Giving Thanks.....

I recently was given a book that started me on a journey. 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp. It's a challenge to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. I have started my journal of 1000 'gifts'. It's amazing the change in one's perspective as you look to find things to be thankful for in each and every situation. The good days. The bad days. It's nearly impossible to grumble and complain when one is looking for ways to be thankful. I hope to share glimpses into my journal in the days; weeks and months to come.


Yes.. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to blog more. I can't really explain my absence from the blogging world. Just needed a break, I guess. I'm thankful to back. :)

Life has been marching forward. It is hard to believe that little A is 6 1/2 months old. He is such a happy little guy. I think I could fill my journal with every time he makes me smile!!! He recently took his first plane ride and apparently was a 'rockstar' traveler! He's currently enjoying his first vacation to the ocean. Wish I was on the beach with them!!












K graduated from college a few weeks ago. So proud of her! She is joining the Navigators College Ministry team for the coming year and is excited for what the year holds.











Sophie is almost 3 now and still very much a puppy. Sigh. She still LOVES her toys and will run and get one as soon as you come home just in case you have a need to play.








If you don't want to play, this is what you get.... sad eyes looking at you while she protects those things most precious to her. (Her toys...)









In the knitting world I am working fast and furiously on a baby blanket for my friend's baby who is due any day.... Love this pattern. I'm making it with Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. It is so soft and yummy. I hope it becomes one of baby G's favorites!!














In the food department (because food is one of the things I am VERY thankful for!!!), my focus will be on a good burger! A few weeks ago, a few friends from our small group took a trip up to Gunder Iowa, which is home of the famous Gunderburger. They start with 20 ounces of meat which cooks down to a one pound hamburger. I had mine loaded with ketchup and sauteed onions. Yes, I was in heaven.




I would say that is is impossible to finish one of these, but that would not be true. Steve ate his whole burger as well as all of his hash brown potatoes. And he didn't even seem that miserable. I will say it was a good 24 hours before he was hungry again....













I'm looking forward to grilling some good, but smaller burgers this coming weekend. Our good friend and fellow Gunderburger consumer, shared the following burger recipe that they had made for our small group one night. (They gave me measurements, but said they usually just toss in ingredients and don't measure....Yikes. I could never do that.)




John's Better Burgers









5 pounds lean hamburger
2 eggs
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
one finely chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
2 TBSP Greek seasoning
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)

Mix all together and form patties.

I did a half batch and made 8 good size burgers (5.7 ounce each) with a tiny burger that I threw on my George Foreman for a quick lunch.


Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. We're looking forward to A and C being with us from Colorado! I'm sure I'll have many things to add to my journal.....

A few excerpts...
# 9. Fresh pineapple that tastes like candy...
#13. My green and white polka dot mug brimming with morning coffee...
#15. Seeing Steve walk out to meet me as I walk Sophie in the back field...
#25. Bags of cakeballs in the freezer ready to be dipped and shared...
#31. Pulling up the blinds to a new day...

Until Next Time....

Psalm 107:22 'And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deed in songs of joy.'