Day 6: Flowers

I measure the flow of the seasons by the flowers in my garden. 

The first one to show its head in mid-winter is the lowly snowdrop, which has a spreading habit like no other!

Violas and pansies are at their best through the Oregon winters, which rarely get cold enough to do them in. They may freeze solid at times, but next time the sun shines they will be right there, bobbing their little heads in the breeze.

Then the crocuses and daffodils cover the ground with their splashes of colour.

Hyacinths and tulips and all the myriads of varieties of bulbs have a place in my heart.

Summer flowers in pots and flowerbeds keep me happy for months. 

Some are full of memories, like the gladiolus that reminds of my Dad.

Some I will never see again, like this flower on Kangaroo Island.

And, of course, let us not neglect to remember the little people who love to help care for flowers.

These are my favourite flowers of all.

Today I am thankful for the abundance of flowers in my life.

Day 5: Forests and trees

Jeff and I have walked in forests all around the world, but in Oregon more than anywhere else. 

We love the Oregon forests and all of the damp, lush, things that grow under the canopy. 

Today I am thankful for the trees of the world and all of the wonders that can be found in a forest.

Day 4: Chocolate cake. (Am I being superficial?)

I've been trying to eat more healthily lately, going through a lot of lentils and beans and soaked porridge. I shall have to do a blog post on soaking grains and nuts, if I ever get to feeling successful.

But, the point is, while I feel better when I eat this way, my mind lingers often on this chocolate cake that I made for Dolly's farewell lunch.

So, I shall make it tomorrow for Bethany's birthday dinner.

And I shall spend all day being thankful for chocolate cake.

Day 3: The littlest angel

We had Madelyn all to ourselves today, as Bethany spent the night at our house and left her here with us while she continued on her weekend of Time Out for Women. It was the first time that we have had extended time alone with her. 

This little angel came into our lives ten months ago and completely stole our hearts. She has such a tender personality and commands our attention with only a smile or a gesture. 

Today, I spent all day being thankful that Madelyn is a part of my life. 

And I think I got over that "Bethany having a fifth child" thing.

In case you were wondering.

Thankful Day 2: Ode to my firstborn

Day 2 happened to fall on Bethany's birthday. 

When Bethany was born, 32 years ago, I felt like my world was complete. We were as poor as church mice in worldly terms, but I was enraptured with my baby and would spend all day holding her and trying out the few, mostly hand-me-down, outfits that I had been given. She slept through the night from about three weeks old, usually in my bed because Jeff was working the night shift. She was a calm little thing and people often commented that she looked like a Gerber baby (and I had no idea what that meant, but assumed it was complimentary) or Winston Churchill. I didn't mind the Winnie thing, because I admire him.

Nowadays, it's hard to find a photo of Bethany without one of her babies in her arms, but I stole this one from her facebook album.

Bethany continually impresses me with her tenacity, creativity, and her desire to do what is right. She is a delight to her Dad and me and has given us five lovely grandchildren. 

Day 2 was spent being thankful for Bethany, even as I spent most of it caring for her children so that she could have a Time Out!

Thirty days of thankful

Yes, I know, I've got some catching up to do!

I started this little project on facebook, but then decided may, just maybe, I could manage slightly longer efforts with photos to boot! 

I am so thankful to live in this great country. It is the the third nation that I have called home, and I am proud and grateful for the part that each has played in my life. 

I love England for its tenacity and history and beauty and for the greatness of the generation that endured and fought the Second World War. And most of all because of the people, my people, who call it home. 

I love New Zealand for its heart and its food and its hills and native flora and fauna. And for the people, my people, who call it home. 

These two places call to me constantly with promises of welcome, comfort, and the familiar embrace of family and friends. I will yearn for them until the day I die.

But America is the country that inspires my imagination with a hope of true freedom. It is here that Jeff and I began our life together with nothing but love and dreams to our name. Almost thirty-three years later, we are surrounded by beloved family and friends and unlimited opportunity to help others. We are debt-free, educated, and employed. Things have been difficult for many people lately, but I still believe that the foundation of America allows for prosperity for all, if they are willing to work for it. 

God Bless the U.S.A. 

And vote wisely.

Please.

What men love to do

Yeah, I'll bet this blog post gets a lot of unlikely hits, thanks to that title.

Maybe I should change it.

Nah!

I just counted photos in the last post.

Forty-seven.

This one has only two.

And there was much rejoicing!

So, last week I made some unusual purchases.

Unusual, in that they are rare kinds of purchases.

I found a rather large television on clearance at Freddie's. It is 3D and wi-fi and LED and was only a third of the original price.

"I'll take it," I said.

Then, of course, I had to buy a wall mount and a new Blue-ray player, as our old VCR/DVD player just didn't cut it. According to the man of the house.

I also bought five smoke detectors from Lowe's.

Remember the hunky firemen episode?

Of course you do!

A week has passed, and this is the TV in the rec room, all wall-hung and polished and Netflix-ready.

And these are the smoke detectors, sitting in a sad little pile in the man cave.

I think I have discovered a new weapon that is vastly superior to nagging.

It's called blogging!

Feel free to exert peer pressure on the man of the house.

P.S. The television that was replaced was about twenty years old.
In case you were wondering.