Thirty-five years ago this month right before Thanksgiving we moved into our new home. It was brand spankin new with no grass, no trees, no shrubs or flowers....nothing. As any new homeowner with very little money, we began slowly with our plantings. We planted several trees that just didn't make it, absolutely poor planning on our part, we were such novices. I don't really remember the year we purchased the Maple tree that still stands tall in our front yard, but I do remember it was a Father's Day present to my sweetie that year. I still remember it as "The Father's Day Tree", not sure if that was exactly what he wanted that year, but as it grew he was almost like a proud Papa watching his child grow. Now it provides our home with an immense amount of shade in the summertime, both a curse (had to change my sun garden into a shade garden and absolutely no grass will grow underneath its branches) and a blessing (keeps the house so cool, using far less electricity when the air-conditioner is on than some of our neighbors). So today my gratitude is my trees....particularly the Father's Day Tree in the front yard, which btw, is dropping all of it's bright yellow leaves as I write this, requiring much needed raking. (I did mention curse, didn't I? giggle)
Even Cinder enjoys the leaves....(she will be a gratitude post soon)
They gather in the bird baths....
They fall on the lawn chairs....
And a few still hold on....
What are you grateful for today??
How to have a good day....Step 1 Wake Up Step 2 Be Grateful - REPEAT
Joining Kim for...
Until next time.....
it is beautiful - even better that you planted it yourselves. sweet...
ReplyDeleteLoved your journaling. Beautiful photos. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the softness of that leaf and mason jar . . . sigh . . . such a wonderful thing that you are still in that same house, so many great memories. Are the pooches getting to be friends yet?
ReplyDeletelovely Deanna... such beautiful images..... your story and top photo... moved me to tears..... the image is truly EXTRAORDINARY!!!!
ReplyDeletesending love... xo, Kim
Oh my goodness Deanna, these shots are gorgeous! Who knew "brown" could be so pretty. I love dreamy look of the first shot with the focus going in and out around the leaf. Lovely! And I simply adore the name of your dog!! :-)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Texture Tuesday and Texture Twist
Oh, I love your story as much as I love the photos! What a heritage your maple tree is for your home and family. I have to say, though, that my favorite photo is the one of Cinder. Such sweet eyes!
ReplyDeleteGratitude shapes our days in so many important ways. Always grateful for the beauty you post here.
ReplyDeleteToday went like this for me. Step 1 wake up. Step 2 into puppy poop in the carpet. Step 3 clean up and be grateful I have lots of carpet cleaner :)
ReplyDeleteSweet story about the maple. YOur photos are beyond beautiful! The year before we moved we planted a red maple in our back yard, looking forward to watching it grow over the years. Then my mother got sick and that plan got derailed. But I often find myself wondering how big it is now and if it producing the kinds of leaves I had hoped for.
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning and your story so sweet. Thank you for sharing with us in the Texture Twist!
ReplyDeleteHI Wonderul leaf shots and your dog is so cute.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots as always and what a wonderful tree. So far today I am grateful that there are not too many fire works outside so that my dog can sleep! xx
ReplyDeleteI like your leaf pictures, Deanna. Awesome capture of Cinder! Looking forward to her blog post.
ReplyDeleteToday I am thankful for two good days of doing cattle working and great steer calf weights.
Having seen your Father's Day Tree and your beautiful garden, I can see all of this easily in my mind's eye. {Wish I could hop over for a visit.} Yes, our trees are a blessing and they do indeed change our garden plots as they grow. When we first moved here we had no shade. Now we're hankering for sun. We're never satisfied, are we? Can't wait to hear about Cinder ... that face melts my heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! What kind of camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteI have a D5000. I now know what I need for Christmas! Thanks for the reply.
DeleteWhat a nice story about your beautiful blessing/curse tree! Love all the photos, but hate to see all the leaves falling now. Today I am grateful for a warm fire. Brrrrrrr! xo
ReplyDeletegorgeous and that fist image!! IN LOVE. with the blue too. Did you use a Kim Klassen texture on that one? I took her class once more than a year ago. I hope someday to get photoshop, I had such fun in her class but have forgotten how to do much of it because I never purchased a program. I love your gratitude.
ReplyDeleteSuch a heart warming story, Deanna! And such AWE-some photos too! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this story. Today I am grateful for the harvest going on around me, most of the corn is done and the geese have settled in to find the leftovers. I love their joyful honking.
ReplyDeleteI have a Mother's Day tree, a dogwood, and it was the best present ever. I bet your sweetie thought so too :)
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you are to have this tree, Deanna, and all of the wonderful memories that go with it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something to be grateful for.
What a sweet post, love the Father's Day tree, and your little one has a look on her face that says "Who Me" going to be in a post soon? So has a sweet look.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of maples and they are shedding their leaves today in the wind and rain -- I'll have my work cut out for me in the coming days. Looking forward to your post about Cinder. She's such a cutie. :)
ReplyDeleteAny day we wake up on the right side of the dirt is a good day. :)
Delicious photos, I loved seeing each!!!
ReplyDeletei love this story deanna. trees like this one are a treasure indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that I found your blog & have come to call you my friend.
ReplyDeleteI love that first shot! What a beautiful color combination! We have a tree just like that, also dropping right now. Makes me want to find something blue to put them in. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful Deanna, and somehow, the idea of the history of your fathers day tree brought a tear to my eye. What history there is in a home and lives together!
ReplyDeleteI really like your last shot Deanna; you have grown with your home over many years...it must be a great comfort-blanket.
ReplyDeleteA Father's Day Tree, such a beautiful memorable story!
ReplyDeleteLove the captures and the idea of a big old tree. Our neighbor made us cut my favorite tree down, so I do understand the thankfulness for a tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story my friend. I will be doing a bit of racking of leaves here myself.. Just one of the campground host duties. I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
In this month of being grateful, it's what I found out about me. I'm a pretty tough cookie! xo gorgeous post today Deanna
ReplyDeleteDeanna, I am loving this thankful edition posts. It stops and makes you really think what you have been given. The blue vase with the golden leaf...what a gorgeous color combination!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. And your captures are perfect. I use to love to rake leaves... I need to feel that way again. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteThe tree is a faithful reminder of all the good memories shared under it's branches season after season through the years..I often wish we could have stayed in one place so our memories of home would be around one house but as you so beautifully expressed gratitude is an attitude and one to be expressed every day for all the blessings we have received so freely. You are a blessing to me my friend...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous tribute...the photos are delightful!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to practice gratitude throughout Nov, too, Deanna. It's good to start and end each day with gratitude. Your crinkly leaf pics remind me that even those of us past prime may be beautiful! The Fathers Day Tree makes me smile - good memories!
ReplyDeleteI too am practising gratitude by posting a layout everyday your tree is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYellows, Blues & Browns here mix so nicely. Of course your dog caught my eye right away! I had a lab named Cinder once.
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