Thanksgiving All Year Long

“Christian thanksgiving is the life of Christ in the heart —  transforming the disposition and the whole character.

Thanksgiving must be wrought into the life as a habit—before it can become a fixed and permanent quality.

An occasional burst of praise, in the midst of years of complaining, is not what is required. Songs on rare, sunshiny days; and no songs when skies are cloudy—will not make a life of gratitude. The heart must learn to sing always.

This lesson is learned only when it becomes a habit which nothing can weaken. We must persist in being thankful.

When we can see no reason for praise—we must believe in the divine love and goodness, and sing in the darkness.

Thanksgiving has attained its rightful place in us, only when it is part of all our days and dominates all our experiences.”

J. R. Miller, 1912

Fun new favorites

Ana added this sweet liquid hand soap and moisturizer set to our kitchen sink line-up. I am enjoying it!  It is so much fun to use and looks so neat and tidy setting near the water spigot.  Many times I have stopped to wash my hands here and because the moisturizer is very close by, I now stop to put that on as well.  My hands are the better for it! 

 

Do winter flowers bring May showers?

Outside my window today the snow is very slowly disappearing.  For Minnesota the weather is almost balmy and tomorrow it may be as warm as 45 degrees F.

I am thankful for flowers that bloom indoors when it is cold  and snow covered outdoors.  These African Violets have been so bright and cherry lately; always so pretty. 
Many years ago my Grandmother raised and sold them from her home for some income. I remember seeing all of the 'starts' in her window and watched as they were transplanted and moved to another window. Eventually someone would come and purchase one or two and this little cycle kept repeating itself in her house.  My mom enjoyed them too, as they adorned the little shelves near the kitchen sink. I appreciate them so much more now than I did back then. 

Why? 

• Possibly because they are a reminder of days gone by; days when 'time was taken' to fuss with plants like these. 
• This little plant reminds me also, that additional blooms outside will be coming as winter changes into spring.

Do these perky little purple posies bring May showers? No, they hold no control over the showers and warmer weather ahead; God  has those things in His plan for each year.

I look forward to the variety of  pleasures He has for us with each approaching season.

A Poem of Thanks

A Thanksgiving Acrostic

                           By Shelby

 an elementary student from Michigan with some alterations by me

Thankful for this land

Here is the land of America
America is the land we live in
Native Americans were the first on America soil
Kind of food they eat is pumpkin pie
Speed Well was a boat
God gave us this land to be free
Inviting natives to first Thanksgiving feast
Vegetables are what they ate
Indians and Pilgrims ate together
Nice the pilgrims were to them..
Giving food to others

 

A photo of a vintage punched paper needlework my daughter Alyssa made. It is now framed and hanging in her room.