November is a dreary month in Sweden. The beautiful autumn leaves have fallen and the trees are barren, the days are rapidly growing darker, and the snow hasn’t yet come to help brighten everything up. Motivation has a tendency to sink a bit during this month; everything seems just a little bit harder.
Even though we don’t have Thanksgiving in Sweden, it seems appropriate to take some time to appreciate the positives in life to help brighten the more dismal parts of the year. Plus I’m American, so I like to think of it as a little holiday bubble that I carry around with me. Portable joy!
Hazel and Holly
I feel like I’m talking about Hazel and Holly a lot, but I can’t help it. I love these gals, and I love that they came into being because of this blog. What started out as a flash fiction story written on a whim as part of a challenge, has now turned into a serialized novel. It pushes me to my limits and, at the end of the day, I’m still not sure I’ll pull it off. But I’m thankful for the opportunity, and I’m even more thankful for everyone that encouraged me to do it.
Also, I’m super-thankful to Jenny Zemanek for creating this awesome cover. Do you love it as much as I do? I hope so, ‘cause I love it lots.
Click to enlarge
Home and Family
I’m grateful to have a home that keeps me out of the cold and darkness. And I’m thankful for my massive family. From my Swedish family—including two cats and a tall guy–to the substantial extended family I have back in the States. If it weren’t for Facebook, I probably would have never realized just how many cousins I have. Which leads me to being thankful for…
The Internet
The ‘Net certainly isn’t perfect, and it can be a breeding ground for mouth-breathing trolls. But without it, I wouldn’t be doing what I am now. It keeps me connected with my distant family, keeps me informed. It allows me to learn new things and helps me pursue a business I love doing. It also enables my inner food-nerd to geek out on all the freebie recipes out there. That last one’s pretty important, especially around the holidays.
And you
Lastly, I’m thankful for you. Without you, this blog is pretty much meaningless. It would just be me effectively talking in an empty room, and only crazy people do that, right? So thank you for keeping me sane, for reading my ramblings, and for walking this road with me. The journey has been a pretty good one so far—I’m looking forward to wherever we’re headed.
What are you thankful for?
Hi Sara – it’s good to read the post and to see Holly and Hazel’s book cover – what fun. Sweden seems a great place to live and what an opportunity to get to understand another part of the world.
The net – is just so wonderful to have, cousins and family are so comforting to have around, while the blog community is so supportive …
Life is good and we are lucky and for that I’m thankful .. cheers Hilary PS some sun would be nice!!!
Thanks, Hilary! Glad to give you a little glimpse into Sweden, even if it is a dreary one. In six months, though, we’ll have more sun than you can shake a stick at. 😉
And, yes, cousins, family, and blogging friends are all wonderful things to have around. I’m grateful to have you here, Hilary. 🙂
It’s a beautiful cover Sara! Kudos to Jenny! I so enjoyed your post thank you and it’s brightened my day up a bit. The blues are a’hanging over even though I have so much to be grateful for. So, even though you’re in Sweden, you’re still an American, so happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! 🙂
Thank you Susan! Jenny really did a fantastic job with the cover. And I’m glad to have brightened your day a bit. Those blues can really sneak in when you least expect it. Thank you for the kind wishes! I will extend my portable holiday bubble to you and wish you a happy Thanksgiving/November/or whatever you want to celebrate as well! 😀
I absolutely LOVE the cover! Big round of applause for Jenny. And a big round of applause for you! As you keep flexing your imaginative powers your writing becomes ever more compelling. We have such a creative family, and you’re definitely holding up your end of the gene pool.
I’m most thankful for family, genetic and otherwise, that make my life the rich tapestry that continues to weave itself daily. Just like your stories, the unexpected twists and turns keep me eagerly looking forward to the next chapter. I’m so glad you have discovered the unexpected pleasures that come from taking chances and going down the proverbial rabbit hole. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your comment got me all misty-eyed. Love you, Big Sis, and Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
I love the book cover. I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for the Internet too, although it does have its disadvantages as you pointed out. You can choose to use it for good and not let the negative side drag at you though.
Thanks, Michelle, and you’re right about the Internet. It’s basically just a tool, and like most tools, it can be used for good or… less than good. 😉
And high-five for family and friends! Yeah! 😀
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the book cover. It suits your style of storytelling perfectly.
The internet has also helped me stay in touch with family in Ecuador, Argentina, and Spain, and keep acquainted with friends I would otherwise not because, well, life! For me, it hasn’t been the trolling breading ground that a lot of people write about. I’m not a social media butterfly either, so maybe that’s why.
And, I am thankful for meeting oneline folks with tremendous talent and a good heart. The writing journey has become a not-so-lonely experience ever since, and I’ve learned and grown in more ways than I ever thought possible.
And in my pajamas no less! I am ever so grateful for that! 😀
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Yay! Thanks, Tanya! I’m glad you love it, and that you think it fits (and that it’s not just me that thinks that 😉 ).
That’s cool that you have family all over the world, and even better you’re able to keep in touch with them. As for the troll-grounds, I think it depends where you hang out. The blogging community is generally fantastic with lots of great people, and I agree that writing got a little less lonely when meeting some of the great folks out there.
And I forgot about the working-in-pyjamas perk! Though, I’m less thankful for that when it’s 3pm and someone rings the doorbell to deliver a package. Then it’s like… yeah.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! 😀
Lovely sentiments – all great things to be grateful for. I didn’t realize Sweden ever got dreary. In every picture I’ve ever seen, it just looks spectacularly beautiful.
I’m grateful for many things, but mostly right now, for all the wonderful people (and animals) in my life. Through my traveling and blogging, I’ve been able to form connections with people from all over the world, and I don’t take a single thing for granted.
Love the cover!
Thank you, J.H. I’m guessing the dreariness is less prone to be photographed. 😉 Not to say it’s not beautiful here, because it very much is.
I’m glad you have so much to be thankful for. Having the right people (and animals 😀 ) in one’s life is such a wonderful thing. Thanks for stopping by!