March Fave Fives #1

 

It's Friday already!  This week was busy....we had something going on every night of the week and I ended up taking a sick day on Monday due to a nagging sore throat.  Am fine now but have a dry cough, mostly at night.  My youngest one came home a little sick on Monday after school with some kind of intestinal thing that only was a one time occurance but I had to keep her home from her musical rehearsal.  Tuesday was her ballet class, Wednesday was an evening at the high school with our oldest daughter, to learn about the senior year options and how to begin the process of selecting a college, financial aid, etc. etc.  Last evening was her PRISM concert in which the high school String Orchestra performed (she still plays violin in that performing group) along with numerous other ensembles.  Tonite is going to be just family and maybe a game of Settlers of Catan...either that or just watching a movie and reading! 

I did have some favorite things to share with you from my week but it was also a difficult week in other ways.... my father in law had to have heart surgery (he is doing well; they live near Boston so a visit is out of the question until  the end of the month) and I have been grieving the loss of a friendship....unfortunately, although the person says she has forgiven me (and I have forgiven her) the fruit of her actions does not show me that forgiveness has really taken place. It is rather grievous to me....we are "sisters in the Lord" and...well...enough of that....God has to move on people's hearts when they are ready and willing to yield. Meanwhile, I am praying that He would soften her heart towards me...I miss talking with her......

Here are my 5 Favorite Things from the Past Week:

This spring decoration!  I was getting antsy this week for spring.  And with the snow that we received last week, melting quickly in our warmer temps this week, I decided to put away the snowflake candle tin I had on this shelf all winter and replace it with this cute nest of "Easter eggs".  Since we will be spending Easter week in Paris, my daughters want me to start decorating this weekend...so..that is on our agenda for Saturday!

This cookbook I received as a trial offer in the mail last week.  This past week, I have had a couple of afternoons with most of my housework caught up, so I browsed through it at length, marking meals I want to try in the next few weeks.  I have already tried the Vermicelli Beef Stew which you can find by going here.  This weekend I plan on making the Thai Chicken Fettucine and next week I am attempting an Indian dish.  I also plan on trying the Chili Cheese Dip one evening....it sounds like something my family will love for game nite!  The great thing about this cookbook is that it is divided into 3 main sections:  slow cooker, stovetop and oven casseroles.  Each section then has it's own section for Poultry, Beef, Pork and Desserts/sides/appetizers.  This has definitely been my fave book all week as everyone in the family is getting weary of some of our standard "winter fare".  Some of these dishes can be adapted for the grill, too!  And that's always a fave with me! And yes, I decided to buy the book!

This luggage set for my teenager.

Most of you know by now that we are headed to France for Spring Break.

My dancer daughter had received a new, big suitcase for Christmas, but my oldest daughter only has one medium sized one that she has had for several years which has gone on numerous camping trips with her as well as the missions trip she went on.

Therefore, we felt like she should get new luggage...she'll need it for college anyways so....off to the internet we went and lo and behold.....there was a 50% off sale going on with the JCP site. We received this set on Thursday and I ordered it on Monday evening!  And I did not pay extra for shipping!

This 3-piece set was orginally $160 and I got it for $79.!!

Needless to say, I ordered a set in blue for my self yesterday afternoon.

My husband has many pieces of good luggage as he has had to travel to Europe for business many times in the last 20 years.  But...the real reason this makes my fave five list this week?

It came in PINK and totally satisfied my "princess" of a teen!!

 

This package of oven roasted almonds.  I like eating salads as much as possible...especially for dinner or as a side dish for dinner.  Now that it is closer to Spring, I am finding better quality lettuce in the grocery stores, along with better tomatoes, although of course they are not local yet.  I have been buying the European cucumbers because they are so much better than the regular ones and of course NYS doesn't have local ones yet....I am so looking forward to the days ahead when I can purchase local, fresh veggeis at our Farmers Market and FarmShed.  So...to help liven up my salads this week, I have been doing baby spinach, cucumber slices, radishes, chopped tomato or cherry tomatoes, red, green, and yellow pepper strips and......tossing on these almonds....mmmmm...they also make a nice addition to stir fry pork and veggies.....or to top off a dish of frozen yogurt!

 My 11 year old whom I often refer to as my "dancer daughter" or the "ballerina".  Well, she is also a 2nd year violin student and although the school district rarely chooses 5th graders to be in the select All-District Concert that is held every February...she was chosen!  She also had 4 other classmates who were chosen for violin and/or viola.  This was a great honor as it is mainly 6th graders who get selected for All-District.  Here she is last Friday evening just before we left for the Auditorium.  Normally, the orchestra students are told to wear black skirts and white tops but she, as an elementary student, can choose any kind of dress.  She chose this dress which she will also bring to France for dinner on Easter Sunday!  We are very proud of Claire and the entire Orchestra, Band, and Chorus for a wonderful job performing!


 And...I just had to include this picture I saw at Photobucket along with a verse that I have been meditating on A LOT this past week.  God is indeed, our Rock...a strong tower from the enemy!  My mind and soul have needed these comforting and encouraging words this week from the Word that brings life and chases away the negative thoughts and emotions that Satan likes to bind us with and that often hinders our walk.

A big THANK YOU to SUSANNE from Living to Tell the Story for hosting this weekly tribute to our favorite things!