2013 Joy Dare

#776 - #842

- gifts that made me really smile - playing boats with laundry baskets, taking turns jumping on the trampoline and clapping for the performer, a puzzle building marathon
- gift at 8 a.m. - feeding chickens in morning light
- gift at noon - lunch at home
- gift at 2 p.m. - text saying Kelsey, Peyton and Gramma Hank were coming for a visit - big surprise, bigger gift!
- gifts painted - words on the store window "Life isn't a dress rehearsal - dare yourself", robin egg blue bedroom walls, frames for photos

- gifts full - sacks and pots full of new potatoes, scrapbooks full of photos and stories, fridge full of good food
- gifts smelled - van full of flowers coming home from greenhouse cleanup, lilacs under the bedroom window, onions and herbs sauteing in a pan
- gift unexpected - row of beautiful colorful scarves in J. Crew (no purchase, just enjoyment of the colours)
- gift unwanted - weeds growing but it means plants are growing too
- gift unlikely - library book culling leading to a box of books for summer school

- gifts in His word - "Seek and you will find - Ask and it will be given - Knock and the door will be opened"
- gifts in moving - kids on playgrounds, clouding roaming across the sky, car driving me to work
- gifts in my Dad - his love of children, his attitude of doing it right, his clear mind and great memory
- gifts from Heavenly Father -  beautiful colours in plants growing, the miracle of seeds growing, people to love and cherish
- gifts I became in serving - thankful that I have been blessed in so many ways, aware of needs in so many buried so deep, humbled that I can be His hands and feet

- gift bent - weeds picked out of the garden
- gift beautiful - pansies blooming in pots
- gift loved - memories of my Gramma Hetman
- gifts found in light - moon shining through the night, lantern lighting kale for picking, warmth for chicks
- gifts that are difficult - storms and the possibility of hail, juggling time and finances, doing housework

- gifts found around a table - grandchildren gathered, sunshine salad bowls for supper, craft supplies and markers and glue from project time
- gift found in water - washing little feet at the end of the day's adventures
- gift found in words - conversations as we play queen and tractors farming and hospital
- gift found in white - Naomi's bread pan used as a foot bathtub
- gifts found in someone older - gentle nurturing and caring for others, wisdom about cooking, stories of the past and coming to Canada

- gifts found in fabric - beautiful colours, the joy of creating by cutting and sewing, a new quilt top

- gifts framed by a frame - inspiring words, pictures of our families, photos and memories of our travels

- gifts eaten - fresh cherries, new potatoes from our garden, lettuce & kale & spinach from the garden

- gift small - new baby chicks

- gift big - wide open yard

- gift just right - our home, not too big & not too small

- gifts you gave today - birthday gifts for Blake, Meadow, Naomi & Jerry

Oh, the blessed, beautiful counting of all that He has given to me!

2013 Joy Dare

#737 - #776

- gifts found in today's work - the joy, laughter and energy of our grandchildren, the great outdoors as we spend more time outside than inside, coming home to greenhouse and garden
- gift at 8 am - Maëlle reading Pinkalicious on the couch
- gift at 12 pm - lunch with Blake and Maëlle while Naomi heads to sleep
- gift at 8 pm - safe at home, chickens fed, plants watered
- gifts blue - blue skies for a little while at the Children's Festival, tattoos for the adventurous, a new dough "Bubber" to press and play and experiment with

- gifts you gave today - advice on essay writing, time to cover classes, Gramma time
- gifts orange - orange Tigger pyjamas, orange juice to go with vitamins, carrots for salad
- gift of generations - time with my Dad and my grandchildren, watching them play together and learn from him
- gifts funny - Great Grampa and Silas reading the newspaper together, tickle fest, fun in the swimming pool
- gifts from today's conversation - talk about the new piano and her improvements, conversation with our daughter, being the pupil while we played school :)

- gifts found in Christ - He creates everything good, with Him all things are possible, He will never leave me nor forsake me
- gift of peace - flowers and trees blooming
- gift of hope - wrapped up in every seed planted
- gift of love - hugs from our grandchildren
- gifts ugly-beautiful - weeds growing - I know the soil is good, black storms clouds - God is powerful, long days in the field - the crop is being planted

- gifts in what I am reading - reminder of what it was for my grandparents to immigrate, the bounty of the garden and work done by women through the ages, reminder what it means to clear the land and put up buildings- from "Under This Unbroken Sky" by Shandi Mitchell
- gifts empty - favourite mug with just the smell of hazelnut latte' left, bottle of last year's apricot syrup, shelves in the fridge cleaned off

2013 Joy Dare

#712 - #737

- gifts that made you laugh - chickens busy in their spaces, junior high students and their excuses, seeing pictures of our grandchildren and their antics
- gifts found in community - small businesses especially greenhouses, neighbours, seeing students and their families
- gift in a pot - ivy, hosta and petunia growing together
- gift in a plate - delicious supper at graduation
- gift in a package - new tshirt that came in the mail

- gifts hard giving thanks for - mud, being so busy, having so many rows
- gift white - saskatoon and mayday blossoms
- gift worn - play clothes, no matter the mud
- gift whispered - little voice with "I love you, Gramma"
- gift from long ago - anniversary of 40 years

- gifts unexpected - learning about something completely new, walk in the garden, gift ideas
- gifts of green - tiny shoots piercing the soil, tomatoes growing tall, new lettuce
- gifts of color - lilac blossoms, cherry trees in bloom, robins all over the lawn


-

2013 Joy Dare

#685 - #712

- gifts held in hand:  books to read, iPhone and Instagram lovelies, juicy oranges
- gifts found in my Mother: that she taught me stuff like growing and sewing and making and doing, that she cares about every person she meets, that she loves my children and grandchildren so whole-heartedly
- gift picked-up: packets of seeds for planting
- gift put away: laundry folded and put in drawers
- gift put back: decision not buy

- gifts found in His word: hope, promises, comfort
- gift in a box: crocheted doilies from my Gramma
- gift in a bag: spaghetti squash growing in the greenhouse
- gift in a book: dinosaur information for Samuel
- gifts unexpected: perennial herb basket, card in the mail, tomato plants to share

- gifts from my  childhood: learning how to do things, encouragement to read from my parents, learning how to play piano and read musical notes (even though I don't play now)
- gift sweet:  chai tea chiller from Second Cup

- gift salty: nacho chips with cheese sauce
- gift sour: dill pickles
- gifts found in little ones: energy and enthusiasm in abundance, smiles and beginning sounds, how they draw generations together

My great-gramma, my gramma, my mom, me

1967 - the only time my great-gramma came to Canada to visit

2013 Joy Dare

#624 - #684

- gifts found in Christ: His light shining through my fears, peace from the craziness of the world, HIs promises no matter what
- gifts close: plants growing in the window, grandchildren coming to visit, food in the cupboards
- gifts reflecting: sun setting under the clouds, birds flying over the dugout, smiles in the mirror
- gifts fragile:  teacups each with a story to tell, teapot with a hairline crack, their love
- gifts cloth: quilts and their colors, favourite shirts, pillow covers for each season

- gifts moving:  little boys and girls climbing trees, babies scooting along the floor, text messages flying back and forth

- gifts ugly beautiful:  grey skies but bringing rain, no leaves as plants wait for it to be right to grow, little boys that arise so early and convince Grampa to go with them
- gifts orange:  lights shining on baby chicks, juicy oranges in the fridge crisper, favourite tshirts on Grammas and on little boys
- gifts in dirt: delphiniums pushing through, tomatoes growing daily taller, raspberry roots for transplanting
- gifts tasted:  pumpkin pie with whipped cream, burgers off the grill, cheese with crackers and apples for afternoon snacks

- gifts flat:  little girl asleep in my bed, fresh white paper for painting, birthday cards written and sent
- gifts found in difficult people:  that they interact with little ones, they do - even if it's not my way, the pause it gives me to think about myself
- gifts before 9 a.m.: time to sleep a little longer, a walk outside to observe the growing, berry smoothie in the blender
- gifts in smiles: that he could ride in the tractor with Grampa, the "here we are, Gramma!" voices calling, birthday gift thanks
- gifts found in Christ:  new life, the old cast away, His creation shared new each spring

- gifts about our home:  open and inviting space with lots of room, floors for little ones to play on, well used and well lived in
- gifts inside a closet:  seeds for planting, old school papers kept, summer clothes to wear on warm days
- gifts in the dark:  rest after a busy day, knowing they are all safe in their own homes, comfortable bed and warm covers
- gifts inside:  little ones napping, eggs in cartons, seeds closed in beds of soil
- gifts in my parents:  their love of little ones, they can come to every gathering, their home is a place warmth and hospitality for others

2013 Joy Dare

#590 - #623

-  gifts opened up - a dryer full of fresh clean laundry, crockpot with lemon herbed chicken, door welcoming little ones in after playtime
-  gifts budding and blooming - grandsons imaginations, tomatoes growing tall, peppers and squash pushing through the soil, leaves on a pussy willow branch
- gifts worn - a new scarf, warm coat, tall boots
- gifts bright - candles on cakes, sun shining on the fresh blanket of snow, icicles hanging
- gifts found looking up - blue skies, birthday girl at the top of the water slide, millions of stars

- gift in a bag - Maëlle finding shoes and flipflops and rubber boots in birthday bags
- gift in a box - pizza
- gift in a book - case studies of KIVA projects
- gifts in hard Eucharisteo - snow on the ground still,  dis-liked jobs getting done, wisdom in decisions
- gifts woven together - 4 generations around the same table, stitching on scrapbook layouts, our lives

- gifts inherited - pearls from my grandmother, generosity, "be the best you can" attitude
- gifts square - candle holder on the table, windows to look through, pieces of chocolate
- gift stacked - tomatoes in pots in the living room
- gift stashed - birthday gifts bought ahead
- gift stilled - the quiet and warmth in the greenhouse

2013 Joy Dare

#539 - #590

- gift found in His word: Isaiah 40: 31 - "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
- gifts found in women:  sisters, women who serve selflessly, young women with brand-new wild ideas
- gifts spoken: passion for growing and innovating, consumers talking about food, welcoming guests
- a gift hug:  icicles on branches

- a gift written:  Christmas stories and memories captured
- a gift painted:  little Easter eggs hung on pussy willow branches
- gifts almost gone:  messes on tables, winter squash used up, postage stamps
- gifts unwrapped:  little fingers unwrapping chocolate Easter eggs, Easter treasures, little roots of tomato transplants
- a gift heard:  "He is not here.  He is not dead.  He is alive!"

- a gift held:  friendships
- a gift hoped for:  peace in relationships
- gifts round:  coloured Easter eggs, carrot cake roll, oregano oil capsules
- gifts of white: popcorn day at school, crisp white pages of lesson plans, snowbanks melting
- gifts surprisingly found: former students at the gas station, light streaming in, grade 6 discussions on local government

- gift at 11 a.m. - mocha coffee from the staff room, 2 p.m. - recess quiet, 6 p.m. - dry roads to travel home on
- gifts nailed together: the cross He hung on, bamboo floors, chairs for little ones to sit on
- gifts waited for: visits with grandchildren, celebrating birthdays, candles on cakes
- gifts rising up: honey wheat buns, tomato plants, grandchildren growing so quickly
- gifts heard:  "Gramma, come here - I need you!"

2013 Joy Dare

Since I got my iPhone partway through February, I've been listing my gratitude gifts on the 1000 Gifts App.  It works great - easy to add a picture, easy to do a quick list, anywhere, anytime.  But - you knew that was coming, right?!  But - I haven't been doing a full page of each day's blessings, which is what provides my lists for blogging.   I want to do better at that part, for sure.  For now, from my iPhone:

#512 - #549

-3 gifts eaten:  raspberry-banana-kiwi-kale smoothie, noodles and sauce, chicken veggie stir-fry
- 3 gifts red: little red jackets to keep grandkids warm, red peppers, red dogwood branches in the snow
- a gift turned: pages as we sang in worship today
- a gift folded: napkins around the dinner table
- a gift hung:  pictures on our walls, loved ones and memories

- 3 gifts round:  candle, orange, mug
- a gift in wind:  branches sighing in whispers
- a gift in water:  fresh and clean to drink
- a gift in white:  cream to add to tomato sauce and shrimp
- a gift in grandchildren:  smiles and more smiles, some seen in person - some seen via emails - some heard in voices

- 3 gifts read:  names on seed packages, notes on Instagram photos, Daily Bible Audiobook reading to me
-  3 gifts in Christ: beauty all around in nature, quiet time to reflect and recharge, amazing love that gave us our salvation
- 3 gifts carved:  time carved out of busy days, carved drums to use in drum circle, carved wooden tray to hold Easter eggs
- 3 gifts loud:  Monday morning in grade 1, smoothies blending first thing in the morning, junior high drama class
- 3 gifts from the kitchen: waking up to clean dishes, no-peek chicken baking at 9 a.m., hard-cooked eggs for sandwiches

- a gift bent - apple branches starting to bud
- a gift broken - old teapot for a plant
- a gift beautiful - quiet day at home
- 3 gifts found: - old friends, old photos, old favourite books
- 3 gifts hard to give thanks for:  sore feet, funerals, dirty dishes


                          

2013 Joy Dare

#436 - #512 (a random sampling)

- baking gingersnaps instead of banana bread
- painting with littles instead of having supper
- staying overnight instead of going home
- cauliflower soup
- new technology in a phone

- spaghetti sauce simmering when I got home
- grandchildren gathered around the table
- reading stories together
- tucking them in for a sleepover
- listening

- 3 gifts white: jugs of milk and cream, blank white paper, snow crystals on trees
- feeling like it will get done this week
- donuts from the bakery
- supper in the oven and playtime while it cooks
- new ski suits

- hours of playing in the swimming pool
- listening to audiobooks
- smoothies to start the morning
- learning something new every day
- new-to-me big green teapot

- finding frozen fruit in the freezer
- spinach salad + one extra for lunch tomorrow
- dinner ready in 40 minutes
- Russian Honey cake for book club
- Jesus words to us in scripture
- knowing they've gone home to heaven
- God's arms wrapped around me, supporting and loving

2013 Joy Dare

#382 - #435 (a random sampling)

- having to apologize and accept an apology
- being connected wirelessly
- inspiration from the Voskamps who are serving in Haiti
- Shrove Tuesday and preparing for Lent
- marked with a cross of ashes: knowing whose I am

- gifts behind a door: warmth on a windy day, our home, smiling faces
- groceries put away and produce washed
- safety while driving on icy roads
- baking chocolate chip cookies
- clean counter tops

- gifts that help me feel the love of God: studying the words of the Bible in our small group, music and songs, the beauty of creation
- open, honest, challenging conversations
- adjusting my thinking, being open to new possibilities
- gorgeous pink, purple and gold sunset
- quiet weekend mornings

- audiobooks
- family day gathering
- delicious snacks
- warm new slippers (reminded that He walks with me)
- natural cures for a lingering cold

- memories collecting in a "Good Things in 2013" jar
- paging through a scrapbook made long ago
- chocolate fondue
- playing orphanage with Meadow and Blake
- Maëlle's giggles as she played with Grampa

2013 Joy Dare

       
       
           
           
       

#299 - #382 ( a sampling)

- Christmas photos and their stories
- time to scrapbook and save the memories
- a shiny clean house
- friends gathered for brunch
- caramel baked French toast

-  Bob pushing the grocery cart
- discussing good food, good health choices
- 3 gifts red: vine-ripened tomatoes, hanging our paper Valentine banner, red tulips
- Sunday dinner in the oven before going to church
- 3 gifts found in writing: recipes, February Joy Dare prompts, the Bible

- visits over tea
- 3 gifts found when bent down:  leaves frozen in the ice, hair barrettes lined up in little one's golden fluff, long braids on grade one girls
- sleepovers with grandchildren
- watching them at gymnastics
- doll babies lined up in the big bed

- trekking around in the snow in the yard
- cleaning off the slide so they can fly down it
- honey vanilla tea latte' 20% off on Tuesdays
- more days of subbing
- a haircut and new colour

- early dismissal
- calling Melinda on her birthday
- floors vacuumed and washed
- creating Valentine crafts with Meadow
- pizza on naan bread

- winter skies
- guests for brunch
- quiet time to think, write and read
- more December Daily pages finished
- "Their lives would never be the same once they met Jesus - and ours will be changed forever too!"
- His light shining in all the spaces of my life

2013 Joy Dare

       
       
           
           
       

#251 - #299 (a sampling)

- chocolate covered almonds
- just a little bit of new fabric
- finding the next chapter book
- listening to a little one talk about saving his money
- little girl crawling away

- winter songs in the CD player
- a willing partner for card playing
- a tray of de.li.cious cookies
- subbing on a 'no busses running' day
- warm houses on cold winter nights

- a teacup and saucer and a set of pearls from my grandmothers
- afternoon nap with warm quilt and heat pack
- oil of oregano
- still 4 summer onions left
- feeding her first foods

- Bible studies
- last day of the week Fridays
- grocery shopping together
- fresh daffodils
- watching the grandkids play hockey
- little boys running hard

- snowball fights from the treehouse
- hauling wagon loads of wood with Blake and Meadow
- wagon races in the driveway
- feeling so filled with His blessings
- reminders of God giving His son for me

2013 Joy Dare

       
       
           
           
       

#170 - #251 (a random selection)

- morning winter light breaking over wind sculpted snowdrifts
- net ice fishing at Pigeon Lake this week
- my Grampa's 114th birthday would be this month!
- book club  reads, discussions, snacks, friendships
- card parties with friends

- jars of spaghetti sauce from summer's goodness
- mercy and grace from God my Father every day
- brilliant blue skies
- mailing a birthday gift
- chicken tortilla soup

- early (as in 5:59 a.m.!) snuggles with Helayna
- playdough creations with Silas
- visit to the swimming pool
- her going down the waterslide all by herself
- snacks after playing in the water

- cooing and playing in the bathtub
- Peyton imitating faces
- her clapping hands all by herself!
- seeing how much she's changed in 1 month
- reading books together

- baking cookies for them
- waffles, whipped cream and berries
- taking Peyton for a walk
- her talking and laughing while swinging
- the opportunities God gives me each day!

2013 Joy Dare

       
       
           
           
       

#101 - #170 (a sampling)

- I am healthy and strong
- I am creative in many ways
- I invest time in people and relationships
- I am working hard to be hopeful
- I am saved  by Jesus!

- snowy day at home
- automatic washer and dryer
- leftovers
- raspberries and whipped cream
- red and green papers

- tall, warm winter boots
- mailing birthday cards
- pie from the freezer
- looking at Christmas pictures from last year
- time to read "Coppermine" for book club

- watching the little ones skiing
- walking behind Maelle, holding her harness as she skis down the bunny hill
- finding pumpkin, rhubarb, strawberries and beets ready to use in the freezer
- fresh sheets on the bed
- baked steelhead trout



- Maelle's yoga moves
- safety and protection on snowy winter roads
- sunshine + snow + warm temperatures = fun outside
- mailing packages
- ordering pictures

- completely surprising the grandchildren
- thrift store finds
- watching a movie together
- crafting with Meadow
- repaired coveralls

- Proverbs 4:20 - "My son, pay attention to what I say:
listen closely to my words."

2013 Joy Dare

I counted more than 2400 on my gratitude gifts / joy dare last year and I am so very amazed and thankful for every blessing that God bestows daily.  And this counting thing?  Oh, I am ever so much more able to see the good things all around me.  It takes me right away from the worry and the wishing.  I do less comparing and more thanking.  I'm so very glad that Ann wrote her book and shares so much on her blog.  What an encouragement she is!


        
        

And so for 2013,  I cannot stop - I must continue to record the blessings from Him.

#1 - #101    (a sampling of the last two weeks)
- grandchildren laughing and playing together
- gathered around the Christmas/New Year's table
- little girls playing Silent Night and Away In A Manger on the piano
- late night conversations, tears and hugs
- thoughtful Christmas gifts shared

- warm weather and dry roads for driving
- playing games with grandchildren while eating breakfast
- bike and scooter circling the basement
- having the perfect birthday gifts ready and waiting
- old friends dropping by unexpectedly

- rejoicing in memories while working on my December Daily album
- birthday cards to give away
- good books to read
- old and new friends
- Christmas card photos of friends and family

- homemade black cherry wine (thanks, D & D)
- toboggan hill sliding
- sisters
- twilight walks over the snow
- a husband who is a very good driver on winter roads

- defusing the tension with laughter, heaven sent at the right time
- text messages and phone pictures
- high school students who rise up and do amazing things
- getting to see the transformations and their pride
- rising sun spilling over the horizon 

- homemade envelopes from calendar pages
- a stack of winter books to read together
- snuggles, hugs and kisses from grandchildren
- adding logs to the fire
- candle glow reminding me Jesus is the light

- playing games
- pear cheddar pie from the freezer
- cheering from the stands at the arena
- Burt's Bees lipbalm - on sale!
- my Saviour, ever-present, ever-loving

(I am currently experiencing technical difficulties so adding pictures is on hold.)