"Those" days - Day 211

Today was one of "those" days. You know the ones...where you wonder where it suddenly went so swiftly downhill? Where you wish there were road signs to warn you what is up ahead so you can check the brakes and prepare? But I'm still grateful for them...because they allow me to find out just how much I trust in and rely on the Lord, even when I don't have time to think about it!

“True strength is keeping everything together when everyone expects you to fall apart.”    Unknown

Homemade Jam - Day 210

In between moving and all the craziness of the summer, I really didn't think I would get any jam made this year, or much of ANY canning really. I'm pleased to say that at least I got jam covered! Of course, I will probably have to make some more at some point, but I think the 26 pints I got made is a pretty great start - and I'm looking forward to enjoying it throughout the winter!

“The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday – but never jam today.”  Lewis Carroll

Puppies - Day 209

My sis-in-law was over here today with their adorable little puppy. Can you not tell from the picture what a "chill" little girl she is?!?!?! I just don't think it is ever possible to get enough puppy tale wags, little sweet kisses, and big adoring eye looking at you! So sweet!

“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies.”  Gene Hill

Collection of moments - Day 208

I have been having so much fun with my daughters these past couple of weeks! It has been such a blessing to have daughters that I can so enjoy spending time with, especially since we are on our own for a couple more weeks. I am treasuring each moment spent with them as we prepare to embark on this new and coming adventure!

“Collect moments, not things.”   Unknown

Thorns - Day 207

It's a funny truth, but you can't have roses without thorns. I don't know why, but that's how God designed it. And no one would argue that roses are beautiful! So I'm thankful for the thorns, because without them there wouldn't be roses to enjoy...

“He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.”   Persian Proverb

Fragile yet tough - Day 206

As with all the flowers I saw in Wyoming when we visited, I was amazed that something so delicate could thrive in such a rugged and wild environment! I love how fragile and delicate it looks, yet I'm sure its roots run deep and strong enough to hold it through, and feed and nourish it no matter what the conditions are...

“Courage is not the towering oak that see storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.”  Alice Mackenzie Swaim

My tape measure - Day 205

Now that we have a house we are in the process of buying, I am in the place of beginning to plot and plan where to put everything! My husband went and measured a bunch of different areas for me, so I spent some time running around the house with my tape measure, muttering figures and measurements to myself, then running back to my list of measurements, then off again. I'm pretty sure my kids though Mommy was a little crazy!

“You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals!”   Booker T. Washington

Three's - Day 204

My mind is on things in 3's today. I took my husband to the airport today to fly back down to his new job in Wyoming - and it will most likely be 3 weeks before I see him again, the longest we have ever been apart in our 12 years of marriage. That also means there is only 3 weeks until we are making the biggest move of our entire lives so far! And in the meantime, it is just the 3 of us girls - me and my two daughters - holding down the fort here. A trio of 3's...I'm grateful for my girls that make us a trio, for the 3 weeks to prepare to move, and that it is only 3 weeks until my hubby is back with us!

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”   Tom Bodett

Cute sandals - Day 203

I generally care far more about how comfortable my shoes are than how cute they are. However, every once in a while I am excited when I am able to score a pair that is both! And these sandals are totally it! Even better? I got them in Hawaii, so whenever I wear them, I can remember our vacation there! Extra bonus!

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”    Abraham Lincoln

Color - Day 202

Color makes me happy. Might be part of why I love the spring and fall - since they seem to be the most colorful seasons of all! But I also love coloring! I always used to love sitting at the Day Care I worked at before my kids were born and coloring with the kids - and sometimes now I love to sit down with my kids and color. Even better is coloring in my crafts - I can be a grown-up, but the little kid in me gets a thrill too!

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.”    Oscar Wilde

Messy crafty space - Day 201

This is my little happy crafty corner. Usually it looks a bit neater and cleaner...but after a whirlwind time of sitting down to craft - and then having to leave shortly after...well, let's just say this isn't really too bad! I love the signs that I have had fun, and the motivation to clean it up again so I can start something new!!!

"A creative life is a fulfilling life… as long as you can deal with a few loose screws."   Unknown

Cupcakes - Day 200

Today we made a special cupcake run! My nephews have been selling cupcakes made by their mom (also my beautiful sister-in-law), so we had to run over and pick up a couple. It also happens to be my husband's birthday, and so the girls (as well as me!) were sad to not spend the day celebrating with him - so having a cupcake in his honor was the next best thing! Anyway - don't these look delectable?!?!?! And...they were! Cookie Dough Cupcakes, and Strawberry Cupcakes...my girls loved the Cookie Dough, but I think the Strawberry ones were pretty fabulous myself! And maybe it's just me, but doesn't anything taste even better when it looks this pretty? 

“When you look at a cupcake, you’ve got to smile.”   Anne Byrn

Ceiling fans - Day 199

Today was warmer than I expected. I spent the day with my awesome friend (and sister-in-law it just so happens!) - BAKING! Yep, didn't bother to check the weather reports. In hindsight, we decided it would have been a better day to make ice cream or something like that! Anyway - I realized today what a blessing ceiling fans are! I am enjoying the extra breeze it is carrying my way right now with the windows and doors wide open!

“I love having a ceiling fan, although sometimes I wish he wouldn’t cheer so loud when I’m trying to sleep.”   Jarod Kintz

Open Windows - Day 198

The day almost slipped by me today - but as I was sitting here this evening on the computer, I glanced over next to me and thought how thankful I was for the cool, sweet, and refreshing breeze wafting over me from the open window. Which reminded me I hadn't posted my thankful moment for the day! Not that I wasn't thankful - just almost missed the opportunity to record it! Back to the window - that is truly something I love about this time of the year, leaving the windows open. I love that I can leave them open here all night long, and listen to the creek outside, the breeze in the trees, and in the morning - the birds beginning to sing. And it smells so good in my house too when the windows are open! 

“All the windows of my heart I open to the day.”   John Greenleaf Whittier

A comfy chair - Day 197

We have two of these green chairs. We have had them for a little over nine years. I know this, because we purchased them right before our first daughter was born. I was determined to have a comfy rocking chair to use with my new baby. And boy did we ever use these!!! They have worn spots, peculiar squeaks, and are definitely well worn in. There have been many sleepless nights, sick days, and just plain rainy days with a good book spent in these chairs. I didn't realize how much I took them for granted until talking to my poor husband, who is in temporary housing right now, and took an air mattress, folding table, and an office chair. Tonight I ordered a bean bag and lamp to be delivered to him - so hopefully his next several weeks will be more comfortable than the first couple of nights!

“A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless.”  May Sarton

Noticing the miraculous - Day 196

It never ceases to amaze me, that when I take the time to look and notice, there is nothing around me that is not a miracle. I can choose to ignore it, or to take note and use the moment to praise the Creator of each tiny miracle around me! I think the choice is easy...

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”   Albert Einstein

Missing my man - Day 195

Today my hubby moved out...only temporarily, and only until we can join him. But I must admit I felt a little lost when he drove away with his truck loaded down for the drive to our new hometown! I do get to see him in a week when he comes back for his brother's wedding, but not exactly sure how much longer after that it will be until I see him again...but it is interesting how you learn to not take someone for granted when they aren't around all the time. And missing each other is great for our marriage - when we get back together again that is! So, I am making every effort to be thankful for this time, and let God use it to grow us closer to him, and each other in the long run. Looking forward to joining you soon honey!

“Missing you gets easier every day, because even though I am one day further from the last time I saw you, I am one day closer to the next time I will see you.”   Unknown

Moments - Day 194

Ever stop to think how precious each and every moment is? Even the ones that I just want to pass will never be here again. We are surrounded with moments, and they happen so often that it is easy to take them for granted. But looking back I realize what a treasure they each are - and am determined to seize each and every one while it is here!

“Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each is to succeed.”    Corita Kent

Going places - Day 193

Almost missed today's post! It has been another crazy day of running...but it looks like we sold our house today, and started the process to place an offer on the house we are looking to buy in Wyoming. Talk about a surreal moment...even though the process isn't complete, and there are inspections to complete and pass before the final transaction takes place, it is still strange looking around at the house, and realizing in a small way, it kind of doesn't belong to us anymore. 

This is another picture I took on our Wyoming trip...and I thought it was such a perfect representation of not dwelling on the past and what is behind us. After all, rear view mirrors are there for a reason - and it is very important to see and remember and learn from all the things we have come from and been through - but if you didn't spend any time when you were driving look ahead to where you were going, you would be in a LOT of trouble! In the same way in life - I want to let carry off the careful balance of not missing what is ahead because I am so focused on how things were, but also not ever ignore or forget the lessons I have learned along the way.

“It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.”  Ella Fitzgerald

Buds and Blossoms - Day 192

Running a little late today! Almost forgot...would think it would be a habit by now, but life still happens sometimes I guess! Anyway - I thought I would share this picture of another wildflower from Wyoming. I love the contrast between one flower that is about as wide open as it possibly, surrounded by clusters of tiny tight buds. Eventually they will have to bloom, unless they are picked or get to dry and die. Even if it seems safer, they can't stay curled up and protected forever. Kind of similar to life...even though I sometimes want to hide from it - it is impossible! Thank goodness! Life would be pretty boring if I wasn't out soaking up the sunshine (despite the risk of sunburn!)

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”   Anais Nin

The bends in the road - Day 191

I know I have said at least once that I hate change. I think I find it way to easy to be comfortable in the old and familiar than to adjust to the new. But sometimes it is the bends in the road, that are unexpected - and often unwelcome - that lead us to where we want to go. Still scary, especially when you can't see what's around the corner, but I know the God that holds the map for my life, and I will trust him to pave the road before me, bends, twists, turns and all...

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”   Jim Rohn

Weeds or flowers? - Day 190

I remember my mom once telling me that the easiest way to tell the difference between weeds and plants, is to pull them both up, and if they come back, you know they were weeds! True enough I've found...but sometimes the weeds can be just as beautiful as what you were trying to grow, and a lot easier to keep alive! I'm thankful for pretty weeds...though I have to admit I prefer that they don't grow in my garden...

“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.”   A.A. Milne, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh

Curves in the Road - Day 189

Isn't it nice to have road signs warning you to slow down because there are curves up ahead? Sometimes I wish the same thing applied in life - because it sure would be nice to have some warning sometimes! But I'm still grateful for the curves - expected or not, because I have discovered that when I'm on a road trip, the straight and level roads end up being pretty boring - it is the curvy and windy roads that are filled with interesting things and unexpected beauty along the way.

“If all roads were straight, we’d fall asleep.”  Unknown

Hugs - Day 188

Ever have one of those days when you just need a hug? Yep...yesterday was one of those days. I'm grateful for the good friend I was able to spend some time with last evening - who is especially good at hugs, right when I need them! 

“A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away.”   Bil Keane, “Family Circus”

Homegrown Strawberries - Day 187

We just got back from a trip out of town to be surprised by lots of sweet juicy goodness out our back door! Not being here to see them ripen, it was fun to come home to enough ripe strawberries for us each to be able to eat a few! So sweet and tasty - I think better when you grow them yourself!

“Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.”   William Butler

Our flag - Day 186

Today as we celebrate the birth of our country, I am thankful for our flag. This set of flags flew over the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, and stands out in my memory so much because of the emotional experience there of recognizing the many lives that were lost defending this same flag. I am forever grateful for each of them...

“The American flag, Old Glory, standing tall and flying free over American soil for 228 years is the symbol of our beloved country. It is recognized from near and afar, and many lives have been lost defending it.”   Jeff Miller

Infinite beauty - Day 185

Love this picture of my daughter surrounded by beautiful flowers, and trying to pick the perfect and most beautiful one! Do we even realize how often we are surrounded by infinite beauty and don't bother to recognize and appreciate it?

“Nature is painting for us…day after day…pictures of infinite beauty.”    John Ruskiin

Completing unpleasant tasks - Day 184

This is a picture of the vitamins my kids take in the morning - one is chewable and yummy, according to them, one is to swallow, and the other has to be chewed, but they aren't exactly fond of it. So we have been learning about tackling the things we don't necessarily want to do quickly, and having the joy of looking back on them as completed!

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”   Mark Twain

Half full, or half empty? - Day 183

So I figured out that since today is day 183 of my year of blessings, I am at the halfway mark! If it wasn't a leap year, there would be exactly 182 days before and after today. Leap year bumps it off a bit, but I still figure that is close enough to half way. So I started to think, is the year half over, or am I starting the second half? All in the perspective I guess! So I decided to post a picture of a glass, that I like to think of as half full!

“Is the glass half full, or half empty? It depends on whether you’re pouring, or drinking.”   Bill Cosby