I learned some time ago that it’s the little things that really matter in my life, from my marriage to my life. Just because we’re not rich, it doesn’t mean we can’t be  creative and fill our house and our lives with color and light.

We’ve had our salt and pepper shakers for years, and they are both falling apart. I went online in a search for inexpensive shakers that are also colorful. Maria is an artist through and through and she  taught me that our house can be beautiful and charming and colorful without spending a lot of money.

It’s the little things, she would say. I ordered three different salt and paper shakers online, and returned two of them. One was too small, another was too difficult to use.

Yesterday, the right set came and it was even pre-loaded with pepper corn and salt. We loved it right away. It’s already on the table, the red and blue and yellow brighten up the table. There is very little in our home that doesn’t have some color in it.

It is true about the little things, They really matter. The best presents I’ve ever given Maria are small plants or simple earrings.

As Seneca said, he who is satisfied with what he or she has, wants nothing. It took me a long time to learn that.

— We went out to breakfast this morning, I had a wonderful veggie omelet with a slice of cheese – tomato, green peppers and olives, along with a toasted English muffin and a small bowl of blueberries.

I started ordering omelets because they are healthy, I order them now because I love them. Sorry, Jean’s, I’ve given up egg sandwiches with homefries.

I just got John LeCarre’s next-to-the-last novel, A Legacy Of Spies. I can’t wait to sit by the fire tonight and start reading it. What a treat.