3 gifts red

1. Red cheeks from enjoying the parade in the cold with my family.

2. Relaxing with my red cup filled with hot tea before bed -- and I still have two more days off from work!!

3. Red and green filled home as we prepare for Christmas.

3 gifts in community

1. Thankful that community exists locally and around the world. And thankful that technology keeps me connected to a broad circle of influence.

2. Accountability. Thankful for a community of believers that knows me and demonstrates the calling of Christ.

3. A haven in times of trouble.

4. Thankful for each individual in my community. You give "it takes a village..." real meaning. Happy Thanksgiving!

A gift handmade, held, happy

1. Clean cranberry sauce that will be yummy tomorrow and in the days to come!

2. Soft ball of dough, ready to rise.

3. To spend a full day being thankful

3 gifts preparing

I1. Erin Marshall, one of my dearest friends, who called to say "Hi" in the midst of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, preparing for visitors and preparing to go on vacation. She is an author -- and a good one. Check out her link. :)

2. Preparing "Man Sandwiches" (Manwich) for my family -- a menu that I didn't have to choose. :)

3. Preparing for a client visit tomorrow. Thankful for the business -- and thankful it is the last activity before settling in for Thanksgiving Day!

3 gifts ugly-beautiful

1. Ugly slick streets from blowing snow -- beautiful world cloaked in white and a family snow ball fight....

2. Ugly wind, biting cold -- thankful for a beautiful day to admin at home.

3. Ugly trauma in lives of two friends -- reminds me of how blessed I am to hold my family close tonight.

3 gifts humble

1. Our home. It is small, but it is enough.

2. Our bank account. But it provides for what we need and then some.

3. Pie. I don't enjoy admitting mistakes, but relationships are stronger and I am stronger when I do.

3 gifts only in Christ

1. I am thankful that I am free from fear, secure in my vulnerability, free to show love and grace because my heart is in His hands.

2. Salvation that comes because He gave His life for mine.

3. Forgiveness. He is gracious to forgive even when I am at my worst.

Image from indigo-alliance.com

A gift gratitude

I am grateful to be so deeply loved. I bathe in grace every day given by Jesus and shown unrelentingly by my sweet family and friends. I am blessed!

Image at mixtharka.blogspot.com

3 gifts family

1. I am always ready to be home -- especially after a long trip!

2. Lots of love and laughter.

3. Security of knowing we work together through the tough stuff.

3 gifts of traditions

1. Memory builders and mile markers -- the Circus is one of our favorites. Last year we started a new tradition-- the Thankful banner! :)

2. Provide structure -- intentional time to reflect, have fun or remember

3. Bring comfort

3 gifts autumn

1. Honey crisp apples

2. Thanksgiving

3. Leaf piles for jumping

A gift made, shared, passed on

1. Chocolate chip banana bread from Mark's former neighbor.

2. Making friendship bracelets with Char, shared time.

3. Love for people, warts and all, passed on from my mom and dad.

3 gifts laughter

1. Tickling Char. Her giggles are priceless.

2. Ribs that ache from deep belly laughs.

3. A silly, silly family.

3 gifts hard eucharisteo

1. I am thankful that the pain and abuse of my husband's childhood has made him an incredible father.

2. I am thankful that facing challenges brings Mark and I closer together, from beginning to end.

3. When I realize the effect of bullying on kids today, I am thankful that the daily bullying I experienced for a year as a child was counter balanced by my knowledge of Jesus and His love for me, family that reinforced love and self worth, and a church family that provided a safe haven.

Image from inspirably.com

3 gifts golden

1. Making my work goal for the year. Thankful for my job and a company that values our veterans.

2. Color of our walls. Thankful for our home.

3. Fresh hair color and "me time" at the salon.

3 gifts silent

1. The house when I have an admin day.

2. The anticipation of Christmas and the precious silent night. It gives me hope.

3. 1 a.m. While I don't like being up at that hour, I usually find precious moments to pray.

3 gifts behind a door

1. Reassurance from a business partner

2. Home with my family

3. Comfort in a warm bed and plenty of food

3 gifts at noon

1. Affirmation from coworkers

2. Sitting down to lunch (not in my car)

3. Happy call from Valerie

3 gifts of remembrance

1. Every brave uniformed airman, soldier and sailor who sacrificed his/her life for my liberty.

2. Communion that celebrates Christ's sacrifice for me.

3. Remembering how blessed I am this year and every year. 

3 gifts in bible reading

Psalm 145

1. For the generations who have gone before me and have faithfully passed on the knowledge of Christ in what they say and what they do. I am so blessed to have been surrounded from birth by faithful believers. 145:1-7

2. Mercy. I am a hopeless failure without God's mercy and grace. My life is a series of examples of God's unmerited grace to me. 145:8-13

3. God's complete, intentional care for me. "The Lord sustains all who fall." 145:14-16

3 gifts harvest

1. Hard work followed by rest. I am soooo looking forward to Thanksgiving Day!!

2. Golden hues everywhere.

3. Food stored for the winter that provides a taste of summer on a cold night.

A gift sweet, salty, sipped

1. Sweet hug from Char after she arrived from her mom's.

2. Words, full of grace, to counter verbal attacks.

3. Coffee, okay, maybe I gulped it....

3 gifts out your window

1. Sunshine

2. Traffic moving steadily, no delays

3. My home as I pull into the driveway

3 gifts government

1. Thankful for the men and women in government who fight for my rights in Madison and Washington. God, grant us the wisdom to elect those with character.

2. Thankful for the Constitution that grants liberty to all of us. God grant us the wisdom to value our liberty while we still have it.

3. Thankful, most especially, for the men and women who lay their lives on the line for me and my family and my friends every day. God bless them and their families. God grant us the wisdom to always offer our thanks to them and honor them for their sacrifices.

3 gifts acorn small

1. Baby steps forward. Progress!

2. Big hug from the girl when I got home. Small gesture = big rewards for me. :)

3. Watching my husband and Char giggling while playing Just Dance. Small from the perspective of some, but does my heart good.

A gift gathered, given, good

1. Friends for gift giving.

2. A plant for one of my most treasured friends, given with some of my most treasured friends. All of them are precious  to me.

3. Talking with Mark while we walk the dog. 

Three gifts that start with N

1. Nike for running and turbo jamming with the girl.

2. 9 Round for working out alone -- and the stress relief of punching a bag.

3. Naps on Sunday

3 gifts worn

1. New winter coat

2. Bible worn from use, falling open to my favorite verses.

3. Worn out. Thankful for the ability to work hard.

3 gifts eaten

Since I am cleansing this week (before holidays are upon us) I find today's joy dare ironic.

So today, I am thankful for the cleanse drink in all of its glorious grittiness. It flushes the toxins and fills my body with nutrients. For the health that is being restored to my body, I am deeply thankful.

I am thankful for juicy pears and Honeycrisp apples that make this cleanse much easier. Yum!!

I am thankful for sweet salmon with lots of spices.