I am feeling very relaxed this afternoon. Chris and I have had the last three days off. We have spent time with family and friends this week, eaten some great food, and found lots of everyday moments to be grateful for. Here is my Nourished Life Gratitude List 2014 – Week Forty-Four:
Monday: Today was hot, like 38C (100F) hot. In October. I don’t mind hot early summer days like this though, because come 3pm the clouds gather, the lightening plays in bright flashes over the airfield near my work, and the thunder rumbles overhead so loudly that the glass trembles in the windowpanes. I was grateful to go home and workout inside the house while I watched the storm roll out over the bay while we were safe inside.
Tuesday: There was merriment in the office today when I brought in Halloween decorated Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting. I was grateful to share a treat with my office mates. I love Halloween even though it isn’t too popular in Australia, and I was grateful that my colleagues were as eager to celebrate as I was. When I got home in the evening Chris and I went for a walk along the water to offset some of my cream cheese frosting tasting…
Wednesday: We had a few documents to get out of the office today and I was grateful to sink my teeth into a big chunk of work. I need my brain to be stretched and my body to be busy to feel like I’ve had a worthwhile day at work and today was one of those days. When I came home from the office I shook out the kinks with a great run along the bay.
Thursday: Jess and I got out of the office for lunch today and as we sat and sipped our coffees I realised I am grateful to have such a good friend at work. Thursday was also my last day (Chris and I treated ourselves to a long weekend) and I walked out of the office with a smile on my face, ready to enjoy my three days off.
Friday: The sunshine called to me outside the window this morning at 6a.m. Clearly, I am bad at this ‘sleeping in’ thing. I was rewarded with fine breezes and a calm clear bay view for my walk. When I got back I cooked up some Halloween treats to bring to my parents, and then Chris and I had a slow day before heading over for some Halloween fun with Mum and Dad. I was so grateful for all the effort Dad put into the decorations for his first ever Halloween spook-tacular, and grateful that Chris and I got to take part. I dressed in my ghoulish finest and Chris was a merry pirate indeed. We scared some little kids (Dad as Grim Reaper will do that), handed out chocolates, and had fun watching little goblins, witches, and a great gingerbread man face our scary display in order to win some chocolate.
Saturday: This morning I woke up for a walk with my sister. I love these walks and talks with Jess, we cover miles and topics and I always feel clean and calm and sure after time in her company. I was grateful this morning for a visit from our family friend Cara. We have known each other since we were children, and her sunny personality is a delight every time we visit. This afternoon I came home and was grateful to start another great book. Chris and I wound down our evening with a natural disaster movie double feature. I am grateful this man doesn’t mind my obsession with weather based movies – there’s just nothing like a good storm!
Sunday: Sundays are my favourite days for walking along the bay; there are so many other people walking and running, families and little kids, and puppies of every kind. There is a pleasure in those moments of shared bliss, when you nod and smile at each other because you realise that you are so lucky to be right here, right now, blessed under an endless blue sky. I am grateful for Sundays, and our lazy afternoons filled with movies (today: Safe House), baking and napping.
Also this week:
- I made these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- My friend Lynn shows us how to use up leftover Halloween sweets (I’m not sure there are any leftovers here, but there’s always chocolate somewhere…)
- I made a batch of these cookies for Chris to share at work – with a touch of cinnamon for a little something extra
Tell me, dear reader, what are you grateful for this week? How was your Halloween?
