Grace Notes - Counting the Gifts 797-812

I am thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet.  I like my shoes.

 I am thankful for the birds; I feel like they are singing just for me when I get up in the morning, saying 'Good morning, John, you made it, John'. 

I am thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.

~ Johnny Cash

Whether you are famous or unknown, young or old, rich or poor, gratitude is an attitude that can be cultivated by all and it bears a rich harvest of joy, peace and perspective. Carrying on with the counting . . . 

797.  Bullfrogs croaking in the cool morning air
798.  Rain pelting loudly on skylight windows . . . being safely tucked inside
799.  A big sleepy dog that sticks close to me all evening and night

800.  A trip to the garden centre for spring colour

801.  Help overcoming a "ticked-off" attitude . . . poor customer service really gets me going
802.  The park in spring . . . thousands of bulbs arrayed in glorious garb

803.  Nature's wonders . . . a faithful mate.  This fellow stuck with his lady love when all the other ducks in the 
         pond went off on a grand adventure

804.  Happenings in bunches that remind me who I am to Him and this song on youtube . . .

Remind Me Who I Am by  Jason Gray

805.  Things that just make you smile . . . a young lady crossing the street on a shiny, girly scooter, wearing  
         tights with slashes in them and carrying a pink and silver purse.
806. Snuggly kittens lapping up the love . . . the lessons they teach you.
807. Checking the mail and finding this . . .

808. When I can't go I can give, when I can't give I can pray.  There is always a way to be involved in the work 
         of the kingdom.
809.  Singing in the car at the top of my lungs
810.  Bags of "Free Kale"  at church . . . making some kale chips tonight

811.  What is impossible for man is possible for God
812.  Teenage girls standing in the rain, face up and arms outstretched

SHS Photo Challenge 28

I have been house and pet sitting for some friends this last week so I have had some fresh subjects to take pictures of . . . a bird named Baby, a cat called Emma and Morgan, a chocolate Labrador retriever.  Had some excitement Friday morning when I woke up to breaking glass and the security chimes going off indicating that a door or window had been breached.  I called 911 and police came and checked it out thoroughly, inside and out.  No broken glass anywhere.  Oops . . . apparently I had a very vivid dream that got my adrenaline going.  Thankfully, they said I did the right thing and didn't make me feel stupid, although I still had to fight feeling that way.  Later that same morning I was back at my own place, and the police came to the door wanting to ask about some break-ins the neighbourhood.  They were canvassing the area to see if anyone had noticed any suspicious activity.  So once again I was giving my name and birth date to the authorities. So happy things were much quieter today.  

And now for your viewing pleasure,  this week's interpretations . . .

1.  Yellow

This is Baby . . . his vocabulary includes "Hello Baby", "Pretty, pretty, pretty boy", "naughty, naughty Grandma", "wake up, Kris" and "Happy, happy birthday".  He also does a mean "wolf whistle" and loves to whistle the song "What if God Where One of Us".

2.  Made Me Smile

My daughter came home with two bleeding heart perennials this week.  She remembered that we had them in Willow River when she was little and was so excited to grow them herself.

3. Antique

I have a small collection of antique books that include these Bibles and hymnals.

4.  Splash

I was thinking the little waterfall into the fish pond would work for the splash prompt. When I was setting up my shot Morgan suddenly appeared  in the picture.  I was sure hoping he didn't fall in  . . . I didn't want to deal with  a soaking wet dog.

5.  In the Sun

I love the way these tiny leaves on the spirea bush look when back-lit by the sun. I think the clusters of white and red tulips blurred in the background really add to the beauty of this shot. 

Looking forward to seeing this week's entries . . . a favourite part of my week.  You can check them out yourself at Ashley Sisk's Ramblings & Photos.

Grace Notes - Counting the Gifts 770-796

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!  For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

~ Psalm 75:1

Time got away on me last week and I didn't make a Grace Notes post even though I had recorded them in my Gratitude Journal.  Playing catch up as I continue counting . . . 

770.  Seeing the moon and stars when I took out the recycling.  The rain clouds had sailed away to water other
         places.
771.  The way stars remind me of "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine".
772.   Grace that carried me through a busy day after a poor night's sleep.
773.  Opportunities to show kindness to strangers
774.  Pistachios

775.  Talking to the grandgirlies
776.  Hearing Ema say "hi da".
777.  Pockets of sunshine
778.  Extra laps in the pool
779.  Following the prompting of the spirit and finding provision
780.  Fresh juice from fruits and veggies
781.  A moving Good Friday service
782.  First beach day . . . sunny but still cool by the water

783.  Fish & chips

784.  The sun, the breeze, the salty air . . . peace that washes over me at the ocean's edge.
785.  Faithful pups waiting for their master to finish lunch

786.  Treasures of the sea revealed at low tide
787.  A furry friend that wanted lots of attention
788.  Cross-centred hymns and worship songs . . . He is Risen, indeed!
789.  First BBQ of the year
790.  Tulips busting out all over

791.  Seeing "91" in so many places . . . getting the message (Psalm 91) . . . even the number of this counted gift
         (totally not planned).
792.  Safe am I . . . in the hollow of His hand
793.  Big girls that can still call their daddy's for help
794.  Both Shan's dad and Alison's dad came over this week and took care of some 'manly' chores . . . power 
         washing and chopping down a tree.
795.  A finished project . . . soft and snuggly recycled flannel

796.  Forgetting my cane on numerous occasions . . . needing it less often


Linking with the grateful ones at . . .

SHS Photo Challenge 27

I am so enjoying the longer days and warmer weather, the tulips and daffodils and singing birds.  

The promise of spring fulfilled once again. 

 This week we were looking for Simple, Grain, Transportation, Stitch and Bubbles.  

1.  Simple

A single branch of  a lipstick plant against an off-white wall . . . love the simplicity of this shot.

 2.  Grain

A trio of grains . . . brown basmati rice, flax seed and my favourite, popcorn.

3.  Transportation

Glad I never had to ride one of these to school every day . . . just the occasional field trip.

4.  Stitch

Found in my friend's sewing room.

5.  Bubbles

My girl was happy to take a break from yard work to blow some bubbles for me.

Linking with Ashley at Ramblings & Photos . . .

SHS Photo Challenge 26

Wishing a happy Easter to all my fellow scavenger hunters . . . 

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. 

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song."

~ Pope John Paul II

I really enjoyed this week's prompts . . . lots of fun to work with. 

We were looking for New, Life, Fragrant, Pink and Obvious

1.  New

 After attending Good Friday Service the girls and I went to Crescent beach where we made a new friend.  This kitty was hanging out were we parked and was so friendly.  We gave him some attention and then went for lunch . . . fish & chips . . . at the beach.  Yum!  After we spent some time walking along the shore and taking pictures we headed back to the van.  As soon as the cat saw us, it jumped down off the fence, came right up to us, and . . . 

 flopped down for a belly scratch.    What a sweet fella!

2.  Life

 Clematis vines are bursting with new life from what looked like a tangles mass of dead twigs.

3.  Fragrant

 Hyacinth  . . . beautiful flowers, enchanting fragrance.

4.  Pink

Perfect prompt for this week . . . all these lovely pink blossoms opening up all over the place.


5.  Obvious

One does not need to be inside my house very long before it becomes obvious that my favourite colour is green.

Do wander over to Ashley's Ramblings & Photos to check out the other entries . . . great prompts this week and I anticipate some gorgeous shots.

Grace Notes - Counting the Gifts 749-769

The year's at the spring, and day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven; the hill-side's dew-pearl'd;

The lark's on the wing; the snail's on the thorn;

God's in His heaven - all's right with the world!

~ Robert Browning

The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitudes of isles be glad!

Psalm 97:1

Joining the multitudes giving thanks . . . 

749.  Help getting air in my tire
750.  A gas station that still provides air at no charge . . . very few of those left
751.  Young man on a skateboard, headphones on, drink in one hand, bag of groceries in the other, grinning                  from ear to ear on a sunny no-jacket kind of day.  Had me smiling right along with him.
752.  Warmer days, longer daylight
753.  Blue jays visiting 

754.  My hip and knee class started and I get to use the hot tub after class . . . aahhh (relaxing sigh).
755.  Friendly classmates
756.  My sister got her surgery date . . .
757.   . . . and then it got moved even closer.  
758.  Gracie is getting so grown up . . . she knows what time to come home every night from Auntie Shannon's.            10 pm and she is looking for her treats.
759.  A hard conversation that was well-received
760.  Daffodils blooming

761.  Singing along with Bill Gaither's Gospel Hour
762.  Developing an action plan
763.  The tiniest signs of life on my Virginia creeper
764.  Stairs getting easier
765.  Welcoming faces at church
766.  Communion with the saints on Sunday . . . in remembrance of Him
767.  Hearing the neighbour's lawnmower the first time this spring
768.  Ladybugs and snails . . . small wonders of nature

769.  Kitties that come for a visit and a snuggle