This moment (and a giveaway!)

Last night, boys in bed, I sat down with some yarn, browsed patterns, looking for just the right combination. Picked up needles, prepared to cast on - and then the baby cried. Sighing, I went to soothe him, sitting quietly beside the bed as his eyes slowly closed and he fell back asleep.

By the time I returned to the couch, I'd changed my mind. That wool with that pattern wasn't quite right. Maybe this one...no.

So indecisive, always.

I gave up and sat back to wind a hank of yarn instead.

My local yarn shop could take care of it in one quick minute, but it was wonderfully soothing to do it by hand instead, to fully enter into the quiet moment. No rushing, no planning, no productivity - just the comforting rhythm and peaceful quiet. I went to bed calm and centered.

When morning came, I finally took pen to paper and started my long-intended list of thanksgiving. My written gratitude has been sporadic these past few years, the habit of daily writing it down lost in the whirlwind of marriage and children.

In the spirit of enjoying and rejoicing, I have begun again, content with where I am, grateful for all that I have, seeking beauty in all things, and finding joy today.

1. Flannel, soft and warm, covering boys in mama-made pants and blankets.

2. Baby boy nestling against his daddy's chest.

3. Hand winding yarn into a ball.

4. ...

In gratitude to all of you - for reading my rambling thoughts, for sharing your own, for the feedback and community you provide - I have one copy of Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts to give away. This book is amazing. The writing is pure poetry and the message is life-altering. Such a dare, to live fully where you are, to be fully present in the moment, to find joy in the midst of daily life and pain. The writing it down inspires the hunt and it is the hunt that brings joy.

To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing one thing you are grateful for today - one glimpse of beauty, one moment of joy, one gift of thanks, anything.

For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each of the following:

1. "Like" The Hippie Housewife on our brand new Facebook page!
2. Follow The Hippie Housewife via Google Friend Connect below (comment if you already do!).
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4. Tweet, post, or blog about this giveaway (one entry per link).

Comments will close on Monday, March 7, at 11:59pm PST, with the winner announced the following day.

Good luck!

Contest closed! Congratulations, Heather!