Thanksgiving Gratitude

As posted at HSBA today.



"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common, everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

May you consider the common, everyday things for which you are thankful today. May you have a greater awareness of the small blessings that may be overlooked. May you nurture a heart of gratitude today and in the days to come.

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:18

Blessings,
Dianne

Wordless Wedneday - Tired & Cold

Go here or here for more Wordless Wednesday.

Muchas Gracias!!

Last month, I participated in the HSBA Swap. Participants were paired up, some personal info was shared, and each person sent her swap buddy something. Well, let me just say that my swap buddy ROCKS!!! Learning of my great love of Dr. Pepper, she promptly picked up some of the good stuff from Dublin, Texas. That would be Dublin, Texas, home to the oldest Dr. Pepper plant. Dublin, Texas, where they still make REAL Dr. Pepper with pure cane sugar. Dublin, Texas, the place I might just travel to one day. She doesn't even live in Dublin, Texas. But she thought of me in her travels!

So here it is . . . the real deal Dr. Pepper. We'll be sampling it alongside the current, corn-syrup version to assess the difference. Although I'm sure the stuff from Dublin will be SO much better than that from my local grocery store.

Eight

I haven't participated in a meme in quite awhile. Then I got tagged by Amy this morning. Since I have nothing else exciting to blog about, here goes:



8 Things I'm Passionate About
Knowing God
My awesome husband
Raising our boys to be godly men
My girlfriends
Laughter
Dr Pepper
Food not touching on my plate
Lavender oil




8 Things I Want To Do Before I DieWhile I Live
See the fall colors in New England
Take an Alaskan cruise with hubby
Lots of scrapbooking
Be a better photographer
Make a quilt
Meet some blogging friends IRL
Go to the Atlantic Ocean
See Transiberian Orchestra with hubby




8 Things I Say Often
I love you (to hubs & boys)
Don't make his problem yours
Put on deoderant!
Wash your hands first
Hope you sleep well
Just get away from each other
Whatever
Arguing is of NO value




8 Books I've read recently
Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck
Light From Heaven by Jan Karon
Gift From the Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'engle
Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whithall Smith
Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
Breaking Free by Beth Moore




8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over
Only You by David Crowder Band
Planet Claire by The B52s
Burn Us Up by Shane & Shane
Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin
Our God Reigns by Delirious
Madame Blueberry by Paul Colman (Veggie Rocks)
Majesty by Delirious
Never Let Go by David Crowder Band
plus many more . . . hard to nail it down to just eight




8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friend
He's ever so handsome
His servant's heart
His gorgeous blue eyes
He's a wonderful listener
His ability to problem-solve
He's a terrific father
His desire to glorify God
He's SO good to me




8 Things I've Learned This Year
God isn't disappointed in me, even when I blow it
How to use Quark Xpress
Proxy surfing
How to use layers in Photoshop Elements
My way isn't always the best way
Daniel was around 80 years old when he was thrown in the lion's den
How to play Sequence
Plans are really important




8 people to tag
Gina
Robin
Deena
Michele
Bev
Barb
Amy

Nope. That's not quite eight. I don't have anyone else I would tag. Some were already tagged. Others don't know that I "know" them. Ya' know? I'd probably be considered a lurky friend. Kind of creepy, really.

Blessed & Encouraged

I discovered a new blog today, Large Family Mothering. This sweet gal has 14 children and is so fulfilled and content in her calling as a mother. While I've only had a chance to read a couple pages of her posts, I was absolutely blessed and encouraged. She clearly LOVES God and her family. Go check her out. I think you'll be glad you did.