Sunday, August 4, 2013

Summer blessings...


the sound of the lawn mower
sprinklers on the back lawn
burgers on the grill
icy cold watermelon
homemade ice cream atop berry cobbler
berry stained little faces and hands
s'mores by the bonfire
root beer floats
picnics
floating down the river
splashing in a backyard pool
swimsuits and goggles
family reunions
beach days
rolling down sand dunes
late evening sunsets
cotton sundresses
saltwater sandals
church camp
summer weddings
flowerbeds full of color
farmer's markets
yard sales
sailboats on the Columbia
dinner outdoors
open doors and windows
fans blowing
flip flops

The list of summer blessings could go on and on,
things I may have forgotten to write in my gratitude journal,
but things I'm savoring as summer will be over all too soon.


*****************
In 2012 I followed the prompts in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare in counting my thanks.
In 2013 I'm going back to the way I did it in the beginning,
just noticing and recording the many extraordinary blessings in my ordinary life.
And so I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal.
(and capturing some of them via my camera or iPhone)

#3611-#3632

7-29-13-
-my "crabby" pillow, handmade for me by a sweet friend


-the two oldest grands over for a yummy breakfast of homemade multigrain blueberry muffins and eggs
(muffin recipe is on my blog sidebar under categories)


-going on a walk to the playground with the two youngest grands


7-30-2013-
-taking a picnic to the river with the two oldest grands




-a boy and his critters-only grandson capturing a bullfrog tadpole for a pet



-a yummy dinner experiment-
(turkey burgers with chopped basil, garlic, feta cheese and toasted pinenuts in them)

7/31/13-
-taking youngest daughter to the doctor meant a nice quiet time to catch up on my Bible reading while I waited
-four year old granddaughter wanting me to play "spa day" with her
(I had to call her Miss Susie while she rubbed lotion on my feet and calves.
When I told her not to forget the toes, she said "We don't do toes at this spa.")
-on a walk with the two youngest grands past the fire station just as they got a call
(the firemen waved at us as they drove past us)
-the Hubs helping me get the house "back to normal" after all the grandkids went home


8/1/13-
-a rainy day! 
(after July was the second driest on record for Portland)
-the book Bread and Wine, coming in the mail to me from a sweet friend

8/2/13-
-my birthday! 56 years of God's love, care, protection, provision, grace, faithfulness...


-so many kind birthday texts, messages, phone calls, cards
-brunch at La Provence with the Hubs and second born daughter and her family
(they brought me bunches of flowers too!)




-the Hubs planned a special dinner out with friends at a delicious Lebanese restaurant
(Middle Eastern or Greek food is my favorite!)

8/3/13-
-an easier than usual house cleaning day because of deep cleaning last Saturday
-She Reads Truth devotional on Priscilla-a woman leader in the early church
-a yummy and healthy salad for dinner,
 (after overindulging on rich food on my birthday yesterday),
 and going on a run afterwards

8/4/13-
-new faces at church and some "old" ones who haven't been there in a while
-going to the east side of town this afternoon to look at some of my favorite shops
-savoring the summer while it lasts



gratefully yours,

     

13 comments:

  1. Elizabeth, I love the heart shaped rock. I collect those as well--I have 5 in various sizes. Isn't God creative?
    Your photos are always so lovely--thanks for counting.

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  2. Happy Birthday for the second of August! We are both the same age! Summer blessings are delightful, I can agree wholeheartedly with your list...and was intrigued by that yummy looking profiterole swan.

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  3. Hi Elizabeth! Thank you for visiting my blog today! I am your newest follower :)

    That picture of the frog in the bucket reminds me so much of my son! He used to catch fish and critters...love it :)

    How creative to have some 'bible time' while at the pediatrician office. The toys would keep the kids busy, and you could do some reading. Great idea!

    Happy Sunday!
    Ceil

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  4. The campfire photo is amazing. Those can be hard shots to get!

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  5. Okay, that granddaughter is a girl after my own heart--I don't "do toes" either.

    That's the cutest thing I've ever heard--

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  6. Happy Birthday!! I loved that swan shaped pastry. I have never seen anything like that.

    I enjoyed your list as I usually do. I was struck by the one where you were thankful for the waiting room because it gave quiet time to read your Bible. Excellent, excellent outlook.

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  7. Ahhhhhhhh. Happy birthday!

    Your "spa day" sounds delightful....and the summer seems to be slipping away quickly here, too.

    My house is waiting expectantly for ITS deep cleaning.

    Have another delightful week as God showers you with blessings and gives you the capacity to both see and enjoy them :)

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  8. Happy birthday. You caught up with me. I love your pics. It sounds like the summer days have been filled with blessings.

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  9. You have such precious memories of this summer! Time with your grandkids and family and those special moments are a treasure! Happy birthday a bit late! Yours is the day before mine! We MUST celebrate together sometime!
    ~Adrienne~

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  11. Happy Belated Birthday!! God has truly blessed you with an abundant life!! :) How sad to think that we could miss His blessings if we didn't thank Him for His gifts. :) And you look so young for your age. ;)

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  12. Happy Belated B'Day. God always seems to give you the right So glad you were born! I'm very happy God led me to your blog!

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  13. Your JoyDares remind me of MY JoyDares :) Isn't God awesome to show His love in so many different ways!! c at http://stuck-in-indiana.blogspot.com/

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