Monday, August 12, 2013

Things That Made Me Smile...


I had one of those weeks!  You know, the one where if it can go wrong and make you crazy with frustration, it DOES!  But, there were things along the way that just made me smile...

Like this precious Little Free Library...  I snapped this photo early one morning... on the way to treat for fleas in one of my currently vacant Old Girls.  You do not want to start me on that story!!!

Isn't that one of the sweetest and most thoughtful ideas you've nearly ever seen? 


It sits in front of this cute little home in our neighborhood...  generously offering the magic world between the covers of a book to any child who would care to partake...


With beautiful, happy blossoms... shining joy to all that pass...

I just love that someone would do this.


Then, there was a text of amazing artwork from my Little Man.  I do want to point out the bright green touches on this monster.  If you remember, there was an issue with the Monster Hat Noni made for the Little Man, where the green trim had to be removed.  (and before)  I'm just sayin'.  ;)  I think my Little Man may be branching out from dark "byue". 

There were more special smiles for:
  • An e-mail from my bonus-daughter sharing a beautiful crochet design.
  • A telephone call from my daughter-in-love sharing a JOY!!
  • FaceTime with my Little Men showing out their projects and skills to their Noni and Pop Pop.
  • A phone call from my son excited that he had won a fishing tournament (Again.  That child was practically born hunting and fishing.)
  • And, a new camera from my Beloved (a thoughtful and unexpected surprise).
So, amidst the grind and the frustrations... there were sweet, sweet moments of goodness. 

I am so thankful.

I hope your week brings smiles along with all the rest.

"Appreciation is yeast, lifting ordinary to extraordinary."
~ Mary-Ann Petro

blessings ~ tanna

39 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

sorry about the FLEAS! eek!

i love those little free libraries. i think it is the sweetest movement for a neighborhood sharing program.

smiled at the green. :) congrats to your son! and happy new camera to you!

From the Kitchen said...

How sweet! You know I love any kind of library but this one is especially dear. I've seen a number of "free" libraries around New England. They are located in old buildings. I've not gone in to check them out yet but believe they have to do with some libraries being free and others being subscription libraries.

Little "visits" with family make any day better.

Best,
Bonnie

Betsy Brock said...

your gratefulness is contagious! ;)

In Great Britian, those lovely iconic red domed phone booths are becoming free libraries...I've seen several pictures of them loaded with books..free to leave on and free to take one. charming!

LauraLillyLaura said...

What an adorable and selfless idea. A free library outside your home. I love it!!! It makes you believe in the goodness of people. Thanks for sharing that, how dear!!
I love the green on the monster. I think I have trouble with branching out myself. Hurrah for a little green in all our lives! It is rather inspiring.

Mereknits said...

That little library is a lovely idea, I have never seen anything like it. Love your Grandson's drawing.
Hugs,
Meredith

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I love how you can see the good in things, even though others area might not be so good.

You are always a bright spot on a cloudy day!

Blessings always sweet friend.

Stephanie V said...

You are having a marvellous streak of joy! And it couldn't happen to a nicer person. The artwork is delightful...I love the grandbabies drawings - always! If they referred to my knitting. Well, just a bonus :)
Those little libraries are a great thing. I just saw a photo of one in Ireland, too. Must be sweeping the planet. Good stuff!

Tricia Buice said...

I loved hearing all about your joys! What blessings indeed. So happy the joys outweighed the frustrations - and fleas are certainly a frustration - especially when they are not your own :) Blessing to you Tanna - can't wait to hear more about your camera too.

Pammy Sue said...

Well, isn't that neat! Love the look of that house too. Sounds like you had many more blessings and joy than bad...at least I hope so! That's a lot of blessings!

It's Just Dottie said...

I sent you smiles!!
Dottie

Catherine Holman said...

I love the free library idea and what a great way to display the books! Glad you had a great week!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I have never seen a little free Library before and it is brilliant idea. Great that you had so many good things happen to you this week, out does anything bad

Judy S. said...

Nice post, Tanna! I've read about those free libraries but never seen one. Hope this week is a good one, too, minus flease also!

Annette T. said...

Tanna, I loved all the beauitful things that happened to you this past week despite life! Loved little one's picture. To me I saw a flower growing, but maybe that's because we are painters! It's frame worthy! Congrats on the new camera. You'll have to share more about it when you learn what you're doing, hee hee. I can just imagine the excitement of a little ones eyes when they find the free library outside of that home! How wonderful!

Pondside said...

I hope the flea removal wasn't too icky and scratchy!
I love those little free library kiosks. There are a few here in town too. What a kind and thoughtful thing to do!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love that idea of the little library. I've never heard of them before now.

You had a lot of wonderful things to smile about in the midst of fleas and all the rest. I got a chuckle out of the green...I remember that story! Haha. Enjoy your new camera and we'll be looking for photos from it, you know. :) Oh, and congrats to your son on his win!

Christine said...

Your "smile list" is really something to smile about. I can tell how much love you generate.

The Little Free Libraries", well, stay tuned! Been working on mine and hopefully will up and running, with blog post to follow.

kathy b said...

Aww sorry about the little flea boogers..they made me crazy when Huck had them once...ewwwwww.

Your good news is just awesome! My zinnias look like yours.

NEW CAMERA!!!! WAHOOOO

Deborah Hamilton said...

I have seen those little libraries before. I think it's a wonderful idea. The zinnias are beautiful, and I hope this week is better for you.

Melissa ~ twoknitwit said...

I love everything about this post, Tanna!

I hope this week proves to be better for you!

Melissa

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

My friend went through that flea thing with a rental of hers. Not a good thing. Happy to see good thoughts for you this week.

podso said...

I too love the green. :-) Big smiles. Seems you have the right perspective with a difficult week. I try to keep my eyes "up" and look what you found when you did. I've never seen such a library as you show...how very sweet! I hope this is going to be a better week for you!

steph said...

glad you found a few silver linings this week.....love the monster!!!! what's not to love about a one-eyed smiling ogre?

Chatty Crone said...

I love that cute little free library. It would be nice if a whole neighborhood would do one. lol
sandie

karen said...

I believe you had many blessings that weighed more than the frustration. All it takes is a focus on the positive than the negative. Something many folks are unable to do. I hope you get new tenants in your empty house if that is what you want.

Donna said...

Tanna, seeing the good when the bad is nearly overwhelming, seeing the light in the dark, seeing the joy in the chaos....all gifts! Have you read the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp? Aside from her thinking that God 'sends' us bad things to happen to us, it is an excellent book about seeing the good all around...and seeing God in the good....and finding the good in the bad.

Debbie said...

Love all your reasons to smile!

I do remember the monster hat and the debate as to color. So funny that he put green in his drawing. He's consistent!

And I really love that little book library. I hope they have some takers!

Jennifer Holmes said...

I just love the free book thingy! Just the inspiration I needed to get busy weeding and do something special with one neglected area of our yard. Thank you Tanna!

janice smith said...

So much to be grateful for! That little free library is really sweet. I'd love to do something like that but I'd have to be creative about where to place it...not too many kids walking down our rural road :-)
xo, janice

Anonymous said...

I found a Little Free Library on my island travels last month...such a great idea. There's a website that has them posted all around the world. On online friend of mine...Patti Digh, has built one in front of her home in Ashville, NC.

Some days/weeks are so incredibly frustrating but the frustrations pale in light of the real joys that are always there if we choose to see them...and you're just so good at that Tanna. However may I just add that fleas and any other itching-and-multiplying-like-mad thing, drive me crazy!!!

Marissa said...

I LOVE the free library idea!
that needs to spread everywhere..

Sandy said...

So much joy...the little free library, green in your little guy's artwork, your love giving a new camera...joy! Now, if you can just get rid of those pesky fleas!
Hugs!


















Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, The free library is precious. What a thoughtful and kind heart to have thought of this gesture.
You might have had a week of "Murphy's law" but it certainly was also blessed with sunshine and smiles. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Pride In Photos Beauty said...

Oh Tanna, this library mailbox just made my day!! It is just so precious and goes perfect with the house. The owners have to be charming as well! Could you grab me the truck book on bottom shelf for my "Little Man?" LOL! Blessings, Laurie

Amanda said...

That little library? Genius and generous. LOVE IT!! Reminds me of the one at the children's museum in Chattanooga. Such a sweet idea. Glad you had a few happies pop up this week amidst the craziness. Love you! xoxo

Tammy said...

That is the sweetest, loveliest ideas I've ever come across. I hope the days start calming down for you Tanna.

Toodles,
Tammy<3

SouthernHeart said...

The free little library is the sweetest thing ever! What a great idea...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love the little free library! I've seen that done before in different ways, but the little red house make sit so charming.

Glad you had such sweet times to counteract the unpleasant ones, Tanna!

Love your orange sweater in the next post!

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

How sweet is that! I love that. It makes me smile too :)

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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.