the possibilities are endless

Gratitude 23-50

23. crafty handmade calendars (this one shown is made from Sweetwater pattern)

24. drinking hot chocolate at night with my kiddos

25. chance to visit long distance friends in their homes

26. kind and genuine people

27. full grown trees with jumbo leaves

28. my library!! (quote by Sparrownestscript)

29. new friends

30. the vibrant colors and bold patterns of vintage sheets

31. Belgium waffles

32. great bargains

33. consignment stores (allows me to furnish my home)

34. list makers, because we speak the same language

35. handwriting (pillow by Syko)

36. rules I can follow  (dottie angel do's)

37. the color blue and all its variations

38. empty notebooks waiting to be written in (Carolyn Gavin notebook)

39. fellow scrapbookers who understand my obsession with Doodlebug, Thickers, and Crate Paper buttons

40. BBC period dramas, the longer the better

41. laughter and all that make me laugh!!

42. children's books by Todd Parr

43. comfy worn in jeans

44. my large bathtub

45. flannel sheets and electric blankets

46. spray paint (see # 33)

47.Richard Armitage in North and South (see # 40)

48. email (see # 29)

49. learning how to frost a cake (One Charming Party show at My Craft Channel)

50. croc shoes (I don't care how they look they are comfortable!)

 

Goodby November Hello December!

 

Photos: Gratitude Day 22

This is obvious I am sure, but I am so glad I have photos to share, create with, print, display, and even organize, photos are a lifeline.

Summer Highlights

Pumpkin Patch and Carving

Taylor as missionary in Quebec

Labor Day @ Bear Lake

 

Road trip to Las Vegas

 

Sweaters: Gratitude Day 15

I tend to not focus on clothes too much- maybe I would if I had a public facing job, or liked my body more, anyway I do love wearing sweaters in the fall and winter. I love how cozy they make me feel and how I am instantly warm. I prefer cardigan type sweaters and like solid colors. My current favorite is a long blue one I bought at Kohls a few years ago.

Music: Gratitude Day 14

I could spend days, months, even longer talking about why I am grateful for music. Here is an attempt to briefly describe my appreciation for what music provides me.

Here is a short list of songs that communicate the range of emotions I feel right now, today.  

Disclaimer:

I include songs that I respond to and everyone's response is different and I did not study the lyrics or meanings extensively so hopefully I am not sharing songs with strange hidden meanings that I missed :)

(the embedded video is from youtube and may include a few ads)

Reverent Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Jars of Clay

Grateful Over the Rainbow by the cast of Glee

  

Strong Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine

 

 

 full of Hope Good Life by One Republic

 What music represents your mood?

Do share!

 

Book recommendations: Gratitude Day 13

I get the chance to talk about books and it is one of  my favorite topics to converse about. Sharing book insights allows me to articulate what I liked about that book as well as what I didn't like. I seek out book recommendations from people, online sources, bookstores, librarians, authors, wherever I can find them.

It also seems that you learn something about the person giving you the recommendation and that is intriguing to me also. When giving the chance I jump to share my recent good reads with others and so should you!

**and I must share two recent good reads that were recommended to me

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

recommended to me by Elizabeth Dillow

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

recommended by Books on the Nightstand

 

 

Dinner Tables: Gratitude Day 12

Funny how much emphasis is now put on having dinner together as a family, it is a crucial part of our day and something we insist on doing reagrdless of how hectic life gets. My husband and I take turns cooking and we try to include the kids in preparation whenever we can. Our dining routine is extremely simple and includes a table set with MISMATCHED everything. Mismatched plates, cups, silverware, serving dishes, everything is mismatched. I am totally ok with that because it isn't about the dishes it is about the people. We even serve dishes out of pots sometimes, I know crazy... Everyone takes turns doing dishes and setting and clearing. Our kids are old enough now that they can do these two jobs themselves. I will help out if necessary but the majority of the tasks can be done by the kids.

As we sit around the table we chat about the day, plans of the next day, or just chat about what is on our minds. It isn't perfect, but it works and we take the time to listen and share with each other each night around the dinner table.

Treats: Gratitude Day 11

What can I say, I have a sweet tooth and yummy treats bring me joy. I love treats and I love making them and of course sharing them with others. My son and I went to a local bakery together and enjoyed a moment of indulgence together and spent time connecting while enjoying yummy treats.

 

Voices: Gratitude Day 10

Immersing myself in a quest for gratitude is harder than I thought- It is a challenge to find genuine things I am grateful for-something besides the norm. Bear with me as I wade through the obvious to find the authentic.

I love listening to podcasts, talk radio, just about any talk format on a subject that interests me. The choices are numerous and never ending. The shows that I continue to listen to time and time again are listed below in no specific order.

Books On the Nightstand

This American Life

Wiretapped

Paperclipping Roundtable

The Moth

Freakanomics

 

 

Today: Grateful Day 9

There is something about the new beginning we get each day that I appreciate. I get excited to start something new or even finish something and as each day begins those opportunities continue to excite me.

 

Clarity: Gratitude Day 8

Clarity can be difficult for me with all the good choices and intriguing opportunities to pursue in life. From choosing a color scheme for a mini album to deciding where best to spend my time it seems clarity is more difficult to come by when it is just about me. Why is that? Why can I focus in on what is best for my family, children, or even friends?

Hmm, something to think about. Today though I am wearing my first pair of prescription glasses and I am AMAZED by how much clearer the world is, the craziest thing is I didn't even know it was fuzzy. Now to find that clarity when it comes to me.

Today I am grateful for the clarity I do have and the fact that I have options and opportunities to pursue.