Today, nature fills me with gratitude… because the day lilies in our back alley have blossomed, and they’re gorgeous! Just as ivy can beautify an abandoned wreck of a building, these cheerful lilies provide an unexpected pop of colour and loveliness in an otherwise utilitarian (and rather decrepit, truth be told) alleyway, and the sight of them never fails to bring a spark of joy to my heart.
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!
- Air conditioning. While I would far rather enjoy the summer air through an open window, I’m so grateful for our AC on days such as the ones we’ve had lately where the humidity makes doing so unbearable.
- The contractors who built the railing in our non-air-conditioned attic bedroom last summer, and taught us the trick of putting a fan at the bottom of the stairs to direct the cooled air from the second floor into the attic. We are certainly benefiting from their wisdom again this summer!
- Fabulous thrift store finds on 50% off day.
- The pampering satisfaction of a pedicure.
- Ongoing opportunities to use our new barbecue and patio set for backyard cookouts.
- Being able once again to view the amazing annual display of fireworks over the Detroit river, this time with guests in tow. So glad the rain held off that day!
- Continued safe travels for my sister and friend.
- A lovely evening with Peter – Greek food, music, and people-watching at Carrousel, followed by a relaxing chat by the river as the sun set.
- New curbs on our side of the street! Can a sidewalk and (gasp!) paved road be far behind?! I think not!
- Being able to give practical help to a friend in a time of need.
- The gift of a four-day weekend (thank you, Canada Day, for falling on a Tuesday this year!).
- The friends and acquaintances who choose to read my blog and support my creative efforts.
- That I have everything I need, plenty that I want, and several of my wishes.
{ 32 comments… add one }
Ohhhh, so lovely – that bright vibrant flower can certainly make my day also … Gorgeous:-)
Eli recently posted… A summer stroll in Oslo
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 29, 2014
They really are a delight.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Celebrating a Decade of Blogging
Twitter: citrusspiceuk
June 29, 2014
I loved reading your list, its great when there area so many things we can see in our life that we can be grateful for.
Nayna Kanabar ( recently posted… How to add blogger blog sitemap to Google webmaster tools
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 29, 2014
Glad you enjoyed, Nayna! Thanks for stopping by.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Celebrating a Decade of Blogging
Love this idea ..
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 29, 2014
Thank you! You are most welcome to join in!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Celebrating a Decade of Blogging
It’s a great idea to write down what we’re grateful for from time to time, so that we focus on what we have, rather than on what we don’t have.
Susan Evans recently posted… Milk Fireworks
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 29, 2014
I totally agree, Susan! Thanks for stopping by.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Celebrating a Decade of Blogging
Lovely tiger lilies. That colour is spectacular. I enjoyed reading your gratitude list and the whole idea of making the list is such a great idea. I did mine but see I forgot to put a linky at the end now that I read the instructions. OOPS!
Cathy Graham recently posted… Gratitude List for June 29
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 29, 2014
LOL, no worries! I’m glad you joined in.
I love to get the summer pedicure. I really need to take some time to get one. The day lily is beautiful! Have a great week
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
They are so worth it! Love pedicures.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Lovely gratitude list…reading this I think I could get benefitted from a pedicure myself…must go to the parlor this week
Thanks!
Kajal recently posted… Hide And Seek
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
Yes, do! They are wonderful.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
I love Day Lilies! My mother had several different kinds of lilies in her flower gardens but these were always my favourite. I don’t have any planted but I should get some of these. We have the room for them. Thanks for sharing yours!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
You’re welcome! They are absolutely gorgeous flowers – I hope you do get some.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Gorgeous lilies! What splendid color! I feel so good reading these gratitude posts, maybe I should start writing my own. Let’s see
Today I feel most grateful for the lovely rain we had almost whole of last night, it cooled down the temperatures quite a bit and the morning is now very pleasant. Beautiful in fact. Everything in the garden looks clean and washed. I am also grateful for the long talk I had with my father about many things.
Beloo Mehra recently posted… Music, Fast or Slow
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
Great gratitude list – thank you for sharing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Twitter: suzyq1810
June 30, 2014
Ooh I love the idea of a pampering via pedicure. I could do with one.
Suzy recently posted… Gratitude List #36
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
I didn’t have my first one until a couple of years ago, but have had several since then as they are wonderful!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
This is a really great list. I couldn’t help myself but to smile at each entry. I felt your gratitude for these lovely and wonderful things!
Life Breath Present recently posted… Gratitude Linkup – Week of 6/29/14
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
The Detroit River!?! I feel closer to you now, Laurel. Though I live north of Chicago, Detroit is the Big City of my childhood. Canada can be accessed from every direction from Michigan (depending on where in Michigan you are standing.)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
I’m still trying to get used to having the US within a bridge or tunnel ride away!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Beautiful reminders of the things small and great in our lives! Thank you!
Diane recently posted… The Un-Party Party Line
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
You’re welcome!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Twitter: mnutralicious
June 30, 2014
Great list! I totally agree with being thankful for the opportunity to barbecue outdoors. Cooking outside, then enjoying a meal in the company of a gentle summer breeze, is my definition of summer. Thanks for sharing!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
I hope it cools down a little so we can enjoy some more cooking and eating outdoors!
I celebrated the day my lilies bloomed! They were so beautiful, as are yours! Wonderful reasons to celebrate gratitude!! ♥
Kathy Combs recently posted… The Mermaid Elixir
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 30, 2014
They really are lovely!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – June 17-30, 2014
Twitter: ecogiteslenault
July 5, 2014
I am grateful for the rain that has cooled the temperature and watered my veg patch! #blogboost via UBC
Rosie recently posted… A Normandy Tale, 70 years in the making.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
July 5, 2014
Wonderful! Glad you stopped by.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 236 Things That Make Me Happy
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