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Blessed: Living a Grateful Life
Sometimes we need to pause for a moment and absorb the quiet moments in life. Blessed is a compelling collection of stories that are true reminders of the everyday blessings that surround us—a reminder to take a deep breath and appreciate the things that bring us joy.
Whether sitting in front of the fire at her snow-covered cottage high in the mountains of her Vermont hometown, laughing with friends on the porch of a bungalow near the sea in California, gardening, baking or knitting, award-winning author Ellen Michaud offers an intimate glimpse into daily peaceful moments that frequently go unnoticed.
Entries
“Holding the teapot in my hands, I can feel its strength and sturdiness. I can run my fingers over its dents, study the cracks in its bone lid ornament, lightly stroke the scorch mark on its side. Was it ever dropped on a kitchen hearth? Thrown across a room? Washed by one of my grandmothers’ tears? Given the chaotic world through which it has traveled over the centuries the answer’s pretty obvious. The thing is, it survived. And I’m willing to bet that despite the fire, brimstone, and bullets that circle our planet today, this glowing little teapot—and the women who travel with it—will survive into the future as well.” (Excerpt from “The Teapot”)
“Today I watch as she carefully spreads the napkin on her lap and explains to the hopeful dogs at her feet that, if they’re good, she just might save them a bite—and I realize that I no longer believe that people can’t change. They can. No matter what their age, they can remodel themselves and start over.” (Excerpt from “The Courage to Change”)
“Marjorie and I slide easily into conversation, as do women everywhere, and eventually Marian’s tractor bumps over the ground toward the barn, stops, then rumbles into the farm’s deep silence as she climbs to the ground and comes over to say hello. Clearly, she’s busy as a cat with a new litter of kittens. But as she reaches out her hand to greet me, I realize that here, where the work it takes to run a farm, manage a herd, make cheese, and run a business is never done, there is always time to greet a neighbor, talk about the weather, and inquire into the nature of things. I slide into the rhythm of it without missing a beat.” (Excerpt from “Summer in a Jar”)
Whether sitting in front of the fire at her snow-covered cottage high in the mountains of her Vermont hometown, laughing with friends on the porch of a bungalow near the sea in California, gardening, baking or knitting, award-winning author Ellen Michaud offers an intimate glimpse into daily peaceful moments that frequently go unnoticed.
Entries
“Holding the teapot in my hands, I can feel its strength and sturdiness. I can run my fingers over its dents, study the cracks in its bone lid ornament, lightly stroke the scorch mark on its side. Was it ever dropped on a kitchen hearth? Thrown across a room? Washed by one of my grandmothers’ tears? Given the chaotic world through which it has traveled over the centuries the answer’s pretty obvious. The thing is, it survived. And I’m willing to bet that despite the fire, brimstone, and bullets that circle our planet today, this glowing little teapot—and the women who travel with it—will survive into the future as well.” (Excerpt from “The Teapot”)
“Today I watch as she carefully spreads the napkin on her lap and explains to the hopeful dogs at her feet that, if they’re good, she just might save them a bite—and I realize that I no longer believe that people can’t change. They can. No matter what their age, they can remodel themselves and start over.” (Excerpt from “The Courage to Change”)
“Marjorie and I slide easily into conversation, as do women everywhere, and eventually Marian’s tractor bumps over the ground toward the barn, stops, then rumbles into the farm’s deep silence as she climbs to the ground and comes over to say hello. Clearly, she’s busy as a cat with a new litter of kittens. But as she reaches out her hand to greet me, I realize that here, where the work it takes to run a farm, manage a herd, make cheese, and run a business is never done, there is always time to greet a neighbor, talk about the weather, and inquire into the nature of things. I slide into the rhythm of it without missing a beat.” (Excerpt from “Summer in a Jar”)
176 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2011
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2011
A beautiful little book that reminds us about the importance of expressing gratitude and recognizing the blessings in our lives.
As women, we are always on the go and focusing on the needs of others, be they family, friends or simply someone in need. Too often we don't take time for ourselves. We don't stop, sit and listen. So many of our daily blessings are the little things we ignore. The sunshine, the birds singing, food on table, a cold drink on a hot day, the smile of a stranger, the hug from a child. Ellen reminds us to take the time to notice the blessings surrounding us each day.
This little book fits perfectly into a purse. I kept it with me and read it over the course of a day or two. The chapters are two or three pages of story and vignette and I could read one or two as I waited to pick up my children, or waited in line at the bank drive-up. It would make a fantastic addition to a coffee table where you could pick it up and read a chapter or two at a time.
As women, we are always on the go and focusing on the needs of others, be they family, friends or simply someone in need. Too often we don't take time for ourselves. We don't stop, sit and listen. So many of our daily blessings are the little things we ignore. The sunshine, the birds singing, food on table, a cold drink on a hot day, the smile of a stranger, the hug from a child. Ellen reminds us to take the time to notice the blessings surrounding us each day.
This little book fits perfectly into a purse. I kept it with me and read it over the course of a day or two. The chapters are two or three pages of story and vignette and I could read one or two as I waited to pick up my children, or waited in line at the bank drive-up. It would make a fantastic addition to a coffee table where you could pick it up and read a chapter or two at a time.
September 10, 2011
Each story written by Ellen leads me to my own blessed memories!
April 28, 2011
What a wonderful little book that really does remind us of all of the daily blessings that we often miss because of our busy lives. In her writings the author reminds us of how our lives just might be a blessing to others, but more than that reminded me just how Blessed that I truly am, as I go along in my daily life, I often fail to notice the little things. In this book the author shares stories that encouraged me to start noticing the extra- ordinary in ordinary days, because blessings abound all around us, if we only open our eyes and hearts to notice them.
This book is broken down into five topical sections, they are a quiet space, finding meaning,making a difference,reinventing who you are, and a celebration of family and friends. Each topics are further broken down and have several mini stories that will uplift and inspire you.
Ms. Michaud, has the amazing ability to paint a vivid picture as she weaves her words together in the stories she shares. Several of her stories really stick out in my mind, such as "A Time To Listen," she tells the reader about sitting in her backyard enjoying the sound of a chickadee. In "The Perfect Apple Pie", a trip to an apple orchard has the author reminiscing about her grandmother, and in the "Garden Club" the author shares the immense blessing of spending a Tuesday afternoon weeding and tending garden with a group of senior citizens at a rehab facility. These are just a few of the stories that will enlighten and inspire the reader to find the joy in simple things, because truly we are Blessed.
This book would make a wonderful gift, the pretty cover hints at the beautiful stories that the reader will find inside.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is broken down into five topical sections, they are a quiet space, finding meaning,making a difference,reinventing who you are, and a celebration of family and friends. Each topics are further broken down and have several mini stories that will uplift and inspire you.
Ms. Michaud, has the amazing ability to paint a vivid picture as she weaves her words together in the stories she shares. Several of her stories really stick out in my mind, such as "A Time To Listen," she tells the reader about sitting in her backyard enjoying the sound of a chickadee. In "The Perfect Apple Pie", a trip to an apple orchard has the author reminiscing about her grandmother, and in the "Garden Club" the author shares the immense blessing of spending a Tuesday afternoon weeding and tending garden with a group of senior citizens at a rehab facility. These are just a few of the stories that will enlighten and inspire the reader to find the joy in simple things, because truly we are Blessed.
This book would make a wonderful gift, the pretty cover hints at the beautiful stories that the reader will find inside.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2011
Blessed: Living a Grateful Life, Hardcover, by Ellen Michaud, Readers Digest, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-1606521922, $16.95
The author celebrates life's simple blessings that many of us are too busy to appreciate in a fascinating collection that focuses on people, places and things we often take for granted.
From listening to the sweet calls of a searching chickadee, "chee, che-che-che..."outside her cottage in the Vermont Mountains, to settling into the "old Adirondack chair" on her porch to "rest...listen...and reflect" as generations of women before her have done. It's in those "time outs" the author discovers and connects to moments of simple clarity that teaches life's meaning and purpose her writing reflects.
What makes this collection differ from many others is Michaud's unusual ability to paint evocative word pictures that engage reader's imaginations and equip them to share in the emotions, events and blessings she describes...Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/3usplpe
The author celebrates life's simple blessings that many of us are too busy to appreciate in a fascinating collection that focuses on people, places and things we often take for granted.
From listening to the sweet calls of a searching chickadee, "chee, che-che-che..."outside her cottage in the Vermont Mountains, to settling into the "old Adirondack chair" on her porch to "rest...listen...and reflect" as generations of women before her have done. It's in those "time outs" the author discovers and connects to moments of simple clarity that teaches life's meaning and purpose her writing reflects.
What makes this collection differ from many others is Michaud's unusual ability to paint evocative word pictures that engage reader's imaginations and equip them to share in the emotions, events and blessings she describes...Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/3usplpe
April 15, 2012
Blessed pays tribute to wide range of inspirational women. These are women who have indeed blessed the lives of others with their strength, courage, and desire to make the world better. Stories that make one say “wow, one person can really make a difference”.
Inspirational, most definitely, yet I felt that the title was a bit of a misnomer. When I have those moments when I think “I am blessed”, it’s not usually something big and amazing that was done, either by me or for me. For me, it’s in those moments when I watch my grandchildren play or catch a glimpse of my husband’s smile, or have a heart to heart with one of my kids. Not big or world changing perhaps but meaningful nonetheless.
Inspirational, most definitely, yet I felt that the title was a bit of a misnomer. When I have those moments when I think “I am blessed”, it’s not usually something big and amazing that was done, either by me or for me. For me, it’s in those moments when I watch my grandchildren play or catch a glimpse of my husband’s smile, or have a heart to heart with one of my kids. Not big or world changing perhaps but meaningful nonetheless.
April 28, 2011
This is a wonderful bit of refreshment for the overworked woman's soul. Each chapter in the book is complete story told in two or three pages. I read one story everyday and soaked them in like mini vacations. They opened my eyes to the blessings around me and helped lighten and brighten these last, too long, gray days of winter.
May 24, 2013
In a series of warm and thoughtful essays, Ellen Michaud invites us to savor the small, everyday blessings in our lives. We sit by the fire with her in her Vermont cottage during a snowstorm, meet the people who have loved and inspired her, and visit the places that bring her joy. A must-read for the harried and hurried woman!
August 16, 2014
I really liked this book. Beautiful little inspiring stories.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews