GRATEFUL

I have not felt well for the entire month of July, but this past week has been rough. So, when I could get up and move around, I decided to find things I was grateful for.

So,  I’ll start this off with - plants that don’t die! I’m sure some people call this a green thumb, but I have no idea what I’m doing right.

For breakfast with my ladies before the sun comes up and the good conversations that come with it.

For remembering to grab dish soap at the store so I can unwind while washing dishes. My favorite way to relax before bed.

For surprise flowers in the yard that live for weeks in a vase and smell amazing.

For daughters who appreciate tree stumps and take advantage of nature’s playground.

For fresh hay in the coop and children who don’t mind responsibility.

For hard working husbands and happy hens.

For dogs that don’t mind cats, and cats that don’t mind Penelopes.

I’m feeling better, as I write this on Tuesday morning. I’m praying this feeling sticks around and the not-so-good feeling doesn’t find its way back!

TODAY IS FOR BEING GRATEFUL

From what I hear, we are supposed to be receiving a large winter storm this weekend. May be enough to grant a snow day Monday, but from what I can tell, it doesn’t look to be a big deal. Snow has landed before and it will land again…

Instead of dreading a possibility of more snow, I decided to find and capture what I am grateful for this morning. Not unusual for me to capture what I am grateful for, as you know. I guess the info on today’s process was more for me :)

This morning I am grateful for almond milk with our cheerios,

and hand holding while we eat those cheerios.

I am grateful for new decorations on the mantle that celebrate winter.

Remote control Minnie,

spur of the moment jungle safaris,

one ukulele painted by Daddy and toddlers willing to put on a show for the rest of us.

I am grateful for smiles that don’t hold back,

classic Disney movies, warm popcorn and plush blankets made for snuggling.

Christmas monkeys, board books, nail polish that lasts and lasts,

handmade crowns,  “princess shoes,”

sneaky babies, well behaved, freshly bathed hounds and the possibility of a yard covered in “white sparklies”.

I hope whatever bad weather does come our way waits until after our visit with Grandma Shari. However, Zack may get a three day weekend out of the deal! More Zack is always appreciated around here!

Have a lovely weekend full of gratitude!!

MY MRS. BRENDA

I decided to venture out into the yard today, since Penelope really wanted to swing. My neighbors happened to be out checking on their peach tree (Seeing if the deer left any for them), and invited us over to pick some blackberries (Penelope calls them ‘black blueberries’). For a half an hour I felt like I was back in the south! Kind, inviting neighbors, offering to share their freshly grown berries and vegetables.

She also gave me her favorite pie crust recipe! Although creating it with a baby on my hip and a toddler pulling on my leg left something to be desired in the aesthetics department. It is delicious though!!

I think Penelope and Mama might finish it off before Daddy gets home from taking Grandma Penny back to her house! Sorry Zack…

Thanks Brenda!

*(Penelope calls her “My Mrs. Brenda”)

ENJOYING DAYS

It is now August, and we moved into our new home at the end of June, and we are just now enjoying it. From the moment we moved in, it has felt like ours. I have never had that feeling of “home” before. As soon as we moved in we began preparing it for a wedding, and then we took a long trip.

We have had autumn like weather here since our return and it has put me in a nesting / cooking three coarse meals / baking / cleaning mood!

I have been so thankful for things in my life these past two months. More so than usual. Here are a few from this week : :

New boots on freshly covered leech fields.

Along with a free-of-charge leveling of our yard, and pesky stumps pulled up just because people are nice : : While we were on vacation we had a leech field put in. The workers went above and beyond our expectations. Our yard is even more beautiful than before!

Freshly cut firewood and a fire place to use it in!

Antique xylophones, and headbands worn atop hats.

Discovering flowers I didn’t know we had.

Time to write blog posts.

Antique tea cans for a dollar and white plants (also a dollar) to fill them.

Make shift pencil cup and a matching plant to sit beside it.

Peach trees stocked with peaches almost ripe enough to pick.

…and last but obviously not least – Amelia’s first ponytail! She has inherited Mama’s “monkey” hair, and it can finally be tamed! The thankfulness on this particular one extends on over to me having a second child that will sit patiently while Mama messes with their mane!

Hope everyone has a wonderful, restful Sunday!