Happy Thanksgiving - Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers. I'll be spending the day (entire weekend actually) with lots of family get togethers. I'm excited my parents are here visiting and Jesse's aunt, uncle and cousin are here from Colorado as well! There will be lots of food to eat, stories to tell and just time spent being together.

I'm thankful all year long for all the wonderful people and things in my life. But, like many others, this time of year has me really thinking about the things I'm most thankful for. For today's post, I've put together the Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For.

1. Family

Family is always at the top of the list. This includes my immediate family, extended family and all of Jesse's family as well. They are my rock and my support system! After a bit of a rough year, they have proven time and time again that they are the best!

2. My Health

As I mentioned, it's been a bit of a rough year. 3 close family deaths. My grandpa spent a month in the hospital with MRSA. Jesse's grandma has been in the hospital 3 times. And Jesse had to have some unexpected surgery recently. I'm very thankful that my own health has been good!

3. My Home

My home is my sanctuary and most days I never leave. And also thankful for my growing home...hello new studio in 2014!

4. My Business

I couldn't be happier with how self-employment is working out. I love working from home and being my own boss! I am so thankful that quitting my full-time job was the right decision :)

5. Friends

I am thankful for both my friends I see in person as well as my online friends. Lunch with a friend or chatting online puts a smile on my face.

6. Quiet Days at Home

This goes hand in hand with being thankful for my home. But I'm most thankful for the quiet, productive days I spend at home creating up a storm. There is nothing better!

7. The Internet

It might seem a little silly, but without the internet, I wouldn't have been able to quit my job and work from home full-time. The internet is an amazing thing! It allows me to run a shop from my tiny spare bedroom (for now) and ship packages all over the world!

8. My Customers and Blog Readers

I am thankful for every sale and every blog comment. Knowing people love my work and read my posts makes me smile!

9. Wood Heat

Saving money and staying warm...yes, please! And that wood heat will also be heating my new studio with in-floor heat...woohoo!

10. Coffee & Wine

Frivolous? Maybe. But these two beverages get me through the day :)

What are you most thankful for this year?

Holiday Sales from the Blogging Business Artisans

It's that time of year again! It's time for the holidays!!! And the Blogging Business Artisans have some great deals for you! Stop by each of these shops for holidays sales!

Memories for Life

Use Code 20Off2013 for 20% off your entire purchase

Good Saturday, November 30th in honor of Small Business Saturday

 Stalking the Wild Snark

Use code 20Saturday2013 for 20% off on 11/30 for Small Business Saturday

LindaB142 - LinorStore Jewelry

Thanksgiving/Black Friday Specials 11/25 - 11/30 Free US shipping ($3 value) Use Code FREEUSSHIP. (If you purchase a kippah, I'll apply part of the coupon code to the priority mail amount.) 

Use Code THANKS25 for 25% off of $15 purchase on 12/2 Cyber Monday

 MisterPenQuin - Handmade books, journals and clipboards
Black Friday to Cyber Monday 10% Off All Items
No coupon code necessary - discount applied during checkout

JNOriginals - Crocheted and felted wearable accessories
Black Friday to Cyber Monday 10% Off Everything
No coupon code necessary - discount applied during checkout
PLUS
CLEARANCE (scarves, felted bowls & more) – prices reflects 50% discount

 Storybeader - Handmade journals and paper goods for the art lover
Black Friday (11/29) through the middle of December (12/15)
20% off all items
Contact Deb and I'll make your purchase a special order.

 PruittCreations - Free Coffee Cozy ($6 value) with any purchase over $5 on Small Business Saturday Nov. 30th. List color preference in the notes to the seller. I will try to accommodate.

abigailJayneART - Free shipping on any purchase on Small Business Saturday. Use coupon code ShippingZero.

Eyelah
Use code HOLIDAY30 for 30% off
Open between 11/22-12/22

Thanksgiving Travels

For the Thanksgiving holiday, Jesse and I traveled to Missouri to see my parents. It was so great to get away for a few days! Here are a few photos from our trip...

This is a bridge at Kansas City that I always think is so cool and I remembered to get a picture this time. I've always wondered if the cables actually serve a purpose or if they're simply decoration.

We got put to work the first day we were down there, but that was okay with us. (good workout!) We helped my parents blow the leaves out of their yard and into piles. Boy do they have leaves!!! The front yard was a piece of cake, but the back yard was completely full! After we blew the leaves as far as we could, my dad had the brilliant idea to rig up a plow on his Ranger to push the leaves! See where I get my creativity from :)

After a hard day of work, we were rewarded with a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. My mom went all out with homemade everything! Her stuffing was awesome and the chocolate pecan pie was delicious!

 On Friday we did a little shopping, but no crazy 4 am deals. We just ran errands and had a nice lunch. On our way home we stopped at one of the local wineries and took a tour and did some tasting. They had a laser engraving area set up in their winery! I got to talk with the guy running it for quite a while and thought it was so cool they had someone right there engraving orders!

The best part was waking up each morning to this beautiful view!

It was great to see my parents over this extended weekend and you can guarantee we'll be back for a visit real soon :)

Thankful :)

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope you are enjoying time with family and eating lots of great food! We have a busy weekend planned around our house! We get a much needed 4-day weekend!!! *Yesterday we had a get together at our house after work. It's always fun to spend time with the people we work with OUTside of work :) We get to relax and have fun! *Today we are going to my grandparents' house for Thanksgiving with my extended family :) Can't wait to see everyone! *Friday I will be one of the crazies out shopping for Black Friday! What's even crazier...Jesse might go with me! This could prove to be a very interesting trip!

Then we have Thanksgiving with his brothers that night. *Saturday we have Thanksgiving with Jesse's extended family in the late afternoon and then a birthday party that evening. *Sunday's plans are to RELAX!!! I am very thankful for this time off work to relax and spend time with my family! What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

I don't need a day like Thanksgiving to remind me of all I have to be thankful for, but I thought I'd take today to share a few of the things I am thankful for everyday :)

1. Family
2. Jesse
3. Harley
4. Scrapbooking
5. Etsy
6. Friends-Both local and online
7. Internet
8. Bubble Baths
9. A Warm House...Newly Updated
10. My Health
11. My Job
12. Technology

I could go on and on! I am so thankful to live the happy life that I love! Any time I get down, I just need to take a quick look at this list :)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with many blessings!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

This week's EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival is hosted by MysticWynd. And our two selections are: 1) Most countries around the world have a day set aside to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Here in the US, it's Thanksgiving. What do you celebrate wherever you live and how do you celebrate? 2) The holiday season will soon be here - what's your favorite holiday movie or special? Why? Every Thanksgiving my family gathers at my grandparents house for a wonderful feast and family time :) I love seeing the whole family together to give thanks! I get to see my younger cousins and some of the family that live further away. I am fortunate to have most of my family near by :) The only thing that could make it better is if my parents could be there! But I'll get to see them for a wonderful visit at Christmas!!! I'm counting down the days!!! We also get together with Jesse's family. We usually have to go separate ways on Thanksgiving Day as everything seems to be scheduled at the same time! But we are able to get together with his other side of the family over the weekend. Once again there is a wonderful feast and family time. Someone usually brings a fun game to play and we hang out all night :) To me the holidays are all about Family! And family is the thing I am most thankful for!!!