. . .

after staring at my list for way too long and getting overwhelmed even by the prospect of ordering the groceries online (hey, it takes longer than you’d think), the decision was made to go out to eat for thanksgiving. four course meal – with extra helpings of turkey for those who like that sort of thing – for $40, within handy walking distance from the parade route (because if we’re not cooking all morning, we are going to see the giant balloons and the marching bands and the santa sleigh as they make their way through manhattan). yes, it’s going to be a great thanksgiving, and i didn’t have to brine anything. according to the doctor, i’m not actually supposed to even lift a whole turkey yet, anyway…

so. a thankful list seems in order. confession: i actually keep a gratitude journal in real life. i’ve done that for about 12 years, which if you looked it up would probably correspond to about the same time as Oprah suggested it on her show (oprah and i used to be close back then. now? not so much)… and although i consistently/repeatedly write down the sappy and the small in my little book, it sometime feels a little trite (or maybe too personal) to write things on the blog about how very much i’m grateful for my wonderful husband (he who loves me just as i am, and never ever minds when the living room isn’t dusted, and makes me laugh every day, and dances with me, and wins at scrabble almost every time, but only because he’s so much more strategically-minded, and is always up for dessert, and is kind and thoughtful and also very very cute….and, etc…), so if i don’t go on and on about those sweetnesses here, it’s not for lack of attention. maybe it’s because this family i’ve got, all of the people i love, are too close to my heart to just spill onto a little list hastily thrown together for the internet; i don’t have enough words to really say how grateful and true you all are. but i’m very very thankful nevertheless.

ok, so back to the internet-approved list….
[a few things i'm so thankful for:]

~ happy/healthy/beautiful/amazing loved ones. family and friends that fill my heart and help my soul and make me know i’m loved even on those days when i feel unlovable.

~ emma magnolia. she wakes up smiling, and we laugh all day long. she loves to build things and loves to snuggle and loves to dance and has her dad’s melted-chocolate-brown eyes. everything is ok when i’m with emma magnolia.

~ my camera, and the thousands of memories, smiles, moments i’ve captured

~ photoshop, which has given me (on occasion) the confidence to be in the family pictures instead of always behind the lens.

~ new york city, which is home and magic and filled with everything and makes me smile every day and is only 40 minutes away from the beach on those days i really need to hear the ocean move

~ good playlists, filled with new and old music

~ the 100+ paperclips i’ve found on the sidewalks this year, which remind me to always take time to look for the little things

~ the memories i have of my grandparents, the stories of our crazy family, and the connection i feel with all of them

~ being a professional singer. it’s a pretty cool job…

~ books

~ art galleries and museums (especially those that don’t feel stuffy or snooty, just interesting and open. i’m fortunate to know many of them.)

~ our lovely apartment in a lovely building with a community of neighbors that feel like family

~ the LOVE statue

~ acceptance

~ sweet luxuries that make life easier, like fuzzy sweaters and really soft blankets

~ abundance

. . .

hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, love-filled day. i’m thankful for you. truly.

xoxo