Thursday, November 17, 2011

fff nov XI 2 XVIII

Friday Fave Five happens every week.  Choose five events from your week which you are thankful for, post them on your blog and then link them up to Susanne's blog.  Thank you, Susanne, for hosting this every week.  Here are mine:

1.  expectation.  The anticipation of our Thanksgiving visit with our family in San Diego.  Most of the fam will be together.

2.  flexibility.  I'm thankful that my schedule is flexible enough this weekend and next week, so I can hop a train to San Diego today (Friday) and help my daughter MamaMia with some stuff in preparation for Thanksgiving (see #1).

3.  transportation.  I love taking the train and Amtrak's Surfliner is special.  The views are world class!


4.  yumminess at Minimalist Woman.  My friend Meg has just published an e-cookbook.  I have been reading the introduction and browsing the recipes.  What I truly appreciate about this cookbook is the simplicity of the recipes.  I'm not a fancy cook and I *heart* one pot recipes which is what Meg's book focuses on.  I am definitely going to be trying the Pacific Soup (think sweet potatoes, coconut, and pineapple) and the Cranberry Orange Muffins.

5.  a purchase.  This week I bought -- wait for it-- railroad ties.  We are in the process of doing a bit of stabilization on the steep bank behind the house here at Willow's Cottage.  We'll be planting some California natives and are using those massive blocks of wood to keep the dirt from sliding down the slope.  Having the railroad ties means that the work will soon be completed.

Before next week's Fave Five, we will have celebrated Thanksgiving in the US.  So I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

17 comments:

nikkipolani said...

Wow. Railroad ties are not what I expected to read... Hope you'll capture some before/during?after scenes. Enjoy your visit to SD!

Tracy said...

WOW--railroad ties--that's amazing! Please share more about that as time goes. Yes, would love to see photos. Wishing you safe & happy travels and a sweet Thanksgiving with family & friends :o) ((HUGS))

Lynette said...

Train travel is fun. We have done one day trips to San Francisco. My husband on the hand probably thinks otherwise, he travels Amtack everyday to go to work.

Brenda said...

I love one pot recipes too, especially if its a crock pot- and I love to cook a lot and eat on it all week.

I'm really excited about Thanksgiving as well, so much fun stuff to do around that date!

roxie said...

Your pictures are one of my fave five! Hugs to MammaMia!

Railroad ties. For a minute I was trying to visualize neckwear patterned like RR tracks.

Karen said...

I'd love to take a train ride. It sounds like such an adventure.

Anticipating next week as well! Enjoy the time with your family.

ellen b. said...

Trains, Thanksgiving and Ties. Fun stuff! I think Railroad ties will be perfect for your slope! Happy Thanksgiving to all of yours!!

Kathie said...

I wish we still had trains here on the Island. Everyone used to travel by train but they were phased out in the 1970s. Too bad as I think they're a wonderful,as well as economical, way to travel.

Hope you post some of your cooking adventures for us! Sound yummy!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with our family!

Lisa notes... said...

We're having a family Thanksgiving meal this Saturday. I'm looking forward to that too. Flexibility--what a great trait!

Have fun with your railroad ties. :-)

Jerralea said...

Anticipation to see family is always a good thing! I'm going to see my daughter and son-in-law for Thanksgiving.

It would be great to ride the train and take pictures!

Barbara H. said...

We're anticipating our oldest visiting from RI for Thanksgiving. Can't wait!

So good to have a flexible schedule and to be able to do things like that.

I've never taken a train and I've always wondered what it would be like. Hope to fins out one day!

I like simple recipes, too.

Hope all goes well with the RR ties!

Faith said...

those ocean views are so pretty!! I get to see the ocean next week during THanksgiving...the cape cod side anyways...lol....I hope you have a wonderful THanksgiving with your family!!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

There's a bit of a railroad theme to your post...are you taking the train to San Diego? That is a beautiful ride! Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving week...it is almost here...already!

Carrie said...

Since we've been doing lots of yard work and redesigning things...I'm actually excited about your railroad ties. ;D Enjoy!

AND enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!!

Susanne said...

That soup sounds like it will be delicious. I love one pot recipes.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.

Melanie - Author/Editor/Publisher said...

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I've never been on a train before; sounds like fun!!

Catherine said...

I laughed- I wasn't expecting railroad ties, either - but it would excite me, too. I desperately need landscaping in the front of my house. We had work done and they tore up all my shrubbery and flowers.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving in San Diego, and that you enjoy the train ride!