Monday, when the Hubs got home from his deep sea fishing trip with a group of men from our church,
(he caught a sea bass by the way!),
we both packed a small suitcase.
Tuesday morning, we put those suitcases in the car along with his fishing pole and my stack of library books, and headed to my sister and brother-in-law's house in southern Oregon for a few days of much needed relaxation.
The Hubs wore his new "relaxing attire", which I said was "cute".
That didn't go over too well.
I wanted a coffee for the road.
He bought me a one dollar coffee at McDonalds because the line at Starbucks was too long.
It wasn't the same.
Down the road aways, we stopped at Trader Joe's and got healthy snacks...
and these mints.
Wonderfulness in a bite, I tell you!
The scenery on the drive was incredible.
Some time away was just what we needed,
good fellowship with family, good food and lots of rest and relaxation.
I'm thankful.
**************
In 2012 I followed the prompts in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare in counting my thanks.
In 2013 I'm going back to the way I did it in the beginning,
just noticing and recording the many extraordinary blessings in my ordinary life.
And so I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal.
(and capturing some of them via my camera or iPhone)
#3455-#3479
6-17-13-
-morning devotions
-lunch with friends
-the Hubs home from deep sea fishing with some bass filets
-a run in the cool of the evening
6-18-13-
-new running shoes
-a safe trip to my sister's
-devotions in their gazebo overlooking the river
- chatting with my sister and brother-in-law 'til bedtime
6-19-13-
-a good night's sleep
-the river right out the back door
-my sister's good cooking
-a bird posing for me to take it's picture
6-20-13-
-sun and blue skies
-a bald eagle!
-gorgeous sunset and full moon
6-21-13-
-waffles with fresh strawberries
-resting and reading
-fun dinner and movie with my sister and brother-in-law
-belly laughs with my sis
6-22-13-
-a safe drive home
-the sights along the way...two deer, a coyote, the mountains, the rock formations
-all the granddaughters piled on Papa's chair
6-23-13-
-all the granddaughters at church with us
-our son-in-law starting to recuperate from pneumonia
-Sunday lunch with my nephew and his family
Gratefully yours,
Beth, I loved all of your photos~especially the blue sky on 6-18! So deep blue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessed and beautiful list of God's blessings in His creation and with family.
Blessings,
Janis
Thanks Janis!
DeleteI love your thankfulness list. While I didn't do the Joy Dare in a formal way, it did inspire me to start a Joy Jar, in which my family writes down our blessings on small slips of paper one to seven times a week (no limit) and places them in the jar. We plan to open it on New Year's Eve and read about all the ways God has mercifully blessed us this past year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! Gorgeous photos! Makes me want to be there!
That's a really great idea!
DeleteThis is such a sweet post! My husband and I got away this weekend as well -- it's so good for the soul to just unplug for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteSo good and so necessary!
DeleteGlad you could get away together! And what beautiful sights along the way....
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful drive! Oregon is a wonderfully scenic state.
DeleteThank you, Elizabeth for reminding me that no matter the disappointments and frustrations that are inevitable in this crazy life, there are always things for which to be grateful. I think I will start my list today.
ReplyDeleteDo it! It's life changing!
DeleteWonderful relaxing post! So glad you got a little get away. :) Glad your boy is recuperating, also!! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteSo glad my post blessed you!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful trip!! How blessed you are to be able to escape your normal routine to visit family. We love to go to Tennessee to visit my brother in law and his wife but haven't made it down there in a couple of years. My sister in law is the perfect hostess and has taught me almost everything I know about hospitality. :) They don't have a pretty river view though. ;) There's nothing like nature, is there? :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to live near water....so I enjoy that my sister does!
DeleteHow relaxing! The scenery is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is gorgeous! Have you ever been to Oregon?
DeleteI did the same thing recently. How wonderful it is to change the scenery even if only for a short time. Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart
ReplyDeleteYes, a little getaway is good for the soul!
DeleteAnd my mouth is watering for you candy! Looks gluten-free so I could have it!
ReplyDeleteI do believe it is gluten-free! So good!
DeleteWe didn't take our usual two weeks of vacation last year due to being in the middle of a church building project, so we've been needing to get away when we can.
ReplyDelete