Welcome to June! Not meaning to be repetitive or anything, but once again our back yard is at the top of my gratitude list for the week. We’ve had some fun over the weekend shopping for a barbecue and also an outdoor dining set – partly in anticipation of our soon-to-arrive houseguests, but also because it’s high time we made our back yard a place to relax and enjoy (particularly since the current roadwork on our street makes sitting on the front porch a less than pleasant experience!). We should be getting both the barbecue and dining set this coming week, so perhaps next weekend I’ll be able to do some writing and tangling while sitting outside in the fresh spring air. I’m looking forward to the opportunity!
Another reason for back yard gratitude is our pretty lilac bush (incidentally, neither of us knew – or remembered – that we had one!) which bloomed this week. The fragrance was so strong I could smell it through the open window of my second floor office – gorgeous!

Hope you’ll join me in this week’s Gratitude Linkup!
(If you’d like a bit of background on why I started the Gratitude Linkup, check out this post.)
How to get involved in the Gratitude Linkup
- Write and post an entry in your own blog containing your gratitude list for a moment in time.
- Share the URL to your gratitude blog post by clicking the “add your link” button at the end of this post and filling out the information.
- Share the Gratitude Linkup with your blog readers by clicking the “get the InLinkz code” link at the end of this post and copy/pasting the appropriate code into your gratitude blog post.
- Visit some of the blogs listed in the Gratitude Linkup and comment on their posts.
My Gratitude List
In no particular order, here is my own gratitude list for this moment in time. I hope that after reading it you’ll go on to write and share your own!
- Having a whole host of great professionals in my life – including my doctor, dentist, optometrist, and hair stylist (all of whom I saw within the past couple of weeks) – who are each doing their part to keep me healthy and well-groomed. I feel very fortunate to have easy access to all of these resources.
- Finding out that I don’t need to get progressive lenses just yet – apparently the lowest strength of reading glasses from the dollar store will do the trick for reading small print while I’m wearing my contacts. One less expense!
- Although I was devastated to hear the news of Maya Angelou’s passing this week, I am grateful for the inspiration she’s been and her legacy which will live on.
- My friend Becky Cochrane, who not only purchased one of my Zendala buttons but also shared it in a blog post for her regular “Button Sunday” feature. I am so very grateful for her support!
- A productive week of tangling, bringing me closer to completion of my “Zenletter” project and being able to offer monogrammed products in my Zazzle shop.
- Laughing with friends.
- Three cats who enjoy being near me (read: sleeping on and around my desk) while I’m working.
- All of the fun (and often free) events on offer in my city during the summer months.
- Gorgeous weather.

Twitter: undumbblonde
June 1, 2014
Dude I love lilac bushes!! My mom got me one for my birthday last year and it’s just starting to bloom now. They’re also my favourite things about bike rides cause when you go past them you just get a whiff and it’s amazing
Karen recently posted… Reasons To Smile #5
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
They do smell amazing – I love them!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
I really need to practice more gratitude. There are so many mindful ways to do it, too.
Christy recently posted… Move from Ideas to Action In Three Steps
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
It’s such a good practice to develop, I think.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: SonjaCeri
June 1, 2014
I love the idea of gratitude blogging! Thanks so much for sharing this! I love you lilac too! In fact, I am very grateful to have stumbled upon your post 🙂
Sonja Ceri recently posted… SnapChat Marketing
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
You’re most welcome! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
I am sitting here catching up on post reading and looking at the flowers in my backyard…I am so grateful for that! As a teacher, I am grateful for a little down time! Thanks for always focusing us on what we should be thankful for!
Pam recently posted… Eating My Hat…Uh, Sneakers!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Lovely, Pam! Thank you for sharing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: BatteredHope
June 1, 2014
After 40 plus years of being married I had no idea how my hubby felt about lilacs until the other day. He said “Next house we get, will have lilac bushes, period!” Your picture is so pretty
Carol Graham recently posted… There Is No Warning Rattle At The Door
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
I love that, Carol! There are always surprises no matter how long it’s been. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
It is always nice to find professionals who are skilled and caring. I found an opthalmologist who went that extra mile.
Pets are the best at sharing and caring. My dog is at my feet as I type.
Great post. Thanks for sharing
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
It really does make all the difference, doesn’t it?
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Aaaahhh – gratitude… important to take some time to reflect over that I feel… The mindset means alot. Enjoyed reading your post today:-) A linkup is great:-) I love having cats around too, love looking at the bright flowers, and am grateful for moments with friends and family. And grateful to discover your blog:-)
Eli recently posted… Exploring Mumbai hotels
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Glad you stopped by, Eli! Thank you for sharing your gratitude list. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: kajal_kapur
June 2, 2014
That’s a indful way to remind oneself that we cand (and must) be grateful about anything and everything that is arround us and there are so many ways to be able to express that 🙂
Kajal recently posted… March Onwards
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Yes indeed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: vidyasury
June 2, 2014
Such a beautiful list, Laurel!
Each time I visit your blog, I also enjoy browsing your sidebar! So charming and interesting.
Vidya Sury recently posted… A Walk to Remember
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Thank you, Vidya! Glad you enjoy it. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: ghorrall
June 2, 2014
Gratitude is one of the biggest keys to living a happy life. I bet you have a great time Laurel. I loved your post. I try to find at least three things to be grateful for each day. Let’s me focus on the awesome things in my life for a moment. Never thought about blogging about it though. Might have to be my next challenge. 😉
Gen recently posted… Comment Commentary Conversation Story
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
That sounds like a great practice to me, Gen! Thanks for sharing.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Twitter: leatherandabel
June 2, 2014
Writing outside is one of my pleasures too – especially now, as my balcony garden is growing and everything smells delicious out there 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Sounds lovely, Vanessa!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – May 16-31, 2014
Always love reading your gratitude posts. They are always so happy…they give me a reason to be happy too. ♥
Kathy Combs recently posted… Retreat Haiku
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
I’m glad, Kathy! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
A happy happy post ushering for new season and gush over expression of emotions:)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 2, 2014
Glad you like! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Lilac bushes are so beautiful!! 🙂
I loved your list. And you just reminded me to take that appointment with my hair stylist as well!! And change the lens on my fave specs! 😀
Your list made me smile and I’m grateful for that 🙂
My gratitude list –
* The extended weekend at Yellowstone.
* I’m out of my Writer’s block! (yay!)
* Gorgeous weather 🙂
* Love!
Pixie recently posted… The Trap – Part 1
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Wonderful list, Pixie! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
Such a fun-filled list! Outdoors, flowers with wonderful fragrance, creating things, and being featured! I’m so happy for you, I get a smile on my face 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted… The Body I Have Today
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
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