30 Days of Thankfulness - DAY 30!!!

Day 30

It's HERE!!! Day 30...

this has gone by SO FAST!

I am so thankful for this experience!!!!

Although I did get behind occasionally (ok, pretty much the whole time) it was such a neat thing to participate in! I definitely want to do it again, and invite you to do so as well - you will love it!

Be blessed today my dear friends....

~Maggie

yes indeedy!

Dig it!

{got it here}

yes. yes it does.

{found this here}

*** here's what came to my mind when i saw this (my mom says it)

--->"Oh my goodness gracious land sakes alive!"<---

never seen anything SO CUTE in my life: A GingerBread House Cookie!

seriously.

'nough said.

Happy Day to YOU my loves,

Maggie

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 26-29

Day 26

I know that I have said it before... but I am going to say it again:

I am SOOO thankful for my husband!

He is the most amazing man!!!

And has worked so hard to get where he is today, and continues to work day in and day out for our family!!!

I love you honey and appreciate everything you do for us!
***xoxoxoxoxoxoxo***

Day 27

I am thankful for random acts of kindness...

*a smile

* a pat on the back

*a wave

*a HUG

*a call just to say I love YOU!

*a letter in the mail

remember: the littlest things in life can have the longest lasting imprint on someones day!

Day 28

I am thankful for crisp frosty mornings...

This is the time of year that I love waking up to white frost on the grass and especially the trees! It looks like someone has painted everything white and then sprinkled glitter over EVERYTHING!

It's magical and beautiful and I love to stick my head out the door, take in a deep refreshing breath, then shut the door, go "brrrrrr..." and sip my oh so HOT coffee and just look out the window from my nice warm kitchen instead! :-)

Day 29

I am thankful for my blog!

Sounds VERY cheesy... But I have met some of the most incredible women from this very blog!!!

When I started out, I couldn't even imagine what would come of it... and now I feel like it's a part of me... I have made amazing friends,

read moving stories of faith and courage,

received encouraging words,

given encouraging words (or at least tried to)

And gotten to be a part of somebody's day (probably my most FAVORITE part!!!)!
I hope that I can be a day brightener for someone out there (maybe YOU!)

Thank you all SO MUCH for reading my blog and making me SMILE :-)

~It's just the BEST feeling ever~

Much love,

Maggie

T-Day Pictures...

Here's a few snapshots from Thanksgiving Day at my grandpa's apartment....

We had an incredible buffet for lunch and played games afterward!!!

I would just like to say that I got BINGO twice!!! AND won the door prize!

MAMA LIKEY :-)

Isn't this dress the turkey's waddle?!?!? As in CUUUUUUUUUTE!?

This is it's 2nd Thanksgiving - last year it hung to the ground :-) This year it was perfect!

My mama!!!! <3

Amen.

The most precious man in the WORLD!!! My grandpa (aka "Glumpa") oh yes, and my mother in the background taking pictures! ha! :-) I love family get togethers - such craziness!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo.

Me.

30 Days of Thankfulness Days 23 - 25

Good Morning and Happy Sunday my dears...

I have much catching up to do on blogging, but for VERY good reason...

We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving celebrations

(2 meals - count em' 2!!!! I am stuffed to the gills!)

and now have been enjoying being home as a family, relaxing, enjoying each other!

I love nothing more than that :-)

~I hope each and every one of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!!

Day 23

I am thankful for a reliable vehicle.

I drive a minivan - not gonna lie - I LOVE IT! - it is referred to as The Sleek Mini Van and my husband teases me relentlessly, as do many other people, but me and the ole' Town and Country mobile, get along fabulously! She's (yes, it's a girl) a Peach!

Have you ever had a vehicle that makes you happy!? And you know that it will get you from point A to point B? It's quite lovely...

Now, on the other hand, I have driven vehicles that make my blood pressure rise and steam come out of my ears because they just aren't all that lovable ... flat tires (every other day), problems with belts, pulleys, etc... (not a huge car facts chick) spending many hours roadside waiting for a handsome man (named Brian - love you honey) to come and tow you out of a ditch.. Ugh!

A good, safe vehicle is what I am loving!

Day 24

I am thankful for laughter.

The kind of gut laughter where you are almost laughing silently, and you think you may cry! Yeah, that's the kind... my BFF and I, we have mastered the art of "silent laughter" and the funny thing is, a lot of times it happens on the phone, so you don't know if your call has been lost, or if the other person is bent over, laughing, trying to catch their breath... usually from my end there is a snort involved (once I really get rolling, I snort every once in a while!)

*** I have a quote taped up on my cupboard from a magazine a long time ago, and it is so true:

"Children laugh an average of three hundred or more times a day, adults laugh an average of five times a day. WE have a lot of catching up to do!" ~Heather King

Amen!

Do a gut laugh at least once this week. Ok? And if you can't... call me! :-)

Day 25

I am thankful for photography.

My refrigerator is COV-ER-ED in pictures! Not. even. kidding.

They range from pictures of Josie as a wee little lass, to current toddler Josie pictures, old pictures of Brian and I as children, my grandmother holding my mom, pictures of me riding horse... each and every one is as precious as the other and they bring me the utmost joy!

Capturing memories on film (yes, I have a film camera) or on a digital camera (yes, I have one of these too. No worries) OR on the camera of your phone... there is just nothing quite like grabbing that moment in thin air and being able to go back and look at it time and time again.

ok... I am on grilled cheese duty, so I must go...

BUT, have no fear... I will be back!

Much love to you my dears...

Maggie

gobble on.

ummmm... yeah... would totally do this! ha!

love this Friends episode, don't you!?

tee hee heee..

Discovered THIS blog yesterday and it is soooo fabulous!!!

This quote warmed my heart - I am going to write it down and share it at the Thanksgiving table!

{source}

HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!!

Lots of love,

Maggie

:-)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 21 & 22

Day 21

I am thankful for books!

I remember when I was in elementary school, we had to participate in Book-It.

(Remember that? With the buttons, star stickers, personal pan pizza's on Friday?)

It was so painful for me!! I loved the stickers and pizza, don't get me wrong!!

I remember having to clock the amount of time that I had spent reading, and it just wasn't enjoyable for me... I had no interest in it. Period.

But now, OHHHH my goodness!!!!

If I can sit down with a good book, and a peaceful place to read it, I can go for hours and hours...

Perhaps I will start an adult Book-It club!? HA! I can taste that personal pan pizza now!

:-)

Day 22

I am thankful for the telephone!

This may sound a little strange.. I know.. but right now, with my husband working out of town, {weekly!} it is the only way I get to hear his (oh so manly) voice.

We talked this morning, over breakfast (Captain Crunch for him. Coffee for me.) and it was so comforting to know that he is just a phone call away!

Dear technology,

i heart you.

Have a TERRIFIC - TURKEYLCIOUS - TUESDAY....

Love,

Maggie, your fellow Turkey.

bruuu ha ha

today. i knit.

my handmade hats and cowls were in a sale on saturday and i was successful!!!

i sold 3 pieces!!!!!!! whoop whoop!

happy monday sweethearts...

mama maggie

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 19 & 20

**Good Morning and Happy Sunday sweet friends**

I hope this finds all of you enjoying a peaceful morning...

Enjoy your day!

Day 19

I am thankful for the.... wait for it....

S-N-O-W

*************************************

as predicted, we got a whole slew of snow yesterday afternoon and all thru the evening!

It was magical, beautiful, and as Josie puts it "Cool!"

I opened the shades this morning and the white glow was all around... I am thoroughly enjoying it (can you tell!?) as well as my "fireside blend" coffee, flannel pajamas, a Charlie Brown Christmas (Linus is my FAV) and the sounds of my daughter sucking her pacifier (girlfriend can be heard from a block away, I swear!)

I LOVE a white Thanksgiving!!!

Gobble Gobble

*******************************************************************

Day 20

I am thankful for a "family day!!"

The Hubster is home, until early tomorrow morning (boooo) so we have taken advantage of some much needed time together!

We had a DEEEELICIOUS lunch out yesterday

(a smal highlight from sitting in a booth with miss thang is seeing her turn around to the people next door and saying "Hey Guys!"

... oh how i love her!!!),

and then went to run some errands.. including getting miss josie some winter boots (she picked them out... 'nough said!) and a W-A-R-M winter hat (mama picked it out! thankyouverymuch!)

then we came home and put a movie in and reeeeeelaxed!

I adore my little family more than anything in the whole wide world!!!!!

~Soaking it all up today~

Blessings!

~Me.

hello weekend. i love u.

Just looking at this picture makes me feel oh so glorious!!!!

{except for the fact that the hubster doesn't drink coffee. but that's ok. i drink my coffee black and my sister drinks it with a smidge of real whipping cream - yum! so this picture could be for her and me!}

Do you have any weekend plans???

(source)

I want to MASTER this look (hairstyle!) My hair is about this long, so I am going to play around with my hot rollers, possibly the curling iron, or show it to a stylest and have her do her THANG!

Whatever you do - ENJOY! and Beeeee Blessssed!

xoxo.

go. go now.

Hey there sweet friends -o- mine...

This just in: My very best bestie has a little blog...

it's called

Brown Sparrow Studio

it will warm your heart (she's sentimental like that) and make you pee a little too (girlfriend is a RIOT)

She's the very, ery, ery BEST!

Oh yes, AND she is an incredible artist/creator of all things To. Die. For. and there may or may not be a little giveaway coming up involving some type of trinket made from her very own hands!

So go now, and ENJOY!!!!

xoxoxo.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 17 & 18

Day 17

I am thankful for children's artwork!

I love their creativity - there is just something about the preciousness that comes from their uncluttered, innocent minds onto paper that I ADORE!

My cupboards are covered in children's creations -

and each one makes me SMILE :-)

Day 18

I am thankful for the FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON!

Word on the street (and all weather stations/websites/news channels) is that it is going to snow

TOMORROW!!!!!

And it is actually supposed to be enough to cover the ground!

I am as giddy as horse under an apple tree!!! not. even. kidding.

AND the hubster rolls into town TONIGHT! He has been working abroad (actually about 3 hours away, but it feels further) all week and I miss him!

Life. Is. GRAND.

Happy Friday!

(snow pictures to come as soon as the first flake hits my tongue! yum!)

**********************************

peace. love. da bells.

josie has discovered HAPPINESS!

it is the bells, or in her words "Da Bells Mama!"

she has discovered the salvation army bell ringers.

they bring her the utmost joy.

and i couldn't be more proud!!!

ring those bells my sweet, ring on!

xo.

oh happy day.

good morning my loves.

rise and shine!!!

xoxo.

amen. alleluia.

{source}

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 15 & 16

Day 15

I am thankful for peaceful evenings.

Lately, Josie has been a snuggle bug in the evenings, and we have been relaxing, watching movies, rocking in the chair and enjoying eachother. Since the Hubster is out of town, I have been a full-time mommy, and get overwhelmed at times, but am reminding myself to take each day as it comes and soak up my precious 2 year old, before she won't let me rock her anymore - could be any day now... :-) gotta love a toddler!

Day 16

I am thankful for travel...

whether it is by car, train or plane... I love going new places and seeing new things!

I want my daughter to see so many things.. I want her to be a well rounded individual who is aware of all different lifestyles all over the globe!

There are such amazing experiences waiting to be had... right at our fingertips...

LET'S GRAB THEM!

~Happy Wednesday Friends!~

seize the day.

:-)

hello tuesday.

good morning loves...

hot peppermint stick coffee + a warm raisin bran muffin with butter = happy mama!

oh yes, and i just don't think it gets any better than a 3 wick candle burning bright!

love love to YOU!

grateful jar...

~I LOVE this idea!~

check it out here

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 11, 12, 13 & 14

Happy Monday Sweet Friends...

I am getting caught up after a much needed weekend out of town!

We had a wonderful time amongst family and got to play, relax, enjoy each other and now we are back and ready to hit the pavement and catch up! :-) I missed my blog friends, to tell the truth!

I hope you all had a safe and happy weekend as well!!!

Day 11

I am thankful for music.

Music can set a mood, change a mood, make you laugh - cry - or both...

I have begun listening to Christmas music

(dug it out awhile ago despite my husbands grumbling)

and it's amazing how it puts you into the Christmas spirit - one of my all time favorite songs is Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven"...

what an unbelievable job Mary was given, to carry such a miraculous human being. I love listening to the words of this song and envisioning the birth of our loving and caring Jesus...

~my oh my how BLESSED we are~

Day 12

I am thankful for the warm sun...

As I am sitting here, typing away on the couch... the sun is shining in and making me feel so warm, despite the cold weather that is outside, it reminds me of my light that I choose to let shine every day...

I want to let my light warm people's hearts and souls just as the sun is warming me!

~Choosing JOY today!!!~

Day 13

I am thankful for SMILES!

Have you ever been walking around, feeling like you're in a slump or rut - your head is spinning with thoughts and out of the blue, somebody - perhaps a stranger - flashes you a SMILE and it's as though they are telling you...

Hey, everything is going to be ALRIGHT - Don't worry - Be Happy!

I think that's what smiles are for!

:-)

Day 14

I am thankful for Fridays.

This sounds super silly, but it's real! I LOVE a good, relaxing, enjoyable FRIDAY!

It's the end of the week - some days off are on the horizon AND it's pizza night...

it always was when I was growing up - pizza night - and continues to be!

The doorbell rings, and Josie yells "YAY my PIZZA!" and all is right with the world.

-Enough said!-

So great to be back!

Much love to all of you...

xoxo,

Me.

See Ya Sunday!!!

Good Morning and HAPPY FRIDAY everyone!!!!

I am off to see my mom and sister, so will report back Sunday morning - PROMISE! :-)

Have a blessed day!

xoxo...

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 9 & 10

Day 9

I am thankful for a roof over my head.

It's very easy to wake up in a warm bed, with a house that has heat and forget just how lucky we have it... so today I am giving thanks for my home....

When I was a junior in highschool I went on an amazing missions trip (one of many) to Mexico, where we handed out backpacks, school supplies, toiletries, clothing, shoes, etc.. to people in need. One area in particular was a city dump. People had made makeshift "houses" out of the things they could find around them (unfortunatley mostly garbage) and lived there.

My heart sank, and immediately I wanted to cry... but my youth pastor at the time reminded me that to them, this is home and all that they have, and this is why we were there - to put smiles on their face, and provide some things that can help them get by...

As I walked around, I saw a woman holding a brand new baby (possibly a couple days old - at the max) and I went up to her to sneak a peek at the BEAUTIFUL bundle of joy! She had gobs of black hair, a little sleeper on, and socks over her hands so she wouldn't scratch herself. The woman was standing outside of a makeshift "lean to" where she lived, gave birth and was raising this infant, in the city dump. She let me hold the baby, and we talked in Spanish, and my life, right there, was changed forever.... I have a picture of me with this AMAZING baby and it has gone with me to every place I have ever lived... a precious little reminder that we are truly blessed.. and it also makes me feel so grateful for that experience to go and do what I could to make a difference...

Oh how blessed we are.

Day 10

I am thankful for friendship!

Whether is is a friend that has been by your side for EVER, or a friend that you come across blogging (tee hee hee) nothing puts a warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart like a person that you just KNOW could be your sister! :-)

When I count my truest of true blessings, I am so thankful for my beautiful friendships - new, old or just waiting for me out there!!!

I hope EACH and EVERY one of you lovelies has a blessed and SPARKtacular day...

Remember - YOU are a HUMAN sparkler. YOU are.

Reach out and touch someones life today - even if it's just with a SMILE!

:-) MUCH LOVE,

Maggie

nancy.

*** when i was a little girl, we had 2 ponds behind our house and one in particular was our skating rink...

the entire family would go down with shovels (my dad even brought down the snow blower) and clear off all the snow...

then it was TIME!

hockey sticks, pucks, nets, yes... that is all very fun indeed...

but my FAVORITE thing to do was pretend i was nancy kerrigan at the winter olympics...

now this is a VERY big stretch for wobbly ankled, weak kneed, never a lesson in her life little old me... but a girl can dream, can't she???***

here's to childhood memories and dreams AND to nancy kerrigan...

xoxo,

me.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 7 & 8

Day 7

I am thankful for horses.

Now, this may sound silly, but you see, I have this thing for horses!

When I was a little girl, I grew up in town with zero experience around large animals... except for the very large, very mean black lab that chased me down one day.

Most of my school/church friends were also from in town, so I never ventured out to farms...

Long story short... when I started college in a small town on a prairie, there was a "Saddle Club" and you could join/volunteer to help care for students/professors horses if they were out of town, etc... Well SIGN ME UP!!! I joined, I fell in LOVE with every aspect of it and some days after class I would just walk thru the stables just for the smell of horses.... it was an escape.. a release, if you will!

Since graduating from college, I haven't had a ton of people to ride horse with, but there have been some, and for that I am blessed!!!

I have done a lot of work this past year with a horse shelter about 30 miles away and it has changed me.... these beautiful animals, mistreated, starved, used, it breaks my heart. But knowing that I can give my time and energy to work with these amazing creatures not only gives me hope, but them too. The littlest things do indeed count!!

Day 8

I am thankful for mine and my families health.

I lost my grandmother several years ago due to lung cancer, and I think sometimes it takes loosing someone so incredibly important to you to finally wake up and realize how very very precious life is!!!!

The time in my life, when my grandmother lost her battle, was a very difficult time for me. I was selfish, foolish, unaware of just what bad decisions I was making. And when she was gone, I felt like a little piece of me was gone too.

It has taken years and years of healing, prayer, and soul searching to finally fill up that space.

EVERY MORNING I am thankful for my own health and the health of all of the vital people in my life!!!

We are SO truly blessed and have this one chance at life,

so treating EACH AND EVERY NEW DAY with a happy heart and positive outlook makes the utmost sense to this healed and happy mama!!!!

MUCH LOVE TO YOU!

~Maggie~

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 5 & 6

Day 5:

I am thankful for each new day...

every morning the sun rises and there are new

possibilities

journeys

promises

revelations

experiences

for all of us to take a chance at... might we fail and have to try again? Sure!

But might we be successful and have a changed life? You BET!

You just never - ever know!

Wake up grateful for the beautiful day that lies ahead of you!!!

(note to self: some days this is easier said then done, but I am going to try my hardest to make it an excellent day. I hope you will too!)

Day 6:

I am thankful for family togetherness.

My family is very close, but we all have very busy lives that entail our time and energy.

Each one lives in their own neck of the woods and has a family of their own,

but nothing quite compares to the feeling I get in my heart, when we are ALL together.

My brother has been quoted as referring to us as "The Gang." He'll ask, "hey dad, whens the gang gonna be able to get together again??"

And when that time comes.... it makes me feel such tremendous amounts of joy!

***My cup runneth over!!!***

I am truly blessed with an amazing family!

~Love you guys~

xoxo,

Me.

smile today

ohhhh my goodness gracious!!!

i just saw this on Yahoo news, and HAD TO HAD TO put it on my blog,

so i can look at it anytime i want!

it put such a gi-whoppin smile on my face...

here's the caption that was under it on web page:

{Horses stand in the shadows of a gigantic wooden table and two chairs during
nice autumnal weather at a meadow near Doellstaedt, central Germany, Tuesday,
Nov. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)}

i think i will fly myself to germany and go stand under there with them! :-)

much love,

me.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 4

I am thankful for the change of seasons...

Not just the actual seasons (Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall) but also the "seasons" in our lives.

They may be joyful, full of prosperity and happiness seasons,

or they may be hard - difficult - attempts at getting thru the day seasons...

maybe the season is just contentment - like warm sun on your face!

regardless of what they may be, it is VITAL that we remember

our God will not give us more than we can handle - our plate may feel full, perhaps filled to the brim, but it will not overflow... each of these seasons happens for a reason.

As for the other seasons:

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

I think each is a blessings in it's own little way... Just when the heat of summer is more than we can stand, fall falls upon us and then......

then come the ever so dainty, sparkly snowflakes...

I can't wait!

~Happy Friday dear friends~

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 3

I am SO thankful for my FAMILY!

Family, to me, is what life is all about....

the gang in mexico last january!

we have SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun together, and all bring something special to the table!

each is his or her own person and extremely wonderful!!!!

i love them...

(and i love you too!)

Me :-)

Thoughtful Thursday!

dark mornings....

in the neck of the woods where i dwell, here in the wonderful land called minnesota...

it is VERY dark in the mornings still... it is 7:15 AM and looks like the middle of the night outside...

this can make it kind of rough to get up in the morning, but i am adapting to this morning "darkness" quite well, actually...

i am up after my hubby leaves for work, but before josie is awake! it is quiet, and i have time to think about things, reflect, e-n-j-o-y!

here's what's ticking thru my noggen this morning...

-so happy brian is home from working in a different state.. he's our rock.

-toddler beds are a HUGE transition... kinda wish they made cribs with ultra high sides :-)

-gosh this dunkin' doughnuts "mocha mint" coffee is deeeeelic'

-i wonder when we'll get the first snowfall! i want to go outside and catch snowflakes on my tongue and play!!! :-) can we say child at heart?

-the fact that target makes yoga pants in longs (i am 6 feet tall) really rocks my world

-gotta shave my legs one of these days.. preferably before my next pedicure {that's a whole nother blog post... but let's just say i scared the poor man who was going to paint my toesies! i hadn't shaved my legs for a while... seriously!}

-brrr... what is the heat temperature set at anyways?!

-i think i'll burn a candle! or maybe 3...

-maybe i can go and ride horse this weekend!? ohhh i hope so!!!!

-yay for thanksgiving crafts! turkeys are SO easy! :-)

-ooop, outta coffee... better get more...

ok, that was totally random... but REAL! just a little glimpse into my mornings!

i hope each of you has a SpecTacUlar Thursday!!!!

Blessings to each of you precious chickies,

Magpie

{my nickname from my summer nanny when i was a wee chick.. i like it! still!}

it's all about....

BooT SockS!!!

~as mentioned earlier, i purchased my VERY 1st pair of SkiinY jeans this weekend "Jeggings" and they are pretty much THE MOST comfortable thang ever!

i primarily got them so i can wear my boots over and what better to add to the combo, but...

boot socks!

wanna make your VerY OwN??? Go HERE

get these HERE, I know i am going to :-)

oooo la la! these are found HERE

Have a BOOT-eaful day lovies!!!

~Maggie

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 2

I am so incredibly thankful for my mom.

She has seen me thru the thickest of thicks and the thinnest of thins!

I honestly do not know what I would do without her.... We talk at least once a day (usually more) she is the most loving, devoted, compassionate, creative, gentle human beings I know.

I am blessed to call her mom.

Love you mama,

Maggie

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 1

Today marks the beginning of "30 Days Of Thankfulness" over at

My Heart's Desire blog...

I came across Amanda's lovely blog lastnight and then saw that today she began the 1st day of Thankfulness, and I jumped on board...

JOIN ME!!!!!

You can head on over to her blog, grab a button and join in...

~Day 1~

***I am so thankful for a child's innocent heart***

We set up Josie's toddler bed on Sunday afternoon, and she could not have been happier!!!

Something so simple, made her afternoon 1,000 times better and more exciting... she spent the majority of the afternoon and early evening playing in her room, and when I would peek in on her she would be in her "new" bed, under the covers pretending to sleep - perhaps doing a dry run for the night ahead?! :-)

Josie's new experiences make me realize how very precious everyday life is, and how seeing things in a new light can make you ever so GRATEFUL! Which is what this time of year is ALL ABOUT!

Have a splendid day my dears,

Peace, Love and Blessings,

Maggie.