Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 29

I am thankful for quiet. That kind of quiet that comes after the hustle and bustle of a house full of people.  It was wonderful to have a house full and it is wonderful to have quiet. 

Thankful also that  we were able to raise our children in a quieter time.  Before the constant focus on the electronic device, when there were still bedtimes and routines, mealtimes, playtimes.  It makes me worry a bit about the future generations.  Perhaps that serenity prayer, the courage to change what you can and accept what you can't with the wisdom to know the difference is another thing to be thankful for.

Peace to you all!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 28

What an awesome Thanksgiving day it has been.  So the list of thankfulness begins.

Our son came with his three children Wednesday evening to spend a couple of nights and be with us all day today.  The kids stayed up really late last night, thankful they crashed early this evening.

These two precious girls are nearly five years old.  Natalie (left) has her birthday in December, Addisyn (right) in March.  They were both so excited to see each other, playing inside and out.  Thankful for the dry weather and the love of little cousins.

 

My turkey turned out moist, first time ever I think.  I'm thankful I splurged on the Butterball instead of making due with the Jenny-O.

I am thankful that Alyssa loves her big cousin, Alexis, and in return Alexis is gracious, kind and patient with her younger cuz.  Grandson, Jacob, was in a few of my photos but nothing I can post.  Picture a fourteen year old boy with headphones playing computer games.  Yep. 

 

I enjoyed, so much, having our children and their families here today. 

 

I am thankful (and a bit in awe) that other than turkey, a couple of dinner rolls, and juice we had NO leftovers.  Not dressing, not mashed potatoes, fruit, veggies, dessert...nothing!!  I'm not sure if I figured well or if they just quit when it ran out.  Oh! and I'm thankful for paper plates and plastic cups.  Made the day so much more pleasant (for me) not having to do major clean up. 

 

My little trip to Target yesterday turned out great.  I only have a couple of gifts left to find or finish making. 

 

Hope you all had a wonderful day with your family and friends.

 

 

 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 25, 26 & 27

I am thankful that there really are no Thankfulness Police.  I would imagine they are similar to Quilt Police and I'm thankful they don't really exist either.  Oh, there are people who think they are them, but really, they have no authority in our endeavors. 

I am thankful for sales.  Heading off to Target this morning to get a dolly for one of the granddaughters.  I will not be going out tomorrow evening or on black Friday.  I may be thankful for sales but I am not crazy.  I really dislike crowds and though I can be competitive in some areas, getting the deal is not one of them.  I think it's all hype anyway.

I am thankful for what Christmas is really all about, and it isn't the sale, or the presents, or the decorations, or the food.  How is it that we humans can turn something awesome completely upside down and backwards?  Ok, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question, but greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world (1John 4:4)

I am thankful for good neighbors. The kind that don't get upset when your dog goes visiting,  playing and running with their dog to the point that neither dog is listening and they're both having so much fun they can hardly stand it.  The kind of neighbor that loans you a leash (since you didn't take one with you when you went to retrieve the dog) to get the dog home.

I am thankful for my husband who can replace the rear seal in the truck (again) and for God's provision (again).
 
I am thankful for oranges.  Especially Cuties.  Those seedless little compact citrus gems full of sunshine and vitamin C are amazing good. 

I am thankful for Mrs. B for teaching me how to knit when I was seven.  I don't know how to spell her name but phonetically it would be something like botch-a-gull-loop-o.  She didn't teach me everything, nor perfectly correct.  I never developed a passion for knitting but I can do it well enough that one of the grand girlies will be getting a poncho for Christmas.  I'm two skeins into the five skein project.

I am thankful for other things too.....more to come. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 23 & 24

Yesterday I went (with my sisters) to a memorial service for an older cousin.  Jan had suffered from ALS for nearly a decade though she was first diagnosed in 2009.  She lived a wonderful and full life which included struggles and heartaches.  In the last couple of years of her battle with this horrible disease she had come to a place of peace and courage, I am so thankful that she is now free.

There were many stories told of the memories she had made with her family, friends and loved ones.  Today is memory making day here at our house.  The grandson is here to bake pies and spend the night.  I realized how old I am as soon as he opened his mouth...when did his voice change?  Oh my, I was so not ready for it.  This will be the year of pie baking voice changing memories....thankful, once again.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 22

I am thankful for grace and mercy.

In the rare event that you don't know the difference let me explain as I understand it.

Grace is about receiving what we don't deserve.  We don't deserve salvation, eternity with God. There isn't anything we can do to earn it, it's a free gift.  I often don't deserve the patience that people extend to me for my shortcomings, I hope I express sufficient appreciation for their gift. 

Mercy is about not receiving what we do deserve.  As a criminal can be shown mercy by a judge and not be given the full sentence they have coming, we are not given the sentence of death for our sin because of Jesus blood, His righteousness and our faith that His Word is truth.

Thank you, LORD, for your love, grace and mercy. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Days 20 & 21

I am thankful for electricity and hot water. 

Electricity first.  Functioning without my cell phone, or television, even possibly (for short periods of time) my laptop...all doable.  But without electricity, not a chance.

Little power glitches can be fun.  Everything goes quiet, work is temporarily suspended, and our entertainment takes on a simpler time.  Maybe the knitting comes out or a good game of scrabble.

If you live in town you'll still have water.  We happen to be on a well, which means no electricity equals no water.  No water equals no toilet, no coffee, no shower.

No shower, that leads to my thankfulness for hot water.  Another very important thing that electricity provides (in our case).  It's the little things that make life pleasant and among 'things', electricity is one of the best.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Days 18 & 19

* Yes, obviously, I am challenged with keeping up on the daily posts.

You've seen these two quilts before so I apologize for being redundant.  Michele just let me know yesterday that they have been accepted into Road to California.  The show is in January.

Sleigh Ride

Snowflakes

 

Another client let me know this week that the quilt I finished for her had been juried into Pacific International Quilt Festival. 

 

My thankfulness is for opportunities.  Opportunities to work on great quilts, with great people.  Opportunities to have my work in great shows to share with others. 

 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to share some simple quilting techniques with a lovely group of ladies at church.  It was a great time, at least for me.  Today I have the opportunity to work on one of Leola's quilts...it's beautiful and I am quite blessed.

 

I hope today will present you with opportunities for great things!!