{On this Thursday}

Oh life. Thank you for your beauty. Thank you for reminding me how lucky we are to be part of something so big-Tyler Knott Gregson I'm coming to a place where I am more solid in my belief of something larger than myself that guides the universe. It's something I've always looked for, being of the more sensitive nature. There have been times where I have written anything off. It brought moments of sadness and feeling as if I was working through the motions. Something would always happen that would renew my faith. When I stand in faith, the light enters and so does purpose. Most days than not I believe in a God and/or a Universal Force that is Love. Past that I can't say or define what it could be. But it's there and I'm so grateful.

{Shine On}

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” ― Rumi Festive Holiday Bokeh is what I'm grateful for today. I would also say that this picture might be a good visual for how my brain works. More specifically a brain that just finished working at a crazy busy flower shop the day before Thanksgiving. Yowza! Lots of exciting energy filled the ail. A day full of hard work and celebration.

{Giggles All Around}

“I cannot stress enough that the answer to life's questions is often in people's faces. Try putting your iPhones down once in a while, and look in people's faces. People's faces will tell you amazing things. Like if they are angry, or nauseous or asleep.” ― Amy Poehler I'm thankful for this charming, considerate, sweet and funny boy I call my son. He is more than capable of making countless faces, ranging from puppy dog eyes sad to laughing hyena joy! He is quite expressive with his face to the point of exaggeration at times. Oh..... And the dimples...I could eat up those dimples for dinner they are so precious. In general I think peoples faces are amazing complex and interesting. I could be partial as a photographer, but I think it's because faces tell stories. And I love a good story.

{Hug it out}

“I promise if you keep searching for everything beautiful in this world, you will eventually become it.” ― Tyler Kent White I am thankful for and a big fan of hugs, both giving and receiving. There is a big emphasis on touch and hugs with child development in the early years. Then it seems to trail off and become less important. I love to hug my children, even now as they are older and it could be considered embarrassing. When I worked with the little ones at the YMCA, the kids were hug magnets. Everything warranted a hug. It was sweet, even on the days where it was overwhelming. Hugs release the feel good hormone oxytocin. When done appropriately...I see no reason not to try to hug more:) And one last plug for hugs... They are particularly awesome in the winter to warm you up AND to make you feel special...

{I want to ride this bicycle}

“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man's life.” ― T.S. Eliot, The Use of Poetry and the Use of Criticism I am thankful for this amazing red bicycle that was covered in cobwebs and dirt when it came in from the warehouse. It will be a part of the Festival of Trees display done by the store. It makes me happy every time I look at it. Specifically I like the basket at the front. When I was younger I had a basket at the front of my bike and it carried all the necessities for a youthful adventure. Every time I see one I get struck with nostalgia. Bright bikes and baskets a beautiful combination!

{Birdie}

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” ― Neil Gaiman I'm thankful today to be a mom to her. Thankful for the freckles, the half smile, the blue hat, the wisdom and the dry but innocent sense of humor that she deals out. She is an amazing lady who changed my life almost 11 years ago...on a frigid -23 degree weather day. Love to the moon and back....

{Neverland}

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning Today I am thankful for new beginnings. How lately I go to be feeling tired from a hard days work and wake up refreshed and open to what the day will bring. At the risk of sounding like a Hallmark card, I'll leave it at that.

{Weathered, Dusted and Aged}

“That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.” ― Hermann Hesse, Gertrude The world is just a more beautiful place with hydrangeas...in my opinion. And todays moment of gratitude is for the hydrangea. It bushes range in color depending on the acidity of the soil. One plant has the capacity to be a multitude of colors. A tie dye plant of sorts. It is a staple in most wedding bouquet and arrangements because it can fill up space so perfectly. It's elegant on it's own and my favorite is a few stems in a bubble bowl vase. Even drying up and aged I find it so beautiful. It's always in abundant supply in the floral cooler at work and this alone makes me think countless times how lucky I am to have a job where I am surround my beautiful things all day. Next time, when considering a simple way to cheer yourself or someone else up...consider the hydrangea!

{Chasing Cars}

“And then her heart changed, or at least she understood it; and the winter passed, and the sun shone upon her.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King I'm grateful today for calmness and delight I get as I watch the store transform to beautiful Christmas. And the bokeh from the lights...what a treat! One bonus of sunset at 5pm is the glow of the lights as the store grows darker. I almost want to grab a chair, blanket and cup of hot chocolate and cozy on up.

{Expanding Heart}

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

{Swan Lake}

"For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them"-Thich Nhat Hanh I thought this gourd look just like a swan curled up to sleep. It was a small thing that made me happy. November is usually a time when I start to think about the holidays. Especially this year working at a flower shop where Christmas has already arrived. I'd like to try a gratitude challenge this year as it helps be keep things in balance during the fury of the holidays which are supposed to be enjoyable, but if I had to admit sometime are anything but. So today I am grateful for my swan shaped gourd and the simple enjoyment it brings every time I look at it while enjoying my morning coffee...all snuggled up to the mini-pumpkins, staring right back at me