God, thank you for this, this gratitude. Thank you for the ability to feel this, and to thank, and to have this expression
Thank you for my grandparents
Thank you for options, ideas, thoughts
Thank you for the writings of Daniel Quinn
Thank you for leaders in the field
Thank you for amazing people in the world, to talk to, connect with, learn from
Thank you for the amazing wealth of knowledge and wisdom we have
Thank you for our desire to improve and change and grow
Thank you for discontent, and what it does for us

I’ve been feeling very private and quiet and raw lately but need to write a gratitude list.
Thank you for options
Thank you for love
Thank you for safety
Thank you for family
Thank you for friends
Thank you for inspiration
Thank you for compassion
Thank you for selflessness
Thank you for maturity
Thank you for the ability to let go

1. A/c
2. Shower
3. Unexpected visit from a friend
4. Walks
5. Homemade smoothies
6. Heavy cream
7. Baby smiles
8. Planning, but also patience and presence
9. Great books
10. Slow but steady changes

1. Heard the perseids were visible and immediately thought of Mary Ellen’s anniversary. What a great way to celebrate every year
2. Saw dear friends and colleagues today since one is moving out of town
3. Received a long email from my grandma with all the news ’round town, I love those
4. Discovered that the location of our (hopefully) new house is prime for stargazing, apparently
5. Thinking and planning what we’ll do there, a lifelong process
6. Realize how truly blessed we are and how much we have
7. Living lives of beauty and joy
8. Making beauty around me a priority
9. Inspirational hints
10. Female authors who take you by the hand and really explain deeply

1. Well heck, I think we’re buying a house
2. I don’t want to jinx it so that’s all I’ll say, besides, thank you God, thank you God, thank you God
3. Also, thank you for Sally and my grandma, who (over the phone) held my hand as I went through this long crazy back-and-forth (thank you thank you thank you. And thank you for continuing to answer your phones)
4. Thank you for Ben Hewitt, whose awesome book put enough info in my newbie brain to get the soil tested this fall, and hooray, the lab is in Ohio, how great is that?
5. Thank you for ideas and plans and ambition
6. Thank you for fortitude to follow through
7. Thank you for desire so deep I finally knew it was right
8. Thank you for my husband
9. Thank you for our family
10. Thank you for this day

1. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, which is changing me very deeply
2. And Nourishing Homestead by Ben Hewitt
3. A bit of wishful planning, as we hang out in our apartment and drive long distances to houses that aren’t quite right
4. But praying for the miracle of the right one to come along
5. We’ve met so many cool people (nice family who homeschool, who are moving to Idaho) and some hilarious characters (I thought hoarding was rare, seems like 3 out of 5 homes we see have disturbing amounts of stockpiled goods)
6. Ava wants a blue house, I hope she gets it
7. Knowing what we want
8. Having the strength to say, this isn’t it, instead of trying to make it work
9. Signs from the universe
10. This messy, beautiful search

1. Divine timing
2. Running into Carol
3. Freedom
4. When the universe gives you lots of signs and messages, even when you’re initially not listening
5. Excitement
6. Passion for my work
7. Joy in something new
8. Watching my children
9. My wonderful husband
This

1. Calm after a long day
2. Respite in books
3. Meditation

1. A friend with a wealth of knowledge about all things growing, planting, harvesting, preserving, eating
2. Inspiration
3. When blessings come disguised as disappointment
4. Going through lots of options- and truly having our pick
5. Belly laughs
6. My husband says my laughter is “explosive” which makes me laugh:)
7. Realizing I shocked my friend’s daughter with my explosive laughter as she looked at me with wide eyes, then mimicked it exactly
8. Incredible peaches straight from Georgia
9. Creme fraiche (I know I’m missing an accent over an e, but would rather finish this than look it up)
10. this incredible, wonderful life

1. My Hannah took a couple of steps to her dad today!
2. And we made a big decision to back out of an offer we had on a house
3. Which was a big relief, as we discovered it wasn’t quite what we thought
4. It inspired me to re-create the gardens (the owner had three large ones) at whatever home we do buy- it’s great to see what’s possible
5. I’m grateful my eldest is so sweet and caring
6. And for friends who listen and give advice
7. and for unfailing love
8. and great books
9. and pausing to reconsider
10. and sleep