365 Days of Gratitude Photoblog

Wednesday, I am grateful...

2009-12-02T20:32:00.002-05:00

... for being full of energy and getting stuff done. However, I do know that if I don't sit down and chill out, I will come crashing!

Tuesday, I am grateful...

2009-12-02T20:30:00.001-05:00

... for the enjoyable parts of holiday preparations!

Monday, I am grateful...

2009-12-01T01:31:00.002-05:00

... for homemade pita bread.

There's something so satisfying about making your own breads. Maybe it's something deep within our DNA, when we used to hunt and farm for food, make everything by hand. I love the kneading and the wait time, I love the smell of my place when the bread is in the oven, and I love knowing that I made this melt-your-mouth food.

Sunday, I am grateful...

2009-11-29T13:39:00.002-05:00

... for completing the NaNoWriMo challenge! I wanted to do this writing project for a long time coming and it is finally completed, thanks to being unemployed (having that much time on my hands to do the things I enjoy) and this challenge. During this month of writing, I can honestly say it was like a roller coaster ride. There were happy moments that I forgot about, sad moments I have tried so hard to forget, and moments were I thought that I sucked and I should give up. When I wrapped things up last night, I felt like the circle to my story was complete. And, oddly enough, I felt proud of myself (which I rarely feel). I realize that what I wrote is not the next best piece of writing. It's simply a story that I wanted to tell for a long time and I didn't believe in myself enough to commit to telling it. It feels good.

A big thank you goes out to Penny Lane who told me about the project in the first place! Congrats on finishing NaNoWriMo last night as well!

Saturday, I am grateful...

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... for my baby dingo dog who is feeling a little under the weather this weekend.

Friday, I am grateful...

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... for homemade cookies. They're always so much better than store bought treats!

Thursday, I am grateful...

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... for soft yarns for new knitting projects. Right now, I am finishing up a scarf for my father to match a hat and the mittens. These new skeins of yarn are making my fingers move faster with the scarf and the old yarn, so I can knit more things for the rest of my family. I suppose you can say, as well, that I am grateful for items made my hand, with love.

Wednesday, I am grateful...

2009-11-26T00:02:00.002-05:00

... for doing something different - for finally treating myself to (somewhat) trashy lingerie! Not only that, hot pink and black lingerie that match my new shoes. Mee-owh!

Tuesday, I am grateful...

2009-11-24T22:05:00.002-05:00

... for new shoes. Need I say more, ladies!? :)

Actually, I purchased these a few weeks ago as a "congratulations, you survived a year in French school" treat. I have yet to wear them out but I see them every day and they make me smile. So pretty and at a such a good deal. I never truly treat myself so I suppose you can say that I am grateful that I did have a little bit of change to do that.

Monday, I am grateful...

2009-11-24T00:03:00.003-05:00

... for my old dentist, Dr. Lambert.

As I was catching up on posts in my gratitude blog, the nightly news played in the background. It was later in the newscast and they were talking sports, something that does not interest me very much. Then I heard, my recently retired dentist passed away. He was quite the local football star back in the day but became a dentist after an injury. Truth be told, I have never been fond of dentists but Dr. Willie put me at ease. His office was adorned in sports memorabilia instead of those threatening dental hygiene posters. The girls that worked alongside him were friendly and warm. His office made me look forward to his visits and, boy, he was an honest dentist - which I always felt it was rare to find. I'm saddened to hear of his passing, so soon after his retirement. Thank you, Dr. Lambert. You were a lovely dentist.

Sunday, I am grateful...

2009-11-23T23:56:00.003-05:00

... for playing with kittens. Yes, I know, very girly of me!

This is not the photograph of the kitten that I played with on Sunday. I did not take any photos of her but this cat above looks quite similar (except a bit older). My partner is allergic to cats so it's rare that I am ever around cats that I can cuddle and play with. Oh, how wonderful it is to hold a little mewing kitten in your arms!

Saturday, I am grateful...

2009-11-23T23:54:00.003-05:00

... for long autumn walks with no destination.

Friday, I am grateful...

2009-11-20T22:45:00.002-05:00

... for FINALLY figuring out how to make a thumb on my basic two-needle knitting project. It may not be perfect and the mitten itself may only fit a large, slightly lumpy hand ... but there's a freakin' functional and proper thumb on my mitten. And I must say, I am as pleased as punch!

I'm so happy, I didn't bother Photoshopping the lipstick off my tooth. :)

Thursday, I am grateful...

2009-11-19T17:44:00.003-05:00

... for a happy dog that lives in a warm house, has good dog food, and is loved. He's such a good boy, such brightness to my every day. And look at him - all sleepy with his head in his toy box!

(by the way, he looks oddly pudgy in this shot)

Wednesday, I am grateful...

2009-11-18T20:02:00.003-05:00

... for homemade vegetarian chili on a cool autumn night.

Yes, I recycled this photograph. You see one pot of veggie chili, you've seen 'em all! I'm grateful that my huge pot (not the pot in the photograph) of chili will provide us with tasty leftovers for a good couple of days. Very appealing when you are trying to watch the purse strings! Plus, my apartment smells all spicy and garlicky. Yum!

Tuesday, I am grateful...

2009-11-17T23:11:00.002-05:00

... for having one of those days where everything feels so very good inside!

I've been listening to Of Montreal lately. In particular, the song "Gallery Piece". I think it's become my new favorite song for the moment. It makes me want to go dancing in my new shoes, it makes me want to do something crazy with my hair, it makes me want to make eyes with beautiful strangers across a sweaty dance floor.

I'm completely distracted by everything I should be doing but I feel joyful inside. I took a slow walk today. I did the grocery shopping while taking my time, daydreaming and smiling the whole time. I went into a boutique that I always wanted to go into but didn't, for some odd reason, and was greeted with Leonard Cohen playing softly in the background. The photograph above is of the window of the boutique - Boutique La Gaillarde. I will definitely go back - so many wonderful things at a decent price too.

Monday, I am grateful...

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... for an evening of tea and girl talk with a good friend.

Sunday, I am grateful...

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... for breaking the half way point (25,000 words) in the National Novel Writing Month challenge!

Saturday, I am grateful...

2009-11-14T23:31:00.002-05:00

... for spending a gray rainy day with knitting needles and beautiful yarn.

I've been knitting all day. My back aches and my neck is all haywire. I finished a toque and started on a pair of mittens - both projects I have never done before. The toque is not too shabby! The mitten? Oh, how I screwed up. I kind of feel like stabbing someone with my knitting needle!

The above project is a teddy bear that I finished a few weeks ago. I messed up the project big time so I embroidered a "weirdo face" on him. People find him charming!

Friday, I am grateful...

2009-11-13T13:31:00.002-05:00

... for escaping from all my little worries by indulging in wonderful bath products.

Here's my story. I'm a little broke. Well, a lot broke. My goal of being funded for school fell through. I wonder how I will pay my bills or find a job for one month. I hope this financial situation of mine will not mess up my plans on going home for the holidays. Sheepishly, I know I am avoiding so many things because I am frozen with stress.

However, I know this is one of the many challenges that life throws in our path. All I can do is face it and try to remain positive. De-stress. Breathe. I took a long, hot bath and felt like I was in another world, a calmer one. It soothed me and I can't help but be grateful for that.

My wonderful friend has her own shop of handmade bath and body products. In my photograph today, her Raspberry Cream soap. Her line of products are amazing and, since discovering them, I don't use anything but her products. Her shop is called Mooka and you can find her at her website MOOKA or on ETSY. Trust me, it's simply delightful!

Thursday, I am grateful...

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... for being able to admit that I need to revisit Gratitude in my life.

It's been so long, my friends. My blog is outdated and many of my links are as well. I don't even know if I have many readers left (please say hello if you are still lurking about!). My mood, honestly, has been dark lately and I've been worried. In the pit of my belly, I know that things aren't that bad. Without going into detail, I will simply say that I am in need of recognizing gratitude in my life again. I am in need of reminding myself of all the wonderful things that shine around me.

Wednesday, I am grateful...

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... for those who have fought and are still fighting.

~ Lest We Forget ~

Tuesday, I am grateful...

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...for going home for a little holiday.

I miss my family and old friends. I miss seeing the stars at night and the occasional northern lights. I miss the sunsets of the prairies and how the sky and land makes me feel free.

I hate leaving my dog. I know he is in good hands but I still don't like being apart from him. It makes me terribly sad. Toshio has certainly made Montreal feel much more like HOME.

I probably won't have the time or internet connection to post gratitude entries. Unless my parents' neighbors have their wireless not very secure or I make my way to the library. We shall see. Don't be alarmed if there are no posts! It just means that I'm having a lovely time and don't want to spend it in front of a computer!

Monday, I am grateful...

2008-08-19T01:31:00.002-05:00

...for spending the day with my two favorite people in the world.

Sunday, I am grateful...

2008-08-19T01:29:00.002-05:00

...for having the bed to myself on a lazy Sunday morning. Here's to sleeping like a starfish!