Thursday, May 23, 2013

FFF

Friday Fave Five
Focusing on the small and large blessings of my week.  Ignoring the sad destruction of my little garden by the hungry deer searching for any nourishment in a burned out habitat  (really, deer?  tomato vines??  ALL my snap pea plants???  rose buds??)

1.  It's jacaranda season!  For most of the year, jacaranda trees just stand there and provide shade.  They're nothing special.  But when they bloom?  Oh my!  Purple heaven.


2.  I've been rereading a book which has been on my bookshelf for many years.  Published in 1992, the thoughts in 'Tis a Gift to be Simple by Barbara DeGrote-Sorensen and David Allen Sorensen are completely contemporary with minimalism and voluntary simplicity principles.  Simplicity is not a new idea.  I've been loving this reread.  In fact, I keep writing down quotes and I've not read even a quarter of the book.

"Moving down--beginning the process of living less extravagantly than we once though possible--is called "voluntary simplicity". Voluntary simplicity is a way for us to live asking only our 'fair share' and allowing us to generous with the rest."

Two of ten reasons for choosing a simpler life-style--quoted from Jorgen Lissner.

As an act of faith performed for the sake of personal integrity and as an expression of a personal commitment to a more equitable distribution of the world's resources.
As an act of celebration of the riches found in creativity, spirituality, and community with others, rather than in mindless materialism.

As I read through this book, expect to see more quotes here!

3.  On Sunday I spent all day at Paramount Ranch with other spinners and weavers from our local handweavers and spinners guild.  We demonstrated our arts and enjoyed the festive atmosphere of The Banjo and Fiddle Festival while listening to some awesome music makers.  It's my favorite venue to attend with my spinning wheel.  People are fascinated with our wheels and looms.  (I wish I had photos but since I was sitting and spinning, I didn't take any pictures.  However, if I had a nickel for every picture people took of me, I'd be rich.)

4.  Another book I'm reading is The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.  I was perusing the library shelves and catalog for more E. Goudge books because I was in the mood for a good dose of solid British culture for which she is famous.  The only book not checked out was The Little White Horse (evidently other people have been struck with the same bug.  Is it a spring thing?) which was listed as being in the children's section.  What a delightful story it is!  Sort of a fairy tale.  Absolutely wonderful as all EG's stories are.

5.  End of Year Luncheon.  Each spring when classes are finished, my boss invites us out for lunch.  It's a fun way to wrap up the school year.  This week we enjoyed lunch at Wood Ranch which is a local bbq restaurant.  Yes, even a vegan can enjoy barbeque--  bbq sauce on a vegan burger.

That basically sums up Willow's Week's Friday Fave Five.  I've linked up as usual to Susanne's blog Living to Tell the Story.

14 comments:

ellen b. said...

Oh the deer...
I enjoyed The Little White Horse. Glad you had a good option at Wood Ranch!
Blessings...

nikkipolani said...

Hungry deer is a bad thing to have anywhere near a garden. Sorry about that! Summer reading sounds heavenly.

Faith said...

Oh no....DEER! yikes..they do wreak havoc don't they? I will have to check out that book! I've read a couple of her books but can't remember the titles!! Her books seem popular at our towne library. YUMMMY to the grilled burgers...and vegan to boot! I'm gonna get me some...maybe my hubby won't be able to tell the difference. I love simplicity and want to do even MORE in my life (of cutting down the "stuff"). Can't wait to read more quotes you post. enjoy the long weekend.

Bethany said...

I have never heard of jacaranda trees-- Caroline would love them!! (all that purple) I love that you said people are so interested in the weaving and the spinning. I think the more technological our society gets, the more we desire to know real handwork. I wish you had a nickel for every photo too!! hmmm....

Barbara H. said...

That's sad about the deer eating up your garden. I hope you can find some way of discouraging them, or they can find a better source.

The jacaranda blooms are lovely!

I've heard good things about Elizabeth Goudge but haven't tried her yet.

susan said...

Maybe you can have someone at home take a photo of you with your wheel, Willow. I'd love to see that.

I've never read any Elizabeth Goudge books. Thanks for the suggestion.

So glad the Wood Ranch had a tasty option for you. And what a nice way to end the year with your co-workers.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

I'll have to look up Elizabeth Goudge. I love me some good British phrasing. (I just read most of Barrie's original Peter Pan aloud to myself because it was so delightful!) The jacarandas are beautiful. Have a great week ahead!

Brenda said...

A banjo and fiddle festival sounds like a fun place to spend some time!

Sorry to hear about your deer, did you get any good suggestions?

Gracie Saylor said...

Your favorite picks of the week inspire me to explore flowers and books new to me as well as appreciate the possible ways of fostering simplicity in my life. Thanks for posting, Linda :-)
Gracie

Connie said...

I've been having a good time going through your post. Your floral photography is amazing. I am your newest follwer. I would love to have you as a follwer, too. Please come visit, my welcome mat is always out.
Connie :)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That is a lovely selection of favorites, Willow. I enjoyed the simplicity item and the two quotes. Boy that "mindless materialism" really grabs hold of us when we aren't looking. So wonderful to hear you are enjoying EG's book!

Julene said...

Rereads are like old friends and new encouragement to keep on finding these treasures! Have you read Miss Read (Dora Jessie Saint?) Her first book is called "The Village School." :)

Caroline said...

OK, I'm reading The Little White Horse as soon as I get these last three days of school out of the way, ha, ha. I've been meaning to read it for a long time.

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Gouge is one of my top, all time favorite authors; haven't read a book of hers that I didn't like. I really enjoyed the Little White Horse.

Spinning at a banjo & fiddle festival would be a blast! It's been too long since Ed and I took the time to attend a bluegrass festival.

The local elementary school planted a jacaranda tree - it's in full purple glory right now.