Friday, December 9, 2011

AThankful Heart, a Must Read and a Giveaway You Won't Want to Miss


While many of you are long past the beautiful colors of fall, we are in the midst of some glorious sights!  Nanny, this gingko is for you.  ;)


After our brutal summer with a record breaking number of days well over 100 degrees... and a drought that killed so many, many of our trees, then gave fuel for multitudes of fires... the survivors are putting on their best show!!  It makes my heart sing songs of deep, deep appreciation... for all things that shine in the face of adversity. 


This crepe myrtle provides beauty summer and fall out my wavy kitchen window.  There is almost always a little bird show going on in there, too. 


I am going to soak up all this beauty my soul can stand... soon it will be gone.  I'll be enjoying each moment I am given with a grateful heart.

There are two things I have seen I really, really want to share:

First, a blog post my daughter shared with me: 

Lil' Light O' Mine

I say AMEN!!  If  you have children or grandchildren or are just wanting a great perspective on what this season is all about, take a look!

Second, (I almost hate to share because it will decrease my odds of winning, but...) Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert is having this amazing giveaway of homemade Christmas Goodies!!  Oh, my!!  Today is the last day to enter... so, you may want to hustle on over. 

blessings ~ tanna

34 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Enjoying each moment with a grateful heart is definitely a wonderful thing to do.

And thank I'll look up your friend and the food giveaway - teehee, thanks

Sandie♥

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Tanna, growing up, my very best friend had a gingko tree in her yard. I always thought it was the most beautiful and unusual tree alive. It has been since my childhood that I have seen one. I love the beautiful yellow leaves. Enjoy this time...it will pass. Susan

nanny said...

I wish you could have heard me sighing when I first saw this gorgeous picture....aren't they wonderful.
I read all of Lil'Light O'Mine, very inspirational.
Now I'm off to enter the giveaway!!

Have a wonderful day, my dear friend.

podso said...

Definitely a post to pass along (the lil light o mine)...thank you! And your tree is so beautiful--how nice to still enjoy that color! Have a good weekend!

Cindy said...

Your Fall colors are lovely, it isn't technically Winter yet, although you wouldn't believe that here this morning. I awoke to -20 Celsius.
I will check out those blogs.
Have a beautiful day, enjoy the lovely colors outside your window!
Hugs, Cindy

Pondside said...

I enjoyed the L'il Light of Mine post - it just makes so much sense.
Don't worry - this reader won't lessen your chances at the giveaway because of cross-border issues!

TexWisGirl said...

on my last trip into town, i was amazed at the fall colors i was seeing here, too! just amazing after that brutal summer! jealous for your gingko! wow!

Ana said...

What beautiful pictures. Love this post. Take in all the beauty my friend and enjoy! Thanks for sharing the links.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

Kerin said...

What a beautiful ginko tree.

I would plant one in a heart-beat, but alas... it would not survive our artic blast winters.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful 'Fall-like' pictures.

Also, thanks for the heads up about the other blogs. Going over to check them out.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Tanna said...

As much as I would love it to be, this beautiful gingko isn't mine... it is just a short walk from my house though, so I enjoy it very much! ;)

Ginny Hartzler said...

That lady's blog post is wonderful! She now has the true and meaningful spirit of Christmas! And her kids are so cute. Your tree is stunning, I adore all the yellow! Keep them coming, I hope you are still snapping!

Jen Price said...

Such gorgeous trees! Love the reds and yellows.

Kate I said...

Such beautiful fall colour...I especially like the golden Ginko as we don't get them in our area. Your banner picture of your home bathed in Christmas lights, is gorgeous.

I love the spirit of the holiday season...the connecting with family and friends and the caring and sharing of love but the commercialism and the "excess" of it leaves me wanting to run for the hills, so this idea of giving small thoughtful gifts throughout December is really lovely.

I also gather with friends on the Solstice to celebrate the return of the light (an important even for us northerners!) and set my intentions for new beginnings. There's a peace and sacredness to it that Christmas seems to have lost.

Betsy Brock said...

The first thing I noticed about your header photo yesterday was that your trees still had the leaves! They are long gone in Ohio! My, what a lovely ginko! One of my favorites!

Donna said...

Did I tell you how pretty your house looks all dressed in her Christmas sparkles?
And the trees...so glad you have the eyes to see and appreciate their beauty. And with raindrops dripping...a double blessing! Enjoy.

Kelly said...

Such pretty pics! I've gotten so involved with Christmas decor, that I hadn't stopped to notice if there was any Fall color left in our yard!

Anonymous said...

Tanna, pretty post! Ok, I'm coming down there! :)

tracie c. said...

What a beautiful tree!!! I have never seen one in real life. Thank you for sharing it!
Have a great weekend!
XOX Tracie

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your trees are gorgeous. The yellow leaves are remarkable as was the post your daughter directed us to. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Those trees certainly are putting on a splendid show! I need to get outside and water all the plants on my balcony. Though the weather is mild, some of them don't seem to be faring so well during this in between season. Happy weekend wishes to you and yours, Tammy

Deb said...

I can't believe the great fall leaves we have had this year...great photos...

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

That gingko tree is beyond amazing! I have never seen one! It is so beautiful. Soak it up, soak it up! :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your autumn trees are so beautiful. I never tire of autumn colors.

I missed the deadline on the fabulous sweets give away but I became a follower of her wonderful blog! Thanks for the links!

Tanja said...

My favorite photo from this post is " wavy kitchen window" because it is for me a bit of window in your live. This window is very amerikan -like isn't it?
And i like very much the link you shared, let it be more such people in our world

Anonymous said...

I think I have said this before but I will again, you have the most beautiful home , inside and out, I just love the design of this house.Your description of summer, the drought, the fires, the beauty of the leaves is just heart warming, you desribe everything with so much soul. I LOVE the Ginko trees, something newfor me!!

Shug said...

Oh Tanna....I have driven by this tree for years and one year we even stopped and picked up some leafs...It is truly gorgeous! My husband and I are always noticing beautiful trees like this (since we are in the tree business) and this one particular tree is always a must see for us each year...Thanks for posting pictures of it!
I guess I missed the give-away deadline..but thanks for sharing this too.
Hope your day is wonderful!
shug

Stitchfork said...

I ever tire seeing those beautiful colors of nature Tanna!
xo Cathy

Stitchfork said...

...please excuse the typo!
...meant Never tire! Love the photos Tanna!
xo Cathy

Anonymous said...

wow! the spendors of nature! you captured them beautifully! thanks for sharing. we're rather brown and dreary around here--not cold enough for snow, but too cold for anything to be blooming.

no spring chicken said...

We are gradually losing the fight to save a giant weeping birch in our backyard. The threat of this beetle is real to the twin in the front yard and it breaks my heart. We've lost many in the city... I understand how it makes you appreciate them all the more.

You are a gracious lady, sharing the give-away at the expense of your odds! :)

Blessings, Debbie

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Beautiful Tanna! Those leaves! I think I am thankful to have missed the giveaway...after a weekend away I need to eat some slim salads for a few days!

Will check out the THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE site! Thanks!

Julie Harward said...

LOL You are a sweet heart to share the give a way...I loved your colors there, so pretty! Love your header too...now I am headed over to read that post! :D

Debbie said...

Right now, I am so encouraged by your trees that kept the beauty through adversity. What a life message this morning.

I also read about your adventure in the library. You must be having so much fun with your little men.

Now, to go that link. I don't have little children or grandchildren, but I'm still curious.

Solar Powered said...

If you only knew how this post made me long for Texas, I could almost taste it, feel it, smell it...I had no idea the level of my love for your great state until I left it.
Enjoy the beauty, enjoy the sun!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

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.