Gratitude Spiral: Day 231

Today, I’m grateful for gold paint.

Painting a whole rock with it makes the rock look like a fabled golden egg! New (to me) paint colors put a little excitement in a plain day. 🙂

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Spiral: Day 208

Today, I’m grateful for a talented friend.

She came for a socially distant visit on my back deck the other day. And she brought me this beautifully painted rock! What a blessing!

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Spiral: Day 174

Today, I’m grateful for the paint delivery I received yesterday.

The paint manufacturer was closed for a while, due to the current pandemic. So, my order sat in limbo. But now I have some new colors in a special type of paint for use on outdoor projects. I’m so excited!

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Spiral: Day 141

Today, I’m grateful for paint sealer and shellac.

I’ve been painting rocks lately and without the extra layer of sealer I wouldn’t be able to gift them to others or put them in my garden and ensure that the colors will last.  It’s been a fun new hobby!

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Spiral: Day 97

Today, I’m grateful for heart-shaped rocks.

I’ve got a small collection of them on the bookcase near my bed. I marvel at the little gifts they are to me when I spy them first thing in the morning. I have a collection of other rocks, too, and if they’re not shaped like hearts, then I just paint hearts on them. 😉

What are you grateful for today?

P.S. Wondering what a Gratitude Spiral is? Find the answer here.

Gratitude Spiral: Day 38

Today, I’m grateful for my standing magnifier.

I bought it in order to see details as I’m painting small rocks. But just yesterday, it served me well when I needed to remove a splinter from my finger. Such a simple tool. But so appreciated.

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Spiral: Day 36


Today, I’m grateful for paint.

Bottles, tubes, and cans of color just waiting for the right canvas, the spark of inspiration, the need for expression, or the prevailing mood. These days, my media are small, smooth rocks. Check them out here.  🙂

What are you grateful for today?

Thinking Outside

I saw on the news recently that being outdoors is good for one’s mental health. Duh! This is news? There’s something about the trees, the birds, the expansive sky above, the grass or the mountains under your feet. Right? Why do we need studies to prove what we all already know? Just stepping outside, after being cooped up in an office, in front of a computer screen, or in a house doing dishes and laundry, can make your whole being sigh!

So, I try to take daily walks outside, as much for my brain as for my body. When I finished walking this morning, I picked pea pods, a single cuke, a handful of raspberries, and a decent bowlful of blueberries from my gardens. And I brought them inside. But, as I passed all the flowers in the yard, it dawned on me that I never think to bring them inside. I know people who bring cut flowers in all the time. Why haven’t I? I had no answer for myself, so I grabbed the kitchen shears and went back outside to collect a bouquet.

My point is, if being outdoors can make you happy, then why not bring some of the outdoors in? I’ve got garden-fresh fruits and veggies and a lovely bouquet to boost my spirits. What kind of outdoor treasures do you bring indoors?

You know, they don’t even have to be living things. Just reminders of your connection to the great outdoors. Think about it! Think outside! 🙂