Gratefulness & One Lovely Blog Award

For many Americans, November is the month of gratefulness and thanksgiving.  I think the only ones who did not enjoy Thanksgiving this year were my neighbor's turkeys.  I captured this shot of them in October.  I haven't seem them lately, so it's quite probable they spent this Thanksgiving somewhere warm.    

I'd like to take a moment to thank Paige at Sunday Best and All the Rest for nominating me for the Grateful Blogger Tag and Aimee at Aimee on the Mountainside for nominating me for the Lovely Blog Award.

The One Lovely Blog Award is a way for bloggers to learn more about each other by asking for 7 random facts.
The Grateful Blogger Tag is a way for bloggers to count their blessings by listing 10 things for which they're thankful (mine are not in order of priority).

Fact 1: I've always eaten canned cranberries.  While shopping for Thanksgiving, I ran into a friend who persuaded me to try the "life-changing" venture of making homemade cranberry sauce.  I was skeptical, but decided it wouldn't hurt to try.  

It was almost *no* work, fresh, and delicious!  Just boil 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar, add a 12 ounce package of cranberries, and boil 10 minutes (stirring occasionally), then serve.  (Thank you, Megan!)

1. I'm thankful for food, talented cooks, and easy recipes!  

Fact 2:  Having spent my first years living in the shadow of the St. John's Bridge, I love bridges; there should be a link-up for them!

2.  I'm thankful for God's beautiful creation and the artistic and architectural abilities of others.

Fact 3: A few posts ago (when I wrote about the Model Train Show in Hampton) I mentioned, "Grandma and I enjoyed delicious cinnamon rolls from the kitchen beside us."  Here's what I didn't tell you:  

At the end of the day, the kitchen staff talked me into taking the rest of the cinnamon rolls home at half price; we ate cinnamon rolls for days.  Can you blame me?  Now you have the rest of the story.

3.  I'm thankful for cinnamon rolls, good deals, thrift stores, and quality products!

Fact 4: 

I have sesquipedalian predilections.  If you have the audacity to give a floccinaucinihilipilification of words such as chryselephantine, hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian, denouement, and penchant, I may be tempted to label you a troglodyte and urge you to defenestrate your archaic notions.

4.  I'm thankful for words, languages, the pen (mightier than the sword), and spell-check!  

Fact 5: In my family, a storm warning or tornado watch means to go outside and watch for severe weather!  There's no hiding in the basement until absolutely necessary.  It's not good to be taken by surprise: don't let storms sneak up on you!

5.  I'm thankful for my super-awesome and fun family (grandparents included)!  Each family member is different, but all have special talents and good hearts.  I'm very grateful for the time we spend together.

Fact 6:  I have three favorite seasons: spring, summer, and autumn.

6.  I'm thankful for warm weather--especially when I miss it!

7.  I'm thankful for chess.

8.  I'm thankful for good health!

9. I'm thankful for friends like you!

Fact 7:  There's an emptiness in our hearts that only Jesus can fill.  The world is cruel, but God is good.  He'll always be there for you.

10.  Most of all I'm thankful for salvation and God's love.

For what are you most thankful?

My nominees for choice of the One Lovely Blog Award or Grateful Blogger Tag are:

Abigail at Sweeter Gets the Journey
Carol at Bikes, Birds, and Beasts
Clare at Come Further Up
Felicia at Fotography by Felicia
Gabriela at Under Grace
Laura at Gazing Wonders

Leticia at Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla

Marie at A Colorful World

Paige at Sunday Best and All the Rest (Lovely Blog Award)

And anyone else who may be interested!
(If you're nominated but not interested, just consider this as my appreciation of your blog).

“It is not death that man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” --Marcus Aurelius 

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say: rejoice."  --Philippians 4:4