Attitude of Gratitude 2009

It's that time of year when simple gratitude is too often overwhelmed by turkey and pumpkin pie, first snowfalls and striped scarves, whispers and giggles, excitement and dread over the days of celebration of twirling our way. This is the perfect set-up for the Thanksgiving Challenge. The gist of the challenge is to each day list three things for which one is grateful throughout the month of November. And each entry should be original - for example, one can be thankful for chocolate for 30 days, but it can only be listed once. The friend who issued this challenge has forewarned of possible side effects:

Please note that challenge participation may result in any or all of the following:
- you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you
- angels will attend
- you will feel help and comfort
- you may find yourself singing as the days go by
- your doubts will fly

So on this first day of November, I would like to share three things I am thankful for:

1. Jen's Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. To paraphrase one of my daughters, it will help me think what it is I need to remember to be grateful for.
2. The delicious smell of Fall - you know, when the autumn air is perfumed with a scent that is rich and crisp and golden?
3. Two tiny apple seeds deposited lovingly in a carved-out Halloween pumpkin. (So the pumpkin can grow into a tree that has apples!)