September 2019 Faves

What a wonderful week of good weather we've had! 

The last part of summer is always a fave with me and this year we are having a good one!

I'm reflecting on the last week and sharing FIVE of my FAVE things/people/moments then linking up with other like-minded folks over at Susanne's our very gracious host.

FIVE FAVES

• CHORES AND YARD DONE! I had many chores/housework and errands to do on Saturday.  My knee was still giving me issues so it was good that I didn't go hiking although the weather was perfect for it!  Dave did ALL the yard work (mowing, trimming, and cutting down some branches from both maples and one cherry tree).  I'm thankful we had the day to do all of this stuff. It helps to ease the burden during the work week so we can enjoy more relaxing evenings.

• BONFIRE:  Dave actually suggested having a bonfire Saturday after dinner. I was shocked. He RARELY makes this suggestion.  (yet he loved them when we would camp!). I think he just wanted to get all that brush and branches burned and it was a beautiful, crisp, late summer evening.  We started the fire around 7 while it was still light because we needed to see to break some of the larger branches. Once darkness settled in, we sat together, made a couple of s'mores and just sat and talked until about 10 pm.  It was very relaxing and I'm thankful for it.  

• LUNCH DATE: After church on Sunday, my good friend who happens to also be my next door neighbor, and I drove up to Saratoga to eat at my fave vegan cafe. (Dave had a missions team meeting so I had the afternoon free) She had never been there!  It's cafeteria style where you grab a plate, make your choices, choose a beverage (it's also a mini-market) and pay by the weight of your plate. Beverages are separate as are the baked goods.  We enjoyed some time in the sun, too eating a kiddie size cup of Ben and Jerry's ice cream afterwards.  The B and J shop is right across the street. I had the almond milk ice cream and it was delish! I chose  coconut almond fudge chip. It was amazingly creamy and so much easier to digest than cow's milk ice cream. I'm thankful for a fun afternoon.

• CONNECT WEEKEND:  Last weekend was known as "Connect Weekend" when all the small groups and classes that have been on summer break have tables set up in the church lobby so people can roam around, look at the choices and sign up for a new small group. I have a full group (9 of us) and my small group officially begins on Sept 25th.  I'll be leading the study "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl". I did have a "kick-off/intro" night on Wednesday evening and I provided drinks and dessert and I had 1 woman return from last year, along with 3 new ladies.  Hopefully the other 4 will show up on the first discussion night on the 25th.  I'm thankful that I got to meet so many wonderful women in the lobby on Sunday.  And our site pastor said we have about 500 people signed up for small groups so far!!  We're so thankful for this church!

Orange Tofu

•  SATURDAY DINNER:  Before our bonfire Saturday evening, I made Orange Tofu.  OH MY GOODNESS.  I think I have finally perfected another tofu dish! ( Courtney was out with friends so it was just Dave and I which was also kind of nice!)  I've been reading numerous ways to prepare tofu and most sites tell me to press, press, press all the water out. I've learned how to press it pretty well.  Once the water was out, I simply sauteed it after sauteeing fresh carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, and onions.  I sprinkled a bit of cornstarch on the tofu before adding it to the sesame oil which helps it to brown.  Then I stirred in the orange sauce and let it simmer while the rice finished cooking. We topped it off with unsalted peanuts.  It was filling and so good. I'm thankful for easy plant-based meals.

That wraps up my faves. They aren't anything super spectacular but they're things that made me say "thank You, God" and they brought a smile to my face.

I hope you all have a wonderfully relaxing weekend.