Snowshoeing

I'm thankful for the ability to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature and crisp Vermont air.

Being wrapped up in a warm blanket on a snowy day with a hot cup of tea.

It's hard to believe, but we're having our first big storm of the winter season (over a foot of snow). So many parts of the country (even the south) has seen more snow than we have. Today, its just beautiful. It's so quiet outside and I'm wrapped up in a lovely, soft blanket with a nice cup of tea. It couldn't get more perfect.

The Sound of Music

The last few days I have been listening to / watching a number of musicals from my childhood. I love 'The Sound of Music'... but I also just love the sound of music in general. Music makes me happy and I especially love when music and dance come together. Some others I've been watching are My Fair Lady, Annie, Oliver, and Fiddler on the Roof.

A life well lived

I'm thankful for the life of Annette Monouydas, who passed away on 1.1.11

Saratoga Springs, NY - Annette Monouydas passed away Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011 at Schuyler Ridge Center in Clifton Park, where she has resided for the past six years.

Born on April 18, 1920 in the province of Avellino, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Alexander and Francesca (DiTore) Terlizzi. On June 8, 1928, the family arrived in the United States via the SS Conte Biancamano and settled at Loon Lake, where they built Alex's Grove Inn, a dinner and dancing establishment that drew crowds from as far as Plattsburgh on a Saturday evening. She had attended a one room school and later St. John's Academy in Plattsburgh.

During World War Two, she met and married her late husband, Stephen Monouydas. While he was in the US Army, they traveled across America and Annette held various jobs, including a disc assembler. Following the war, they settled in Glens Falls and opened the Ideal Diner on South Street. In 1954, they opened the Brookview Diner in Wilton and were known for serving good food at reasonable prices and had many loyal customers.

Annette was hard working and enjoyed people. Her favorite activities were cooking for her family and friends, and ballroom dancing, which she did right up until her illness at the age of 84. In years past, she was a communicant of St. Clement's Church in Saratoga Springs. Three years ago, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ after hearing the Gospel message.

Survivors include her daughters, Deborah McMullen of Beaufort, SC, Pamela Wakeley/Flubacher (Stephen) of Guilderland and Stephanie Raptis of Wilton; five grandchildren, James Cook, Sarah Kowalski, Joanne Maltese, Stephen and Matthew Raptis; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Rose Verro of Saratoga Springs; her brother, Michael Terlizzi of Las Vegas, NV and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Daniel and Louis Terlizzi.

A New Year

I'm thankful for a new year... a time to reflect on the year past and make goals for the year to come.

My Family

I am so thankful for my family and I'm thankful for the wonderful time we had together at Christmas.

Christmas Decorations

One of my favorite things about Christmas is decorating. I love the lights in particular. During this dark time of year, Christmas is definitely a bright spot of the winter. Merry Christmas!

The Princess Bride

The movie The Princess Bride was on tv last night. It is my favorite movie of all time. I can't believe I don't own it. Anyway, I'm just thankful for the people who made this movie.

“"Inconceivable." You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means"

“Don't rush me sonny. You rush a miracle man , you get rotten miracles.”

A Warm Cup of Cocoa

It is absolutely freezing out today. It's one of those days that just chills you to the bone... and I'm so thankful for the chance to curl up with a hot cup of cocoa and a good book.

The Smell of Fresh Laundry

Today, I'm thankful for my washer and dryer and how easily it is to get my clothes clean and fresh-smelling. For so many thousands of years and in so many places still around the world, laundry is such a chore - bringing it down to the river or carrying water for miles back to your home in order to do it there. And still, the clothes don't always get fully clean or they can be stiff when they dry. I have been, at times, travelling or in third world countries where I've had to do my laundry like this, and I never want to take these things for granted.

Being inside a warm house on this cold, rainy day

Today, I'm thankful for roof over my head and a fresh delivery of oil for my furnace to keep me warm.

Stepping on Crunchy Autumn Leaves

Today I'm thankful for sound of fall leaves beneath my feet... and especially for the particularly crunchy ones.

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An Awesome Book of Thanks

I am thankful for the person who wrote An Awesome Book of Thanks. I Love it! To see the whole book, go here.

A Little Secret

I'm thankful for learning the secret...

A Great Day With Family

Today, I'm thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was the first time when it was at my house and where I coordinated the menu. Everything was perfect and there was so much good food. I'm also thankful for my mother, father, and mother-in-law for helping to prepare such a tasty meal.

A good cup of coffee (or two)

Today I am thankful for coffee. It is my fountain of life...

For Colored Sprinkles

They just make me happy. Need I say more?

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For the ability to be perfectly imperfect...

When I was a kid, I was a bit of a perfectionist. Always the straight A student. As I've grown older, I've realized that its our imperfections that make us (and life) interesting.

Roses from my husband

Just because....

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Going back in time...

Today is daylight savings. I knew about it, but then at one point I had totally forgotten about it. My computer clocks automatically change, but not other clocks, like on my microwave. At one point today I was wondering what was going on because it seemed like time was going by so slowly because I looked at one clock at one point and then a different clock at another point. Anyway, I'm thankful to have an extra hour...even if its only theoretically.

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