My Own Secret Garden

Source: google.com.au via Paula on Pinterest

Did you ever pass up a photo opportunity and regret it later?

I knew as I was driving away that I had missed a perfect picture for my blog, but I was hungry and it was pouring rain. Nevertheless, I am still looking back over my shoulder.

I popped in for a short visit to a new friend today and fell in love with her surroundings. As I entered the driveway, I knew I was in for a treat. There was a faux wooden wall with purple shutters and their last name on a small sign. The yard contained birdhouses and benches and leftover flowerbeds.
The instant I entered her kitchen I was oohing and ahhing, not because it was fancy and large and expensive. Just the opposite.
Simplicity and artistry brought her small older home to life. Every corner was filled with creative love and flair.
What a delight! I felt like I had entered the secret garden.

On this final day of November ( actually one hour left), I am grateful for surprises, confirmations, new beginnings and simple delights.

Leftovers

The leftovers are gone but thanksgiving remains.
Here's my list leftover from last week.
Time with my girls.
Pumpkin Pie success.
42 years wedding anniversary
Snow on just the right day- safe travels for my family.
Movie time with McKenna.
My son's family time here.
Good food.
Mississippi Mudcake
Energy to shop after little sleep.
God's touch on a sick girl.
Lily
An extra day with McKenna
Sweet sleep
Health for the most part
Beautiful days.
A few minutes in a good book.

Happy Thanksgiving

Source: borntomakeanimpact.tumblr.com via Paula on Pinterest

Grateful for freedom, family, and a full life.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Pinterest

Source: simplystated.realsimple.com via Ali on Pinterest

I just plain love Pinterest.

Fly

Remember the smell of damp leaves? Listen to the crunch of dry ones underfoot.

Rake them into a pile and leap! Ahhh, leaves everywhere. Pile them up again. Pure joy.

A few of my favorite photos were taken on an October afternoon at my son's house. He used a leaf blower which blew the leaves into a pile. His son was raking until I took over for a bit. I really thought we were working on the lawn. Then the fun began. The children jumped, leaped, tossed, and buried each other while I watched with joy.

If I could go back to that day I would spread my arms and fly into the leaves instead of merely observing through the lens.

Wishing

I am sitting in the dentist office and they are running late.

I ran into Mardens again today for more material. I had part of the quilt top pieced yesterday and hated it! Out came the seam ripper and I changed direction. Thus need more material.

The quilt on their wall made me wish for sharper skills and a better knowledge of quilting but one step at a time. Sigh.

Okay... Gratitude.
I am thankful for what I do know, for a working sewing machine, and the money to buy material.
Oh and Debbie, who works at Mardens and gives me tons of her time and know-how.

2 Hours of Fabric Fun

I spent 2 hours today in the fabric section of the M store.

Did you guess MOOD? I wish. Sigh.

Alas, the store is Mardens (of Maine). I am not a fan of the store itself in all it's dust and disarray, but it's the best thing going here in my neck of the woods when you are looking for fabric.

I had so much fun once I decided on colors and direction. The clerk is the daughter of a friend of mine and she is more than willing to help this amateur quilter.

I missed lunch but it was worth it. I will not look at this as a waste of time, but a step in the right direction :)

Sweet Sabbath Moments

How did I manage to be all ready for church a half hour early?

Sinking into my chair by the window, I reached for the novel I have been reading. After a few minutes as I lifted my eyes from the words, I saw the beauty of the page in the sunshine.

Grateful today for extra moments filled with sunshine.

One Year's Worth

I spent yesterday going through hundreds of photos to decide what I want to do with them this year for Christmas.

And I haven't even gotten to Lily's yet. Imagine five grandchildren and photos like this!

Next year, I have a plan :)

On my gratitude list today:     Grandchildren and Cameras!

Remembering

Source: va.gov via Janet on Pinterest

Amber Blessing

Source: weheartit.com via Paula on Pinterest

The past couple of days have been long and challenging with blessings scattered throughout.

Right in the middle of the challenges, I got to spend a few hours with my daughter. What a delight! It was like coming out of a crowded, shadowy forest into a field of flowers. I loved every moment, every smile from my granddaughters, and time to enjoy each other.

Throughout my lifetime, my daughter has been one of my greatest blessings and I am grateful.
Love you, Amber.

November Sunrise

Sunrise over the hospital.

What a beautiful sight!

Matters of the Heart

Monday finds me in Bangor, 3 hours from home. I brought my friend Jo down for heart surgery.

Today I am grateful for beautiful weather, a good lunch, a minute to see my girls and hope for my friend.

A Tiny Splash of Creativity

 

Two months have passed with nary a word written in my Journaling Box. I keep a regular journal but this is my creative project that my daughter and I will share at the year's end.

My goal today was to make the three main cards for September, October, and November and create dated cards for November's journaling.

It was a bit tough going. I can recall days of being captivated by creativity, barely coming up for air. Not so these days. There is no river flowing, merely a tiny splash.

Nevertheless, I am grateful for the splash. It has been a dry season of living too much from my head.

Peace Please

Source: fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Today I am grateful for peace.

Does that seem generic, routine, boring?

Try being without it. You'll realize how vital Peace is.

Guess What?

Source: lifeinmystudio.blogspot.com via Paula on Pinterest

Guess what I am doing today?

Grateful for the basic sewing skills I learned in Home Ec as a girl.

Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

My goal for November is to post every day with thanksgiving.

It is a beautiful morning here in northern Maine.
As we head into winter, I want to have springtime thoughts :)

When I turned to Pinterest this morning, this picture was the first thing that caught my eye. I love lilacs. Isn't it amazing that God would create something that lasts such a short time, yet brings much beauty, fragrance and joy into our lives?

November...The Path Here

Source: tripadvisor.in via Nancy on Pinterest

Journal Entries:

October 6
"So don't be afraid... little Israel, for I myself will help you."
                                         Isaiah 41

October 11
"Lord, Show me your glory. Hear my faint cry."

October 16
"It is the Holy Spirit's breath on the pages of Scripture that brings us into the place of life and purpose."
Bill Johnson

October 20
"You are always with Me and everything I have is yours."
                                                             Luke 14

October 29
Return to Eucharisteo.

October 31
"I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles."
                                                        Zechariah 9