Thanks Giving... week 4

This marks the 4th week of my Daily "Giving Thanks".  For those of you who are just now following this part of my blog,  every year I read other people post things that they are thankful for and I always think it's such a great idea.  But, then life happens and I just don't get it started.  Not this year!  I've successfully blogged every day this month and counted my thanks!  Not that I am under the assumption that anyone else cares, but what a great way to focus of giving thanks!  After all...I AM One Lucky (Heart) Girl!!!
 

Perhaps I can inspire some of you to join me and give thanks each day, these last few days of November, as well.  If you would like to read week 1, week 2, or last week's (week 3), please do!  And feel free to comments and share what you are thankful for!  

DAY 21:

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  I am so excited!  But at the same time, I will miss my few family members that are not here and able to celebrate with us.  Ok wait, this is not a sad blog.  I'm giving thanks each day!  

Today I am thankful for such a fabulous home!  I spent some time cleaning today, in preparation for our small feast for 4 tomorrow, and was reminded how blessed I am.  I feel so blessed to have a home with hardwood floors, a warm cozy fireplace, lots of sunny windows, a DIY remodeled bathroom, open floor plan, a big kitchen that is perfect for cooking and entertaining, beautiful iris and plants in the backyard, a DIY raised garden, and even a nice laundry room with a black chandelier.  It's the little things, right?  

Seriously though, I know I am blessed and wanted to add that to my list today!  I live in a beautiful home that I get to share it, with not only my husband & dog, but also the family and friends that come to visit.  I enjoy hosting and much of the reason I do, is because I have such a warm, welcoming home!  

DAY 22:

Thanksgiving Day!

Today, the recognized day to give thanks, seems like the day where I should list everything I am thankful for.  That also seems "indulgent" (as Simon Cowell would point out on American Idol).  Not to mention that the list would be quite long.  So, I am keeping today simple.  Perhaps the food comma speaking!
Besides the obvious home, clothing, good health, necessities, etc I am thankful that we were able to afford and prepare a yummy celebration/Thanksgiving meal.  As Americans it has not only become a tradition but also an expectation, that of course we are having turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, and everything else that we have come to love eating at Thanksgiving.  But really?  We are blessed that we can "expect" it.  Not everyone is as fortunate!

 

I clearly made too many root vegetables!  More veggies than turkey!

DAY 23:

Well, Mom and I ventured out today, Black Friday.  Wait...hold your judgement!  Too be fair, we didn't head out until noon.  And, what I am thankful for today is the fact that we ventured out to have fun.  Not because we were stressed and needed to complete an entire Christmas list.  But instead, just because we were wanted to poke around, watch others stress out, and see what was out there.  I, by the way, am already done with my Christmas list!  Except last minute stocking stuffers and the next holiday meal!

DAY 24:

Brrrrrrrr!  Although it wasn't in the teens, so I shouldn't be complaining, today was 20 degrees colder than yesterday.  So needless to say I was thankful for a warm coat.  Which, I have realized earlier this Fall, could easily become an addiction.  Or should I say, "collection" of sorts.  I could have a cute coat in every color and still think I "need" some other coats.  Luckily the coat closet limits me! 

DAY 25:

What a gorgeous day!  It was chilly (yep, got to wear another warm winter coat) but sunny and clear!  What a GREAT DAY for a drive!  We all got in the car and took a drive.  Yes, we took the car with seat warmers in the front and in the back just to make sure we warm.  I'm not sayin' I'm wus, but I'm sure not claiming to be a real "survivor" of the cold.  If ya have seat warmers, use them!  

We explored around one of our local lakes,  Jordan Lake, and the surrounding area.  Got to see the fall leaves, the sunset through the trees as it shimmered on the lake, some million dollar homes, and small town roundabouts.  I am thankful for such a relaxing beautiful day!

DAY 26:

Not sure about your household, but I know mine was trying to recoop after the long holiday weekend!  Although Rob was up at 5:30AM heading to gym and then off to work,  the rest of us kinda looked zonked out.  You know...as in tired.  We don't really have an excuse either.  There were only 4 of here for Thanksgiving and I honestly do not get stressed around the holidays.  No really!  Cross my heart!  Pinky swear!  I love the change in season, the cooler temps, the longer nights, the holiday bustle, the warm comfort food, the time with friends and family...  So why were we so tired?  Probably because we stay up late visiting and watching random shows like "House Hunters International."  The point????  Today I was thankful for my new (bigger) crock pot!  Instead of the weensie 4 quart pot, I now have a 7 quart!  I no longer have to do recipes in two batches or start the recipe in the crock pot and finish it on the stove (which sorta negates the point of the crock pot).  Our 1st meal in this crock pot was a Rum Rump Roast.  YUM!  I can't wait to use the left overs for sandwiches tomorrow!  

 

DAY 27:

Random!  I decided to clean every window sill today.  That's 23 window sills... in all their green slime glory!  I try to clean them twice a year - once every Spring after the pollen season and once in the Fall when it's time to open the windows after a hot southern summer.  However, if you would have raised any window in my house (before noon today) you would not have guessed they had a Spring cleaning.  This morning I randomly got motivated to clean each sill.  After spraying each sill with vinegar, I armed myself with a huge cup of hot water (which I was constantly filling), a rag, and my handy dandy "Sonic Scrubber."  If you have any windows and/or any grout in your home I strongly recommend purchasing one of these great tools!  I am ever so thankful this Sonic Scrubber today!  It only took some elbow grease as they say and not a lot of scrubbing on my part!  Wooo hoooo!  With the vinegar and the battery powered scrubber, I was done in no time.  And now when you raise a window in my house, the sill dings like the smiles in those tooth whitening commercials!  At least for now.