Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

I am THANKFUL for...

MY RELATIONSHIP with GOD
I had so much fun going through all of my 2013 blog posts this week.  Since it is the month of Thanksgiving,  I decided to pick out some of the things which happened during 2013 so far for which I am thankful ....  Of course,  there were WAY too many to put in one post --so I just picked out some to share with you today.

Hope you enjoy my post. The list is not in any specific order.   Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.  AND--I encourage you,  as you read this post,  to think of all of the ways you are thankful. 


GEORGE  (Taken on his birthday at DeSoto Falls State Park, Alabama)



My SONS and Families (Flowers were a gift from son, Mark, on my birthday)



SNOW  (Hope we get more this winter than we did last winter!!!!)



GOOD HEALTH  (So glad I can still hike and enjoy nature;  This was at Tallulah Gorge, GA)



FRIENDSHIP  (With two of our good friends,  Neal and Patti Treadway);  I am truly thankful for all of YOU --and the friendships we have together through blogging.  Thanks!



OUR HOME and FLOWERS 
There is so much to be thankful for in this photo.   Our home got new paint in 2012 and a new roof in 2013.  We have flowers blooming in most all seasons (Crocus, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Phlox, CandyTuft,  Tulips, Lilies, Daylilies, ROSES, Irises, Pansies,  etc. etc. etc.)...  Can't choose a favorite --except for the ROSES,  which are AMAZING.


WATERFALLS   (Crabtree Falls,  North Carolina--during heavy rain)



OCEAN ISLE BEACH,  North Carolina
We get to the beach a couple of times a year --and love it there.  Besides just enjoying the beach,  we LOVE the SEAFOOD in that area!  For this,  we are truly thankful!!!!


SUNRISES and SUNSETS  (This sunset was taken at Mt. Nebo, Arkansas)



BILTMORE  (So thankful that we have season's passes.  We love their sunflowers --and all of their flowers!!)



MOONBOW (at Cumberland Falls State Park, KY)
Seeing the MOONBOW (a rainbow at night) was an absolute highlight of the year for me.   We had never seen the moonbow before ---so this was a wonderful experience for us on our Anniversary this year.  It was pitch-black DARK outside when George took this 2-minute exposure.  Amazing,  isn't it?


the SCHOONER ALLIANCE  (Yorktown,  VA)
Besides seeing the Moonbow in June,  another very special highlight of 2013 was taking a Sunset Cruise on the Schooner Alliance,  when we were on our September Virginia/West Virginia/Maryland trip.  Cruising on the Alliance will definitely be a 2013 highlight for me for which I am extremely thankful.


MOUNTAINS  (along Blue Ridge Parkway)
We are definitely blessed to live in such a beautiful area of our country.  We enjoy the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains off and on during the entire year.


SEASONS of the YEAR  (Fall on the Cumberland Plateau)
I love all SEASONS --especially Spring and Fall.  MANY of my blog posts throughout the year are showing the season changes in our area... SO SPECIAL!!!!!  I am SO thankful for our four seasons.


US  (taken at our little cabin at Mt. Nebo, Arkansas)
This is listed last,  but to me --other than God in our lives,  George, and our lives together are what I am MOST thankful for.  We have had another amazing year together.

Well---that's our year (SO FAR) in a nutshell ---and we truly do have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  I have left out one category (can you guess what it is?????) ---and will feature it on Friday.

Hope you have enjoyed seeing my special Thanksgivings.   Now---jump over to my Photo Blog for one more gorgeous photo from Biltmore in 2013.  Click  HERE.

Hugs,

56 comments:

Twilight Man said...

I love this post with so many sweet photos that could speak a thousand happy words! You raised my eye brows by saying "MY RELATIONSHIP with GOD" and I should be saying my own prayer of thanks too!

I wish both George and yourself to have continued robust health so that we could enjoy your many more photos!!!

Ms. A said...

Many wonderful things on your list to be thankful for. You are a lucky woman.

Our photos said...

Your photos for today are beautiful!


Linda P said...

A lovely post of God-given, joyful days in 2013, Betsy. May you and George continue to receive from Him health, strength, love and grace so that you can enjoy many more. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and for your blog friendship. Happy Thanksgiving!

Regina said...

Beautiful post Betsy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Regards.

Regina
xo

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, you are blessed! Lovely images! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Out on the prairie said...

Very nice to have such a great year, I hope you have many more like this.

Arkansas Patti said...

Yes you do have so much to be thankful for and that you recognize and appreciate them is just one more thing.
You do enjoy your life and I enjoy your letting us tag along.

Tabor said...

You ARE blessed. But what is better isthatyou know it.

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
What a great post! I am scratching my head over the category you missed out!! I look forward to reading about it on Friday though! I have never seen a moonbow and haven't heard of one either, how cool is it?! amazing! love the pic of you in the sunflowers! x x x

linda m said...

What a great post. You and I share many things in common that we are thankful for. What I am most thankful for is God, my husband, my son and his family and my health. Looking forward to see what Friday's category is.

I Am Woody said...

So many things to be thankful for indeed!!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

You have much to be thankful for and thank you for sharing.

FlowerLady

Joy said...

You really had so many to thank about:) awesome things and happenings:)

Shug said...

Much to be thankful for....you have had a beautiful year with many blessings. So sweet to see the smiles on your face in these photos. I'm thankful that you share these happy times with us and that we get to see such beautiful places through your photos...
enjoy today and let that smile keep on beaming...
hugs
Shug

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Yes, you have lots to be thankful for - and you are! I especially like your yard - you both have worked hard and spent $ to make it beautiful. A truly nice yard for Fairfield Glade. Happy for you both in your success. Have a great day!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You are indeed blessed, my friend, and we love that you share some of your blessings (travels) with us! Here's to continued blessings and good health for you and George!!

I'm probably wrong, but I'm thinking I might know what your missing category is!

Have a lovely day!

MadSnapper said...

you do have so much to be thankful for.. good idea for the post. I loved your post on Talullah falls..and my favorite of these photo is the only little petunia in the sunflower patch

Small Kucing said...

So happy to see both of your photos. I hope when am your age I could say I have no regrets in this world n be thankful

David said...

Betsy, What a nice and sentimental blog! Heck, I'm just thankful that I wake up every morning... All the rest of it is a plus! In addition to many of the things and people that you're thankful for...(me too)...I'm thankful that we were able to retire with enough resources to be able to enjoy these final chapters of our lives. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Terry and Linda said...

I enjoyed this very much!

Thank you Betsy!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Fun60 said...

Such an excellent list but the moonbow is a first for me. I have never heard of this before.

happyone said...

All wonderful things to be thankful for. We are all so blessed. : )

Rose said...

Beautiful post, Betsy...anyone born in the United States has a lot to be thankful for, no matter what else is going on in our life. Almost any time I am facing difficulties/sickness, I think to myself that I could be living in a war torn country, or in a country where food is so scarce my children are starving...

I think what you are going to focus on on Friday is family.

Rose said...

Or is the third thing living in the United States? I was going literal by your last comment on other than God in our lives, G and our lives together....etc....

Small City Scenes said...

Wonderful post, Betsy.
We all can be thankful for all that is in our lives.
Like you I am thankful for my relationship with God, my family and extended family, my health, my friends and living in the good old U.S. of A. Much more too.
MB

Ann said...

that some list of things to be thankful for and beautiful shots to go with them

Big Dude said...

Love your list Betsy

Mary said...

A great many blessings! I hope that God continues to bless you and George every day!

Chatty Crone said...

What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful post!

Connie said...

You are indeed richly blessed, Betsy! I enjoyed seeing these photos from the last year. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pat Tillett said...

You have a lot to be grateful for and so do I. Nice post Betsy!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

George is talented, I never seen a moon bow. You are blessed and I enjoy the photos of your blessings

DeniseinVA said...

A sweet post Betsy, with so many amazing photographs. That moonbeam is a treasure. I've never seen one before and always thought they were the stuff of fairytales. What an incredible gift to actually see one. Yes, so many things to be thankful for. You and George are such a blessing to each other :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Thanks for the walk down memory lane.We all have so much to give thanks for. Hey,Betsy,thinking of you tonight.We have beautiful snowfall right now.Everything is covered. So pretty.

Terra said...

I like your photos and words explaining them, as you list things you are thankful for. The big white waterfall, your pretty green home and flowers, the schooner cruise. What a bouquet of blessings, and we know the Source of those blessings.

The Furry Gnome said...

Love your attitude; you're an inspiration.

Andrea said...

I fully agree with you Betsy, and the happiness are all over you in all your shots. So stay positive, your consciousness full of love and light, and that ensures your happy future.

By the way, I just realized that you are a tall woman, hehe!

Anonymous said...

Oh what fun to see the year in review. Such pretty photos. I am blessed to know you and George. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,

What a lovely post, to see your review. We have so much to be Thankful for :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful series of the photos! love the color of autumn..

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

You have had a very fun year. Great thankfuls.

Anonymous said...

So many beautiful moments to be thankful for! Lovely shots.

Janice K said...

You have been blessed to be a blessing, and you are.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

This is a great post, Betsy. It's amazing how much we have to be thankful for. We just need to take the time to realize it and then to thank God, from whom all blessings flow.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

you have much to be thankful for. we all do. i understand why folks take the time to be thankful in November. but i really really try to be thankful all year. because it is so important. i am blessed beyond means. ( :

although we are all blessed in our own ways - different is good. & that is ok. we have to remember to be thankful for each other & for what we each have. so important. so above it all.

Linda G. said...

You have much to be thankful for :-)

Hootin Anni said...

I posted one last post for the week, and am now stopping by some blogger friends and you're on my list...


...sending along a:
Happy Thanksgiving to you since I'm not gonna be online next week!!! Hope it's safe, happy, and healthy!

LV said...

You covered it very well. I do not care what others think, you two were made for each other. Together picked a perfect spot for your home to share your lives. You are truly blessed. May you both continue to have good health. That is so important.

diane b said...

You do have much to be thankful for and I think that you deserve it. I hope you have another great year to be thankful for.

Susie Swanson said...

Oh I love this post. So many beautiful pics and blessings you've shown us. I too, have to many blessings to mention. It's been a wonderful year. Hugs, xo

Jazzmin said...

Such a delight to read of your blessings and things you have to be thankful! I love this time of year because I get to read thankfulness posts that are beautiful like yours. I too am so thankful for a relationship with God. Without Him, I think of how we would have none of the other blessings we are thankful for :)

Enjoyed all your wonderful photos, as always! And I love the things you have added to the side of your blog and the new header you have added since the last time I had a chance to visit.

Hugs and wishes to you for a great weekend!
~Jazzmin

Neal said...

Very enjoyable! Patti and I both consider it such a blessing that we met you two.

Sally Wessely said...

You are blessed indeed. Thank you for blessing us with your presence in our lives. Thank you for your positive, uplifting attitude. Thank you for your sense of fun. Thank you for seeing beauty, for being able to capture it in your lens, and for sharing it with us.

The photo of the seasons is spectacular. Not that the others weren't, but that one really stood out.

The photo of you and George together on the rock wall at your little cabin should be on your Christmas card this year.

Hugs. I'm thankful for YOU!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Betsy, You and George make such a beautiful couple. You both are so blessed to have each other. I am so thankful to have you as a blogging friend. You have lifted my spirits many time over this last year. Thank you.

Betty Manousos said...

you're blessed, betsy! you do have much to be thankful for! we all do.

i just wanted to let you know that you've been a blessing to me.
your photos are superb!
loved this post!

big hugs!