Note: I’m realizing Thankful Thursdays aren’t always happening on Thursdays, but better late than never. 🙂 

There’s always so many things to be thankful for. A few of the gifts I’ve experienced in the past few weeks include:

1. Chances to take photos: Taking a moment or two to slip away with my DSLR clears my head and awakens my soul. Especially with beautiful roses at hand:

2. Exciting awards: The first three chapters of my novel won a Cascade Writing Award from the Oregon Christian Writers – I’m so honored and grateful for the affirmation. 🙂

3. Riding Grunnion again: Though it’s been four weeks, I got back in the saddle and rode Grunnion after he bucked me off mid-mount. I was rather nervous of a repeat, but he was as calm as can be. I’m grateful for the chance to have another good ride under our belt and to look forward to even more.

4. Re-homing Penguin: Having two roosters meant … ahem… extra attention for our hens. So we found a great home at our friend’s place for Penguin. He’s happy amongst his new flock of hens. 🙂

5. Canning, canning and canning: Our abundance of peppers have meant a full bounty of pepper harvest from week to week. That’s meant pickling and canning peppers week after week and it’s so fun to see them packed up and preserved for months ahead.

What are you thankful for lately? Share in the comments! 🙂