Confusion and DAY 6 of GIVEAWAY

Ok, I don't know how it happened but I goofed up the number of days on the giveaway. Those of you who are good with numbers will have noticed that I had two days labeled as Day 3 of the giveaway. So I guess that instead of skipping straight to Day 7 we will extend the drawing by another day. How does that sound? So that is an extra day for you to enter and one more day for me to wonder where my little brain wandered off to!

Actually I know where it is... back at the beach. Listening to the waves crash and churn, smelling caramel corn down the street, enjoying antique stores till my little hearts content. *sigh* Sounds wonderful, right? Well that is exactly where my wonderful, handsome hubby took me for my birthday.

Remember I shared that he took the day off and we hit every Boutique{Goodwill} and Fancy Store {Goodwill Outlet} in town? Well the surprise turned out to be even bigger! After shopping till we dropped, we headed over to the Oregon Coast and stayed there right on the beach for two nights. It was glorious!

Little White Church Antiques - so sweet!

 The town was small, full of charm, lots of antique and home decor stores and delicious food from places like the Cow Bell Cafe. Hello! How cute is that!

We laughed so hard at this sign, it says:

This job is a test... It is only a test.

Had it been an actual job, you would have received bonuses, raises and promotions.

Well it was truly a spectacular vacation with my love. Unfortunately, that is why the giveaway days were all messed up! I got on the internet once or twice but most of the time we spent out and about, enjoying each others company.... and maybe an ice cream cone.... or two. Yummmmm.

Hubbster and I love road trips, and one thing that always seems to come up on any trip we take is how blessed we are. We talk the whole way there and back about anything and everything... and how grateful we are for even the simplest things.

That is what inspired me to have a thankfulness tree in our home this year. It is a simple idea, but has such meaning.

Remember the tags that were included yesterday as part of the giveaway? Well here is how you use them. Find a central place in your home where you can display a vase filled with some branches. Any branches will do. Just grab some from the backyard, give them a good shake  and "plant" them in your vase. Anchor with florist foam, rocks, potpourri, etc.

Later at dinner {or whenever you have family time} ask everyone in the family to think of at least one thing that they are thankful for and have them write it down on a tag. Encourage them to thing of something other than the obvious family, friends, and faith. Those are a given, and you may just want to make a tag right from the get-go for those.  Try to think of those things that often times are taken for granted. Freedom, abundance, warm cozy bed, a safe vehicle, mentors, neighbors, provision, health. Maybe it is something super simple like the joy of warm muffins fresh out of the oven, the family walks that encourage bonding, a favorite park, a vacation that was special.

Then ask everyone to chose a branch to tie their tag {or tags} on to. Watch as your thankfulness tree begins to blossom. It will be a daily reminder of how much you and your family have been granted. Once the season is over, take the tags off and preserve them in a scrapbook or keepsake box.

Repeat the tradition every year and see how life changes, kids mature in their "thankfulness"and how faithful God has been.

Today, I want to encourage you to be purposeful about your "attitude of gratitude." See the everyday blessings in life... and make a point to acknowledge them.

Here are the 18 tags... waiting for you and your family

to fill them up with things you are thankful for.

While we were on vacation, we stopped in at the most wonderful little shop called The Buttery and they had the yummiest smelling soaps ever! Of course I could not resist picking out one for myself and one for you too! Today's addition to the GIVEAWAY is a darling little bar or Lavender Fig soap. It is heavenly!

For today's entry, leave a comment below sharing one or more things that you are thankful for. Think outside the box... what are the unexpected blessings that you could acknowledge today?

All photos taken by yours truly.