Ten Things of Thankful

It has been a good week and I've taken a few photos to share some of those things for which I am thankful. I'll be linking this post to the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop hosted by Kristi of Thankful Me. Are you feeling grateful? If you have a blog, why not write a post about those things, and link up to the blog hop. While you are there, see how other bloggers are expressing gratitude this week.

1. "Number 5"great grandchild, a little girl, was born this week! To see a photo of her, see the post of the host of this blog hop.

2. Received an email from our grandson saying he'd arrived safely in Argentina where he will be serving a church mission.

3. Went with my husband to eat lunch with some empty nesters.  I'm getting better about not indulging in too many of the items at the buffet.

4. Went to hear a speaker talk about essential oils. A few days later I was  bitten by a no-see-um. They are my nemeses. I usually do not realize I have been bitten until I see and feel a welt the following day. I decided to rub some lavender oil on the spot two or three times a day for a couple of days, and the itching went away. Usually the welt and itching lasts a week, but the welt subsided very quickly this time. What do you call no-see-ums in your area?

5. Escaping from the hot muggy weather here in the valley one day by driving to the coast, about an hour away. I loved watching the waves and listening to the sound of the ocean.

6. My husband spotted a little scallop shell on the sand. I had never seen one, except in little shops along the coast. I could walk forever along the shore looking at all the things that have washed up at low tide, and although this is not my husband's favorite thing to do he did it with me and for me this day. 

Scallop shell

There were lots of jellyfish on the sand.

7. Going on a tour of the new cheese factory in Tillamook and of course treating ourselves to cheese samples and then buying some ice cream. Yum!

Hoof prints of cows guided those taking the
self-tour at the cheese factory.

8. Seeing a plant that I remembered from childhood. I spotted the plant shown below when we were at the coast. I remembered a childhood friend telling me that it was called Indian tobacco. I wasn't sure if this was just a made-up story by a child or if there was some truth to it. Thanks now to Google and me having taken a photo I was able to identify the plant and also find a link giving some verification to her remark. 

Curly Dock

9. Bridges, and also the people and things that help us cross the big hurdles of life. My husband has helped me and the two of us cross a few hurdles over the years.

My husband crossing small bridge at
Ona Beach State Park

Yaquina Bay Bridge near Newport OR

10. Making it to three-quarters of my lifetime, if I follow in the footsteps of my centenarian mom. Thanks for all the well wishes.