It's December!

 Hello from a very very frigid Ohio.  How has your December days been so far?

It is Friday evening.  I am posting my Friday Fave Fives from a town north of my home where I am enjoying a quiet(ish) weekend with my older daughter.  Here are the blessings I am sharing from this past week.

1.  This may sound boring, but I have been thankful all week for a warm home. An efficient furnace that works hard to heat the house.

2.  Another boring thing.  I am thankful for warm coats, hats, gloves and boots.   We had almost five inches of snow accumulation this week.  What would I do without adequately warm clothes?

3.  The Professor and I were invited to join several other people in an Advent activity every Monday evening.  It includes a simple meal of soup and bread. Then we sing Advent and Christmas songs and our host reads an Advent devotional.  We have done this other years and thoroughly enjoy it.

4.  Yesterday my Bible Study group (BSF) visited a local nursing home and rehab center. We brought lots of Christmas yummies-- all kinds of cookies and candies.  We sang several Christmas carols and then spend some time chatting with the residents.  I think it was as big a blessing to me as it might have been for the people who live or work there.

5.  Lastly, I am thankful for my daughter inviting me to spend the weekend with her at a lovely bed and breakfast inn. She is dancing again in Nutcracker ballet.  I brought books and yarn.  I think this weekend away is going to be wonderful. 

The End of November Fave Fives

 Day 28 of A Month of Thankfulness.  And the fourth and last Friday Fave Fives of November.  This month flew fast!  As usual, I am posting on Friday five things that have reminded me to be thankful during this past week.  You can link up at Susanne's blog.

1.  Earlier in the week, I mentioned that I am thankful for good doctors and nurses.  I had a minor surgery on my hand and all has gone very well with the recovery.  

2.  I can knit again!!  Yes, I just tried it!

3.  Chap's wife's sister (PAL's nickname for her is Gooster) is here visiting for Thanksgiving week.  I have known her almost as long as I have known my daughter-in-law, and it has been fun to visit with her.  Walks.  Tea times. Conversations.

4.  I am thankful that all but one child and one grandchild were here at the cottage for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time.  The nerds played some kind of board game after our luscious dinner while the rest of us put together a jigsaw puzzle.  Included in the afternoon was a quick walk around the neighborhood to exercise off some of the pies that we all ate.  It was a delight for us to have two extra people celebrating with us, both co-workers of Older Daughter.

5.  Now we are off to watch Older Daughter dance in the local Nutcracker performance!  She dances in the ballet every year.  These photos are from last year's performance. She is the singer on the right in the blue dress.  You have to search for her in the second photo...

And this Sunday is the first week of Advent!

A Cold Merry December Fave Five

It's time again to stop, take a breath, and remember what good things have happened this past week.  Friday Fave Fives with Susanne as our host.  It is so easy during this crazy busy Christmas season to forget to relax and 

1.  Nutcracker!  Older Daughter loves ballet and for the past few years has been involved in the Nutcracker productions presented by the local ballet school.  Last year, I was ill and not able to attend, so I was especially happy to watch her dancing as one of the ladies at the ball in the first scene.  Also, she sings in the small group of carolers before the show.  I love her creativity and am so glad we could all attend as a family.

2.  At Sights and Sounds of Christmas last week, we were talking with our neighbor who conducts one of the church choirs.  He told us that the local private university has a Gospel Choir that was performing the next evening!  How did we not know this??  Of course we went and thoroughly enjoyed all the beautiful music.

3.  Our weather on Sunday was mild.  Like in the 50Fs.  Younger Daughter and I took advantage of that and took her two very excited dogs for a four mile hike at the local arboretum.  We chose the wilder east side of the arboretum and didn't met a single other hiker.  What a refreshing and fun hike!

4.  After Sunday our weather took a down turn in temperatures.  Our snowfall was minimal and only dusted the trees, lawns and bushes.  But it was still beautiful.  Will we have a White Christmas?

5.  Yesterday, after a couple of other stops on the way, Younger Daughter and I drove into the city and spent a few hours shopping for those last Christmas presents.  (I hope those were the last ones!)  We had a fun time and I think we chose some perfect presents for the people on our 'nice' list.  And it was fun to spend that time with her.

I hope you can take some time during this Christmas season to think about all the blessings our your life.