"B" Faves

Oh my.

In just 4 weeks from today, Claire and I will be back at school and the little special needs children I assist will be enjoying their first day of Kindergarten.  I'm  really not ready yet!!  We plan on cramming as much summer fun into this month as we possibly can.

For now, I'm looking back on this week and savoring 5 faves the Lord blessed me with.....it's been a week of some activities, but also a lot of "down time" which is sorely needed around here.

How about joining us over at Susanne's to link up your own list of faves?  If you leave a comment, I'll be sure to stop by and  visit you!

FIVE FAVES

the teen girls playing soccer
Claire in the center with 2 of her church friends

•  BBQ BASH!  Each year for the last 3 years, the small group I lead has had a summer beach bash on one of the Adirondack lakes.  Last summer we enjoyed this place so much that we decided we were going to go back. The town doesn't charge any fees for parking or using the picnic area, beach, or boat launch.  It's a gem! This year only 2 families from the group could make it so we invited past members and a couple of other church friends. The teen girls (there were 3) had a blast kayaking, playing soccer and KanJam, and hanging out on the beach. The adults all had fun kayaking, eating great food, hanging out in the shade above the beach, boating, and chatting.  At the end of the day, our 15 year old went home with another family to spend the night, so Dave and I and another couple went Pitkins Restaurant in the village because it is just so amazingly good. In fact, it is very well known among locals and tourists who frequent that area of the Adirondacks. It's known for their bbq ribs, sandwiches, great prices and fast service. I splurged on the chocolate creme pie....YUMMY! It was such a blessing to have that day of fellowship and fun.

the back of Moreau Lake as seen from my kayak
 in the foothills of the Adirondacks

• BOATING!  Sunday afternoon was absolutely gorgeous and my neighbor/good friend Melissa and I hadn't kayaked together in about 2 years or more....we were long overdue for a boating date.  She was free, and since I had  gone to the early service, we decided to go up to Moreau Lake State Park and do an afternoon of paddling. She used my husband's kayak.  How fun it was! She had never kayaked on that lake before and discovered a whole section she didn't know existed.  It was fun exploring with her.  We saw ducks and geese up close, and many trout jumping in the lake.  It was a perfect summer afternoon.  We were getting the kayaks back up on my husband's SUV (I have to now use a step stool so I don't over stretch my back) and got my husband's kayak stuck!  Along came a gentleman who offered to put it up for us.  (Dave's is heavier than mine but he offered to do mine, too).  My neighbor called him a guardian angel.  After that, we had no problems getting the straps back on, etc.  I am so thankful my husband insisted I learn this skill.  What a blessing it is to be able to do this sport.....and with a friend!  

Claire on the right with her friend Carly
Moreau Lake Beach

• BEACH! Tuesday was another super sunny day......with high humidity so Claire and I decided to do a trip to the beach.  (the same state park where I kayaked on Sunday).  I had her invite a neighbor friend...they've been friends since kindergarten and have been in a couple of high school classes together.  Because Dave and I have this on his car, it gets a lot of use from April until October.  The passport is good for most state parks in NY and is good for one year. It's nice to not worry about having the cash to get in to the parks' entrances. We stayed for the entire afternoon and then when we got half way home there was a horrible rain storm with hail!!  Thankfully, we got home safely but I had to slow way down. The blessing was that we had awesome weather for the beach, made it home safely (as did Courtney and Dave who had been at work), and the high humidity levels dropped!

• BOOKS!  Because I'm on summer break, I read.  A lot.  Actually, all through out the year I read. I'm an avid reader and I love to learn new things.  I always have some kind of fiction book going and my latest craze is reading books on the history of the Adirondacks or the latest issue of Nature Conservancy of which I am a supporter.  The day at the beach gave me a good solid 3 hours to just sit, swim, sit again and read.  It was great.  I've also enjoyed my morning devotional time on the deck, in the sun, with my Bible or Bible app (I use You Version), and my late afternoons with a coffee or iced tea and my book(s).  Because I no longer watch TV, it is easy to finish a book in a week.  I'll miss all this reading time when I return to work,  but the blessing for now is free books from the town library, my sister Joy, and my dad.  I love books!

photo courtesy of Courtney

• BONDING!  This girl.  This oldest daughter of mine who is unbelievably 21 and making me sad er excited that it's her last year of college! We had one evening this week where she just plopped her self on my bed where I was winding down for the night, and just started chatting.  She also gave me a great foot massage for that darn heel pain that is still aggravating me! We had some good bonding time and then she had some sister bonding time by treating Claire to an afternoon at this place because as an employee, she gets a free book of tickets to use once. I'm really going to miss her!  Only one more week until we help her move back to her campus apt. I will really miss her.  She is such a blessing to us.  

Those are just 5 things that stand out from my week. What about you?

What is something that stands out for you?? Please so share!!

Enjoy the weekend!