bits of sunshine

gratitude five ways

what does gratitude sound like? cottonwood leaves clicking on the breeze, hymns played and sung, laughter

what does gratitude feel like? a hand pressed to a loved one’s face, arms wrapped tight in a hug, an open hand and heart - giving good gifts 

what does gratitude smell like? the clearest of air with a hint of sun-warmed leaves or sage or pine

what does gratitude taste like? cookies or bread or coffee cake - homemade, and given with joy

what does gratitude look like? a smile, a sparkle in the eye, maybe the tiniest tear shining on an eyelash, the absence of tension, joyful abandon 

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thanks to michelle for the gratitude week writing prompt

saturday at the office :: five little {or not so little} things

i worked my last scheduled saturday for the summer this past weekend.  now, unless there is a fire to dispatch, i'll be heading to volleyball or football games on saturdays.  this saturday, i was the only one in the office - so, I kept the door and windows open and popped in and out and read a bit and moved around in between answering a few phone calls and keeping track of the other people who were working their last saturday for the summer as well. 

a little corner of my desk {because patches, green plants, a picture of my hubby, stuff to drink}

a toad {because sunshine and shadow}

this book {because trees are fascinating, and who knew so many of the ways they have shaped history}

looking down {because my first pair of birkenstocks, and my twenty-year-old wildflower tattoo}

and looking up {because this tower is part of the communications that keep dispatch connected to our people in the field}

 

 

five little {or not so little} things

1. this coffee cup

{because it was given to me for christmas; because fits just right in my hand; because it has grace and rejoice written on it; because it has a lid (for keeping my coffee hot when i have instruction to be doing and when we run out for recess) and that lid doubles as coaster; because it is green}

2. this pad of paper

{because little birds; because green; because it's from my mom; because i've put some of it in my journal and sent some off, filled with words, to friends}

3. this nature table

{because fossils; because tools; because sticks; because outside-brought-in helps keep me grounded}

4. this binder

{because i knew i hadn't thrown it away; because it is chock full of work i did back in 2000; because i am going to be able to use this lesson plan with my 4th - 8th graders; because mrs. pollifax} 

5. this desktop

{because work and favorite things mixed all together}

five little things

this table top

 
because in the past fourteen years so many memories have been made around this table. (and the game spread out on top of the table, because maddie and i have been playing seasons rummy together in the evenings.)

this little container

 
because it was filled with yummy almond butter cookies when my neighbor sent it over. then i filled it with chocolate chip cookies and brought it back.

this place

 
because it is my favorite place. seven miles from my house. because, though each tree and rock formation look little on a computer screen, they are awesomely huge in real life. i walk here often: sometimes alone, sometimes with my kiddos or my husband, and most recently, with my class on tuesday {take a hike day}. (also, this sky, because it is huge, and blue and amazing.)

this necklace

 
because it is from one of my best friends. because i have had it for eight or so years. because it reminds me of my friend, and it reminds me to love life and, on the flip side, to file my life with things i love. (also, the magazine clipping behind it. because it is from a zine from new zealand, also sent to me years ago.)

these journals

 
because they are strung with yarn and sticks. because they are filled with outdoor observations. because they were shining in the sunlight.

five little (or not so little) things

these little monsters

because we needed a little break from the lesson we were working on

this white board

because i reproduced these drawings for my class from ones in my tenth grade biology notebook (yes, i still have it. yes, i am that kind of nerd.)

these costumes

because somehow a cardinal and a little oriental lady go together in a homecoming parade

this picture

because i sure do love this guy. because we are always having one adventure after another. because i was trying some photo editing. because after this cool, rainy day, the sun came out and we have had seventy degree afternoons again.

this spot for our feet

because for as many times (in the past year) we have talked about maybe selling this jeep, we have made too many memories in it, and every time we go for a ride together, we just feel such a sweet peace and have so much fun. so, this winter, ben will do some work on it, and it's staying with us. many more wind-blown memories to come.

five little {or not so little} things

1. morning glories {because a couple weeks ago, i noticed a vine growing in my flower pot, and i almost pulled it out. but i didn't, and now, every morning for more than a week, there is at least one bloom, sometimes two, sometimes blue, sometimes purple, sometimes pink - all from the same vine.}

2. coffee {because i accidentally did an experiment where i didn't drink any coffee for three days and the first two days i had little headaches and the third day i had the most wildly hideously awful headache i had every had.  so, obviously i need coffee.  also, coffee tastes really, really good.}

3. these friends
{for stopping awhile with us.}

4. our first gratitude board
{because who knew what kinds of things my class would write on the board.}

5. this sunset
{because wow.  because ben was home when i took this picture.  because we had been on a long drive-about with some mini-hikes mixed in.  because the sky out here is forever putting on lovely garments provided by her Creator and showing them off for us.}

five little {or not so little} things

i missed this on sunday, because i was far, far away - so here it is on thursday

1.  this mama bird and her babies  {because they remind me of me + maddie + isaac.  and because they were a gift for one of maddie's favorite teachers.}

2.  this comic  {because her sense of humor is the best.}

3. these shapes  {because isaac did the math and the coloring and the cutting and the putting together.}

4. these words {because isaac wrote the plan and i got to fill in the blanks on a tour of the prairie with him.}

5. these words, too {because, truth.}

five little {or not so little} things

1. these almost-black grapes {because they tasted so sweet.  because ben bought them for our friday night picnic by the lake.  and this bowl.  because new dishes are a good part of a fresh start.}

2. this little black box  {because ben could see that i really did need some new things, and he just ordered me some.  they are comfortable and lovely.  i threw away a whole plastic shopping bag of stretched out, thread-bare things that i've had for far too long - like since before i met him . . . and some not that long - but still - for too long.  why is it that we moms sometimes keep things that are beyond useful, and why don't we just buy ourselves a few new things every now and then?}

3. this black coffee  {because coffee.  because starbucks verona is my favorite.  and this mug.  because ben bought it for me on our anniversary.}

4. this black hairpin, and all its clones {because i have been pinning my hair back, and it feels good, and my face has been soaking up some sun.  bobby-pins feel like summer to me.}

5. this black tag and the coat that came with it    {because i have raynauds syndrome.  but i now own a heated jacket.  and it works.  this is good.} 

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if you click the adoreme link and buy something, you get a special price and i get some money to spend on the site. 

five little {or not so little} things

1. this trillium

{because i picked it last saturday and it reminded me of the woods all week.}

2. this phone case {because maddie picked it out and now my phone is happy and protected.}

3. this sorbet {because mango+raspberry=refreshing.  also, these beads, because they were a gift from a friend and they provided endless hours of creative work for me.}

4. these chairs {because fun and comfortable and functional and not wobbly or creaky are good things.  the crumbs on the floor? just keepin' it real.}

5. this lego rocking chair {because legos everywhere mean isaac is busy and happy.}

five little {or not so little} things

1. this lovely lady

{because she has loved me since she knew i existed.  and she once told me i should keep writing and writing and never stop.}

2. this notebook  {because i keep writing.  even when the notebook isn't pretty.}

3. this little pile  {because my kiddos love me.}

4. this picture  {because i have loved these two since i was two years old.  because they were married for 65 years.  because before he slipped into the sweet by and by, i got to hold his hand and rest my head on his shoulder and sing with these two dear ones.}

5. this phone.  {because instagram.}

the first in a sunday series . . . 

with a nod to erin at reading my tea leaves.  she does {my week in objects (mostly).  five little things that made my week.} each friday.

and also a nod to maria over at little things are big, because when i wrote my title, i thought of her right away.