quiet time

I had a wonderful time with my family, this Christmas

- and now that the festivities have ended,

I'm so very thankful that I work for a university that closes 

for the week between Christmas and the new year.

- for this quiet time -

I am joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

thankful

"Look around, breathe in, and be thankful" - unknown

For the last three months that we've had our puppy, Chessie,

I have had early morning walk duty - my choice.

Most mornings, it's still dark when we venture out

Weekend mornings - Chessie seems to enjoy "sleeping in" as much as I do,

and we postpone our walk until the sun begins to rise

- and a paintbrush has splashed it's colors against the sky.

I am thankful for these early morning walks with my pup,

and the awe I feel at the beauty surrounding me.

I am joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Photo-challenge #23 - quote

thankful for giving thanks

I hope your preparations are going well,

and you are enjoying your thanksgiving holiday

I am thankful for this day of giving thanks

- a day to take a step back - reflect

-enjoy good food and family.

Have a wonderful thanksgiving,

however you choose to celebrate!

I am joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Photo-challenge #22 flowers

thankful thursday - thanksgiving and family

Flowers in my window

in my usual Monday morning bleary-eyed state,

I chatted with my commuter train friends.

One mentioned getting ready for Thanksgiving - next week

Me: Nooooo - it's not next week!

Commuter friends smile - exchange glances - nod

Me (insistent): But it can't be! Don't we have two more weekends?

(there may have been a teensy bit of whining, there)

Commuter stranger in the next seat looks up from her laptop: No - it's next week

Me: sigh - I haven't even thought about food yet...

So, yes - Thanksgiving is next week

- and I am thankful for that

The shopping and meal preparation will get done

- and the table set

I am looking forward to dinner and a few extra days with my family.

(and our annual tractor parade - it's a Vermont thing)

I am joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Thanks for dropping in!

Photo challenge #20 - Bokeh

bundle of joy

I'm thankful for this little bundle of joy

one week old, today

She has stolen my heart - and already, I can't imagine life without her

Our first grandchild - and according to Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie -

quite likely our only...

Yeah - that's okay

I couldn't be any more thankful!

I am joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Thanks for dropping in!

strolling heifers

Heifers in tutus? You bet!

and stroll, they did

through downtown Brattleboro, Vermont

some preferred flower necklaces

No heifer to stroll through town with?

- just don a heifer costume - and dress your pig in a tutu, instead!

 - yeah, this is Vermont - it's all good!

the sun and moon made an appearance

as well as local bands

and all of Vermont

(well, just about all of Vermont)

Yep - watching heifers stroll makes for some surprising fun.

This may rank up there with our annual tractor parade

- I'm already planning for next year...

I'm always thankful for the surprises that make me smile!

I'm joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Thanks for dropping in!

thankful thursday

Hey - it's a beautiful day, let's take the kayaks out!

Or - maybe not...

While the thermometer may read 80 degrees

- the pond reads FROZEN

 - as in solid...

 - winter hangs tough in Vermont...

Yeah - well...

We did manage to enjoy the day with a hike on one of our favorite trails

- and a beautiful vista

which on this Easter afternoon felt like worshiping in the church of nature

For this day, I am very thankful

- So, I'm pretty sure the pond will thaw - eventually

- and we will be ready

Are you as excited as I am to get this summer-thing underway?

I'm joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

random moments

A few random moments from my neck of the woods
- and these simple, everyday moments
are the moments I am most thankful for

When your cat doesn’t want to be in a selfie, but he needs to be squeezed anyway

When your daughter discovers that she isn’t the only one taking photos

When you wake up in a cold house with no power and discover 
the coffee brewed before losing the electricity

When you’re riding a slow chairlift alone and it feels like a good time for a goofy selfie

When you realize your loved ones have come back home.

I'm joining:
Michelle for Thankful Thursday &
 Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday Five

Thanks for dropping in!