Thursday, December 29, 2011

This and That ... Thankfulness

The sunrise this morning was beautiful and purple.  I stood on the porch with my Nikon and shot photo after photo, trying to get one that was just right.  Should have used my tripod, because the shutter speeds were pretty slow and almost everything I shot was blurry.  It was 25 degrees outside, and I wasn't in the mood to use a tripod ... but at least I got one good photo for my efforts.  (and I'm sharing it today over at "Show Off Your Shot") 




For the second morning in a row, I woke up after a full, restful night's sleep. I'm not sure why or what's different, but sleeping through the night has been a rare occurrence for a while now. Usually, I sleep for a few hours, wake up for some unknown reason, and struggle to get back to sleep. Two nights of regular sleep is a blessing not to be scoffed at, and I am thankful.

Our dog Daniel spent the night at our friends Kim and Andy's house last night.  Jim has one more day to go on the kitchen crown molding, and it was easier on all of us for Daniel to stay at their house for a sleep-over with TJ.  (see yesterday's post if you are new here and have no idea what I'm talking about.)  Kim texted a photo of Daniel to me yesterday evening, with him sleeping soundly on one of their dog beds.  "Sleepy puppy", said the message with the photo.  What a blessing it is to have friends who will rescue my dog from the source of his fear (nail guns), and keep him until his house is quiet again.

Speaking of TJ ... according to his quarterly vet check-up and chest x-ray, he is still cancer-free!  It has been eighteen months since his amputation, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy, and TJ is a happy, healthy boy.

This is TJ, with Oscar, at the Greyhounds Rock 'Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer' benefit in November.


The guy from the propane company is coming later this morning to do the final hook-up on the heater in my greenhouse.  I worked out there yesterday afternoon, finishing the installation of the door, adding the last little bit of weather-stripping, and installing shelving to hold the roses.  It was a bright, sunny day, and the temperature in the greenhouse was in the high 70s ... shirt-sleeve weather.  Spending time in the greenhouse is a perfect way to survive winter.

I sure have a lot to be thankful for.

18 comments:

  1. I went downstairs this morning, grabbed my coffee, went into the family room to check my e-mail and walked into a room bathed in pink from the sunrise - it was gorgeous. And I completely forgot to check my e-mail. Just sat and watched the sun come up over the ridge. What a great way to start the day...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love trees in the winter like the beautiful ones in your morning picture. A warm green house, without any heat? It must not get as cold there as it does here at night.♥♫

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely photo and a great way to start the day. Glad the kitchen molding is almost done. I am so excited that the greenhouse will be warm and a wonderful place to play this winter. Hugs to you. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such sweet puppies! The greenhouse does sound like the perfect place to hang out and "survive" winter!~Hugs, Patti

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love that sunrise! I'm anxious to see photos of the completed greenhouse. Your roses must be thrilled.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, what a beautiful sunrise!!

    I am stopping by from Show Off Your Shot, would love to have you stop by my post:
    http://mamasgonnashoot.blogspot.com/2011/12/showing-off-my-shot.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely post. Gratitude is good for the hearts of all you share it with! Thanks! I've decided one of my new favorite things is branches silhouetted against the pretty sky - great pic! AND I look forward to "visiting" your rose gardens...will sign on to follow!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Connie, My Norwich terriers were fearless, except when it came to nail guns. Kind of a big problem, because I remodeled the entire house so was using a nail gun pretty much daily for about two years! One day I hit on the perfect solution. The dogs LOVED the car, to them it meant an adventure, whether to the park or some dog friendly vacation. So, I would put them in the car, in the driveway, they would immediately fall asleep, I'd get my work done, everyone's happy. They never seemed to mind that they didn't actually go anywhere. They never got tired of it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Connie, I forgot to mention, your cabinets are beautiful. You are 100% correct regarding the proper way to install the crown. It must be installed level on the cabinets! If it went all the way to the ceiling, the top of the crown could be scribed and planed to shape, or you could float the plaster to meet the crown. I think your solution of leaving a space is best. Regards, John

    ReplyDelete
  10. You had me at the mid 70's in the Greenhouse deal!!!!! You know how the warm summer weather makes our roses happiest! I just imagine that is your go to place to daydream about the keys! Promise to give us the last tour of the greenhouse, now that everything is all finished, please...

    Happy New Year a bit early,
    Cyd

    ReplyDelete
  11. I, like you, am always thankful for a good night's sleep...something that does not come easily for me.

    I am so envious of your greenhouse and your balmy winter temps! xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wonderful photo! Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year. I've enjoyed the past year with you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amazing photography! you have quite the eye for it and GOD knows just how to wake up the sky in the mornings.

    Blessings to TJ's family, I know they have to be so please with the reports. May TJ have many happy years on this earth.

    You are blessed to have frieds that will do this, they seem quite happy.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just saw your comment on Tammy's blog re greyhounds. My son and DIL are thinking about adopting a greyhound once they get into their house and are reading up on the breed. I'm hoping they will get in touch with as many sources as possible to help them in making their decision. Your Daniel is beautiful.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bonnie, the decision to add a greyhound to your son's family is the same as deciding to add any pet. Greyhounds are quiet and independent ... perfect for my household, but not for my sister who has Border Collies and competes in Agility. If your son wants a dog that is great company, but isn't concerned that it will guard his house, or play with his kids, a greyhound may be the dog for him.

    I suggest that he talk to people who have had the breed for a while ... meet as many 'hounds as he can, and hook up with an adoption group that he feels comfortable with. I will be happy to take this discussion off-line and answer any questions you or he may have.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gorgeous photo! I'm glad Daniel got a break from the nail gun and you had a restful night. Can't wait to see the finished cabinets!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Stunning color in that sunrise shot. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful sunrise photo! I don't get up at sunrise ...not an early morning person unless I absolutely have to. But I see alot of beautiful sunsets.
    Yes, we all have much to be thankful for, don't we?

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and reading what I share. Comments are welcome and very much appreciated. Spam and trolls are not!

Related Posts with Thumbnails