Intentional Gratefulness v. 10

I read a lovely post recently by Rebecca of From Roses that called to mind feeling grateful, particularly finding joy in the small moments of the everyday.  Her words (and examples) really resonated with me.  Sometimes the smallest, most seemingly insignificant things can be beautiful bits to both enjoy and feel thankful for, and so with that in mind,  I'm sharing a few of the small yet joyful happenings that I've felt grateful for this past week. 
 - Sniffing the intoxicatingly delicious aroma of farm fresh strawberries at the local general store   (I bought and subsquently ate them = yum)
- Driving home through sun-showers and spotting the absolutely glorious double rainbow that accompanied them
- Stopping to enjoy stunning sunsets (see above!) over the water - I never tire of these
- Picnic lunch(es) in the park with colleagues
- Watching my humble herb garden begin to flourish on my windowsill, and harvesting the spoils
- Homemade jam (Thanks Rosie!) on a bakery-fresh roll = scrumptious
- Feeling the wind on my face while running on the trails
- The smell of salt water
- Opening my curtains to a sunshiny morning when it's been rainy for ages. 
- Spotting a piece of seaglass during shoreline strolls to add to my growing collection
- Watching my youngest niece quite literally laugh until she fell over - cuteness plus!!!

What are you thankful for lately? Follow

Intentional Gratefulness v.9

    It is currently my very favourite (albeit very short) time of year - when the lilacs are out! It's the time of year when I am often known to stop every time I see a lilac bush and just envelope my whole face in the gorgeous purple blooms that smell better than pretty much anything else.  I think it recalls the nostalgia of a beloved hiding spot on the property where I lived growing up - a little hidden spot inside a ring of lilac bushes.  I would hide there even when not playing hide and seek, just sit surrounded by gorgeous flowers and their intoxicating aroma - it was absolutely heavenly.  I think those happy memories combined with the beauty and brevity of these flowers fills me with delight each time I encounter them.       So what am I grateful for today? The fleeting few moments of late spring when I can surround myself with these fragrant flowers that give me a moment of blissful enjoyment and pure happiness whenever I encounter them.       What have you been feeling grateful for lately?

Intentional Gratefulness v. 8

via simplyclarke.com

Is it possible that we're already most of the way through April and this is my first gratefulness post of 2015? It is, and this is. Insert sheepish look here. I'm going back to my initial goal of sharing things I've been thankful for over the past week (or weeks) and am endeavouring to capture them more regularly here on the blog - because there really are so many things worth sharing.
Most recently, I'm feeling grateful for:
- Faraway friends who send me hilariously perfect gifts completely out of the blue.
- The warm-ish (today was only 12C) breezes signaling spring's reluctant arrival to this fair isle
- (Related to the above) Getting back into outdoor running!
- Tickles and giggles with a hilarious niece and nephew
-  Supportive co-workers who love a laugh and make me enjoy heading into the office each day.
- So many friendly faces around a still-new-to-me village: Everyone from the ladies at the post office to the library clerk to the owner of the local general store greeting me by name = the nicest thing.
- My new veggie spiralizer which has made my goal of eating healthy much more convenient and fun.
- A mini-trip to look forward to with my BFF Holly
- The new freckles finding their way to my face thanks to increased time in the spring sunshine
- Being able to come home for weekly Farmer's Market dates with my parents

What are you thankful for lately?

Intentional Gratefulness v.7

Here.

I can hardly believe it's already December - the countdown to Christmas is on! I've continued my trend of gallivanting back and forth across the country and have settled back on my beloved Prince Edward Island for the foreseeable future. I had a bit of a setback last month, but in spite of that, am trying to do just what the above photo suggests, and to focus on the good.

I'm grateful for:

Homemade popcorn, movie dates and good chats with my beautiful sister. Fortuitous opportunities arising seemingly out of the blue. Sweet nail-polish-filled surprises from a faraway friend. Christmas carols. Epic tickle sessions with a sweet niece and nephew. Brisk early winter runs. A cozy fireplace to sit beside. Giant slouchy warm sweaters. What are you thankful for lately?

Intentional Gratefulness v.6

Here.

While feelings of gratitude for joys big and small usually come very easily for me, over the past couple of weeks I have had to be much more "intentional" about reminding myself to find things to be grateful for. That said, I do have a few to share.
I am thankful for:
- First and foremost, the fact that friends and former colleagues at the Library of Parliament made it through a dangerous and harrowing experience unscathed.
- The beautiful fall colours and crisp autumn air in Prince Edward County.
- Flannelette.  - Challenging Schubert Impromptus that are sharpening up my rather rusty classical piano skills.
- Giggles and full-on belly laughs shared with a sweet 3-year-old niece.
- Honeycrisp apples with caramel dip.
- Marathon phonecalls with my best friend Holly who is a constant encouragement, confidante, and general balm to my soul.  

Intentional Gratefulness v.5 - Thanksgiving

Today is a special "Thanksgiving" gratefulness post. I think it's important to keep an attitude of gratitude (see what I did there?) all year round, but certainly it's nice to have a day specifically with the celebration and priority of thankfulness.
For me it has been another year of transition, of changes, of travelling, not only around Canada but back to the home of my heart, Switzerland. There were, and are, many challenges for me this year, but there is also much to be grateful and very thankful for, and I wanted to share a few of those things here, today.
I'm thankful for - 
A sweet new niece to add into the mix of darling nieces and nephews who bring me so many smiles, so much joy, and so much love.
For my family and friends, all of whom are willing to do so much for me - for supporting, praying, encouraging, uplifting, opening their homes, laughing with me, crying with me, for just being there and even, from time to time, doling out some tough love when I need it. There are beautiful souls in abundance in my life and I count each one as a blessing.
For the gift of gloriously happy time spent with faraway loved ones who are always close to my heart even if they reside across an ocean from me. 
I'm thankful that this year I was able to make a significant step towards the journey to health. I have run further and faster than I ever thought I could, and am almost back to feeling like "me". I've managed to drop 4 dress sizes and sixty-five pounds so far and am not far off from reaching (and maintaining) my goals. The journey is ongoing, but actually being able to see and feel the progress has been a huge reward.
Lastly, I'm thankful for opportunity. This year (or well, the last couple of years) has been uncertain, to say the least. I've struggled with that uncertainty for many months, but when talking with my brother-in-law, he encouraged me to see this time as an opportunity rather than a source of anxiety. He reminded me that there may be no other time in my life when I have the freedom of movement, of choices, of risk-taking, that I have now, and that in actuality, many potential doors are open to me. I'm thankful, therefore, for that shift in perspective, and seeing some of those open doors. I'm looking forward with hope, and I'm grateful for that.
What are you feeling grateful for? Let me know in the comments!

Intentional Gratefulness v. 4

It's hard to believe we're almost at mid-August already; it's truly amazing how quickly the summer is passing, although I suppose it feels that way every year. It has been a lovely month so far here on the Island (with the exception of today's rainy weather) and there is so much to be thankful for, that I wanted to share with you all.

So far in August I'm grateful for...

A cuddly sweet niece and nephew who constantly make me giggle and laugh with their hilarious quips and antics.

An afternoon spent at Thunder Cove swimming, jumping, wading and floating in waves which were crashing with whitecaps, and beautiful and amazingly, surprisingly, warm. 

My friend Lindsey, writer of an extremely touching, encouraging message that lifted my heart.

A visit from my best friend and her family!

The fact that I somehow managed to bike 42 kilometres (for the first time ever, might I add!) and survived!

And last but certainly not least - having a full day to spend with one of my oldest and dearest friends who almost always gets mistaken for my sister, since we're both redheads - of course! We visited the art gallery and there were all sorts of interesting pieces on display. One of our favourites was a little tent set up with a gritty faux-snow floor and two little painted tree stumps for seats. Inside, a video was playing, about a girl with a papier mâché cake and a troupe of bears singing about losing their teeth - I know it sounds super weird but it was strangely entertaining. Outside this little tent was a line of felt boots, from giant ones down to teeny little ones. I couldn't resist the temptation to try on a pair, and you can see my delight in the photos Pam snapped of my antics.  Afterwards we window-shopped in cute Charlottetown boutiques, had a yummy lunch at a favourite local pub, travelled the countryside stopping into a toy factory, an adorable but abandoned little house, and the sweetest shop set up in what was once an old one-room schoolhouse, finally stopping for locally-made ice cream. Wonderful.

What  have you been thankful for this recently? 

Please feel free to share in the comments (or via twitter or facebook) - I'd love to hear!

Intentional Gratefulness v. 3

The month of June has been good to me, there are seemingly endless things to be grateful for, and I feel particularly blessed, in many ways and by many people. I thought today was a good day to share some of those things here.
I'm grateful for ...
A faraway BFF (Looking at you Holly) who patiently puts up with phone tag, is my voice of reason, who sends me encouraging and uplifting letters, listens as I talk in circles through my little daily dramas, and in general makes my life a million times better because she's in it.
A lovely librarian friend (Linds!) who is endlessly supportive and thoughtful in helping a non-networker network. 
Enjoying lots of quality time and making multiple fond memories with my sister, niece and nephew. It's been a month of swimming, sailing, sunshine, perfect popcorn-popping tutorials, pancakes, pedicures, photo-taking, laughter, and fun, and I'm glad that I had the time and the lack of distractions to take it all in.
Last, but certainly not least is the fact that in FIVE SHORT DAYS I will be reunited with the loves of my heart in Switzerland. So soon!!!!! Insert squeals and crazy happy dances here.

Intentional Gratefulness v.2

A sign of spring that is one of my favourite scents in all the world is lilac. It is just so beautiful, and the flowers themselves are lovely too. Their delightful aroma greeted me as I was out for a run this week and I literally stopped to smell the flowers, sticking my nose into the purple blooms and breathing in deeply with the utmost joy. The best.

My dear friend Jill invited me over for for a visit this past Monday, and we had a wonderful evening filled with laughs, peanut buster parfaits, sunshine, and lots of cuddles with her adorable pooch, Susie Q. This little lovebug enjoyed the sunshine from her perch atop a comfy couch cushion. Lotsa love for her.

You know those strangers who sort of aren't because you see them every day on your commute to work? Well today one of those very people tapped me on the shoulder as I was listening to some tunes while waiting for the bus. She wanted to tell me that she thought how nice I look each day on the way to work, commenting on my outfits and style and she was incredibly sweet and genuine. It totally brought a smile to my face and brightened my day immensely.
One last thing to be grateful for this week - the lovely Brittany of Life, Set Sail who was the mastermind behind the redesign of my blog. Honestly if you ever need to spruce things up on your own site, she is the lady to talk to. She's super communicative and helpful and just generally lovely. 
What have you been feeling grateful for this week? I'd love to hear!

Intentional Gratefulness v. 1

Photo via Pinterest

It's admittedly been a little quiet here on the blog lately. But I think every blogger sometimes has moments where life just gets in the way, and I think that can sometimes be a good thing. In my case, it hasn't been anything bad, quite the opposite - I have lots of reasons to smile lately. I've been busy loving life.

And so I thought it high time to begin a series on gratefulness, coming to you on Fridays, today and future. I was inspired by the journey my dear friend Beth has been going on - finding things big and small to be grateful for each day and documenting them on her tumblr. As this video adorably if un-scientifically proved, being grateful can and does have a huge impact on happiness. I have certainly found it to be true for me. And so, as both a log of blessings in my life as well as a method of keeping myself accountable to living in a state of intentional gratitude, this series was born.

My vision for this series was to capture these blessings and small joys in photographic form, but since I've essentially been walking on a cloud for the last few weeks, knowing that after many, many long years I will finally be going back to the little country that found a permanent place in my heart - Switzerland - I think it only right that that story gets full focus in this inaugural gratefulness post. I don't think it is possible to describe the level of joy that I feel about these upcoming travels. And when I saw this image on Pinterest - I thought the idea of "sunshine in my soul" captured it really well.

A bit of backstory - if you are interested: Fresh out of high school, I went on an exchange year to Switzerland. It is worth noting that we had a bit of a choice of countries to go to - and Switzerland was not on my list (I chose all Asian countries), or even on my radar as a place to go. It was, however the top choice of my friend Ellen. When it was announced to us eager outbound exchange students that she was going to Thailand and I to Switzerland, she burst out into excited happiness which prompted my then (and who am I kidding, still) very shy self not to mention what seemed to be an obvious mistake. Instead, I opted simply to grin and bear the fact that I was going to some country I'd barely heard of outside of the fact that it was the destination of the Von Trapp family at the end of the Sound of Music. I managed to hold it together until I got to the car where my mom was waiting, and promptly - and ungratefully - burst into tears. She reassured me that there must be some reason why I was going to Switzerland, and that I would surely see what that was soon enough.

As mothers often are, she was right - indeed there was a reason. Upon arrival, I met the most wonderful, warm, fun, and loving family you could imagine, with whom I stayed for six happy months (before the obligatory switching up of host families), and fell absolutely in love with all of them almost instantaneously. I think it was likely because I immediately felt that they were truly some of the kindest and most beautiful souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing - and they proved me right again and again, and continue to do so to this day. Lots of memories were made - there was laughter, tears, jokes, hikes (with bleeding feet: mine), baking disasters (also mine) and so much more - and I found that I suddenly had a whole extra family. They became, and still are, as close in my heart as my own family here in Canada. I even cajoled my dearest little brother Sébastien (who is now totally grown up - even if I still picture him as a gangly 15 year-old) into at least considering coming to Canada on an exchange of his own. He subsequently did, and of all of the cities, towns, or provinces he could have ended up in, he landed in Moncton, NB. Which, as it happens, was where I was attending university, in the third year of my undergraduate studies. Fated to know this wonderful family? All the signs pointed to yes. The rest of the family journeyed to Canada to visit at the end of his exchange year, and on summer days spent swimming, strolling PEI's sandy shores and watching sunsets over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it felt like all of the pieces that had been missing from my heart were finally back in the place where they truly belonged.

Fast forward the nine long years in which we haven't seen each other (far too long, I admit) to last spring, in arguably one of the toughest years I've had to date. It took one conversation with one member of that special Swiss family to spark the thought of a possible visit with the people who fill my heart with so much joy - a visit that has been such a long time coming. That whisper of a hope got me through, gave me a reason, when sometimes it felt like I didn't have many, to get up in the morning, to stand up and take notice. I credit that hope with enabling me to pick up the pieces and turn things around - to move forward. Giving me yet one more reason to be grateful that I ended up in the country of chocolate, cheese and cowbells instead of spices, heat and shining Buddhist temples - with people who would impact my life in so many positive ways, and fill my heart with more blessings than I can count.

 Even though oceans, borders and time have for far too long separated us, we will  finally have a long-awaited reunion and I am thrilled. Over-the-moon. Joyful beyond words. And absolutely grateful, more than words are able to express.

The 60-odd days until I take flight across the land and over the sea to the home of my heart cannot pass quickly enough. 

Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving weekend (here in Canada at least), and although I often feel thankful for things and people in my life, it is always nice to have the reminder to really consider the blessings that I have. In the example of the above photo, some things I have thought to be thankful for are as follows:

 ♥ Friends to laugh with ♥ A job I genuinely enjoy with wonderful co-workers ♥ A small but cozy space to call my own ♥ Independence ♥ Sweet nieces and nephews ♥ My fabulous family ♥  Living in a peaceful country ♥ Honeycrisp Apples ♥  The ability to enjoy a walk along the Canal on a crisp fall day ♥ Music ♥ Learning experiences ♥ New Friends ♥ Encouragement and inspiration from surprising places ♥ The ability to help & serve others ♥  A good life.

In spite of the fact that I wasn't able to make the trip home to my beloved PEI to spend this holiday with my family, I've had a weekend full of happy times spent with friends. I hope all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving (and even those of you who aren't) are having a wonderful weekend full of many things to be thankful for.

P.S. The giveaway on the Lot 65 facebook page for a $25.00 gift certificate to Lush is open until Monday! If you want to enter, head on over here and put your name in!

Giving Thanks

At the close of an absolutely gorgeous thanksgiving long weekend I've been taking some time to think about the many things I am thankful for, from the big things to the small things and everything in between, so I thought I'd jot a few of them here to share with you all.

For my fantastic family - my parents, my sisters, my awesome nephews and my beautiful niece.
For  friends who, although in most cases, live far away, are constantly contributing fabulousness and happiness to my life in so many ways
For a positive, encouraging and welcoming workplace and friendly, kind, lovely co-workers.
For new and old friends finding me in the formerly lonely city of Winnipeg.
For new beginnings in yet another city (a move is imminent! more details to come)
For beautiful summer-like days in October, of all things.
For phone calls from my youngest (not yet 2) nephew who pretty much only says "Aah-whoa"  and "Becca" interspersed with nonsense words, but still keeps me smiling for the rest of the day.
For amazing opportunities that continue to present themselves
For long chats on the phone with a dear friend
For messages that come right as I need to hear them
For good books
For music
For walks on a fall day

Sending wishes of a very  "Happy Thanksgiving!" to my Canadian readers.

What are you thankful for?