I am thankful for stories {books & movies} that remind us where we’ve come from. I just recently finished “Amazing Grace” {movie} & “The Help” {movie, then book}.
I am grateful we are where we are now, but am hopeful for more change {love for each other} to come.
I am thankful for this guy:
He has done a really great job taking care of me during this crazy-I-can’t-take-any-more month.
{And I’m thankful for the lovely Esther for this amazing shot!}
I am thankful for these tomatoes.
We planted them in the spring. And {amazingly} they survived the millions of days this summer with 100+ degree heat.
{And near misses w/ tornadoes}
{And earthquakes}
{And freezing temps at night}
They finally started producing tomatoes in September. And when it started freezing at night, we would bring them in off the porch & then put them back outside the next morning. After only a few days of this I got tired of lugging them in & out. {They are heavy!}
So I just started leaving them out there. And a few days after, I realized the tomatoes were still green. I figured they’d never ripen because it hasn’t been getting very warm {or sunny} lately. So I picked them all off, and thought about frying them up.
But they sat in the bowl on the counter for a few days before I did anything with them. And then one day, I realized they were turning red.
I’m calling these my “magic tomatoes”. They are troopers.
I am thankful for the holiday of being thankful. We had a nice time taking a break from packing & moving decision-making with a Community meal at church, a visit to New Life Ranch, and Thanksgiving dinner outside by a fire with Ben’s parents.
And today we continued one of my favorite traditions: cutting down our Christmas tree.
We always meet our friends, Tom & Leah there. And this year Levi was introduced to this Burry/West tradition. He might have been less than enthused. But he sure is cute!
And of course, we finish the outing at our favorite {Tahlequah} pizza place.
I am thankful for toaster ovens. The best way to reheat leftovers.
I am thankful for the “Freebird” scene in Elizabethtown. The movie itself is one of my very favorites. But sometimes Ben & I will just play the “Freebird” scene when we need a good laugh. Rent the movie & see for yourself.
I am thankful for a wonderful set of “in-laws” (though that term feels sort of cold & distant and that’s not how I view them at all.) And with this bonus family comes another brother. Daniel!
I am thankful for Daniel’s joy for life & hearing about his adventures.
Plus, he is really nice to me & even calls sometimes just to talk to me, or to ask me a question.
And he’s turning older today. 29, just like my brother! Happy Birthday, Daniel!
I am thankful for a welcoming outlet for my creativity. I have been honored to be included in some local craft shows with some amazingly talented artists. And this Christmas, I have an opportunity to be a part of some “Pop Up” Shops that are taking over some empty retail spaces downtown.
Consider buying local this Christmas!
Here’s some more info about the Pop Up Shops:
http://www.maketulsa.com/2011/11/indie-emporium-is-pop-up-shopping-2011/
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20111030_11_a23_cutlin153169
It is my little brother’s birthday. He’s not so little anymore, as you can see by the picture evidence below.
(1985-ish)
(2001)
He’s probably got 8 inches on me, but he’s still my *little* brother. He’s a marine, stationed in Japan for the next few months. Happy Birthday, Michael!
I am thankful for that feeling of anticipation that comes with the approaching holidays. There’s just a sweet spirit in the air of excitement & I love it.
