#307: Heat

Someone recently tweeted that the smell of central heat in the morning is something they find comforting, and I have to agree. Besides it's literal comfort factor, I am so grateful to live in a warm, heated home because I know there are many people who do not. It's one of the basic necessities we likely take for granted, raising the heat at will as the temperatures drop, not taking the time to acknowledge how lucky we are simply to be able to do that.

#303: Flip Flops in Fall

With unseasonably warm weather, I was able to sneak in a few hours of my afternoon in flip flops. When I kicked them off I recognized that, most likely, it's the last time I'll wear them until the Spring. I love the comfort of my Uggs this time of year, but feel most at home in my Old Navy flip flops. I look forward to breaking them out again and am grateful-- amidst the short few weeks that have included a hurricane and a Nor'easter-- to have been able to don them unexpectedly.

#301: Hot Chocolate

At this time of year, there's nothing quite as comforting or simply appreciated as ending the night with a warm mug of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream.

#293: My Home

This week I've thought often how thankful I am for my house-- for the physical structure of it, the fact that it provides me and my family shelter. Today I am thankful for my house as my home.

I love the comfort of my home, that it's a place I feel secure and safe. I love that it's adorned with photos of my family and friends-- the living embodiment of home. I love how laughter bounces off its walls, that it's set the stage for holidays and birthdays. I love the way sun streams through the windows, the way rain runs down the window panes. I love how light filters in throughout the day, how you can see the moon out the skylights. I love finding my cats curled in their secret spots, love the sound of Kegan's keys in the door when he returns from work. I love knowing I've been blessed here, and with continued  grace, will be, even more so, here.

"Home is the nicest word there is." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

#290: Weather Reports

With the impending storm approaching, I am reminded how thankful we should all be to live in an age of advanced technology and mass communication. I cannot comprehend living in a world where a storm like Hurricane Sandy could bear down unannounced, cannot comprehend the extent of damage or loss of life that would result. I am thankful there have been people tracking this storm and keeping the public informed about it, so that we can all take the necessary precautions.

#279: Snickerdoodle

Cinnamon, sugar AND the name of Snickerdoodle? What's not to love?

#273: Water

Today an activity in my class involved coloring. One student was being particularly whiny and was complaining about how 'stressful' it is to color. I couldn't help but respond with a typical adult response. "You know there are kids in the world your age, somewhere in the world right now, who are spending their day simply trying to find water. I'm pretty sure that's stressful. Coloring? Not so much." Like the typical 13 year old he shrugged his shoulders, and went on to justify that sure, it didn't compare, but it's so hard to hold crayons. You know?

While the sentiment was lost on him, it wasn't on me. I realized I needed to take a dose of my own medicine. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the everyday annoyances of modern, privileged life that I forget that these are privileges...things that, in the long run, don't matter. That honestly, at the end of the day. the reality that I have consistent and reliable access to clean water matters...but I don't give it much (if ever any) credence, and that the 'stresses' in my life pale in comparison to the reality that much of the world does not have that luxury.

It also made me think of the roles water has played in my life: the calming effect the ocean has on me, particularly when I can run besides it, days and nights of summer spent in my community and friends' pools, the relief of water stations during a race, the reassurance of waking an older sibling or a parent in the middle of the night for a glass of water...it's fundamental role in our lives makes it easy to ignore, or to become part of the background, but it's the fact that it does, in fact,  play a fundamental role in our lives that makes it something we should be thankful for.

"The cure for anything is salt water...sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen

#267: Uggs

It's Ugg season! Great over a pair of jeans or leggings, super comfortable, warm...love love love.

#266: My New Lululemon Bag

While I am not one who gets much enjoyment out of shopping, there are occasional times when I come across something I am unbelievably excited to buy. Last week I found a Lululemon bag online that I immediately wanted, and when it arrived in the mail today, I literally fell in love with it. It's practical and durable while simultaneously nice looking...the perfect bag for multiple purposes. I cannot wait to use it.

Lululemon is a company I am happy to support; I appreciate the high quality products they make and their advocation of healthy living. I'm thankful to be able to patron Lululemon, and am super excited for my new bag.

#261: A Well Fragranced Home

Yesterday when I was at my sister-in-law Desiree's house I recognized one of the qualities I most love about being at her home: it always smells good. She makes an effort to burn candles, and I find her house to be so homey and comfortable, in part because of that. I myself have a shelf in my buffet full of candles that I rarely light, so after being inspired by Desiree I spent the afternoon burning a Pumpkin Spice candle in honor of the beginning of fall, and my house was quickly filled with the lovely fragrance. I truly love my home for a million reasons, but since I spend so much time here I often take it for granted. Doing something as simple as burning a candle, being able to take in how good my house smells as a result, reminds me how grateful I am to live in such a beautiful, comfortable home.

#255: Photographs

One of my summer projects was to "deal with my photographs". I had a lot of prints that hadn't been put into albums or properly organized, as well as every digital photo I've taken since graduating college just sitting in iPhoto. I resolved to tackle these loose ends, and during my actual summer vacation I did deal with all of the loose prints.

This morning I sat down at my computer to begin sorting through my digital photos, organizing them into albums that I could ultimately order and have printed. It was so wonderful to go through the photos, seeing my nieces and nephews in their younger years, recalling great trips and times with Kegan, my family and friends.

Despite feeling initially like I had so many photos, I inevitably wished I had more. It's encouraged me to make more of an effort to take more photos and not just let them sit on a computer. I'm grateful for all  of the photos that I have, and the time that I spent going through them. It's another way to live out my Thankfulness Project: I can't help but see the smiling faces of my loved ones or recollect amazing experiences I've had without feeling grateful for them.

#254: A Giants' Win

A newly self proclaimed Giants fan, I have to be thankful today for their comeback win against the Buccaneers. More so than the win itself, I am just glad to have spent the afternoon watching the Giants victory with Kegan and my dad. There are so many aspects of being a football fan I've long desired...I was just missing the "being a football fan" part of it, which was kind of a necessity for the other benefits. Now that I am throwing myself into that identify, I'm getting to enjoy the perk I most wanted: being able to spend time with friends and family, rallied around a similar cause, and of course indulging in some awesome game time snacks.

#245: My Cubs Teeshirt

During my Chicago trip in May Katelynn and I each bought Cubs shirts to wear to the game at Wrigley Field that we went to. Since that trip, this teeshirt has quickly become one of my favorite things to wear. It's unbelievably comfortable, and has more or less been part of my "summer uniform". With a new school year set to start comes the return of "work clothes", and it's made me all the more grateful for the comfort of my well-worn, softened Cubs shirt.

#238: Sleep Masks

My bedroom gets lots of sunlight first thing in the morning. That's great when you need to get up...and frustrating when you don't. Since Kegan gets up much earlier than I need to in the summer it can be a struggle to fall back asleep in such a brightly light bedroom. A few weeks ago I remembered that I had an old sleep mask tucked away somewhere; once I unearthed it, my mornings have been much different. I'm stirred awake to say goodbye to Kegan and wish him a good day, but able to get a few more hours of sleep which are much needed and much appreciated...especially as the school year approaches, and I'll have to face the sun in those early morning hours again.

#231: Interlibrary Loans

One of the reasons libraries are my favorite American institution is because of interlibrary loans. Despite loving my town library, it's collection is not the best. Therein lies the greatness of interlibrary loans! There's a book I wanted to read that my library didn't have; I requested it through the internet last week, and today I received a phone call that it was waiting at my local branch for me...and I didn't even need to go anywhere to pick it up. Like magic!

#230: Spare Keys

...because when you're running late, have a day of errands planned, and are pretty sure your set of keys are locked in your husband's car, they come in handy. Womp womp.

#227: Magnolia Cupcakes

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Baked Blessing

#225: "Our Family Cookbook"

For my bridal shower, Kegan's Aunt Cathy made me a personalized cookbook. It was, and still is, one of my favorite gifts, both in that it was so thoughtful, and so useful! The cookbook itself is simple: a binder, construction paper and plastic sleeves. But she gave me categories, filled it with family recipes, and left lots of space for me to add recipes along the way. I use it regularly, and since I have had it for a few years I often use it without recognition. Today-- maybe with my anniversary nearing--I was reminded what a great gift it is and how grateful I am that she made it for me.

#223: Everything In This Commercial

I saw this Coke commercial today, and it made me smile. A nice reminder that all of this exists:

"Look At The World A Little Differently"

#219: Give-a-Ways

An author I really admire, Gretchen Rubin, and a muse of my Thankfulness Project, is coming out with a new book in a month. In advance of the release she is giving a way one copy of the new book each day for the next month. I entered to win one...and in doing so realized how much I love give-a-ways! Obviously it's generous of individuals or companies to run them, but I also like the sheer excitement of the possibility of winning something! I don't consider myself particularly lucky, but I do remember, vividly, when I won a VHS copy of "Home Alone" from a grocery store when I was a kid. It was such a cool feeling, and oe that I anticipate replicating with every give-a-way I have the opportunity to enter!