Can I press pause on life for just a moment?

The minutes and seconds and hours and days are speeding by me faster than I can even count.

And sometimes?

Just between us?

I’m so busy with life that I forget to be present. I forget to be mindful. I forget to appreciate the incredible joy that is all around me.

In the here.

In the now.

In every minute of every day.

Like the crisp clear morning I woke up to. Like the hot, yummy fresh cup of coffee I’m enjoying right now laughing and smiling and planning the day with the cutest pair of twinkling eyes. Like the egg-white omelet with grilled chicken and spinach and salsa that I just ordered. Like all the possibilities and all the amazing minutes that are just around the corner waiting to be experienced.

And so today?

To celebrate this minute of this hour of this day, I’m going to take you on a fall tour of my house (with TONS of pictures) and count all my thankfuls one by one.

Are you ready?

Wait.

Let me get more coffee.

Okay.

Now LET’S GO.

All my thankfuls: 

1.  I’m thankful I am the keeper of the house I grew up in.

2.  I’m thankful for a house with a hitching post.

3.  I’m thankful I kissed that twinkly-eyed date on the curb right outside the window where I’m typing this post.

4.  I’m thankful he survived my pancakes.

5.  I’m thankful I have the most understanding mother on the planet.

6.  I’m thankful for Buddy and all the presents that he gives us (and leaves behind).

7.  I’m thankful for stinky socks.

8.  I’m thankful for the feet that wear them.

9.  I’m thankful those feet have started doing their own laundry.

10.  I’m thankful for peanut butter and jelly.

11.  I’m thankful for macaroni and cheese.

12.  I’m thankful I have a kitchen that’s met both of them.

13.  I’m thankful for cool crisp afternoons and falling leaves.

14.  I’m thankful for golden retrievers who love to roll around in the middle of them.

15.  I’m thankful I’ve lost 105 pounds and discovered cute clothes.

16.  I’m thankful for the color orange and that it showed up in my living room this year.

17.  I’m thankful for songs that get stuck in my head and a husband that loves when I hum them.

18.  I’m thankful for wooden stands and blue and white stripes and toile pumpkins.

19.  I’m thankful for sweater weather and boots that zip and purple nail polish.

20.  And I’m thankful for you. This blog? This platform? This business that brings me more joy than I ever imagined?

It’s all because of you.

Thank you for showing up.

Thank you for encouraging me.

And when I count my thankfuls?

You are at the top of my list. 🙂

PS What are you thankful for today?

 

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Comments

  1. Image for Michelle Andres Michelle Andres

    I'm thankful for so many things, too. One of them is your lovely light you shine wherever you go. It was a wonderful way to begin this day. Blessings to you in every season, KariAnne!

  2. Image for Linda Linda

    I’m thankful that I discovered your blog a few years ago. Your upbeat personality shines through every day. Thank you for helping to start my day on a positive note!

  3. Image for Debbie Debbie

    Your home is lovely. I especially love the blue and white and orange, I am a color girl at heart. Thank you for sharing your life and fantastic ideas with us. When I’m down, you lift me up. Thank you for that.

  4. Image for Robin Plummer Robin Plummer

    KariAnne, I like to read your funny stories about life and see pictures of your lovely home. It's truly a place that supports your love of ideas and let's them come to life and surround your family and friends. My house is not decorated as lovely as yours but it's home and I have more ideas than time. Maybe one day there will be more time to decorate. Thanks so much for sharing!

  5. Image for Be Be

    Loved the tour as always. Thankful you remind us to use Gods creation to decorate with and that you are reminding us to be thankful each day.

  6. Image for Cindy D Cindy D

    I'm thankful to have such a wonderful family who gets me and my wierdness. But right now, I am so thankful that I found two french chairs to makeover when all I've been seeing is just one when I need two for my living room makeover. I am beyond excited to dive into this project. And I am also thankful for you, because you always make me smile.

  7. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    Such a beautiful home! I am thankful for you and your blog which brings laughter, smiles, tears and joy. Plus decorating and clothing links :)

  8. Image for Donnie Donnie

    Oh my word, we have been “friends” so long I recognize so many of the items in your rooms. Like seeing old friends again who have gotten a new attitude. Loved your rooms, so warm and yet so pretty. Loved your list of thankfuls - aren’t we so blessed. Happy Fall.

  9. Image for Sara Sara

    If I watch the video, I can’t find the link where to buy things. I’m watching on my iPad on your blog. Can you advise how to find the links. There is nothing below the video. Thanks

  10. Image for Robin Elder Robin Elder

    I’m fairly new to your blog, maybe I shouldn’t ask….but how did you lise weight? You look great! I’m not on FB, or anything. I can only be reached by email or text. Thanks

  11. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    You have a lovely home and thank you for sharing it with us. I'm thankful that I'm a child of God and have a wonderful family.

  12. Image for Cindy McTigue Cindy McTigue

    I'm thankful for so many things in my life. Thankful for watching our fur babies play in the leaves and having fun. Thankful I can sing out loud and not be able to carry a tune and my husband doesn't care. I'm thankful for candles, and baking an cooking. Of course, I am thankful for, YOU! To help me find my way!

  13. Image for Mary Anne Russo Mary Anne Russo

    Such a lovely home! What a wonderful time of year to reminds us to be thankful for all we have! I'm also thankful to you for always sharing and pouring into all of us a sense of home and family!

  14. Image for Carol Carol

    Kari Ann Woke up this morning a bit grumpy, read you dear blog and enjoyed tour , thank you, thank you . We have so much to be grateful for.

  15. Image for Elaine Cunningham Elaine Cunningham

    I’m thankful that you write just like you are talking to me. If I wrote, I’d do it the same way. I’m thankful for my yummy lunch of salad with tuna on top and that I haven’t gotten tired of eating it. I’m thankful for the lilac sweater that I bought on sale in summer that I’m wearing on this cool day.

  16. Image for Mary Mary

    I am thankful that you reminded us today to be thankful!!! Sometimes it’s easy to forget that. Your home is so lovely!

  17. Image for Lisa Thoreson Lisa Thoreson

    Thank you for sharing! Thank you for always being real. I am thankful for so much - thank you for reminding me!

  18. Image for Jan Jan

    I just saw that little white antique chest in your hallway beside the office door and it just looks happy, like it's smiling. It has such a sweet expression on it's face and I know it's thankful that it now lives with the Woods family in their lovely home and was rescued from whatever flea market or yard sale where you found it. You gave it a lovely new coat and it just looks happy and proud. I'm so thankful that I found your blog several years ago and that I know when I read it everyday it's like sitting down with a friend who listens and makes you laugh and smile. Thanks Karianne for all you do for so many people everyday. Love ya!

  19. Image for Patti Smith Patti Smith

    This past year has been difficult for a a lot of people for so many reasons but focusing on our blessings is always the key! It will be 400 years this fall since the first Thanksgiving dinner with whom the Indians and Native Americans celebrated. Our family is going to start a tradition of reading Psalms 100 at our Thanksgiving dinner. That Psalm was read when the pilgrims got off the Mayflower, in which only half of the passengers survived Our family descended from Stephen Hopkins, one of the passengers and signers of the Mayflower compact. Maybe some others will join and read Psalms 100. A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

    1. Image for Ann C Ann C

      I’d never heard that Psalm 100 was read when the pilgrims arrived. I looked the scripture up. What a fitting reading for Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing. 😍🙏

  20. Image for Karen S LaFranca Karen S LaFranca

    OK Karianne...this is my first comment EVER. Not just on your blog, but ANYWHERE! You bring sunshine and joy to all who read your blogs, and I believe you have a beautiful and old soul that will continue beyond this earthly plane and inspire whatever and whomever is beyond it, and I am not a religious or even a spiritual person. I don't necessarily like your basic color style (blue and white) of decorating, but I almost always find something of inspiration: an idea (decorating or otherwise) that can be modified, a chuckle, a heartwarming memory, a reminder of what's important in life, or simply a recipe or flower arrangement. You have made a positive impression on my life and...I am thankful for you!

  21. Image for Pamela Smith Pamela Smith

    Beautiful pictures and home! I am thankful for so many things, my family being the highest! I am thankful for your blog, your sweet spirit and all your amazing ideas you share.

  22. Image for Ann C Ann C

    I’m thankful for good health, great faith in a loving God, healthy children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and grateful for a warm home with a sturdy roof. Oh and friends and family who love me just the way I am.

  23. Image for francis c moore francis c moore

    I am thankful that as I approach my 79th birthday I am blessed to sew almost every day for a charitable cause. Today and yesterday I made 8 pillowcases for a charity here in my community. The day before I sewed sanitary pads to be sent to girls in Africa so that they can go to school. These pads are made of flannel and quilt batting and can be washed and reused. I am thankful I have made hundreds of dresses for the girls also. I finished a lap size quilt last week and donated it to ASG to be given to a hospital for hospice care. Every day God Is good to me and lets me continue my work which I have been doing for twenty-five years since retiring from teaching. Praise His name.

    1. Image for Nancy Nancy

      Francis, do you have links for the organizations you sew for? I have made quilts for Quilts For Kids and have batting and fabric leftover!

  24. Image for Katy Katy

    Your thoughts and your home are equally wonderful KariAnne. Thanks for sharing your terrific home with its many treasures and comfy, enveloping autumnal feel. You gave us many insights into your personal reasons for gratitude and they were delightful. We share many of the same ones. I’m especially grateful for family at this time. Hugs!

  25. Image for Edie Edie

    Keri Anne, Your home is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photos. Congratulations on your weight loss! Wow. You must have will power. Enjoy the cool weather. My gratitude list grows every day. God has truly blessed me and my family and I have to give Him the glory.

  26. Image for Laura Laura

    I’m thankful for your blog. It gives me great joy and thanks for sharing your life. I love reading Saturday’s blog with a cup of hot tea in my living room.

Comments are closed.