Ten Things of Thankful

Some weeks are better blogging weeks than others, or so it would seem the case with me this past week. This is the end of one week and the beginning of another, and although I failed to keep up the momentum of blogging last week, Ten Things of Thankful is an important part of my life.

This weekly blog post is a time when I consider the things that have transpired this past week, or the thoughts I have had that help me to realize how very grateful I am for the big things and the small things in my life.  There is quite a community of bloggers who link up to Ten Things of Thankful each week.  If you have a blog, and need a little jump start in your thinking or attitude, take some time to consider some of those things for which you are thankful. Post them on your blog and link up to Ten Things of Thankful.  When you read the things others have posted on their blogs, your eyes will be opened to the many possibilities, and you will feel even more grateful.  Each post has a place where you can comment.  Maybe you learned something from the post, or maybe you might be able to add a voice of encouragement, or a "hooray for you."  Comments are always welcomed.

Here is my list for this week.

1.  There is something to be said about making a commitment.  I want to stay healthy, so eating right most of the time is important to me.  Logging the things I eat and the calories helps me stay aware of what I am doing to my body.  I've completed week two on this log.

2.  Walking on the treadmill and using the stationary bike hasn't been quite daily, but my goal for the year is to walk or pedal 1000 miles.  I'm ahead of where I thought I would be by now.  Because I'm using this time to also do my scripture reading, I'm staying on course there too.

3.  This past week there was a need for some fabric pieces to use to make sleeping bags for the needy.  Since I had some pieces being unused I was able to clean our a little space in our closets by donating some fabric for this cause.

4.  It was time to have our car serviced this past week.  The place that does the servicing also sells auto parts, and some miscellaneous items such as greeting cards.  I really like the Leanin' Tree cards, so I stocked up while waiting for my car.  It was also a good time to read a book someone loaned me. If it hadn't been pouring down rain, I would have taken advantage of the 1-mile hiking area around the auto service and adjoining properties.

5.  This was another of those weeks when I said a very specific prayer, this time before going into a Goodwill store.  My Mom needed some larger clothing.  Within a very short amount of browsing time, I was able to find two articles of clothing, that appeared to have never been worn, from Buck & Buck which sells adaptive clothing.  I have never seen adaptive clothing in there.  This was a considerable savings and a blessing.

6.  Lori Henriques album, How Great Can This Day Be, is a nominee for the 58th Grammy Award for Best Children's Album.  I'm thankful to have had the joyful experience of hearing this on the radio this past week.  The song, by the same name as the title of the album, is one for all ages.  I'm thankful for Lori's amazing musical talent!  When I first heard this song, I didn't know it was on a children's album.

7.  My husband and I enjoyed exploring the John Neal Memorial County Park outside of Lyons, Oregon this week.  Thanks to reading an article in the newspaper about this park, we decided to see for ourselves.  It has a great trails around several beaver ponds and streams.  We were able to enjoy several hours of walking and taking photos of birds, reflections, beaver dams, etc., and it wasn't raining!

8.  After our morning walk around the ponds we stopped at the Gingerbread House to have lunch and of course one of their gingerbread cookies.  My husband had a bison burger with home fries and I had a chicken fajita salad.  A good lunch after a good morning!

9.  Yesterday my husband and I went to see the movie, Joy, based on the story of Joy Mangano, the home-shopping pioneer.  Since I don't watch the home shopping shows, I wasn't familiar with her.  This is quite the story of someone who had to pull herself up by her bootstraps!

10. After seeing the afternoon movie, we went to McGrath's Fish House for some clam chowder and also shared a small flat bread pizza that was lightly covered with some hot creamy crab mixed with artichoke spread.  This was very yummy.  I must try this at home some time, but not too often.  I don't want to log that very often.  This next recipe was shared on a Facebook closed group.  This will probably just remain on my wish list, unless I can figure out how to make just a very small portion.  There are several recipes online with slight variations in the ingredients.  It is a flourless chocolate cake using coconut oil and bittersweet chocolate chips.  It is baked in a springform pan.  It is very rich.  Any chocoholics will love this.

I hope you weren't hungry when you read this post.  :-)