What is the most beautiful thing you wake up to each morning?
Hello everyone. I woke up extra early today. Well rested, my rising early was rewarded with the view of a glorious autumn sunrise. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
Inside, in the predawn stillness, aromatic smells of freshly roasted coffee entice, the hot beverage is nectar to my taste buds. A second cup and my sleepy mind energizes. I whip up a batch of cinnamon streusel muffins all the while thinking … well, all sorts of good thoughts.
Everyone else is still sleeping, their minds filled with pleasant dreams from yesterday. Beginning on Fridays (in between chores and responsibilities) we seem to have extra does of creativity. Yesterday (after work and school), we played games,made cookies, and suspended our cares and worries for awhile.
Creating Autumn Cookies
cutting the shapes
frosting the cookies
Autumn Cookies (and yes they taste as good as they look!)
It was late last night, when we retired. This morning the air is now rich with blended aromas of fresh coffee and baking cinnamon streusel muffins, and I hear sounds of others beginning to stir.
Sitting here at my laptop, I reflect on the most beautiful thing I can think of. And guess what? Beauty is all around me, everywhere. It’s Life. The little things that on many days I don’t notice. Today I’m reminded to be grateful.
For me, without a doubt, the most beautiful thing I woke up to this morning was another day (and I cherish it)! Having the ability to experience, share, give and receive. With full awareness of the blessings I’ve been given, I accept the responsibility that is mine for being able to be part of life and, with much love in my heart, I welcome the day and all that it has to offer – come what may.
Today, take some time to remind yourself how lucky you are and to be sincerely grateful. Life is filled with ongoing daily problems (some, really hard ones too) but you can weather the storm. If your heart is filled with love and gratitude for what you do have, your day can still be beautiful too. Blessings to all of you, this Saturday morning!
“Your blessings in life are always richer – when recognizing them for what they are – A Gift to you! Show your gratitude by giving back!” Penny L Howe, 2013*
The Why About This 
Blessings to you too, Penny 🙂
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A very inspiring post! I am glad to be a follower & look forward to your future posts 🙂
Hello, and I am so glad to have you here. Thank you for stopping by and following, you are very much appreciated by me! 🙂
The best attitude to have, one of gratitude. 🙂 What is it about participating in the baking of cookies for children? Is it about the creativity, since these certainly are lovely, or just the sweet goodness at the end? This brought me back to my weekly task of baking cookies for Terry’s dad this summer, his smile being my reward. Thanks Penny. 🙂
You’re welcome LuAnn, I’m thinking that your baking cookies for him is a memory that is lingering on in his mind right now my friend! 🙂
I would like to think so. 🙂
Emma and cookies!
AnElephantCant think of anything better in the whole wide world!
Hugs
Yes it is an excellent combination, I totally agree with you! 🙂 Hugs, xo
Your post brought a big smile to my face, and brightened this autumn day. Thank you, Penny!
Russ
Hello Russ! Thank you so kindly. I’m glad it did, Great fun was had by all and I do stay grateful, for all I have and meeting loving and wonderful people like yourself online, I am so very blessed, my friend!
Penny
Oh – the cookies look too pretty to eat. What the heck – I’ll have one of each please!
I bet the kids had fun helping with the cookies & will enjoy eating them even more.
xo 🙂 🙂 xo
One Christmas I made a huge amount of multi-colored cookies (like these) to hang on the tree. Many dozens (you know what’s coming) RoSy! The whole family thought they were beautiful … and delicious, so we ended up decorating the tree with traditional decorations (no cookies left, lol) 🙂 xo
*Yes, they are disappearing here very quickly! 🙂 xo
Sweet moments are the most memorable and best aren’t they? 🙂 beautiful capture 🙂
Thank you Andy, very much! 🙂 I do hope your weekend is being a good one for you too! 🙂
For me it is the peacefulness of the early dawn when i can sit and write, to loved ones, for stories I have woken up with and sometimes as my mother used to say, ‘sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit.’
Hi Michael. There is that wonderful quietness early in the morning, you are so correct in that. Just an excellent feeling to enjoy, my friend! xx
How wonderful those cookies look, it must have been a great smell too. You re giving me an idea, we only bake cookies like that for Christmas but why not for Autumn. I have a beautiful heart shape so I could make heart cookies….. You know I am always grateful too for all little things around me and being your friend also. Much love from me on a very busy Saturday evening!
The heart shaped cookies are a great idea! I hope you do make them Ute. How fun and delicious too, my very special friend. I have no doubt that you do stay grateful each day, you share yourself so richly with others. Sincere love to you! Rest well tonight and have an excellent Sunday! 🙂 xo
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
What wonderful time you have had Penny. And that photo of the dove and the chicks is gorgeous. Hope you all enjoyed the cookies 🙂
Have a good day my friend
Thanks, and it’s a good thing I made a lot of them (6 dozen), because they’re going fast! lol! You also Alastair a pleasant evening and night of rest dear friend! 🙂
That’s the way the cookie crumbles 😉
Thank you Penny. Hope you slept well. Enjoy your Sunday