thankful thursday #136

Vacations are good.

Vacations are better, when you don't get on a computer all week long, except for a day to give thanks.

Vacations are best, when for seven nights in a row, this scene is real life:

 

Thankful for a week of goodness.

And you? Go on, be grateful!

oh, savannah

“For me, Savannah's resistance to change was its saving grace. The city looked inward, sealed off from the noises and distractions of the world at large. It grew inward, too, and in such a way that its people flourished like hothouse plants tended by an indulgent gardener. The ordinary became extraordinary. Eccentrics thrived. Every nuance and quirk of personality achieved greater brilliance in that lush enclosure than would have been possible anywhere else in the world.”
-- John Berendt, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

I spent three days last week in Savannah. Staying here always makes me nostalgic.

These trees always fool me into thinking their shade is immune to the humidity ...

... which it is not. But gosh, they're pretty.

I love the systematic brilliance that bore these squares.

But I can never keep them straight, or remember which is which.

Shops like these make me imagine the families who've run them for generations.

There's a cathedral downtown that makes me feel like I'm in Europe.

Savannah is absolutely eccentric and quirky, but it is Southern and charming and storied all at the same time.

And more than those things, a piece of my own story came out of that city. That's worthy of a little love, I'd say!

thankful thursday #125

This little getaway I'm on this week has multiple personalities, I tell you.

There's been a little home, a little history, a little adventure, a little reading and relaxing, and more good things to come.

Among all those personalities, though, the one thing this vacation is not, is stressful.

But we booked appointments here for tomorrow anyway ...

... and I'm kinda feeling thankful about it.

Spare me the judgement of over-indulgence and just practice some appreciation, people. Go on, be grateful!

hello monday (spring-ing)

There are two things that scream spring to a Georgia Peach:

1. Savannah, Georgia azaleas in April, and
2. The Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National.

Those two gems alone are worthy of some hellos this week, yes?

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Hello, special package from our Special Olympians.

We worked with these guys and gals in Kansas City last month,
and they sent us these t-shirts.
I'm so touched by them!

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Hello, Savannah.

I can't wait to stroll under your trees tomorrow.
They tell such old, old stories.

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Hello, road trip.
It's gonna take a long one to get there.

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Hello, segway!

This is totally happening, so watch out, Savannah.
I'm not even kidding.

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Hello, beach.

I haven't had my toes in the sand in nearly two years.
I'm long overdue.

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Hello, Masters.

Growing up ninety miles from you, I'd say 34 years is a long-enough wait.
I'm ready for every bit of you. Including your pimento cheese sandwiches.

Has spring sprung where you are? Oh, I hope it has! It holds such promise!

a perfectly ordinary saturday

If you were to ask me what my perfectly ordinary Saturday looks like, I'd tell you it looks a lot like March 30, 2013.

It starts early, but only after I cringe at my alarm and drag myself out of bed. (I will never pretend to be a morning person.)

A morning run, in gorgeous spring weather.

A hot shower and leisurely morning.

An Easter weekend pedicure.

An afternoon nap, with the rain pattering outside my window.

Some time in the kitchen, with two successful new recipes on the books.

Yes, that is one fine Saturday.

Now. These recipes. Such a fun throwback to old classics, compliments of Cooking Light.

Hamburger Steak with Onion Gravy
Serves 4

1 lb. ground sirloin
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 medium sweet onion, sliced vertically
2 tsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. low sodium beef broth

1. Divide beef into four equal portions, and shape into patties. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tsp. oil in a skillet over medium high heat, and swirl to coat. Add beef patties to pan, and cook about 3 minutes on each side, or until browned. Remove from pan. * Resist the urge to fidget with the burgers until you flip them after 3 minutes. Leaving them to do their thing will give you a nice seared edge.


2. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan. Saute onions for about 3 minutes, or until tender and brown. Sprinkle onions with flour, and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add stock and season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Return hamburgers to pan, and reduce heat to medium. Partially cover, and cook 5 minutes, until gravy slightly thickens.

I ate this goodness with some roasted green beans and mushrooms, which was a variation on another Cooking Light recipe in last month's issue. You could use any green side, though, to round out the meal.

Three cheers for a perfectly ordinary Saturday. And better?

Sunday's coming. And that is not ordinary.

thankful thursday #116

A few weeks ago, my friends and I got out our iPhone calendars (bless them) ...



... and settled on a date to visit one of our favorite getaways ...



... and that getaway commences tomorrow.

I'm so thankful for the respite.  It's gonna be a good weekend.

What's making your upcoming weekend a good one? Go on, be grateful!

hello monday (the eve of christmas)

Advent is rapidly coming to a close, but glory! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!

I'm ready to greet this celebration week with joy and thanksgiving. Are you?

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Hello, cousins.

 

I can't think of a better way to start my vacation, than to reunite with you!

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Hello, cozy home.

I'm happy to see our stockings hung by the chimney with care.

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Hello, Dodger.

Thank you for faithfully jumping on visiting me before dawn every morning.

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Hello, baby brother.

 We are the bookends in our family.

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Hello, family Christmas card.

Sad to be apart this week, but happy you're mine.

Whether your family is under one roof, or just thankful to be under the same moon, I hope you are blessed throughout this Christmas week!

thankful thursday #105

On this holiday Thursday, these things have made me feel thankful:

Sleeping in and waking up to no alarm.  Praise you, Jesus.

A 45-minute walk in the most gorgeous fall weather.  It really was glorious.

Time to read a book.  It was a quick read, but I sure loved having that big chunk of time.

Text messages of gratitude to and from people I love.

Skype.  It is fast becoming a Thanksgiving necessity!

Movies that remind me of our nation's leaders who changed history for the better.  Have you seen Lincoln?  Run to see it.

It has been restful, and peaceful, and we have much for which to be grateful.  It makes for an easy Thankful Thursday in my world.

What about in your world?  Go on, be grateful!  

thankful thursday #97

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned my intention to buy this couch:

I had to strategize on the timing, because frankly, spending money like that requires some planning!

This week I finally bit the bullet, and praise Jesus, no buyer's regret.

And even better?  I only had to pay a deposit to order it.  It's like God sort of built in a payment plan for me, with no interest.

That was so gentle of Him, to lessen the blow.  I can't help but be thankful!

In other news, I am not traveling this weekend and am beyond excited to enjoy time in my home, cooking in my kitchen, lounging on my couch, watching my football team.

Thankful doesn't even begin to describe my sentiment about that.

What's got you excited today?  Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #83

For a slew of reasons, our family beach week is on hiatus in 2012.

My flesh wants to be bitter about this, but I can't complain about it, because let's face it, I'm so miffed to not have a week-long beach vacation sounds downright brattish and spoiled.

Darn you, you heart of gratitude.

I think so much of the fun of a vacation actually happens in the the season of preparation, the looking forward, the expectation of it all.  Don't you?

Several weeks ago during a particular rough patch, one where in any other year I'd be thinking, If I can just make it to June 23rd, I was grasping hard for something to anticipate.  Straining to see some light at the end of my tunnel.

Alas, BEACH WEEK was not written in bright, cheery purple, and the white blocks on my calendar gave me a palpable blank stare.

So I took matters into my own hands during said rough patch, and filled up that sad, empty space on my calendar.

Now it reads, CABIN FEVER 2K12 and praise Jesus, it is a mere three days away.  It cannot get here fast enough.

I will retreat here ...

... I will cozy up and read my books here ...

... I will cook for my friends here ...

... and I will take in this view every day.

For these things to anticipate, I'm thankful.

What are you looking forward to today?  Go on, be grateful!