Friday, December 28, 2012

Friday's Fave Five #223



Time to take down the Christmas decor button and put up the frosty winter button because this past week around here was frosty!  A very chilly Christmas, indeed.  But there is blessings abounding this week to warm the soul.  Join me in our last FFF of 2012.  I can't believe I just typed that.  If you are new please see the guidelines here first and then just join right on in.

There were so many blessings, big and small, this past week that it's almost overwhelming to pick just a handful.  Because of Christmas some were, of course, material, but much more than those ones were the non-material blessings that surrounded us this week.  

1.  The blessings of celebrating the birth of Christ.  All month long services at church have been focused on the meaning and reason why we celebrate Christmas helping us to keep our focus on why there is even a Christmas to celebrate.  And that is welcoming Jesus,  Emmanuel, God with us, being born and coming to earth to redeem mankind.  With all the hullabaloo that today's Christmas has become it's nice to take a breath and remember what it's really all about.

2.  The blessing of celebrating our Younger Daughter's 18th birthday.  18 years ago on Christmas day at 12:07 noon she made her grand entrance.  How fast this 18 years have gone!  I no longer have children who aren't adults.  What a blessing this child has been. Sensitive, generous, a quirky sense of humor with the singing voice of an angel God surely blessed us with her. It will be interesting to see what the next few years brings as she figures out where she's headed in the next phase of her life. 

3.  The blessing of being surrounded by family.  While we missed my son terribly, who is away working, we still had plenty of family joining us in celebration.  I am so grateful, and think of those who aren't able to have family with them for whatever reason.

4.  The blessing of friends both in those popping by to visit and those who said hello with cards sent in the mail.  I love everyone of them and it brought such joy to see your cards and well wishes.

5.  The blessing of good food.  Our traditional Christmas dinner is turkey.  One of my favorite meals ever.  Turkey, stuffing, gravy, whipped potatoes.  What's not to love?  As per Younger Daughter's request roasted asparagus and maple spice yams were the sides.  I was able to score a groupon coupon for half off a marble slab cake and maple pecan with skor bits and maple glaze was her choice.   Delicious, I must say.  I also made this raspberry trifle because I knew she loved raspberries and I needed a nut free dessert.  And she was thrilled with it.  Thanks Kathie for that recipe!  It's going to be a keeper in our family! 

There is so much more:  time to rest, relax and read (my 3 favorite "R's"), sleeping in, lots of laughter, wonderful gifts shared.  Just to name a few.  What were your blessings from Christmas week?  What would you like to include in your last FFF of 2012?  



14 comments:

nikkipolani said...

I agree - many more than five faves, but we have to start somewhere! Love your fives with the focus on the reason we celebrate and family joys. Happy birthday to your girl! That must've been some Christmas Day 18 years ago.

Willow said...

Happy Christmas birthday to your daughter! Christmas is a wonderful time of remembering our Savior's birth and spending time wtih family.

Gattina said...

It's a pity for your daughter to have her birthday on Christmas, lol ! I mean re gifts!
I also had a very nice Christmas with the family !

LivingforGod said...

It has been a wonderful week filled with God's blessings for sure! Happy Birthday to your daughter! Enjoy the rest of the year :)!

Faith said...

It was a God-filled week for sure....we celebrated my youngest daughter's birthday too this past week! (the 21st she turned 14). Happy bday to yours and I love those 3 r's too!! :)

Ann said...

I confess to putting in a sixth one this week. Hope that doesn't get me in trouble! Happy birthday to your daughter - we have a lot of December birthdays, and even one Christmas one (my husband's sister), so we appreciate the joys and difficulties that entails.

Barbara H. said...

It is wonderful, even essential, to have those moments of pulling back from the hubbub and thinking about Christmas as Jesus' birthday and all that that means to us.

I saw a news photo of new babies in the hospital nursery in red stockings and remembered the story of your daughter's birth. Glad she had a great day!

We were blessed to have our immediate family with us -- we've had a couple when one has been away, and know that will likely happen in the future -- and even got to touch base with my sisters and step-dad in other states.

ellen b. said...

Wonderful week filled with epic faves! I'm glad you had lots of good times together Susanne. That trifle really did look like something to make and enjoy! I'm actually participating this Friday seeing how it's the last one of 2012~

Brenda said...

Yay for groupon! Groupon makes a lot of my weeks happier. Sounds like you are blessed in many ways!

Susan said...

Loved your week of blessings. Many are mine as well.

And don't forget to add the blessing of FFF. Thanks, Susanne,for being our thankful leader in this weekly meme.

snowbird said...

A lovely post, you remind me that I too have so much to be grateful for.

Have a happy, healthy prosperous New Year, to you and yours.xxxxx

Lynette said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hope you are blessed this coming year.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

It sounds like you have had a lovely holiday with all the right things being recognized. Merry Christmas

Deb said...

Hi Susanne ~ this is my first time to your blog! I am ashamed of myself for just now visiting! I always read Island Sparrow's (Kathie) Friday's Fave Five...forever now!...and love them so much. She has such beautiful photos that keep me coming back.

I'm considering doing Friday's Fave five this year if you plan on keeping it going. I'll try and give it some thought today, and if I can come up with something I'll come back and link.

Thank you so much for your blog. From what i've seen today, it's very encouraging.