Friday, December 03, 2010

Gratitude is Always in Season

It's back to real life and real time after a wonderful Thanksgiving week.  It's important to remember to give thanks every day, every week not just one occasion in November (if you're American) or October (if you're Canadian).  That's why I love Friday Fave Five which is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.  You can participate too if you want.  Just add your post to her link  HERE.

1. The roads were busy but open and running at optimum speeds all the way from San Diego to Ventura County when I drove home on Sunday morning.  Even the usual slowdown places like Camp Pendleton, Orange County, and LAX were clear!  

2. My usual tactic to avoid a freeway interchange I really don't like is to cut over to the beach in Santa Monica and drive up Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu.  If the freeways are backed up, it takes the same amount of time to drive a scenic route as it does to brave the pass between the LA Basin and San Fernando Valley.  On Sunday, the views of the beach, ocean and offshore islands did not disappoint.

3. On Monday night, I drove to LAX and picked up The Professor.  I'm glad to have him home again.

4. Do you all get bored when I mention my students? They're so much fun!  I regularly get hilarious emails and questions--"Mrs. Willow, Is it OK to have 15 sentences in my paragraph?"  "Please answer me quickly." (This one written late in the evening.)  And my favorite:  "I can't wait to see you!  I really missed classes last week."

5. The weather was quite cool this week and I snuggled up under my warm blankets and cozy afghans in the evenings.  Well, it was cold for Southern California...

6. BONUS!  Christmas music!  In my car, on my computer, at home.  What's your favorite Christmas Carol?

20 comments:

Jerralea said...

I love Christmas music too ... It's hard to choose a favorite. I love Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. I guess my all time favorite is the Hallelujah Chorus. We used to attempt it every year at the singing Christmas Tree.

You're right about being thankful every day. That is one reason why I also love FFF. Focusing on the good things in our week just helps you to be thankful.

nikkipolani said...

Glad your drive all throughout the southland have been uneventful (traffic-wise) and beautiful. Definitely not bored reading about your students. Love those exchanges, esp funny sometimes when taken out of context!

Carrie said...

Gratitude IS always in season. What a great post title.

And Christmas music? Yes! Enjoying it thoroughly.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Christmas music is awesome. My favorite is White Christmas by Bing Crosby. Quilts and Afghans are wonderful here as the temps have been in the 20's all week. Burrr! Have a great day!

Sherrie
Food for Thought

Hollace said...

My favorite carol is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" especially vss. 3 and 4,"Then in dismay I bowed my head, 'There is no peace on earth', I said. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep". It thrills me!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

O Holy Night. Particularly if candles are held when singing :)

roxie said...

I've always been partial to "Lo how a Rose E'er Blooming." And`I love to belt out "Joy to the World!!"

Thanks for the tip about driving through Malibu. I'll request it on the next trip.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

So much to be thankful for!! I'm thankful for you, dear Willow! And this post is just lovely!! Had you in my thoughts and so I decided to stop by to say, "Hi!" and to send you my love! Janine XO

Hazel said...

No, I don't get bored when you mention your students :) It's great to know about your roads. A friend emailed me last night telling me how his car has skidded on the ice (they got -20 in England). Glad the roads on your part of the world are driveable with nice views to boot.

And oh, christmas! My heart is jumping with glee!

ellen b. said...

Glad you had a good freeway experience! Oh my it's so hard to pick a favorite Christmas Carol.

Freedom | Rethinking the Dream said...

Don't you just love a clear open road when it should normally be busy and congested.

I love Christmas music season. We have a radio station here that plays Christmas music all month. I don't know the name of it, but my favorite is the one where they are whipping the horses in between the words of the song. That whip cracking makes me laugh every time I hear it, it just seems such an odd addition to Christmas music.

Brenda said...

I love Christmas music as well and keep it playing in my house starting the day after Thanksgiving. I also love views of the ocean, I get a view of a bay each day on my way to work, so majestic.

Karyn said...

I love the 'scenic' routes! I can just see the lovely things you get to look at as you avoid the Interstate!

So good to have you man home again, isn't it?

I love reading about your students!

Christmas music is one of my favorite things, too! I don't think I have a favorite song, but I do have a favorite album..."The Way in the Manger" by various artists. Or maybe Phil Driscol's "Heaven and Nature Swing". Brad Paisley's Christmas Album is also a favorite.....and "Precious Child" by various artists. Hmmmmm....I think I'll go with my family's favorite...."The Way in the Manger" It really is pretty awesome.

Unknown said...

So many thinks to be thankful for, enjoying a snuggle or two is a must. Happy week ahead..hugs/M

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I love Christmas music! I am tired of hearing all the Scrooges say they don't like it. I like Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas.

Knitting Linguist said...

Greensleeves. Definitely :)

And you are so right about being thankful every day. There are times when I just lie in bed at night, more thankful than I can say to know that I am surrounded by all the people (and pets!) I love best.

Flower said...

Christmas music is my favorite..or my other favorite. I'm sure which is which? Anyway...good music is appreciated at all times!!
I really like the Cherry Tree Carol, Gabriel's Message and both done by Sting.

Tracy said...

Hi, Willow! So glad you share so much of your week with us. We're back from our Thanksgiving/USA trip--had wonderful time! I'm slowing getting to visiting and such though, as I've not been feeling too well in recent days--but getting there. Great to be catching up with you and back in blogland. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

diane b said...

Yikes I don't think I would like to drive anywhere near LAX. I remember driving on that coast road in the 70's when we visited California, i was a very pretty drive.
My favourite is "Drummer Boy".

ABOUT XIN LEI said...

Hi Mrs. Price...I'm finally getting the chance to come over and visit your blog...very nice indeed :). I'm not really into Christmas music on the radio, but one song I really do love very much is "Silent Night". It's just classic and simple :).