Warm, safe, cozy, comfy - not everyone can say the same. Saturday blessings...

Maybe it's the fact that I know Christmas is around the corner or the fact that I woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow on the garage roof or the fact that I am safe - but today my thoughts drifted to blessings I have that some people only dream about. Today, I thank God for keeping me safe from harm and keeping me warm and keeping my family healthy and housed and secure.

1. Reassuring phone calls. It's always such a relief to know that family and friends have made it back home safe and sound. Last evening I received a call from my son, Dave, that they had made it home and were all snug as a bug in a rug. 
2. Sharing recipes. I just ♥ it when a friend or family member calls to ask about one of my recipes - usually something they've had during a family get-together. Today, Cindy (youngest son's wife) called and asked for my recipe for Turkey Tetrazzini so she can take it tomorrow to her mother's after church. Her brother is in town and there will be a family dinner.
3. Yummy foods cooking in the kitchen. Today was really cold and rather windy. I rummaged in the freezer and found a small ham to pop in the oven. Oh, how good the house smelled so good all afternoon and it will smell even better on Monday when I take the ham bone and make some Split Pea Soup. Twice the blessing and bargain.
4. Feeling cozy. Yesterday the wind picked up and blew so hard it was lifting the leaves off the grass and sidewalk almost reaching the branches they fell from weeks ago. I took a long, hot bubble bath - poofed on some body powder - and slipped into a clean robe - rich and thick with pile - long sleeves, pockets and a hem that nearly reaches the floor. I felt so comfy and snuggled all night while the wind whipped around outside my home.
5. A full pantry. Today as I was getting ready to sit down to my evening meal it occurred to me that not everyone can open a pantry door and mull over what vegetables they want to eat or what variety of soup would be tasty or if some peaches would taste good for a late night snack. Here in our country people go to bed hungry and cold and frightened. There ought to be a law...

I'm taking part in an exercise during the month of November to list the blessings that encourage us to give thanks. Take a peek on my sidebar. There are a couple of buttons that will take you to the blogs that are sponsoring this event. Believe me - when you do this, it really puts life into a more clear perspective.

☺Seven Thanksgiving blessings on the 27th☺

How many blessings do I have to share with you today? How about seven - all of my grandchildren + my two sons + my daughters-in-law. Both of my sons married wonderful girls (now women) who happened to l♥ve children. As a result, I was blessed with six little boys and one little girl to rock and to kiss and to hug and to snuggle. The oldest is now twelve and the youngest two, so I think that I am pretty much at the end of the road when it comes to welcoming babies into my family - but what a journey it was and is and will be in the coming years.

The photos you see are at my son, Jeff's home the evening before Thanksgiving. The children were busy making graham cracker houses to decorate with candy pieces; however, just as much of the candy went into little tummies as did on their creations.

Jeff, my youngest son, felt that he should tutor the kids on the finer points of how to toss candy into the air and catch it in your mouth. His brother, Dave (upper right) was giving technical direction much like an air traffic controller☺

Of course, once the little houses were all decorated, several of the children felt that it was important to try their hand at "candy basketball" along with their uncle and daddy. The children didn't score too many "baskets" but the dogs l♥ved the game snuffling up the candy off the floor as soon at it landed.

♥Happy Thanksgiving♥ The blessings closest to the ♥ are the most precious

Spent the afternoon at my son's home with his brother and all of the children. The sweetheart reading is my oldest grandson, Joseph. Wish I could do this every day and not just on special occasions.

1. Rocking my youngest grandson. Sammy is two but he will still let me rock him to sleep. His home is about 7.5 hours away so my time with him is precious - just as precious as Sam is to my ♥
2. Touching all of my grandchildren. It's not often that all seven of those cutie pies are in the same room. It was like love overload for this grandmother to be able to touch and hug any of them whenever the mood hit me and believe me - it hit me a lot.
3. Watching my two sons talk cars, computers, Jeff's new job. A long time ago I gave birth to two sons and those two sons gave me six grandsons and one little girl. I am blessed beyond belief.
4. Listening to my daughters-in-law giggle and talk in the kitchen as they baked pies and prepared the yeast to add to the other ingredients assembled to make rolls for tomorrow's feast.
5. Listening to the voice of a very girly-girl who is five and watching all the drama she interjects into her stories. My only grand-daughter is all girl. She loves to talk and when she talks she gestures with her hands and acts out everything she is telling you in her story. She is a treat that keeps on giving.

I'm taking part in an exercise during the month of November to list the blessings that encourage us give thanks. Take a peek on my sidebar. There are a couple of buttons that will take you to the blogs that are sponsoring this event. Believe me - when you do this, it really puts life into a more clear perspective.

Flannel and wool and kittens and Sweet Peas, oh my☺ Thankful for life's softest blessings

I must have the holidays, family and winter on my mind. This year I will have all of my family together for Thanksgiving now that my oldest son and his family has made the trek north and over the Mackinac Bridge. Two sons, great wives and seven grandchildren. It will be wonderful. And winter - well that is just around the corner. Today I pulled my flannels to the front of the closet and sent my early fall clothing into exile for another year. My list of blessings for today are:

1. Belly laughs. There's nothing - absolutely nothing - that lightens the load more than a hearty belly laugh. The kind that starts deep inside and just explodes. Sharing that laugh with a friend is the best but I've been known to have one creep up on me when I'm alone. Am I self conscious? Nope, who cares☺ It's free and it's good for you.
2. Flannel night shirts. When it's really cold outside and you get chilled right to the bone there's just something so wonderful about a hot bath and then slipping into soft, thick and comfy flannel. You feel like a little kid again - all snuggled and safe.
3. Liquid bath soaps. Remember the bar and the wash cloth? It got the job done but not with the flair of Sweet Pea scented bath lotion and a spa puff. I ♥ Sweet Pea but you might be more of a purist that is attracted to herbal potions or mixes that promote rest. Whatever your fancy - there's something that will make you feel wonderful and special, I'm sure☺
4. Hand-knit mittens. I have a pair of mittens that I would miss terribly if they were lost. Gloves just don't warm the hands like mittens do. In a mitten all of your fingers can cuddle together - side-by-side - instead of being separated and having to work at warming themselves by their lonesome.
5. Long five foot scarf. I have a couple of these that have saved my chin, lips and nose several times when the temps dip below zero and that happens often in my neck of the woods. You can wrap one of those beauties around your neck and still have plenty left to cover all of the vulnerable places on your face when you need to be outside.

I'm taking part in an exercise during the month of November to list the blessings that encourage us give thanks. Take a peek on my sidebar. There are a couple of buttons that will take you to the blogs that are sponsoring this event. Believe me - when you do this, it really puts life into a more clear perspective.

If they were gone, you'd miss them ~ The unsung heroes of the blessings game☺

Today I began to think about the blessings that I most often overlook. We take so many things for granted as we move from day-to-day and give them little recognition, but the loss of just one would diminish our journey through life - some in more ways than others - but all would be missed. What would be on your list of the often overlooked?

1. Calculator. What in the world did we do before those little gems came on the scene? Uhm, I think we used a pencil, paper and our noodles (brains)☺ I've been around long enough to remember when a calculator cost over $100.00. Just the other day I bought one to put in my purse for a dollar!
2. Music. I can't tell you how many times my spirits have been lifted or a baby soothed or a soul comforted or a holiday made more festive by music. Truly, music must be right up there as one of God's most precious gifts.
3. Poetry. Whether you are reading Chaucer or Silverstein, poetry can move you to romantic bliss or tickle your funny bone. It can make a three year old giggle or demonstrate deep sympathy over the loss of a loved one. Whether it is penned by the hand of a master or a kindergarten student with a bright, blue crayon, it has the all elements to move mountains.
4. Ribbons. We wrap packages and decorate crafts. We tie them on the braids of little girls and on the ears of our dogs. We use them to hold together l♥ve letters long ago received and we gather them up in a bouquet at baby and wedding showers. I l♥ve their texture and their color and the way they take the ordinary and raise it to the hight of extraordinary.
5. Candles. They keep us safe when the lights go out and warm our casserole at Thanksgiving. They release scent when we are feeling romantic and keep the bugs away during a 4th of July picnic. What began as a basic, hard-working tool to bring us light to guide us through the night hundreds of years ago has evolved into a myriad of colors and uses and products - each one more fun than the last.
   

Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot - Counting my Monday blessings

The blessings that came to mind for me today all deal with convenience in one way or another. My heart is thankful for each of them, and in different ways. All of them make my life just that more easy to navigate each day.

1. The internet. Sure you can shop and email and browse blogs and those things are all fun BUT the internet has saved my baking and cooking life more than once. Just this past weekend when Joe and I were making our punkin' donuts I realized that I didn't have any pumpkin pie spice in the house for the batter. So, I hopped on the laptop (sits on the kitchen table), Googled homemade pumpkin pie spice and viola' - there it was to save the day! A little of this and a dab of that and we were on our way to making donuts☺
2. USPS package pick up from home. Oh, I ♥ this service, yes, I sure do. Our winter weather is horrible, so being able to order a pickup from my front porch of packages I need to mail makes me feel so special and pampered. Try it - you'll like it, I promise☺
3. Full service gas stations. Yes, I have one just around the corner from my house! They wash my windows and fill the tank and I don't have to lift a finger or get all smelly from pumping gas! What a dream from days gone by that still lives on in small towns across America.
4. Fruit. Yes, fruit. Right now in my fridge I have oranges, Granny Smith apples and red grapes. What else so cold and sweet and juicy could be so good for you, too. At least once a day I get an urge for something to snack on and those fruits provide the best pick in the house.
5. Microwave popcorn. Another one of those snacks that is quick and easy and fairly calorie free, too. Sitting down with chips and a vat of sour cream isn't the best choice for your health; however, popcorn (don't load up on the butter) is a nice snack that gives you the salt and crunch you need when you might be the most vulnerable☺
   

Family times - good times - prayerful times = Thankful times times two!

In a way, I think that my Sunday blessing lists are some of my most thoughtful. All year long Sunday should be a special day - a day of thanking and praising and worshiping and family.

1. Surprises. Sometimes a surprise can be a blessing that is of such importance it gets to be number one on a list! I learned last week that my eldest son and his family will be making the 7.5 hour trip up here to spend Thanksgiving with the rest of us who don't live below the Mackinac Bridge. This is a big deal because it takes a bit of effort and organization for Dave and his wife, Becky, to pack their mini-van with four days of clothing, snacks and dog food and then pile in four children (one with a physical disability). This visit they will be bringing their new rescue dog (I'm dying to meet her, Mitsy). There will be lots of photos so check out the blessings for next week!
2. Mini donut machines. On Saturday morning my oldest grandson, Joe, and I made mini powdered sugared donuts in my Maxim donut bites machine. We chose to make Spiced Pumpkin (YUMMERS). As I did our morning dishes Joe took over the batter-making all on his own. There was time for visiting and discussing and bonding. Just the best feeling in all the world when your oldest grandchild still enjoys spending time with you - just the BEST. We have some of our most productive talks while we are puttering in the kitchen.
   
3. Prayer. Our communication with God. Our love songs to our Creator. Our way of having good, quality time with our Heavenly Father. Just as I treasure time with my children and grandchildren, I imagine God enjoys the time we choose to spend with Him. I know I thoroughly enjoy my conversations with Him.
4. Late Fall. A time to slow down even though the holidays are just around the corner. A time to reflect on the past year and to see if those gardens we planted earlier in the year bore fruit. Now, those gardens don't have to have their roots planted in soil out on the back forty - they can also be gardens planted in our soul or the souls of others. How did they turn out? Could there have been better fertilizer or maybe they needed more attention overall. A time to assess the past and to make promise that the future will be a tiny bit better due to the lessons of the past remembered.
5. Sunday dinner. A time in my childhood when my mother would bring out the nice dishes and cooked just a little more special. It was one meal of the week that was singled out as having more significance, more importance. If my married siblings were available Sunday was the day they arrived, family in tow, for all of us to sit at my parents' table to break bread. It felt good.

I'm taking part in an exercise during the month of November to list the blessings that encourage us give thanks. Take a peek on my sidebar. There are a couple of buttons that will take you to the blogs that are sponsoring this event. Believe me - when you do this, it really puts life into a more clear perspective.