Thankful

The day before Thanksgiving at my job-type job is kind of a big deal.

In fact, it's THE big deal.

And after all of the hustle and bustle, the planning and prep, the checking and rechecking and then checking again, I'm often left feeling a little dazed, a little directionless, a little confused come the actual holiday. It would be easy to simply let it pass by in a frenzy of activity. But I like what this holiday stands for, and now that I've regained my bearings I'd like to take a moment to look back. To reflect.


And to give thanks.


Truly I am one of the lucky ones and have much to be thankful for. But this year in particular:

I am thankful for the change in seasons. For the chance to reset, re-assess and shift pace.

I am thankful for wood heat and cold storage.

I am thankful for a strong cup of coffee, a slow cup of tea, and a good bottle of wine.

I am thankful for family. Old and new. Blood, in-law, or otherwise. You continue to make me the person I am today and I am so grateful.

I am thankful for good neighbors.

I am thankful for raw milk and fresh eggs.

I am thankful for this old couch. Where after a long day C. and I can relax and sleepily say silly things to make each other giggle.

I am thankful for wool socks and down blankets.

I am thankful for cheese.

I am thankful to tears for good friends, no matter how seldom I see you. You hear my complaints, offer me wisdom, and call me on my bullshit. I am honored to be able to explore life in the company of such talented, entertaining and insightful people. So thank you.

And for my husband C,
I am every minute thankful for you.

Sign Says

I have a sign hanging in my kitchen reading: SIMPLIFY. It's one of the few things hanging in this house, and by way of commenting on our decor a friend of mine likes to joke that it should read Simplified instead.

It's not particularly pretty, and it's certainly not original, but for me it's less of a statement in design than it is a convenient reminder. To take a step back. To focus. To prioritize.

I've been looking at this sign a lot lately.

Remember  this past Spring? I was practically aflutter with plans for the summer season. Nothing too grand - some gardening, some jam, a little paddling around in our kayaks. And how much of that came to fruition? Very little.

There were the weddings of course. And pink dress notwithstanding (You know I love you H), they were WONDERFUL. But the rest of it? Fallen by the wayside for no other reason than I was busy.  Just busy. The kind of busy that only begets busy. Busy doing all of those things that we convince ourselves need doing before we can go do the things that we would be doing already if we weren't so darn busy.

Now, as far as problems go this one doesn't merit much complaint. And I won't paint this too dark a picture. Compared to a year or so ago things look much rosier. And generally speaking, they continue to look up. But all of this busy? I wonder.