It's December! The month, for my family, of birthdays, St Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, and Christmas Day. It's when the season of Winter begins even though here in eastern NY it has already felt like winter the last couple of mornings, minus the snow.
Grab a hot cup of your fave beverage, and join in to share FIVE of your FAVE blessings from the past week, then head over to Susanne's to link up with others who are grateful.
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| The pond at Crossings |
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| Under the Pines |
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| Woods Walk |
- SATURDAY "HIKE": I had to dash over to our town library on Saturday afternoon and while over there the sun was shining and the air wasn't too cold...I had a hat and gloves with me so I stopped over at our large town park to walk some of the trails. I ended up doing 2 out of the 3 miles and the fresh air and exercise felt so good! It gave me some energy to go home and do some Christmas cookie baking! I'm thankful for being able to just spontaneously "hike" while out running errands.
- NATIVITY in "SNOW": this is my fave purchase for the Christmas season this year. I found it in a local drug store when I had to dash in to grab something and saw that it was on sale for half off!! So I only paid about $7.00 for it! When you turn on the light the "snow" begins to swirl around. It's super cute on my kitchen counter. I'm thankful that stores still sell the Nativity.
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| image courtesy of Amazon |
- IN HOME DATE NIGHT! Saturday evening, Dave and I had a "date night" in our home. I made popcorn and we had hot tea and just relaxed in the family room after dinner. We chose a Netflix movie based on a book I've been wanting to read but haven't. Friends from church recommended the movie and it was excellent! I highly recommend it. It's set during WWII and is absolutely fantastic. I'm thankful we spent some time together watching an excellent film (and for those of you, like us, who like Downton Abbey, there are 3 actors in this flick from that show).
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| CHRISTMAS 2018 |
- TREE! We put the tree up the Sunday after Thanksgiving and Courtney did all the lights and helped me place the ornaments on. It took me most of this past week to get the house decorated and cleaned and I still have some much needed dusting to do before Claire gets home from UNH and my side of the family gather for our Gift Exchange. But, the bulk of the work is done and it's so nice to relax in the late afternoon with coffee and a book before needing to cook dinner. I also love doing my quiet time devotions near the tree on weekend mornings. I'm thankful for the meaning behind the Christmas tree and lights as well. We keep it simple: the tree, a candle in all the front windows (top and bottom) and the post on the stoop has greens and lights around it. Also, this year, for the first time in 24 years of living here, we have a remote control to turn on and off the outside lights! No more opening the front door and freezing our selves to unplug the lights before bed. I'm thankful for this kind of thing!!
- OUT WITH FRIENDS: Last Friday I had a text from my spiritual mentor and dear friend of many years Monica, asking if we could meet for coffee at St*rbucks. Of course I said Yes so when I got out of work, I met her for 2 hours of great conversation and yummy coffee. We prayed, shared, and just got caught up from the last 3 months. Then Wednesday evening, one of my very good friends from church and I decided to have dinner out to celebrate our December birthdays. Lynn and I have been good friends since about 2005 and we know just about everything about each other. It's always good to catch up with her. We are both thankful that our daughters will be home from college next week! Even though we are members of the same church, we hardly ever see each other so we have to make it a point of getting together every couple of months. I'm thankful for these true, godly friendships.
That wraps up my faves for the week.
How about you? Do you have something you are grateful for?
6 comments:
I loved that film - watched it on the flight to Montreal recently. I've also read the book. Don't think I'd like the pie though! lol
I love it when technology makes it easier for us (turning the lights off) but hate it when it goes wrong - our phone network was down all day yesterday, we could make calls but had no internet and couldn't send messages. Very frustrating. Yes being able to hike so conveniently is definitely a blessing. Have a good weekend.
I read that book a few years ago at my mum's suggestion and it was very good. I haven't seen the movie yet though. The remote control sounds wonderful.
We loved that movie. We really enjoy being able to turn off the outside lights remotely, too. What a pretty lantern! I think Christmas lights are my favorite par of the decorations. So glad you had some good visits with friends.
For me Christmas preparations will start when I am back from Egypt end of the week. Fortunately I have all gifts !!
You are so good at keeping in contact with your friends. Almost every week you mention getting together with someone.
Since I won't be home for Christmas again this year, I won't be putting up any decorations. Just a few candles. I miss the lights and Christmas tree but where I'll be, I know there are trees and lights :)
Your town has great walking areas!
I loved that movie and really like the book too. Love your tree and your snow globe. Bonus on the half off sale. Our outside lights are on a timer and come on and turn off auromatically, so nice because otherwise I'd have to go out, down the front steps and to the side of the house to unplug them! Bet your excited to have both your girls home this week for Christmas.
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