Currently it’s basil, because I love pesto & have been trying recipes.

My favorite is rosemary. So many uses and every time I smell it I just want to go cook something!

This is an extremely hard decision to make because I love all herbs and their individual fragrances. Lavender is a favorite of mine marching right along beside peppermint. I love cooking with many other delightful herbs but these tow run a close race. Their healing and refreshing aromas are inspiring. your product is both interesting and charming.

Love lavender. I do try to grow it, although where I grow it is a little clayish and prone to wetness during the spring.

I love herbs and really like the ones that come back year after year, lavender, thyme, mint and oregano. This winter the fresh dried oregano crushed with my fingers have spoken to me each day and I have used it in everything! Blessings!

My favorite herb is basil because of all the many types of foods and cooking it can be used with. I also love how easy it is to grow and use both fresh and dried.

My favorite herbs come right from my garden; lavender, mint, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Marilyn

Basil….it livens up tomatoes like nothing else.

This season my favorite herb is thyme. I love the smell and flavor. And I feed it to my chickens for the healthy benefits of good immunity and respiratory systems! Thank you!

I love Rosemary. Love the smell of it, the taste of it, and takes me back to my youth. My mom and sister are both Rosemary, so it’s always been a favorite in our families! I have a big plant in my yard and love just running my hand across it… smells so good!

I love mint. Endless varieties. Super easy to grow (almost TOO easy). I use it in tea, I use it for garnish, I dry it for gifting…and it looks so pretty in the garden! Chocolate mint, lemon mint, peppermint, spearmint. Even slip a leaf into your tennies during the warm weather for a little freshness. I also use peppermint essential oil — after cleaning the bathrooms at home, I use a few drops inside the toil tissue roll — every spin gives a little fresh zip to the air!

Did I say I like mint?

Rosemary. It reminds me of the family farm, mom’s hands and love. ♡

My favorite herb is Peppermint. So yummy in tea and cooking

Just one? Yikes! I think my favorite currently is chamomile. Its calming properties both to my mind and stomach make this herb a big player in my life right now!

Calendula, because the first t8me I witnessed it’s healing powers I was an instant convert, to all things herbal. Although I had used herbal preps before I hadn’t yet sought them out. This was a copule of decades ago and I am still amazed by nature’s healing powers!

If I must choose just one, I’d pick chamomile. It is culinary, medicinal, and decorative. An exemplary herb!

I love both Lavender and Rosemary. Lavender is just about my favorite scent. Rosemary goes so well with so many dishes. I will go with two 1/2 favorites so I select them both.

This is like picking a favorite child or pet! But basil is would have to be it.

Ahhh….So MANY wonderful herbs to choose from it is very difficult to say only ONE as my favorite!! I guess I’d have to go with experiences then and say Rosemary! Not only is the fragrance beautiful or that it’s flavors are awesome in cooking and baking BUT I use it for a mind clarifier! I have some in a roller ball for my daughter to take to school and place on her wrist periodically. It clarifies and increases her memory especially great for upcoming tests and such! I use it for creativity! I love how it refreshes and stimulates! ( and smells!!)

My favorite herb Sage. It’s delicious and very medicinal. Smells amazing too. I use it in a special soup I have developed after many years of studying herbs and essential oils. My family and friends swear by it. We call it Medicine Soup. It always contains a bundle of sage amongst other powerful herbs. This soup when taken within the first day of a cold or flu every few hours will either eliminate your cold or flu or shorten its lifespan by many days. I developed it years ago and it works every time. Sage being one of the most important ingredients. It is antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and many other things. My first go-to.

Peppermint. I love making tea from it, using peppermint for colds, examining it while it grows and it’s always a delight to find some wild peppermint growing when I’m hiking.

Rosemary. It smells amazing and I can use it in my bread. I want to plant an entire hedge of it around my deck!

In food I love basil. For the scent I love lavender. It smells wonderful and is soothing. 🙂

Every time I remind my son that I LOVE him. I draw a heart in the air or on paper just to let him know about my 😍 for him!

The last place I drew a heart was on thank you cards I sent to my adult children for their wonderful thoughtful Christmas gifts that they blessed me with.

My granddaughter loves the happy colorful decor! Its beautiful and vibrant!

The symbol of a heart is part of who I am. I use it after my name, or when I’m trying to encourage or just because ❤️

I sometimes leave notes with my husbands lunches <3 🙂

I dotted the “i’s” in my daughter and daughter in law’s names with little hearts on the tags for their Christmas gifts. I just love doing that!

I also use it at the end of my text messages to my 2 girls & man friend.

Those are super cute pillows! The last place I drew a heart was on a piece of paper as I was teaching my son shapes. We love to draw hearts to show our love!

Last night as training officer for our local volunteer ambulance, I drew a heart on the bulletin board to illustrate how the heart works, in cardiac emergencies.

Cool for every room!

I drew hearts across the bottom of my hand painted postcard I gave to my best friend who is moving to New York City.

The last time I drew a heart was as I filled in my 2017 calendar with dates. I write in red the names of people and the date of their birthday. I drew a heart on two dates beside. The date my sweet, dear cat ,Misty died Aug9 last year at 18 years old and the date of my anniversary with N and J inside, (Nancy and John)

Most recently, I signed all of my Christmas gift tags with a heart. All the cards to my family are also signed with a heart. I use the emoji heart when I text my kids.

I just wrote a note to my grandgirls and sent a heart & kisses (with lipstick) on their thank you notes. They love that!

I added a heart to my mom’s grave flag, that I make for her grave every holiday!!!

I wrote a positive note in my journal and drew a tiny heart exclamation point.

My husband’s Christmas card.

The last place I drew a heart was on a gift that I made for a friend. I hand lettered scripture onto canvas & ended the scripture with a small heart.
Cute pillows!!!

I just sent a letter to my daughter…. always write her name followed with an exclamation heart!

I feel like a copycat! I, too, draw a heart by my name when signing notes, etc! A language spoken all over the world!

Always end my text/email messages with the XOXOXOX sign, which has many different explanations of the meaning. I like the X representing crossed arms of a hug, and the O representing the puckered lips of a kiss!

Always on cards! Last was at Christmas on gift tags.

My 3 year old daughter always has me draw our family for her. I always draw a heart on her shirt. <3

Christmas notes in cards I made for friends and families. We have been designed for relationship and what better than the core of our being-our hearts!

Birthday and encouragement cards sent to my grandsons and granddaughter always require a heart along with the hugs. The last one was a December birthday.

My new favorite is a red leather coat..

I really love these gloves. They will look so terrif with my black coat.

I have a dark brown suede coat with fringe that I love!

Good Morning – My favorite winter coat is a gray wool P-coat that I have had for over 15 years. I love it. It is old and I love that it is gray and not navy blue. Happy New Year!

I love to recycle and upcycle! The gloves are awesome! What a wonderful give-a-way! Thank you!

My favorite coat is my grey Sunday coat. I found it a the thrift store I used to work at in like new condition!

Pink….Pink….Pink!

my favorite depends on how cold it is…I made a lovely navy pea coat that is great for snow storms, and a black cashmere long coat for dresses, and a shearling gray coat I got at auction for when it’s below zero – otherwise it’s too warm to wear!

My favorite coat is lime green and grey.

My favorite coat is my big long gray coat, so having a pair of fun colored mittens will spice up the coat!

Favorite coat is black. I am told that these are the warmest gloves..I have wanted a pair for like forever.😊

Green is my favorite color. They are beautiful!

Would love to have the red and blue mittens- they would look fabulous with my red coat with the red hood. We get windy Nor easters here and I am sure them would be WARM! It is several years old, but cozy!

Yellow is my favorite.

Red!

My Favorite coat is black wool. It goes with everything

My favorite coat is denim!

I love my green coat!

My favorite coat is my red one this time of year. Love these mittens.

I love-Love-LOVE winter coats! My current favorite is a classic wool, camel color, mid-shin length, large collar and pockets. Change the look with a scarf! (or cute mittens, hint, hint!)

My favorite coat is a previously owned, super warm, red thrift store purchased jacket. It’s not my favorite because it’s red, or because it’s warm but because it’s used. I am giving it a second life. ♡

My ice blue Columbia that I’ve had for 15 years is my favorite color. Those mittens are awesome!

My favorite coat is dark gray. Anything seems to go with it.

Right now my favorite go-to is cream. (It’s the only jacket I brought from Idaho back to Virginia for new grandson duty .) I underestimated how chilly it is back here. Not like the current 8 degrees at home. But even 40 feels colder to me here than 40 in ID. So I am loving and wearing my cream colored jacket almost every day. My other favorite at home is gray.

I’m a huge Katwise sweater/coat fan, so I must say my favorite color is Rainbow 🙂

I am a huge fan of cast iron cookware. My parents gave me a set of fry pans and my grandmother’s cornstalk pan when I got married. Recently, I found a dutch oven at Williams Sonoma on a huge discount sale and snatched it up as well.

My favorite dessert……….of course you know what it is. APPLE PIE!!!

Dark chocolate covered cherries…yumm!!

Bananas foster over vanilla ice-cream, apple pie, fruit crisps, cherries jubilee, AND dark chocolate anything! HA! Blessings for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My favorite dessert is chocolate cheesecake. But lately, I have been making your “Cherry Cordials” with such rave reviews that I’m making three batches a week! Sending people out of church moaning in delight, or quilting, or meetings…same response. Thank you so much! I wish I could eat them all myself but it’s Christmas and fun to create a memory that will become a tradition every year.

Brownies, chocolate chip cookies…basically anything including chocolate!

Anything with chocolate! brownies are always yummy!

My all time favorite dessert is a brownie trifle… layers of brownies, thick chocolate pudding, cool whip and heath bar crumbles repeated twice more making a triple layer of yumminess. Sadly I found out I am allergic to dairy, and I haven’t found a way to make it dairy free yet… but I will!

My most loved dessert is Apple Pie!

Magic cookies!

Cheesecake! The velvety, dense kind that is baked and made from scratch…perfect just plain, or a splurge with any kind of topping😋

Gingerbread and/or gingerbread cookies.

Ice Cream ! mmm! 🙂

I also have a hard time deciding on just one favorite dessert. I guess a homemade chocolate cake is close to the top of the list.

Hungarian crepes with apricot preserves and cheese with powdered sugar!!

My all time favorite dessert is PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE!!!! Eaten slowly this rich fulfilling desert makes me feel so ‘loved’ inside! lol!

A Heart-Shaped Cherry Chip Birthday Cake that my mom would always bake for my Birthday on February 13th! <3

The Monuments Men

Currently reading “The Magic”

Currently reading “Jane Eyre”

True Blend

I’m in my city’s book club and we are reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
These books look awesome! I have a grandbaby just 18 months and her ma, my daughter is a middle school teacher!

In The Company of Others by Jan Karon

The Broken Way

I’m reading The Virgin’s Lover, Phillipa Gregory

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp

Little House on the Praire (series)

The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore

Mistress Marshams Repose by T H White, The Notorius RBG, Ink and Bone, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
I always have several books going at a time. I also have Rogue Lawyer in my car.

Just finished “Seasons of Grace” trilogy by Beverly Lewis.

Discovering Swallows and Amazons—–An autobiography of Arthur Ransome

I am reading The Next Level, a parable of finding your place in life, by David Gregory.

Currently reading “Rangers Apprentice”!

I’m currently reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Always an adventure in the Scottish Highlands! haha!

I’m reading the Harry Potter series with my 4th grader. I’m still on the third book while he is already half way through the fourth.

Currently, as in just read, was Mustache Baby. A. Dor. Able! A must have for every mustache laden home… or even every naked-lip home!

The Whole Towns Talking by Fannie Flagg

Red Knife by William Kent Krueger

The Christmas Sweater

for women only, by Shaunti Feldhahn

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

We keep water saving shower heads on both of our bathrooms so that water waste is cut back while showering. Also,in our yard, we planted St. Augustine grass that is heat and dry tolerant for this part of Florida eliminating the need to water much when drought periods happen.

Having grown up on a farm where we had to haul our water we learned all kinds of ways to conserve water. My dad was very strict about our usage and practices that have stuck with me all my life. There are many things I do but one thing I do is when I’m running water to wash dishes I fill the tea kettle with water while waiting for the hot water to come in to the sink.
CJ

I have been using all of my bath water full of epson salt Soda and essential oil to water house plants and garden .My husband just scratches his head,my plants and garden are beautiful and happy.the dog gets bathed in their to.I also run water to my big Berkeley water filter till it gets hot before I start the dishwasher,I could go on and on with my conserving water .i always think before I waste.

We have a HE washer that cuts bank on a lot of water usage! I know there are many more ways to conserve water that I need to practice more.

We spend a lot of the Spring and Summer camping.
I become so use to “Cowgirl shower” I take them at home also.
Saves water and energy.

We use a wringer washer 3 loads with the same water 🙂 ((whites~lights & darks)) also conserve dish water and bath 😉
Have a Merry Christmas !!

Let’s see…low flow showerhead, HE washer, mulch garden beds & rain barrel.

When water melts in our cooler, I use the water to water our indoor plants.

We carry water in the car to refill our water bottles. Water savers on our toilets and shower heads. Cat water to water plants, cooking water for outdoor plants, use the fountain water when I change it out for plants.

We catch rainwater from our metal roof to use around the farmstead (gardens, animals, washing, etc). Before we had running water that was our only source.

I have a raised bed garden with drip irrigation, purchased HE washer, only run dishwasher when it’s full, wash only large loads of clothes, and turn the water off when brushing our teeth.
These items would be so great to win, my job is as an itinerant braillist so I travel from school to school in our rural area to assist students. A good quality water vessel like Revomax would be essential to my day.

I use all leftover water that is sitting around the house (my cups, pet bowls, etc) to water my plants. Also use water filling station at work to cut down on the bottled waters they offer.

I nag, and don’t feel a bit guilty about it!

I have a HE washer and I am heavy on the mulch and have tried to pick the flowers and bushes that don’t require much water. If there has been quite a bit of rain I have used the water the sump pump kicks out to rinse my car off after I have washed it.

We use low flow shower heads, don’t let the water run unnecessarily and any water that is left behind in buckets from rain or melted snow we use to water the outside plants.

We have 3 cisterns for collecting rain water with which we later water our potted plants and garden areas. In addition, we leave our irrigation off as much as possible in the winter, and during the rest of the year if we are so lucky to have rain (in CA!!!).

Our source of water is collecting rainwater into our cistern, so I always have to conserve water. After I got married I first washed our clothes with a wringer washer. Then I got a water saver washing machine where the wash water went to a tub. You reuse the water in the tub for the next load. Now that the kids are grown and moved out I love my Bosch front loader washing machine. In 35 years we have not had to haul in water. We have come close, but it seems to rain just when we needed.

When I am waiting for the kitchen faucet to run hot water for dishes, I hold a half-gallon container under the spewing water until it gets to the hot temperature I am looking for. Then I set that water out and use it to water the houseplants (I have over a dozen.) and/or the outdoor plants.

– save a ‘container’ of water each time the toilet is flushed by keeping a jar or other container inside your toilet tank – the tank will fill and flush, but each time the jar in the tank conserves water. It adds up to be a lot considering how often toilets get flushed!

I love reading all the comments below! It may not seem like much but I no longer use the jets on our tub because it requires so much more water to fill it up past the jets.

I conserve water by washing full loads of cloths and dishes. I turn the water off while brushing my teeth and many more. I also found some new ways reading the comments!

There are low flow “gadgets” on bathroom and kitchen sinks. Also use rain water in summer to water flower bed.

We purchase HE appliances to reduce amounts used. We also set timers when using water outdoors for garden and stock tanks so we don’t forget and leave them on, wasting water.

In the summer time after my daughter swims in her kiddie pool we fill up our water jugs for the plants.

I collect rainwater, water plants with the cat’s old water and use refillable water bottles, both gallon jugs and personal size.

My grandgirl, Karysse, has always, from the time she was a baby, loved cows…

My daughter and her husband, newly married in April, are looking for a house with lots of land so that they can have farm animals. As a child, she helped her dad with the dairy farm we co-owned. She fell in love with the cows and also the bull we had. She even named him (Devon)! They are also looking to have a few sheep so that, in her words, “we can raise them, shear them, make yarn, and knit something for someone,” lol. I would love to give this book to them to get them headed in the right direction 🙂

I would give it to my good friend who lives in the country and already does much to show she has the soul of a farm girl. She bakes her own bread. She teaches Tai chai and mindfulness parenting. She sews, cooks and puts in a garden. I can see her having a milk cow.

My, uh, sister. She’s uh ,my twin. She lives at my same address. We have, uh, very similar names at first glance. It’s, uh, just wild what we have in common.

(joking…I’d keep it. It’s the only one of the books I don’t have).

My sister… She has owned goats before without using their milk, and would love to own a cow.

My Mom who is 92 yrs old grew up on a dairy farm and always had a cow as I was growing up. We always had milk, butter and cream. It was a good life for her and I.

We make ricotta, cream fraiche, and yogurt weekly and love cows milk. I can remember buying a gallon from a neighbor each week and carefully separating the cream from the milk so we would have the thick, yellow clotted cream to have on strawberries from our garden. Yum. Miss it now as many home cowherds (this is a person who tends cows) can no longer sell raw milk off their farms in the county where I live. We still use a lot of milk and tonight it is in our mashed potatoes for dinner, with a dollop of cream, for sure

I would gift it to a coworker who recently moved to a rural area with a dream of farming and the recipes would be fun for us to do together , we love to get together and cook

I would just love to win your book and get lost in it!

I really can’t have a cow, but would love to have your book to add to my collection. It is on my Christmas list. We had cows growing up, and I remember those days fondly.

My daughter.. She’s a farm girl and has had milk goats, chickens, and cows, but, not a milk cow. It’s time. Haha

My farmgirl dreams of a jersey and a guernsey to start a small artisan cheese business.

We had a milk cow when I was in my teens and I loved it! I live in town now but would love to read this book. I also have a friend that we “farm-sit” for once in awhile which gives me the treat to get to milk again. I would “share” this book with her. =)

Well…If I win I would probably keep the book for myself! I’ve already named my future milk cow, Paisley 🙂 I can’t wait to start making my own cheese and dairy products.

I will admit that I would like it for myself. We, my parents and I, live on a farm together. We raise our own chickens and turkeys. We have also raised pigs and cows for meat. My mother milked a cow when I was a little girl. We have a feed store and sell raw milk from a licensed farmer. As much milk as my dad drinks he thinks we should get a milk cow.

I am that dreamy farmgirl.

I would gift the book to my dearest friend, Deb….she has chickens, and would love a milk cow too!

The farm girl I would give it to longs for a simpler time and place of her childhood. Growing up on a dairy farm where meals were served up with freshly churned butter and rich cream adorned hot
breakfast cereals. Homemade ice cream was one of the best things about summer😊.

This would be for me. I lived on a farm as a young girl and have memories of many of the things my mom and dad did – had chickens (fresh eggs), pigs, cows for milking, etc. I was very young when they split up, but I carry the memories with me and practice my country style living the best I can in the city. I love your magazine. Thanks!

I would love this book, as I just purchased a milk cow this past spring, but my friend Chandra would also love it as she makes cheese!

I would give the book to my daughter Anna. She will be 19 in March and she loves farm life and animals. We have a small farm with 2 cows and 2 calves, 2 goats that she showed for FFA and the buyer gave them back to her. Of course she wouldn’t resale them! She wants chickens now and wants a dairy goat and milk cow in the future. She also has 1 horse (Sugar) and a miniature mule (Otis) who is blind in one eye. We subscribe to your magazine and love it. We also have purchased your Glamping book.
So yes a vintage camper is on my daughter’s want list also. She has a 1967 Chevy pick-up (her 16th birthday present) that she would pull camper with.
Thanks for opportunity to win the Milk Cow Kitchen Book!!!

I would most certainly have to gift this to my mother.

The farmgirl I would give this book to is my youngest daughter. As the mother of 4, she inspires me everyday, managing a farm with her Farrier husband and homeschooling her children(ages 2 – 7). They own a miniature Jersey cow, that she milks every morning. She makes yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream. It’s such fun to watch them living their dream.

As much as I would love the book for myself (selfish much?), one of my besties recently added a milk cow to her farm family… she could really use the book. As a side note, I’m quite certain some of the cheese and butter made from recipes in the book will be shared with one of her besties… especially if that bestie gifts her with such a fab book!

Well, I guess I’m wishing my life away, but when I retire I’m looking forward to becoming a full time farm girl.

WooHoo, Santa is coming to you from Idaho! Enjoy everyone and post some photos over on the Chatroom when you finish a project so we can all be a part of the fun.

We are from cda idaho, my daughter just purchased a property with acreage , she has chickens and her goal is a cow or cows she had room and so ready willing and and able!

Spring and summer is usually spent with me spending countless hours in the pastures fixing fence and cutting out volunteer cedar trees. I usually pack a lunch and disappear all day for a couple weeks. What a happy great this would make on those days!

My husband made a beautiful display rack out of an old panel door and a cracked church bench. It made a great space to sell my stuff at a local store.

We are using wooden whiskey boxes for spice racks under the kitchen cabinets. The Junk Gypsy transformations are whimsical and wild — love them! MB

Would love to win the book

After seeing some of the upcycled junk finds, I decided to re-visit some of my long forgotten treasures in the basement and get creative. Thank ya’ll for inspiration!

I get a lot of inspiration from Mary Janes Farm issues and DIY’s. I mainly turn items into nesting boxes for the chickens, but have more ideas roaming in my head to transform! I hope to win Junk Gypsies because it’s on my wish list to read.

Old faded denim jeans being given new life and upcycled into cut squares to design a picnic quilt became the crossroads of vivid imagination and memory.

Mary-Jane’s farm has inspired me in so many ways on my own farm. This past summer I made slip covers for my patio furniture out of old quilt tops that I bought at an auction for 2 dollars for the whole box. My patio turned into my oasis after farm work. I would take my spinning wheel outside and spin and admire my sewing efforts at the same time.

Have turned teacups into planters.

I like to use old iron beds in the garden, as decoration, and for a place to rest.

I re-invented an old wind-up Victrola cabinet into a media center for my stereo and satellite receiver with room on top for our TV. It fits nicely into the corner of my living room with out standing out! I love the Junk Gypsy’s and Mary Jane – I think we could have been sisters in another life!

I use milk jugs (cut in half) as mini greenhouses in the garden.

I have upcycled old barn wood into frames for photography. Repurpised vintage linens into aprons and raise all veggies organically.

I used the orange, plastic twine from the pine straw bales we put in our flowerbeds to crochet a shopping bag. A great idea straight from the farm!

Years ago, I saw a DIY tip in your magazine about using chalkboard paint to turn an old scratched up cookie sheet into a magnetic blackboard. I love re-purposing things that may end up in the landfill. Thank you for your magazine, it’s speaks to me!

I love your magazine; I was raised as a farm girl and so I really enjoy reading the magazine and ready all about recycling.

I am so glad I found you magazine. I like all things recycled. I once used an old ice hook for a paper towel holder. I would love to win the book.

I used an old ironing board to make my garden lady. Her name is Maggie and I put her in the middle of my garden to share with the birds, bugs, the neighbors, my grandchildren, and me. Her dress is red, he hat is green (an older bird feeder part), the top of her hat is a toy bird. She holds a basket in front with little rubber duckies. I dress her according to the weather. I love to find new ideas for old “things”.

I live in a slipping crowded urban suburb and walk my doggies up and down the alleys behind the houses. I found a pair of nearly new men’s leather lace-up oxfords (perhaps they were too small and couldn’t be returned or maybe he left and she didn’t want to be reminded of him), brought them (the lovely shoes) home, filled them with potting soil — tongue pulled WAY forward first — and have had pink, mauve, and jade green succulents every year for a decade! Yay!

I love the magazine and look forward for it to come in the mail. It has made me start looking at campers and recycling them. I’d love to have an airstream camper and make it into my sewing fantasy world.

I recently finished redoing a 61 camper that I have named “The Morning Glory.” It was in our hay bottom for years and I am so proud of it. Have taken it camping once and look forward to next summer for many more adventures! Love your magazine!

I love MJF magazine because FINALLY I have a base line photo to describe to my husband….MY WONDERFUL IDEAS. We are building a large shop/home and we are trying very hard to re-purpose and re-use. Last year my husband thought we should renew our commitment to Hosting Thanksgiving.( We are living on site in a trailer. Our 6 month build has turned into 4 1/2 years. We are still having fun. ) I explained that we didn’t even have an oven large enough for a turkey. Well long sighs, ragged thoughts and deep prayers…..we were gifted with a perfect working stove/oven. We sent all the leftovers home with our single guys….EVERYONE WAS THANKFUL!

Upcycling – Your magazine makes me realize it isn’t as hard as it sounds. So many everyday items that can be used for something so different but so helpful. Thank you for all that is in your magazine!

I suppose the only real up cycling I do is turn my feed bags into grocery totes! Sure are handy bags!

My husband made me a pallet tree to hang my handmade ornaments on.

Your inspiration has helped me to look outside the box and inspire the volunteers and patrons that frequent the non profit thrift store I run. I’ve been able to save many items from the trash by either changing them myself or sending the items to their new homes with inspiration for the new owners. I consider it saving the world one piece at a time.

I am grateful this day for it is the day God made just for me!

I am grateful for my Bible. It has the answer to every problem in life in it!!

I am grateful to have Jesus Christ in my life and the opportunity to wake up every morning and make a difference in someone’s life with a gesture of kindness, goodwill a hug or even a smile.

I’m grateful for my family, who give me love and support, everyday. So blessed.

I am grateful for being healthy, happy and independent.

I am grateful for my kind and loving husband and for our furry friends who share our lives.

I grateful for my sister still being here to share my day with.

I’m grateful I have a home, family & friends

Today I am so grateful for the much needed rain. We have been in a drought all year, 17 inches below what is needed. It won’t be enough but we’ll take every drop. People are desperate for their wells. The flora and fauna are so thirsty too.

I’m grateful for my loving husband and three precious grandchildren. Two live close by and the other one lives in MN. Our daughter in law texts pictures of him weekly and also sends pictures. We are very grateful to have her in our family.

I am grateful for having the mother I had. She passed in January. There is not a day that passes that I am not grateful to her for something; teaching me to can, cook, sew, do crafts, etc… She was 95 and lived a very busy life, mostly helping others..

Today I am grateful for women that I can cry and laugh with

I am grateful for strong women role models!

I am grateful for this life I live, blessed beyond measure, because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

I’m always grateful for my children and grandchildren; they are what make my life worth living.

I am grateful today and everyday for a loving and supportive husband and children. I tend to stress over things that don’t really matter, like having a perfect home (especially for Holiday gatherings, so your December magazine issue was extremely helpful to me. Thank you!) but they always seem to calm me down and remind me of the important things, like snuggling up on our old sofa to watch Christmas movies before Thanksgiving (even though my husband believes that that should not happen until after Thanksgiving). He is always the one who notices me stressing and suggests a good Christmas movie and hot apple cider.

Today, I am grateful to be healthy and full of joy. I was told I may have colon cancer by my doctor and needed a colonoscopy. I had it yesterday. I was told there were no polyps, no sign of cancer and there were no indications of anything wrong. I am so thankful that God is so generous and forgiving of our sins. He has blessed me in many ways. Very grateful for another day to share with family and friends.

I am grateful for my parents, 92 and 93 years old and still living in the same farmhouse for 67 years. Mom planted sweet potatoes this year and tomatoes and green beans in her hotbed.

My wonderful daughter as she works to heal thyroid cancer.

I am grateful for my six grandchildren!

I’m grateful that the sun rises every day (sometimes hidden by the gray clouds here in Portland, but you get my point.) A new day. A new purpose. A chance to be better than the day before.

I’m thankful that I can stay at home with my kids. It’s hard work, milking the cow, feeding the chickens, making food from scratch. but its so worth it!

I’m grateful for the years I shared with my husband

I am thankful that several years ago I began a gratitude journal to earn a merit badge. Beginning each day by listing at least three things I’m thankful for is the one habit I’ve maintained consistently all these years. What a difference this practice has made in my outlook!

I’m grateful for the beautiful ocean and its sound!