Sunday, November 29, 2015

November Gratitudes


*  beach walks ...



November felt like September around here
not every day, but more than our fair share  
we seize & embrace the radiant days



*  simply Thanksgiving ...

plain white Corelle dishes & mugs
rarely used silverplate utensils
paper napkins from the Christmas Tree Shop
an old lace tablecloth



*  delightful surprise ...

 the Out of Sorts ~ Sarah's Synchroblog post was a great big hit around here
imagine my joy when Sarah Bessey included my post in her list of favorites



*  the mantel ...







sea glass & little white pumpkins
dried flowers & driftwood & shells
an ancestor's spice chest & juniper springs & red berries
I just can't stop adding yet one more layer to the mantel



*  remembering Tyler ...

our daughter Jenn, her husband Barry, and the kids


sharing gratitudes with
  Emily  *  Leigh  *  Anita  *  Kelly  *  Holley

56 comments:

  1. Beautiful post and beautiful family, Linda! Thanks so much for sharing, Love! GOD bless you! :-)

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    1. Blessings on you, too, Tai, as we head into this beloved Advent season!

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  2. so much beauty in your life, Linda! hope you have a wonderful December!

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    1. I . just . can't . believe . December starts tomorrow!

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  3. We have one of those types of months also Linda. More warm days than not. Unfortunately, my schedule did not cooperate so I could ride. But a beautiful month it was. Thanks for sharing some of your "other" life.

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    1. Yeah, my husband didn't get to do much riding either, Bill. By the time he finishes work, it's just about dark out ... at a little after 4 in the afternoon! Let's hear it for a beautiful Saturday or two in the days ahead!

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  4. Thanks popping over to my site, Linda. I LOVE your Thanksgiving place settings.

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    1. Good to meet you, Shannan!

      When it comes to celebrating, sometimes simplest is best ...

      ;-}

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  5. Beautiful post and photos. Your mantel is so lovely.

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  6. You have so many beautiful things and places and people in your life, Linda. A blessed woman. Thanks for sharing them here with us. Remembering Tyler with you all...

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    1. Yes, Lisa, I sure do count my blessings. God continues to be gracious to us, even in sorrow and loss.

      I love Him so ...

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  7. Love your sea glass, and this glimpse of your family! Blessings!

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    1. You're kind, Michele. So grateful you're a part of this community!

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  8. What a beautiful story of your daughter and her family embracing Tyler into their family--knowing what was ahead. My Christian counselor friend I spoke of--she was the director of a Louisiana Bethany agency--it is a small world in the family of God!
    Beautiful Pictures!
    Blessings, Friend!

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    1. Praising God for the way He connects us in a myriad of winsome and wise ways, Lulu. Thanks for your kind words, friend ...

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  9. What a lovely post, Linda. Thank you for sharing the blessings in your life.

    You are a blessing in mine.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/11/your-dying-spouse-89-hard-day.html

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  10. Linda, the story of your daughter and her family... of Tyler... was so very touching. Thank you for sharing with us. Hugs to you, friend. I do miss you. xoxo
    Oh...very cool that you were mentioned on Sarah Bessey's site too.

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    1. You've been so supportive this year, Beth ... thank you for being there.

      I miss you, too ... and hope you're doing ok.

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  11. Linda, your grandson Andrew's comment in the article about not knowing how long we have to live ... wow! That's powerful. I agree with Lulu ... it's a beautiful story about a beautiful family. Swallowing down lumps after reading it this morning ... :-)

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    1. I'm amazed at how wise and perceptive kids are ...

      Swallowing lumps? Oh yes. Often, my friend.

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  12. I love the seashells and fall foliage mixed together. We have a huge collection of sand dollars (I looped ribbons through the keyhole and use them for Christmas decorations :) ).

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    1. What a cool idea for those sand dollars, Anita! I'm with you ... I love nature's gifts all melded together during the change of seasons ...

      ;-}

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  13. Thank you for sharing all these gratitudes, Linda. I'm sure it's not easy in the midst of loss of your dad and your grandchild. The story of Tyler's adoption is so moving. He was so blessed to have a family who loved him so much. And your family was blessed, too, with the love and smiles he brought into your lives. May God give each of you strength and peace as you grieve.

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    1. Trudy ... thanks for your encouraging words this afternoon. You've blessed me so ...

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  14. Beautiful, Linda. I love your sea glass, which go beautifully with white pumpkins. I spent this past weekend with my feet in the sand, listening to the waves crash on the shore. Always grateful for a walk on the beach. : )

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    1. So glad you could have that lovely gift of a quiet walk on the beach, Crystal ...

      ;-}

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  15. Your mantel looks so pretty, Linda! And what a heartbreaking yet beautiful story about Tyler. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  16. I think my comment just disappeared :(. Let's try it again. Sorry if I post twice... How wonderful for Sarah to share your words! I remember loving that post here. Your mantel is fantastic! I love the beachy accents. I must find a way to retire at the beach. It's my happy place. The picture of Tyler and his family is absolutely beautiful. Seeing his little face always tugs at my heart. Much love to you and yours this upcoming Christmas season, my friend!

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    1. Thanks for ignoring the glitches and persevering one more time to leave your sweet words, Candace! The comment thingy's been a little wonky the last day or so.

      ;-{

      Enjoy your last week of blogging before your break, my friend! I'm still figuring out if I it would be good for me to bow out for a week or two. This Christmas will be very quiet and still as it is, and while I relish all that, too much disconnection's not good for me at this point ...

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  17. I love the simplicity that radiates through your pictures and your words. It makes me sigh with happiness. You remind me of one of my friends who has such an eye for decorating and doesn't make it something that is intricate but simple and pretty. Thank you for sharing your gratitude!

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    1. That you're happy when you're here makes me happy, too!

      And oh yes, Mary, there's just so MUCH to be grateful for ... especially those simple little things that we often don't take the time to appreciate. I'm in the learning curve, friend ...

      ;-}

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  18. Linda, you have surrounded yourself with beauty, and I love all those things you're grateful for. Your pictures are lovely. Even just looking at them brushed a bit of "Ahhhh!" across my spirit. Thanks for sharing this today. :)

    I'm your neighbor over at Purposeful Faith today!

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    1. Hi neighbor! How fun that you've dropped in ... and how seldom that seems to happen in these link-ups. I so appreciate it!

      And I love that there's a bit of 'ahhh' going on for you here, Jeanne. We need every bit of that we can grab hold of during this way-too-busy season.

      ;-}

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  19. This is a wonderful way of looking back at the month, through the lens of gratitude. Thank you for sharing! I love seeing what others are grateful for.

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    1. I hear you, Tessa ... seeing what others are thankful for can spur us on to greater gratitude in our own hearts and lives. Thanks for your input today!

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  20. I LOVE seaglass. I never can find them though.

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    1. Oh I know, Meha ... those little gems are harder and harder to find with the advent of so much plastic. Bummer, huh?

      ;-{

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  21. Linda,
    Enjoyed your photos...praying God continues to comfort Jenn and her family and you over Tyler's absence...((hugs))

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    1. Yes, yes to experiencing His peace, His hope, His comfort. Thanks, Dolly, for your continued prayers. You're such a faithful prayer warrior, girl ... I thank God for you!

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  22. I think my camera would get caught up taking lots of pictures of all the lovelies on your mantle. Perfect for My Still Sunday class! And many congratulations on making Sarah's fave list. Well done, you!

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    1. It's fun to capture what's right in front of our noses, isn't it?

      ;-}

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  23. My your November was filled with all sorts of wonderful memories and blessings! Thank you for sharing. I'm always inspired when I visit here, my friend.

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    1. And I'm always inspired by the beauty and gentleness that your lens captures that you share with us at your place, June. Always so lovely ...

      ;-}

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  24. Hi Linda,
    I'm loving these photos! (More please!) The table setting is so lovely and how wonderful to be included in Sarah Bessey's list of favorites! :) I pray this holiday season brings you peace after a difficult and eventful year . . . so grateful to be along with you on this journey!

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    1. The china and crystal are still packed.

      ;-{

      Maybe next year? Or maybe I'll just use the Corelle again since we can so easily toss them in the dishwasher.

      I like easy!

      ;-}

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  25. Blessings to you, dear Linda! This post is very heart warming ~ Thank you for being you:)! I am thankful for you! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Happy December:)! Sending a lot of love your way today and always:)

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    1. So good to see you again, Bomi! And a happy December to you!

      ;-}

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  26. So much beauty here...where to begin? Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season.

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  27. Beautiful Linda. I'm happy to see your November looks so happy and light. Have a good December and wishing you a merry Christmas already :)

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    1. And the loveliest of Christmases to you, Mona! Thank you for dropping by ...

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  28. Love all the glass and the mantle. The Arnold's glass is such a fitting touch of Cape Cod!

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    1. Arnold's. Like everything else around here, closed for the season.

      Boo-hoo ...

      ;-{

      ;-{

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