Five Favorites!

WOW...can you believe we are in the last week of October??? This autumn sure has flown by.
Thank you to Susanne for hosting this fun meme each week.

Here is my list. Yes, I know I have 6. It was hard to choose!!

One favorite thing was a phone conversation I had with someone this week. She gave me some feedback about an earlier post I had written (the one about leaving "stuff" at the foot of the Cross) plus we talked for a bit about the blog, the ministry we are involved in, etc. She has a big job and I wanted to volunteer more of my time with a certain aspect of that ministry. Since I don't know her very well, I was a little nervous about approaching her....but...she was gracious and I loved what her views were regarding the post.....there is nothing like a good phone call to brighten my day! So...thank you, Gail!

This old milkcan of an arrangement I created.
I love autumn....it is truly my favorite season although summer is a close 2nd as you know! This year I have not done the hiking I so wanted to do...mainly because of our extracurricular schedules plus it is hard to find friends who actually LIKE to hike! My husband really doesn't do much of it anymore with me......unless we are on vacation in the mountains...so.....these last few weeks I have been creating autumnal scenes to bring the beauty of nature a bit closer to home. I think the scarecrow is just so darn cute!

This festive pumpkin that my 10 year old created.
We attended the Open House of a private school I worked in 4 years ago....I was there for one school year but grew very fond of the staff and the school itself. So after I caught up on the news of the school/ex-colleagues, she created this pumpkin in their arts and crafts area. I was also there to check out the summer program for Claire as they offer a fun "camp" of swimming, arts, dance, science and math. I thought a week of this would be a good change from the Music camp she does......altho she has since informed me that she wants to do both~~ sigh~~ at least she likes keeping busy!l.

This cherry tree bathed in sunlight and awash with a golden glow. I adore the way the cherry blossoms open in the Spring and show their vivid pink. However, I also love the golden yellows of autumn. This is the tree closest to our road. Notice the beginning of leaf piles that my youngest and I started raking. This picture was taken earlier in the week: today the tree is just about bare (due to wind yesterday). I love autumn!!

The power of prayer. Knowing that certain friends are keeping me and my co-workers in prayer as we deal with the horrid tragedy of a kindergarten student and his death. This is the 2nd death in 2 weeks to hit our school district. The 2nd death of an elementary child. The 2nd death of a twin! What made this one so awful for me is that I knew him personally as he attended the classroom next to mine and his twin sister is in our class. I am so glad for the power of prayer.....it is truly a favorite moment for me when friends or neighbors call me and say "I am praying" or "how can I help?" So...thank you friends! You know who you are!! You are loved and appreciated!!

My final fave thing happened yesterday, late afternoon: my princess passed her permit test!
Now I realize this is not difficult...the questions are easy....but...we have been bugging her to do this for the last few months...she just wasn't ready, emotionally. She was now ready, did it and yeah!!!! I get to teach my oldest daughter how to drive.....um...but I think we'll use Dad's car? lol.....seriously...it was a great moment....another developmental milestone.....I LOVE it!

What are some of your favorite things from the past week? Feel free to share in the comments
or if you are a blogger, head over to Susanne's by clicking on her name, above.

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!