Weekly Smile – Gratitude

My friend Trent shares a Weekly Smile, and encourage others to join! There’s so many things to be grateful for, small and big things.

This week I’ve decided to share many smaller smiles, after all it is those little details that is our life. Where should I start?

I woke up to a day with decent air! (The air have been hazardous this weekend, and I had to cancel all my plans, including a trip to Valley of Fire, and an air ballon festival, and stay inside all weekend. Still it was difficult to breath inside the house.) It is FABULOUS to be able to breath today! I am so grateful!!! I aired out the house, and there’s definitely some long walks on the schedule today.

I am eagerly waiting for my first printed book The Desert Around Las Vegas – A Guidebook To Amazing Day Trips In The Mojave Desert to arrive. I’ve ordered a proof book. I can’t wait to hold the book in my hand. Being inside all weekend gave me plenty of time to read the final edit another gazillion times before ordering the print. LOL. I am super happy with how it’s turning out!

This week is the week of Halloween, a HUGE happening in so many kids life. Today is pumpkin carving day at our house! My daughter is in heaven! It always makes my day to see her get excited. We also finally agreed on her Halloween costume last night. 

This morning Facebook reminded me about so many happy memories from this day October 28, the past ten years. I thought it would be fun to share some excerpts with you, just because I am so grateful for these experiences. Being reminded of them definitely mad me smile.

2018

Fun at the pumpkin patch last night!

We had only been in Las Vegas for three months. Living in the city was very new. I was thrilled to be able to take my girl to this carnival and be able to afford to buy her a wrist band that allowed her to ride as many rides as she possibly could handle. I remember how good that felt! If you’re a single parent, having dealt with some major crisis and just came out on top, you know this feeling. 

2017

Visitors this morning.

Two years ago I thoroughly enjoyed working in my 3 acres garden every morning, and some mornings were extra special, like this one, with a bunch of turkeys keeping me company while I harvested the last of the egg plants. The morning air was cool and crisp.. I remember the day. It was just perfect.

2014

Good morning Maria. we received the photos yesterday (Monday). We LOVE THEM! Thank you, Maria.

Five years ago I had an Equine Photography business, and I started this October day receiving a kind message from one of my customers, that just received a five-piece series of framed prints of wild horses. Made my day!

2012

Having a wonderful Sunday morning. Challenging hike, beautiful scenery and some amazing wildlife.

I remembered this day too! My little Princess was three months old, and I was hiking in the Eldorado National Forest (CA,) just behind the 80 acres ranch we leased. It was fabulous! I am so grateful that we had that sweet time together when she was an infant. We hiked in amazing nature every day.

2010

En morgon med countrymusik och yoga-sweet. Nu blir det jobb och det är FREDAG!

A morning filled with country music and yoga – SWEET. Off to work…and it is FRIDAY today!

Back in 2010 I still lived in Sweden. I leased a small cottage on a sheep farm back in 2010. My cottage was situated in the middle of a green pasture, filled with cute little wooly things. If you followed the trail down the hill you came to a small forest, and behind it a lake with a private sandy beach. The cottage was 50 years old, and heated with a wood stove. Just perfect country living. There was plenty of outdoor space, and I had a big garden. I had lavender planted all around the cottage, and the scent of lavender was a constant companion. The lavender was a gift from a very good friend of mine living up the road from me. I had my Icelandic Horse at her place, and we rode our horses together in the forest almost every day. I got my BA in Early Childhood Education, and my teaching degree earlier this year (even though I had worked as a teacher prior to this,) and around Halloween this year I worked as a Preschool Teacher and loved my work! 

Me and my Icelandic Horse Pjakkur.

2009

Nu har jag förberett mig. Karlstad here I come…(eller imorgon bitti i alla fall.)

I am ready. Karlstad here I come.

October 28, 2009 was three months before I got my BA. I attended school at Karlstad University, 6 hours from where I lived. I attended this university for 3,5 years. I traveled there on a regular basis to attend lectures, and do tests. Some lessons I could attend online, so I didn’t have to go there every week. There was several students (all girls) from my area of Sweden traveling to Karlstad together, and it was always fun! We car pooled, and shared a hotel room, attended our classes, took our tests, and got familiar with all the good restaurants around Karlstad. 

Having somewhat struggled with my respiratory health lately I’ve put an extra effort towards meditating about all the things I am grateful for. We all have so much to be grateful for.

What makes you smile this week? Share some of your smiles!

Love,

Maria