Days 7-16

Wow, how quickly the month has gone by. I feel like I just sat down to write about the first day of the month and now we are already halfway through the month.

Day 7-Grandparents I have been fortunate and thankful to have grown up with these four individuals living close around. They have been through every good and bad moment of my life. I love them all for their individuality and support.

Day 8-Technology Being able to see and talk to my nieces through the phone...who would have thunk it. I still remember the Christmas we got our first computer, the first time I needed a cellphone to call for help and the first time I heard of an iPod. Now these things are just a part of my life.

Day 9-Photography I love the way a moment can be frozen in time for forever. People can stay young forever in a photo. A moment quickly forgotten in the camera of the human mind...can be recreated seeing it in print. I'm thankful for those who share this talent...enabling us to view the world through the eyes of another.

Day 10-Fall I love this time of year...although we don't see the leaves change color, have temperatures plummet to freezing and rain turning into snow; there is something that seems to change in the air this time of year. The world seems to slow down and people seem to be a lot happier. I love that the weather does get somewhat cooler...allowing us to open up the house for a good airing out. I love that the oranges are ripe and I can have all the fresh squeezed orange juice I want. It's a time for family and holiday gatherings. It's just a magical time of year.

Day 11-Holidays Part of the reason I'm so thankful for the fall is because it brings the holiday season. Nothing says fall like the holidays. Halloween...begins the season with all its ghosts and goblins, plus it's the day we celebrate my brother and uncle's births. A holiday filled with candy and costumes. You can become anyone or anything for the night. Next up, turkey day...Thanksgiving. Nothing says the holidays like the family gathered around the table enjoying a feast prepared by the hands of one who loves you. Parades, football and food....what more could you ask for in a holiday. Finally, my favorite of the holiday season...Christmas. The sights, sounds, smells all make me love this time of the season.

Day 12- Music You know the question...what three things would you bring if you were stranded on a desert island? No, doubt in my mind music would be at the top of the list. It's what gets me through the good times and bad. It brings back wonderful memories...gives me such energy and happiness. I can do any task as long as I have music.

Day 13-Baking Nothing puts a person in a good mood like the aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. I am so grateful I have the talent to bake. I so enjoy watching others devour the creations I just made.

Day 14-Senses I am definitely thankful for my five senses. Sight...the ability to witness such beauties like the flowers blooming, a baby walking for the first time, the joy on a child's face Christmas morning, etc. Sound...to be able to listen to the birds chirp, to hear the laughter of loved ones and to hear the music that I love so much. Taste...to be able to sample those wonderful aromas. To enjoy the taste of favorite foods. Smell...to open a door and smell fresh bread baking, to smell a scented candle burning, to smell a campfire on a chilly night. Touch...to feel the warm embrace of a hug or a tear sliding down the cheek.

Day 15-Animals I am fortunate enough to have grown up around animals. They bring such a calmness to life. They bring a joy and a fear. Nothing beats having a bad day and getting up on a horse and riding the cares away. Nothing beats watching a kitten play or having a dog look up at you with his big brown eyes...knowing you care for him and will pet him for forever.

Day 16-Southern Comforts I love living the "slower" way of life. I love hearing the southern drawls to a person's voice. I love biscuits and gravy, grits, boiled peanuts and fried chicken.

Days 1-6

So I have been seeing everyone on Facebook or Instagram post what they are thankful for this month. Upon giving it some thought, it's actually a great way to celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday season. I realize I'm coming into this a little late but as it's said better late than never.

Day 1- For the Beauty of the Earth:Enjoying the brilliant orange, pink and purple hues of a Florida sunset. The wind and smell of rain from an approaching thunderstorm. Waking up to a fog so dense you feel all alone in the world. The icicles hanging off the tree branches on a rare night that it freezes. Hearing the birds chirping first thing in the morning. Watching butterflies fluttering from one blossom to another. Tasting honey right off the comb.    

Day 2- New Life:I love each year watching the world renew life in different forms. I love living where I can watch the citrus trees bloom and watch the oranges grow and ripen until I can eat them. I love watching literally new life come into the world each year when new calves are born. I love planting seeds in my garden and watching the plants come to life as they push through the soil toward the sunlight.

Day 3- Sisters: Audrey, came into my life when I was the ripe old age of 22 months. As young children all we did was argue with each other. As we have gone older, I now respect her as a person, mother and sister. She is a gifted creator...no matter what she does it turns out wonderful and beautiful. She is a talented photographer...I especially love the pictures she takes of my nieces. Heather came into my life when I was almost 8 years old...my sweet, beautiful baby sister. She has always been my friend and confidant. I wish I could play the piano by ear like she does. I love the bond we share. About a year ago, Rebecca became my sister-in-law. I admire her patience, commitment to family and her loyalty to friendship.

Day 4- Brothers:Growing up, I only had one brother, Cody. Being his older sister hasn't always been easy but I love him none the less. He's an incredible athlete and such a professional. He's one of the funniest persons I know and he can keep me laughing for hours until my cheeks hurt. Seven years ago, Scott became my brother-in-law. He is a devoted husband and father, hard worker and all around great guy. Three short months ago, Erick joined the clan. I don't really know him all that well but I can see how happy he has made my youngest sister and for that I am grateful. I do know he has an eye for natural photography.
 
Day 5- Parents:I'm thankful for their unconditional love and support. Both are strong individuals. My father is so funny. He keeps his students laughing with his voice imitations. I love watching football with him each weekend. My mother is a gifted pianist and seamstress. She is one of the hardest working people I know.

Day 6- Nieces:Almost four years ago, Alexis (Lexi) Lauren Beaudin was born...officially making me an aunt.Words can not express the joy I felt the first time I held this precious little girl in my arms. She and I have an incredible connection...I absolutely love playing with her and telling her silly stories that make her laugh. A little more than a year after Lexi was born; she became a big sister to Taylor Lynn Beaudin. This little spitfire inherited her aunt's stubborn temper. She and I don't have quite the same connection that her sister and I do however, we love cooking together and playing together. I love both these little girls so much and wish I lived closer to them.

Hybrid Storm 2011

This past weekend we had what is referred to as a hybrid storm. We received right at 15 inches of rain in a little over a 24 hours period. The following pictures are the results of that storm.

Disney 2011

A hint of fall, extreme excitement, packed bags, cameras and tickets all add up to one thing when you have two young nieces visiting from Utah....A TRIP TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM AT WALT DISNEY WORLD.

At this point, Lexi begins yelling to everyone in the car "Disney World, Disney World."

Two very excited girls and I'm not just talking about the little ones.

Isn't she just sooo cute waiting in line to see the princesses?

We have this thing in our family where we ask the girls for a high five and then knuckles. When Lexi was finished visiting with Cinderella, Cinderella asked her for a high five and then Lexi automatically balled her fist for knuckles. It was so cute.

These two girls are the most obsessed with all things "Mimmie" aka Minnie.

Can you tell this one loves to wait in line?

Everyone has to refuel once in a while.

Lexi is in love with the movie Tangled. She spotted "Punzel."

Spring In Central Florida

Spring brings with it a variety of different sights, sounds, and smells to central Florida. While most of the United States is still caught in winter wonderland, Florida is beginning so show signs that the groundhog might have been right about an early spring. This time of year brings many festivals, fairs, and shows. I attended just such a sight last week. It was called Pioneer Park Days located in Zolfo Springs, Florida. It is a big flea market basically with old tractors, vendors, a recreated civil army camp, and old cracker homes. Here are a few sights from that day.

(This tractor was from the antique tractor parade. It amazes me that many of this tractor still run let alone can be driven from place to place.)

(I've heard of overhauling up your truck but never your lawn mower.)

(This has to be the world's oldest lawn mower.)

These next set of pictures, I thought my sister, Audrey might like or anyone who sews. They are all old sewing machines.

This next picture gave me a good laugh.

(The sign reads WANTED: GOOD WOMAN Cook, Sew and Care for six children. Must have John Deere Tractor. Please send picture of tractor)

Another great thing about Florida in the spring time is the blossoming of the fruit trees. The fragrance from the orange trees feels the air.

(Below is the blossoms of the Anna apple tree that we just planted in our backyard.)

Spring time also means harvesting the last of the winter garden and planting the spring one.

(Strawberries)

(Tomatoes)