thanksgiving

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It always amazes me how quickly the Christmas season comes upon us. It seems like every year it comes as soon as the Halloween decorations are barely off the shelves. I could blame all the hype that is thrown at us via the media about shopping and buying... and whatever... in fact, I do remember seeing commercials for Christmas back in October...

...but I think it also has to do with the fact that time for me this year has gone by very, very quickly. Time has simply flown by in alot of areas... that it is hard to imagine that it is already nigh unto December here.

And so... today ... as we sat around and talked about things we were grateful for this year (and there was alot)... I also wanted to mention how grateful I am that we are doing our best as a family to avoid all the hype that is the holiday season to come. We have pledged again this year to make as many of the gifts as we can... and buy what we can't make from local sellers as much as we are able to. Not only will it be a benefit to those local families who own stores and work so very hard to keep afloat... but it also gives us the "warm fuzzies" to know we are doing what we can to re-use, re-purpose, and re-cycle... as well as make some really cool stuff.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is thursday... already. This year has been so very full of chaos... and growth... and loss... and well... everything...

In honor of Thanksgiving (*also known in our house as the forgotten holiday)... I will be posting on topics such as thankfulness and gratefulness this week.

FIVE things I am grateful for this year:
1. that my family is safe and well and happy. I love you BAJ, kids, and little Sophia...
2. that we have shelter... food ... and the perks of living in a country where it is safe to live as we please
3. fresh coffee and fresh flowers in the house
4. freedom to make art... no matter what the subject matter
5. my lovely little Sabrina.. who brightens every single day for me


The photos for today's post... are ones I took back in April when I was in PA. I had gone to the Recycle Center over in Gold, PA... and there was this awesome little farm right on the "main drag" there in town. Right by the road, was a small-ish pen that had a male turkey and a few gorgeous ducks. He was stunning... and I took that golden opportunity to take a few photos of him. And no... I don't want to even think about if he is still there today...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

thankfulness

*photo by Elaine A. Russell


“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

— Albert Einstein



A friend of mine loves Albert Einstein... frankly, I never read much of his work... but now am seeing how insightful he really was. Today I am thankful for my family, my friends, my health... and so much more.