Feels like November Faves!

Well, it finally feels like November here in eastern New York State!  I think the mild autumn is now a thing of the past and we are well on our way to a more typical late autumn with temps dipping below 35 degrees.

I have no work today as all the schools are closed due to Veterans Day tomorrow.  That in and of itself is a blessing to me....I have many things I hope to get done today and it was so nice to NOT rush out the door this morning.

I'm participating in the weekly "gratitude" post where we link up at Susanne's and share our FIVE FAVE blessings from the week. Won't you join us??

FIVE FAVES

• WORKING TOGETHER:  Dave and I were up rather early on Saturday morning.  It was gorgeous.  Sunny but chilly.  We ate breakfast and then put on work clothes to get more leaves raked and bagged.  We did 5 bags before running out of them.  We will try to finish that chore up this weekend if the rest of the leaves fall from the largest maple.  I am thankful we had the time to work together...makes the chore go faster! It's comforting to know that Dave is always willing to get these chores done with me, too!

image courtesy of Aeropostale

• THICK SOCKS!  Tuesday was a very cold day.  First one, really, for this school year.  I needed socks.  I chose these new ones I bought at the outlet store and they felt so warm and comfy and looked nice with my rugged black boots.  I love thick socks when the weather turns cold and I'm thankful to have found several this year on sale!

 

image courtesy of Amazon

• STEAMING HOT TEA:  after dinner on cold evenings, I like to sip steaming hot herbal tea because it's so comforting. This is my fave in autumn.  It is perfect. Not too sweet.  I drink it plain. I'm thankful for all the tea options in the local stores.

•  GIVING:  Dave and I like to donate money from time to time to Samaritan's Purse ministry.  And I especially look forward to every November when we pick up the Operation Christmas Child boxes from church, fill them with goodies, and get them back to church in time to load them onto the trucks the weekend before Thanksgiving. Our church is one of the churches in this capital region of NYS that other smaller churches can bring their boxes to and we load up the trucks...we are the collection point.  Last year we collected a little over 30,000 boxes!!  I take great comfort in being able to choose items a little boy or girl will love.  I'm definitely missing having my youngest daughter with me this year to help with this project as my oldest does her own box.  I texted the youngest this photo so she could see what I chose (I still have a few more things that need to go in to it).  I'm so thankful for this ministry and the umbrella organization as well as for my church that participates in it.

• COFFEE HOUSE WITH A MISSION!  Claire, our youngest, who is a freshman at UNH/Durham,  texted me a pic of a great looking mug of coffee Wednesday evening and said she was with friends at The Freedom Cafe.  Apparently, this cafe is on the UNH campus but is not a part of UNH.  It is run by volunteers and there is no price for their food or drinks.  You give a donation and the first dollar goes towards the cost of the item and the rest goes to the ministry LOVE 146!!  This ministry is one I support and one that  means a lot to me.  I loved the time the head of Love 146 came to our church to present what they are all about.  If you don't know, please click here  Anyways, it brought great comfort to my heart to know this place exists on a secular campus! They are taking a stand against human trafficking and you can see by the images that they also use fair trade items and items that are not produced by children who are forced into slavery.  I'm so thankful Claire texted me this information!  Guess where we will be heading when we take her back to the campus after Xmas break?!

That wraps up my faves for the week.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend.