30 Days of Thankfulness - Days 13 - 16

Day 13 - Pretty/Fun bowls/containers:

Have you seen Pioneer Woman's new dishes line at Walmart?  When I saw the polka dot mixing bowl, I knew I HAD to have it.  It is a nice sized mixing bowl with a spout which is my favorite kind.  I LOVE polka dots and the red and light blue colors together and having this bowl to mix in several times a week, has made the task more enjoyable somehow.

I have a couple interesting containers in my kitchen that make me happy.  (It's the little things!)  I've had this Animal Crackers tin for years:

And I recently got this vintage peanut butter tin super cheap off Ebay (after admiring my mother-in-laws) and we use it for compost:

Day 14 - Books:

 I. Love. Books.  As a child, I remember reading Nancy Drew books and the Little House on the Prairie books for hours during the day and then reading by flashlight under my covers at night.  We have 14 book shelves and cabinets full of books in our home, plus two walls of Hunter's room have built in bookshelves which are full.  (OK I admit - books are getting out of hand now.)  I am so thankful for books - I can pick one up and gain all sorts of knowledge, help, or just go on an adventure in my mind.  Here is my nightstand with my current reads:

Day 15 - The saving grace of Jesus:

This portrait of Lilly and Jesus is probably my most treasured possession.    It brings me comfort to see Lilly's happy face as she is being held by Jesus.  And when I look at the Jesus figure, I am so thankful for everything He has done, and continues to do, for me.  I don't know I could get through this painful life without Him.  Thank you Jesus!

Day 16 - Dogs:

I'm so glad God made dogs!  They are my very favorite animal.  I've been blessed to have several good, loyal dogs.  OK - I won't call Sherlotta loyal since she ran off and never came back.  :(  But in general, dogs are so loyal and loving.  We're down to only two dogs right now.

Lucia is a Labrador/terrier mix.  She is almost 10 years old now.  She is a sweet dog that struggles with feeling clausterophic.  (She hates being inside.)  Her very favorite place to be is on the front porch sleeping.  Here she politely tried to open her eyes for me, but was too sleepy!

Exhaust Pipe will be 2 years old in January.  His mama Dixie was a German Shepard/Collie mix.  (She was sadly killed by a car last January, right before her puppies turned 1 year old.)  Not sure about Mr. Pipe's father other than he seems to have had some pit bull in him.  Exhaust Pipe is such a happy loving dog.  I'm so glad we have this part of Dixie left.  He's a good boy - he loves hanging out at home and doesn't seem to wander.  He's also hard to photograph because if we're near, he just wants to be constantly petted!