365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 61

I am grateful for beautiful views :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 49

I am grateful when God walks me through the anxieties, challenges and overwhelmed feelings that can come with life. We have so many blessings to be grateful for and when we let the "to do list" overcome us we can have a hard time enjoying all the wonders of the day and helping others do the same.

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 48

I am grateful for this time of year when just for a few moments (if you are lucky, hours) things, people and expectations slow down.  People stop and reflect on the years achievements, setbacks and overall summation of where they have been and where they want to go for the next year.
It is an ominous thought as to all we have on our plate at times so when we get to take a step back and stop and breath I am grateful for that :):):)

 1st Sunset 1/1/2014

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 47

I am grateful that on this News Years Day 2014 I incorporated two of the lessons from the Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center (ELC).
I filled the sink up with the the soapy water to do the dishes and I brought my reusable shopping bags to the grocery store to buy my green drink ingredients;););)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 46

I am grateful I got to get a personalized tour of the extremely cool and fun Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center in Playa Del Rey. What a great place for both kids and adults to learn about being environmentally friendly stewards of our Earth:):):)

Learn how you can make a difference!

Make a Pledge and Name a Sea Creature :)

Violin "One mans trash is another's Treasure"

Creative items made from Re Used and Recylced products

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 41

I am grateful for a terrific Christmas. 

This year was remarkable in that we did zero gift giving ….that is correct, 0.  It was spectacular!

I love gifts just as much as the next person, however, one day a year when you are trying to find things for everyone you love is overwhelming at best.

This year Christmas was so close to T Day that it truly did sneak up on us.  We all proactively made a choice for our gifts to be no gifts.

This was so incredibly liberating………….the day was about the day, the experience and enjoying each other’s company.  There was no frantically running around, late night wrapping, pre formed expectations, wondering if you bought the right thing, did you buy enough……….none of that.

We woke up early and watched the sunrise while sipping coffee, listened to the stillness and calm of the morning.

After making our yummy green drink in the Vitamix, we went for a bike ride to the top of Friendship Park where we took in the incredible views of the city, harbor and all the way down to Orange County.

We then decided we would pack up our swim stuff and the dog and head to Belmont Shores for a swim.  We donned our wetsuits and jumped in……….OMG was it cold. Our faces and heads were freezing at first but we adjusted after the first ten minutes or so ----- I do have to say, the best part was probably getting back out J Note to self, get myself one of those neoprene hoodies for winter swimming. 

My husband then went for a long run and I took the dog out for a stroll in Belmont – it was about 75 degrees and terrific. 

Afterwards we all went and got lunch at a wonderful Mediterranean Restaurant called BouBouffe  ,  eat and relaxed.

Stopped at the store to get dinner makings, came home, made some dinner (wasn’t one of my finest unfortunately) we wished all of our friends and family a  Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and called it a day.

All in all, perfect :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 40

I am grateful for this beautiful Christmas day! The wonderful winter landscape that provides fresh, crisp colors that continuously change as the sun rise sand sets. The organic oders of the freshly rained upon soil and the tremendous pink hues of the clouds as the sunset beckons.......a truly amazing and spectacular gift that nature brings us every day :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 36

I am grateful for impromptu walks on the beach :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 34

I am grateful for beautiful sunrises :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 31

I am grateful for this beautiful view :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 29

I am grateful I get to run:):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 17

I am grateful we got to join together for an early dinner at Swan Thai in R.P.V.......Beautiful Sunset and wonderful food - it was a big hit. Everyone enjoyed the food and the and the atmosphere:):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 16

I am grateful to be home, to hear the wind chimes, the patter of the dogs feet, and for the glorious ocean views :):):)

Catalina Sunset

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 15

I am grateful we chose to fly back home Saturday morning -- we missed all the crowds and craziness that ensues with a Sunday post turkey day departure. We got home on schedule and were able to re-unite with the home front family and the dogs and enjoy the wonderful dinnermy sister made :):):)

MB Sunset

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 14

Got a little distracted with all the holiday goins ons :) I am grateful that Thanksgiving was a smashing success!  All family got along swimmingly as usual, we stuck to our pescatarian ways for the second year in a row, my vegan mashed potatoes were a crowd pleaser and we got up and did a long run :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 9

I am grateful I have my first sale on my Doggslife.com store :):);) Very exciting!  www.doggslife.com

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 8

I am grateful for the rain :):);) The rain is amazing with its healing properties, soothing sounds and ability to wash away the soot and leave us with beautiful skies, snow covered mountains and crisp views of the city and ocean :):);)

Don't forget to vote below on what you are grateful for:

"Stunning views from the Central Coast "

365 days of Gratitude Rollover day 7

I am grateful I got to come home to a warm house, a warm bed, my husband and dog and we all cuddled up and watched movies together :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 5

Today I am grateful I mustered the energy to go running last night, I have been learning a ton of new skills at my leadership class and I can hear the ducks quacking outside of my room :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 4

Good Moring;)

I am grateful I was able to change from my noisy room and got moved to one on the fourth floor. I woke up to a beautiful silhouette of palm trees with a burst of the sunrise through the clouds behind them.

Quick appetizer or side dish:

Sauté oyster mushrooms (or better yet a combo of oyster and crimini) in a tablespoon of back truffle oil (finally found some at Trader Joes) with a bit of salt and pepper.

Sauté for about 5 minutes and voila ;););)