December 31

I started out the year being grateful for a Gingerbread House, and it seems only fitting that I end the year similarly. Add to that that this one was the very last one in the store and Hart had to wrestle it away from a nice lady in order to bring it home to me and you can see that serendipity was hard at work in the Clearance Bin of Smiths Marketplace.

I'm grateful to be done with this project, but I also know I'll miss it. Last January I wrote, "taking a gratitude accounting has been known to ease the blues... perhaps it will work magic on more than just me." I've been blessed to know that it has entertained, helped and sometimes even inspired a few people out there in that big old world. I'm grateful to know that.

I'm grateful for the whole huge learning experience this blog provided. I can finally talk f-stops and shutter speeds and know what I'm saying. Although this will be the last entry in this blog, Snapshot Gratitude Rejects will still stick around (though the name may be changing and I might take a day off here and there). I've had such a grand time learning photography this past year that I couldn't just abandon it, even if that stained glass class is hollering my name ever so loudly.

Last of all, I'm grateful for all the people who click on my links, read my words, look at my snapshots. I especially loved it when I'd get a comment or a sweet email. Thank you all, so very much!

December 30

I'm grateful the finches have found the feeder. Washing dishes has become a teeny bit more enjoyable with their addition to the view.

December 29

I'm grateful for slumber parties with friends. Not only did this one net me the chance to catch up with Emily's wonderful son, Sam, but I was also the responsible wallet and got to accompany them to a matinee-showing of "Night at the Museum," a very funny flick.

December 28

I'm grateful for this little once-white piece of cleaning technology. Before trying it, I was cursing the day I had purchased a gas range with a white finish. Finally, a cleaning product that does what it advertises!

December 27

We have a grocery store chain, Maceys, whose branding strategy consists of flying a gigantic American flag, come rain or shine. Our Maceys happens to be moving into a brand new building over the New Years weekend and the flag was pulled down to today in anticipation of that move.

Unfortunately, all did not go as smoothly as hoped and the flag was caught on a neighboring lightpole.

I'm grateful Hart just happened to be shopping as this whole scene unfurled. I was able to drop everything and run to the parking lot just in time to witness the local fire department pull out the big ladder truck and save the flag.