Tag Archives: Food

Gratitude Friday

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This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Amazing women. Judy for her big love, Julia for her broken heart, Jessica for her brilliant wisdom, Sherry for her kindness, Chloe’ for her generosity, Amy for her tireless charity, Tina for her grief, Andrea for her vibrant vision, Susannah for her trailblazing, Erica for her quiet, Rachel for her well-fed wisdom, Hannah for her gentle effort, Susan for her tenderhearted warriorship, Patti for her strong offerings, Stephanie for her noticing…I could go on and on.

2. My aunt’s fabric art. I received two more of her pieces recently, one from her and one from my mom. I absolutely cherish each one, feel as if I am the caretaker of a precious collection, am inspired by them to do my own creative work and feel love radiating from each one, every design, every color, every stitch.

3. Some time alone. Eric took the dogs to Lory State Park this morning, giving me about three hours of unscheduled, unplanned, and oh so spacious time alone. I need this, even more often than I’m able to get it. As a highly sensitive person, an introvert, the constant noise and presence of other beings is sometimes hard for me, to always have a radio on in the background, to sometimes have multiple noises happening at once especially if I am attempting to focus on something else, to have the constant need of another to consider, can be distracting, overwhelming, and irritating…and yet, when I’m alone, the quiet can sometimes be too much.

4. Fall Break. I only had to work one day after all, and even though I’d like a whole year off (forever?) from my current paid work, this time was such a good thing–sleeping in some days, not doing too much, extra time with Dexter, a focus and mindfulness that’s difficult when I am otherwise so busy.

5. Apple pie oatmeal. The recipe is simple, make a normal serving of oatmeal and add a few spoonfuls of apple pie. Yum!

Bonus Joy: another week with Dexter.

big d with his little d

Gratitude Friday

2 Replies

This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Fall. Sweet, cool, comforting, glorious, gorgeous fall. The time in Colorado when the temperatures cool, the leaves turn golden and purple and red, but the sky turns an even bluer blue. Oh how I missed you, wool socks and cashmere sweaters and long pants and down blankets and yes, even you sweet gloves and hat. And soup and hot cider! *sigh*

2. My Writing for the Web class, the community they are forming, the voices emerging, the kind and gentle conversations, the laughter, the bright ideas, the trust and steps towards courage, authenticity.

3. Relaxation of fear and worry, softening of tension, easing into uncertainty and staying with the strong emotions, the experience, surrendering to what is, as it is.

4. Dahlias. Whenever I am having a rough time, am tired or struggling, a jar full of flowers on my writing desk, or a few blooms on my meditation shrine always make me happy, always provide comfort.

5. Homemade breakfast burritos. I have been craving, cooking, and devouring these this week.

6. Dog dreams, and especially all the noises they make, the whimpers and half barks, and the way their feet twitch and “run.”

Bonus Joy: Dexter jumping into our bed today to say good morning, which is a sure sign he’s feeling better. And the cutest thing: because he’s been feeling yucky, when we go somewhere we’ve been leaving the door of his crate open, and the past few days when we’ve returned, there he is, asleep in his crate anyway. Also, when I got home from work yesterday, the weather was so nice and cool, that we hung out in the backyard playing with his favorite toy, Little D, a Cattle Dog stuffed toy that looks an awful lot like a Mini Dexter should. Dexter maybe, might, probably has a fatal cancer, but for now, the quality of his life is second only to how much I love and appreciate him.