Thanksgiving!

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  There is SO SO much to be thankful for!  As I write these Friday Fave Fives for this week, I am full of food, full of memories, full of thankfulness.  I am joining other bloggers to focus on the blessings of Thanksgiving week (and all the other weeks of the year).

1.  Thanksgiving dinner was a win.  Younger Daughter is in San Diego with ZG and Warrior Boy, so at our table were Older Daughter and Tall Boy and three lovely guests whose families are not in the area.  It was a wonderful fun time sitting around the table, eating and talking and laughing.

2.  We had more food than we could eat.  That is a blessing.  Left over food means more meals.  And it means that we will not be hungry.  We should never take an abundant table of delicious food for granted.   As Tall Boy commented, he is thankful that he doesn't go to sleep at night hungry like many children in Africa do.

3.  Earlier in the week, we spent a few wonderful hours with a couple who is planning a road trip to Oregon in January to attend a wedding.  They have never driven west and knew we were seasoned travelers and lived in Oregon for many years.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and for us, a time of pulling up fun memories.  I'm thankful for all the exciting, mundane, summer, fall, spring and winter travels we have experienced (and lived to tell the tale).

4,  Tuesday nights are always special for The Professor, Tall Boy and Warrior Boy.  That's the evening of the weekly meeting of their Trail Life troop (similar to Boy Scouts).  This week was Court of Honor which included the passing out of badges earned and yearly renewing of the Trail Life pledge.  I am so thankful that our area has such a vibrant and fun troop.  And I'm thankful for all the friends our grandboys have made there and for the leaders who are The Professor's friends.

5.  I am thankful for memories.  Seven years ago, Older Daughter and I were in Dorchester, Dorset, England on Thanksgiving Day.  Older Daughter mentioned our trip and where we enjoyed our own Thanksgiving Day tea in an historic tea house.  That week, we walked the lovely streets, visited museums, ventured out to several historical sites.  Dorchester is a town where you can walk everywhere. What wonderful memories!

Just a few visual memories...

Mid November Fave Fives

Yes, it is late on Friday night.  Yes, I'm late posting my Friday Fave Fives.  Yes, I'm still thankful!  (I am trying to post some photos but my phone isn't talkin with my laptop.  I will keep trying.)  Update:  it took HOURS, but the photos finally downloaded in the middle of the night...

1.  We had a warm and sunny week. (until today)  I am thankful for the sunshine in November!  I really should be thankful, too, for the rain today.  We needed some moisture.

2.  Over the weekend (Sunday night), Younger Daughter took us to our very first pro soccer game.   And the Columbus Crew WON! 

3. Earlier in the week, we made a trip east about 30 miles to pick up my reframed counted cross stitch picture which I made for my grandmother a long long time ago.  I love how it looks now and plan to hang it in this cottage of mine in memory of her. 

4.  Since we were already out there, we decided to stop by and check out the A&W shop there.  Yes, it is a real A&W store.  And no, there were no car hops although there was a drive through window.  Since we had brought sandwiches with us, we only purchased cups of root beer.  I love finding these old fashioned places in random spots.

5.  Last weekend was my older son (Chaplain Dan) and his wife's wedding anniversary.  Seventeen years!  Happy Anniversary to them!

What a Week!

I really do need to stop and take a breath in this crazy week.  What I really need is a few minutes to relax and remember all the wonderful things about the week.  That's why I post every Friday and share with others at Friday Fave Fives (follow the link)    If I don't do this, I find myself just overwhelmed with the busyness of the week.

1.  On Saturday, Younger Daughter and I spent a few hours browsing around the local quilt show.  We ran into two friends who are members of the quilt guild and had fun conversations with them.  And now Younger Daughter is a member.  Here are a couple of samples and an overview of a section of the display (taken from the balcony).

2-3.  Tuesday was momentous.  Very early in the morning, The Professor drove Younger Daughter to take her NCLEX, which is the exam that prospective nurses must take to be licensed as a registered nurse.  Understandably, she was a bit nervous.  In the meantime, I drove myself in to have blood work done for my annual exam.  While I waited for my dr appt later in the day, Younger Daughter finished the exam and they met me at a coffee place, and we had a chance to just relax and chat.  My dr appt went very well, and I am thankful that my PCP and I can talk about health and wellness and basically agree on how to proceed with options.

4.  Wednesday morning, we woke up to the noise of an incoming text.  "I passed!"  Younger Daughter is a NURSE!  Three years of classes while working fulltime and raising two children (now teenagers)!  She's a warrior!  I cannot express the pride we have in her accomplishment and how thankful we are that she is DONE with classes.

5.  Last evening, we attended a banquet (cowboy western style in a barn) to support Young Life ministry in our local area.  A great time was had by all.

These events are only a few of the activities we had on our schedule this week.  Every one is important, but I chose these five as samples of how God has blessed me this week.  I hope you have had a good week, too.

Hello November!

Good morning!  It's November!  It's C-O-L-D!  According to various places I have read, November is a month to be thankful.  Nope.  Every day is the day, every month is the month, to be thankful.  That's one reason I try to always post my Friday Fave Fives here at Willow's Cottage-- a reminder to 'give thanks always'. (follow the link to join us)

Here are my Five Faves from this last week of October/first week of November.

1.  Yes, it's cold here in Ohio.  This is our fourth winter and maybe we are getting used to it.  It snowed Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.  Not in our neighborhood, but in areas nearby.  We happened to be driving to a town southeast of here and passed places where the snow was still on the ground, mostly in shaded areas.  I know the photos aren't great, but here's proof.  What is there to be thankful for?  I am thankful for the seasons.

2.  Even though the recent wind and rainstorms blew down most of the leaves, there were still a few spots of autumn color.  I am always amazed (and thankful) at the beauty of the trees as their leaves turn red, orange, yellow or brown.

3.  Why were we headed out to that area?  Brunch with our coffee friends, T and S.  We decided to enjoy a breakfast at the iconic Denny's there.  Lots of yummy nine grain pancakes for me (which I brought home and finished for dinner).  I love our conversations which switch around all the time.  Some weeks we discuss theological issues; some weeks it's gardening and other outdoor stuff; some weeks it's memories of California; always it's so rewarding.  We are so thankful for these friends.

4.  We needed some new bedding and found a set of warm flannel sheets.  This made me think of how thankful I am for a warm home with plenty of warm, comfy blankets.

5.  What's better than a mug of hot coffee (or tea) in the mornings?  Nothing!  I am thankful that when I wake up, there is always a hot pot of coffee waiting for me. Not sure how that happens...it's a daily miracle :)

And a bonus for your enjoyment of old barns, a dark barn on a rainy day.