Friday's Fave Five #835

Welcome everyone!  It's Friday once again and that means taking that pause in our busy days and taking note of the good things that God has blessed us with over the past week.  It's been a very busy past few days, as I'm sure it was for you too with the Easter holiday so that makes being intentional in taking that thankfulness pause that much more important.  Busyness can be such a distractor that causes us to miss or overlook all that God blesses us with over our days and weeks.  We can be so caught up in just trying to accomplish what we need to get done that those good things slip right past us and we miss the chance to be thankful.  Join us as we develop intention in our gratitude.

~ 4 day weekend ~ for me, a 4 day weekend is a huge blessing!  It not only gives me rest time, but removes the hectic out of having basically only one day of the weekend totally devoted to getting chores and to do list stuff done.  Easter put more things on that to do list so having that extra day before the holiday to help get things done for the arrival of family was a huge blessing.  And having Monday to clean up and just be with the family doing fun stuff is a gift before jumping back into work on the Tuesday.

~ the whole family home ~ now that the kids are grown and live out of town with jobs & responsibilities, getting everyone together at the same time is more difficult.  This Easter was the first Easter in awhile where everyone was able to be here.  It was really nice having everyone together again and I'm thankful they all had safe travels here and back to their homes.  

~ Easter dinner ~  even though it's a lot of work and sometimes stressful, I do love having everyone gathered together for special dinners.  This year we had 11 of us here for Easter dinner.  I have discovered it I cook the turkey the day before, cool it, carve it and reheat it with some chicken broth in the baking dish, makes for a whole lot less stress the day of the dinner.  The chicken broth keeps the turkey nice and moist in the reheating.  Then Sunday it was easy to just thicken the gravy and whip up some potatoes and a veggie. So much easier.   I also threw a ham in the oven because I wanted to make sure there was enough meat for that crowd.  My sis brought desserts and buns and we all shared a wonderful and delicious afternoon together.

~ gifts ~ my son bought me a really cute planter for the deck table.  He saw it in a grocery store of all places and thought of me so he bought it.  It's a huge teacup and saucer and I can't wait to go pick flowers for it next month.  My younger daughter brought with her a gift that she had ordered for Christmas for me but it didn't come in on time so she gave it to me now.  It's an ornament with the quote from the book I used to read to them all the time when they were little:  "I'll Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch.  It really touched me.    

~ siding work started ~  it's been a long time coming but work started yesterday on replacing the siding on our house.  We've wanted to do it for years and years but other priorities have always put it on the back burner.  It's a lot of work for Hubby keeping up on the painting and everything else around here and as we get older we are both finding our enthusiasm and energy and even ability for certain chores is waning.  With my hand and arm issues I haven't helped with painting in many years so all the work of both inside and outside painting fell to Hubby who has his own shoulder issue.  I'm so glad that at least painting the exterior of the house will no longer be on his to do list.  

What have been your favorite blessings this week?

Friday's Fave Five #834

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five on this day where we reflect on the great mercy and love of God towards us in sending us His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we can have eternal life with Him.  My prayer is your heart knows this truth.  And to quote a line from season 5 part 2 of the Chosen, even if God didn't bless us with one other thing in this life, "It would have been enough".   But He in His great love, does give us blessings and we are here to notice them and be grateful for them.  Please join us as we share 5 of them from the last week.

~ neighborhood walks ~ There has been some lovely weather so we've been taking advantage and going for some walks around the neighborhood with the dog.  I am blessed to have 5 different Little Free Libraries within walking distance of my home.  So me and the pooch rotate through them getting our fresh air and exercise.  I'm thankful for the warmer weather to get outside!

~ fun with the dayhome kids ~ holidays always mean extra activities that we usually don't do and yesterday we did our Easter egg hunt with the littles.  They love this every year.  It was a bit chilly outside during the activity but everyone was soon warmed up with all the running around.  I ended up rehiding the eggs at least 5 times.  It was so fun watching them have fun with their laughter and excitement.

~ Part 3 of the Chosen Last Supper ~ Saturday saw us back at the theatre to watch the Last Part of season 5.  Oh my,  pretty speechless over that one.  When it ended and the lights came on everyone just sat there in stunned silence, reflecting over everything we had just seen.  Yes, we know the story and we know what's going to happen but it's in how it is presented and the great writing and acting that puts it right before your eyes.  

~ gift from a dayhome parent ~ one of my dayhome Moms gifted me with a lovely Easter bouquet.  It was a lovely surprise and it was so thoughtful of her to think of me.  And now I'll have a lovely bouquet for the Easter dinner table.

~ reconnecting ~ this week through a phone call I was able to reconnect with someone who had been a huge part of my growing up years.  We lost touch many, many years ago.  It was so nice to be able to talk with her again and I recognized her voice instantly.  

What have been your favorite blessings of the week?

 

I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter!  

Friday's Fave Five #833

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.   Looking back over the last week we are intentionally choosing to take note of the blessings in our lives whether it's been a great week or a hard week.  God is always there and He wants to bless us but sometimes our focus on the circumstances in our lives cause us to not even notice.  Intentionally taking the time on a regular basis to take note and be thankful helps us to sift through the loudness of the chaos, to find those things in life God brings to uplift us.  Please join in with sharing five of your favorites.

~ lady's group ~ the lady's group at church that I joined in September is really becoming a blessing in my life.  It's a great group with most of the ladies feeling comfortable enough to join in.  Wednesday's meeting had some great conversation as we took a look some scriptures that had us really looking into our hearts.  I'm thankful for the comfortable and open atmosphere that the leader encourages and the safe place it is to share what you think without judgement .  

~ steal of a deal ~ I have had a couple of pairs of Keen sandals and have loved them for the comfort and support.  When I was in Marshalls (like TJ Maxx) I came across a pair in another style than the one I've had  that were really nice, they fit great and they were half the price that they are in regular stores.   I'm guessing they were a discontinued color.  Couldn't pass it up so they came home with me.  Thankful for a great deal on something I know I'm going to put to good use on all our summer walks.

I think it's this style, similar color except the black sole is beige

~ open windows ~ several days this week we have been able to fling open windows and get some fresh air flowing through.  When I can do this I know spring is really here.  Yes, there still may be some crazy weather but those open windows tell me the warmth is coming. 

~ The Chosen - Last Supper part 2 ~ oh boy it was so good!  A long time to sit in the theatre, 3 episodes, almost 3 hours, but so worth it.  So much depth and one part had me in tears.  It was an extra biblical part (meaning it was not actually in the scriptures) but it made it all so relevant and meaningful.  It definitely was a blessing to be able to go and see it again.  And we have our tickets for the part three tomorrow.  

~ texts ~ This week it was a blessing to receive texts and conversation from all three of my adult kids this week.  I love when I see their names pop up.  I'm thankful that texting and messaging is a modern day blessing for those of us with famiy away from home.  

What have been your blessings from this past week?

Friday's Fave Five #832

Hi everyone!  Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  First off I want to say I'm sorry I missed getting around to everyone's posts last week.  The weekend was very busy and then the week just got away from me.  But onward and upward to this week!  I hope everyone had a great week with plenty of blessings to choose from to share.  

~ the Chosen season 5 ~ season 5 has been released and it's all about the Holy Week.  Episode 1 & 2 was in theatres this week and starts with Jesus entering Jerusalem in the Triumphant Entry.  It was powerful episodes and really showed the political machinations that were in play at the time.  Episode 3,4 & 5 will be this Saturday and I've already got my tickets!

~ Worship Concert ~ Saturday was busy with not only the movie but a worship concert in the evening.  It was beautiful.  A 70 voice choir sang their hearts out for an hour and a half of wonderful worship songs.  It was quite the experience and a wonderful fund raiser for two local charities.   Between the movie and the concert my heart was full.

~ no more pain ~ for over 3 weeks I've been struggling with pain in one of my knees to the point where it was interfering with my daily life and my sleep at night.  I have no idea what I did.  I had x-rays done on my knees at the beginning of February for what I thought was an old MCL injury acting up but the doc just said it was showing mild arthritis.  But that never sat right with me for what I was experiencing with it during these last weeks.  I tried everything from advil when it was causing me to wake up at night, to wearing a brace in the day, which in all honesty was a pain in itself and after 3 days I had to stop wearing it because I was getting ankle swelling.  The cream the pharmacist gave me was helping a bit as was wearing indoor runners with inserts from the shoe and foot specialist but nothing was really making it go away.   Then a couple of days ago, I noticed it felt different, not as intense, and the next morning I felt an odd pop with a quick shooting of mild pain and praise God my knee feels almost totally better now.  It still gets a little fatigue by night time but all of a sudden I'm no longer limping but walking normal, taking the stairs normally, and able to get up off the floor with much less strain.  I don't know what was going on but praise God, it seems to have resolved itself.  I don't even have to use the cream anymore.  

~ good night's sleep ~ this definitely has to make the list.  After a few weeks of interrupted sleep a full night is heaven!

~ weekend looking good ~ after a temperature drop this week down to freezing again and some spring snow it's predicted to be a wonderfully warm and sunny weekend and we're feeling it already today.  I can't wait.  I'm over the freezing days.  I want to get out and clean the flower beds and break out the t-shirts out of the drawers.  I want to go on sunshine filled walks and bike rides, not shovel wet snow.  I want to use the grill and sit on the deck.  Can't wait for the weekend.

What at your favorite blessings from the week?

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell ~ Book Review

In 1860 London, Clara feels it is her job to protect her family, a heavy load for a young woman of her age.  But if it were not for her totally misjudging the intents of her ex-fiance, her family would not be in the predicament they are now.  But getting hurt in the way she was and her ex's recent actions has made Clara not just mistrust her ex, but she also has her guard up to every person who comes into their lives.  As her ex spreads rumors of insanity in her family, Clara is kept on her toes trying to quell such stories even as her quirky family seems to be going out of their way to make it so.  When her grandfather brings a total stranger into his clockworks shop as an apprentice, Clara's senses are on high alert and everything in her is screaming that it is yet another spy that her ex has hired to get evidence to prove the rumors he is spreading.  The apprentice, Theodore Kingsley has grown up being told what a disappointment he is to his father and after the war which physically and emotionally damaged him, his father declared him dead.  Coming back to England to try and start fresh he has changed his name to Arthur and hopes for that fresh start doing what he loves in Drosselmeyer's Clock shop where no one knows his past.  He doesn't understand the deep disdain his new boss's granddaughter has for him.  When Drosselmeyer disappears in an flying owl machine he invented, leaving only a small clue to Clara urging her to come find him and her dreams of adventure, both Clara and Theodore blames themselves personally for all this happening.  Together, along with Clara's mother, they go in chase of the trail of clues that will lead them to her grandfather.  But there are also others giving chase to find the flying owl for their own selfish purposes and the group find they not only need to figure out the clues but also stay one step ahead of those who wish to use the flying owl for nefarious purposes.  

What a fun adventure this book was.  Whimsical, funny, a sweet romance with magical realism it touches on some pretty deep themes of guilt, shame, acceptance, God's love, and redemption.  The adventure is reminiscent of Around the World in 80 Days to my mind.  The character development is well done and while frustrated with some characters at first, loved them by the end.  I especially loved the quirky, animal loving activist of a mother that Mrs. Stanton was. I was thoroughly engrossed in this charming adventure of a story.

I rated it a 9.5/10

Friday's Fave Five #831

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five where we pause to be thankful to God for the blessings He gives.  Please join us as we share five of our favorites from the past week.

~ weekend relax time ~ this weekend I actually found quite a bit of relax time for a change.  There was lots of time to just have a cup of actual HOT coffee and sit with a good book.  This isn't always the case so I was really grateful.  And we all know coffee always tastes better in a cute mug.  

~ birthday treats for a friend ~ Saturday I treated my good friend to a dessert place of her choice for her birthday.  We spent a lovely couple of hours catching up over delicious sweets: tiramisu cheesecake for me and cookie ice cream concoction for her.  I'm very grateful for her friendship and it was fun to celebrate her.

~ surprise hello ~ last night my son, who is an advance care paramedic in the big city, had a patient transfer to our city and after it was done, he popped in without advance warning to say hi as we live close to the hospital.  He gave his mother heart palpitations though as he put on a flash of the yellow lights (not the emergency red lights), and all I saw through the half drawn blind was yellow flashing.  As I got up to see what was happening on the street I heard a quick whoop of a siren.  I was thinking "what on earth is going on?" as I headed to the front windows.  When I looked through the window there was an ambulance sitting on our driveway.  My head immediately panicked thinking something happened to our neighbors and they were using our driveway for access.  So I ran to the kitchen to peek out the side window to see if they were indeed headed over there when I heard the lock on the front door opening.  My brain still did not clue in, and my heart and brain were racing wondering how on earth the ambulance service got the combo to my front door.  When I peeked out the window to the front step of course, I didn't see my son but another paramedic standing there and my poor brain was just not cluing in.  LOL.  Then in walks my son with a smirk.  What a guy.  Typical of his quirky sense of humor enjoying making his Mother's heart race.  After a quick intro to his partner and a hug he was back on his way to the big city.  In spite of the rise in heart rate, I am so blessed to have kids who still like come home and check in on their parents.

~ helpful Hubby ~ from kitchen cleanup help after supper to all the fix it jobs that crop up around the house to grocery runs, I'm so thankful for the blessing of help he is to me everyday.  

 ~ cozy cover ~ found a steal of a deal on a really nice duvet cover.  I've needed a new one for a while but was biding my time until I found just the right one. Love when I can be patient enough to find the deal on something I need.  Now sleep time is super cozy and comfy again.

What were your favorite blessings from the week?

 

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger ~ Book Review 2025

In 1932, Odie and his brother are orphans that have been sent to live at the Lincoln Indian Training School, a residential school, even though they are not of First Nations descent.  Odie hates it there and he frequently is at the receiving end of the superintendent's wrath.  For silly "crimes" and rebellion he is often locked in a shed where his only friend is the rat sharing the space.  When something tragic happens when Odie is trying to escape punishment yet again, he and his brother Albert, along with Odie's best friend Mose, break free along with a little girl whom the superintendent wants to adopt. Heading to St. Louis, where they think they have an aunt who will take them in, the four runaways go from Minnesota's Gilead River to the Mississippi in a stolen canoe in the hopes it will be harder for them to be tracked if they are on the water.  On their journey they run into a variety of folks from desperate farmers to faith healing evangelists who either help them or hinder them.  Who to trust becomes a challenge they must overcome even as they learn to trust themselves and their friendship is tested to the limit.  

This book came highly recommended to me.  Set during the Great Depression, the story is told through the eyes of 12 year old Odie, who along with his older brother, find themselves sent to a residential school after their mother and father have both died because there is no where else to place them.  Odie's life is not easy at the school and there are many portions that were hard to read due what he and other children endured at the hands of the school administrators.  Once they leave the school, their lives are up and down as they struggle to survive during their journey.  There are many heartwarming moments of friendship and coming of age and also many ones of suffering as they learn some hard lessons along the way to find their aunt.  There are many deep things and issues of the time woven into the story that makes the reader think. Odie struggles throughout the story believing in a God who would let these bad things happen and this plays into the story throughout different parts.  Character development was excellent and I came to care for and really hope for all the main characters.  The story is very atmospheric and the author's description of the areas takes you right there.  It is a longer book at 444 pages and though I did like the story, I did find myself starting to skim in parts and wishing it would wrap up.   So while I'm not loving it as much as others seemed to love it, it is a good book that drew me  into the lives of the four young friends trying to find healing for hearts and a place to belong.  

I rated it a 7.5/10