Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Gratitude and Growing...


Have you ever noticed how much JOY you get from doing something for someone who is grateful for your effort? 


How much MORE you want to do for that person who appreciates you...


Appreciates the things you do for them... little or large... easy or hard... just for them...


Gratitude grows your love for doing things for them...  fertilizes it... brings forth blossoms... and fruit.


Roo is one of my favorite peeps to do little hats for... because he loves them, uses them and ALWAYS says, "Tanks, Noni."

I wonder if our own blessings grow or shrink in proportion to our gratitude versus our feeling slighted or overlooked... or begrudging that we should have more?  God is always so much bigger than I am. That said, I find many of His lessons strewn in the ordinary business of living... so, I'm going to take away a desire to grow my own gratitude from this one.  ;)


The Crochet Love is still growing... neither of these photos has good color (inside, bad wintry light)...


I had it outside in the afternoon light the other day and the beauty of these colors almost took my breath away!   I think I need to do about two more feet before calling it quits and starting a border... Onward!

My Roo photos are compliments of Amanda. THANK YOU, Amanda. 

"Gratitude is a word that I cherish.  Gratitude is what defines the humanity of the human being."
~  Elie Wiesel

May you find joy in the simple... and express gratitude for its magnificence

blessings ~ tanna

49 comments:

podso said...

This may be one of your most moving and beautiful posts ever! Gave me much to ponder. We sure do like it when we get those "tanks." Amanda is a wonderful photographer! And your crocheting … so beautiful, all I'm thinking is how many times you had to change colors! LOL ! What patience and what beauty.

Nancy's Notes said...

What a wonderful post! Roo is just precious as are his hats! Oh my, that crochet project of yours is absolutely gorgeous!!!! It's so unique! I dabble in knitting and have one stitch down!
Happy to find your blog via Kim!

Nancy

Pondside said...

That smile - is there anything more heart-melting than the smile of a little grandson who is saying 'Tanks'? The hat is just so sweet on him!
Your blanket is lovely and I look forward to seeing the finished project, complete with edging. The way I'm craving colour I may just have to start a crochet project - as soon as I finish knitting another baby blanket for a new nephew.

LauraLillyLaura said...

Roo's hat is adorable and your blanket is beautiful. I love the colors!! They radiate peace.

Wanda said...

Melt my heart Grandma.... With those little arms reaching out..I just wanted to crab and hug, and know you must just melt in those darling little arms. That face. Awwwwww.

The colors are breathtaking, and look so nice against the couch.

Wonderful, wonderful pictures

Bonnie said...

Tanna, you are the dearest person. You light up a room I am sure. You share the fragrance of Christ on your blog with your sweet attitude, gorgeous needlework projects and your beautiful family. I love the hat for Roo. Both kids are so adorable. Amanda did a great job on the pics.

I am still loving the croquet sampler. The colors and patterns are so lovely. I bet it will be so comfortable and warm. I marvel at how you have time to complete so many projects much less blog!
Have a great week.

From the Kitchen said...

Wonderful! Your prose, the photos of sweet, grateful Roo and the beautiful afghan! You have brightened my snowy day and given me pause to think.

Best,
Bonnie

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Beautiful photos, love the colors in afghan.....

Pammy Sue said...

Oh, my stripey blanket has been sitting at the bottom of a pile for so long now, less than half the ends sewn in and no border yet. Poor thing. Some day the mood will strike me to finish it up. I love, love, love the more muted colors of yours. Wish I had thought of it as the brighter colors I went with are really not my style either. These colors are amazingly beautiful all together. She's going to be a beaut!

TexWisGirl said...

roo is growing so quickly!!! and your blanket/afghan is gorgeous!!

Annette T. said...

The kids are getting so big, loved the hat and their sweaters. That blanket is amazing, a bit more than the double crochet stitch I know. But wow, what loose ends you'll have to weave in! Can't wait to see it finished. When I clicked and made it bigger the colors are much more brighter than the email! Such a beautiful post, makes me think, thank you.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Beautifully said, Tanna. And that Roo is just precious! I love his hat. The touch of gray with the red is really nice. Your blanket is gorgeous as well! I don't think I would have the patience for all those different patterned rows but it is definitely stunning! Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

You sweet Grandchildren are so adorable. That little Roo cracks me up with his cute little smile. You truly are blessed dear friend.

I am in love with your blanket...honestly...I want it! Just kidding, you have to keep the first thing you hook, it's the law or something...it's beautiful!

I am going to spend all day today thinking about what you wrote...I feel it's very meaningful. Wouldn't that just be something if when we stand before God He says.."Well, I would have loved to have blessed you more, but you showed so little interest in it." Profound dear friend....thank you for making me pause and Praise Him for all my blessings....I count you as one of them as well.

Bless you always my sweet most talented friend. :)

Sandy said...

Your little men are so adorable, especially in those handsome gray sweaters, and Roo's hat is super cute. Bless his little grateful heart. I know I say nearly every project is my favorite. I do. But, the colors in this blanket are just so wonderfully gorgeous, warm, inviting, happy. Well, this is my favorite. At least for now. :)
Has your package arrived?
Blessings~

SImple and Serene Living said...

So precious in his hat. I try to practice gratitude each day even if I can only find one small thing. xo Laura

Mereknits said...

I can feel the gratitude pouring from your post. The hat is adorable on that sweet little one. And I am in LOVE with your blanket, I love the colors so much.
Hugs,
Meredith

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

A beautiful post, Tanna, and such pictures!!! I have never enjoyed crocheting, but after seeing the colors come together for you in this throw, I am so impressed.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!! Tanna, that crochet is GORGEOUS!!! Great job!

karen said...

Be still my heart, that hat and the boy in it is gorgeous!! I love your blanket and the multi colors so beautiful!!

Shug said...

Gonna try this one more time....I have commented three times already and for some reason (my computer) is not responding well.
Oh well....I think Roo is absolutely precious...those big brown eyes are beautiful...I can just see these framed in your home...
Love the new colors...

Amy at love made my home said...

What you said about gratitude is spot on. Although, because I am odd, I find that there is one person who I do a lot for who is often very not grateful so why do I keep on trying to get them to be more grateful!! Your blanket is looking truly stunning, really, it is so beautiful, I love the colours and the amazing mix of stitches in each row. xx

kathy b said...

adorable little faces. Lined with the hat as a perfect frame!!!

I LOVE your crochet blanket..I've not seen one like it before EVER. Tanna, it is a blessing for me to just look at it!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Sweet Roo and his darling hats! Love them! Memories made! Gratitude...a wonderful thing.

Thanks for the reminder.

Jennifer Holmes said...

Oh Tanna, Those are fabulous photos of your little loves taken by Amanda! The crochet love is a symphony of color, depth, and harmony, beautifully played.

Catherine Holman said...

I love this blanket and would love to give it a try. You sure have an eye for color!

Melissa ~ twoknitwit said...

always love to see your little men and hear how much you adore them, Tanna

you've inspired my next 'mom & me crocketalong' ~ I showed her your blanket this weekend and asked her if we could go yarn shopping and work on this together :)

Melissa ~ twoknitwit said...

...I proofread before I hit 'publish' and without fail there's always something wrong

I meant crochetalong ~ not 'crocketalong :)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Beautiful...Roo with his red hat and the afghan!!! The afghan looks particularly beautiful on the sofa, the colors are perfect!

steph said...

Oh roo you are soooo cute!!!! And that crochet! Fabulous

Betsy Brock said...

lovely thoughts and words....and so very true! Roo is adorable in his knits from you!

that next piece...wow..probably my favorite thing you've done! Gorgeous!

Debbie said...

This post had the best message in it! I am convicted to grow in my gratitude toward Him for all the wonderful hats He has given me to wear.

And I am convicted to WEAR those hats with a cheerful face because someone who loves me created them just for me.

(And really... how cute is Roo in those pictures? A-dor-a-ble!)

Nonna Rose said...

On a gloomy day in the NE you have lifted my spirit with your words and photos of your angel. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, for that I am truly grateful!

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Such a sweet thought. I had that same talk with my kids in the car coming home from vacation...how the more thankful you are to someone, the more they want to do for you. A little gratitude goes a long way. That gives us a lot to think about in many areas. Love that brown eyed beauty too!

CJ said...

That blanket is stunning. It must be a joy to work on as well - never boring! It's inspirational. That little man is as cute as a button. And how adorable that he always thanks you for his hats. He wears it well!

Christine said...

I sound "like a broken record", but you have such a talent and keen eye for color! OUTSTANDING!

And now for those cuties...
Both Little Men have such wonderful eyes. Hats just accentuate them.

Judy S. said...

Wonderful post, Tanna. I LOVE your afghan!

Amanda said...

Amen and amen and amen. "Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." You know I love that quote. I tell the boys that when things don't go your way, focus on the things you have to be grateful for. They are all around us, if only we will *choose* to see them. Love this post. And that amazing afghan. I need to see that pretty little number up close and personal because I know that there won't be one picture to do that thing justice. Wow!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh what a little cutie- and I love the hats! Your afghan colors are amazing.

Deborah Hamilton said...

Your blanket is fabulous! I try to be grateful for what I have. As I get older, I don't need or want as much anyway. It's an attitude we cultivate to be content in our present lives. Your little Roo is so precious!

Cindy said...

Oh my, Tanna,you said a mouthful when you said "I wonder if our own blessings grow or shrink in proportion to our gratitude versus our feeling slighted or overlooked... "
I do believe our blessings are definitely proportional to our gratitude. Thanks for this, I will thinking about this for a while.
Hugs, Cindy

Tricia Buice said...

Thanks so much for this blessing Tanna. I have had the worst week at work. Not one thing went right, I had to clean up all the messes and everything was out of my control. But I need to be more grateful for a good job and nice people to work with that support me. Your grandsons are just beautiful. The photos she takes are fantastic!

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely post, Tanna :-) Thanks for sharing the pictures and your thoughts with us. Blessings...Mary

Donna Tagliaferri said...

your pictures....your pictures....fabulous! and the ones with your daughter....I am so happy for you, that you are using the talents God gave you to bless us!!!
talk about gratitude!!

sweetpea family said...

Such a heart warming post I knit for my grandsons - just a smile fills me with joy x

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, My heart knows what this post is speaking of.
The kindness shown to me through the storm and after fills my heart.
It was kindness given without a want in return.
Blessings dear and keep warm and cozy. Catherine xo

Pride In Photos Beauty said...

I was just shaking my head yes all through the post as you speak of gratitude for those who really appreciate it! Little Man is the one who does this for me. Roo's hat...oh girlfriend it is SOO cute! It couldn't of matched any better to his sweater. I sure wished we lived closer to each other...so much in common...sigh. PS...I got an offer on the home!!! Please pray that it will go thru for us. Is yours going smoothly this time? Blessings, Laurie

Marie said...

Sweet little Roo--he is so adorable. Your Crochet Love is beautiful.
Love,
Marie

Kerin said...

We are kindred spirits, you and I.
Yes.
I think our blessing are grown upon our attitude of gratitude.

Love the pictures of your sweet grands. Adorable!

Beautiful handiwork too. I adore that blanket. If ever there was a project that inspired me to take up yarn, your blanket is it!

Thank you for sharing your talents.

Smiles :)
Kerin

Tammy said...

Beautiful pictures. Beautiful, heartfelt post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Tanna. Your work is beautiful.

Toodles,
Tammy<3

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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.