beatrix Potter by Sarah Gristwood

The Last Van Gogh by Alyson Richman

A book with a 'fruit' in its title

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Save Me the Plums, My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl

A book with a 'vegetable' in its title

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney

A book with the word 'garden' in its title

A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

War Gardens, A Journey Through Conflict in

Search of Calm by Lalage Snow

A book with a 'girl's name' in its title

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Emma by Jane Austen

Finding Flora by Elinor Florence

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

A book with a 'boy's name' in its title

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Stuart White by E.B. White

A book with a 'royal title' in its title

All the Queen's Men by SJ Bennett

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

❦

And four books coming out this autumn

to add to the list

Black Wolf by Louise Penny

My Beloved by Jan Karon

Death of a Diplomat by former first lady of Iceland Eliza Reid

The Queen Who Came in from the Cold: Her

Majesty The Queen Investigates by SJ Bennett

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day with hopes you've time to

curl up with a good book and your favourite beverage.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Autumn in Full Throttle With Treats

2025-09-26T10:24:00.017-06:00

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust

of brown sugar and cinnamon.”

SARAH ADDISON, First Frost

as seen on GoodReads

Well, I feel a little put out at Mr. Sun this early morning. It's grey and overcast, and on the day of my dear Mom's 90th birthday too! I wanted it bright and beautiful on her special day. No matter, thankfully there's a yummy Lemon Meringue Cake to look forward to this afternoon—the celebration will carry on, sunshine or no sunshine.

And a Happy Autumn to everyone here in the Northern Hemisphere! It’s been another lovely week, although when we went for our early morning walk the other day, there was a decided sharpness to the wind—let's just say we didn’t dawdle. But it made me feel like hauling out my autumn-themed ribbons and dishes, not to mention the pumpkin tablecloth on the dining table with a still life posing as a table centre.

What do you think about when autumn comes? Some people say autumn is a time of change. That it's a season of decline, transition. (Yes, there is that.) Other people say it's a time for letting go and releasing things that have been a burden. (What a good idea - I'm all for that.) When I think what autumn means to me, I think of this season as a time of new beginnings, like the beginning of a new school year and getting into new projects after the summer. Mostly, having grown up on a farm, autumn for me is harvest time—the gathering in of what was started in the spring of the year—potatoes and carrots, apples and pears and plums, and combining the fields of wheat, barley, flax, and oats.

Here are treats that have come my way this week... I so looked forward to sharing them with you today.

One

"Lace is one of the most beautiful fabrics, you know. All those

holes and gaps, but it's still complete somehow - still lovely."

Anonymous, Goodreads

I have been wanting a lace tablecloth for a while now for my dining room table. I wanted something so the dark wood table could still peek through. I giggled with joy at this gift that came into my life.

It came up on Facebook Marketplace this week, and I was astounded to see it listed for a mere $25. I know the value of something hand crafted, and this crocheted piece is exquisite. It fits a table that seats six. Pristine white, I could see that it had been beautifully cared for. The woman who was selling it said she now has a bigger table and so it was too small. I asked if someone in her family had made it—yes, a friend of her mother's had made it (I think that's how the story went—I was too busy admiring to really listen to her story, for which I now regret).

One day I will show it to you in its full glory...I didn't want to dismantle my autumn setting right now.

Two

"It's hard to find anyone who doesn't like letters.

We feel a thrill when we receive them. One of their

charms is that we can't see what's inside right away;

there's an anticipation in unsealing the mysteries held within."

JUHEE MUN

This book The Healing Power of Korean Letter Writing was recommended a few weeks ago by my dear friend Barbara on her Small Moments blog. She had taken a break from her blog to read it. It sounded so beguiling, I had to order a copy for myself. At the time, I was told to expect delivery anytime after October 23rd. You can appreciate then why I was so surprised to have it arrive this past Tuesday. It had travelled all the way from a bookshop in Galway, Ireland.

The book itself is a slender volume that fits like poetry into one's hand. The author Juhee Mun is from South Korea and she owns a letter shop called 'geulwoll'. Which is a "native Korean word, a respectful term meaning 'letter'". The book, originally published in Korean, was translated into English by Clare Richards who lives in the UK. The author mentions how she rarely wrote letters, but in her shop she had 'encountered so many letter-devotees' that she searched out books about letter writing. She found two: Eight or Nine Wise Words about Letter-Writing by Lewis Carroll and Simon Garfield's To the Letter. I have read neither so you can guess that I'll be searching those out.

To that list I'd like to add another timeless book about writing letters. I received it as a Christmas gift in the early 1990s titled Gift of a Letter by Alexandra Stoddard. Packed with all manner of quotes and lovely ideas about the whys and wherefores of letter writing, it's a keeper.

Three

This book also arrived on Tuesday, and I was so excited. Anyone who follows Miranda Mills on YouTube knows this is her first book which came out this month. The Country Commonplace Book "is a seasonal touchstone packed full of quotes, book lists, artwork, recipes, and observations on the natural world to keep close at hand and to accompany you throughout the year." excerpt from Description on Amazon

As Miranda has explained, "[C]ommonplace books have been types of journals used to record favorite passages from books or poetry, anecdotes, extracts from letters, proverbs, lists, shared recipes, quotes, prayers, and lyrics, and they have been kept for centuries." Like many of us, she has collected her favourite quotes and passages for years, and it was a dream of hers to take some of her favourites and curate them into a kind of anthology, in this case using material that was about nature and the seasons in the English countryside.

If you click on the title in the first paragraph, the link will take you to a 2-minute video trailer about it. By the time you finish watching, you'll be wanting to add it to your shopping cart (if you haven't done so already).

Four

I took this photo eleven years ago this week—it appeared on my Facebook Memories. It was a delight to see it again after all these years. I still remember that September day when I had met long time friends for lunch. It was so warm we sat out on the patio, and what a lovely time we had.

At some point 'just because' presents were exchanged—none of us have birthdays in September. The little notepad with my name on it is long used up as is the pen. The fabric on the right side is actually a long narrow silky scarf in an 'old letters' motif. I've loved wearing it; it always makes me feel chic. The book Learn by Heart Poetry sits handily nearby on my poetry shelf. As I reach for it right now, it flips opens to page 71 where I find a few lines by Emily Dickinson. They happen to match the season, as if I had planned it. Let me share:

"The Morns Are Meeker Than They Were"

The morns are meeker than they were —

The nuts are getting brown —

The berry's cheek is plumper —

The Rose is out of town.

The Maple wears a gayer scarf —

The field a scarlet gown —

Lest I should seem old fashioned

I'll put a trinket on.

Five

Happy Birthday, to my Best Beloved Mom!

We love, love, love you.

BTW, as I wrap up, the sun has come out.

It must have heard me whining.

Here's to sunshine...and cake...and beautiful Moms.

Life is good.

❦

Wishing you all a beautiful week ahead,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

(Bottom two) Autumn Bouquet by Kathy Hillacre

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Five on Friday: Autumn Thoughts and Treats

2025-09-19T15:13:00.011-06:00

"Celebrating Fall . . . with bouquets of

sharpened pencils, pumpkins, and cozy autumn

vibes straight out of Shopgirl and Joe Fox's world."

STORYLINEBOOKSHOP, as seen on Instagram

In the words of my dear blogging friend Janet Martin, "I love September mornings, where shadows sprawl, tall across the waking land". Oh yes. It felt very autumnal today on our early morning walk. Cool and crisp with those long shadows sprawling. And with Fall Equinox arriving this weekend, we officially bid Summer farewell as we open our arms to Autumn.

The dahlia photo above was one I took at the St Albert Botanic Garden last week. It tugs at my heart. I love the shades and hues of its autumn colours. I love the starburst pointed petals. I want a painting of it.

Yesterday we went for coffee with dear friends. I opted for my usual small decaf latte, not even noticing their larger-than-life sign that they were now serving pumpkin spice lattes (along with a mini slice of pumpkin pie). TO think I missed out on that treat. We've had such really warm summery days these past few weeks, and even though the neighbourhood was afloat with falling leaves, my brain never did quite wrap around that we were already well into September.

Although I have not watched it now for several years, it was my ritual to pull out the lovely 1998 movie You've Got Mail with Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks). It never failed to put me in the mood for Autumn and getting cozy. Time to rewatch it.

It's been a busy week. I'm getting it a little late out in the day. I thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy.

One. Downton Abbey

We went to the theatre on Sunday afternoon to see The Grand Finale of the Downton Abbey series. What a treat! Loved the movie. It was great to see the Crawley family again, albeit all a little older. Even Rick, who wasn't keen on going, said he enjoyed it. There were funny spots, poignant spots, and in my books, they gave us a satisfying wrap up to the whole series. Everyone, including Lady Mary, can now get on with their lives.

After the movie, we went out for dinner. The hostess who seated us asked if we were doing anything special for the evening. I mentioned that we'd just come from the Downton Abbey film. She looked blankly at me. And I realized ten years had passed since that last series on PBS, she probably would have only been nine or ten at the time and no doubt she wouldn't be watching such a story. Then our waitress came by asking for drinks order, and she also asked the similar question what we were up to. Although she'd never watched the series, she at least knew what we were talking about having studied the series in high school, mentioning it being 'historical fiction' which she thought interesting. Who would have thought what I still consider a current series would suddenly put us in our place, the series itself was also back there in the historical fiction section. Haha.

—Photo taken in 2016 on our trip to Great Britain, which included a visit to Highclere Castle. There was something quite special about walking up that laneway that grabbed my heart.

Two. Reading

This year I didn't get around to making an autumn reading list. Summer seemed to linger (for which I was happy), and even though autumn leaves were falling, I didn't quite have those usual cozy autumn vibes. For you'd often see us sitting on the front patio drinking cold drinks and watching the bees humming in the Rudbeckia and Joe Pye Weed blossoms as clouds floated past clear blue sky. A deep summer activity, in my books.

But I did read one seasonal book: The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sheriff (1931). Recently republished, it's the gentle and charming tale about a family of five who set out on their cherished annual holiday to the seaside. It's the two weeks in their lives when they are mainly free from the cares of every life and work. And they are squeezing out every minute they can with those small pleasures of holiday life. This was a book that author Kazuo Ishiguro had proposed people should read during the pandemic - he described the book as 'life-affirming', 'delicate', and 'magical'. I agree with his assessment.

If you haven't read it, I recommend it. But maybe save it for next September early in the month.

Three. A Beautiful Life

I came across Robin Sharma's Facebook page the other day. I was drawn in for he had a list of what makes life beautiful for him. It resonated, it would basically be my list, too.

(If you're wondering why his name is familiar—I did wonder—Robin Sharma is a Canadian writer, best known for his book series The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.)

Robin's List:

Art

Books

Nature

Work that serves

Fresh food simply prepared

Deep conversations with real people

My list:

In relationship with God and people

Books

Nature and Gardens

Creative work to make a difference

Being kind

Conversations with family and friends over coffee

Four. Ribbon treats

I went back to Michaels (craft store) and found a few more rolls of autumn ribbons. As you can see I stocked up. At this moment the rolls are sitting in a prim row on the credenza in my study. Waiting for a creative adventure. I'm loving looking at them, just as they are, but I look forward to pressing them into service soon.

Five. A volunteer

Our garden is winding down. But there are spots still furiously in bloom. And this single thick stem of sunflowers is a bold example. A stray seed from the birdfeeder sprouted in spring and has now grown into a plant with several blossoms of sunshine. Its beauty buoys my spirits when things feel a little dark out there.

❦

"After all, Anne had said to Marilla once, "I believe the nicest

and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid

or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple

little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."

LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY, Anne of Avonlea

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day.

Be kind to yourself and your neighbour, too.

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

(Book and apples) Image by Katrina_S from Pixabay

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

It Would Be His 96th Birthday: An Essay

2025-09-12T01:00:00.257-06:00

Me with my dad and little sister

Although I no longer remember the actual moment when we posed in this photo, the picture is a forever memory, my having first spotted it as a little girl in Mom's photo album, and now taking up residence in mine. It remains one of my favourite pictures of my dad. So young and handsome. I love that he had such a happy smile in that moment posing with his girls. This is probably the age I would have been when I played with my invisible playmate, Barry (you can visit my previous post to learn more HERE).

The following essay was written about a year after my dad passed away in the early 2000s. It became part of the healing path as I waded through the grief and sense of deep loss I felt at the time. It was such a comforting piece to write. It helped me to put things in perspective, I think. This September he would be celebrating his 96th birthday. His brother, my uncle, just celebrated his 100th and we were so happy to think of Uncle's long life. We think wistfully what if Dad could have had that same length of life. . . . however, such is life, we don't choose when we arrive on this planet and we don't choose, not usually, when we leave it. Especially if we believe God holds our lives, times, and seasons in his loving hands.

Hope you enjoy...

❦

Beautiful Hands

"A father doesn’t tell you that he

loves you. He shows you."

Attributed to DEMITRI THE STONEHEART

WHEN WE WANT to convey our affection and esteem to someone, gifts, flowers, and Hallmark™ cards have become accepted (even expected) tokens of our love. Like many, I avail myself of these most agreeable traditions, and I admit my eyes light up with pleasure at the sight of a parcel, florist bundle, or card addressed to me. Now, I am the daughter of a man who did not express his love in these traditional ways. My dad was quiet and reserved, and for reasons only he knew, he kept his emotions and counsel close to himself all his life. It was not easy for him to initiate a hug or say words of love or commendation, even when he was proud of us. And he usually wasn’t one who stood by the card counter to pick out the special occasion greetings for the people he cared about.

Still, growing up I never doubted that Dad loved me. Maybe as a child, I just assumed my parents would love me. I took it for granted. And there wasn't anything to disprove that belief in my experiences growing up in our family. All my material needs and many of my wants were provided for in ample measure, and when I think about it in retrospect, his hands (in tandem with his heart) articulated a love that no store-bought gift or card could have done more eloquently than the countless acts of service and lovingly hand-made offerings he presented to me and my family over his lifetime.

Dad's hands were strong and brawny. With freckles on them. Sometimes dirty with good old farm dirt or machinery grease if he was fixing the tractor or combine. They were the hands of a farmer, a builder, a gardener. They were always industrious and resourceful and never harsh, although he could give a sharp whack to a stubborn sow's rump to get her moving. When I was little, I would sometimes take hold of his hand and marvel at how small my own hand felt in his. I could feel its strength. It was nothing for him to open a stubborn jar of pickles or haul a couple of five-gallon pails filled with grain or potatoes.

Dad’s hands seemed to enjoy making surprises for us: wooden tops, whistles carved from tree branches, little knitting devices created from Mom’s leftover cotton thread spools. In the days before mega-toy stores, it was nothing for my dad to fashion scraps of metal and lumber into some great play things. I don’t remember asking for a swing, sandbox, or seesaw, but there they were one day. And, oh, the countless hours of fun we had playing on them. There was also the time we came home from school to find a newly-built desk, just our size, sitting in our bedroom. Too small for adult legs to fit comfortably under now, it still has a place in our family, that little red-hued mahogany desk Dad lovingly built for us.

Yes, Papa’s hands could rummage through junk piles and find the neatest treasures at an auction or garage sale. They were hands clever enough to recycle bits and pieces into a ‘brand new’ bicycle, strong enough to dig fence post holes with a hand auger, and, in later years, they were coordinated enough to use a small needle to hand stitch the many family quilts Mom sewed. Whether he designed a go-cart with his young son or birdhouses with his grandsons; woodworked oak shelves for Mom and doll cradles for his granddaughters; whether he refurbished and fortified work-worn wheelbarrows for kids who now had gardens of their own (often painting them in his favourite jolly red or John Deere green)—these deeds all represented Dad’s own brand of 'I love you'.

Dad’s hard-working hands also knew how to be kind, and they never struck us in anger. They were safe hands. As a young father, he cheerfully changed wet diapers and crawled on his hands and knees, so my little sister and I could play hairdresser with his reddish blonde hair. Later, as a grandpa, his hands would joyfully reach out for toddling grandbabies, settling them on his knee and planting big fat kisses on their chubby cheeks. Dad never felt nervous or shy around the little ones. Perhaps small children posed no threat; they made no demands for conversation, happy just to play with his reading glasses and sit on his quiet lap. He never grabbed out to them when they weren’t quite ready for his bear-hugs, but often you’d find a youngster tucked in the crook of Grandpa’s arm as they both snoozed in the big La-Z-Boy recliner.

As a girl, I accepted my dad’s quiet and unassuming manner and was comfortable with it. However, as I matured into adulthood, my own secret desire for more affirming words and physical expressions made me long for something less restrained, maybe even more ‘traditional’ from him. And then I came across a book by author Gary Chapman entitled, The Five Love Languages. Based on his own research, Chapman explained that people tend to express their love in five basic ways: words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. It suddenly dawned on me—Dad had always been telling me he loved me, every time he filled my pantry with sacks of potatoes and vegetables he had grown in his garden; every time he responded so willingly, almost eagerly, to my requests for something from his workshop or help with building a new fence.

His gifts and acts of service took on a whole new meaning for me. This was how he said, “I love you”. I now understood the love language he used. And I translated that into what was my own key love language: words of affirmation. I let his actions speak the words I had wanted to hear. Finally understanding, I settled into that knowing. Gifts of love don’t come only in the shape of flower bouquets, greeting cards, or beribboned packages from department stores; they come to us in as many creative ways as there are people in this world. Although I always appreciated what he did for me, I came to truly cherish the kind gestures, generous deeds, and quiet ways my dad chose, maybe even dared, to show his affection. I quit looking for something Dad could not give and received with joy what he could.

The character Jacob in a movie I saw years ago (the Hallmark film Sarah Plain and Tall), responded to Sarah when she observed that he wasn’t good with words. His reply: “Sometimes words aren’t good enough”. Perhaps Dad would agree.

At the writing of this, it's almost a year since those busy and loving hands were stilled. Despite the dreadfulness of my dad’s illness, something quite wonderful happened during the last couple of years of his life, and especially the last few months of his time here on earth. Some of the barriers and reservations with which Dad had guarded his inner life began to fall away, and we began to catch glimpses of the man behind all that reserve. Oh, he still didn’t say much when we visited, but there was less restraint, a new easiness between us. He liked it when I read a favourite Bible passage aloud as I sat by his bed. His hand was content to rest in mine when I’d reach out to hold it. Hugs were eagerly received and given. It was good.

Jesus once said that people will know we are His disciples by our love. Surely Dad’s crown must shine brightly for all the ways, seen and unseen, he expressed love and kindness to me and my family and also to the many others who crossed his path. Those strong, beautiful hands . . . they spoke of a love I shall always cherish and of a man I shall never forget.

❦

Happy Birthday, dearest Dad!

Sending heart hugs to everyone reading this,

and thank you for stopping by.

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays