Thankful Thursday | Life sure would be sweeter
Life sure would be sweeter if everybody wouldLook for the good in everything
And it made me think about the ripple effect that our own personal thankfulness can have on others.
Of course, looking for the good is primarily helpful for our own hearts. But by extension, our thankful hearts can bless other people.
Generally, people with thankful hearts make more pleasant company than people who do nothing but complain, and also, people with thankful hearts usually end up expressing appreciation directly to the people around them.
In addition, your thankfulness can inspire thankfulness in other people. I know that so many of you have commented that you feel encouraged by reading about things that other people are thankful for.
Sometimes, we don't even notice something lovely until we see someone else appreciating it!
Like, some of you have told me that because I post pictures in appreciation of beautiful sights in nature, you too are more likely to notice and be thankful for the beauty around you.
Anyway! Thankfulness is good for us and it can also affect others in a good way.
(Please note: I am not suggesting you weaponize thankfulness in order to change other people. Totally not the point. Focus on your own thankfulness, and the ripples will naturally flow out to other people. 😉 )
This week, I am thankful:
for blue skies
Once the clouds and rain disappeared last Thursday, we had some beautiful blue skies and I was so happy I almost cried tears of joy.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I really do not think I am a person who is supposed to live in the Pacific Northwest.
I just don't know if I could handle as many days of clouds as they have out there. I might turn into sort of a sad Kristen. 😉
for the green
Ohhhh, my heart is happy when I take walks these days. It's just green, green, green everywhere.
for foggy skies
So, blue skies are the most elite, in my opinion.
But on occasion, I adore a foggy morning.
And I got one this past week! I was very excited to go out for a walk and see what my usual trails look when they were shrouded in fog.
I was...not disappointed.
Fog makes everything look so super interesting, in a mysterious sort of way.
for upcoming blackberries
Last summer I picked lots of blackberries on the trails by my neighborhood, but I didn't get to see them in their flowering stage.
This year, though, I'm noticing all the blooms, and I will be patiently watching as the berries form and ripen.
for our cat
This week, I went to take a shower and discovered her in the tub, which made me laugh.
I thought, "Hmm, this is sort of unusual behavior."
And then I realized her water bowls were empty! She was probably looking for some drops of shower water because she was thirsty.
for the way cats like to sit in particular places
I like how she loves to sit underneath chairs or benches; I think she believes she's invisible when she does that.
for the animals I see as I walk
I spied a little box turtle one day this week.
And I see deer pretty regularly too.
that my taxes are finally done
Oof, my CPA and I ran into so many hiccups along the way, but thank goodness, my blog's tax returns are all done. Woohoo!
I learned so so much this first year of having my blog registered as an S-corp, and so I think next year, tax-time will be less...hiccupy. 😉
for my Hungry Harvest produce
I mainly get a Hungry Harvest box every other week because....it encourages me to eat more produce.
I appreciate that! It really helps me with the "eat more of the good stuff" way I try to approach my food.
(I don't mean to vilify any foods. By "good stuff" I just mean that I am looking for things to eat that have a lot of nutrients. And that definitely includes produce!)
By the way, the salad spinner in the picture is this one from Good Grips and I really like it. 10/10!
I am thankful for this post today. It is full of inspiring thoughts.
I am thankful for spring weather, yet again. The light, the warmth, the beauty.
I am thankful for a loving family.
I am thankful for a comfortable bed in a climate controlled house, access to plenty of food, modern transportation, and modern medicine. I seem to read and listen to a lot of books set in the past and what always comes through is how much easier our lives are now than before.
I am thankful for today's post and the reminder that sharing thankfulness helps others be thankful. Kindness - pass it on!
I am thankful for the green also. I love the rebirth of spring. But my allergies don't!
Thankful for the family that visited this week. And thankful that they made decisions that will best suit them.
Thankful that my car is fixed and all under warranty! No OOP expense. I have approx 2,500 miles left on the warranty, so I had the shop check everything over. Wish they found more to fix, but they said the car looks great. Here's to a great traveling summer!
Thankful for my new position at work. I transferred teams, but am still under the same manager. I would not have made the switch if I had to leave my manager. She's a great manager and one of the best I've had in 31 years with my company. Three more to go before retirement!
Good morning! I enjoyed seeing the ice cream scoop in the sink behind the leafy greens. It emphasizes a balanced approach to life 😉 girl after my own heart right there! I eat a salad nearly every day and prioritize healthy eating, but don't vilify ice cream either, lol.
Also, I'm thankful that this week is going better than last week on a number of fronts.
Have a wonderful week/end!
Now, now, are you sure you don't want to weaponize thankfulness? Maybe that would be a quirky movie? 🙂
This week I am thankful:
*for nice weather. It was so nice to have some not rainy days.
*for the cute little peeps that hatched and for how their momma takes care of them.
*that college boy's work is done and that we'll be seeing him soon.
*for my 3rd son who does such an amazing job of taking care of things around here. Yesterday we had an ailing chicken, and he stepped right in to help me take care of her. Other kids, did, too, but he really takes the lead on so many responsibilities without being asked.
*that my son saw the tick on his leg. I removed it, and now we know to be alert for symptoms.
*that my daughter scored 2 goals in her game this week. I know it made her feel good.
*for the cute little kids parked in the minivan next to our van at the soccer game. I had to stay in the van because it was a little too chilly out for my face. I told the 4yo girl in the minivan next to us that I might be making funny faces during the warm-up time because I had to do therapy exercises. She watched and giggled as I put a couple of ping pong balls in my mouth and smiled at her! Her baby brother was super-cute, too. (I totally talk to strangers.)
*for my oldest daughter who is growing up, despite her wishes. She is starting to help all the time without being asked. She and I cracked up (to the point that I had to run to the bathroom) yesterday when she was trying on clothes. She needed some shorts and pants, and was so confused how 3 pairs of pants the same size could fit so drastically differently. One fit. The other two were two varying degree of tents. (Think: Kristen's ThredUp posts.)
*for so many, many other things. But it's time for me to make breakfast, and I am thankful for breakfast, too!
@Jody S., How could I forget?! I am so thankful for a tea party last Sunday. My church friend (who is dealing with cancer treatments) has a granddaughter who decided she wanted to do something nice for her grandmother. So she asked if she could throw a ladies' tea party at our church. She didn't want any help with the set-up or clean-up either. And, let me tell you, this was the kind of tea party write home about. All the ladies at church were ooh-ing and ah-ing and taking pictures as we entered the room. We enjoyed spending time with each other so much. It was such a grand gift to all of us.
@Jody S., what a marvelous idea! Your friend has a wonderful granddaughter.
@A. Marie, Yes, and I think my friend had something to do with that. (She's that kind of person....that kind of grandma.)
Thankful for-
Although it seems like we are working backwards we have made a lot of progress at dad’s house. So.much.stuff.
That I get to see my brothers there, they are fun and funny. They are just as stressed about cleaning the house out as I am. We have over 200 hours in, maybe 40% done?
We found the children’s table that goes with the kids chairs I have. The grands use the chairs so now they can use the table! It is 60 years old.
A break in the weather, May showers bring June flowers. There is a sun!
Thankful that some of my energy has returned.
Kristen, I so enjoy the way you enjoy the “little things” of nature! I’ve been accused of lagging behind on many walks when I have stopped for a closer look at a leaf or flower or some little creature. I’m thankful for those little treasures.
I am extremely thankful for good results from two medical tests this week.
I’m thankful for some delightful new neighbors.
I’m thankful to be surrounded by loving friends and family, both close and far. I realize that many people don’t have that support.
And I’m very thankful that I am almost finished with a project I’ve been working on off and on for a couple of years. I’ve really doubled down on it this week and there’s light at the end of the tunnel!
I was thinking as I was reading about your blue-sky joy that you should move to New Mexico, where we have the craziest, bluest skies more often than not. But then I got to the part about loving the green, and that, we do not have. Can't have that green without those cloudy skies. Everything is a trade-off. 🙂
And now that it is ACTUALLY Thursday, not just in my head . . .
--Still thankful for my capable, more-independent children.
--Relatedly, the oldest son went to get the chicken food out of the back of the van yesterday, and the horrible wind caught the back door, knocking him down and wrenching the bottom hinge of the door out of its socket. I'm thankful that he wasn't hurt--he was doing this for the middle son, who wasn't feeling well, is much smaller, and probably would have gotten hurt--and my husband was able to lift the hinge back into place when he got home.
--Thankful to have someone in the house who is stronger than I am. It may not have required whiskers to lift that incredibly heavy van door, but it required someone stronger than I am.
--Thankful same son discovered a new nest of eggs in the chicken coop, so he came in with 13 eggs. I had thought another snake was in the coop because there were only a couple of eggs in the usual nest yesterday. No snake, just tricky chickies.
--Thankful track and field day at school went well yesterday. Everyone had fun, no one got hurt, and I managed to zombie-work my way through the rest of my school day after running around like a maniac all over the place in the sun for almost three hours. Oof.
--Thankful for the actual rainy forecast for this weekend. Not just a small chance for like an hour one day, but actual days of rain. We need it so badly. It will never be as green here as it is there, but less dead-brown would be greatly appreciated by our ranching community.
@kristin @ going country, My grandmother, in Florida, once pointed out how blue the sky was. "You'll never see a sky that color in New York!" she proclaimed. "Yes, you do!" I said, always willing to contradict adults. (Such an attractive child.) "Now you listen to me, I lived in New York for 63 years and...." Of course Nana was correct. Being closeer to the equator makes the skies bluer. Sorry, Nana.
Yesterday, my contractor was able to remove the defunct and decaying chimney that was semi-attached to the side of my house. I'd noticed the mortar was beginning to deteriorate and it was...bulging? Leaning? Anyway, it came down without issue and I had enough remaining old siding pieces that my contractor was able to use to patch, he was able to finish in one day with less purchased supplies, so I also got a discount! Thankfulness on all fronts!
Last weekend, I repainted and repaired the roof of my Little Free Library. I'd not gotten around to doing it last summer and it was in sore need of attention. A community member donated rubber roofing and my neighbor (a retired machinist) made a new door for the front. It looks fantastic and when I posted about the refreshed look on my local FB group, I've gotten amazing feedback about how everyone values and uses the LFL. A 100% thankful win all around.
My daughter and granddaughter are coming this weekend and we're going shopping for plants for the gardens. Always a good time spent with them, plus we'll go to a local nursery that has an amazing array of plants. Very thankful for the opportunity to spend time with fun and lovely people, and with plants! 🙂
A friend just shared this quote last night, “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.” She said she heard it in an interview with Michael J Fox.
So I’m thankful for having friends who share quotes like that. I’m thankful for my church, which is where I found friends like that.
I’m thankful for sleeping with the windows open and waking up to a chorus of birds. I think they start at about 5am, first just one, then another, then another. By the time I get up at 6, it’s a full orchestra. It always makes me think of the verse, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
@Tarynkay,
I am also thankful for the birds and their chorus of welcome to the dawn. It's majestic. The symphony of praise.
@Tarynkay, thank you for sharing that great quote from Michael J. Fox. He's a gem - so smart, kind, honest, generous, funny, inspirational and resilient.
I am thankful for spring weather too. It's finally warming up here a little.
I am thankful for my feral cats. I can't touch them, but they always greet me joyfully when I go feed them.
I am so thankful for a wonderful evening last night with friends and my son at trivia night. Usually I rock trivia, but this was about local history and uh, I don't remember the longest serving mayor in a village I don't live in. But my friends and I and my son basically didn't stop laughing the whole evening and we came in the top four out of 12 anyway. (Though I still say "In Cold Blood," while a wonderful book, is not a novel. So there.)
I'm thankful it will be Mother's Day and I can see my sibs together, and Mom, although I'm annoyed with Mom for not getting cheap county handicapped transport together, so I have to pay privately ($$$$) to get her to the restaurant, but she's ill and getting cancer treatment so I need to stifle myself. I'm also annoyed that arranging these things is always my deal. But I'm trying to look for the good, even though I wouldn't know a Jason Mraz song if I tripped over it.
@Rose, I looked up "In Cold Blood", and GoodReads says that Truman Capote described it as a "non-fiction novel". Say what?? Since "non-fiction" is the adjective he is using to describe it while calling it a "novel", maybe it is a novel. How annoyingly confusing.
@Central Calif. Artist, You should read it. Capote was truly amazing. Anything he wrote is worth reading.
@Rose, bless you, bless you, bless you for feeding feral cats.
@Rose, I'm so glad your spending the time and $$ on your mother. I wish I could do the same with my mother. I look back to the last summer she was alive and remember taking her to DQ drive-thru for an ice cream cone after a doctor's appointment. She loved little treats like that.
@Central Calif. Artist, and @Rose, In Cold Blood author Truman Capote used fiction-writing techniques (aka novel-writing techniques) to tell the true story of a horrible crime. He was the first to do this, IIRC. If you consider a novel, by definition, to be works of fiction only, then it is not a novel. If you believe true crime, biographical and other nonfiction works can be novels, then it is. Fun fact: Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, assisted Capote on researching this work. In real life, Capote was a childhood friend of Lee and the TKAM character of Dill Harris, the little boy who visited next door every summer, was based on him. (Can you tell I'm an English teacher?)
@Fru-gal Lisa, that's all absolutely true about Capote and Lee. However, Capote never gave Lee full credit for all the legwork she did on ICB, and he was jealous of her success with TKAM. He wasn't a nice person. But, then, authors often aren't.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Yes, we can! ha.
Both my kids read "In Cold Blood" in high school English. I thought, "Thank goodness, they're reading something better than 'Our Town,' finally."
Lots of people think that Capote wrote TKAM but that's just good old fashioned sexism at play.
This, though, is a good example of why I don't bother to be frugal most of the time. Why should I go through my life stressing about whether I can save 50 cents on Pantene via CVS Extra Bucks, when my mother can just announce she didn't call the county transport (she has to do it, not me) because she didn't know the time? Which I only told her maybe four times via text. Now I have to eat another $400 charge. What's the point?
I felt the same way this week. I got a $6000 tax bill, and I was like, "Well, I SURE AM GLAD I bought those marked-down eggs." lol
I tried to remind myself that it is still true that I am slightly better off for having gotten cheap eggs. 😉
@Rose, I don't know if will help but my mom told me I'm out like my dad
That's why she said she always thought of me 1st
@Colleen, most like my dad
I'm thankful for you, Kristen, and for your parents. You are the product of the environment they created for your upbringing, and it seems very wholesome and healthy.
I have been trying very hard to look for the good in everything lately. At the end of the day, for me, it's about just cultivating the habit of making the healthiest possible choice in everything I encounter. Sometimes that means food. Sometimes than means relationships. Sometimes it means smiling when I feel like screaming instead. Cultivate goodness in your environment, and your environment will respond accordingly.
@Steph, so wise!
@Steph,
Smiling when you feel like screaming instead: what a simple way to help yourself in the moment. Not easy, maybe, but doable with practice.
I’m borrowing that super tip from you, Steph, thanks!
@Steph,
Smiling when you feel like screaming seems like a good idea, but wouldn’t ALWAYS
responding that way turn one into a phony? Sometimes just a calm, level-headed response would be better. Obviously I retain my mother’s attitude for those who are so nicely-nice to your face and gossip about you behind your back.
@Shirley,
Smiling when you feel like screaming creates room for a calm, level headed response. Especially when dealing with an adolescent child, for example.
I was gonna say that sometimes, you gotta have mercy on those around you and hold in the screaming until a more appropriate time. 😉 It's just delayed screaming sometimes! Ha.
Let's see...I am thankful that the kitchen ants are at stop, at least for the moment. I tolerate all sorts of bugs, but ants in my iced tea is a "NO."
In the same vein, I am thankful for what I have learned about pollinator stewardship in the last five weeks. I have been making changes in my yard for pollinators for years, but being equipped with some basic knowledge helps in speaking up on their behalf and explains why I don't mow as early or as often and why I have an unconventional looking yard.
I am thankful for the rain we had this week and the pleasant temperatures.
I am thankful for the steak lunch our nursing staff had on Monday and the gift card we received for nurse's week. Several families also expressed their thankfulness for us with some yummy treats. It is nice to be appreciated.
I have that same salad spinner, it's terrific!
This week I am thankful for:
1. The sunshine and warmer weather. The cold was making my already stiff muscles feel tighter despite my physical therapy stretching.
2. I have some time off work coming up. The break will be nice and the weather will be good for the most part.
3. My husband had a meeting near a candy shop that carries unusual and hard to get items like the Ritter Sport milk chocolate bar with cornflakes. Sounds odd, but it is sooooo yummy! If you like chocolate with crispies in it, you'll love this one.
4. Co-workers who are friendly and pleasant. It makes the workday better and less of a drag on those tough days.
5. I've said it before, but it always rings true...Kristen sharing pictures of her kitty, they always make me smile. The bathtub thing made me chuckle, we had a cat who liked to sleep in the washing machine if you accidentally left the lid up. We had to hang a sign nearby to remind us to check the machine before we loaded it.
@AnnieH, I'm another fan of the OXO Good Grips salad spinner. In the salad-rich summertime, I usually have two of them going. (My parents-in-law gave me my first one many years ago, but I've picked up two or three at thrift shops since then.)
First, I'm still chuckling over "weaponize thankfulness." OK, I promise not to bludgeon anybody with mine.
Second, like Kristen, I remain thankful for the beauties of spring. In Central NY, May is my favorite month. (October is more widely renowned here, but the problem with our October is that it's followed by our November through March.)
Third, I'm thankful for the friend of Ms. Bestest Neighbor who has let me list four books on her eBay account. I still don't want to open an eBay account of my own, for various reasons--but the second of my four books has finally sold, and I appreciate the learning experience.
Finally, I'm thankful that I have an Amazon box exactly the right size for the book, which has a plastic spiral binding and will travel much more safely in a box than a shipping envelope. So what if the box is Pept0-Bismol pink and advertises "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"?
I am thankful for...
My job. While working with 4 and 5 year olds has its challenges, those kids bring me so much joy. I just love them.
My treadmill. I hate running, especially in the heat. Having my treadmill under the ac vent and being able to zone out with Netflix makes it so much easier to get it done.
Iced coffee. I drink it year round, but when it starts to get warm, then I realllllly love it.
My husband. Our roles have completely switched with me now working full time and him being the homemaker. He struggled with it at the beginning, but he's really stepped up and figured it out.
Yesterday, a patient I was working with unexpectedly went unresponsive. I'm thankful for my coworker who used good teamwork--together we did what we needed to do and were able to hit the "staff assist" button (in my experience, patients are never conveniently near the button when these episodes occur and gymnastics have to occur to keep the patient safe while getting help in a room). I'm also thankful for the quick and well-trained responsiveness of the team. Especially thankful that said patient regained consciousness.
We are having a string of amazing weather--grateful for that and for the opportunity to enjoy outdoor time
Thankful for the time we have had with our son before he leaves for his summer internship. He will be located about an hour from my in-laws--I'm grateful that they are jumping in feet-first to provide help and support. I'm also thankful for the opportunity that they will have this summer to mutually bless each other.
And .... thankful that I'm finally starting to see positive results with my weight loss efforts. What you've heard about it being harder to lose weight as you get older? It's true. Sigh.
@Kris, Years ago I flat-lined and even once I was back among the living, it took several hours to stabilize me. I don't remember a lot but I do remember the nurse who was with me the entire time, trying to keep me engaged, holding my hand, reassuring me, keeping other people coming in and out advised about what was going on. I still think about her nearly a decade later, hoping she is well and mentally thanking her for spending four hours of her life keeping me alive. So, thank you for the work you do.
Aww. THIS is why I wanna be a nurse. You can make a big difference for people, even if you only see them for a short time.
@Lindsey, how scary for you, and how amazing is it that you had such a wonderful nurse?! My patient remembered me when he regained consciousness and he apologized (talk about yanking my heartstrings!) for having had a medical event. I'm hoping to connect with him when I am back at work tomorrow. Most medical professionals love caring for their patients and when something goes amiss, our hearts sink. Thank you for your encouragement.
I’m thankful that, at dinner with friends last night (more in tomorrow’s installment of WIS/WIA), we decided that next month we’ll gather at the St. James Tearoom for its June menu titled “Whimsical Wonderland Afternoon Tea” served with Duchess of Bedford traditional black tea and featuring Nonsensical Skewered Meatballs, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumpling, Mr. Dodo’s Fig & Parmesan Salad, Cheshire Cat’s Croissant Ham Sandwich, “No Jam Today” Lemon Curd & Clotted Cream, and the Mad Hatter’s Chocolate Top Hat. Go to stjamestearoom.com or to you tube for menus, tours and more. It’s a lovely place. Very expensive. But lovely. We need lovely every once in a while. Well, really, all the time. But let’s be realistic. No, let’s not be realistic…. Let’s celebrate every. single. lovely. day.
And I’m thankful that, because New Mexico is such a huge state (size-wise, #5 behind Alaska, Texas, California and Montana), and because I am living well to the south of kristin @ goingcountry and along the Rio Grande, everything here is exceptionally green right now. The cottonwoods have leafed out (and are shedding their cotton all over everything but that’s a small nuisance in exchange for the summer green and the spectacular fall color). The irrigation water is flowing through our acequias so my morning walk along the canal passes by small farms with green fields, horses, goats (baby goats!), and chickens. My honey locust trees are green and full (and will shade the house during our summer heat), my roses and native shrubs are blooming, and my multi-year wildflower project is finally starting to take root (hah!).
And I’m thankful that a friend is picking up a Golden Retriever puppy tonight, and because her adult dog is 10 years old, my hyperactive canine may be able to go over to her house to play with the puppy. We’ll exhaust her puppy and my dog, and run interference for the older dog. Win-win-win!
@JDinNM, I just love your first paragraph.
@JDinNM, I too love the tea idea. And "Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumpling" reminds me of the name of a new Asian restaurant on the commercial strip near me: "Mr. Noodle and Ms. Dumpling." I can't drive past it without snickering.
@JDinNM, Wish I could be at that tea room. Its menu sounds "scrumptious," as my grandmother used to say!
@Fru-gal Lisa, And it changes all the time! All the better to lure you back over and over again.
Blackberry blooms are so pretty, but I think nothing (edible) beats okra blooms.
Today I'm thankful for the following:
1. I told you last fall that my daughter's fiancé broke off with her, but his daughter still resolutely refers to us as her family. Yesterday I got a graduation announcement in the mail from her with my correct address, but instead of my name on the envelope, it was addressed to "Nana." I'm so thankful to still be counted as a grandmother to her.
2. My B-I-L who has Parkinson's was accepted into a new study trial for non-drug therapies designed to reduce the effects of the disease. He's already in another study trial for the effect of targeted neuro-exercises on dementia.
3. Speaking of medical, I'm so thankful that both of our children are now considered to be past the oldest age at which one can still develop Type 1 diabetes. DH's sister was 13-14 when she developed it, but DH was 32 when he was diagnosed. Now, if we can get all the grandkids past the danger zone. Type 2 is still a possibility, of course, but Type 1 is our main concern for now.
4. Unlike Kristen, I've been looking for gray skies! We need rain, and yesterday our high was a humid, sunny 96 degrees. I like the sun, but right now, the gray clouds and possible rains today are making me happy.
5. With Mother's Day almost here, I'm thinking of mothers and grandmothers a lot. I didn't get to have a relationship with my M-I-L, since she developed Alzheimer's very soon after I married DH and my dad's mother died before I was born, but I can cherish the memories of my mother and grandmother that I knew and loved, and be grateful that our relationships were good ones.
@JD, Yes to okra blooms! I've only grown it once, and I didn't after that because we don't eat it often enough to give it garden space. But I am considering planting it somewhere just for the flowers.
@JD, okra doesn't do well enough here in Central NY for me to continue growing it--and, besides, the deer love it (as well as almost all other vegetables). But I agree that the flowers are lovely. Okra is a member of the hibiscus family, as you probably know, so the blossoms do look like hibiscus flowers.
@JD, What a gift you are giving the child who almost formally became a granddaughter, by keeping her part of your family no matter that the adults in her life did not stay together. Such generosity on your part...
@Lindsey,
Thanks; she's easy to love!
@A. Marie and Jody S.,
I never pictured okra growing at all in NY, it's such a hot weather vegetable! Yes, I was fascinated when I found out okra was in the hibiscus family. We've grown some red varieties that are even prettier when they bloom than the usual green okra, if that's possible. "Red Burgundy" has red pods, gorgeous flowers and red in the leaves as well, should you decide to plant some for the flowers, Jody S. I just wish red pods stayed red when they are cooked.
I wasn't an okra fan (too slimy when boiled) until I found out how good it is roasted or fried in shallow fat until it's on the edge of completely crispy throughout. Now I grow it every year.
@JD, I understand that if you put a splash of vinegar in the water when you boil okra, it won't be so slimy. I love okra as a side dish, or as the main ingredient in okra gumbo, as well as fried okra.
@JD, if and when I manage to stumble through the Pearly Gates, my first food request is going to be unlimited fried okra.
@JD, Thank you for the recommendations.
I am thankful for my Mom. She has the best attitude and is always happy.
I am loving the dogwood trees in bloom right now! Gorgeous.
I am in love with my fsa 135 bushwacker. It is easy to use and loves to gobble up berry vines and grasses.
All the birds making homes in the nesting boxes around the farm.
For my awesome vet who is still working, albeit only 2 days per week. Love his staff.
For sweet friends who drop by, brightening our days and forcing us to take a break.
For clear nights to play with my telescope.
For my 6 cats. They are vole, mole and field mice getting machines. All they ask for is a
bit of goat milk.
For my sweet and very sick pup who is battling a horrendous case of giardia. She is still trying to wrangle the cats even though she doesn't feel well.
Mostly I'm thankful that my attitude is shifting a little. It's starting to be the case that my first thought, after mornings like this one during a week like this one, is "I'm thankful that this is not the norm."
I'm also thankful that my widowed friend and I have reestablished our friendship. She'd been so overwhelmed by her life, even before her husband died early and unexpectedly in March, that just catching friends up with her life was too much. Visiting her got us over that hump.
Kristen, those blackberry blossoms are gorgeous.
Today I am thankful for the awesome physical therapy I've been having that's making me feel so much better. It can't cure my arthritis, but it's making my body stronger. And always, for my sweet family and our tribe of rescued cats and dogs, who bring us such joy.
@Ruby, I'm so glad that your PT is helping your arthritis. Mine's not as bad, but I am reaching the point where all those old-people jokes about being in bed with Arthur Itis and Ben Gay aren't funny any more.
Last weekend we were invited to a fundraiser that supports NICU families. I have several friends who have had to spend time in the NICU (thankfully all with happy endings) but this was a new charity to me. I felt thankful that my husband and I were able to make donations to further their mission. We had a great night out and even came home with a few silent auction wins.
My husband has been helping run a law clinic through a local university this school year. This week the professors and students had a dinner to celebrate another successful school year. I was so proud of my husband and his choice to spend time helping students become lawyers and helping people in our community with this pro bono work.
My daily walks have been filled with lots of green (finally), peeks of wildflowers, ducks in ponds, and the occasional turtle sighting. We have beautiful walking trails close to our house.
Thankful for my grandparents, update after cleaning their house on Saturday, my grandma went into the ER because my grandpa convinced her she didn't need to take her BP/blood thinner pills, so she has a blood clot in her heart and fluid on her lungs. She is in the hospital and doing better getting the care she needs, but won't get out for at least a few more days. Their kids are looking into getting home health or something as their main goal is staying in their house as long as they possibly can, grandpa and grandma are 88 years old and have been married 69 years, so looking at it as every day is a blessing at this point. I still plan to go and help them clean/sort through things as much as I am able once things settle down a little bit more.
@Jen, The pills issue sounds like something that might happen in my family... Glad to hear that your grandmother is doing better! And it's awesome how you and your extended family are able to rally around them to meet their needs and wishes.
I also have that same salad spinner & vouch for its usefulness!
This week I am thankful for-
Warmer, sunny days. Our area has finally moved from up & down temps to the more normal May temps in the 70’s.
Again sunny, warm days to accomplish some outside tasks like getting the porch & deck ready for summer use.
Our yard service. They are locally owned & do the hard labor that my DH & I can no longer do.
Being able to sit outside & drink my morning coffee.
The purchase of a stirrup hoe for weeding in my mini garden. I tried it out yesterday briefly & it works great. A big lower back saver for sure!
@LDA, Stirrup hoes are magical! Save time AND backs!
@LDA, what JDinNM said about stirrup hoes. The Bestest Neighbors gave me one for my birthday last year, and the savings in both time and back strain have been considerable.
@LDA, Had never heard of stirrup hoe but now know that I need one! Thanks for the info!
@LDA, is this perhaps the same hoe that I refer to as a "hula hoe"?
This weeks' thankfuls are
For taking a disappointment gracefully
For the speed with which our perennials are now growing
For appreciation and recognition in my present project
For the prospect of a short holiday, pretty soon
For a massage that definitely increased my length by an inch
I am thankful that my family is healthy.
I am thankful that my husband loved the new Thai curry soup recipe I found. There will be more Thai in our future.
I am thankful that soon we will have enough daylight to hike after work.
I am thankful for another week of cool weather. "Cold" nights are the best for sleeping.
I am thankful for the irrigation seminar we attended on Saturday. We learned so much.
Prethankfulisms:
1. How does one pronounce "Mraz"?
2. Does a salad spinner have other functions? I am strongly against monofunctional kitchen items—main exception is the popcorn popper that I received as a gift in 1981.
Thanksfuls:
1. My yard!
2. Only one hot spell so far this spring (but bracing myself for the weekend forecast)
3. The bird caught by one of the cats this morning got away (Haha, Pippin!)
4. One of the cats has survived 2 campouts this week, returning in the morning after missing curfew.
5. Always thankful for electricity, running water, HOT water.
@Central Calif. Artist, According to that Know-It-All Google, it's pronounced "muh-raz" with the accent on the last syllable. You're welcome!
@Central Calif. Artist, I like my salad spinner but rarely use it. Why? Because I have to get it out of a corner cupboard. Because we have such large salads that I'd have to load it up and spin it many times. Because it's just easier to spread a flour sack towel on the counter and dump all the greens on it, gather up the four corners, walk out the front door, and give it a spin with my own arms. Then the towel goes in the laundry.
The salad spinner is one of the only unitaskers in my kitchen! That, and a garlic press and a manual can opener. Those really only do one thing as well, but at least they are small.
@Central Calif. Artist, In the pre-microwave days when I was in college, we used our electric popcorn poppers to heat up soup. You had to have one that had a bowl-like bottom, though, so it'd hold the liquid. I guess the ones with flat bottoms could be used as griddles, although I don't think anyone tried it. But I heated up untold numbers of canned soups in my popcorn popper.
@Fru-gal Lisa, the hot-air popper is truly a unitasker. I had the oil kind in college, but found my electric hotpot to be the most functional dorm room food preparer item.
@Kristen, thank you for the term "unitasker"; I could only think of "monofunctional". Mostly I call it One Function Stuff.
@JDinNM, I could have asked Uncle Google but A. I use Duckduckgo and B. I prefer the fun conversations here in Frugalville. Now I have to decide whether or not to ask the Duck to play some muh-RAZ for me.
@JodyS, I don't blame you for skipping the spinner; your method sounds a lot more entertaining!
I used to have a 100lb dog that would get into the tub when the water dish was empty. I hear the thwump of him jumping into to the tub followed by the clinking of his nails on the cast iron and know I’d taken too long to check on the water bowl status.
@JenRR,
I was given a beagle when I was twelve, and he developed the habit of drinking running water from the tub, even when he had a bowl of fresh water on the floor. He developed a system and trained his humans very well. His system was - he booped one of us on a leg with his nose, trotted to the bathroom and hopped in the tub, his human would turn the water on and leave and - this is all true - when he was done, he would trot back to the human who'd turned on the water and boop that person on the leg with his nose again, so we would turn off the water.
I had a frugal beagle. He didn't want us to waste water.
@JD, That’s hilarious. Your dog had it all figured out.
@JD, I love the beagle story. One of our late cats had a thing for drinking water out of our sink taps--but he wasn't as thoughtful as your beagle about letting us know when he was finished.
@JD, My dogs are mostly beagles. I love them so much.
@JD, Beagles are so smart! The one I grew up with was poorly trained (we got when the kids were all under 10 and my mom was suffering her first two cancers; not a lot of time to time the pooch) but 100% loving. She would jerk my arm off when I walked her on the leash but somehow figured out that my grandpa was blind and a little frail. For him, she behaved as if she knew "heel" perfectly.
1. So thankful that after three weeks apart my husband will be home on Saturday. I'm doing ok, but he's getting a little mopey about it, which is out of character for him. Happy he'll be back to himself soon.
2. My son will be home from college this evening and although I got to see him at a concert a couple weeks ago I still can't wait for one of his hugs.
3-5 all concern my son's computer, which decided to stop staying connected to the internet last week, the week before finals. Happy that he was able to finish his last paper on a library computer. Happy the computer is still under warranty, which should save us some money. Happy that one of the few places where he could drop it off under the terms of the warranty was only about an hour from his campus(2 hours from our house) because he was very anxious about the idea of sending it off in the mail. He really doesn't like driving, but did it anyway. The funny part was that I was typing a text telling him I was proud of him for doing it by himself and that he should get himself a treat when a text from him came through saying he was now going to reward himself with an Italian ice. Yep, he's my kid. 🙂
Happy Thankful Thursday to everyone
1. Thankful for my career and paid sick days as I nurse myself back to health over the past two days.
2. Plentiful food, a (mostly) clean house, and a healthy family
3. My ability to help my friend in need
4. My smart, well-behaved (mostly), and adventurous kids
5. InsightTimer for giving me free guided meditations, every day.
I have an OXO good grips salad spinner too that I put on our wedding registry 20 years ago. It's still a super star. My only complaint is that I have the big one and it's honestly too big. But it works so I keep it around.
I'm thankful for a pain-in-the-neck, exasperating friend. I was feeling low the other day and kind of feeling sorry for myself and then it spiraled into blaming my short comings. But then I thought of this friend and she's maybe the only person in my life who has bragged about me. She loves me. And as an extension, she loves my kids. She had a very limited supply of these specific mangos from India that are DELICIOUS. She cut one for us when we were at her house and then didn't let us leave until she had given my daughter a second one to take home. This friend frustrates me to no end with poor judgment and craziness BUT everyone needs a cheerleader like her to walk through life with. She keeps it interesting in so many ways.
Also thankful for (mostly) reliable internet and my husband who does all the things he does to keep it that way. I work from home so it matters.
So thankful that the days continue to get longer. Having the sun up while getting the kids ready for school and still up after dinner so I can go for a walk feels so energizing.
Thankful for delicious fruit. What a simple thing in life that brings so much joy!
Haha, your second thankfulness item made me chuckle. I'm glad that you can see the upsides to this friend, even though there are some frustrating downsides too.
[shifting nervously in my chair]
@Rose, you crack me up. I appreciate your comments (along with others) because I often learn something new!
@Rose, you bring so much liveliness and humor to Frugalville!
This week I'm thankful:
* that God allowed me to run into a friend today! A very sweet lady from one of my exercise classes found out last week that she had a tumor in her brain and they did surgery the next morning and today I ran into her in the parking lot of the grocery store. If I had parked somewhere else or my 4yo had been more cooperative about getting buckled in her car seat or if Aldi hadn't been out of what I needed, I wouldn't have ended up 4 parking spots away from her at Meijer at a time when she was in her car. I'm so thankful that God allowed us to see each other. I snapped a picture of the two of us smiling and was able to share it with a couple of others in our class that are praying for her.
* for good weather. I should be able to get my tomato and pepper plants in the ground tomorrow and I'm excited!
* for the chance to keep growing and learning.
@Ruth T, loved your first thankful item. I'm sure it was a gift to her to have a surprise meet-up with you. Isn't it fun when you get a glimpse of how seemingly random events are being engineered from on high?
@Kris,
Godwinks...what my best friend/ pastor calls them.
@Ruth T, Wow! If she had a tumor removed and is already grocery shopping, that is incredible! Hope she has a full recovery.
@Kris, Absolutely!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I know! It's only been 8 days! She looked so good and if it wasn't for the bandage on the back of her head, you would never know by looking at her. Thanks for your well wishes. She has been a joy to get to know and exercise alongside.
I’m thankful for green grass, foggy mornings, and the sun too! Spring finally has arrived.
I’m also thankful:
-to live near water. It makes me happy.
-for my friends who are helping me juggle all the balls while walking a tightrope. They are the best. And selfless. And compassionate. Get yourself some friends like mine.
-an organized house. One of my friends came and helped me organize all the spaces (organizing is her form of play) since I’m not playing musical rooms anymore. Again, get yourself friends like mine.
-medicine that reduces allergy pain.
-laughter with my kids over silly things.
I am thankful for my 50 cents yard sale shirt today. I've been trying to wear things that make me feel pretty, and so far this week, this has been it! I think it'd be better to wear the same few shirts each week and feel pretty than just wearing clothes because. People really don't notice you that much (at work for me anyway).
I am thankful to celebrate Mother's Day this year with my Mom and Dad, who are still healthy. I am trying to soak up their health and happiness for as long as I can.
I am thankful that my cat's foot healed almost overnight, no vet visit needed. We came home to a limping cat with a very swollen foot and the vet had closed. By the time we woke up the next day, he was doing so much better. He's fully recovered now.
I am thankful for a loving God who listens to all of my prayers, even for my limping cat. My cares are His cares, and for this, I am ever thankful.
I am thankful for enjoying the aftereffects of a walk, possibly for the first time, ever. Usually I just feel....tired. Last night I felt more flexible? I felt encouraged! *I am not grossly out of shape or anything like that. Some people just don't get that high after exercise! I am one of those people!
@Sarah C., a guy I know used to look at his cat when it was injured, point at it, and say, "Get well or die!" He said it worked every time. (Made me laugh in spite of possibly having a slight Cat Disorder.)
Also, I have never gotten that "high" thing after exercise. Never. Such a ripoff. I feel tired, and if I work harder, I feel tired and sore. So, it is comforting (in a rude sort of way) to find someone else with the same experience.
As always, Kristen, I’m thankful you post so many beautiful photos. Not only do they inspire some of my artwork but also remind me to look more closely at nature or other objects. I’ve always had vision problems and maybe that’s why I prefer to paint impressionistically, but I can definitely see details when I enlarge your photos on the screen. As well, I can see color and for that, I am so thankful. I don’t take that for granted. My older brother is blue/ green color-blind and sees any shade of those colors as brown or gray.
I’m thankful for some of our friends who enjoy gathering for “theme” parties.We’ve done a few over the past couple years and they’re so much fun. For example, we’re planning on gathering in June to watch the movie, “The Hundred Foot Journey” and having a meal of both French and Indian cuisine. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know why the meal idea fits. 🙂
I’m thankful for good books, great music and wonderful friends.
And I’m so grateful for the good health my husband and I are experiencing right now. That’s something we don’t take for granted!
Funny enough, taking photos is part of what got my interested in looking closely at nature! When you take photos a lot, you start to pay more attention the world around you. I'm sure painting has the same effect for you.
@Martha, your possible reasons for painting impressionistically are really interesting to me. I am extremely nearsighted (corrected with contacts and now that I am old, cheaters for close-up), and it is for this reason that I prefer tight detail. I've fought to see my entire life, so impressionistic work just reminds of the world without my contact lenses on.
Still, I really would love to see your interpretation of Kristen's pear. I like learning!
I love that thought, that thankfulness may spread. So much sweeter, indeed.
This week I'm continuing to be thankful for PT and the progress that's been made. I keep having small setbacks and mysterious inflammation, but even still, I am stronger and healing. And I can take small morning walks again!!! My PT is experienced and has a plan for my recovery, for which I am extremely grateful. I ignored my health for a long time, for various reasons, and it's now time to take care of this vessel that God has given me.
I'm thankful for the medical staff that took care of my husband last night. He has a very bad ear infection, which he has confessed has made him quite miserable. Poor guy has been in so much pain, but I'm thankful that it's diagnosed and that he has treatments for it. And I'm thankful for the kind pharmacist who looked for and found a generic version of one treatment that ended up saving us over $150!
I'm thankful that my husband and I are experienced in maneuvering life with one vehicle (as we inch forward to that place again). I'm also thankful for a sweet friend that offers me rides and to do errands for me. (Which reminds me of my favorite TV character, Jessica Fletcher, who always had to get rides with her friends and colleagues, because she never learned to drive. Love her. Ha.)
I'm thankful that life is returning to normal for me. I'm preparing meals at home a lot more, which to me is a sure sign that I'm not as stressed. Yesterday I even made Kristen's recipe for strawberry syrup - yum! So simple and elegant at the same time. And a great way to use up strawberries that were close to inedible.
@Brooke,
LOVE Jessica Fletcher!! I am glad you are feeling better, and wish much strength to you in the coming weeks.
I'm thankful that DH is feeling a little better and that he has appointments with specialists next week to hopefully find the source of his ills.
I'm thankful that all the plants I planted in the flower beds are alive and some are blooming.
I'm thankful that I only need to work half a day tomorrow and I will get to work from home.
I'm thankful for our dog. We have to take her out to play ball to burn off some of her boundless energy but that forces us to get outside multiple times a day.
I'm thankful that we are mostly done with our part of cleaning out Mom's hoarder house. It has taken almost two dozen trips (at 45 minutes each way) to get it done. Fingers crossed the house will pass inspection today so we can close on the sale soon as I am more than ready to get that off my plate.
Quick thanks:
*For my patient piano teacher
*For my happy husband, good natured no matter what
*For the beautiful breads in my freezer, saving so much work for dinner tonight
*For the couch with foot rest that eases my arthritic knees so well
*For the laughs this morning with other readers, over a trivial "news" story
Your number two: that's goals for me next time around! Lucky you!
@Kristen, You will have that, of that I’m sure. You have earned that happiness. Like Kristina's, my dear husband makes life joyful and secure in every way for me and our kids. I did not grow up that way and am thankful every day that we are married.
Love seeing the pictures of your precious cat.
Thankful for dear friends who came to NWA for the weekend.
For both in NWA and NEMO, such a dry spring.
For helpful cell customer service- did not have with previous provider.
For wonderful friends who are mowing our yard in NEMO till we can get home for awhile.
For only being 3 weeks away from final reconstruction surgery and getting expanders out!
@Jennifer G, meant to say rain.
I'm thankful for
-daily walks in the woods
-the scent of honeysuckle on my walks
-that I have a strong healthy body, it hasn't always been that way
I am SO thankful for good weather. Got a 34-mile bike ride in this morning!
Regarding the PNW - it’s not nearly as cloudy as people make it out to be. The “worst” months are November & December (most rain, most cloudy days). Spring lasts from the end of January to the beginning of June! Seriously - daffodils, tulips, etc. bloom for FOUR MONTHS. It’s so weird if you grew up anywhere else.
Summer is simply glorious - warm days, cool nights, the on-shore/off-shore breeze at dawn & dusk to refresh the air, and it pretty much only rains at night in the summer.
But the part I loved and miss the most: you can spend time outside every day, 365 days a year, without needing a ton of gear. And there are things growing year-round - cool-weather crops like kale & spinach you can grow throughout the “winter”, so if you have a garden, you can have fresh produce straight from the garden all year.
That, and finding pine cones the size of a loaf of bread is just hilarious.
I would love the PNW summers! For sure!
Man, I am really riding the mood roller coaster lately, and part of it was due to no sunshine, so thankfully, there was SUN today and I have another full day off so I can soak in in tomorrow, too. Right now my house is clean, there is food in the oven, my bills are paid, and I have a glass of wine. All creature comforts that I am thankful for!
Ugh, I feel you. Too many days of clouds makes me start to feel a little bit blue.
I love your posts. You should self-publish or publish a book about your frugal living like the Frugal Gazette. I would buy it!
I am thankful for small wins. Teaching and parenting are full of them if you look for them.
1. For vacation this week with just my son and my husband. In a quiet town with lovely beaches, sunny weather and time to slow down together.
2. Slow days, simple meals, sleeping in, walks at sunset.
3. Coffee on the porch with a gentle breeze.
4. Friendly squirrels to share peanut butter crackers with at our beach rental.
5. Provision to do all of the above & the glory of nature involved in all of it. We are so very blessed.
Cheers to the weekend ahead!
1) So excited that we grew our first artichoke! We planted seeds last year, and had no clue what we were doing. (They take several years to produce). Then, while everything else died out, the artichoke took over the planter box. And now, we have three, including one quite large artichoke. It feels like quite an accomplishment, as a non-gardener.
2) The weather is finally sunny again!
3) That I navigated a very challenging situation at work, and I think it's at the end.
4) I bumped into a friend at lunch today. We work for the same company, but on different campuses, so we never see each other without planning. It was so fun to catch up.
5) for the garden!
I am thankful for my massage therapist who made my achy muscles feel so much better today.
Thankful for the greenhouse right down the road from the massage therapists home, so many beautiful blooms, and the plants are so healthy looking, I just had to buy a few!
Thankful for a cute, walkable downtown in a little college town so I could pop into a few stores while I walked about and waited for my next adventure.
Dinner with friends, I retired 18 months ago, and the only thing I miss about work is the people I used to work with. Sixteen of us gathered round the table this evening for a fun meal and catching up.
Thankful that my daughter will be flying home to attend a family wedding next weekend. We can’t wait to see her and have her home, even if just for the one night! She has always been a total pleasure.
I don’t post often, but really feeling the thankful vibes today!
Thankful for generous leave provisions - I have 5 weeks worth which allows me time to meander down country to visit my son.
For a rental car upgrade which gave us a roomier car for a 6 hour journey.
For a chance to see my son for a couple of days - we’re catching up in a couple of minutes and I’m so excited.
For beautiful countryside, our journey took us through the Canterbury plains where you can see the southern alps in the distance - magnificent scenery.
For my husband who stayed calm whenever the GPS sent us astray, I’m more inclined to blame and complain…
I am thankful for:
* Sunny and warmer days
* Our house and quiet backyard where I can go read
* Having the same work schedule as my husband and the kids school hours so we get to spend lots of time together
* my dog Daisy, the cutest 6 pounds Morkie ever!
* To be someone who is easily content
Thankful that I had a wide shoulder on the road I could take to when an 18 wheeler passing me, just moved over into my lane. (Totally his fault! I reported this to his company. Unfortunately didn’t get on my dash cam before relooping. )
Thankful for a wonderful 3 day siblings’ reunion-2023 will be last year we are all in our 70s!! Thankful for the beautiful cool weather we were able to enjoy as we spent a lot of time outside. Thankful my dad and a grandfather took lots of photos and movies that we were able to look back on of our younger years-lots of laughs!!
I am thankful for a beautiful newish house (we moved a week ago!). Most especially I am thankful I have the time to be sick & recover and that those around me are so supportive of me easing back into “productive” life again. I was diagnosed with pneumonia on top of bronchitis last week and resting in the middle of a move/unpack is a hard concept for me.