Fave Fives: Pumpkins, Prices, and People!

HAPPY FAVE FIVE!
To participate just go to Susanne's site by
clicking here.....THANK YOU to Susanne
for hosting the Friday Fave Five each week

Wow.....can you believe the month of October is winding down??

What a week of whirlwind activity!

The 5 things that blessed me this week, are all things that I sometimes take for granted......but they are all special in their own ways...and I thank God for them:

• PUMPKINS! 

A pumpkin field trip with the class I teach in to this perfect pumpkin patch. I am in my 4th year of teaching in the Inclusion Kindergarten at S-----Elementary school here in our district.  We have 4 special needs children this year and 12 typical kindergartners.  This was the first field trip that was easy!  Everything went well and our "special" friends had no problems....it was the smoothest field trip we've ever had as a team.  I praise God for that!! I have sometimes taken for granted the fact that I have a job that I just LOVE!

A 5 lb pumpkin hanging out in my dining room, waiting for Courtney, my teen, to launch it in the "slingshot" she is making for Physics class...there will be more on this next week!  I sometimes take for granted my husband who is amazingly intelligent and is willing to help with these higher level science projects! (because I simply cannot....I didn't make it past Earth Science!)

These Pumpkin Bars that I served for my small group last evening......yummy!

I love leading this group of women and I love baking/cooking and serving them in my home.....I never thought of my self as hospitable but someone complimented me on my home and that totally blessed me....I sometimes take for granted my home, my friends, and food!

• SALE PRICES at this clothing store.  My teen and I drove to the town about 10 minutes north of us to shop on Saturday.  We ended up at Kohl's as I wanted to open a charge account with them....and I'm so glad I did!  We saved $122.80 on our order by shopping the sales that day and with the new account discount!  I just love a good sale!  We each bought 2 new sweaters, and I bought a plain white shirt to layer under a couple of other sweaters I have.  I need layers for hiking....and then we went next door to this place where Courtney found a fantastic pair of black pumps for the orchestra concerts this year....plus a cute pair of fuzzy pink slippers...she is all set now for the winter!  Sometimes I take for granted my oldest child.....I made sure I told her how proud I am of her and that I actually had fun shopping with her!  She is very precious to me....how I praise God for her! (even if she does want all things pink!!)

• CHEERFUL PEOPLE!   My new friend from church (Joy) who, although older than me (her 20-something daughter is my oldest daughter's small group/youth group leader), is a huge encourager to me.  I love her hugs, her smile, her questions & encouragement about my own group (she has one too and asked me to join but hers meets the same nights mine does!). My friend Erin who I was able to finally talk with via phone on Sunday evening.  We live in the same town yet hardly ever see each other...it was so good to talk to her as it had been a long time other than emails/texting. The group of women/moms who are a part of my small group.  How I treasure our meeting times...I love opening up my home to them, leading them and discussing with them. We are learning so much from each other.....and we feel safe with each other...I love how we are edifying and encouraging each other and I cannot wait to meet again in 2 weeks...it is a special time!   My daughter Claire!  She is so cheerful all the time (for the most part!) and this week she has just been so sweet with helping around the house, offering her special hugs at bedtime and sweet words of encouragement to a school acquaintance. You can read about that here.  It was a real special moment! Sometimes I take for granted all the close friends the Lord has blessed me with....and that precious bundle of energy we call the Ballerina! 

• NEW SINK IN HALF BATH!  We finally found a pedestal sink we both love.  We were shopping for regular pedestals for our half bath and came upon a pedestal sink with cabinet.  We didn't even know these existed.  So we got rid of the original sink that we put in when we built the house 16 years ago and replaced it with this:  (and I LOVE it!)

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Our new sink looks like this (it's an Eurostone) but we added the faucet set shown here in pewter to match the other pewter accessories in the bathroom.  Pewter is easy to clean...just requires windex with vinegar to make it sparkle....easy!!  I love the European look!!  Sometimes I take for granted a good sale and the material blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us.

• SCRIPTURE VERSE I TIMOTHY 4:12  My teenage girl, Courtney,chose this verse for under her yearbook picture (all seniors can choose a quote as long as they cite the source/author).  We are so proud of her for choosing this verse:

  
  

   "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

  
  
  Sometimes I take for granted the precious words of our Savior and the saints who have gone before us. 

That wraps it up for me!

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend......I'll be hiking with my friend Lynn and her daughter.  My youngest daughter is coming as well.  Claire requested a mountain with rocks so we are hiking Castle Rock in the upper Central Region of the Adirondack Mountains.  I warned my friend that this will likely be our last mountain hike until spring.....they have already had some snow up Lake Placid way....we'll be just a bit south of there so we are hoping the summit is snowless!

also....I am thinking of starting another blog to focus on recipes/food/nutrition and fitness. Please let me know via email if you are interested in joining this blog!  Recipes will be transferred from here to there......will let you know more details at a later date......you do NOT have to have your own blog to read mine.

HAPPY FAVE FIVE!!  If you comment, I'll be sure to come and visit your blog!