"Even when the rainbow seems to pass right by me....I'm still finding Gold in the clouds....."

19 July 2013

Summer Fun Faves



Time to share some faves from the past week.  It's been a fun week with several events that we only do in the summer months.  I'm sharing them with other blogging friends by linking up over at Susanne's where you can find directions on how to join us!!  It's always a good thing to take time out to find the blessings in our lives..........

FIVE FAVES
My husband
me
Schroon Lake
eastern Adirondacks
13 July

  • FELLOWSHIP FUN!  Last Saturday was an awesome day!  The small group that I lead from September-June had our annual Family Beach BBQ Bash.  This year only half of the families could go but we had so much fun!  My oldest daughter had to work but my youngest daughter had one of her best friends there to kayak and swim with....they had a lot of fun in the sun!  Dave and I were really thankful that our friends Hope and Dave brought their motorboat.  We enjoyed a lovely ride down Schroon Lake and back to the boat launch that was in the town park where we had our picnic BBQ and swam.  Dave and I and our friends Carla and Bob enjoyed kayaking, too, and although I hadn't kayaked since injuring my back last summer, I got right back into the swing of it and loved every minute. AND my back didn't bother me at all! I attribute that to the Lord's physical touch and to all the working out I've done to improve my back muscles!!  We all enjoyed the day and we all stayed until sunset.  It was awesome fellowship with yummy food and dear friends...and isn't that what small group social events are all about??


photo courtesy of the Albany Times Union June 2012 
  • FRIEND FUN!  On Tuesday morning after my physical, I met one of my best friends for breakfast at the above tea shop in town.   I hadn't been there since early spring and it was heavenly!!  There were very few people on a weekday so the service was immediate and the food, as always,  was excellent.  The portions there are just right.  I ordered the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes and they were the lightest, fluffiest and not -too -thick pancakes I have ever had.  I am hooked!! Rather than getting a carb like their sweet or savory scones (which are to die for!!), I went with the healthier choice of fresh fruit and was given a beautiful bowl of banana slices, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. All local and all fresh.  Rather than hot tea, because it has been sooo humid here in NY, we opted for the iced raspberry-apple tea with a sprig of mint.  No sugar. Delightful!  It was the perfect way for us to celebrate M's birthday.  We talked and talked and got caught up on each other's lives.  Such a blessing to have good friends united in Christ!
along the Nine Corner Lake trail
Southern Adirondacks, near Pine Lake & Caroga Lake
16 July


Nine Corner Lake
photo courtesy of CNY Hiking page
  • "FROLIC IN HEAT" FUN!  Tuesday late afternoon, I headed out to the southern region of the Adirondacks to meet up with 2 friends from my high school days so we could hike an easy trail that leads to a gem of a lake.  They had hiked this before.  I had it on my list of "to do" hikes.  The only downside is that it is 2 hours from my house and the hike is only 2 miles total.  That's a long drive for a short hike! But, itt was very nostalgic for me to be driving past old childhood places and breathe in that pine-scented air. I even wrote a short devotional about the experience. You can find it here. At the end of the trail, we peeled off our clothes  and hiking boots and jumped in the lake (yes, we wore our swimsuits underneath the hiking outfits!) The water felt sooo good! We basically just sat on that rock you see in the photo and let the water soothe our sweaty bodies! We couldn't linger as we needed to be out of the woods before dark. I loved every minute.  It is a blessing to be able to hike this summer...it truly is one of my passions.
the Ballet Corps
National Ballet of Canada at Saratoga Performing Arts Center
17 July
photo courtesy of The Saratogian

My daughter Claire and I
Girls Nite Out at SPAC
17 July
  • FAMILY FUN!  Wednesday evening at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center was "Girls Night Out" and the National Ballet of Canada were the performers. They did the full length ballet "Giselle" which had never been done before by any ballet company at SPAC and one that Claire and I hadn't seen.  Claire was especially interested because her pointe teacher danced the part of Giselle when she was younger. Giselle is considered to be one of the most physically challenging ballets for a company to perform. We had inside ampitheatre seats and my sister Joy went with us.  It was a stunning ballet.  Super hot but so much fun!!  And the neat thing is that Claire's two ballet teachers ended up seating near us.  It's a blessing to be this close to a performing arts center that features some of the best ballet in the world.
photo courtesy of Clough, Harbor and Associates
  • FREE FUN!  I had an early morning physical appointment this week and after the exam, I wanted to take my coffee to the library, return some books and do some browsing. Well, it wasn't open yet so I went down the block to our town park and sat under the gazebo overlooking the pond (pictured above) and read 3 chapters in the novel I'm finishing.  I was in the shade because even at that early hour of 8:30 a.m. it was steamy hot!  There weren't many joggers or walkers so it was nice and peaceful. I loved sipping my coffee, listening to the ducks and just enjoying the peace and quiet before the day's activities.  It's a blessing to have this free park in our town. 
Those are my favorites from the week but I have also been thankful for the dry weather, the fact that my oldest and I had some shopping time together and the Words of God in my morning devotions every day.  I'm going through a Bible reading plan about Gentleness via an app I have for my iPad and the things I'm learning in regards to parenting are rich in truth and wisdom. I'm hoping to share some here another day.  I'm also thankful for a husband who is thoughtful, caring, and a great father to my daughters. It is how they are learning about God as a Father.....and so important, I am discovering.  I'm thankful that my own earthly father is doing ok now that the basement is drying out and the flood damage is getting dealt with. Please continue to pray for the folks in the Mohawk Valley as we just learned that FEMA refuses to assist them. Thank you!

Enjoy your weekend!!




7 comments:

Kathie said...

Hi Faithe,
Sounds like you've had a marvellous week despite the steamy heat! We are getting the same weather here and so I try to make it to the beach as often as I can. The wind blows in off the water and it's so much cooler.

I can just imagine how good that dip would feel after your hike. It would be heaven!

The Lemon blueberry pancakes sound delicious. I love pancakes too but don't like the heavy feeling I sometimes get after eating them. It would be nice to get that recipe for us if you can :)

So glad you got to see the ballet with your girl. What a thrill!

I'm curious to know what Bible reading app you're using.

Many blessings
Kathie

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

What a lovely looking tea shop -- and the food sounds wonderful. Your Girls Night Out sounds like a great time, too.

I'm sure that water felt good after hiking (although I'd probably skip the hike and go straight to the water...). Like Kathie wrote, tell us about that Bible study app! Have a great week ahead, Faith.

Heather said...

Sounds like a lot of fun for you this past week! The tea shop looks so quante. I have never been to a tea shop.

The family fun day sounds great! We have a fellowship day some Sunday evenings and we love it!

What a sweet time with your daughter! She's very pretty!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

It's so nice to be able to put a name to your face. I love being able to get outdoors and enjoy common space like your park. We are surrounded by a lot of common space which is so nice because we don't have very much yard.

Susanne said...

Lovely lake and sounds like fun hiking it with friends. Are there bears in the adirondacks?

The tea shoppe looks cute and the food sounds delicious! I've never had that kind pancake before.

Doing things to bond with a home group is always fun. I should suggest a family even with my ladies study group too.

Sounds like you're having a very relaxed wonderful summer.

susan said...

Hi Faith,
I enjoyed your devotional, especially "it is in this quiet that spiritual rest comes along with physical rest". I need to keep that reminder before me.

So sorry to hear that FEMA is not helping. I will join along in prayer that the right thing happens.

Have a great week.

Willow said...

Wow, what a fun and activity packed week for you--that's what summer vacation is for, isn't it?
Your hike sounds excellent! I always enjoy reading about your hikes and you have a wonderful place to explore.
Quiet coffee time would be high on my happy list too :)
I hope you're having a great weekend.
I am glad your dad is doing OK--hope that FEMA changes its mind!