Giving Thanks................

Sending Thanksgiving wishes to you Dear Readers. May your day be filled with celebration that includes family, fun and gratitude! 

As we pull together and think about turkey day and all we have to do, whether you are hosting or attending, we can look to include a few special touches that speak to the hearts of those sharing in the holiday with us.

Here are a few ideas that come to mind:

If you are hosting: Yes there is lots to do, but consider forgoing some things (I often feel if I provide a clean toilet and hand towel, I'm good on the cleaning front) which allows for heartfelt preparations. 

• Think about cutting up strips of paper in fall colors for your guests to write down what they are thankful for. You can then collect them in a jar and add to it and enjoy them each year. (Be sure to date them) Imagine the fun rereading them as the years go by.
• Start a journal book that guests can write thoughts of gratitude, what is going on in their lives, memories of Thanksgiving traditions, adding to it each year capturing memories in the making.
• Shoot mini clips on your phone, camera etc of family members in attendance and a short story they would like to share. 

If you'll be the guest: Special touches can be added when celebrating away from home too.

• A Special handwritten note of thanks to the hostess for all they did to prepare, including gratitude for your relationship and what it means to you.
• Thoughtful hostess gift that says "take a little time tomorrow to relax". A holiday scented candle or an instrumental relaxing CD or big mug with a package of hot chocolate and marshmallows or how about moisturizing mitts with lotion?

However you choose to express your gratitude Dear Readers, is up to you. As we know, Life is fragile and can change in an instant. It's up to us to use our powers for good to touch lives and make a difference....... and in doing so, we are making memories for ourselves and others......to last a Lifetime.

Creating Heartfelt Holidays.......

~ Fair Trade Shopping ~

For Christmas this year I want family time decorating the trees, the smell of cloves, sing~a~longs, holiday hang out with family & friends, bestowing Random Acts of Kindness all around, lots of white twinkle lights, gift giving that doesn't make me clench my teeth (thank goodness the recipient I am referring to does not read my blog) and I want to be able to put my head on my pillow each night until January 1st, 2015, feeling happy and content with how my Heartfelt Holiday season turned out.

My notebook is started, my vision is written and I'm ready to kick things off. I will write out cards early this year, enjoying the individual notes I will have time to include. I will spend time with family & friends and it will be about making memories and not about cleaning and cooking before hand.

I will enjoy looking for that special gift because I will not be pressed for time.

In fact this Saturday I am attending a friend's Fair Trade Sale. I will purchase gifts
knowing they will benefit the Girl Effect Group. Proceeds last year were donated to organizations supporting girls and women in the area of education in Kenya, Guatemala and Sophia House here in Providence. 

Join in the fun Dear Readers, as we start early, not over extend and find Peace!

I am taking on this holiday season with a Dream It....Do It! way of thinking. By starting now, defining how I want things to go......lots of laughter, tinsel, belly laughs, feel good moments and very little stress, I'm confident I can Do It!

Special Note: Please message me if you would like to stop by and shop at the Fair Trade Sale too!

My Little Thanks...................

Today while out on errands I made a mental note of things I am Thankful for....... this list is above and beyond my many blessings of family, friends, shelter and good health, those of which I give thanks for daily. These are the smaller things, that make me happy and I am grateful for as well ~


The wonderful smell of vanilla sugar soap, peppermint body lotion and cloves
The feel of the fleece blanket around me while I type this
Giggles of a toddler in the store this morning
The design frost makes on my windshield
Buying a little something for a friend,because when I saw it I thought of her
A text that makes me smile when I read it
The sound of my son in the attic as he cleans and organizes...YAY!
Literally chuckling out loud when I think about dinner conversation last night
Fitting time into each day to do even just a little something for me
Soup and crackers on this chilly day 
The feeling of contentment as I sit at a red light and take three deep breaths
"Blog Time"
Warm towels ready to be folded and the memory of when the boys were little, they would come running, so I could put the warmth on their smiling faces