Fave Fives!

It's Friday!! In just 2 weeks from today it will be CHRISTMAS!!

For now...here are my 5 favorite things from this past week:

This mug!

This was a gift from my friend Lynn.
(she said I could use her full name but I only use first names here!)
She and I have December birthdays and celebrate by going out to lunch.
This year she surprised me with a gift.
(She knows I collect them)!
She sensed that I have had some stress in my life
(she sensed correctly!)
and said she had been praying for me.
I often listen to her about things related to family issues and I don't mind.
That is what Christian friends are for.
To bear each other's burdens.
It was comforting to be able to talk with her a bit
about some stuff I am dealing with.
The mug really cheered me up!
(plus the fact that Gifts is my love language!)
I love giving them even more than receiving them :)

This fudge!
Yes....I have already made my famous fudge for the season.
I make Chocolate-Orange Fudge and it is low-fat.
NO ONE who eats my fudge can believe it is low-fat.
BUT...it is!!
And it is super easy to make.
No slaving over a hot stove.
I made this on our snow day
and plan on sharing some with friends.
And of course my family has been enjoying it.
The great thing?
It is so rich that you feel full after just one piece.
It actually lasts in our house longer than 2 days....
unlike the brownies and cookies!! :)
(and please don't ask for the recipe...I don't share it...sorry!!)

This fruit!

I have been enjoying these clementines
and little pears all week.
Clementines tend to be pricey around here
but during the holiday season,
my fave grocery store tends to keep the prices low.
So...my oldest daughter and I have been enjoying them for snacks and lunch.
The pears are good when sliced and dipped in Nutella!!

The first snowfall of the season.
(Wednesday)
Technically it is still autumn.
Winter falls on my youngest daughter's birthday
which is Winter Solstice Day!
And most of you know that I am SO not a winter person.
I don't like to be cold.
I don't like to be wet unless I am in a kayak or pool.
(and even then it doesn't thrill me)
I don't like the wind, blowing snow,
freezing rain, bad roads and horrid drivers that
seem to be the scenario here in the Capital Region of NYS.
I don't like the fact that I can't hike for 3 months!
I don't like having to wear sox!

BUT....I sure do like the look of freshly fallen snow.
I took this pic this afternoon (Thursday) just before turning on our outside lights.
The lights you see are our neighbors' across the street from us.
So....this first snow fall makes my fave five list....
and...it gave us a snow day on my birthday!!

My birthday gift
from my husband and oldest daughter!

It's an EEE netbook.
I had no idea laptops came this tiny!
It is perfect for me!
He totally surprised me with this gift.
(I thought for sure I might be getting a 3rd kayak)!
He even chose a cute cloth case to store/carry it in.
although I most likely will end up buying a
Vera Bradley bag for it!
You can't tell from the pic but it is a navy blue.....
the case is black with a light blue lining.

Those are 5 of my fave things from the past week.
Of course I have more......some are listed in my Thanks Tank post below...just scroll down!

Some are still my faves every single week: phone calls from friends, emails from far away friends, hugs from my children, homemade cards from my youngest, watching my youngest during ballet class, watching my oldest daughter draw, getting romantic texts from my husband during the day, having the special needs student I teach 1:1 master a goal or concept, hearing him say "I love you Mrs. T---".

Listening to that still, small Voice of my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. Feeling the Arms of the Father embrace me as I give all my cares to Him.

What about you?
What are some of your favorite things from the past week?

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