Thank you notes – August 2023
It’s easy to get so caught up in the hustle of life that we forget to appreciate the small miracles that happen every day. I created the monthly Thank You Notes post to help me relive the happy moments, savor the gratitude, and share them with you. I hope they also inspire you to think about what you have to be grateful for and share them with us.
August was another joy-filled month. It took tremendous self-restraint to keep this post to a reasonable size, but I think I managed it. Fingers crossed!
Thank you Brooke…
…for inviting me to your wedding shower, and more importantly, for loving our grandson and not being scared off by our crazy (and I mean that in the nicest way) family. Of course, you’ve been part of the family for a long time…but soon you’ll be legally obligated to claim us! [Full disclosure: this shower actually took place in July, but I’d already posted July’s Thank You Notes by then.]
Thank you Adaline…
…for the farm-fresh eggs. I was unreasonably happy about the variety of color. And, of course, you are the cutest “farmer” I have every met. Having the opportunity to visit with you and your mom made these eggs that much better.
Thank you green-thumbed neighbors…
…for generously sharing your bountiful harvests. This is just one of many garden-goody deliveries we received this month. Produce fresh from the earth tastes so much better than anything you can buy in a grocery store.
Thank you Linda…
…for a lovely visit and for encouraging me and Larry to visit the natural beauty in our own backyard that we tend to take for granted, including Snow Canyon State Park (pictured here). Oh, and thank you Larry for your selfie skills.
Thank you Veyo Pies…
…for the most delicious homemade chicken pot pie for lunch and the equally amazing coconut cream pie we brought home to share later with friends. It was well worth the journey, especially considering how beautiful the drive was.
Thank you Zion National Park…
…for inspiring such awe. Mother Nature really outdid herself with this one. We are incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Prepare for picture overload…and if you are ever anywhere near Southern Utah, please include Zion National Park on your itinerary and experience it for yourself.
Thank you Zion Mountain Ranch…
…for this delightful surprise as we exited the park on the east side…a roaming herd of buffalo. Thank you Randy and Becky for the tip.
Thank you Strawberry Point…
…for the impressive view of Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, and the surrounding areas. I’m not sure why Mother Nature was so kind as to overload Southern Utah with her beauties, but I am forever grateful. Speaking of beauty…
Thank you small beauties…
…for reminding me that something doesn’t have to be large or powerful to spread joy. These delicate Desert Willow flowers on the trail caught my eye and literally had me stopping to smell the flowers. They definitely brought a smile to my face.
Your turn…
Well, that’s it for me and the many things I am grateful for in August. I’d love to hear what has you smiling. Please share one or more of your happy moments from this month in the comments.
What’s the problem with the colour (asking, no ‘tude)? Amazing scenery! #WWandPics
Hello Lydia! Are you asking about the color of the eggs? There is no problem with that. In fact, I love the pale blue and tan. It just made me happier than one would expect. I was thinking that stores must bleach their eggs, but after researching it, I guess the color of the eggs depends on the breed of chicken. I learned something new today!
Hi Christie – what a beautiful idea for a post! I found it so uplifting to read through such a wonderful bunch of thank you’s! My thank you would be to the Bunya Mountains for providing me with a beautiful few days of respite surrounded in gorgeous nature and wildlife which was just what I needed. xo
Hi Min. I just looked up some photos of the Bunya Mountains National Park. Just beautiful! Nature is so healing, isn’t it? I’m glad you got to spend some time there.
As always another uplifting Thank you notes post, Christie. You are surrounded by loving family and friends and inspiring natural beauty. What’s not to be thankful for? thanks for the reminder and have a lovely September. xx #wwandpics
Thank you, Sue. I am definitely surrounded by people I love and natural beauty. I truly am blessed. I saw on Facebook that you got back out for a run. I’m glad to see that you are feeling better. Happy September to you!
What a beautiful spot Christie – all that rock and blue sky! And I must say that I do love a chicken pot pie, and a new “official” granddaughter-in-law sounds lovely too. Lots to be thankful for in your neck of the woods. x
Yes, Leanne, I have much for which to be grateful. I see your August Living Lightly post is out. I’ll be heading over there soon to see what you’ve been up to this month. I love these opportunities to catch up with each other’s lives.
I love your concept of thank you notes for the month. You had a full and fabulous month and that scenery is the icing on the cake! Bernie
Thank you, Bernie. It truly was a delightful month. Here’s to a happy September!
So many wonderful things to be thankful for! We’re always thankful when friends and neighbors share their fresh eggs and produce with us and we just LOVE visiting national parks. Sadly, we haven’t made it out to Zion yet but it is definitely on my list.
I hope you do make it to Zion, Joanne. And if you do, please let me know. I’d be happy to make some recommendations for other things to see in the area, or even catch up to you for an in-person visit.
Oh, awesome! I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Christie, you have obviously had an incredible August with family, amazing natural scenery, and blue eggs!! Thanks for adding a bit of joy to my day.
We did have a lovely month, Suzanne. Here’s to a happy September!
I sure enjoyed seeing your Zion National Park pictures. My husband does not take much time off from work, so anytime I can see pictures of lovely places, I sure enjoy them. Seeing places through your lens is next to actually seeing it in person. When I can get my husband to take a vacation or retire, I will definitely add this to our list of ‘must sees’.
Take care and best wishes!
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Debra. One of the pleasures of retirement…and having a self-employed husband who can work remotely…is the flexibility to take day trips like this and also to travel further for occasional vacations. I hope you do make it out this way in person one day. Best wishes to you too!
I always love your idea of being thankful for so many things that I may take for granted. I love living in this beautiful area and am so happy that you enjoyed the Veyo Pies and the buffalo. Next drive up Cedar Mountain you must come see our cabin. There are some cool things to go see up there, it would be a fun day trip. Hope to see you again soon….oh and thanks for introducing us to Linda and sharing that lovely cream pie, it was delicious!!
You are welcome, Becky. It was fun to get everyone together over pie. We definitely want to visit your cabin. Maybe we can make it happen when we come back down next month.
Such a positive post to be reading on this last day of the month. You’ve had great one, love the photos of Zion National Park. It has a relaxing feel to it. I like pie so, of course, I think it’s beyond wonderful that you ate a savory and a sweet pie.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Ally. We did have a lovely month. And both pies were delicious. That may have been the first time I have eaten pie twice in one day. I have no regrets about doing it either!
So many beautiful pictures! Of course Addie’s one of my favorite little farmers too. I’m also glad you got to spend time with Linda. 🩵
Thanks Cindy. It was a great month. Next time you come to visit, let’s make time to at least drive through Zion. It is so beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing you and the family this weekend!
Wow, wow and even more for nature and her beauty. You capture your country’s rugged and interesting features so very well. Loved the little colour burst from nature and the eggs too! Love your Thank you notes.
Thank you for sharing your blog post this week at Denyse’s Words and Pics for #WWandPics. I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday if you choose to add a post. Warm wishes and appreciation from Denyse.
Thank you, Denyse. The views were stunning. Of course, the camera can’t duplicate the awe of seeing it in person, but it’s the next best thing for sure. Thanks for hosting the #WWandPics link-up.
Christie, Right now I’m grateful to our friends who let us evacuate the hurricane flood zone to their house. (Largest storm surge this area has seen in 25+ years). And another friend who stopped on her way back to the flood area to buy me sanitizing spray and a sprayer. And I’m grateful that our hurricane damage is minor. Exhausting to clean up but minor.
Southern Utah is absolutely stunning. It’s my second favorite trip we’ve ever taken (first fave is out African Safari). I hope to visit there again some day. How lucky for you to live so close.
I am so glad to hear that your hurricane damage is minor and that you had support from your friends. That must be so scary…and as you said exhausting. If you do make it to Southern Utah again someday, be sure to let me know of your plans. I’d love to connect.
Coconut cream pie sounds amazing! I haven’t been to Zion in a few years but it’s one of my very favorite places! My fav hike there is called observation point- it’s a long one but the views are incredible!
Hello Hannah! The coconut pie was indeed amazing. Hopefully, we will see you down south one day. XO
Hi Christie, I always feel uplifted by reading your thank you note posts and this month was no exception! You really do find gratitude everywhere, and family and nature are perfect. Lovely photos and happy faces 🙂
Thank you, Deb. I’m glad you enjoyed it. There are indeed things for which to be grateful all around us.