I walked the dog outside this morning and was greeted with the sound of horses whinnying and Canada geese calling as they flew overhead. It’s these little things, like those beautiful sounds and the crisp fall air and last night’s deliciousness, that make me appreciate each day anew.
(A quick note: There was meat. Lots of it. The turkey and ham just somehow didn’t get photographed.)

There’s so much to be thankful for every year, but at yesterday’s Thanksgiving celebration, I felt ridiculously blessed. Economically, these past 36 months or so have been hard on the whole country, and Danny and I have had to adjust the way we run our household expenses, too. But, whether we’re feeling financially rock solid or feeling the pinch, there are so, so many things I should be grateful for, day in and day out. A few that came to my mind yesterday:

1.) Continued good health
2.) Being surrounded by family and friends
3.) The ability to laugh, even when things aren’t perfect
4.) People who truly care for us — and who do wonderful things for us, like take care of our chronically sick little horse while we’re out of town
5.) Having enough money (and know-how!) to put together a Thanksgiving feast with/for our family
6.) Exciting plans on the horizon, for our business and for our personal life
7.) Knowing that, no matter the circumstances, God holds our lives in His hands
8.) That the Christmas season is now upon us
9.)  A glorious change of scenery — winter-bare tree branches, distant mountains, vivid sunsets
10) Getting to spend every single day with my very best friend

Any way you look at it, Danny and I lead truly blessed lives. My guess is that you do, too. Happy day-after Thanksgiving, and a very merry start to your Christmas!

~Laura