I completed the challenge

Today is the last day of the Giving Thanks Challenge.

It sure wasn't hard to come up with things to be thankful for.

There are really too many to count.

I'm ending the challenge with being thankful for Each New Day.

Every morning is a brand new day to do with as we choose.

It is a gift.

Open it and enjoy it.

: )

************************************************

The temperature this morning was back to a more normal 35 degrees for November.  It was a nice crisp clear morning and i headed over to the lake for a walk around it.  I walked in the opposite direction just for a change. Funny how it seems so different just walking in a different direction.  I see different people too.  Going up and down the hills are just about the same in either direction. There were the usual amount of people out, walking, running, dog walking, and even a couple of bike riders.
Stopped to take this picture of these few geese on the lake.

I saw lots of them taking off in groups again heading south but there are still a lot of them around.
I walked 6.6 miles.

**********************************************

After doing my morning routine, i fine tuned my shopping list and headed out to the commissary. There were not many people shopping in the commissary at all and i was in and out without having to wait on a line.  Many, many people out driving around on the roads though, and many didn't seem to know where they were going. I had to make a detour because of a traffic jam.  It took a little longer to get home but at least i could keep moving. I was glad to get home save and sound.

I picked up some Clementine's at the commissary and had a couple with my lunch.  I love these little things. 

So here it is mid afternoon and after i finish here i'll be vising blogs.
Then i plan to do some counted cross stitch.  A few weeks ago i mentioned in this post, HERE that the person who has me for their secret sister gave me a counted cross and i started it yesterday.  It's a small one so i should be done with it soon.

So i guess that's it for today.
Hope your enjoying your day.
Happyone : )

Happiness cannot be traveled to

owned,

earned,

worn or consumed.

Happiness is the spiritual experience

of living every minute with,

love,

grace,

and gratitude.

~ Denis Waitley

New Phones

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 29

I am Thankful for God's Love for me.

Whatever happens or whatever i do

i know Gods loves me.

Good days and bad days too

He is always there for me.

A love that never fails.

**********************************************

Once again a great morning for walking!  Warm weather with a temperature of 58 degrees.  It rained some last night and this morning it looked like more rain but i saw the sunrise and then the sun came out and stayed out the whole time i was walking.  It seemed like it stayed out just for my walk because just as i got home the clouds came around and the sun went back to sleep.

I walked around the neighborhoods on sidewalks and some of the paths too.  Not many people out, just a few walking dogs and a couple of runners.

Heard a woodpecker and saw a few Cardinals.  A quiet and uneventful walk but a fine one all the same.

I found a penny.

Walked 6.3 miles.

**********************************************

It is Tuesday and my knitting group day but decided to stay home today.  A package was due to arrive today and i had to sign for it and didn't want to miss it.  It was for our new TracFones.  Ken and i both got new ones.  We've had the old ones for years and thought it was time for an update.  Neither one of us talk on the phone much so we find the pay as you go TracFones ideal for us.  There is no contract and for a year of talking we only pay about $100.  Though you could text with old phones it didn't have a keypad so it made texting a long process.  These new phones have keypads and cameras too.  Now we just have to transfer all the phone numbers to the new phone and figure out how everything works.  We still get to keep our old number which is a very good thing.

So i'm home again today finishing up some work from yesterday with some time for fun stuff too.

Hope this day finds you happy and content.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

Who does not thank for little

will not thank for much.

~ Estonian Proverb

My Clothesline

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 28

I am Thankful for my Clothesline.

I enjoy hanging my clothes outside.

I love to see them blowing gently in the breeze.

And you just can't bottle that smell. : )

I am also Thankful and Happy that

we have won the Clothesline Battle.

*********************************************

A pretty mild morning for my walk today.  It was 47 degrees when i started out and already 55 when i got back home.  No wind at all and it was cloudy.  The sunrise was beautiful today.  It is amazing how fast the color comes and goes in the sky, changing from one minute to the next.
A nice walk around the lake this morning.  More than the usual amount of people out walking and running for a Monday.  Maybe they were trying to take off those few extra pounds from Thanksgiving!
I saw three deer, all males.  One had only one antler.  I wonder if it broke off or he was shedding his a bit early, but wonder also if they shed them both together or one at a time.  I'll have to do a little research.  Anyone know anything  about deer and their antlers?

I was amused to see this on a tree trunk this morning.  

The turkey that got away! : )

I also saw a couple of Blue Birds.  They didn't sit still long enough for me to get a picture.
Great to be out early this morning and walking.
I walked 6.6 miles.

************************************************

Did i get you to wondering at the beginning of this post about the Clothesline Battle?  

Those of you who have been reading my blog know i like hanging my clothes outside.  I live in a townhouse with no back yard and the only place i can hang my clothes is on our deck.  It is off the kitchen up on the second floor.  I live on an end unit and there are sections of privacy fence on both sides of the deck.  Ken has taken blocks of wood and put big hooks in the ends and attached clothes line rope to the other ends.  The hooks fit perfectly over the top of the fence sections.  I have three of these lines.  I only put them up when clothes are out on the line.  When the clothes are dry i take them in right away and then take down the lines.  It works perfectly for me.  I have been doing this the whole time we've lived here (almost three years).

A lot of neighborhood associations have rules about clotheslines being prohibited.  I didn't think we had such a rule in our small townhouse complex, but apparently i was wrong even though no one has said anything for the years i've been doing it.  

A few weeks ago we got a letter saying we were in violation of the clothes line rule which really pissed me off!!!  

Now comes the good part!!! : )

Last year Maryland passed a law in October of 2010 stating that neighborhood associations CAN'T PROHIBIT the use of clotheslines.  YAY!!  So Ken wrote a very nice, calm, logical letter telling them this and enclosed a copy of the law that we found on line.

Then we waited.  In the meantime i kept hanging my clothes out as usual.

Then last week another letter arrived for us stating that he was not aware of the that law!!  So there is nothing that the association can do to stop us from having a clothesline.  They can enforce restrictions but i can't think of any that i am not doing already.  I take it up and down as needed and i always take in the clothes as soon as they are dried.  I'm really glad that this worked out because there was no way i was NOT going to hang my clothes outside.  So i guess you won't be seeing the crazy lady and her clothesline on the news!!!

I really just don't understand what some people find so offensive about clothes drying out on a line!!   I even hang my underwear on the inside line so no one can't see it!! : )

So anyway, I am extremely happy to have my clothesline!!

I can't help but wonder who complained.

****************************************************

I'll be at home all day today getting some much needed housework done.  Hopefully i'll get some fun time in at the end of the day too.

Hope your day is a good one.

A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

The Clothesline Poem

~ Author Unknown

A clothesline was a news forecast

To neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep

When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link

For neighbors always knew

If company has stopped on by

To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"

And towels upon the lines;

You'd see the "company table cloths"

With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth

From folks who live inside

As brand new infant clothes were hung,

So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could

So readily be known.

By watching how the sizes changed,

You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,

As extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,

Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now."

When lines hung limp and bare.

It told,

"We're back!" when full lines sagged,

With not an inch to spare!

But

Clotheslines now are of the past,

For dryers make work much less.

Now what goes on inside a home 

Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.

It was a friendly sign.

When neighbors knew each other best

By what hung on the line.

Giving Thanks Challenge

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 27

I am Thankful for my Hearing.

There are so many sounds that bring joy to me.

A babies laughter

Rain Drops

Leaves falling

Birds singing

Babbling Brooks

Church Bells

Wind blowing through the trees

 The list could go on and on.

 ***************************************

 Psalm 103:1-2

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

and all that is within me,

bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Happyone : )

A grateful heart is one that finds 

the countless blessings of God

in the seemingly mundane everyday life.

~ Anonymous

A trail through the woods

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 26

I am Thankful for Comfortable Walking Shoes.

With all the walking i do i need shoes that fit well 

and are comfortable.

My feet are very thankful.

**************************************

It was 30 degrees when i walked this morning but there was no wind and this is what i got to look at when i started.  I'm sure it is God's way of saying Good Morning to me! : )

 I walked along paths and sidewalks in the neighborhoods on no particular route.  Walking down a path i travel frequently i saw a trail go off into the woods.  I've seen it before but it wasn't defined like it is here.

So this time i followed it and it made its way along side a brook. 

I walked along the trail until i came to the end of it which was by one of the footbridges i walked across earlier.  It is not very far, only about 1/2 mile.  When i got to the end i turned around and went back to the path and continued my walk. 

I'd like to make trails defined like this with branches and wood chips between them on our land.  I can just see me making trails all over the place.  With 8 acres i could get my 6 mile walk in without ever leaving.  

I know what i'd like for my birthday next May - a wood chipper!!!  : )  I am not kidding either.  I can't wait to get started making my trails.  Too bad it wasn't spring coming up instead of winter.  

The only people i saw out were a couple walking their two dogs and a man putting out bags of leaves that he raked the day before.  All 30 of them.

I spotted three deer and heard a woodpecker but couldn't find it.

After the beautiful sunrise the clouds came along and covered it back up so i walked in a cloudy morning.  Still it was a great morning for walking.

I walked 6.7 miles.

***************************************************

We are hanging around the house here this morning but will probably go out and do some errands after lunch.  

A happy Saturday to you all.

Happyone : )

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

~ Author Unknown

An Unusual Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 25

I am Thankful for the Nice People in the world.

People who remember to say thank you.

People who stop to let you cross the street,

or give you a break in traffic and let you in.

People who smile back at you and say hi.

Friendly cashiers, servers, and sales people.

To all the nice people out there I say

Thank you!! : )

********************************************

Yesterday our Thanksgiving Day was not your typical one, but will be one of the most memorable and also one of the nicest. : )

It was just to be Ken and I this year at home eating turkey.  Since Tuesday when we went to our land closing was a bad weather day with rain and fog, and yesterday was going to a sunny day, we decided to drive up to our land.  We left a little before 6 in the morning.  When we stopped for breakfast in a rest area, we ate pieces of pumpkin bread that i had made.

We were at our land at 8:30 and though it was only in the 30's it was sunny, clear and beautiful out.  We spent the day walking around on our land, figuring out just exactly where our borders were and enjoying being on the land.  I wore my pedometer and though we only walked 5 miles it was all hiking around and I really earned those steps!! : )  We hiked with a 300 foot tape measure and found all the borders, through sticker bushes, brush, over fallen trees, many many rocks, and up and down hills.  Eight acres of land is more than you realize when you're walking around on it.

For our meal we ate turkey sandwiches, sweet potato chips and granola bars.  Dessert was pumpkin pie that i made topped off with RediWhip. 

On the way home we stopped in another rest area and were going to eat ham sandwiches but the ham had gone bad.  We had already put lettuce and mustard on the roll so we ended up eating lettuce and mustard sandwiches. There was some pumpkin bread left over so we ate that up too.

We were back home again by 8:00 and we had another piece of the pumpkin pie.

Some pictures from yesterday. 

Truck parked in the driveway.

Random land picture.

Another road we discovered up near the back border.

That's Ken up ahead making notes.

A pleasant surprise was to find this book.

It runs on and off our land near the side border.

We put these POSTED signs up along the back border.

Here i am in my new poka a dot boots which kept

my feet nice and dry.

In this one i'm holding that 300 foot tape measure.

I was happy to discover that our neighbor has some

cows and bulls. Here is a one that stopped to look at me

and i took his picture.

It was a most unusual Thanksgiving Day but one that i thoroughly enjoyed.  Being with Ken and enjoying our land, and thanking God for it all.  A great day for thanksgiving!!

********************************************

This morning i was back to walking.  No special route, just a walk along paths and sidewalks through the neighborhoods.  It was 38 degrees but got a lot warmer once the sun came up.

Only a few people out and about.  I saw  one couple walking a puppy and stopped for a little chat and to pet the puppy.  He was an 8 week old golden retriever named Beau.  Oh he was the cutest little thing and i wanted to bring him home with me.

Along the path i saw a red fox running up ahead and then run back into the woods.  I haven't seen a fox for quite a while.  This one looked healthy and well fed.

I walked 6.9 miles.

********************************************

I had planned on getting a lot done around the house today but so far i haven't been able to get much done.

I talked to a  friend on the phone and then called my friend Bernice and we talked for an hour!!  We had lots to catch up on!! 

I did get a load of laundry hung up out on the line but that's about it.  I have a story about clothes lines but will save that for another day.

I'm off now to try to get some work done.

 A happy day to you.

Happyone : )

Blessings are oftentimes not valued

till they are gone.

~ Thomas Fuller

Giving Thanks Challenge

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 24

Sometimes i wish that i didn't have to sleep,

thinking of all the things i could get done.

But then i remember how good it feels to 

fall into bed at the end of the day.

And i'm thankful for a Good Nights Sleep,

so I can wake refreshed for my new day.

************************************************

 To those celebrating Thanksgiving,

Have a wonderful day.

Don't eat too much, oh go ahead it's Thanksgiving!!

Happyone : )

Thanksgiving was never meant to be

shut up in a single day.

~ Robert Caspar Lintner

Wednesday

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 23

I am Thankful for my Camera.

Since i've been taking pictures 

the world seems even more beautiful and interesting.

I look at things a bit differently now.

********************************************

The land closing went well yesterday and we are now land owners! : )  The weather was just awful all the way up there and on the way home too.  We had heavy rain or fog for most of the trip.  We had planned on staying the night at a hotel up there and to start clearing out the driveway a bit more today but decided to come home because of the weather.  We did go to our land and walk around on it a bit though.

A few of you asked if we are building a house or plan to move there.  We are going to build a little one room cabin and just go there for a little vacation get a way.  We will be building the cabin ourselves.  That is part of the fun of having the land.  We have no plans to move or retire there.  We like the area we live in too much to move away.  But then again, who knows with us!!!!

**********************************************

It rained a lot during the night but when i got up this morning the rain had stopped and it was pretty warm out with a temperature of 57 degrees.  I walked around the lake.  The stream that i walk along on the path going to the lake was very full. I took this picture standing on the footbridge.

It was foggy around the lake.  There were lots of geese spread out all over the lake in groups.  Some small and some large groups.  Then they took off flying in groups making lots of noise.  It reminded me of airplanes lined up for take off at an airport.

I saw a few deer in the woods around the lake.

There were quite a few people out too.  More than i thought there would be on the day before Thanksgiving.

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 7:00

Sunset 4:48

*******************************************

Ken and i were out most of the day doing errands and came home late afternoon.

I then made a pumpkin pie.  Yes, i made the crust too. 

Had a bit of trouble rolling it out the first time, but the second time it came out right. : )  Now we just have to wait until tomorrow before we can eat any of it!!

Tonight we will watch a movie from Netflix, Saving Grace and have a small bowl of ice cream.

Hope you all had a happy day! 

Happyone : )

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it

is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~ William Arthur Ward

Land Closing

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 22

I'm thankful for our eight acres of land that we were able to find and buy.

We are leaving in just a little bit to drive out to western Maryland.  Today is the closing for our land.  Later today we will be land owners. : )

No walk today around the lake but i'll be able to walk around our land this afternoon!!!

Enjoy your day.
Happyone  : )

Not what we say about our blessing,

but how we use them,

is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

~ W.T. Purkiser

A Foggy Day

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 21

I am Thankful for the Comments
people leave on my blog!
Thank you all!!

******************************************

In Maryland we are back up to warm temperatures.  It was 55 degrees this morning when i left for my morning walk.  No sun though, just fog.   I just about to get to the lake here in the picture below.

Another foggy picture.  This time of the lake and a few geese swimming along.

I walked around the lake but kept to the lower path and passed up the path that i usually take to go back home.  Instead i walked about a  quarter way around the lake again and took the path up to the other entrance like i did the other day.
Only a few people out this morning.  It's Monday and foggy and the beginning of Thanksgiving week.  Probably be fewer people all week.
I saw the heron at the edge of the lake on some rocks.  He was standing on one leg and i think sleeping!  I took a picture and put it on my photo blog and you can hop over there if your interested in seeing it.

The fog makes everything quiet and mysterious.  Fog is great walking weather too. : )
I walked 6.9 miles.

Sunrise 6:57

Sunset 4:49

*************************************************

I've been home today doing things around the house.

Laundry 

Ironed five of Ken's shirts.

Made Pumpkin Bread - the recipe is HERE. 

I made the small loaves - usually it makes six but today i got an extra one out of it and made seven.  I love to lick the batter bowl.  It's one of the fun parts of baking. : ) 

I've been putting off sewing the weave-it squares together for the afghan i finished and got some of them sewn together.

That's been about it today so far.

Hope you got a good start on the new week and you enjoyed your day.
A happy Monday to you.
Happyone : )

Reflect upon you present blessings,

of which every man has plenty;

not on you past misfortunes,

of which all men have some.

~ Charles Dickens

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 20

I am so very Thankful for my Health.

I'm thankful so far that despite my age i really do feel young

and my body is still in good working order. : )

******************************************

Lamentations 3:22-24

Through the Lord's mercies 

we are not consumed,

Because His compassions 

fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion,

says my soul.

Therefore I hope in Him.

Have a blessed Sunday.
Happyone : )

New Books

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 19
This may seem like an odd thing to be thankful for
but i'm Thankful for the Window over my kitchen sink.
I don't use the dishwasher
and when i have to do the dishes,
i like looking out of the window! : )

 **********************************************

This morning was the same as yesterday but a couple of degrees colder at 25.  Still with no breeze and the sun it really didn't seem that cold.  It is really great walking weather.
I don't usually walk around the lake on Saturday because of all the runners, but i thought i'd give it a try because of the cold weather.  The cold weather didn't keep the runners home though.  I saw one of them in shorts and turned around and snapped this picture of him.  That just seems crazy to be out in 25 degrees wearing shorts!!

I just walked a quarter of the way around the lake.  I usually keep to the left here but today i took the path to the right.

Continued up along the path.  I saw a few deer along this path, but they were too quick for me to get a picture.

 The path leads to another entrance to the park and i walked there and then walked on the road towards home.

I walked along a couple different roads and then down this path that i frequently walk along.  By this time the sun was all the way up, it had warmed up a bit and i was actually getting warm.  If you enlarge the picture and look really close you can see two people up ahead.  They are John and Petey, the 89 year old couple.  I caught up to them and walked to the end of the path with them.  They turned around and went back down the path.

I continued on and made my way back home.
I walked 6 miles.

Sunrise 6:55

Sunset 4:50

**********************************************

Ken was home this morning when i got back from walking so i made us some French toast.
Later in the morning we went out and about to do a few errands.

When we came home i was happy to see a package sitting on my front stoop.  It was some books that i had ordered a couple of weeks ago. I got the first one, A Game of Thrones, from the library after waiting for it for a while on the reserve list.  I liked it right away and knew i would want to read the whole series.  So i decided to just buy them.  They are books that i know i would want to read again some time. I had to return A Game of Thrones to the library because i hadn't finished reading it and couldn't renew it because there is a waiting list for it.  Now i'll be able to read them at my leisure.

Ken dropped me off home and went out again.  I'm at home puttering around doing a little of this and that.
A beautiful sunny day and the temperature has climbed from 25 to 53!

A Happy Saturday to you.
Happyone : )

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face 

and are truly thankful,

you are blessed 

because the majority can, but most do not.

~ Author Unknown

Friday

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 18

I am Thankful for Pizza, one of my favorite foods.

When Ken and i starting going out his parents 

owned an Italian restaurant 

and he would take me back in the kitchen 

and make pizza for me. 

How could i resist him?! : )

I am thankful that 

tonight we are going out for pizza.

***********************************************

 A beautiful, bright, clear, sunny morning, though there was a nip in the air with a temperature of 27 degrees.  I walked around the lake and came across some patches of ice here and there on the footbridges like here.

For a cold morning there were quite a few people out around the lake.  All seemed to be enjoying their early morning exercise.  

I saw the heron down by the edge of the water and a few deer here and there.  I managed to get this picture of a deer in action.

 Here's a Canadian Geese sitting out on the lake.  This geese on the water and another geese farther away, out of the water and up on the hill, were calling out to each other.  I'm thinking he was calling her to join him on the water. 

It was a great morning to be out walking!!

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 6:54

Sunset 4:51

********************************************

It warmed up during the day to the 40's so i did a couple loads of laundry and hung them out to dry.  The clothes come in smelling extra good when it is cold outside.

I finished up a few things in the living room, like dusting the book cases.  They have glass doors and i washed them too.
Then i started in on the kitchen.  Have more to go but made a good start on it.

I received a very nice Thank You note in the mail from a friend who i knitted a scarf for.  As many of you know i have a Thank You Note basket where i keep all my thank you notes.  I have added this one to the basket.  I like to read them every so often. : )
I have notes in there from people i don't even remember who they are!!

 I like late afternoons when i've finished my work for the day and then can sit down and read, knit or do some other relaxing thing just before Ken comes home from work.

A happy Friday to you.  Hope it was a good one.
A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness

that makes us grateful,

but gratefulness

that makes us happy.

~ Brother David Steindl-Rast

Cherry Blossoms in Novenber?

Giving Thanks Day Number 17

I am thankful for where I live.
I have it all here where I live.
Lots of parks and woods and places to walk,
when you need to get away from the crowds.
But near two big cities where lots of things are happening
when you need some excitement.
A pick of great restaurants to choose from,
and lots of stores when you need something.
A great church down the street,
and a lovely home to come home too.
*****************************************

Our nice warm mornings are gone again, though it wasn't cold just not warm.  The temperature was 44 degrees.  The radio said there were light rain showers around but i didn't see any and my walk around the lake was a dry one.
There are some cherry trees down by the water and i was surprised this morning to see the trees with blossoms on them.  They must think it's spring because of this weeks warm weather. 

I saw a few deer again this morning.  There were lots of geese out on the lake but not in one big group like they have been.  They were scattered in little bunches all around the lake.

Not many people out but i did see some of the regulars.  I saw Shiraz and he handed me an invitation to the 6TH Annual Holiday Gathering which will be happening in a few weeks time.  Him and his wife Andrea bring coffee, donuts and dog treats and set them up in one of the pavilions and all of us regulars meet for a snack and visit for a while.  I stopped by the pavilion last year and look forward to it again this year.  Shiraz has given us the name of the Centennial Sunrise Walkers. : )

I haven't been finding very many coins this month but today i found a dime.
I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 6:53

Sunset 4:51

*****************************************

A nice day out today.  I picked up Mary Jo and we headed out to Savage Mill.  We walked around the mill for a bit and then had lunch at Rams Head.  She had a burger and i had the turkey Ruben.  We talked a lot, laughed and had a good time together.  Always nice to spend some time with Mary Jo. : )

Don't feel like doing much of anything now that i'm back home.  I'll just putter around a bit until Ken gets home from work.  We are going to have a quick spaghetti supper at home and then go out to Ram's Head Live in Annapolis to see Blood, Sweat, & Tears. 
I'll be at both of the Ram's Head taverns in the area today!  Funny how my lunch out and evening out are both at a Ram's Head!!  Wasn't planned, it just worked out that way.

Did you ever smile so much that your cheeks hurt?  Hope you had one of those days.
Happyone : )

 The worst moment for the atheist

is when he is really thankful

and has nobody to thank.

~ Dante G. Rossetti

Rearranging the furniture

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 16

I am Thankful for all the farmers who grow our food.

It is easy to take food for granted because 

we can just walk in a store and buy what we need.

I am also Thankful that i have enough money 

to be able to buy the food we need.

****************************************

Once again is was a warm morning for walking with the temperature at 55 degrees.  The ground was wet but it wasn't raining when i left.  After a little while of walking it started to drizzle so i went back home and got my umbrella and left again.  It rained on and off the whole time so my umbrella went up and down quite a few times.
I just walked around the neighborhoods and on a couple of paths.  Walked down some side streets that i haven't been on before and discovered a short path at the end of a dead end road.  This footbridge is at the end of the path which opens up on a field at a school.

 Not many people out but there were a few scattered throughout my walk.  On a path i saw six deer, one of which was a male.  This one stood still and looked at me and didn't stamp his foot when i got out my camera.  I took this picture though it is not very good because it came out blurry.

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 6:52

Sunset 4:52

*************************************************

I was going to go to the commissary but just didn't feel like going in the rain.  It seemed like a good day to stay at home.
So i decided to tackle the living room.  I've spent the day giving it a good cleaning and rearranging the furniture in the process.   I enjoy changing around the furniture every so often just for a change.  Everyone in my family does this except for my one grandmother (dad's mom).  From when i was a little girl until the day she died, once something found a place in her house, it stayed put.  It was kind of comforting in a way to know that at her house you knew everything would be the same.  Gramma was the same too, a loving woman who never had a mean thing to say about anyone.  I sure miss her!
What about you?  Do things at your house get rearranged or do you like things to stay in one place?

Now that i did all that work, it's time for relaxing. : )

A happy day to you.
Happyone : )

Life just is.

But life itself is a gift.

It's a compliment just being born:

to feel, breathe, think, play, dance, sing,

work, make love, for this particular lifetime.

Today, let's give thanks for life.

For life itself.  For simply being born!

~ Daphne Rose Kingma

A happy day

Giving Thanks Challenge Day Number 15

I am Thankful for Libraries.
Walking into the library and seeing all those books

gives me such a happy feeling.

What a great feeling

knowing that i can pick out more books

than i can carry and take them home with me,

and not have to pay for them!

There are FIVE libraries

in my area that i visit!

 ****************************************

This morning was even warmer than yesterday.  Today it was 59 degrees, though there was a bit of a breeze and it stayed cloudy throughout my walk.  It was nice though for the middle of November!!  No special route today, just walked around the neighborhoods along paths and on sidewalks.

I saw lots of people out, walkers, runners, dog walkers and even a couple of bike riders.

Lots of deer in the woods this morning.  I counted 13 of them.  One was pretty close to the path where i was walking and i stopped and was going to take a picture of him, but as i was getting my camera out, he stomped his front foot on the ground.  I don't know if that was some kind of warning, but i took it as one and moved along.

Most all of the leaves have fallen all the trees now and it makes me wonder how long it will be before i'll be taking pictures of snow along my walk. 

I walked 6.3 miles.

Sunrise 6:51

Sunset 4:53

******************************************

Ken made it home in time for lasagna last night! : )  In fact he got home a little after 4:00 and i was just starting to make it.  I don't have a recipe but i use the Barilla no boil noodles and don't put any meat in it.  I just layer noodles, sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta, with the top layer just sauce and mozzarella.  Not having to boil the noodles makes this meal super easy.  We ate some and i froze the rest for another meal.

**********************************************

It's Tuesday once again so off i went to my knitting group.  I finished the green cable square and gave it to the woman who is making the afghan for Warm Up America.  

Here are the other squares she collected today.  More people are making them, but haven't finished their square yet.

I didn't count all the people who showed up today but i would guess there were at least 15 people. A few of us were commenting about how well we all get along with each other.  It really is a nice friendly group.

I had to stop at the library on the way home to return a couple of books and picked out a couple more to bring home.

Later this afternoon i'm hoping to sit down and start one of those books, but first i have a few things to do around the house, oh yeah and read some blogs.

 A smile from me to you.
Happyone : )

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,

to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

~ Johannes A. Gaertner

Colors

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 14

Imagine a world in black and white.

I am Thankful for all the colors of the world.

We live in a world surrounded by beautiful colors.

Blue skies with White Clouds

Rainbows

Sunrise and Sunsets

Green Grass and

Flowers and Plants of every color

 Animals and Birds

Mountains

Rocks

Look around and enjoy the beautiful colors. 

*****************************************************

We certainly have changeable weather here in Maryland.  This morning it was 52 degrees when i left the house!!  I had a very nice walk around the lake.  I saw five deer, four of them were males and two were very large with huge antlers.  They were magnificent.  No luck though in getting any good pictures of them.  

I saw a lot of the regulars out walking and running today and some i've never seen before.  The topic around the lake today was how warm it was.

The path that leads to the lake starts in the parking lot of my church and i cross the street right there.  Someone stopped to let me cross and on a closer look i saw that it was my Pastor arriving at the church. : )

I walked 6.4 miles.

Sunrise 6:50

Sunset 4:54

***************************************************

 Yesterday i made some Apple Crumble and we had that for our snack last night with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  If you have some apples you want to use up this is very easy to make and delicious.  I've added the recipe to my online cookbook on Meals Matter.  

If you'd like the recipe, it's HERE.

As you can see i took the picture after we ate some of it. 

 **********************************************

Here is the latest couple of things i've knitted.  Another blue scarf for my friend Mary Jo and another dish cloth for myself.  Had to throw a few out that wore out so i'm making a few more to replace those.

I've been enjoying staying home today. Getting caught up on some house work.  Doing a little knitting, a little reading and really just a bit of this and that.  I like days like these.

I am going to be making Lasagna for supper tonight.  If you've been reading my blog you know that the last three times i've made this, Ken has come home late from work and one time brought a coworker along with him who was stranded on the roadside.  I've told him i will have it ready on the table at 5:30.  I can't help but wonder if this meal will get eaten on time tonight!! : )

A very happy day to you.
Happyone :)

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns ;
I am thankful that thorns have roses.
~ Alphonse Karr

Psalm of Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks Day Challenge Number 13

I am thankful for my two kids

and my four grandkids.

They are all blessings from God.

*******************************************
A Psalm of Thanksgiving
Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord,
He is God,
It is He who has made us,
and not we ourselves.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.
***********************************************

Have a blessed Sunday.

Happyone : )

You simply will not be the same person 

two months from now after consciously 

giving thanks each day 

for the abundance that exists in your life.

And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law:

the more you have and are grateful for,

the more will be given you.

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

A New Jersey Visit

Giving Thanks Day Number 12

I am thankful for sunny days and rainy days too.

I like those days when it's bright and sunny when

you look up in the sky and see blue sky and those

big white puffy clouds sailing by.

It feels so good to have the sun shining upon your face

on a chilly morning.

I also like rainy days every so often.

I like walking in the rain.

They are also good days for being inside

reading a good book

or baking something.

You need a mix of sunny and rainy days

to appreciate each of them.

************************************************

 Only 27 degrees this morning but the sun came out and there was no wind at all.  I saw a couple of deer, one on a path and one in a yard.  Both were males.  One with little antlers and one with a pretty big set.  I walked along paths and sidewalks.
Saw a couple walking a dog and two walkers.
Only walked 5 miles this morning.  Cut it a bit short because we took a ride up to NJ to visit our son and his family.

Sunrise 6:47

Sunset 4:55

************************************************

Left for New Jersey 8:45 this morning and 2 hours and 15 minutes later we were hugging our grandkids and their parents.  : )  We visited for a while and then took a walk around their lovely old town and stopped in at the local pizza place for lunch.  Then back to their house for a while and then headed back home about 2:30. We had a most enjoyable day.

These are our two youngest grandkids.

Granddaughter Scout - 8 years old.

Grandson Japhy - 5 years old.

Hope you found happiness in your day.

Happyone : )

When I started counting my blessings,

my whole life turned around.

~ Willie Nelson

Thanks, Walking and Food

Giving Thanks Day Number 11

I am thankful for all the Veterans

who have fought for our country.

Thank you one and all.

A special thanks to Ken who

served 20 years in the Navy.

 Other Veterans in my family are 

my dad, grandfather, step-dad, father in law

and four of my uncles.

**************************************************

It was a beautiful morning for walking today.  Though the temperature was only 33 degrees and it was quite windy at times, it was crisp, clear and sunny.  I dressed in layers and was perfectly warm.   I haven't been to the lake in a couple of days so i walked around there this morning.  Quite a few people out and i stopped a few times to talk to my walking friends.

I saw the heron standing in the water and there were a whole lot of geese down at the narrow end of the lake.  I took this picture.  It is a bit dark because i took the picture into the sun. 

 A little red tree still holding on to its pretty read leaves.

 I walked down to the water and took this picture.

Walking along a path in the sunshine along the lake.

The runner up ahead just ran past me.

Walking along it was nice to hear the wind in the trees and every once in a while a bunch of leaves would come falling down all around me.  It was a perfect fall day morning!!!

I walked just over 6 miles.

Sunrise 6:46

Sunset 4:56

****************************************

Ken is off from work for Veterans Day.  I made us pancakes for breakfast, then got a loaf of bread started in the bread machine.

We went out and did a few errands and picked up a sandwich at Subway and ate it in the truck and people watched.

Since i've mentioned breakfast and lunch i might as well mention supper too.  We are going to make hot sausage and onions and peppers.  Ken eats his on a roll with sauce but i just like to eat them plain.

I'm in the middle of making chocolate chip cookies now.  So far i haven't eaten any, but have eaten my fair share of dough!!

Enjoy your day.
A smile from me to you.

Happyone : )

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude,

a quiet joy.

~ Ralph H. Blum