OCTOBER FAVES

Here we are into October and Autumn is plugging along with leaves starting to change here, and the grass slowing down its growth.

Today I'm sharing FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the past week and then linking up at Susanne's with other people who are intentional about finding things to be grateful for. How about joining in with us? What made you smile this week?

FIVE FAVES

Pirates Cove Mini Golf

my husband Dave

front: my sister Hope, our Aunt Helen, me
back: Hope's husband Donny, Helen's husband Dave, my husband Dave

• EXTENDED FAMILY OUTING:  My sister Hope and her husband and me and my husband met our Aunt and her husband for mini golf on Saturday afternoon. We met up in Lake George (about an hour north of my home) as my aunt had been even further north on a week's vacation.  She and her husband live in Virginia but they try to get to the Adirondacks about once a year or every other year.  This year we hosted them for Saturday night.  They drove back to their home early Sunday morning.  It was fun to play a round of mini golf with them and then we all had ice cream at a touristy place in town.  At the ice cream place, my youngest sister Jill and her family met us there. I'm thankful we had a beautiful day for some outdoor fun with family.

my husband Dave by the fire pit

• BONFIRE:  My aunt and her husband spent the night Saturday with Dave and I.  Courtney was in Vermont all day so she missed out on the bonfire.  My sister Joy who was busy during our golf outing and her son Luke came down to visit Saturday evening.  My Dave made a fire in the fire pit after dinner, and it was just so nice to sit and relax and chat.  This aunt is my mother's youngest sister (and the one we were closest with growing up)  and I know with Mom being in heaven, I can count on Aunt Helen to keep us updated on what's happening on Mom's side of the family. I'm thankful we all had a nice visit and relaxing evening. 

the backyard

• READING TIME!  Sunday afternoon I was bone tired.  My back pain was kicking in after being eased up most of Saturday.  I decided to just rest per the chiropractor's suggestion and although I did get on the fitness ball to do my stretches, I mainly rested in the chaise lounge in the backyard sun.  Dave had a missions trip meeting most of the afternoon so it was a perfect time to just have some quiet time. I'm thankful for time to read and for the nice weather we had all weekend.

Bolton Landing Beach at Rogers Memorial Park on Lake George

Lake George and Eastern Adirondack Mts
as seen from the scenic overlook in the town of Hague

some of the Eastern ADKS and Lake George as seen from town of Hague

• HOLIDAY! Monday was a day off from work for the school where I teach.  We have both Jewish holidays off this year and Monday was the first one.  I decided to get two more signatures for this challenge and headed north to Bolton Landing to eat lunch on the beach.  After getting the book signed in the town center, I then drove further north, over Tongue Mt to the town of Hague and the scenic overlook where I took a few photos. Two of my faves are pictured above.  I also managed to find a resident in the town by going to the General Store and asking the owner to sign the book.  We chatted about the challenge for a bit and then I drove back to Bolton Landing to do a bit of Christmas shopping before heading home in time for dinner with my family.  I'm thankful that I had this time in the mountains.  I haven't been able to hike due to the back issue, so just driving through the mountains and spending some time on the beach was soothing to my soul.

Hedgehog sox!

• HAPPY FEET!  After work yesterday, I had to dash up to my chiropractor for my 2nd appointment this week.  This makes appointment number 6 and guess what??  The sciatica is GONE from my leg!  It only took 3 weeks this time inside of 6 like in 2012.  And I only have a little bit in my back and almost all the pain is gone for longer times during the day. Because of all the stretches and fitness ball work I've done plus the pain, I haven't been able to do any kind of cardio workout. She said I can try my bike this weekend if I remember to NOT  lean too far forward. And I can go on a gentle hike.....on a wooded trail......no mountains yet....anyways, when I was driving to the grocerty store  after my chiro appointment, it began to pour!  It  was a cold, dreary rain...our first real cold day since last spring.  I came home, put away the food, stuck a roasted chicken in the oven, and dashed upstairs to put on these fun socks....they are the first socks I've had on my feet since early May, other than hiking socks!  I'm thankful for a warm, dry house and warm socks to make my feet happy. (and yes...we had to turn on the heat at dinner time as the house was very cold.  But we slept with windows open and turned the heat off for bedtime..I'm just not ready for the central heat to be on yet!).

that wraps up my faves.  I hope you all have a totally relaxing weekend doing the things you love!