Day 366

I can't believe I have completed a whole year of this, my Gratitude Journal.

I'm so thrilled that I did it... and enjoyed it!
Every day I am thankful for my boys, my wonderful family and friends, where I live and what I have. I wanted to reach beyond that and find something new every day to add to my list. It wasn't hard to do and I ended up enjoying this year of Thankful Posts very much.
I am so grateful I challenged myself and discovered how truly lucky I am.
Now how do I choose a single photo for this day???

Easy!

Just before my Nanna passed away, I made her a little white dove. She was in hospital and it was Christmas. I wanted her to have this little dove to put on the small Christmas tree she had next to her bed. I wanted her to be able to see it and know that I was there with her always.
When she passed away I never saw the little dove again, and I never knew what happened to it. This was 3 years ago. When I was at my Dads on Boxing Day (just a week ago!) we went into his office and I couldn't believe my eyes.. The little dove is hanging in his office, above his desk! I don't know why I haven't seen it there before, but there it is!!! I am so grateful he has it. I am so grateful for the lovely memories I have of my Nanna.

Thanks for the journey... it's been wonderful!!!

Day 365

Todays photo challenge was "Something that made you smile this year"

I am grateful for a wonderful year, that has been FULL of wonderful people, memories, events and places. 

Adelaide trip, Jacks 18th Birthday, James in Paris, Blog meet in Sydney and Renee's wedding (and so much more... this is just a snippet!)

Day 364

I am grateful for those days when I really feel like (and enjoy!) cooking. Made another huge pot of chili con carne today. Mike, Jack and I ate nearly all of it too. Just a small bit left for work tonight.
I am really grateful Jack is feeling better today. He has a bad headache - but nothing worse so it seems!

Day 363

I am grateful for hugs..... for any reason!!!

I am also very grateful that the fall Jack had at work today isn't worse than it is. I am so grateful that he is okay.

Day 362

I am grateful for beautiful Boxing Day memories at my Dads house. Haylee dancing around and catching bubbles!

Day 361

I am grateful for my family. I love spending time with them and being with them. There is always lots of laughing - always!!! They are the best!!! And I love them to pieces!!

Day 360

I am grateful to spend Christmas Day with my family. To spend the day with my husbands family and to Skype James in England. I am grateful I have such wonderful in-laws, nephews and nieces.
It was our first Christmas without the boys home - James is in London and Jack was with Bec's family. Luckily Jack made it by lunchtime and luckily we got to Skype James and talk to him and see him via the phone!!! I was also able to text and send photos to Mum throughout the day... it felt like we were together even though we are miles apart. Love our technology!!!

Day 359

I am grateful to work with some really wonderful people! They make this place fun and they make me smile! (And laugh)

Day 358

I am grateful for the lovely surprise I found when I came home from work this morning (4am). Jack bought this on his Christmas lights drive last night. It's huge - takes up the whole bench. What was really lovely is lately I have been leaving little notes saying "Do not eat" on packs of Tim Tams and boxes of chocolates around the kitchen. However the note from Jack left on this giant gingerbread man said "EAT ME". Love him so much!
It was absolutely delicious!!!
PS I'm also grateful Jack and Bec took me driving to see the Christmas lights again tonight. They wanted to show me the house where they got the giant gingerbread man from. The house was absolutely wonderful.

Day 357

I am grateful my 18 year old is still happy to have his photo taken with Santa. This Santa was wonderful and he had the best beard (said it was made of yak hair!!!)
Thanks Jack xxxx

Day 356

I am grateful for my on line group Friends in Stitching. We are presently opening our Christmas presents leading up to the big one on Christmas Day. It's been so much fun opening a present every day and I'm loving what my partner, Kylie, has sent me. This is a wonderful group to be a part of.

Day 355

I am grateful for all things hand made (and add a little vintage - and it's perfect!). These are a gorgeous soy candle in a little vintage jug and the most divine smelling goats milk soap in the shape of a blue bird. Just beautiful and so much more special being made by hand.

Day 354

I am grateful for the Christmas spirit. For gifts from friends, Christmas shopping, making rumballs, catching up with friends, wrapping presents, Christmas lights and carols.

Day 353

I am very grateful to spend the night with Jack and Bec driving around checking out the local Christmas lights. Such a fun traditional thing to do and this is the first chance we've had. There was a huge storm threatening the whole time so the light show wasn't just on the ground, but over the whole sky with huge bolts of lightning and full sky light ups. If was magic and so much fun. Jack managed to get a 2 hour driving lesson in as an added bonus!

Day 352

I am grateful for air conditioners. It was over 35 C in the house this morning. When I went to work I did a couple of hours in the freezers and in the fridges which was lovely.
I'm also very grateful for Jack and Bec picking me up from work and going out to tea with me.

Day 351

I am grateful to be invited to John and Lynne's Christmas party today - and for being a part of their wonderful family. Everyone made us feel so welcome and we had such a lovely day.

Day 350

I am very grateful for the gorgeous keyring Louise made for me. I was the lucky person to be given a secret Santa gift from her lovely company Hearts & Roses.
I'm also grateful for friends sharing delicious, quick and easy recipes, (De's Tim Tam balls). And for family who eat them, love them and make you feel glad you went to the trouble to try the recipe (even when you should have been doing other things!)

Day 349

I am grateful for the mailman. For Australia post and all the lovely people who send me parcels and letters in the mail. Love that feeling when something arrives for you especially when it's a surprise!!

Day 348

I am grateful for photographs. Photos that bring back memories of wonderful times, family and friends, photos that make you smile, photos that make you laugh. I love going down Memory Lane with my photos.

Day 347

I am grateful to spend the day with these lovely friends. Lunch at George's at the beautiful Sanctuary Cove with a very delicious lunch. Such a great day. I love being with these guys.

Day 346

I am grateful for the wonderful day today spent with my Tuesday stitching group. I'm especially grateful that Mary was able to come and spend the day with us.
Lots of laughs, delicious food and wonderful gifts.

Day 345

I am grateful to find this waiting for me when I finished work tonight. Jack and Bec have been cooking again!

Day 344

I am grateful for work today. As much as I'd rather be at home - it will be nice to have a few extra dollars in my pay packet this week. I have to take it when I can get it. It was lovely getting a visit from Jack though! And he's making cupcakes at home with Bec - I'm looking forward to those when I get home!!!!

Day 343

I am grateful for so many things today. I've had a lot of trouble sleeping lately but there was a good side to that this morning having a couple of hours chat with James. It was so good to catch up with him and to see his happy face. I also spent the day texting Brock back and forth as he did a marathon 250 km bike ride. It was wonderful following him all the way as well as get some amazing photos. Thanks to mum who sent me an earlier text to let me know that was what he was up to.
Then out of the blue today I also got a lovely text from Jack. It just said simply "I love you". Makes my heart sing!
I also managed to get my stitching girls Christmas presents finished - such a huge weight off my shoulders. Probably the reason I haven't been able to sleep.
All in all - a great day that I am very grateful for.

Day 342

I am so grateful for my sons. I watched the poor Morcombe family bury their son Daniel today and it was so terribly sad and tragic. It made me realise how lucky I am to have my boys. I love them so much.

Day 341

I am grateful for all things handmade. Not only do I love making things but I also love other people's creations. These gorgeous pieces were made and posted to me in 2 days which means I was able to post mums to her today. Louise has been so lovely and generous in sending me an extra gorgeous charm, just because. Thank you!

Day 340

I am so grateful that even though summer has hit with a vengeance, it was bearable today. Lots of fires and smoke but we are okay.

Day 339

I am grateful to find some peaceful time to stitch today. All the craziness of this time of the year, but I was able to stitch and spend some time with the girls today.

Day 338

I am so grateful for lovely, thoughtful friends like Michelle. Receiving these in the mail really made my day!!!

Day 337

I am grateful to find all these wonderful memories of Christmas today. While looking for something else I came across this Christmas journal that I made in 2008. It's full of photos, letters and so many other things like traditions and recipes, favourite carols, photos with Santa, things I've made etc. it's wonderful to make and keep things like this and to go back through them years later. Lots of wonderful memories.

Day 336

I am grateful for this time of the year when we start the countdown to Christmas. I love the excitement, the joy of giving gifts to friends and family, the parties and get-togethers, time spent with family, decorations, Christmas trees, traditions and carols, good food and wonderful times.