Thank you notes: little bits of gratitude from November
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.
I build the Thank You Notes posts around the photos I’ve taken over the month. While I have much to celebrate this month, I find I took very few pictures…and none of the people in my life. Please know that I am deeply grateful for the many friends and family that grace my life. A big thank you to all of you!
Now on to the photos…
Thank you Cheesecake Factory…
…for the truly delectable pumpkin cheesecake. Even though the photo quality is less than perfect, you were everything I hoped for. Thank you taste buds for allowing me to enjoy this treat. And thank you friends from EMI Health for a delightful lunch date.
Thank you Coral Canyon Trail…
…for the easy-to-access beautiful place to walk. Thank you Mother Nature for the perfect walking weather on this day, with just the right ratio of clouds to blue sky. And thank you healthy body for taking me there.
Thank you sunset…
…for this beautiful end to another lovely day. Thank you Southern Utah home for providing shelter in such awe-inspiring surroundings. Thank you pension plan for making this retirement possible.
Thank you Thanksgiving Day clouds…
…for surrounding the sun to create this eye-catching scene. Thank you Mike and Linda for inviting us to join you on a Thanksgiving morning walk. And, even though I failed to take a single photo, thank you for an enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner.
Thank you Courtney…
…for sending this great photo of three of our granddaughters. Thank you Piper, Kanyen, and Emery…and all the unpictured grandchildren…for bringing such joy to my life. And thank you Universe for the love of family. [Note to my kind readers: I bent the rules to include this photo taken by someone else, because I just could not miss the opportunity to include gratitude for family in my November Thank You Notes post. And one more thing, in case you are concerned, that’s juice in those young ladies’ glasses.]
Thank you Christmas…
…for the festive decorations, clothing, and music. Thank you to everyone who shares my joy of the season. And thank you to my husband…who is less enthusiastic about it…for humoring me.
Your turn
And now I pass the pen to you…
- What are you thankful for this month…no matter how small or large?
- When was the last time you sent or received a handwritten thank-you note?
- Where do you fall on the holiday enthusiasm scale?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
What are you thankful for this month…no matter how small or large? We had more sunny warmer-than-usual days in November and we were able to sit outside on the deck at night as the sun set. It was mellow and inspiring.
When was the last time you sent or received a handwritten thank-you note? My understanding about handwritten thank you notes is that many people now find them pretentious and think less of you for sending them. I no longer send them, choosing to text a “thank you” instead which seems to be well received by all.
Where do you fall on the holiday enthusiasm scale? I am not big on this time of year. It seems forced to me, BUT I don’t begrudge anyone who loves it and encourage them to go all out. Whatever floats your boat.
Sunsets on the deck sound lovely, Ally. We’ve had some beautiful weather as well…and none of the inversion I’ve grown used to in winters past. One of the many reasons I love Southern Utah.
In general, I prefer texting my thank yous as well. For one thing, it’s more immediate. Most recently we received a thank-you note for funeral flowers and one from a company we did business with.
While I do love the holiday trappings, I have simplified in recent years, and I am happy with that decision. To your point, I skip anything that feels forced or not joyful.
Hi Christie – loved your thank you notes as usual. Your grandgirls are gorgeous and very colour co-ordinated in their beige outfits. I laughed at your Christmas joy and being married to someone who’s a little less enthusiastic about it all…… my poor husband is all set to climb into our roof cavity to retrieve my Christmas tree and decorations this weekend – and then participate in the “joy” of setting it all up 😀
And yes, thank you to for retirement funds that allow for this wonderful life we’re living. x
I hadn’t noticed the granddaughters’ color coordination, Leanne. It did make a lovely photograph. Good luck to you and your husband in getting up the Christmas decorations. Tis the season!
Hi Christie, Sounds like you’ve had a lovely November. I recently received an email thank-you note from an organization that I did business with. I have moderate enthusiasm about the holidays. I enjoy viewing outdoor lights, Christmas trees and storefront displays that people have set up. #WWWhimsy
I too enjoy viewing the Christmas trees, lights, and displays around town and in the neighborhoods. I’m pretty low-key on my own decorations, but I enjoy having the Christmas tree up. Years ago, I used to decorate the whole house, but I don’t have the energy or the desire to do that anymore.
You really do have a lot to be thankful for! I’m thankful this month for my health, especially after being sick. It also makes me realize how I take for granted when I feel good.
Call me old fashioned, but I still like handwritten thank you notes. I recently sent a hand written note to my work after they surprised me with a 25th anniversary celebration in my honor.
And lastly, I am a Christmas girl all the way! Christmas Day is nice, ( I love your annual luncheon) but I love everything about the entire season. I’m pretty sure Mark would be happy if we kept it to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I tease him that he’s the Grinch.
I am glad that you are feeling better, Cindy, and I agree we usually take it for granted when we feel healthy. I’ve been trying to be more mindful and appreciative about that recently.
I like a heart-felt thank you note, whatever form it is sent in, electronic or handwritten. I’m sure your employer appreciated your appreciation. 😊
I’m with you when it comes to Christmas. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top for me, but I just love all the small pleasures of the season…the music, the lights, the treats, holiday nails…the little things. I also look forward to our family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I always enjoy your thank you notes Christie as they make me smile and pause to think about what I’m thankful for too! Your granddaughters are beautiful, what a fun happy photo to have.
I’m thankful for so much at the moment but mainly that I’m healthy and enjoying my fitness studio. I didn’t think I’d be so into it but the ‘community’ of other women makes it fun and a joy to join in.
As to Christmas I love that it’s a way my family can all be together at the beach this year. We have a few decorations up in our house but because we’re going away we haven’t gone all out – not that we ever do!
Thank you, Debbie. I’m glad you’re enjoying the community of women at your fitness studio. That makes it good for your physical and mental health. Win-win! Have so much fun at the beach with your family this Christmas. That sounds like a lovely way to spend the holiday.
Hi, Christie – There are so many wonderful things for us to be thankful for. I especially love your holiday-themed socks…and that your husband supports your love of the Christmas season because of his love for you.
Thank you, Donna. I am pretty lucky in the husband department. I hope all is well with you and that you have much for which to be grateful this season.
😀
Hi Christie, those are beautiful things to be thankful for. Your pictured granddaughters are beautiful! I’m very thankful that Mum wasn’t more seriously hurt in her fall from bed and I’m very very thankful that we found a beautiful Aged Care facility for her that we are all very happy with. Thanks so much for linking up with #WWWhimsy Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Min. I am glad to hear you found a good care facility for your mum. I know how important that is. Here’s to a peaceful December!
I simply love gorgeous stationery, so am sad about the death of thank you notes. Texts/emails simply don’t have the same aesthetics. Fortunately I receive lovely scribbled notes from my grandchildren, all of which I keep 🙂
On the final day of November, I signed up to work with a new business coach. I’ve really felt the lack of someone to work with 1:2:1, so have my buzz back just anticipating the start of our work next week.
You have a good point, Debs, that that electronic messages lack the aesthetics of special stationery. I too have some of the sweetest handwritten notes from my grandchildren that I treasure. Good luck with your new coach. I look forward to hearing more about that. Happy December!
Somehow I managed to read but not respond to this Christie! Sorry, I’m so late to the party. You have wonderful things to be thankful for, especially your beautiful granddaughters! I’m thankful for so much. The people in my life, the ability to continue learning and growing, the opportunities that come my way, my family! Whose blog was I reading in the last week that talked about gratitude, being thankful and what was the third? Feeling blessed, perhaps? It was wonderful and now I can’t seem to find it. But I will eventually come across it again. I know I will. You didn’t write that, did you? Anyway, it was wonderful and that’s what this post reminds me of. Mona
Thanks for coming back to comment, Mona. You do, indeed, have much to be grateful for. I too appreciate all the things you listed here. I don’t think the specific blog post you were looking for is one of mine, but I do enjoy the gratitude posts, so if you see it again, let me know.