Friday, January 25, 2019

Friday's Fave Five #518



Hello everyone.  Welcome to Friday and the opportunity to be purposefully take note of our blessings from the last week.  What has lifted you up this week, what has made you smile, what has lifted your load, what are you grateful for from the last seven days?  Join us in sharing 5 of your favorites and let's learn to live more intentionally thankful lives.

~ snow ~  and not just any snow.  But the big flake, light, floaty fun to play in kind of snow.  And with the snow....no wind!  Oh how thankful am I to have a couple of days without the crazy wind.  The dayhome kids and I have spent hours outside over the last couple of days getting pink cheeked and breathing fresh air as we've played in it.  I don't mind this kind of snow one bit.

~ easy meals ~  when I made my Costco run last week, I noticed they had really good sales on a couple of their pre-made deli meals so I picked up a couple of them.  One of them I've had before and love, the Moroccan chicken with chickpeas and couscous, and a new to me one, little bite sized manicotti filled with cheese and a meat sauce on top made it home with me.  They were a great deal and sure were handy this week as I've had a few rough days at work.  It was so nice not to have to worry about what to make for dinner or where to find the time to make dinner.  I just had to pop them in the oven and set the timer, make a salad or roast some veggies and dinner was done.  And it saved money in the long run because eating out would have been at the very least double the amount.   Was very grateful for those meals.

~ Peanut butter cup tea ~  There is a tea store in the mall that I don't usually peruse but one day last fall when we were at the mall with the family, they were giving out samples of  a peanut butter cup tea.  I thought it was pretty tasty and bought some.  Made into a latte it was delicious.  I had just a little while ago told hubby as I was getting to the bottom of the can, that I wish I had bought more because it was a seasonal item.  Last week when we went to the mall to pick up a gift card for my son's birthday, I ran in to the tea store and lo and behold they happened to still have this tea.  So I bought another can and can now enjoy it on these cooler evenings.

~ taco soup ~ I don't know about you guys but in the winter wind seems to go right through me and makes me cold to my bones, even if it's one of our warm chinook winds.  So because we've had so much wind lately and then a couple colder days with snow I was craving some nice warm soup.  I decided on taco soup.  I love everything about taco soup.  I added the usual taco spices and seasonings and then also threw in some of the chili lime seasoning from Mexico my daughter and SIL had brought back for my hubby for Christmas.  Oh my goodness.  Topped with grated cheese, crushed tortilla chips and sour cream it was just the right thing to warm me right up.  And bonus:  there is enough for tomorrow!

~ sweet compliment ~ a lady that hasn't been to our study in a long time decided to come this past Tuesday.  It was nice to reconnect and have her there and  during the evening she paid me a beautiful, humbling compliment.  It was so sweet and something that I really did need to know and my heart very gratefully received it.  Sometimes when you lead or facilitate a group you wonder if you are making any kind of a difference so those unexpected gifts of a compliment are very much appreciated.

Well, I am so looking forward to this weekend.  Time to relax and refresh.  I get to share about my upcoming trip with Operation Christmas Child at church which is exciting and kinda scary all at the same time.  And I get to spend some down time with family.  Can't wait.  Have a great weekend everyone!

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11 comments:

Willow said...

I posted about an encouraging word someone shared with me this week. It really does make a difference, doesn't it?
Snow? I know my daughter loves snow, too. I just don't get to experience snow, so I don't know how I would respond to it. Hopefully, like you and the daycare kids!
I'm not sure about that peanut butter cup tea--but I do love me some Earl Grey and drink it most every day.
Happy Weekend to you!

Gattina said...

We have sno too ! 3 cm ! A big wall, lol !Of course the country was a mess we are not very well organized or equipped ! Can imagine that the little once enjoyed the snow !

Faith said...

Oh you're reading Lisa Genova!! Can't wait to hear what you think. I really liked it although it is t my fave of hers. My fave continues to be Love Anthony.

We had the light fluffy snow too with our snowstorm but we cannot take the children out as the temps are too frigid and in extreme temps a couple of them will have seizures. Plus not all of them have the proper gear. 😢
I'm glad you get the little ones out. I bet they nap well for you!

That sounds like a tea my oldest daughter would like. I'm gonna look for it at our fancy mall tea shop.

Enjoy the weekend.....can i have your recipe for taco soup?L

Susanne said...

Faith: Here is the basic recipe I followed. Of course I modified to what I had on hand and adjusted the spice to the preference of my family. We like our spice. And I've never seen a Lime Cilantro tomato product so added my own cilantro and the chili lime seasoning from Mexico my daughter gave us.
https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/best-taco-soup-recipe-one-pot/

Barbara H. said...

No snow here, thankfully! :-) But I am glad you had the big fluffy kind with no wind! I love having meals premade to some degree for easy dinners. Like you say, much cheaper than going out. I can't imagine peanut butter cup tea. But I am glad the store still had some for you. We had some vegetable-beef soup this week with corn muffins - soups are so good on cold nights. And I am so glad the lady at your study shared with you. I know what you mean about sometimes wondering what, if any, spiritual effect we're having, and it's such a blessing to know God has been using and working through us. I trust your presentation will go well this weekend!

Karen said...

Soup has been a favorite meal for us these days. So nice to get a few meals out of a batch. That peanut butter tea sounds unusual, but I would certainly be up for trying some. The snow you described is what I call "Snoopy snow!" It reminds me of the Peanut's cartoon when Snoopy dances in the snow. LOL Nice that you and the kids could enjoy some outdoor time.

Dianna said...

What a lovely week of blessings, Susanne. I love soup this time of the year as well. Our temps early in the week were in the minuses with the windchill so I made some soup.

I also appreciate those days without wind. We've been having more days with wind than without of late.

That peanut butter cup tea sounds SO good. I'll have to look for some.

I'm so thankful for the lady who complimented you at your Bible study. I understand where you are coming from when you sometimes wonder if you are touching anyone's life.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

nikkipolani said...

I can’t quite imagine peanut butter cup tea, but I’m glad you found more of something you love! Such great timing that you had ready-meals just when you need them. Besides, you didn’t have to go outside for dinner!

Wendy said...

Aww glad you got some encouraging words and enjoyed the snow. Not sure about the tea though lol

Jerralea said...

Sounds like a good week for you!

I'm all about soup - I could eat different soups all week long. So comforting!

I'm trying to imagine a peanut butter cup tea. I once tried a peanut butter cup creamer for my coffee, but it was kind of disappointing ... You seem to find the most unusual teas!

A compliment really can lift the spirit. So glad you received a good word!

ellen b. said...

How sweet for the lady to encourage you that way. It's good to verbalize things we appreciate about others. Those easy meals really do save money in the long run. Bonus when they are tasty! I love soup in any weather! Hope your week is going well.