Sharing Thanks

My daughter Liz, drinking water, January 16, 2012 Liz and I are both trying to be healthier in 2012. Liz loves the taste of Coca-Cola as you can see by the sweatshirt she is wearing. Making small changes each day can really make a difference. Today is a good day to remember what a difference one person can make in this world. Martin Luther King had a "dream" and helped change our country in a peaceful way. Here are my thanks for today. 1) Thanks to my daughter Liz who helped me organize my pocketbook and throw out tons of old receipts. Liz also convinced me to get a business card organizer, which really helped my wallet get thinner. 2) Thanks to my daughter Liz who is encouraging me to develop healthier habits. She hates drinking water and ordered a glass of tap water at lunch instead of a Coke refill. 3) I am thankful to play with the South Shore Symphony. We are rehearsing Rodeo by Aaron Copland. Copland's music just makes you feel happy and energetic. Had a lo

Golden Wheat at Planting Fields, January 2012 I'm still sharing some of the pictures I took earlier this week at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay. I love the way the light reflects on the wheat in this picture. Today was a relaxing day spent with two of my dearest friends and there families. 1) Thanks to Margaret for making a delicious Turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. It is so nice to share a home cooked meal that someone has prepared with love. I enjoyed catching up with Margaret and Stella and watching our kids enjoy hanging out together. 2) Thanks to Margaret for inviting our dog Oreo along to join in on the fun. 3) Thanks to Liz who came with me to Hick's to pick out some pretty plants. We brought a red cyclamen plant to bring over to the hostess. I love to bring flowers or a nice plant when I get invited to someone's house for a nice dinner. 4) Enjoyed taking a nice hot bath with a good book tonight. It was a cold day and there is nothing like a hot bat

Orchids from Planting Fields Greenhouse, January 2012 Loved these orchids! The orchid is a beautiful flower and it takes a talented gardener with a lot of patience to grow one. To allow something beautiful to grow, much care, love and nurturing is required. This is a nice metaphor for successful parenting. It's cold here today on Long Island. Normal temperatures for January. It feels cold because we have been spoiled with a fair amount of 50 degree days. Here are my thanks for today. 1) Thanks for a nice date night with my husband Spencer. We were adventurous and went out to eat at a new Thai restaurant. It was fun to do something new and break out of routine! The restaurant Thai Station in Merrick has been around for a few years, and I've been wanting to give it a try. 2) I'm giving thanks for the delicious Thai food I had tonight. I had Spring Rolls, a Thai coconut fried rice, and beef with asparagus in an oyster sauce. The food was amazing! I enjoy savoring amazin

My daughter Liz, January 13, 2012 My daughter snapped this self-portrait today with my camera. She captured an amusing smile. It is hard not to smile when someone smiles brightly. We had a happy Friday the 13th. The day was very gusty, and the temperature dropped 20 degrees! I have a lot to be grateful for today. 1) Thanks to my good neighbors Joe and Mary. This morning, a big gust of wind, blew down part of my fence. My neighbor Mary knocked on my door to let me know what happened. Then her husband Joe came out and fixed my old fence in 10 minutes. It is so wonderful to have such nice neighbors. 2) It was so great to see Liz smiling brightly today. She has been nursing a cold and is really feeling better today. She is a kind person, she saw an empty beer bottle in the road, and picked it up to throw away to prevent someone from smashing it with their car. 3) Thanks to HearUS Teens who hosted a fun pajama party. Liz had fun with her friends and they all brought a pair of pajama

Rainforest Flora at Planting Fields Greenhouse, January 2012 It was a drizzly rainy day today so I enjoyed looking through my photos that I took on Monday at the Planting Fields Greenhouse in Oyster Bay. Love this rainforest flora picture. Focusing on the beauty and symmetry of nature always brings me serenity and joy. Taking time to appreciate what we have is one of the keys to lasting happiness. Here are my thanks for today. 1) Enjoyed started reading a new book, "Happy, Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life." by Ian K. Smith M.D. Dr. Smith says, "Research has shown that much more than a large bank account, being grateful for what you have and showing your appreciation for the generosity others have bestowed on you can create deeper and longer-lasting happiness." 2) Thanks to Chili's for having a great tasting lower calorie option of Margarita Chicken. Proud of myself for eating a little healthier today. 3) Thanks to my daughter Liz for dancing wit

Liz hugging our puppy Oreo, January 11, 2012 Today had its ups and downs but there were some short bursts of joy to be thankful for. I was lucky enough to capture this picture of my daughter enjoying the love of our sweet puppy Oreo. Here are my thanks for today. 1) Enjoyed going for frozen yogurt with my daughter Liz. We brought Oreo in the car for the ride. She loves a car ride. 2) Thanks to my good friends Stella and Sejal who are always there to support me. 3) Thanks to Kavita who was a study buddy with my daughter Liz. They were trying to figure out some difficult geometry problems. 4) Thankful to start some healthier eating habits. Had some salmon for dinner and a mango frozen yogurt with fresh fruit. It's a start to better nutrition.

Ceramic Fountain at Planting Fields Greenhouse, January 2012 I will be posting pictures that I took yesterday throughout the week from the greenhouse at Planting Fields, in Oyster Bay. I am grateful for the beauty of nature everyday. I loved the sound of the small fountain. It reminds me that we can be refreshed at any moment. Today had its ups and downs. I persevered and tomorrow is a new day. I am committed to writing about each and everyday and what I can be thankful for. 1) I was thankful that my daughter Liz who has a small cold, persevered and lasted the full day at school. She told me she thought about calling to come home and then she just got through it! This is a big step forward for her. 2) Thanks for the surprise of a new violin student today! I was happy to see Brindi for lessons again. She is a delightful young lady, who I started teaching the violin to last year. It was nice to see her come back to lessons with me. 3) I am grateful for good friends. Had a gre