Sunday, January 18, 2015

Sunday Gratitude


As I had thought, this week passed by way faster that the week before. I was almost surprised how fast the weekend was here, time to reflect on gratitude.

It was another week of gorgeous sunsets when the sky was almost on fire. The photo above shows the best of them. After that the fog slowly settled in again.

I love the fog. It cools the region and brings some moisture when we're lacking rain. It's not much, but it certainly is better than nothing. It also prevents nights from being too frosty around this time. We can have some severe frost here which can do a lot of damage to all the citrus trees in the area. I love foggy mornings when you can't see the sun but there's a hint of it rising beyond the mist. The fog has a different color, the entire mood is different.



One day this week a woman in my exercise class brought in some oranges from her garden. She had so many that she generously gave them away. I took a few home, and after I had taken a few photos of them I ate the first one. I can't tell you how sweet and juicy they were. It was pure delight!


It was my birthday last week - I'm just grateful that I have birthdays in my life and I hope for many more in good health. I have seen too many friends leaving this earth way too early - there can never be too many candles on a cake! I was overwhelmed by all the good wishes I received - I have such wonderful friends! Otherwise it was a beautiful quiet day that gave me a lot of opportunity to read without feeling guilty. In the evening, one of my good friends and her family invited us over for a birthday dinner including cake and ice cream. Such a lovely evening!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her entire family is delightful, her youngest daughter was a Girl Scout in my troop, she is the same age as Kaefer. They also just got a new dog, and it was great meeting her. I am such a dog person (animal person, really)! This is their old dog, Afton, who died a year ago.


I discovered a new visitor at my feeders - a Western Tanager. These birds don't come to my place very often and I was so happy to see one. They usually migrate in the winter to the South. This only shows how unusual this winter is.


Yesterday it rained a little bit again - every drop counts! It is so beautiful to see the green hills around us! I can't get enough of it. The magnolias are flowering - I just have to look out my window to see my neighbor's huge tree covered in pink and white flowers. It is breath taking. Sometimes when I go outside the air has a special fresh smell that it only seems to carry in very early spring - it smells of new life and anticipation. There is a slight almost unnoticeable mild breeze that I can feel - it often happens in January and then disappears again for several weeks.  It makes me long for spring although I hope winter stays around a bit longer and brings much much more rain. We still need it (I sound like an old broken record with my repetitive wish for rain).

What are you grateful for this past week?




15 comments:

Nancy said...

Carol, those photographs of the sunsets are amazing and so beautiful...I too love the fog as long as I don't have to drive in it. I think it gives everything a soothing feeling. I am very thankful that our week with our grandchildren went well and we were able to come home and rest some.. Happy Birthday....

Elephant's Child said...

How I love (and am grateful for) your Sunday Gratitude posts. They are always visually and emotionally beautiful, and a most excellent reminder of how much wonder there is in the world.
Happy birthday oh fellow Capricorn... And many more of them.

Orsolina said...

Tolle Aufnahmen, von der 1. könnte ich glatt wieder eine ATC anfertigen :)

Ich wünsche dir eine schöne Woche.

LG Biggi

Linda Kay said...

Carola, loved your photos. There is nothing quite like a truly sweet orange for breakfast, and so disappointing when they just aren't up to par. Afton was a beautiful dog.

Unknown said...

Liebe Carola, meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche zu Deinem Geburtstag nachträglich *blümchenrüberreich* :)
Der Sonnenuntergang ist ja wohl wunderschön und um die leckeren Orangen beneide ich Dich :)
Liebe Grüße
【ツ】Knipsa

eileeninmd said...

Hello Carola..Your sky captures are beautiful. And Afton was a cute dog, I am sorry he is gone now.. You are lucky to see the Western Tanager in your yard, it is a beautiful bird. Wonderful post, enjoy your day!

gina said...

Wonderful images, Carola! I especially love the beautiful tree silhouetted against the burning sunset -- gorgeous! A belated Happy Birthday!

Bethany Carson said...

Neat to see the tanager! I love fog as well, and your photos of the sky and the fog are beautiful. I hope you had a very happy birthday. May the Lord bless you with a wonderful year!

Sue (this n that) said...

Hello Carola, and thank you for popping over to my blog. It's much appreciated.
Your photos here are simply gorgeous. I do like the mist and fog - gives a beautiful atmosphere. So fresh to be outside walking in it - come home with a dewy face :D)
I too enjoy fresh oranges. Juicing them, pulp as well - absolutely nothing like store bought.
I'm sure your birthday was lovely, yes, I agree... it's a privilege to be able to greet each one (sometimes I grizzle at the wrinkles, but that's just how it is isn't it).
Cheers now and I look forward to more of your posts.

Michelle said...

That first photo is just stunning.

windrock studio said...

I totally agree with you about fog, birthdays and dogs. I am always grateful to you for all the beauty you share thru your photos and your kind words.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Beautiful fog photos! I hope you get the rain needed. The weather sounds wonderful there since it is allowing such early blooms! That photo of the sweet dog is perfection.

John's Island said...

Hi Carola, I am grateful to have found your blog. I enjoy your beautiful photos and your comments. Especially interesting ... Your comment on the Western Tanager. To me, it looks like another little bit of evidence that our planet is warming up. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I especially appreciated your comment on the old postcards and the info on old letters from your family. John

NatureFootstep said...

a very beautiful sunset :) And I love the tree :)

Maria Ontiveros said...

I am grateful for the gorgeous winter we have been having, but I do worry a bit about the drought. The sunsets have been incredible, and you did a great job of capturing that one.
Rinda