Thursday, November 24, 2011

giving tree






















the little tree called out to me
waving it's jewel colored leaves
gathering ten or twenty,  sure that's plenty
i had a plan in mind.

i wanted more than turkey or pie
i wanted something else to remember
this thanksgiving day by.

i made my request
(to grumbles and eye rolls)
but lo and behold
they did as they were told.
(gently asked really.)

it made them stop
it made us think
thankful words did appear 
on every one
this gift of leaves from the little tree.

and one more thing...




it's kindly provided these two their engagement photos.
today was a very good day for this giving tree and me.
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

30 comments:

  1. AngelaNovember 25, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    You are really a master of invention, Lori! And everyone played along, how sweet! (You must also be a master of seducing) I love that tree and also the colored leaves and most of all what everyone wrote. And their smiles along with it. They will tell their own grandchildren of their family meetings!
    And speaking of that... when our young people have found a loved one and plan a new family, isn`t that just WONDERFUL? This shows us that they must have happy memories and courage for the future, something they have learned from us!
    Your blog is such an inspiration, dear Bonnie Lori. And I am so glad I have found you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JuneNovember 25, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    What a fantastic idea - your photos are truly stunning!
    June

    ReplyDelete
  3. LindaNovember 25, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    This is such a beautiful idea, just wonderful.
    Have a peaceful weekend
    Love
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. pinkundineNovember 25, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    What a fabulous idea, I love it. The pictures of the tree are amazing too :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. GreerNovember 25, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Love!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. studio loloNovember 25, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Now to me, that IS Thanks-giving.

    How wonderful!

    Congrats to your daughter :)

    xoxo
    Lo♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tracey ~ CloverNovember 25, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    My Dearest Lori,
    Another wonderful idea and one I will be sure to employ next year.
    What a beautiful family you have been blessed with and I just know your day was filled with lots of love.
    I hope you enjoy time with your sister, as there is nothing like a sister is there?
    Be happy and laugh!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Andrea @ little bucklesNovember 25, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    You are a genius Lori! I have to do this too. What a great idea and despite the grumbles and eye rolls I bet they thought it was pretty fantastic too. You can add one from us saying thankyou for being our American Auntie :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. kjNovember 25, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    i should be speechless!

    you imagine, conjure, create and execute! this time a tree and leaves and markers and a way to pluck the most important words from the heavens and hang them on a family tree.

    no doubt your family expects this of you by now :^) and no doubt each files such a wonderful idea and sharing into their past and future memories.

    this whole post is so classically YOU.

    warmed my heart his morning, lori graham.

    how wonderful to see your family one by one, always, but that first and last photo: congratulations for vows to come.

    love
    kj

    ReplyDelete
  10. MJNovember 25, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    LOVE your beautiful giving tree!! Isn't it funny how they grumble at these things, but are so happy once they do it! Last year we did something similar but for Christmas, your pics have encouraged me to do it again this year :).

    Congratulations to your daughter!! Hope your thanksgiving was lovely :).
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. yoboroboNovember 25, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    I love this, Lori! They will always remember doing this, and I am betting they will do something similar with their families. Little trees sprouting up everywhere :) You all look so happy (loved Mac n'Cheese!) We skyped with Alex in Madrid yesterday (passed around the iPad). I missed having him here, but it was good to 'see' him. Happy Leftover Day! Yum! xox Pam

    ReplyDelete
  12. JulieNovember 25, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Beautiful, Lori! I hope you all had a warm and full Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  13. nunuNovember 25, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    so sweet! i loved reading all the leaves. beautiful post. i love that your baby is grateful for macaroni and cheese. : ) and lots of ocean from your brood too. i like your family.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    the most perfect idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. gallerydarrowNovember 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Lovely idea Lori.
    *mac and cheese :)

    I love the name liquid amber and a day for giving thanks.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. DebNovember 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Beautiful Thankful idea & family!
    Congratulations to your daughter ♥

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    WOW.
    You've taken one of my favorite books--and made it even more special. This is beautiful. As are you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  18. MimNovember 25, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    This is lovely - what a wonderful idea. Sounds like you had a lovely day

    ReplyDelete
  19. ValNovember 25, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    another beautiful idea that i would love to beg borrow or steal! you are truly inspiring and wonderfully creative Lori - wow! your Thanksgiving sounds magical and congratulations to the happy couple. How wonderful to be joining your family officially xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. karenNovember 26, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Congrats to the happy pair! How lovely the giving tree is... Catching up, as ever, now off to go and download the first four chapters of that book! Hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving x

    ReplyDelete
  21. lilylovekinNovember 26, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Your post made me happy and thankful, it is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LizNovember 26, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    You are adorable, Lori! I was thinking about how Thanksgiving goes by so fast and almost unnoticed these days with the bigger and more flashy Christmas holiday encroaching. I think your tree is a wonderful idea to slow things down a bit and it offers up a moment of reflection. I love it!

    I wanted to mention to you that we were in your area yesterday visiting the Coronado Butterfly Preserve. It exceeded our expectations and left us all speechless. An amazing day, the beauty is abundant up there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. MinaNovember 26, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    You had such a creative idea and I love all these words on the leaves, so true and beautiful.
    I wish we had Thanksgiving celebration here but deep in my heart I always think how thankful I am and you are one of the good things that happened in my life. Thank you for being my friend, dear Lori!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Bella SinclairNovember 26, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Nooooooooo eye rolling here. Just sweet smiles and maybe a heart that's thumping a wee bit louder. That was a tremendously lovely idea. I hope you press those leaves to preserve them forever.

    Your family photos are warm and beautiful, just like the people in them. And the engagement photo! So incredibly sweet!

    I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend with the people you love. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  25. marianneNovember 26, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Wow what a wonderful idea this one !
    And yes I can imagine this was a perfect Thanksgiving and a perfect day to get engaged!
    You have a lot to be thankful for. I am happy for you!

    Have nice Sunday♥

    ReplyDelete
  26. karenNovember 27, 2011 at 3:23 AM

    You got eye rolls? NEVER! I love the idea of the giving tree, beautiful. Congrats on the engagement photos, exciting times!

    ReplyDelete
  27. delNovember 27, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    What a beautiful idea! And beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  28. kjNovember 27, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    ♥
    :^)

    ReplyDelete
  29. TirzaNovember 28, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    A giving tree... what a great idea! I love it. I'll have to do that next year.

    ReplyDelete
  30. EllenNovember 30, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Love that giving thankful tree. Eye rolls and groans are typical here too, but when everyone sets their mind on one person/thing/event that they're thankful for...lots of things come spilling forth. Macaroni & Cheese! That would be a favorite here too. Congrats on the engagement. Exciting time!

    ReplyDelete

xoxo lori

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)