Thursday, July 26, 2018

A Spirit of Gratitude: July 26



I Am Thankful For:
The Female Offspring becoming engaged
The satisfied feeling that comes from cleaning the filter in the A/C
Watching squirrels play in the rain
The Male Offspring taking up painting

A good month for my Etsy shop
An order going to Australia
The Grand Kid's imagination
Waffle fries
Blowing Bubbles with the Grand Kid
Ordering pizza
The Grand Kid drawing a bee picture for me



Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Finally, Unclassified!

I have been sitting on some pretty big news for almost a week now.  And I'm gonna be honest - I wanted so much to tell someone!  But I had to wait. Which was torturous.

But now I am finally at liberty to make this official announcement...


The female offspring is engaged!!!

That's right, our (not so) little girl is getting married!!

Her significant other came over one evening last week to let us know he planned to propose and to ask for our blessing.  And - of course - we said "Welcome to the family!"  I may or may not have cried.  (hint: I did)

Saturday they went for a hike and he popped the question at the top of Looking Glass Rock.

There's no date yet. They're thinking probably either late spring or early fall of next year.

There is so much to plan, and do, and think about.  They have started talking about possible venues and colors and such. 

But mostly, they are taking time to enjoy the moment and let it all sink in.







Thursday, July 19, 2018

A Spirit of Gratitude: July 19




I Am Thankful For:

Celebrating another birthday for our smart, kind, beautiful daughter
Excedrin when I wake up with a migraine
The migraine had decreased to a dull headache before I had to drive
A delicious dinner of ginger garlic glazed tuna fillets and stir-fried veggies
Warm compresses
Iced green tea
The dog thinking he's going to "get the squirrel"
Eggs and avocado for breakfast
Making myself laugh
Ice cream cones
New crochet projects that aren't for the shop
Birthday cakes
Resolve carpet cleaner
Celebrating the Female Offspring's birthday
New shoes
Ice cold water when I'm very thirsty

Thursday, July 12, 2018

A Spirit of Gratitude: July 12

Oops, I missed last week's gratitude post!  The Man of the House had a five day weekend thanks to the July 4th holiday.  And while it was wonderful, it completely threw off my days.  Fortunately, I'm back on track this week.



I Am Thankful for:
My beautiful niece who is celebrating her 14th birthday today
Lunch with the Man of the House
Listening to Radio Disney with the grand kid
Benedryl
Yarn scraps
Ice cream cake
The fog lifting before I have to drive
Baby bunny in the back yard
Watching a rain shower at the top of the mountain
When Tuesday is a Friday
That 5 minutes the floor looks clean after a sweep
Bbq ribs
4 bunnies in the back yard!
The sound of distant fireworks
Waking up to a thunderstorm
Grocery shopping with the Man of the House
Going to Hobby Lobby with the female offspring
Breakfast out with my guys
An assortment of birds at the feeder






Tuesday, July 10, 2018

"A bird is three things: Feathers, flight and song"

When you're outside, do you ever just stop and take time to listen to the birds?  One of my favorite simple pleasures is sitting with the windows open, or out on my back porch in the morning and listening to the birds sing.   I believe this is one of the best simple free forms of entertainment.




I get a little thrill when I recognize the ever changing song of the mockingbird, switching back and forth between impersonations of three or four different birds after just a few notes.

It's funny to me when the cardinals sit out on the porch rail complaining that the bird feeder needs refilling.  And I find it endearing when Mr Cardinal lands on the porch, or in the pear tree, looks around for a bit - checking out the surrounds- then calls to Mrs Cardinal to join him for breakfast.




I enjoy hearing the two pairs of mourning doves softly cooing as they pick at the seeds scattered on the ground below the feeder.  They have been getting braver recently, and will actually come up onto the porch to enjoy the seeds that have fallen there as well.

But, my favorite moment is just before dawn.  That moment right before the sun rises when there seems to be one giant bird symphony.  It's like every single bird knows what's about to happen and can't contain their joy at the coming of the new day.  As if they can't help but to greet it with a song.




Do you have a favorite bird song you like to hear?





"A bird is three things: Feathers, flight and song, And feathers are the least of these."   -  Marjorie Allen Seiffert


Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Currently... July 2018

Happy July y'all!  Do you have fun celebrations planned for the 4th today?  I'm the big party pooper whose plans include avoiding the heat and the crowds.  It might seem lame to you, but I guess I'm just a home body.




Reading: I received a copy of A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  It's a historical fiction novel based on the life of Alva Smith Vanderbilt. I just started it last night, so I don't have an opinion to share about it yet. I'm also reading  More: Find Your Personal Calling and Live Life to the Fullest Measure by Todd Wilson, which is so good!


Enjoying:  Spending a couple of afternoons a week with the grand kid.  He is such a funny, interesting little boy.  We've enjoyed watching cartoons, sharing snacks, and playing Legos together. 

Working On:  Some ideas for new Christmas themed items for my Etsy shop.  Even though it's only July, it's time to start planning ahead for the busy holiday season and get busy crocheting

Anticipating:  Our vacation later this summer!  It will be here before we know it.  I am really looking forward to taking the grand kid to Disney World.  And spending time with my baby sister and her family while we're there.

Wanting: A good source for simple, but effective, exercises and healthy meal ideas that isn't too complicated and doesn't cost an arm and a leg

Needing:  A cute and comfortable pair of casual shoes with some good support for all the walking we'll be doing on vacation.  Suggestions welcome!

Feeling:  As if I want to pluck my eyes out!  My allergies haven't bothered my eyes this much in several years.  I don't know what the difference might be - but this year I am an itchy, red, watery mess.  The circles under my eyes are so dark and puffy that some mornings I look as if I have been in a fight. So, if you should see me and I look as if I am crying or abused - it is just allergies. 

What about you?  What are you reading, enjoying, anticipating, wanting, needing and/or feeling at the beginning of July?