Saturday, September 12, 2009

A book to be happy about

There's an unassuming, chunky little book sitting atop the table in our Reading Room. It's called "14,000 things to be happy about" by Barbara Ann Kipfer...



This is the second time this book has been a part of my life. My Mom had a copy of it when I was teen, but I can't say that I paid quite as much attention to it back then. I had more important things to think about- like creating a three inch high poof of bulletproof bangs courtesy of Aqua Net.

Nowadays, however, I take time to read a page or two quite often. The short, descriptive sentences that fill each page are so much fun to read aloud!
I read this page today...



I love the line that says, "lying on your back in a snowy field; making an angel by moving your arms in arcs".
The thought of actually doing that would have horrified me as a teen, but these days, even the tiniest flakes of snow send tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. Falling snow immediately takes me back. Back to a 7-acre hobby farm in Minnesota- when all I had to worry about was making the honor roll and my curfew. Oh, and making bulletproof bangs. :-)

One of my favorite lines in the book isn't even really much of a line at all.
It's just one simple word.

Can you see?



There between "deepest raisin color" and "freshly threshed wheat, oats and barley"?

Look closer...



It's everything.

I really dig the way Ms. Kipfer thinks. :-)



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31 comments:

  1. Still laughing about the bullet proof bangs...had some myself...aah, the 80's!

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  2. I have had this book for years! I is one of my favorites!

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  3. Hi Layla. Thank you very much for inspirational blog. I love the way both you and The Painted Cottage decorate and try and utlize some of the ideas in my home. I live in Brisbane Australia and have only just recently stumbled across your blog. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  4. I received my herb crate in the mail today- one word FABULOUS!!! Love it- I will post a pic soon- just need to get a plant or something to put in it. Have a greta night!

    Thxs
    Kelly

    http://kellyannstudio.blogspot.com/

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  5. I am loving your blog...I found it a couple of weeks ago and have been trying a couple of ideas. Have you shown your master bedroom and bathrooms? Just wondering...

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  6. I picked out that word immediately...EVERYTHING...ahhhhhhhh...

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  7. Amazing. I need to get this book.

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  8. I LOVE this book! Isn't it great? There is always something there to inspire and make you smile.:)
    xo Lidy

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  9. I am really enjoying your blog...your words of wisdom, your simplicity, your happiness and your joy. Thanks for sharing that.

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  10. I loved reading this post...and laughed at the thought of bulletproof bangs! Very aptly put! Thanks for reminding us to be thankful for the little things...the big things...and EVERYTHING in between!

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  11. This is a great book, one I have given away often. I used it as a devotion of things to be thankful for, with my verse being, of course, "In everything give thanks, ..."
    have a good day! pokey

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  12. I've had that book since I was in college and love it. For awhile I wrote things that make me happy in the back. I may be digging that out and reliving it again now.

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  13. I thought you were going to point out "refinishing the flea market find!!!" LOL

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  14. Big hair - part of the hazing of womanhood....somewhere after menstruation and before menopause. Been there too!

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  15. I have a similar book- called "The Wish List". I love to pick it up once in a while and see how many things I'm able to check off that I wasn't able to before.

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  16. Just went to Amazon.com and ordered the book used for a total for $4. Book was $.01 and the shipping $3.99. Thanks so much for the post!

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  17. I have this book and love it. On days when things are not going exactly as planned, I love to pull it out and smile. Happy Sunday!

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  18. Love it, I am going to hunt down that book at B&N. I am all about opening up your eyes and seeing, sometimes it's the little things that pass us by every day that have the biggest impact. I have always said that i could just watch grass grow. I think being still and taking in our surroundings is the biggest gift that we can give ourselves.
    Have a blessed day and enjoy your stillness.
    Kathleen

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  19. When I first got this book back in college I decided I would put stars next to the items that made me happy too, one if it was a little, up to four. When I realized I was marking almost every items I put down the pen and just relished in the words and the feeling they brought out.

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  20. Oh the 80's...that made me happy just remembering all the big hair!
    I have that book too and love it.
    Hope your day is great!
    Beth

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  21. I had this book for years but lost it somehow in a move.

    I went through it on so many different times in my life- and marked the ones that spoke to me, each time with a different mark (x, circle, star, heart). It was so fun to look back and see the things that were constant and those that were new as I had more experiences to appreciate.

    I hate that it's gone now...thanks for the wonderful reminder and the memories!! Maybe I need a new copy!

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  22. Love this book. I took it one step further (back in college, maybe?) and hand-wrote my favorites into a letter that I sent to one of my close HS girlfriends. :)

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  23. hi, you've made me think of that book, i have it around here somewhere & as like you i read a few pages a day & highlight my favorites; i will have to look for it now as you reminded me i have it & never finished it :) gio

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  24. LOVE this post!! I think I should get this.

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  25. LOVE that book, I had it when I was a teen too! Gave me lots of inspiration, I'm a life coach now and definitely subscribe to the 'simple pleasures' philosophy for both my clients and myself!

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  26. Looks like a good pick me up book. I think I might check it out of the library.

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  27. I have that book. I haven't thought about it in years. I am going to look for it right now!
    thanks for the reminder!

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  28. Oh..I see "refinishing a flea market find" in that list! How great is that?!!!
    I think I'm going to have to buy that book!

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