Thanksgiving 2016

  Ahhh Thanksgiving!!! My very favorite holiday. 

 There are no gifts to wrap, no eggs to hide, no cookies to make, and no candy to buy.

There is however pie! and rolls, and turkey, and green bean casserole, and. . . .well, you get my point.

(Speaking of pie, HERE is my family's traditional award-winning 'pie' recipe)

I just love Thanksgiving Time. 

 I love the decorations,

 the snow,

 olives on fingers,

spending time with family,

  and our annual game of Thanksgiving Bingo.

But the thing I like most about Thanksgiving is counting and focusing on the thousands of things God has given, and done for me.

There's just something about focusing on these blessings that makes me so happy.

I love that we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday first which gives us a chance to focus on the millions of little things God has blessed us with; and then immediately after, we head right into the Christmas season where we celebrate the Greatest Blessing of all, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Blessing Walk

 I recently read in a book an idea I absolutely love.  The author said her first thoughts on awakening before she even opens her eyes are to be thankful for everything she can think of.

I love the idea of counting your blessings and naming them one by one before your day really starts.

I decided to combine this practice with exercise.  I call it a Blessing Walk.  Each morning I've begun walking up the hill from my house, and as I walk I thank Heavenly Father for everything I can think of.  Trees, the mountains, the rain, my children, the deer, my feet, my health, etc.  I keep going until I my walk is over.

This has been an amazing way to start my day!

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love,"

President Thomas S. Monson