Winter Wonderland

I consider myself a relatively optimistic person with patience and hope and lots of smiles, yet I must confess to an abundant share of worrying and dwelling on negatives. I'd rather the dwelling be reserved for positive things, so in that effort, here's a list of things I actually like about winter...

- blue shadows on the snow
- the smell in the air
- sillouhetted branches lined with snow
- hot chocolate tastes better in winter
- throwing snowballs for Sailor
- cozy socks, hats, scarves & gloves
- watching snow fall
- everything's brighter on a sunny day
- less insects, no snakes and no mosquitoes!!
- and then there's the things I need to do again, but cherish memories of: building snowmen, sledding, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, catching snowflakes on your tongue, snowshoeing, ice-fishing, eating sugar on snow; and I'd love to take snow-mobile ride, too

The Very Thankful Thursday

This post is "be-lated" as we were very busy Thursday, with 3 sets of Grandparents to visit :)
And, Friday was a day of rest & relaxation, and left-over pie.

We started Thanksgiving with a delicious brunch at Laurie's. What a spread! Fruit & muffins, french toast casserole and pancakes, breads, smoked ham, shrimp and tortierre, potatoes, maple sugar donuts (I spotted them but stayed away!) and of course, turkey-shaped sugar cookies - you have to be quick to get a sugar cookie when Matt's around!

Then we were off to Rory's! Matt kept eating...shrimp, smoked salmon...but I took a break, though I was eyeballing the pies! Thank you, Dev, for the cute little skater shirt! We watched some footage of Aurora as a baby. We've seen Uncle Chris & Uncle Armond in Grady's face, and now we can add Aunt Aurora! Her 3 month photo and his are nearly identical. Too cute.

We sat down for Turkey around 5:30 at Mom's. Laci, Grandma & Uncle John joined us. Yummy favorites - candied yams, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry saue, rolls, and the bird! And then came dessert! We each could have had a whole pie, or cake! Turtle-pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, lemon-raspberry cake. You really out did yourself, Ma!

Looks like even Grady had his fill! Hehee.

We've had so much to be thankful for this year. Started off with Matt learning a new skill and starting a new business, and while he was away, me learning that we would be parents by the end of the year! I'm thankful for a smooth pregnancy, lots of love and support, beautiful gifts for the baby and a quick delivery. Most of all, a healthy beautiful baby.

Thankful Thursday

• It's Thursday - my 3-day weekend is only hours away!
• Mom! Thank you for staying last night, and for coming back tonight to watch Grady while I go get him proper furniture to sleep.
• Our office water cooler - no excuse to get dehydrated (or fall behind on the gossip)
• Electric pumps...ah the relief! TMI?
• 4 wheel drive - how did I ever go so long without it?
• Cousin Al is coming on Sunday!!!

Giving Thanks...

• 60 degrees and sunny in November! Far better than last week. Like they say, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 min."
• Should I be thankful that Matt was sick so that he was able to come home for a night? OK, I'll rephrase it...I'm thankful I got to help nurse him to better health.
• New reasons to smile every day with Grady!
• I finally have a cell phone again, and it takes picures! Thank you, Mom!
• A fridge and freezer full of food.
• Friends and family who keep in touch with little messages here and there.
• My neighbor, Linda, who came to sit with me by candlelight when the power went out the other night.
• $2.73 per gallon