My Piece of Heaven

I am abundantly grateful for my piece of Heaven!

On weekday mornings, when I do not have to go to work, I get myself a hot cup of coffee, put a fire in the fireplace, sit down with my knitting or crocheting and watch Home and Family on the Hallmark channel. I am so happy! This is my piece of Heaven!

Due to several snow days, I have been delightfully blessed with this pleasure this winter. I finished this baby blanket while enjoying my piece of Heaven on Thursday.

 A year or so ago, I read in a Debbie Macomber book what she thought her job would be in Heaven. Right away, I thought about my job in Heaven. I immediately knew my job would be to knit/crochet angel wings. I see myself sitting outside a beautiful little country cottage, at a small round table with a yellow umbrella above it, knitting angel wings. When angels need new wings they will come to me, and I will make their wings. I also see a pitcher of lemonade and beautifully decorated cookies on the table to share with my angel visitors. The angels will sit, rest and have a treat, and I will knit and listen to their stories about their jobs in Heaven.

I am very grateful to be in my home, all warm and cozy, crocheting angel wings this winter. 

Thank You, God, for my piece of Heaven.

 

My Daily Commute

Today I am most grateful for my short commute to work. I work ten minutes from my home. I am grateful for that because my favorite place to be in the whole world is home, and my short commute blesses me with more time at Home Sweet Home. Thank You, God, for my commute to work.

Silence is Golden

Yesterday, the Internet was down all day at work, no Internet, no email, no calendar or task list. It was nice. There was a peacefulness to the day. The ability to focus on the task at hand was easier because the email chime was silent. There were personal visits from co-workers because instead of emailing they came to speak in person. Everyone seemed calmer, a little more peaceful. It was nice. Thank You, God.

I Love Snow Days!

Thank You, God, for snow days! 

I Am Blessed

Last Night I read theses words,

"If you  have one true friend in your life, you're richer than most. If that one true friend is your husband, you're blessed." 

Mitch Albom in The First Phone Call From Heaven

I am richer than most.

I am blessed.

Thank You, God.

My Son

This morning, as I was sitting in my green chair drinking my coffee, my son Rick was preparing to go surfing. He bounded up and down the stairs at least a half a dozen times. His phone was ringing at a volume I didn't know was an available option. He was gathering his surfing stuff, cooking waffles, and talking on the phone all at the same time. 

Usually all this activity, while I was drinking my first cup of coffee of the morning, would drive me crazy.

This morning was different.

It was different because I chose to see it with eyes of gratitude.

I saw a healthy young man preparing to go and do something that he is passionate about and brings him joy. For that I am grateful.

Before he left he told his dad and I that we may be able to go on the Internet and watch him surf today. Apparently there is a web cam where he hopes to surf today. He said that if he is there he will text us so we can pull it up on the computer and watch.

Ordinarily, I would be resistant to watching him surf because I worry about his safety. 

Not today.

Today, as I see with eyes of gratitude, I am hoping to be able to watch him surf. I will be filled with gratitude to watch him doing something that I know brings him joy. It will bring me joy too.

Thank You, God.

2013 Holidays Continued

Christmas! I am very grateful for a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas!

We have a Christmas Eve tradition of going out to dinner, then returning home for our children to exchange gifts with one another. This year our daughters' boyfriends joined us. There were nine of us in all.  We had a cozy table by the fireplace. The food was magnificent, the service outstanding, and the mood festive. 

After dinner two of our daughters went with their boyfriends to visit their families. So, while we waited for their return, my other daughter and I prepared out traditional Christmas breakfast, Mainstay French Toast, that needed to sit in the fridge overnight. This dish is the recipe from a bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ. I got it from my dear friend Denise. It is scrumptious!

About ten o'clock the girls returned and the kids opened their gifts. I love watching them open their gifts from one another. I love that they started this tradition completely on their own. 

Finally, it was time for our "long winter's nap." 

Christmas morning comes a bit later now that the house is filled with adults, but by nine o'clock we were all up opening the gifts that Santa brought. I am grateful that my husband and I were raised with wonderful Christmas traditions that we have passed to our children, and I am grateful for the new traditions that we have begun. 

Another of our Christmas traditions is that my mother-in-law and father-in-law come over for brunch. When our children were little they would come over to watch the children open their gifts and for brunch, but now they just come for brunch. After brunch there are more gifts to open.

Two years ago I began another tradition - our annual Christmas Day Open House. At four o'clock we have an open house for our family and friends. We serve appetizers and dessert. Everyone can come and go as is best for them. Some come for the whole evening, while others stop by for a drink. I love every minute of our open house. I am grateful for the Divine Guidance that led us to decide to begin this tradition. I look forward to many more Christmases as our family grows and changes. 

I lost both my mother and my father at Christmas-time. I was only eight years old when I realized, on Christmas Day, that my mother was dying. Christmas has not always been happy for me. I am abundantly grateful that my children have had wonderful Christmases all of their lives. My husband and I have worked hard to bless them with wonderful Christmas memories filled with family and friends and love and laughter. I thank God that my husband and I have always shared a vision of what we want for our family. My husband is a very good man. He has blessed me with wonderful Christmas memories.

Thank You, God.