Here in the U.S. it is Thanksgiving. Most people stuff themselves with turkey and all the fixings, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and football games on TV and try to get along with all the visiting relatives. Many of us forget to think about what Thanksgiving is really about. Giving thanks, being grateful for what you have and counting your blessings. I thought today I would take a little time to do just that.

I am grateful for the beautiful area where I live. Northwest Montana is gorgeous in any season and is such an inspiration in my artwork. I used to live in Florida and really missed the change of seasons, mountains, and snow. I might complain at the end of the winter about the snow, but I am happy to see it snow and I love to ski, so I’m praying for snow again.

Thank goodness for sheep! I am grateful for the wool they provide and the magical ability of the wool to felt. It still amazes me when I take a pile of fiber and turn it into a piece of felt. And isn’t it nice that wool is a sustainable product that doesn’t hurt the sheep to produce? Just think how many different types of sheep and wool there are in the world, isn’t it wonderful that we have all those varieties with which to experiment?

Speaking of fibers, I am grateful that there are many different types of fibers and that I get a chance to play with them. Finding your passion is a wonderful thing and I hope that you have found something in your life to be passionate about. It has been wonderful this year for me to focus on fiber art and to participate in learning more about machine and hand stitching. It is a wonderful journey to be following and I hope it will continue to be as fun and fulfilling as it has been for me this year.

I am thankful for owning my own business and being able to make a living. Pursuing your dreams is not always easy but I am so glad that I took the jump nearly 15 years ago to start my own business. All the hard work has been well worth it.

My family is very important to me and I am grateful that I have a loving, supportive husband and two healthy and happy dogs.

I am really grateful to my friends here at The Felting and Fiber Studio. Thanks Zed, Ann and Karen for all your support, we make a great team! I am also thankful for all of you who read the blog, participate in the forum and post photos to Flickr. We appreciate your comments and hope you’ll keep coming back as we have loads more fiber fun in store for you.

Take a few minutes today and think about thankfulness and gratitude. With the holiday season upon us, it is easy to get busy and stressed out. Taking a few minutes each day to make a list of reasons that you are thankful can put a little peace into your life. Happy Thanksgiving 🙂

P.S. Take a look at this post by Christine Kane about gratitude.