Lynn, of THE VINTAGE NEST, is hosting a "Give Thanks Party"! It's our time to share whatever we would like in honor of this time of year.
I decided to revisit a few moments captured in photos a year ago, during December . . . special, unforgettable times for which I give thanks.
* * * * * * *
I am thankful for seeing my Grand Girl play her roll as an angel in her very first Christmas program last December. Her performance was magnificent!
I am thankful that I have saved and used the original Shiny Brite ornaments we put on our very first Chirstmas tree and on each tree thereafter for the next 42 years. They will be on our tree this year, too.
I am thankful for having THE STONE RABBIT as a friend for over thirty years. He also appreciates the specialness of Shiny Brites.
I am thankful for the friendship of Eloise who kindly hosted a wonderful Christmas Luncheoun for The Breakfast Group last December. L-R Mary, Mary Ann, me, Eloise, Beth and Laura.
I am thankful that my niece married Eloise's son. . . cuz that made us "family"!!
I am thankful for living near the beautiful Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. It is a breathtaking sight at Christmas when thousands of lights adorn the beautiful retail shops. We were on our way to dinner when I took this photo.
I am thankful for my friendship with these ladies (L-R me, Judy, Bonnie, Marian) and always look forward to our annual Progressive Luncheon and Holiday Homes Tour.
Last year, we wore "Ugly Christmas Socks". We're an easily entertained group! :)
I am thankful for my Breakfast Group Friends sharing their "Memories of Christmas" after a luncheon at my house. It was a special and moving time for us. . . even though they REALLY didn't want to complete that writing assignment. I'm so glad they did. L-R Patty, Laura, Mary Ann and Beth. Mary was on the right, but out of the photo.

I am thankful for the White Christmas we had last year. . . well, actually, it was a blizzard. It started as an ice and snow mix on Christmas Eve afternoon. By the time we headed across town to my brother-in-law's house, after Christmas Eve church services, it was super dangerous driving, but. . .
we made it! And I was thankful I could enjoy an annual Christmas Strawberry Daiquiri toast with my sister-in-law.
We have celebrated Christmas with my husband's family every Christmas Eve for over forty years. . .another thing for which I am thankful.
By Christmas Day, the snow was still going strong. My grand dog, wasn't wanting to move from the porch to do her morning "business", but I am THANKFUL she eventually did!!

I am so thankful for my beautiful girl. I am thankful that she and her dog Izzie spent Christmas Eve night at our house last year.
Because the snow was so terrible on Christmas day, we had to wait until late that afternoon to drive to our son's house. We were going to be there early and have breakfast and watch the Grand Girl and Grand Boy open gifts and spend the day visiting and "making merry" with our son, DIL, her parents, my niece and her hubby and Eloise.
I was supposed to bring a double batch of breakfast casserole to their house. As it turned out, I was thankful I had it made so I could feed my hubby and daughter after they worked hard clearing our driveway that morning. . . while it continued to snow and snow and snow.
Much later in the day, we headed out and made it to our son's house. . . we arrived safely. . . very, very thankful for that, cuz the roads were horrible. We saw lots of wrecks and slide-offs. I was so thankful my husband was brave enough to drive in that wicked weather so we could watch the Grand Girl open her gifts on Christmas and . . .
be with the Grand Boy as he celebrated Christmas for the very first time and . . .
see him take his very first bites of cereal.
I have a ton of thankful moments captured in photo memories over the next eleven months of this year, but I will stop now and zip forward to a recent day when my son and his family and my husband and I made another trip to our local Christmas tree farm.
I am so thankful that my son and daughter-in-law enjoy making the Tree Tagging a family event. I know I love every minute of it and I'm certain they are creating special memories for their little ones.
On that day, I placed a bow and a "sold" tag on the tree my husband and I selected, as a way of easily identifying it when we return in a few days to cut it down.

In this photo, my husband was pointing to some little fish that were swimming in the creek located on the tree farm. I am thankful my DIL was ready to catch the Grand Girl if she started to tumble into the creek. :)

This photo just fills my heart with a HUGE wave of thankfulness and love. Three generations of "the boys" strolling along through the tree farm.
My husband and I took our kids to tree farms many times when they were small. I am so thankful we did. It wasn't so much about finding the perfect tree. . . it was more about spending quality time with those you love.
I am so thankful for the spectacular color our young trees shared with us this fall.

Here was that same tree yesterday. . . after the leaves had fallen off.

It was a glorious fall day. . . Izzie and THE STONE RABBIT spent quit awhile basking in the sun and playing in the leaves our trees had shed. THEY were very thankful!
These sweet fur babies, Twiggy (L) and Frankie, bring so much joy to us and I am so very thankful to share my life with them. HOWEVER, they are getting pretty bad about turning on my electric throw and snuggling on top of it!! :) This is what they were doing while Izzie and THE STONE RABBIT frolicked in the autumn leaves!! :)
So by now you must be getting really sick of my long list of seasonal thankfulness, but I can't leave without a final couple of photos and thoughts.
My DIL recently finished these projects with the Grand Girl. She found old glasses at thrift shops and. . . .

turned them into wonderful holiday decorations!! I have to end with how thankful I am to have a DIL who loves to decorate with thrifty finds, who celebrates the seasons with exuberance and who embraces the time she spends with her little girl in creative activities. You, my DIL, are planting incredible seeds.
I still recall the times spent with my mom painting pinecones gold and sprinkling them with glitter. . . then hanging them on our Christmas tree . She taught us so much more. . . and I am forever thankful that she took the time to share her love and creativity!
Thankful thoughts to my family, my friends,my fur babies and THE STONE RABBIT !!
DANA