Gratitude on Friday

Today I am grateful for good books. I love to read and often wish I had more time in my day to snuggle down with a good book and get lost. Lately, I find myself reading a chapter in my current read at midnight. It is taking me a while to finish my current reads but I am doing something that I enjoy...it makes me happy. I am also thankful for friends and family who so willingly share their books with me...makes me feel frugal and green :-).
I am currently reading Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich. What are you reading today?

Gratitude on Thursday

Today I am grateful for the service men and women who serve our country. I am thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line on, on a daily basis so I can enjoy the freedoms that I do. I have thought a lot about my Grandpa Shore today. He served in WWII and was very proud of that service. One year ago today, our family had headed to Apple Hill for the first time. As we drove through Placerville, I became very emotional as I saw the street lined with American flags in honor of Veteran's Day. Later that day, I called my Grandpa and thanked him for honorably serving our country. As I reflected about our conversation, it brought tears to my eyes. That was the very last phone conversation I had had on the phone with him. I am glad that I had taken the time to pick up the phone to chat with him and to thank him! I hope we can all find the time to thank the service men and women we come in contact with, whether we know them personally or not! I am so thankful and proud to be an American.

shouting it from the roof top

I am so excited. I have been waiting to share this blog with you for a while now. My friend, Meredith just launched her new blog today...Hello Love. I am so lucky to count her as one of my lovely friends. Meredith is talented on so many levels. She has a great eye for color and style. She is an amazing Mommy to her two little ones. She is over the top talented with her computer. She has designed/created all of the art work on her blog. She is wickedly talented behind the camera...love,love,love her work. We have had two photo shoots with her, to date. I can honestly say that we all look forward to it. She makes the whole "family photo shoot" ordeal, F-U-N!

This is a series of some of our favorite photos by Mer!



























When you stop by her blog, say hi and check things out! She is offering a holiday photo shoot package and is even looking to give away two photos shoots to two deserving families, see here. If you are looking to have pictures of your family taken, she is your girl. She will capture you and your loved ones, perfectly...just the way you are.

Gratitude on Wednesday

Today I am grateful for the young men and young women from our youth group at church. I know it wasn't the most exciting activity tonight but they still came out and were cheerful about doing so. We practiced a few Christmas songs and made about a 100 Christmas cards. We will be caroling and hand delivering a homemade card to each resident at the retirement facility in December. I am grateful for the amazing young people that they are...willing to share their talents with those they don't even know.
p.s. I will post photos as soon as my camera battery is done charging :-).

Calendar Launch

Are you looking for a fun, handmade Christmas present to give this year? Green Tangerines is at it again :-). They have launched their calendar pages. Each Wednesday, you can run into the store(or call to order 916-771-8010)to pick up your calendar kits. They are released in random order, not January - December. We like to shake things up :-).











The really fun part about this years calendar release is the chance to buy a double page layout that is based off of the original calendar pages.














September and October(not pictured) have been released too! If you purchase all 12 months, you will receive the calendar for free. I know my Grandmas and my Mom look forward to a new calendar each year.

p.s. there is a color photo of the page and simple directions included in each kit.
I better get busy, have a few calendars to make this year,

Gratitude on Tuesday

Today I am thankful for wonderful friends. I have been blessed immensely with smart, kind, funny, talented, giving, non-judgemental, I've got your back, compassionate, creative, passionate, service oriented type of friends. They are all different and yet have so much in common. When I count my blessing, I have so many friends that come to mind.
I received an email from a friend(you know who you are)today. It was simple & sweet & made me smile...it really made my day.

Gratitude on Monday

Today I am thankful for Daylight Savings. It was a long Mommy day with Brody. I was done. He was done. It was time to call it quits. We both needed our space. I put him to bed at 6:30, which really would have been 7:30 before the time change. It was already dark so he wasn't on to me :-).
p.s. I know I will pay for it in the morning when he gets up before the sun rises. I love that little boy.