Mid July Faves

Hello, friends!  How has your week been?  I've had another busy week, but overall, it has been a wonderful one.  Here are some of blessings that I have noticed from this week.  I'm sharing as my Friday Fave Fives and posting them with others who share on Susanne's blog. (follow the link)

1. Friday and Saturday we spent with our friends from California.  We took a walk along the river and they marveled at all the green foliage everywhere (not much like Southern California in the summer)

Then we visited a favorite coffee shop/cafe.  On Saturday we showed them around Columbus and visited a book shop and then watched a play in one of the city parks.  They loved it!  Even the crazy rainstorm that flooded one of the streets where we were driving.  It was hard to say goodbye-- we will miss all the conversations and all the hugs from C and A.

2.  On Sunday afternoon, I attended a workshop to learn how to make hats for women who have breast cancer and are undergoing chemo.  Nightbirde Foundation hosted it as it is local to our area.  You can find out more about the foundation by clicking the link.  I am enjoying making the hats and learning to use a knitting loom and knowing that my creations will bless someone who needs encouragement (and a warm hat).

3.  Monday was shopping day.  I have to admit that neither The Professor nor I are big shoppers.  So we plan a trip into the big city and try to do all the shopping in one day.  Trader Joe's for food.  The shopping mall for shoes and clothes.  And a lunch stop.  It took us most of the day, but we got the shopping done.

4.  Tuesday was our anniversary.  We spent the day driving up to northern Ohio to visit Big Boy Steam Engine.  BUT.  That's not how the day progressed.  The traffic was so bad as we approached within about three miles,  that it took us three hours to move less than a mile.  Then, the area was closed down, so we weren't allowed to get in to see the train.  Oh well.  Because Nurse Daughter and her son were caravanning with us, we decided to just drive to a nearby town and eat dinner.  The restaurant was lovely and the food was excellent!  And one of the onion rings we ordered was shaped like a heart!

The day didn't turn out as we expected, but it was still an interesting way to celebrate our anniversary.  As our daughter commented, we did spend part of our honeymoon driving in our car up and down the Pacific Coast Highway in California.

5.  After our coffee date with our friends, The Professor and I drove over to visit an elderly man from our church.  We spent a couple of hours with him chatting quietly.  As we drove in and out on the driveway, we passed what he calls 'the gnome house'.  Yes, he built it.  It was a privilege to just sit and talk with him.

And now it is Friday afternoon.  Our skies are clouded over with smoke from the fires to the west of us.  I hope all is well with everyone and you are all safe from the fires burning across North America.