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.

Antiques In My Mind..............

Keeping with the thought of creating moments that I am thankful and fully appreciative of, I share a recent one with you. My thought is, no matter how big or small, if they make me smile and warm my heart, I am grateful.

Yesterday I noticed the sun shining in on this bowl of apples. Now that in itself may seem minor (although I really don't think it is) but it's in taking the time to enjoy & capture the moment, that I am reminded of years gone by....and for that I am thankful! 

Both the bowl and scale are part of my kitchen. The fun thing is, both pieces were in my Nana's kitchen many many years ago. These antiques continue to connect us...and on this day, that I believe would have been her birthday, I smile and believe it was not coincidence the sun shone through on the scale and bowl for me to notice, it was Nana saying Hello!........and for that I am truly grateful!

Notice where the sun shines for you Dear Readers and may you discover a special Hello all your own ~

November Pledge..............

It's here...cozy weather! Mulled cider, pumpkin bread, furry slipper socks, fire in the fire place, curling up with a book, someone to cuddle and instrumental music, it all brings me comfort! It doesn't just happen. We need to make the time & effort to see to it that it does.

November is the month of giving thanks, that's for sure! So in keeping with that I've decided to put a spin on it for myself this year, and invite you Dear Readers to join in. Traditionally, I reflect on my Blessings that I am thankful for. I am certainly feeling grateful for many Blessings, but in addition, this year I want to create things that once I reflect back on them, I will be thankful I DID them!

To kick things off, I sat down and wrote a note to a friend, that I have not seen in a long time. Sure I could have emailed, text, or FB messaged, but I wanted to have an experience, for both of us. So with a Sweet Dreams cup of tea by my side, meditation music playing on the Bose, (no sound like it) I put pen to paper and shared my thoughts.

It was a relaxing time that felt a touch of "Little Women", writing in front of the warmth of the fireplace. It was something I slowed down to do and enjoy. As I completed the letter and put it in the envelope, I pictured her finding this little surprise in her mailbox and the smile it would bring to her day....I know it certainly brought one to mine.

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