Three Things...Gratitude Thread

[TiggerTrigger]

I'm waaaaaaay behind!

Small Household Items
Smooth edge manual can opener...DH still refuses to use it and we've all had a few issues cutting ourselves, but it definitely reduces the risk of sharp can edges and it doesn't require electricity.
Mandoline...I have a love/hate relationship with it. I actually cut my pinky on it last night, but it is the best for slicing and julienne cuts. I was using the safety, which caused me to let my guard down a little and I dropped my pinky during the motion, but the thing beats manual cutting and is far more precise than a box grater or food processor.
New Scissors...I need to get them back from DD18 (she has a nasty habit of extended borrowing). My last two pairs just disappeared. So, I bought these for a few projects and gift wrapping.

Chocolate
Stocking Candy...I'm always grateful for whatever Santa decides to leave me in my stocking.
Mint Chocolate...Whether it's Andes Mints, Candy Cane Kisses, or Lindt Mint Chocolate Truffles, it's one of my favorite chocolate pairings.
Bag of morsels...with it being the baking season, I'm always thankful for all of the bagged chips to go into those seasonal creations.

Things that begin with E
Paternal Grandmother...her name began with E.
Electricity...We've been impacted by a lot of storms of late and while you always pray for things like health, safety, no impacts to property, etc. you also usually hope you retain power.
Eggs...A hardboiled egg is a great snack, they're often synonymous with breakfast dishes, and they are an integral binding agent in so many baked items and heavier dishes like meatloaf (even latkes).

Bacon or Inside Jokes
Brisket behind closed doors...Last week, DH smoked a brisket. It's a long process, so I went to bed. I woke up disoriented in the middle of the night to what smelled like bacon. I seriously thought it was later and that he was up making breakfast. I was actually pretty grateful that the bacon smell was brisket. At least one of the kids was still up, so they got a good laugh out of groggy me coming down like some cartoon dog after picking up the scent of bacon.
Bacon on burgers...I've been skipping cheese of late. While bacon may not be the healthiest of foods, it is another way to add a lot of flavor to a burger.
My bacon cooking skills...We have a lot of little jokes about my crimes against bacon. I get too impatient with cooking it and tend to ruin it. The joke has turned into bacon being DH's job.

 

[leebee]

Things starting with "E":
Elephants, education, eggs.

Bacon!!
BLTs
Bacon-wrapped scallops or livers or waterchestnuts
That big ol' piece of candy bacon that tops the Bloody Mary at Dawa Bar at Animal Kingdom (which is my favorite Disney park)!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Aside from the story I already shared,

Bacon bits! I buy these ones:

and use them almost every morning in DH's egg sandwich, plus in salads, baked potatoes, etc.

Also grateful for going out to breakfast, which often involves bacon. It's one of our favorite easy ways to squeeze in a little family time.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's New Year's Eve!!!

Today's Topic (Tues, 12/31) - 3 things you were grateful for in 2024

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I’m grateful I found an awesome pet / house sitter !!! She’s been such a huge blessing to me !!!

I’m grateful I was able to become a DVC member again it means a lot to me !!! In the process I made a new friend in my DVC guide who I met up with while I was at WDW and had brunch

I’m grateful I took a vacation on my own and I had a fabulous time !!! Won’t lie parts would have been nice to have someone with you but for most of it I enjoyed being on my own !!! I’m grateful I did it !!!

2024 was my year fir new things and changes I’ve made so many and have many more ahead I’m forever grateful to you all everyday I do look forward to chatting with you every morning !!!
Happy New Year !!!!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Growth in my faith.

Every day in general as gifted by God to me and dad togerher with and for Him.

This very kind thread and all of dear you it.

My kind pt Vivian.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

1. We had a lot of storm related issues in 2024. They scare me and I'm not happy about some of the damage outcomes, but I'm constantly reminded that each one could have been so much worse. So, I'm grateful that the bad wasn't the worst.

2. I'm grateful for all that's gone on with DD18s transition from high school into college.

3. I tend to feel trapped if I don't get to travel. While we haven't been able to have traditional vacations since DD16s travel ball life has us traveling on and off around 8 months of the year. I'm grateful that she goes to a lot of interesting places so I can have a bunch of mini trips that keep me from feeling stuck.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm grateful for family outings this year,

for DS finding a job he likes,

and to all of you for participating in my little thread -

 

[PollyannaMom]

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!



Today's Topic (Wed, 1/1) - 3 things you're grateful for about January

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy New Year dear friends,

I wish each of you healthy and happy joy this year and always.

A new beginning and extra rekindled hope by my faith belief.

God willing a much healthier and easier month for dad and I.

In years past, January was also a new church choir year which meant a lot to me.

 

[slo]

Happy 2025 Everyone

#1 - Being Home More - I love not going out much in January. I’ll be starting my new puzzle soon.

#2 - Throwing Away Christmas Treats - Today is the last day for Christmas treats. Tomorrow everything gets thrown away - all cookies, candies, pies and etc. Gone Gone & Gone!

#3 - Cleaning Month - This is the start of winter cleaning at my house. I like to do it now, so then it’s done by the Spring.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I’ll be starting my new puzzle soon.

Me too - as soon as the tree comes down, as I like to set my puzzle table up in that room.

Today is the last day for Christmas treats. Tomorrow everything gets thrown away - all cookies, candies, pies and etc. Gone Gone & Gone!

Good rule!

Enjoy your Harry Potter Marathon Day

 

[WDWEPCOT]

January
Well it’s one of those winter months so it’s usually starting to get cold and we have that dreaded snow or even worse ice not one of my favorite months of the year
It goes quick because work is extremely busy with wrapping up the year end so I’m usually swamped with work operating two years at the same time so I never know what date I’m in what date I should be writing on something I can be quite confusing with my 13 companies Trying to keep it all straight so happily it goes by quick

I wouldn’t say I started dieting in January but the bad eating stops I don’t have to throw out anything I didn’t have a lot to begin with but I no longer purchase any of it because it’s not the holidays so I’m not allowing myself to purchase any of that stuff

I do like the fact that in January I can put my house back together it hasn’t been like this since before Halloween so it’s nice to have my house decorated the way I like to keep it when it’s not a holiday because it hasn’t been like this in over four months so I’m grateful to get my things out and I mixed them up a little bit this time didn’t like it and put them right back the way I had them before

I like to get organized in January not that I’m unorganized I just like to reaffirm my organization for my whole year and then figure out what projects I would like to withdraw and what cleanings I would like to start doing and when I say cleanings I mean like deep dive cleaning

I saw a quote the other day that really struck me and I’m gonna try to remember it
It basically was showing you to be grateful for what you had now
It was saying that you were enjoying things now that you were praying for before while you’re praying for new things now that you should reflect on the fact that you are enjoying things now that you have been praying for before !! And that really struck me!!! And I thought I need to reflect on them because that is so true!!! I think we get I’ll speak for myself I’m sorry I think you get busy and you don’t notice the fact that you are enjoying things that you have obtained things that you’ve been gifted things that you have earned things that you were praying for years and years ago and you now have them while you’re praying for these new things - so I sat and thought this is so true and I thought I’m so very grateful of where I’m at now versus where I was a year ago versus where I was two years ago
As the same note
Grateful thankful blessed

Happy new year!!!

 

[leebee]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

"2024 Things:"

DD/SIL bought their first house and will be moving out sometime soon! I will miss them every single second they are gone, but I am thankful that they are finally going to live together, just the three of them (he has an 8 year old), and start being a family on their own.

I took a solo trip to Disney and it was fabulous. I have been doing this for the past 3 years- it's my Maintain My Sanity Tour- but almost didn't go this year. I am so glad I did. I was able to do everything I wanted without wearing myself out, including 12 hour park days. I've been feeling my age lately, and this showed me that I can still be self-sufficient, active, healthy, and strong, even as I see 70 on my horizon.
(only 2.. I know...)

"January Things:"

It's semester break, and classes won't resume until after MLK Day. It's nice to have a long break! My time is my own, as long as everything is ready for the labs to start up again, so... it's nice to have the long break!

DH and I have made it a habit to vacation in January. We fly from Maine to NOLA to visit my sister and BIL, then over to Orlando for a couple of nights at a Disney resort and to do some sightseeing (so not a park trip), and then home. This year we are staying one night at CSR and then 3 nights at WL. AKL is my favorite, followed by CSR, but DH has never been to WL and I know he'll like it, so that's where we will be (except the first night, which wasn't included on my BounceBack offer and WL wasn't affordable, so CSR it is)!

New year, new outlook, hopefully. I don't make NY resolutions, per se, but January feels like it's a chance to reset, refocus, and refresh. This year is harder as I am anxious about the political scene over the next 4 years, BUT have decided to keep my head down, remember to breathe, and focus on the positives in my life.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Happy New Year!!!

My dad’s birthday is in January, so it’s always felt like his celebratory month. Very grateful to have had a visit with them between Christmas and New Year’s for some early celebration.

There’s a fresh feeling about January. It usually fades by February and puts me in a bit of a funk, but for now, it has those feelings of possibility. Not so much resolutions, but thinking about the good and positive I can bring about.

January tends to be more quiet. It’s still got its busy moments but there’s sort of a calm before the storm for certain areas of my life.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Happy new year!

I have been reading this thread for months and I really enjoy how positive everyone is and find it inspiring!

I do not do a new year resolution but I do use it as an opportunity to reset, clean, plan, and to try new things.

This January I am most excited about our home remodel. Two years ago we resided the house and made the decision to close up the garage. It is small, you can pull a car in but can’t open the doors to get out so we used it for storage. We are taking down the wall between the garage and the very small living room next to it. Finishing the space, adding a bathroom and laundry room plus a large living room. We will turn the current living room into a dining room. Construction started at the end of last year.

January is the month I plan my garden. I order my seeds, pre-order my plants and figure out the layout. I love my garden and this is a fun winter activity that makes me feel like spring is coming and my hands will be in the dirt soon.

January is my self care month. I don’t go out much. I stay in, get lots of rest, declutter, clean the house, eat comfort foods, and enjoy some quiet time. I love my friends and how close we are and all the fun things we do but sometimes it’s nice to put my pjs on early and hang out with DH and the cats.

I hope you all have a happy and healthy new year!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Another Daisy Duck fan! Welcome @LoveDaisy !

 

[PollyannaMom]

January Gratitude -

Cold, crisp, sunny days

That "lighter" feeling the house has after I take the Christmas stuff down but before I put the regular stuff back - I always end up decluttering a bit and putting less back out than I packed away before the holidays.

Sometimes it's a trip month for us!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Ooh January used for self - rest / spa / wellness what a great idea !!! We should all start that !!! Then throw in a girls get away towards the end of the month to a nice warm beach !!! Ultimate girl pampering !!! Prepare us for the Spring Cleaning & Summer months ahead !!! Who’s in ???? I’ll go first
ME !!!
Seriously January pampering sounds very nice !!! I’m adding it to my schedule !!

 

[fla4fun]

January . . .

It’s not hot, meaning lower utility bills

It’s quiet. After a few months of holiday hustle and bustle, it’s nice to just take a deep breath and decompress.

The Festival of the Arts at Epcot. It’s my favorite festival of the year!