March Fave Five #2

I am soooo looking forward to this weekend.....well, for the most part anyways (I'll miss my hubby!)....it'll be just me and the girls for most of this weekend....husband is chaperoning a group of boys for a youth group event in a small city just to the north of us.....and the girls and I have some plans doing some "girly" things!

This was a rather hectic week, although we did have yet another "snowday" due to a mix of sleet, freezing rain, and snow on Monday....ugh...I am hoping this was it for that kind of weather here in the Capital Region of New York until next December.......I am sooooo ready for spring!!  But....I did have some special faves for our weekly Friday Fave Five....hosted by Susanne from Living to Tell the Story....isn't her spring button just adorable?? and it features my very fave flower!!  Join us by clicking on the link above and following her guidelines...or simply leave me a comment at the end of this post and tell me one thing that is a favorite of yours this past week.....Has the Lord been evident in your life??  Sometimes it's just the simple things...and sometimes He blows us away.....mine are all simple things this week but I want to thank Him for each one.....here are my FIVE FAVES:

• FOOT MASSAGES:  my caring husband gave me a wonderful foot massage while we were all watching yet another movie for Courtney's Film Class....it felt so good....I am blessed by this man of God in my life.....

Shaker High School Music Symbol

• STUDENT OF THE MONTH!  My oldest daughter, Courtney, was selected to be Student of the Month for March, nominated by her Orchestra teacher based on her work as Orchestra Librarian/Secretary.  We are very proud of her!!

Claire at the West Branch Sacandaga River
Southern Adirondacks
September 2010

• HUGS AND READING IN BED!  This youngest daughter of mine (pictured above) crawled onto my bed Sunday evening, where I was reading, to snuggle close and read her own novel.  How I treasure her hugs and snuggles....come December she will be a teenager...and I know some of this "snuggle time" might end...then again, she is a physical touch person (her love language) so perhaps I'll enjoy a few more years of this....she loves reading on my bed with me after her evening shower, before sleep.  Always a fave with me...AND...she performed on violin in the All-District Orchestra Concert last Friday evening, as well as sang Alto in the All-District Chorus....it was a great concert bringing 6th graders (and a few 5th graders) together from all 7 elementary schools in our district (after auditioning for a spot in either chorus, band or orchestra) for an evening of wonderful music....again...a fave with me!

• PRISM CONCERT:  last evening was our oldest daughter's last Shaker High PRISM concert.  PRISM takes place every March, which in NYS, is known as "Music in our Schools" month.  Several of the music performing groups perform in the evening for parents and the general public.  It is truly one of the more outstanding events at the high school each year. The Orchestra (gold medal winner for state competition!) is always featured. This year the following groups also performed: World Percussion, Flute Choir, Shaker Select Choir, Blue Symphonic Band (we have 2 symphonic bands plus a Wind Ensemble, plus a jazz band), and SSAA Choir (all girls).   The reason it is called "PRISM" is because, like a prism, that features several different colors that you see with your eyes, the music department at Shaker High School features many different performance groups...it is truly a wonderful kaleidoscope of auditory stimulation! It is truly spectacular. This was our 4th PRISM concert and it always is a fave with us!  (hopefully our youngest will continue to play violin and will be in orchestra once she gets up to the senior high!)

Tuesday, 9 March 2011
afternoon, after the ice storm

• BEAUTY OF GOD'S HANDIWORK:  yes...I must confess I loved how gorgeous the ice-covered trees looked...it was just beautiful, especially with the sun and bright, cerulean sky.  Although I was not really happy about our FIFTH snowday (UGH)....the accumulation was not nearly as great as in other parts of the state (where my parents live there are still 45 inches on the ground!)....it gave me an extra day home to rest my back (it's much better..thanks to everyone who prayed for me!!)....and gave me some extra time with my daughters enjoying the sight of God's work. And the good news is that the snow is quickly melting due to the last 2 days of warmer temps and steady rains......maybe spring is really on its way!

That wraps up the Friday Fave Fives for me.....I hope you have a restful weekend, whatever your plans....

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

for those of you who like to exchange or try new recipes.....my recipe blog is now up and running....you can find it here.