"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines." - Leroy Stachel Paige


I enjoy watching the 1930's comedy team movies, especially Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and the Three Stooges. They make me laugh of course, but there is something else about them. They lighten my heart and soul.They help me feel better when I feel down. I am grateful that I can still watch them now (years later) and enjoy the laughs.

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." - Johannes A. Gaertner

I am grateful for being able to choose and make my own choices in life. Even though I have made my share of mistakes I can also say that I have made some good choices too. To not have been able to choose would have been no life at all. That is why it is a blessing to me.

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

It was a winter wonderland today! I was a little concerned by the condition of the roads and wondering if other driver's would watch out, but I had to admit it was certainly beautiful! A white coating of snow all over the trees, plants, houses, businesses, and people. So I have to admit that I am grateful for it even when it is inconvenient : )

"Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality." - Alfred Painter


I am grateful for my desire to try something new. Sometimes it is easy to stay in the same old rut but I don't want to do that. I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight using the leftover ham that we had for Christmas Eve. It was ham pineapple fried rice and was so good! I am always blessed when I try to learn something new.

"There is as much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn, as in doing it." - Seneca

I am very grateful that my physical body works well. It is not perfect (I have to wear glasses to see for one thing : ) but for the most part everything does what it is suppose to do. What a simple blessing that is but I sure appreciate it!

"In the New Testament, religion is grace and ethics is gratitude." - Thomas Erskine


I appreciate having time to relax! I am very grateful for it especially now that I am getting older and feeling my age. It felt good to rest and relax this day after Christmas : )

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." - Margaret Cousins

Since today is Christmas I would be totally ungrateful if I did not show appreciation to my heavenly father. We celebrate Christmas because of the birth of god's only son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth in humble circumstances to become our savior and redeemer. I am so grateful for a loving heavenly father who cares for me.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy


I am blessed with wonderful children! My thoughts have been turned to them in gratitude this Christmas Eve. I am very proud of their accomplishments and enjoy spending time with them. I love them very much! (and I will also add that I am grateful for my children's spouses who are special too : )

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." - Cicero

I am grateful for one of the talents I have (especially tonight) and that is knowing how to knit. Just a few minutes ago I finished knitting the Christmas projects that I had committed myself to and can now shout hooray! I appreciate the ability that I have to tackle most knitting projects (even advanced ones) and try to do my best.

"Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude." - Marietta McCarty

More things about Christmas to be grateful about : ) I really love Christmas movies! (especially the old ones) I watched two of them today and have been seeing at least one a day for the last week. I know everyone has their own ideas on the best ones but I appreciate that there are so many to choose from. They help me get into the Christmas spirit!

"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend." - Jean Jacques Rousseau


I am so grateful today for good friends. Two of them have December birthdays and I have had them on my mind today. My friends care a great deal for my welfare and always are there to encourage and uplift me. They are wonderful blessings in my life and I appreciate them so much!

“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.” — Christiane Northrup


I am grateful today that I committed myself to keep a blog on our family and the memories we are creating now. Almost two years ago I decided to start an online journal, but originally it was to post pictures of my completed needlework projects. I decided it would be a good idea to also tell what was going on with the family. I will admit it has ended up being more of a family
history journal but I do still post my completed projects : )
I am also an avid journal keeper (handwritten) and have over 15 written journals that I kept since I was in high school. Blogging has added another dimension to my record keeping that I enjoy!

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” — Henry Miller

It has been very cold here in Utah with the temperatures ranging from the 20 degree mark to the mid 30 degrees. I was grateful today for warm buildings, malls, and houses, especially every time I stepped outside. It is a blessing to have the modern day advantage of heating instead of relying on wood and a fire : )

“Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful.” — Marelisa Fábrega


I am blessed with a love of books and reading. I am grateful that I had parents and teachers that instilled that love in me. There are so many types and I read almost all kinds. The only problem I find is there are too many books and to little time to read them : ) Oh Well!

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens


There are so many Christmas traditions that I love! I am especially grateful today for all of the Christmas lights especially when you can see them in wonderful display.
Tonight we drove through a "Festival of Lights" that was so beautiful. There was everything from gingerbread men to castles all made of lights. It made me grateful for the blessings of the Christmas season.

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley

Oh how I love the majestic Utah mountains! (especially when they are covered in snow) They are so magnificent and awesome. From our townhouse we have a wonderful view of the Timpanogas range and I appreciate being able to see it everyday.

“Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.” — Shakti Gawain


I was doing some Christmas shopping today, and got to thinking of how blessed we are financially. I am grateful to be able to pay the bills and have enough leftover to give to those I love. So many others are struggling and having a difficult time especially this time of year. I am truly blessed with enough and am so grateful!

“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner

I have to say that I feel deep gratitude for my children as parents.
They are much better at it then I ever was : )
From discipline to teaching I am impressed by their commitment. I have to say that I am most appreciative of their desire to teach their children about their heavenly father and his love for them. Thank you so much!

“What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.” — Ralph Marston

We just put up our Christmas Tree this evening. I am grateful for the traditions that I have grown up with especially Christmas. I love this time of year!

“Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” — John Henry Jowett

What a blessing beautiful music is in our life. My grand daughter participated in a violin Christmas recital this afternoon. Not only was she perfect (proud grandma) but all the students played so well. I am appreciative of Mari's desire to practice and enjoy her violin.
Music really is food for the soul!

“Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” — The Hausa of Nigeria

Four very special blessings in my life were hugged and kissed today!
(Marielle, Zachary, Tyson, and Luke : ) I am so grateful for my grandchildren.
They bring such joy to my life and lots of laughter and excitement too.
For the next three weeks I will be able to enjoy their company and that is a
blessing I am so grateful for!

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

We are now our road trip to Utah so we can spend Christmas with our children (and grandchildren) I love traveling! (even it is the same route several times a year) I like to drive by the same little stores and restaurants. It makes me feel like there is continuity in my life and gives me a comfortable feeling.
I listen to my favorite radio stations along the route and work on my craft projects. I enjoy seeing the scenery and the changing of the seasons as I drive all through the year. It is a blessing to me to be able to experience the traveling life : )

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” — Buddha

It is ironic that I wrote my blog yesterday on being healthy, because today I have been sick! Nothing earth shattering, either a 24 hour bug or I ate something that did not agree with me.
I love the quote that I found today by Buddha. Like it says "if we got sick at least we didn't die, so , let all be thankful." : ) I am so grateful that I am not worse off. I also feel blessed to be able to relax and watch old movies on TV and sleep. That doesn't happen very often!

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” — William A. Ward

I am grateful for my good health! It is something that I pray for everyday and I appreciate that I am blessed with it. There are so many of my friends who are facing very difficult physical challenges in their lives that I cannot even comprehend. May I always appreciate the good health that I have!

“Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude.” — Wallace Wattles

We had our first major rain here since I don't remember when. (big drought problems here)
I have to admit I love the rain and really have missed it. I love the sound of raindrops and how clean and clear everything looks. I was always the child who would stand out in the rain and look up at the sky while the rain hit me in the face (just like Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain) or jump
up and down in the puddles. So I guess my gratitude today would have to be for that wet stuff that we do not get too often here in So Cal : )

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus

I am just amazed at times by all that one can do on a computer. I only take advantage of a small percentage of what is available and it has really changed the way I do many things. (internet, blogs, facebook, message boards, groups, photos and the list goes on) Many thanks for all the technology that we enjoy today!

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

I love Christmas music! I am one of those type of people who can't wait until the season comes to listen to all the holiday music, traditional and modern, so my gratitude today is for being able to enjoy it all season long : )

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick

I was out Christmas shopping this afternoon and felt blessed to have enough money to buy Christmas gifts for those who I love and care about. So many are suffering financially right now and I really am grateful that we have the means to enjoy our retirement and spend on the grand
kids. I have never taken this for granted and appreciate it so much.

“Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.” — Joseph Wood Krutch

I am grateful for my father-in-law. He has always been very gracious and kind to me and I love his smile : ) Chris and I took him out to eat for his birthday tonight. He wanted to go to Bangkok Bay
(Thai food) and have his favorite dish, Pad Thai. We had such a nice evening with him ending with our birthday gift to him (a large box of chocolate candy) He is a blessing to me!

“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” –Doris Day

I am grateful today for being able to sew (fairly well : ) I have been working on making two purses (one for a friends birthday and one for me) and am doing pretty good. Years ago my mom tried to teach me how to sew and I threw my project down in disgust and said I would never be able to do it! (never say never : ) Working with a patient teacher and friends has helped me gain more confidence and skill. I am very grateful for sticking with it and not giving up.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” — Albert Schweitzer

I am blessed to have deeply held friendships. Some I have had for more years than I want to remember and others are shorter in length but they are all cherished. I have opened my soul at times to them and put my trust in their care. They know who they are so I will not embarrass
any by identification : ) but I will say that I am very grateful for their friendship.