Sunday, October 30, 2016

Gratitude...

...Week

10.31.16



Every year, my IG/blogging friend, Michelle, hosts a wonderful week of reflection focused on gratitude. I've participated in years passed, sometimes enthusiastically, sometimes quietly.  Either way, I'm always so happy to get Michelle's email letting her followers know about our time together-it always seems to come at a time when I feel like I need to regroup. 
Saturday marked the 3rd anniversary of my mother's passing. Thoughts of her never wander far from my mind. Somedays those thoughts are closer to the surface than others. Her last year on earth was pure hell and it traumatized my soul, my heart and my very being. 
It's been a slow but steady process that I've been trusting...


...and then there are days when Austin asks for pumpkin muffins...like he does every year (so grateful he does.) I sift through my recipes cards until I find the one I'm looking for. It's all too familiar now...her handwriting...written in happier times. Her penmanship that's never deviated and so easily recognizable to everyone in the family. My mom and I loved to swap to recipes and on the days she is close to the surface, I'm ever so grateful to have this, and other small expressions of her with me. It comforts me and soothes the rough edges. 


This is not the first time a walnut heart has appeared on a finished muffin...
You can see for yourself here
It's a Mother's Love
So much to be grateful for.

Happy (grateful) snapping!
xo
Kelly

16 comments:

  1. These look delicious and sound as though they are filled with memories!

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  2. gosh, I can't believe it's three years already. sending you extra love, dear kelly.
    here's to the love of your mother that still fills your heart, here's to walnut hearts, here's to pumpkin muffins and the loved ones who make that request.

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    1. Thank you Michelle-the three years sometimes feels like yesterday...and thank you again for hosting this week xo

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  3. So much to be grateful for - a mothers love and bittersweet memories.

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  4. Goosebumps Kelly! sending much love xo

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  5. The muffins look delicious. I've only lately enjoyed the taste of pumpkin. Go figure.
    **hugs** to you my dear friend on the memories of your mother. It is difficult for sure.
    Love ya bunches
    XOXO

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  6. This is the best expression of gratitude. Memories to treasure.

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  7. What a beautiful and lovely gratitude post. Thank you for sharing your mama with us. xo

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  8. A lovely tribute to your Mama! And I too, will make some of those yummy pumpkin muffins to honor her! Thanks for sharing, Kelly! And yes, always, always give thanks! Aloha!

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  9. Beautiful!! Treasured memories are wonderful!

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  10. Bless you. I know your loss, the ache, and the unpredictable resurgence of pain with a passing memory or innocent reminder of better times. After my mom passed I put together a photo/cookbook of some of our favorite recipes from the stash of recipe cards and notes mom had shared with my over the years and shared with my brother and sister. I figured it would some day be passed along to a grandchild so they too could experience some of the joy mom blessed us with during her life.

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  11. What a lovely way to be able to remember your mom. In her own handwriting makes the recipe even more special. I am blessed to still have my mom here. I have a few recipe cards she has written out for me, but I think now I will ask for a few more for Christmas. :) I love the walnut heart too. :)

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  12. What a great gratitude post, Kelly !
    Lovely memories to treasure ...
    Those muffins look so delicious, so beautifully captured and the walnut heart ... so special !
    Hope you're having a nice week,
    Sylvia

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