Dear Friends,
I’ve lost blogging momentum because of some health issues in our family and procedures during the holiday. My mind has been a little preoccupied. But on the morning of Thanksgiving, my husband and I enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood. The sun was shining and the temperature was invigorating and brisk. After turning a corner, we stumbled upon a van that invited passersby to write their gratitude on the colorful hand turkeys provided. Sharpies and hand sanitizer were also conveniently supplied. We gladly participated and added our turkey to the eye-catching and humbling collection. God Bless the owner of this van, for even in dark times there is much to be grateful for.


Just like many others, we were ready for some Christmas joy, so we bought our tree on black Friday and we’ve never seen the line so long! Patience really was a virtue that day! We call our tree the “Family tree” because most of the ornaments are homemade from our son and daughter when they were little. The angel on top is our daughter’s creation and there is no reason to replace it. Our senses are heightened by the Noble Fir fragrance and the room is cozier than ever now.


Copper enjoys the warmth and coziness of the fire,
but he prefers not to be too close to the snap, crackle,
and pop.

Lastly, WordPress tells me that I have a 10-year anniversary to celebrate! Time sure flies when you’re having fun creating, along with meeting wonderful people all around the world. So, Thank You, for your support and friendship!
I hope those of you in the U.S. had a wonderful Thanksgiving and wish you all a blessed Christmas and holiday season.
Stay safe and well, too! Lauren π
That Turkey idea was terrific. I’ll be it brought a lot of joy and thoughts of thanksgiving. We used to get Noble Firs when we lived in California. There is nothing like them. Thank you for the holiday blessings and I hope the health and family issues are behind you, Lauren.
Hi John, I wish I had thought of that turkey and gratitude idea. It’s really nice having the tree and decorations up, a little bit of festive joy. Unfortunately, the health issues aren’t over, just waiting test results. But we’re keeping positive thoughts because it’s the better alternative. Thanks for your comment and hope all is well with you.
Here’s praying forgood results.
Thanks, John!
That should be, I’ll bet.
I knew what you meant. π
Lovely Lauren. Hope the health issues are better and steph is ok
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Barbara, and Steph is fine. The health issues are new. β€οΈ
How lovely to have kept decorations carefully for so long. Congratulations as well on your tenth anniversary Lauren, I for one am grateful for your friendship. I just need to get my tree up now.
Those decorations mean the most to us and thanks for the congratulations wishes. I canβt believe ten years have gone by already and Iβm grateful for your friendship, too, Alison. I always appreciate your kind words. Have fun setting your tree up. ππ
Wishing you the same, Lauren! ππ
Thanks, Bette! Enjoy your holiday season! ππππ
Happy Thanksgiving and the Christmas season to follow. π
Thanks, Ian, and the same to you! πππ
i’m sorry it’s been so challenging lately, and looks like you have some wonderful things to celebrate –
Thanks, Beth. I appreciate your kind words and there is much to celebrate and be thankful for. Hope all is well with you. π
Lovely pics, Lauren… And I do hope things look better soon… Stay blessed and safe π€β€οΈππ
Thanks so much, Diana, for your lovely words. Take good care, too. πππ
Wrapping you all in much love, Lauren, always. I love the picture of Copper, your beautiful tree and the campy van of Thanksgiving. Feel the love β€ β€ β€ Xxxxx
I always love seeing you, Jane, and your beautiful words make my day. I feel the love. π Sending hugs, my friend. πππ
Your love has a special energy, my friend. Thanks to you I am going over a hurdle and releasing paperbacks. Huge gratitude to you. Xxxxx ππΊπ
Big hugs, Jane! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Wishing you good health and Christmas love. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lauren. Ten years with WordPress is awesome! Congratulations and wishing you many more.
Thanks for your compassionate words, Balroop, and yes, I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years. I had moments of possibly saying good-bye to blogland, but here I am still. π Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! ππ
Love the turkey thing. Say safe and well.
Finding that turkey gratitude van was a highlight, for sure. Thanks for your wishes, Andrew, and you do the same. π¦
The van idea was quite unusual. I hope your family’s health issues are soon resolved.
It sure was, and thanks, Binky. We hope so, too. Stay well!
Happy -belated- tenth anniversary here, Lauren!!!!! Here’s to many many more of those and here’s to joys form now on, my dearest friend!
Many hugs and love
and a special kiss to that precious model by the fire, Copper! π
xoxoxoxoxo
Hi Marina,
Thanks for your wishes, love, hugs, and a kiss for Copper! He’s blushing but is in heaven! π Sending love and hugs back to you! xoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
ππππ
β€οΈβ£οΈ
Dear Lauren,
Your tree is absolutely amongst the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Health may be a hard issue, but the feelings of love I get from you are a joyous issue.
Your home, Copper, the fire, and the turkey messages all belie the joy that awaits us next year, when this pandemic has been put to rest.
I’m sending you and yours my best wishes.
Whatever happens, your Christmas will be very cozy, and filled with love.
-Resa xoxo
Thanks, Resa, for your most beautiful and kind words. Love definitely lives within the walls of our home and helps sustain us as we await results. We don’t like the short days, but the coziness we welcome. Sending you the very same wishes for a cozy and loving holiday season. πππ
πππ πππ πππ
LOL! Happy !0th! xoxoxoxo
Haha! Thanks, my friend! πππ So happy to have connected with you! xoxo
Likewise!!!!!
Happy Tenth Anniversary Lauren. I hope all turns out well πππ
Thanks so much, Val, and I wish you a lovely holiday season, too. Stay well! ππππ
Lauren, I do hope whatever health issues you’re dealing with will resolve and that all will be well. Please feel free to text or email me anytime.
Your post is most enjoyable with its Christmas wishes and photos. Copper always appears to be such a sweet dog. π
Congratulations on ten years on WP!!
Sending love and hugs to you, my friend. π€π
Hi Betty, thanks for your caring comment and sorry for the late reply. I haven’t felt like doing much blogging. But I am about to do a post. Results are good but still with some gray area. So, we’re waiting…thanks about the photos and Copper is a sweetie even when he’s being annoying. π Haven’t you made it to ten years yet? I’m sure you’re ahead of me or not far behind. Love and hugs to you, too, and hope you both are doing okay…xoxoxo
I had my 9th “blogoversary” in August so you’ve been here more than a year longer. Apparently it took awhile for our paths to cross — glad they finally did! ππ
Love this post. Be well. Be blessed.
Thanks so much, Deborah. I appreciate your visit and kind words and wish you the same.
Congrats on 10th anniversary Lauren…..Christmas tree looks lovely
Thanks so much, Smitha, for your lovely comment. I will visit you soon because I’m a baker, too, following in my mom’s footsteps – however, not to the extent of your creations. Although, the cookies on my header are mine and a Christmas tradition. π Stay well and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too Lauren!
I hope everyone is on the mend Lauren. You’re blessed to be surrounded by such beauty. And congrats on your 10 year blogoversary. β€ xxx
Thanks, Debby, some things are good and new worries have surfaced. Sigh. What a year. One day at a time and many prayers, too. Thanks also for the congrats. I can’t believe 10 years have gone by already. Hope you’re doing well, also! xoxoxo
Oh for sure Lauren. That’s how I live now – one day at a time. I’ve surrendered the micro-managing. It is what it is and we have to make the best of things. Tough year for so many. Bright side, we getting close to the finish line, all of us. Let us all remain safe and well and soon give this year the boot! π Hugs β€ xoxo
Oh Copper is so gorgeous!! Mr. Cheddar and I send you warm hugs from BC Canada. Take care Lauren.
Aww, thanks, Geraldine, and it’s so nice to see you! Hope all is well and Copper and I send you and Mr. Cheddar hugs back. Although, he’d probably chase Mr. Cheddar! π Stay well and have a wonderful holiday season. ππ
Ten years is phenomenal Lauren, we are thankful for you xx Gorgeous tree.
Thanks so much, Charlotte, that’s so nice to “read” about my ten-year anniversary, and thanks about the tree, too. Hope all is well with you and George! ππ
Lauren, a lovely cheery post! I love your tree and how wonderful that all the decs are made by your children as young, so special and I bet you reminisce over many as you hang them up! The van with the messages is inspired … there is much isolation so great to see a little togetherness whilst still keeping safe, a reminder the community spirit is very much alive and as important as ever. Finally, congrats on your 10 year WP anniversary… that is fantastic and here is to the next ten years! πΎ π
Thanks for your lovely comment, Annika. Yes, we reminisce each holiday season as we hang those ornaments, very special, indeed. I’m glad you liked the van, too – what a wonderful idea to add some cheer and gratitude in this dismal year. Thanks for the anniversary wishes, too. Time sure flies! Hope you’re safe and doing well. Our daughter and son-in-law have covid, so until they’ve recovered, we’re holding our breath. ππ
Lauren, I’m so sorry your daughter and her husband are ill with the virus … wishing them a very quick recovery. A frightening time for you all. extra hugs winging their way to you. xx
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