Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a couple of days away and as most people, I like to reflect on all the wonderful things in my life that I'm thankful for.  Trust me, I am so very thankful each and everyday but this time of year I make my list just to reinforce all of my blessings!  Here is my list in no particular order-

~My family, how very lucky to have so many loving people in my life!

~Friends, which are my second family, people that know are only a phone call away.

~Of course I am so very thankful for my health, in fact I am now cancer free for 5 years!

~This wonderful life I have found here in New Mexico! So much beauty which I never tire of!

~The new people that have come in to my life here in New Mexico. So warm and kind.

~This blogging community . . . where I am fortunate enough to share my thoughts with so many wonderful, caring people and learn about others and their lives.  So cool to feel connected with people I have never actually met face to face!

Thankful for the awesome sunsets!

Thankful for these little beauties!

Thankful for being lucky enough to see this!

Thankful for being able to experience  a hot air balloon ride! 

Thankful for these beauties!

Thankful for friends' visit and sharing a warm fire!

And finally . . . thankful for the miles of  hiking trails!

Photo Blog Today

Today is a photo flash back of sorts . . . I thought I would share some of photos of some of my favorite things!  I really love looking back, the memories are like experiencing it all over again!

A Road Runner hanging out where we like to hike!

Signs of fall, on the hiking trail! 

Views from the hot air balloon ride from last week!  It was truly an amazing experience!

The beautiful Sandia Mountains!  The red hue comes from their name . . . Sandia means watermelon!

Brew and Blues Festival!  Gorgeous day and great music!

Looking Down . . . Instead of Up

 For almost a year and a half since moving to New Mexico, I have been memorized by the beauty of seeing hot air balloons soaring through the sky!  Many mornings, I look up and see these beauties floating ever so slowly creating a magical picture I never tire of!  Of course Balloon Fiesta is the icing on the proverbial cake. I thought about taking a ballon ride, wondered if I ever really would and then friends came out to visit and said it was on their bucket list and well we decided why not?! The experience was so much more than I imagined it to be. It really is like floating, floating ever so slowly  overlooking breathtaking views and the only sound is the propane firing to keep the balloon soaring! While I will continue to look up in awe at the beautiful balloons . . . the experience of looking down was in one word AMAZING!

Setting up the basket

Heating the envelope

My sister and cousin helping to keep the envelope steady

Our friends with my cousin, sister and me  . . . getting ready to fly!!!

Floating over the Rio Grande!

    

Mimosas at the end of the flight!