gratitude part 1

October 2010

Taylor,
       This notebook contains 200+ opportunities to hold everyday, ordinary expressions of gratitude for gifts from God. Your challenge these next 3 days is to recognize and pen (1 per page) at least 100 gifts for which you're grateful.
Love,
Mom

That note was penned on the inside cover of a little notebook my mom gave me for my 23rd birthday, when I was sent away for a weekend alone at a cute little bed and breakfast. (See my last post for more details!) Today I'll begin sharing what some of those blessings were back then, and how I feel about them now (hint: most of them are still applicable). Enjoy!

Places with history - yep. Still love 'em. Some of my favorite vacations have been to London, DC, and Philly.

Good-smelling bath products - I definitely still appreciate these, though I rarely take baths anymore (our only bathtub is in the kid bathroom, and I just can't bring myself to share a tub with children!). I'm also much more a fan of natural products than intensely perfumed ones.

Cute downtowns - I'm sure I was thinking of the town I stayed in that weekend, but I hope I also recognized the town I lived in at the time, Gibsonville, NC. It's super cute! And I currently live about a mile away from downtown Elkin, NC, which has been featured on some "Best downtowns nationwide" type lists.

Bed and breakfasts - other than the small, one-bedroom, family-friend-owned one we stayed in the first two nights of our honeymoon, that weekend alone was the only time I've stayed in a bed and breakfast. Need to remedy that ASAP!

Hospitable people - the bed and breakfast owner in 2010 was super friendly, but these days I'm thinking more along the lines of those people who really mean it when they say "stop by anytime"! They're my heroes :)

Lace - sometimes it just takes my breath away. Done tastefully, of course. There's a fine line between granny-chic and granny-overkill.

Fireplaces - ahhhh, yes. Some dreamy moments in my life have been the times I've curled up by a fireplace, irresistible book in hand, breathing in the homey aroma and sound of burning wood. This is definitely one I need to get back in my life.

Weekends alone - well, this one has changed a bit. I still love love love solitary time, but now I consider time with Jake to be better. So when I say "alone," just mentally translate that to "with only Jake."

Neat, clean rooms - YES! This has always been true for me, and I imagine it always will be. Like, my heart literally skips a beat.

Indoor plumbing - ha! Funnily enough, it was only after this trip that I experienced using not only outhouses, but latrines. And now living in a rural area, I've been working on my behind-the-bushes skills. But considering I've never had to do so in the freezing cold, I'll say, sure: I'm still grateful for indoor plumbing ;)

Well that seems a good one to end on! I'll leave you with a Bible verse printed in the bottom righthand corner of every page in my little notebook:

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 
John 10:10