I Am Thankful

I got a twitter account last month (you can follow me HERE!) and I got the idea of a blog post thanks to a friend on there, Cassi, who also takes rockin photographs. A week or so ago she mentioned that she was taking the time to write down 20 things that she is grateful for in her life and how eye opening it was. I thought this was an extra special idea right before the New Year.  It inspired me to do the same, but I couldn't stop so here is my list of 25 things I am thankful for right now, in no particular order. What are you thankful for?

1.     I am thankful for the time to spend with friends that we don’t normally see very often.

2.     I am thankful I get to work, travel and play with my best friend and little sister, Adrian.

3.     I am thankful for warm socks.

4.     I am thankful for my darling little Roo dog who brings so much joy into my life.

5.     I am thankful for the relationship I have with my parents….they’re just so COOL!

6.     I am thankful for silk Pajamas.

7.     I am thankful for coffee.

8.     I am thankful for every single person that takes the time to read and comment on Buckaroo Barbie.

9.     I am thankful for the ability and luxury to reinvent myself: I used to be a cowboy, now I’m a writer/personal assistant and the possibilities for the future are endless.

10. I am thankful for my sister’s Frye boots that she lets me wear (I know that’s shallow but I can’t help it, I LOVE THEM!).

11. I am thankful for the stack of lovely, inspiring and thoughtful books I received for Christmas. Books can mold you, shape you and push you in directions you never thought of going.

12. I am thankful for second chances in life.

13. I am thankful for my big, fat old Albert horse who doesn’t buck me off even when it’s cold outside and he hasn’t been ridden in forever.

14. I am thankful for the people who take the time to tell my sister how her music has moved them and why.

15. I am thankful that I have finally discovered a healthy way to eat that makes me feel TERRRIFIC!!!

16. I am thankful for family: blood and chosen.

17. I am thankful for the chances I have been given, with my horses, rawhide, writing and education.

18. I am thankful for makeup, because it makes me feel like a girl.

19. I am thankful for the friends I have made while traveling and the technology that allows me to stay in touch with them.

20. I am thankful for music, it moves me in ways I don’t even understand!

21. I am thankful for old black and white movies, they inspire me.

22. I am thankful for chocolate. Don’t judge.

23. I am thankful for my memories, they keep my heart warm during the hard spells.

24. I am thankful that some hard-working cowboy has to work in the snow today and I don’t! hehehehe

25. I am thankful for the opportunity to be given this life to live and the ability to make it into something big and glittering with possibility and joy.

xo xo Liz 

May The Light Of Your Ancestors Shine Down Upon You

My favorite answer when someone asks me "what" I am (why do Americans always want to be from somewhere??), is "I'm American by God!" But in all actually I have grandparents on both sides of the family that are Irish and Scottish. Because of that and because I find these traditional verses beautiful, I want to share two Christmas blessings with you all.

"The light of the Christmas star to you, 

The warmth of home and hearth to you, 

The cheer and good will of friends to you, 

The hope of a childlike heart to you, 

The joy of a thousand angels to you, 

The love of the Son and God's peace to you."

 Irish Christmas Blessing

"May God shower joy upon us, my dear family, 

Christmas brings us all good things. 

God give us grace to see the New Year; 

And if we do not increase in numbers 

May we at all events not decrease." 

Scottish Christmas Blessing 

Aren't they lovely? Does your family have any traditional blessings that they say during the holidays? And if so, what are they? 

xo xo Liz 

A Reason To Be Thankful

It is such a beautiful day here today - when I woke up fog was kissing the corners of the house and the south pasture was dotted with black baby calves. It was so lovely I felt like my heart was going to burst...you know the feeling, when you gulp big lungfuls of freezing cold air and just plain old joy, deep inside yourself. Wonderful.

Because November is the month to reflect on our blessings and what we're thankful for, and because I was inspired by Jennifer over at Ramblings of a Ranch Wife post last night, and because I'm weird and love lists, I decided to compile a list of all the things I am thankful for this fall.

If you make your own list, and I really hope you do, please share it with us in the comments below! You can never have too many people being thankful for the blessing in their lives!

Buckaroo Barbie's Reasons To Be Thankful 

• Cozy, fuzzy hats. Particularly the ones with pom-poms on top. 
• Fires.
• Early morning visits over coffee with loved ones.
• Apple pie.
• Preparing the Thanksgiving menu now. And the drooling that accompanies the thought of eating said menu.
• Wool socks.
• The seasonal desire to start knitting again. (Props to you gals that keep it up all year long!)
• A family that reads.
• Long walks in the evening that require good, waterproof boots.
• The sound of rain.
• Depending on what part of the country you're in, cute, new baby calves OR falling asleep to the sound of bawling during weaning time. 
• Hot chicken pot pie for dinner. 
• Rolling down your truck (or car!) windows to let the cold air in while turning the heat on full blast on your feet. 
• Big sweaters and scarves and gloves. Yumminess for my bod. 
• Hunting time. 
• Falling leaves. 
• Listening to the horses blow rollers first thing in the morning. 

What are you thankful for and what brings joy to your heart? 

xo xo Liz