Week 31: It's summer in the South, and that means afternoon thunderstorms that frequently last into the evening. And if I'm lucky like I was the other night, it's still raining at bedtime. I love drifting off to sleep as raindrops patter against the window. That's why I chose it as my blessing for this week.

We can't order up a shower every night, but each of us has a nightly routine that helps us relax and settle in for a good night's sleep. What's yours? Do you prop up against a pile of pillow with your latest book and read until your eyelids grow heavy? Or maybe you wash away all the day's tension and troubles with a warm shower so you're half-way to dreamland by the time your head hits the pillow. Perhaps you're like my sweet husband who claims he's going to watch TV from the bed and a few minutes later he's sound asleep. As a nation, we're cramming more into our waking hours and spending less time sleeping so it's important to fall asleep quickly and rest well during those hours we do spend in bed. And that makes a relaxing nightly routine a blessing in my book.

My layout is in the gallery and there's an explanation of some of the techniques used in it on my blog. It's hard to believe we're at the end of July already...the year is going quickly.




Week 30: My blessing this week is a house full of sparkling windows. For me, looking out through crystal-clear glass is worth the effort it takes to get it that way. It's more than just tidy housekeeping though; there's a psychological component to it as well. It's a mental lift...like I've rid myself of nagging thoughts and cleaned my attitude while I've gone about removing the grime from the windows.

How do you purge those things we all tend to tuck into the corners of our minds and brood about when we really should just address and let them go? Do you set aside some quiet time on a regular basis where you reflect on and deal with anger or injuries life has brought your way? Or are you more vocal with your process and have a trusted confidante who serves as an informal psychologist for you, allowing you to talk things through? Sometimes just venting leads us to a resolution without input from others. Perhaps you're like me and find that engaging the body in some mostly mindless task frees the mind to work through issues you can't or don't address otherwise. It's important to our well-being to clear these thoughts on a regular basis in order to appreciate the good things in our lives. So my prompt to you this week is to consider your own process and determine whether it rewards you enough to be included in your blessings project.

My layout is in the gallery (along with the page for the week I missed while traveling), and there's more about the idea of clean windows/clear mind on my blog. I've even included a "recipe" for a window cleaning solution that is easy, cheap and works like a charm.




Week 29: We just returned from a long weekend of travel. While our time away from home wasn't long, it was filled with new experiences...something we both enjoy. I'm grateful for the chance to travel to many interesting and beautiful places, making terrific memories in the process, so I've chosen travel as my blessing for the week.

The prompt this week centers on the word "journey." Do you have a little wanderlust in your soul and, like me, are always eager to follow the ribbon of highway to the next adventure? Or are your travels simply to and from work or around town running errands? Perhaps your blessing can be found in the dependable vehicle, audio books that make the miles go faster or some other convenience that makes your daily journey a better experience. Maybe you're on a personal journey, setting new goals and developing new habits as you travel the road to a better you. We all make many kinds of journey in our lives, and the purpose of this prompt is to have you look at the ones you're on to see what blessings they bring to you.

My layout is in the gallery as well as on my blog where you'll find more on the blessings of travel.




Week 28: I'm celebrating Wayne's weight-loss successes as my blessing this week. He's been diligently cutting out and cutting back when it comes to food for several months now. Couple that with an increase in physical activity and the pounds are falling off. I'm rewarded just seeing all his hard work pay off.

Whose successes other than your own should you be celebrating? Does your heart swell with pride at the promotion or other recognition your husband has earned on the job because you know the long hours he put in to get there? Or may you're busting your buttons over a child who's finally overcome a fear of the water and learned to swim. Perhaps you've been the moral support for a friend going through a difficult time in her life and now she's making some positive changes for her future. You certainly must feel a sense of reward in that.

Blessings come in all sizes and shapes. We don't have to have fought the battle to appreciate the victory; our joy comes from seeing the warriors we love succeed.

My layout for the week is in the gallery, and there are more thoughts on celebrating the successes of those important to us on my blog as well as some of the journaling pages from my album.



Week 27: You're a grand old flag, you're a high-flying flag.... Yes, I'm singing the praises of patriotism and the freedoms we enjoy in this country as my blessing this week. It's appropriate as I ready plans for the Fourth of July.

What is it about this holiday weekend that fills your heart with gratitude? Are you hosting a big family picnic and will surround yourself with those you love, some of whom you see only at holidays? Or does your heart swell with pride as you line the driveway with miniature flags or straighten the photo of a loved one in his or her military uniform? Maybe you skip the fireworks but mark the holiday with a week at the lake or the beach, creating special memories not everyone associates with July 4. Although we've had several holidays pass already this year, we haven't focused our attention on how we celebrate them and what those traditions mean to us. Here's your chance.

I hope your heart beats true for the red, white and blue and that your holiday weekend is both safe and enjoyable.