{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