With Thanksgiving around the corner, I notice the stores are plunging into the so-called holiday season (really Christmas and Chanukah), a time where gifts are exchanged aplenty. People spend, spend, spend, and often find goodies they’d like for themselves. I know, I do. I’m not a great shopper, thus my heart is not filled with gratitude and thanksgiving when I’m stalking the crowded aisles for goodies and trying to second-guess the recipients. But I’m thankful that I live in a country where I am for the most part safe and able to give presents to those I love. I usually ask for a gift receipt—no hard feelings should the person wish to exchange it. What does give me great pleasure is buying an item a person likes and will use.
My husband and I came up with a strategy several years ago: After each December 1st, if he’s out shopping and finds something he likes, he buys it, leaves it in the bag, then must give it to me. And I do the same. We wrap the articles up nice and pretty, and give them to each other on Christmas morning. Yes, it might sound ho-hum, but my husband is not an easy man to shop for and he gets what he wants. And so do I.
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| Flowers from my husband always cheer me up. |
My daughter-in-law introduced me to the Amazon Wish List, which is going to help me this year. She is such a darling and so are my grandkids; I’ll be able to get them exactly what they want, plus a few surprises. Our grown sons are not as easy, so often my husband steps in to save the day. Anything to do with technology is out of my league.
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| Poor horse on a soggy Lancaster County day. |
But back to Thanksgiving. To me, we should celebrate it every day of the year. Nothing beats the rainy day blues better than taking a few minutes to think about what I’m thankful for. My life is abundant in so many ways and yet I can let the clouds and rain bog down and distract me. I’m extremely grateful for my bestselling fiction novels, but to have my family, my husband, good friends, my church body—all are far greater gifts than anything. Even a primo parking place.
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| Raindrops on my windows yesterday. |
Sometimes, when I’m experiencing a crummy day, I glance out the window at a delicate hummingbird hovering and then enjoying the nectar, and my heart is filled with gratitude. When it’s raining and stormy outside, or you have a case of the blahs, what is your trick for perking yourself up? What are you grateful for?
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| Taken today from our kitchen. |
Should you wish to enter to win a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork please leave your first name and an email address with your comment. USA and Canada. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to last week’s winner, Christina R.
PS: I’m grateful for each of you!
I love seeing all the pictures you post. So makes me want to visit that part of the country. I would love a chance to win one of your books.
Thanks for writing, Kimber! I’d love you to read one of my novels. To enter the contest, please leave an email address or contact info in case you win!
I love the pictures and your words.
November is hard, lots of darkness and sickness but I am trying to find the good things to be thankful for
God bless you
Chris Granville
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
Thanks for writing, Chris, and sharing that even in the hard, dark, and sick places, there are things for which to be thankful!
I would love to win a book. Angelachesnut246@gmail.com Angela is my name.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering to win a free book, Angela!
I am a working wife and mommy of two toddlers so I don’t get a lot of free time but my favorite thing to do to relax and beat the blahs is to go to a coffee shop and read a book. That makes me so recharged! Thanks for the opportunity, my email is ljgarrity80 (at)gmail(dot)com.
That sounds like so much fun and time well spent, Lisa! You have your hands full! Thanks for entering the contest!
Bonnie momtr3@yahoo.com Have been to the Lancaster area a few times,one of which I fell and broke my wrist in from of the Intercourse Pretzel Company. Spent 2 hours in the Lancaster hospital and was very much impressed with the way they got me in and out in 2 hrs(amazing). Everyone that took care of me was very caring. Also,have stayed at Beiler’s Bed and Breakfast twice and Barbie and her family are wonderful. Would love to win any of your books in print.
Thanks for your entertaining comment, Bonnie! Sorry that you broke your wrist! No fun anywhere, but it sounds like you were well taken care of. I have also found nothing but charitable and generous people in Lancaster County.
Your pictures are always like a breath of fresh air. They make me smile. I can just smell those flowers. Thanks for a chance to win your book.
Blessings
Diana
joeym11@frontier.com
You are a sweetheart to give me such encouragement, Diana! That makes me smile. Thanks for entering the contest!
Sitting down with a good book perks me up!
A good book perks me up too, Kathy! Thanks for writing!
Kate, your pictures are just beautiful. I love your blog! Thanks for the nice books you write! sonja(dot)nishimoto(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for your kind words about my photographs, blog, and, books! It’s dark and rainy out right now … the perfect time for a sweet comment like yours. Thanks for entering the contest!
I so enjoy your lovely photos and your wonderful blog. Would love to win a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork to place next to Leaving Lancaster. I am grateful for my breast cancer survivor daughter and the awesome grandson she brought into the world and all of my family.
Thanks for your generous and kind words, Mary! You have much to be thankful for; it’s an encouragement for all of us!
I so enjoy your photos and your posts. I love how you and your husband shop for Christmas. My hubby and I do not exchange Christmas gifts. We decide on one big item and purchase that as a combined gift. One year we bought a really nice Oak Computer desk. Another year we bought Vertical blinds for our bedroom. We haven’t decided what we will purchase this year.
It isn’t hard for me to be thankful anymore. I didn’t use to be this way. When hardships came I was down and grumpy for days on end. God has taken over every part of my life and I no longer carry those burdens. His word promises us that He will take care of our every need. We need to stand on those promises!
Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving Kate!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for sharing how you and your husband exchange one gift together, what my husband and I do on our anniversary! Yes, when we put our weight on His promises our burdens grow lighter. Good luck in the contest!
Love your photos would love to win a copy of Penn Patchwork. love your blog.
Linda Finn
Faithful Acres Books
http://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting my blog, Linda! I’m glad you like it and my photos. Good luck in the contest!
Love your Christmas gift idea that you and your husband do. My husband pretty much picks out his gifts, too. I would never have a clue otherwise! Love reading your blog and would love to read Pennsylvania Patchwork. I am thankful for parents that immigrated with me in tow from Germany after much hardship. They wanted to find a better life and felt America was the place to come to. Now I am thankful for my children and my grandchildren and that my parents are still here and able to see them grow up. sonja(dot)nishimoto(at)gmail(dot)com
Sonja, your family’s history sounds like a wonderful storyline for a novel! One with a happy ending, my favorite kind. I want you to read Pennsylvania Patchwork too!
I always enjoy your post.And we should be thankful every day I agree.Thanks for sharing your post and pictures.
Thank you so much, Jackie! And thank you for visiting my blog. I suppose I should be thankful for every raindrop on our roof … but I’d be even more grateful if I could go for a walk under dry skies tomorrow.
valerie impicbb@juno.com I would love to win one of your books.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Valerie!
Hello, Kate! I always look forward to reading your blog. You have an amazing eye for the photos and I think photography could be your second calling.
jociadam@hotmail.com
Hello to you, Cynthia! Thanks for your kind words and for entering the contest!
I would love to win your book my name is Lorrie
Caliandsophie@gmail.com or burness1962@gmail.com
You are entered in the book giveaway, Lorrie! Thanks for visiting my blog.
Blessings……thank you for good, clean books to read! Love to win one!
Thanks for visiting my blog, Becky, and for your lovely note!
My comfort food for rainy days, sad days, and lonely days is SOUP! I also love to read or watch a Hallmark movie.
I am grateful for our sons who love us and show up to see us now and again. One came over last night and made a great dinner and invited his girlfriend to come over for her birthday. We got to meet her and eat as well.
I agree, soup is soothing on rainy days, Sharon. As well as reading and watching a Hallmark movie. Wow, to have your son prepare dinner and invite his girlfriend. What a marvelous evening! Sounds like you raised your sons well. Thanks for writing.
I love to read and love your books. rosiej1942@yahoo.com thank you for chances to win a contest. 😉
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Rose!
I have two etsy purchases that have come addressed to my husband for him to give me for Christmas ~ I showed him what he was purchasing for me ~ this is the third year I have ordered “what I wouldn’t order for myself” that I would love to have for Christmas. Last year he forgot to give it to me! I have ordered books he has mentioned he would like ~ and then I surprise him with them when they come, and say, “That’s for you.”
I would like Pennsylvania Patchwork ~ thank you for your contest, Kate. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
“When it’s raining and stormy outside, or you have a case of the blahs, what is your trick for perking yourself up? What are you grateful for?” My husband and I both said at the table yesterday how much we each enjoyed rain, so no blahs here. We have both always loved rain we told each other. Was fun to share together, and that’s what I’m grateful for! My dear husband, the listener, wise consultant and our “doctor” for slivers and bringing a glass of water and a “take this tablet.” What a guy! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Your comment made me chuckle, Kathleen! Thanks for writing. Sounds as though you have a fabulous husband! And he has a wonderful wife!
😀 k.
loved your perspective on rainy days. As I get older I have come to appreciate rainy days . Due to some difficult circumstances this past year I have been challenged to be grateful for each day God gives me because I have seen that gift taken from loved ones who would have given anything for a chance to see the rain one more day. And yes I struggle with the blahs but I can always find something to be grateful for I just have to look beyond the dark clouds.
thank you for your book offer.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Kate!
I find that playing praise & worship music, helps keep me in a better frame of mind – as does doing something for others, & counting my blessings (even the tiny ones) is a help also!
Would love to read one of your books – thanks for the opportunity to win one!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com