It’s definitely been long overdue to resurrect thankful thursday posts.

The fact is: when you count your blessings, the troubles of the day fade. Your focus shifts. Your stress lessens.

Don’t take it from me…

There’s plenty of others.

I discovered the gifts journal through Ann Voskamps’ 1000 Gifts, and I can’t recommend the book enough.

So I’ll share some of my weekly gifts and blessings, if you share some of your’s in the comments. And let’s think beyond the obvious, like the weather… (Although sunshine in Portland is rare and we hit 73 degrees on Monday…woot, woot.)

I’m grateful for the gift of…

1. silly birds that keep me endlessly entertained. See all the chick chronicles here…

birdsthth

2. a healthy, happy horse to make my heart equally happy.

grunny1

3. seeing little things in my horse that I know are from his sire (who I also knew growing up) — see the split mane that drapes over both sides of his neck? Grunnion gets that from his father, which makes me smile.

grunny2

4. seeing my pony in red… and in an English saddle. It’s fun to get back into different forms of riding and challenge myself to recall all those old things that used to come so naturally.

grunny3

5. a horse bow/stretch/not-quite-sure-what-this-is. Grunnion is an odd one. Truly.

grunny4

6. a little bay Arab named Rocky, who I’m blessed to be able to ride whenever Grunnion needs a day off. Rocky is helping me get back into riding shape, and I’m hopefully doing the same for him. He also reminds me of my old Arab show horse, so my heart melts every time I get to play with him.

rocky

7. recovering from weeks of sickness (even losing my voice) and being (barely) well enough to attend the highlight of my career, Pioneer Nation.

8. peace with where I’m at.

9. amazing friends and family around me.

10. a camera, ponies, chickens and puppies. Because taking pictures sets my soul at ease. Blogging those photos sets the social media marketer in me at ease…

There is so much more to be thankful for — But what are a few gifts you’ve had this week? Big or small, share in the comments!

Much love,

the has-been rodeo queen