Thankful

When we sat down for our Thanksgiving dinner today, Girly asked if we could go around and say what we were thankful this year.

At first I was hesitant.  I know we all have a lot to be thankful for, but it didn't seem right to be voicing it.  Today had a bittersweet air to it.  

As we went around, it became clear that even in our sorrow we could still be thankful.

We're thankful for our family.  

We're thankful for our time together.  

We're thankful that papa isn't in pain anymore.  

We're thankful for the friends who have gathered around us during this time.  

We're thankful for the laughter we can share with our tears.

Health- Elderberry Syrup

As the weather starts turning colder, my kids are starting to sniffle and cough.  Every cough reminds me that I need to get my winter arsenal ready.  And it reminds me that I'm thankful to have the knowledge and the resources to help keep my kids healthy this winter.

The first thing I use daily is elderberry syrup.  One tablespoon a day as a preventative, upping it to at least 2 tablespoons when coming down with something.

The syrup is very easy to make.  This is the recipe I like to use.

1/2 cup dried elderberries 

5 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 cups water

1 cup honey

Combine all ingredients except the honey, in a saucepan.  

Bring to a boil and simmer 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.

Put the honey in a clear pint jar- or other glass container that has a lid.

Strain the mixture and combine the liquid with the honey.

Stir and let cool.

Store in the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do =)

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Fall Foliage

This last week we had the chance to ride the train to see the fall foliage in the Boston Mountains here in AR.  

I admit, I was a bit skeptical that the colors would be as good as what I remember from WI.  But, I was surprised =)

I am so grateful for this chance to see the beauty that surrounds me. 

The train ride helped me to remember to focus on what is instead of what was.  Don't let the days slip by because you're focused on what used to be, or even what could be.  Take the time each day to focus on what is and be thankful for it.

The Little Things

I'm thankful for the little things in my life...

What little things are you thankful for?

Giving Thanks

It's November.  And you know what that means, right?

It means that all over Facebook and the blogosphere you'll be seeing post about being thankful.  You might even be tempted to join the "30 days of thankfulness" challenges.  And that's okay.

Turns out being grateful is actually good for your health.  Here's some of the top reasons to express thankfulness this month and the rest of the year.

1. It's good for your mental health.  People who regularly give thanks have a more positive outlook on life.

2. Being mindful of the things you have to be grateful for can boost your well being.

3. Grateful high schoolars have higher GPA's.

4. Thankfulness makes you a better friend to others.

5. Counting your blessings before you fall asleep can help you sleep better.

6. Being grateful for the little things that your significant other does can strengthen your relationship.

7. Gratefulness may be beneficial in the treatment of hypertension and in reducing the likelihood of sudden death in patients with congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

8. Gratefulness can boost your immune system.

9. Gratitude can help boost feelings of belonging and decrease feelings of stress.

10. Expressing gratitude can cause you to spend more time exercising.

So, there you have it.  Reasons to be thankful this month and during the rest of the year.

What are you thankful for this year?