Cypress & Sage - Hill Country Living

Grateful for ...
​

Grateful for His blessings; thankful for His grace.
Grateful for the loving hearts gathered in this place.

May this be my mantra going into the Thanksgiving week.

Gratitude is a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Gratitude is a relationship-bonding emotion. 
Gratitude promotes our immune and cardiovascular health.
Gratitude sparks the area of the brain related to connecting with people.
Gratitude dwells in the heart.

For the last two Novembers, I've attended Empty Bowls -
an international project to fight hunger.
Artisans, including professionals and young students,
donate handcrafted pottery bowls.
Attendees select bowls from a vast selection,
(I buy green ones)
contribute a set donation fee for each bowl,
and then enjoy delicious soups prepared by local chefs 
while listening to live music.
I've made this a Thanksgiving tradition.
Guests in my home are served soup in these green bowls as part of the feast
and then given the bowl to take home as a reminder
to be grateful for the food they have and to give to those who do not.

​This concept was preached to me my whole life.
I asked my mama once how she and my daddy 
made ends meet in their early years of marriage on so little.

"We had enough for what we needed and some to give to those who had less."
Words to live by.

There have been times when I've not been so grateful.
Either I didn't like my situation or I took it for granted.
To cultivate an attitude of gratitude I do this simple exercise.
I go through the alphabet and name something or someone
for which I am grateful.
It may sound like a punishment for a petulant child throwing a fit because
he doesn't want Cheerios he wants blueberry pancakes
or a spoiled teenager whining that she has to have the newest whatever
or she shall surely die. 
After compiling the list of 26, people of all ages can feel a little less
ungrateful, dissatisfied, envious, or critical.

So, as we gather around
fancy tables, picnic tables, card tables,
or in community centers for Thanksgiving,
let's be grateful for what we have and
remember to give to those who have less.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Y'ALL!

Here's a fabulous recipe if you need one more crowd pleasing dessert
​to bake for your holiday gatherings.

Comfort & Joy

"Give thanks to the LORD for He is good;
His love endures forever.
​Psalm 118:1

I am grateful for all who have purchased or will purchase my novel
All In For Life. 
Thank you!

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