Thanksgiving....Thankful Things

1--The Very Word........Thanksgiving.....Giving thanks.....gratitude....appreciation....thank you.
I just love them all. I love that we have a holiday dedicated to a feeling, an expression, an action, a word, that we should incorporate more every day we are blessed to draw breath.

2--Power of Gratitude
I am amazed at the power gratitude can have in everything we do. The more we look for reasons to give thanks, the more abundance is showered upon us. Although times that are painful, stressful, discouraging seem to be completely opposite of feeling gratitude, they are powerful times to be driven to our knees and finding gratitude. There is always something to be grateful for and in those times, it can be the most powerful of all.

3--Mashed Potatoes
I really love mashed potatoes.....the mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey bite is my favorite. So yummy.

4--Time Together
I enjoy time to relax and talk, or play games or whatever. Not much chance of that this year as we will be at Darren's family's for Thanksgiving and it's VERY busy. Seriously, crazy. However, it will be nice to see his siblings/spouses as we do not live there anymore and don't get the chance to see them as often as we'd like.

5--Pumpkin
I adore the color, the word, and most anything that is made of pumpkin.....except pie. Isn't that odd? I just detest pumpkin pie. It has the consistency of the Mexican dessert "flan" and it's just yucky. I am working on having a better appreciation for it though. Pumpkin roll, with a cream cheese fill, now that is an entirely different story all together. So yummy, so yummy.

Something funny....

This made me chuckle and chuckle....I found this on a website that does T-shirts a friend was telling me about.

In case you can't read the bottom, it says,

"When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true.

Unless it's really a meteor hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life.

Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for.

Unless it's death by meteorite."

Favorite Photo....(one I took)

This picture is so funny to me.....I took it in my mother's backyard last summer. There is this family of sparrows in this house. The babies are getting big enough that they want to come out but aren't big enough to fly. As mom has to go get food and bring it back to them, she is frantic that someone might fall. In this picture, she's trying to stuff her baby back into the nest, while he's screaming in protest with his head sticking out. It reminds me of human children somehow......so funny.

Favorite Things......this week!

1--Sounds of kids--I am tending my nieces for a couple of weeks while their parents are traveling through Greece. Although schedules are a little crazier than I am used to with my house, I have forgotten how much I miss the sound of little people at home. Cartoons on Saturday morning, footsteps getting ready for school, giggles at something funny my cat does. Maybe it's the sounds of family, not just "couple-hood" I miss.

2--My king sized, Tempurpedic bed--Sleeping is/has always been a little bit of a drama for me. It's delightful. I have always (well for the last few years) taken a mild sleeping aid just to help get me to sleep. I haven't been able to take anything the last month and a half or so, and knowing that, my parents (unbeknown to us) helped us buy a new bed. It's really a slice of heaven on earth. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

3--People joining your family.....that you like--My sister called me 2 nights ago and told me she was engaged! It's very exciting, especially for her. Her fiancee is a very different choice than she has dated in the past. He's fun, he's kind, he's good to her....and they are very happy. It's fun.....those phases of life we pass into. Things to announce, to prepare for, new experiences.....very fun!

4--People who can say "thank you"--Yes, it's Niece Week for Jennifer and it's been a week of running and picking up and dropping off and coordinating and late nights and early mornings and and and and and and and and and....whew. I don't remember having a social life when I was 13. As I was driving my 13 year old niece home from a friend's house, we were just chatting and after a pause of what the night's events were, she leaned over and said "Thank you Ferfie." (Yes, that's my nickname.......don't ask) While she was at a friend's house, I took my younger niece, the 10 year old, to Madagascar 2 and then to her friend's house to watch a soccer game. Just before we got to the movie, she puts her little tomboy hand on mine and says, "Thank you Ferfie". What a powerful phrase.......do we say that enough?

5--Colors of Autumn--Honestly, other than water, there isn't anything more beautiful.....I adore this time of year. All my favorite colors out where I can see them. I love the trees that are kissed by early morning sun and seem to change quicker than the rest of the tree. I love those burning bushes that get more red than you'd ever think could be found in nature. We do NOT live in a broken world.....we live in such a glorious place.

Favorite Things....this week

1--Little (younger) brothers. I love being the oldest......and I haven't always felt that way, but I am realizing more and more that I have the funnest siblings. We are all in different places in our lives, we have all made different choices and we don't always agree on most things.....but I just adore them. We are all quite spread out in our ages, and yet, it has been such a delight to watch them grow into adulthood. To play and enjoy each other as adults now, has been such a gift.

2--Honesty of Children. I have a niece who took something from a store when she was on a field trip. Mind you, she's in grade school. Since, she and her mother, by my niece's request, went back to the place and paid for it. This has been a year ago. Last night, she peeks her little shampooed head out of the shower to tell me all about it. After finishing, she says, "Jenn, it just helps to be able to tell someone." I thought....you are so right. There is something in the telling, regardless of what it is. I love that she would feel safe to share......it's so cute.

3--My toothbrush. I have this toothbrush that is rechargeable from Sonicare. I love it. When it's time for bed, brushing isn't my favorite thing. I want the clean teeth, but the effort........wow. So I bought this little power toothbrush that does all that work for me. All I have to do is hold it in the right place. Sister Hinckley was right......it's a marvelous invention!

4--Voting. This year, for me, was not a clear choice as far as candidates were concerned. I felt, as I have felt in one previous election, a little heavy hearted with concern. I am grateful for a deeper understanding of this country and it's place, not only today, but where it has come from and it's place in eternity. It is always interesting to watch the unfolding, but I am grateful to be an American, to be a woman, to be God-fearing, and the gift I hold to excercise my agency through voting. It's a good thing!

5--Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. I went with 2 friends to lunch yesterday for a birthday. I don't make tons of soup at my house because with just the 2 of us we end up eating it until April. However, it was a chilly day and they had homemade soup. So I ordered a bowl and much to my delight, it had those thick and fat noodles that taste homemade. I love that! So yummmy, so yummy.

Halloween!!

So I have a brother who was born on Halloween. His birthday is always the priority with this holiday, which we love, and probably because my mother really doesn't like Halloween. This year, however, we wanted to do something with Jake......so Darren, me, Jake and my youngest brother Zach, all got dressed up and went and posed on my aunt's porch and yard while the trick-or-treaters came to her house. Most everyone that came, thought we were fake. Stuffed clothing with masks on........not so. It was really fun to completely spook them when they made it to the house, got their candy, and turned around only to find all 4 of us.......moved. One teenage girl asked my aunt if she could just stay with her instead of having to walk back down to the sidewalk. With my aunt's house, the only way to get off the porch, is to walk past us. So funny! Teenagers are so much fun! Check back, as I will be posting pictures as soon as I get them.

Favorite Artists

Walter Rane is another favorite of mine.
Some of his pieces are a little too intense for me.
He's a very dramatic artist, but I love how he depicts tender things. His work isn't always obvious or perfect, and somehow within that, it feels more honest. Don't you love how the light reflects off of the linens?

Favorite Pieces of Art

This is a favorite piece of mine. It's done by the artist Johannes Vermeer. He loved to paint women doing ordinary, everyday things. He was one of the first to use natural light, painted into his artwork. It's all very ordinary, and for some reason, I love his work. Maybe I'm Dutch at heart?

My Favorite Things......this week

Baby kittens--we have 4 little, tiny, wild kittens that come through our yard (generally around dinnertime) and I can't help but feed them. They are darling and still at the age of looking the part too. Fuzzy, little, balls of string chasers.....very cute. Oliver thinks it's his own private TV channel when they curl up on the back step and he can see them through the french doors. We've taken to calling our back porch, Pride Rock, as sometimes there are 4-6 of the little guys sleeping out there.

Warm Drinks--It's too cold too soon and I'm not a winter child.....need I say more?

Old Friends--I received an email from an old friend this week. We've been friends for nearly 17 years and she's more than that many years older than I am, and yet, it's one of those friendships that defies all logic. Friends that love you through years, time, changes, moving, and began in your teenage years.......yes, a miracle. Anyone who loves you in the times of the teenager, is a keeper forever.

Honey Crisp Apples--I just love them. I'm not a huge apple craver.....I eat them beause they are healthy and Eve liked them so there must be something to it......but Honey Crisp Apples, I crave. And they aren't in season all year either. It's a treat!

My toothbrush--It's small, compact, rechargeable, and takes care of the most boring chore, quickly and in a marvelous way. Especially when it's too late and you are too tired.....love the toothbrush. Great invention.

Dad & I

This is a fun picture of Dad and I at the City of Rocks....It's quite the amazing little Park that I didn't realize even existed until he mentioned something about it. I only pass the sign everytime I head back to my house. Who knew? Anyway.....it was a fun day to spend with my parents looking around (and feeling up to it was marvelous).

Hands of Testimony

I love this picture of my grandmother's hands. Grandma Snow is 91 years old in January. I am very lucky to have grandparents still living into my adult years, especially ones I am so close to. These are hands that have touched the scriptures many times and so this setting just fits her. What a blessing to me to have a grandma who loves the Savior like grandma does.

Darren's Arrest

On our way to Yellowstone, my Uncle's car developed a problem, so this nice Highway Patrol Officer stopped to make sure we were okay and wait with us until the tow truck came. I thought it would be funny to have Darren pose as if he were being arrested.

I mean, it's Darren.....getting arrested sounds like something he would do, don't you think???? :o)

Oliver, the nurse

Jenn, recovering after surgery.......Oliver thinking that she'd heal better if he was right there taking up couch space. Funny little guy.

My Favorite Things.....this week :o)

Fast Internet--Yes, Bonnie, I have to teach Relief Society this Sunday and as I was trying to remember quotes from forever ago, I am grateful to have quick access (repeatedly) as I am searching for what I need. The days of dial-up might be just a blurrrrrrr. Either that, or this is all a dream, in which case I would beg someone to put me into a nice little coma so I can return to the land of fast internet.

My Treadmill--It's lovely not to be bound to the weather when it comes to the workout. I love to do my run outside but when there are fast cars, clouds of bugs, freezing temperatures.....I hop on my lovely treadmill and I begin to purr....

Spontaneous Friends--I was looking lovely today after my run and decided to clean the house before the shower......which is about the time one of my dearest friends will either stop by or send a messenger to get me. It's a lovely time in your life to want to be and look your best, and yet be able to let it go and go with the moments. :o)

Heating Pads--I seem to have this poor circulation problem in my feet, which is a riot since I get the blood flowing 5 times a week when I run. My sweet husband, when bedtime comes, is so good about turning the heating pad on and putting it at the foot of my side of the bed so when I jump in it's toasty warm!

October 18th, 2008

We came home to this snow fall after being in Provo for BYU Homecoming weekend. We were feeling so grateful for not getting snowed on at the game. Do we live in Antarctica and not know it? What happened to the autumn idea, pray tell?

5 Quirks

Yep, I was tagged......
Is it possible to only list 5 quirks? Hmmm.....
TOP 5 QUIRKS
In no particular order....
#1 Splitting up bananas at the grocery store. It's wrong. They are a family and splitting off the ideal ones isn't good. You want a few in the bunch, you take the whole bunch, or start looking for another bunch. Yep, splitting bananas.
#2 Things that are open and not closed......the car door, the cupboards, the garage, etc
#3 I like to eat things in even numbers....baby carrots, M&Ms, strawberries.....anything you would eat multiples of, get eaten in even numbers. :o)
#4 Finishing a book.....unless it's offensive, I really struggle leaving things unfinished.
#5 Vaccuming.....I like lines, if there are any, to be evenly spaced. It's just chaos without that.