7.18.2011

more time!

stepping sluggishly with my cup of coffee into this "Africa" heat

countless blueberries picked, washed, sorted, frozen (I want to be one of those blueberries)

thousands of frozen tokens of my family's blue-stained hands, while I stayed home with the baby, wanting to be staining my hands too

thousands of frozen tokens

gifts

When giving a gift to someone, time and care is taken in picking

Picking out the very best gift you can, that best suits that person, then you wrap it carefully, attach your best sentiment, and make sure they get it in time. 

I have been known to forget birthdays (could it be "milk brain"??), but when I do purchase a gift for someone, I take the time, make it beautiful, and usually go over the budget for that gift...especially for my husband!

When receiving a gift, you never see anyone (or at least I hope not) say 'thanks' and shove it aside.  Even if they don't like the gift they just received from your care in picking it out, they look at it, sometimes ask questions, and  hold it up in all directions.  If they do like it, or get what they asked for, jubilation occurs with almost laughing smiles, a huge hug and many many words of "thanks"........sometimes tears......with the care you put into the gift........
Thanking the gift giver takes time.........Picking out just the right thank you card or special stationary........using your best pen and penmanship..........and saying just the right words in order to truly let that gift giver know how much you appreciate them giving you that gift.

Either way, we stop.
Take time.
Give thanks.

Every single thing in this life we are living is a gift......sometimes we don't like the gifts we are given........other times are we are so gay (joyful).........but either way, we stop, take time, give thanks.

Offering up myself daily to God is a sure way of telling Him thank you and here is my "all", but stopping to give Him thanks, even when I don't like what He is giving me, is slowing down time.......literally.........I am able to stop.
Take time.
Give thanks.

How am I able to see the thanks amongst the weeds to pull in the potager, the horse manure, the hot humidity with no air conditioning, these six children, my husband's back pain, these thousands of blueberries I need to go through.........
Taking time to stop. Take time. Give thanks.

Giving thanks = more time

~ something we all need.........more time ~

16 comments:

  1. Beautifully written. Looks delicious!
    Such gorgeous photos!

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  2. You are so right....I am trying to make more time by giving thanks everyday:)! Beautiful post:).

    ~Julia

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  3. Morning sweet friends..your words are so dear..giving thanks is so important...nothing but joy and happiness can come from such an important gesture.
    Your pies look amazing..waiting waiting for our blueberries to get dark blue...our wet weather has not helped.
    Sending you lots of love today sweet one. xoxoxo

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  4. You always write so beautifully, Anne-Marie!

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  5. Love.....xxx....i am taking time darling......xxx.

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  6. Take time...to read a favorite blog.
    Give thanks...for a 'cyber friend' who continually writes words of encouragement.
    Thank you.

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  7. A beautiful message Anne Marie, and that pie looks absolutely delicious.

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  8. Always important to be gracious....in gift giving and receiving.

    yes I love dark beer too.

    stay cool!
    x
    Carole

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  9. Hi Anne-Marie! I was catching up with some of my fav blog friends, and couldn't help but noticing what a blessed summer you're having on Na-Da Farm. :) I so appreciate the simple, sweet, hard working life that you and your family live. I just want to give you a big HUG for that! ♥ You are truly my role model. :) I can't believe that you haven't totally melted away with this heat and having no AC! We were w/out it for four nights and I was a whining baby. lol! So, hats off to you, sweetie. You rock my world. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  10. I wish you and I could sit and have a tea....you could talk and I could listen....your just lovely! x0x0

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  11. Beautiful words and beautiful pie. (My favorite) Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

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  12. Gnam gnam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lovely!!
    kiss
    Stefy

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  13. Blueberry pie! Such gorgeous photos!
    Yeah, I find myself slowing down just to appreciate other people lately. Small things, token gestures, but passing along that goodwill.

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  14. Hi cyber Friend!... can I call you that? :) I haven't left a comment in a while but follow regularly & just love your heart and the beautiful ways you share your life and what God is doing. Your pies look ahhhhhmazing by the way!... and is that steam you can actually see coming out of that one?!!! Hot out of the oven ;)...wow-- homemade, fresh, blueberry pies! :) If I lived close, I would have made you homemade ice cream to bring by to enjoy tonight with your dessert and try to help you stay cooler with that heat wave. Your state of gratitude is wonderful and reminds me a lot of a book I've been reading - you might enjoy it too? Ever heard of Ann Voskamp? She has a book called, "One Thousand Gifts." Soul-deep, incredibly beautiful and inspiring read if you ever are interested... Hugs from the West Coast!!

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  15. Oh this pie looks so awesome. I have just been reading over several of your post try to catch up and as always they are all such a joy to read!!

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