A Thousand Gifts and counting

As I write this, I think of how much that I take for granted.  I have SO much to be thankful for!
Living in a country that is free
Eyes to see and marvel at the beauty around me
Ears to hear
symphonies
children's laughter
ground beef that is on sale for $1.69 a pound - I just separated and froze 15 pounds

a daughter that says she loves her fiancé so much it makes her cry

my sister

my brother

ballet

grosgrain ribbon

velvet

stripes

shabby chic

French country
Teddy bears

 Dolls

Friends who help me re-tile a bathroom

Friends who call to see how I’m doing

Neighbors who give me tomato plants

Friends who help me garden

Being trustworthy enough that some choose to share with me their pain

Prayer

Strawberry rhubarb pie

Homemade bread

My Dyson vacuum

Clean floors

Being a night owl

Having the summer “off”

A car that runs

Going to buy plants only to find that they are half off or less

A new hard drive

Buying a printer at a yard sale for $5 that is also a scanner, fax, and copier Yes!

Friends who go to yard sales with me

Friends who surround and support my daughter as she begins a new chapter in her life by saying “I do” in two weeks

Having a policeman for a neighbor and his awesome family

The ability to think

Hope

My collection of foxes

thrift stores

I am linking with 

I would be much obliged...

I would be much obliged, truly honored, and humbled to have the good pleasure of your company on my friend's list.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Today I hosted a luncheon for some friends. We had such a nice time - good food, laughter, flowers, pretty china - just being together. With our fast paced world today, we often miss out on the one-on-one time that we spend with others. We are so busy driving, texting, working, etc. that we don't often take the time to visit with those we care about. I'm glad I slowed down enough to spend time with some of the special blessings in my life. At each of their places I wrapped a diamond ornament in some tulle and set it above their place with this saying: Diamonds are made beautiful and valuable under pressure. Thank you for being one of the diamonds in my life. I have been blessed with wonderful women in my life and they are all diamonds. Each of them has had their own struggles that has made their beauty shine through even more. I want to make sure that I let them know how special they are to me as well as to others. What about you? What is your diamond story?