Almost Christmas!

 First, thank you to all who sent get well wishes last week.  Thankfully, I am feeling so much better especially since Christmas weekend is almost here.  As I fell asleep last night, I realized that for the first time in at least two weeks I wasn't coughing constantly.  I really am getting well!

This is the Friday before Christmas.  All through my house, I have lights, red and green fabrics and decor, and little piles of Christmas cards.  There is so much to be thankful for this Christmas of 2023.  Here are my Friday Fave Fives which I had to narrow down to just five things I noticed this week that are this season's blessings.

1.  I was well enough to attend a very dear and sweet friend's birthday party Sunday afternoon (yes, I tested negative for c-vid) and then an open house time at other friends' home.

2.  On Monday, we had our first snow!  It is now melted, but it was lovely to watch while it lasted.

3.  I finished that last baby blanket (last week's mention) and we delivered it to the parents on Tuesday so they can give it to their son for Christmas.  A bit out of focus, but the pictures show all the colors.  If you want details on the pattern, here is the link to the post I wrote for the other afghan I made.  Simply Soft yarns, size 8 needles.

4.  The weather was warm and sunny, so I took my first walk since being sick.  A half mile may not seem like much, but it was something to celebrate that I could walk that far and not feel completely fatigued.

5.  Do you enjoy cleaning?  Evidently, I'm one of those weird ones who like to clean and organize.  Younger Daughter requested my help in doing some deep cleaning at their house, so I spent much of Thursday there at the Hive (we call it the Hive because they are all busy as bees). It truly does give me great joy and I am thankful I have the energy to do it.

Bonus:  And now...we excitedly await tonight's arrival of Younger Son from San Diego who is coming for Christmas!

Choosing Gratitude

"When it comes to life the critical thing is whether your take things for granted or take them with gratitude."

G.K. Chesterton

I try to align my thoughts with gratitude and not take things for granted.  So often, we assume we deserve everything to be just the way we want.  We assume we deserve health, wealth and success.  But, everything is a gift of grace.  This is why I join Friday Fave Fives every week--to remind myself and others to take everything 'with gratitude'.

1.  I am grateful for a warm home.  As I write, the temperature outside is frightful 15F.  I know Susanne is thinking, "Is that all?", but this sunny Cal girl is turning into an icicle!  Instead of focusing on COLD,  I choose to think, "WARM house".

2.  I am grateful for health.  As I mentioned last week in FFF, The Professor tested positive for the big bag virus.  Well, in the afternoon, Younger Daughter, granddaughter, and I started feeling yucky.  Yep.  Positive.  Two things to be grateful for--- our symptoms were fairly mild.  And we had been able to procure home test kits.

3.  We are all fine, now.

4. Outdoor wear is wonderful.  I am grateful for warm layers, hats, jackets, gloves and scarves.  Yesterday, we took a very short walk.  It was (almost) pleasant because we were well layered in warm clothing.

5. I am grateful for time confined to the house.  Yes, really.  I was able to tackle the paperwork pile.  I love a tidy home, and a home with papers all over is not tidy.  So I spent a day just filing and shredding papers.  Since I enjoy filing, it was actually pleasant and not physically taxing work for me.  But I'm grateful it's done now for awhile.

Let us not take anything in our lives for granted.  Let's be grateful.  Every day.

Thankful!

Happy Friday!  Here is Willow's Week in five thankful things.  I'm sharing with Friday Fave Fives hosted by Susanne on her blog Living To Tell The Story.  Follow the link to join in and read what others have written.

1.  First things first.  I seldom mention anything medical here on Willow's Cottage blog.  But I decided to write about a recent surgery I had because it is truly a blessing.  Last week, I had a cataract surgery on one of my eyes, and this next week I will be having the same surgery on my other eye.  All has gone very well, according to my doctors.  I have remembered to put in ALL THE EYE DROPS so far, sometimes as many as eight during a day.  I am thankful that the surgery has been so successful, that I have recovered quickly, and that my eyesight is already improved.

2.  There are all kinds of restrictions on activities and movements after eye surgery.  I may not lift heavy things.  I may not lean over (for a month!).  I am thankful for a very kind and patient husband who comes over and picks up that thing I dropped and can't get.  I am getting lots of 'lower body exercises' by doing squats to NOT lean over but get down to pick stuff up.  I am also thankful that I have very dexterous feet.  Did you know that you can use your toes to grab things like towels, shirts and even knitting needles from the floor?  I'm thankful I'm agile enough to then move my leg up (think yoga poses) and catch what I've gotten with my toes.

3.  My sister-in-law loaned me her Kindle to read two books that our local library didn't have in paper form.  She was able to check them out digitally so I could read those two books in a series of murder mysteries.  I'm thankful for a great and thoughtful sister-in-law (The Professor's sister).

4.  Remember BYOD?  That's Bring Your Own Dinner.  We have long long time close friends who we love to get together with.  But we all got tired of 'what shall we eat/cook?', so we choose our own food from a restaurant, get it 'to go' (that's American for take away) and meet up at one of our houses.  No cooking, minimal clean up.  We did BYOD this week with our friends and the four of us chatted for HOURS.  I'm thankful that God brought this friend to me when I was eighteen and she was nineteen and that we have remained friends all these years (The Blueberry Strawberry Lady).  Best part was this photo which we sent to a third college friend MBP who was in our college singing trio together with us. (That's a whole story unto itself--our adventures singing all over the West Coast during our college years.)

5.  In April, a friend picked up some nasturtium seeds from the ground under a beautiful plant.  She gave me two of them and I planted them in a pot.  One sprouted and now I have this amazing and unusual flower.  I'm thankful for the beauty God provides every day in my garden!

How was your week?  What are you thankful for?

Last One in February

Fourth and Last February Friday Fave Fives list.

How is it possible that we are one-sixth of the way through 2016?

Friday Fave Fives is a way to remember the best blessings.

Remember--it's always a good day when no one has shot at you, and you were able to get out of bed and drink your coffee.

1.  Spring is really and truly here.

At the farmers market last weekend, we found the first asparagus of the season.

We ate it at dinner that evening and as we were savoring each bite, The Professor stated, "You need to make this one of your Fave Fives for next Friday!'

2.  On Sunday The Professor and I attended a healthy living conference.  I've gone before, but this year he elected to join me.  It's an all day affair and includes a super healthy breakfast and lunch. Excellent speakers and excellent information.

3.  I love my garden. It's spring!  It's a perfect combination.

My garden has begun sprouting!

So far, I've planted snap peas and carrots.

I think my garden could make my Five Faves list every week.

4.  I love the small beasts which are around greeting me as I water or weed.  Mr. Lizard has a very long tail.

I don't know much about birds, but I do recognize the tiny hummingbirds.  Here is one perched on the aloe vera spike.  He sat there and scolded me the whole time I was outside photographing him.

5.  Remember this yarn?

I handspun it last summer and didn't have a plan for it.

But my friend who has conscripted me to be her indentured knitting worker loves it, so I made a shawl for her.  It's done and delivered to her, but of course I forgot to take a photo.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Enjoy the outdoors.

Take time to rest and relax.

Declutter something and simplify your life.

Three Fun and Fantastic Links From My Meanderings on the Web

This free e-book is the best single source I've found that explains the changes I've made in my diet and my reasons for doing so.  Healthy Eating Rules by Christianna Pierce.

Miss minimalist recently published this post concerning the aftermath of the tragedy in Japan.  I wish everyone in the entire world would read it!

My husband pointed out this story in our local newspaper, commenting that it's ONE way to declutter your belongings.