Joy Dare last of November

Day 27

1123) reading aloud to my tween son, enjoying that he still enjoys me reading to him

1124) coffee with a friend and talking gardening together

1124) movies and milkshakes with the teens

Day 28

(gift in community)

1125) the gift of our neighbourhood...always there for each other 

Day 29

1126) catching up with a friend that I don't see too often

1127) hubby's wise words

Day 30

1128) my neighbour doing my hair for me again

1129) enjoying an art exhibition with my daughter and neighbour this evening while hubby kindly watched over all the neighbourhood kids

December

 Day 1

1130) time spent with my daughter 

1131) perfect windless summer evening,

hubby doing a braai for dinner,

happy kids running around the garden at dusk

1132) chatting to my mum today

Day 2

1133) a call from my 'big" sister...lovely to catch up

1134) watching kids enjoying pancakes filled with home made lemon curd and  ice cream for dinner 

Day 3

(gift shining)

1135) shining lights in our home each night, thankful we have them

&

1136) catching up with a friend from my student days today

Joy Dare November week 4

Day 20

(3 gifts of traditions)

1108) birthday mornings when all the kids pile onto our bed.....

a tradition from my childhood home and carried on with my own dear ones

1109) a new tradition begun in our home last year and moving next door this year....

neighbourhood Thanksgiving dinner....

last year we were 8, this year it will be 15!

1110) a steaming cup of coffee after dinner, made by hubby or our oldest son

Day 21

( gifts family)

1111) family....blessed to have them all....near or far

1112) unexpected calls from them....always wonderful to hear their voices

1113) friends who have become family

Day 22

1114) blessed to celebrate a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family and neighbours tonight...

sharing heartfelt thanks and counting blessings.....

 laughter, tears of joy, good food and more....

   treasured memories created 

Day 23

(  gifts only in Christ )

1115) every good gift and every perfect gift

1116) undeserved grace and forgiveness

Day 24

1117) thankful for breakfast shared with dear friends we had met in Dar es Salaam... 

they are leaving for another city.....

a "so long breakfast" instead of goodbye as I am sure we will meet again someday

1118) chit chat with my cheery niece this morning

Day 25

1119) first magnificent sunflower gracing my garden

1120) a surprise early birthday gift from my sweet daughter, something she knew I would really enjoy

1121) messages, photos and voice notes from a sweet child and her mamma in Nigeria.... 

thankful to know all is well with them

Day 26

1122) thankful for a day that was not too demanding

Joy Dare November week 3

Unlocking the fullness of life in thanksgiving....

Day 13

( 2 gifts behind a door)

1092) my son getting much needed r & r and sleeping in really late today

1093) a rest for myself this afternoon in the quiet of my room

&

1094) sharing dinner and laughs with the neighbours and a friend visiting from the UK

Day 14

( a gift silent)

1095) strong silent hugs from my hubby

&

1096) wonderful work out again today....have missed regular exercise classes

1097) paid work for my daughter today, enjoying something she loves: creating edible art

Day 15

(a gift golden)

1098) brilliant golden yellow squash flowers greeting me each morning

&

1099) sparkling fairy lights...a gift from my friend

Day 16

1100) thankful for a good workout again this morning

1101) thankful for the long drive out to exams today, giving my oldest son and me an opportunity to catch up and chat....thankful too that his exams are over 

1102) thankful for a great evening with friends & teens going to youth tonight

Day 17

( gift of laughter)

1103) loads of fun and laughter today

Day 18

( a gift shared )

1104) a beautiful day with friends

Day 19

1105) thankful that our daughter was accepted to art school for next year

1106) thankful for great times enjoyed over the past week with a friend visiting from the UK....

thankful for all the gym classes he did with us too

1107) thankful for a visit from my sister in law and her sweet baby today

Joy Dare, last of October and into November

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. ~~ Melody Beattie

Day 30

1053) despite heavy traffic and more than an hours drive, 

I am thankful I got my son to his exam with time to spare

1054) thankful he said it went well

1055) thankful for a delicious left over dinner after a really busy day

Day 31

1056) first flower on the granadilla vine

1057) first onion harvested

1058) marathon bake and chit chat in the kitchen with my daughter....

orange cake, pecan nut and carrot muffins, corn and chili bread and feta and spinach quiche

1059) surprise pack filled with all sorts of goodies to try out from Home Tester Club

Day 1

1060) brisk early morning walk with my daughter

1061) surprise gifts from a friend who recently travelled to New York 

Day 2

1062) full and fun day out with my younger two....

discovering new things at the zoology department of the university and then the dairy expo with friends

1063) my sweet toddler nephew sleeping here for the night again....

him running to greet me with arms outstretched,

him playing with the boys skateboards,

 screeching, laughing and splashing in the bath,

 high fiving the boys goodnight and kisses for the girls,

 him falling asleep next to me making sweet baby noises

Day 3
1064) feeding my nephew freshly picked strawberries in the garden at breakfast and him asking for more
1065) a much needed nap
1066) laughing, chatting and catching up with my daughter
1067) long overdue chat with my mum

Day 4
(a gift gathered, given, good)
1068) gathered....fresh garden greens for our meals
1069) given....a wonderful variety of seeds from my sister
1070) good....weather perfect for spending time in the garden today and a dinner time braai with neighbours and friends

Day 5
1071) happy laughter from my daughter
1072) a dear friend popping in for tea
1073) taking the kids out to see fireworks tonight, and despite the fact the fireworks were banned in that area, enjoying a beautiful evening on the  beach