30 Days of Thankful 2017

How in the world Thanksgiving arrived so quickly I'll never understand. This thing called life is flying by at record speeds or so it seems which makes me sit and think a minute about the good things in life which led to a couple of thankful lists.

I don't know why I don't write a thankful list every single day. I've tried but I seem to lose steam after a week or so in. It's not that I'm not thankful I just can't seem to write it down on a daily basis. I suppose it's good that I have them in my head but wouldn't a grateful journal be nice to find once we've moved on from this world? Anyway, my general-ish list focuses on the first non-specific thankfuls that came to mind.

30 Days of November Thankfulness (in no particular order):

1. Friends who take the time
2. Fresh baked cookies
3. Pets
4. Waking up each day
5. Quiet
6. Football season
7. Cool weather
8. Hot chocolate
9. Differences
10. Fall colors
11. Holiday food prep
12. Ceramic wizards
13. Caring yet not intrusive neighbors
14. Clean sheets
15. Privacy
16. Deep belly laughs
17. Family time
18. Family recipes
19. Sister love
20. Full moons
21. Bulky sweaters
22. Conversation
23. Giving
24. Kindness
25. Parents
26. Holiday movies
27. Morning coffee
28. Organized everything
29. Encouraging words whether received or given
30. Birds

I thought I would have a hard time coming up with 30 thankfuls but it turns out I could have gone on some more. Yes, I know I left daughters and grandchildren off the list but they're coming! They get their own list. 

Did Y'all do a thankful list this year? Is anyone good at keeping a daily grateful journal?

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What are Little Thankfuls?

It was so much fun comparing the hashtags about myself from last year (I did this on the Grits) that I thought I would look back and compare my thankful list from 2015 with one I made today.

Last November, I wrote a post about the LITTLE things for which I am thankful. The big things are easy to come up with- friends, family, health, a home...It's the little things that be more difficult to find if we're not paying attention or not in a thankful frame of mind...

Think about those little things we might not even realize we appreciate. The little things that can turn a sour day into something calm and wonderful. The little things that bring happiness to our days. The little things that turn that proverbial frown upside down.

My list from November 2015:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Deep down, in my gut, so hard I can hardly breathe and makes me cry laughter.
2. The way coffee smells and how the steam rises up from the cup when you first pour it. 
3. The way the lights on the Christmas tree sparkle.
4. The smell of rain. 
5. The way snow glistens during a full moon.
6. A song that reminds me of a love from long ago.
7. A memory that brings a smile to my face that begins in my heart.
8. The rhythm of poetry. Especially when it's being read to me. 
9. The sound of a cello, and fog horns, and those little grunts that puppies make. 
10. The smell of homemade bread and the memories it evokes. 
11. Pulling out that winter jacket and finding money in the pocket. 
12. Clean sheets. 
13. A surprise phone call from an old friend. 
14. Snuggling with your puppy. 
15. That thing you wanted is on sale and reduced even more at checkout.
16. Hot chocolate.
17. Sitting in front of the fire.
18. A handmade quilt.
19. Hayrides.
20. Farmers' Markets. 

My list for this year:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Cool autumn weather that finally shows up.
2. Irish cream in front of a fire.
3. Just the right pen.
4. Music. 
5. A walk in the woods.
6. Red rain boots.
7. Stringed instruments, especially the cello.
8. A full moon.
9. Fog.
10. Snow.
11. Fall and winter trees.
12. Feeling safe.
13. Snuggling down into flannel sheets.
14. Polka dots.
15. Sudden ideas.
16. Feelings of accomplishment.
17. Rest.
18. Conversations with special people.
19. Laughter.
20. Books. 

Yes, my list could go on. But I'd be here a really long time and y'all don't want to read THAT much.

So, it's your turn. Share your lists in the comments or on your blog. I'd love to read them!

It's day 12 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 11 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.

The Second Half

Of my thankful list for November.

I'm thankful for:

16. Cold weather and snow. Even though we don't get much of the first and pretty much none of the latter.
17. The smell of the air here...we are only 3 miles from the ocean so the air is fantastic.
18. Foggy mornings and fog horns in the distance.
19. Trips to visit old friends.
20. Music.
21. Christmas movies.
22. People who try to be environmentally conscious.
23. Spring water and the fact that I don't have to drink our town water.
24. America.
25. Football.
26. Certified organic farmers.
27. Understanding.
28. Laughter.
29. Color.
30. I wanted to put Christmas decorations here. But my 'roomies' didn't hold up their end. So, no Christmas decorations are going up here this weekend. Sadly.

On a lighter, more positive note, from that last thankful- Thanksgiving with SonInLawIntended's family was quite enjoyable. We shared stories of our families and laughed the whole day. What a blessing that we have two in-law families now that we love so much!

Of course, I spent so much time visiting, I totally forgot to take pictures. I did take these few---

My cranberry/pear sauce cooking--

The table decorations--

My Thanksgiving morning run to the marsh with Tucker---

And I got these because I thought to use my phone camera. I've got to start picking up the camera more. :)

Hope y'all had a marvelous Thanksgiving and are not out there in the middle of the shopping frenzy today. I'm under a blanket sipping hot apple cider and enjoying this delightfully cold weather!