Well here we are, a month into Spring, and it was a very chilly week! We saw some snow flurries swirling in a blustery wind (thankfully they didn't stick) and the nights were so cold I had to turn up the heat after dinner, which we don't normally do this time of year. Even in the chill though there were some sunny days and of course blessings. There are always blessings to find.
I'm sharing FIVE of my FAVE blessings from this past week and then linking up at Susanne's with other like-minded bloggers. Looking for the blessings in this "new normal" is sometimes challenging but I managed to find five that especially touched me.
FIVE FAVES
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| the reading and relaxing corner of the deck |
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| Chickadee home in the pear tree |
- DECK PREPPED! Saturday was just beautiful last weekend. I was supposed to go hiking on a trail not far from our home but my hiking friend got called in to work and so I decided to just walk in my neighborhood and then get the deck prepped for when it really does start to get warmer. Saturday was fairly warm and sunny so that made the chore easier. I washed down the tables and chairs and set out the carpet for the reading area. After sitting for a minute, I noticed 2 chickadees flitting about and landing in the pear tree. Then they both went into my decorative birdhouse! That birdhouse has been in the tree for 3 years and this is the first time I've actually seen it in use. I wish I had been closer when the birds were actually sitting in the tree. I'm thankful for the time to do this chore and enjoy some time in nature.
- ONE WORLD TOGETHER AT HOME: Claire and I watched the entire 2 hours of the event and it was spectacular. Our favorite (besides Taylor Swift and Stevie Wonder) was this group. If you missed this rendition of "The Prayer", please watch it. It's just phenomenal. I'm thankful for time with my youngest girl and uniting with people around the globe. It was a very powerful presentation and I was thrilled that they mentioned teachers besides medical workers and grocery clerks!
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| beginning of Fox Preserve North Colonie, NY 19 April 2020 |
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| the Mohawk River and Erie Canal from top of hill in Fox Preserve |
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| trail coming back on the inner loop |
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| outer loop trail |
- SUNDAY AFTERNOON HIKE: Dave and I watched church online for the early service and then headed out to do a local hike. It's in a preserve in our town and the weather was so nice! There were 2 other cars in the parking area but we never saw any people except right at the very end of the loop when we were returning and they were just starting out. We hiked just a mile as it's a small nature preserve. This was the 4th time I'd been there since it opened about a year ago. I'm thankful for wooded areas in my town!
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| a thank you note from 3 little girls |
- MAIL! On Wednesday I came home from work and discovered I had mail from 3 little girls (daughters of a speech therapist friend of mine who also happens to go to the same church we do, although they attend a different site). My husband and I actually went to two of the girls' dedication ceremonies. Anyways, my Claire had gifted her Claire, Emily, and Maeve with 2 books recently: The Easter Story based on Scripture, and a book about an apple which is a metaphor for teaching the Trinity. My Claire read them as a preschooler/young elementary student and wanted to pass them on. So I mailed the books in time for Easter. Their mom said they love the books! The thank you note blessed me because I just love when small children write. and the cool thing is that I had put together 13 Writing Kits for the students I work with just that morning! I'm thankful for this young family and for the parents encouraging thank you notes!
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| ECEC TROY SITE STAFF |
- VIRTUAL MESSAGE! The prekindergarten agency I work for has 4 different sites around the Capital Region of New York State. I'm in the Troy site. One of our TA's decided it would be fun to make a virtual message for all 3 of our classrooms to see. We have 8 students in one self-contained classroom, 13 in the one I teach in, and about 10 I think in the Integrated Classroom. The photo was posted on Google Classroom, our Facebook Page, and our individual pages. This was all of our students and their families could see it. (we might have posted it on the agency website as well but I haven't checked for it). Anyways, what you see is every teacher and therapist(speech, OT, PT) our social worker, and 2 admins (top row, first 2 on the left) who works for the Troy site. (everyone except our two 1:1 aides who are currently "laid off" due to the quarantine). This was so much fun to put together and I'm so thankful to work with such a great group of special educators.
BONUS FAVE!!
A dear blogging friend, whom many of you know as well, sent me these masks (minus the one that my ballerina was trying on as I took the photo and one that my husband grabbed) that she made. I'm so thankful for Debbie!!! She's awesome! It was such a nice treat to get these in the mail yesterday after work. Thanks again Deb!! (because we live in NYS we have to wear them any time we are in a store or on a sidewalk where it's impossible to social distance). We've been having trouble finding them so we've been using our fashion scraves and bandanas but now we have real masks!!
That wraps up my faves....I hope you all have a restful weekend and stay safe and well!!
7 comments:
I had not seen that special--thanks for sharing that beautiful song. Glad you have some masks! Our state is talking about opening up a bit at the end of the month. I don't know what the requirements will be, but we will probably continue to wear masks and wash hands and use sanitizer anyway. How nice to have your deck all ready for spring and summer. What a sweet thank-you note. I'm sure it did the students good to "see" all their teachers.
Hi Faith - such a great list of Faves. I really am very glad you like and can use the masks. It was my pleasure to make and send to you and others. I love your deck. We have been working on our back patio area as well and getting that ready for summer. I will be putting up my hummingbird feeders before too long. I love your birdhouse and the fact that you actually have a little bird family living there! I didn't get to see that special. Maybe I will check it out. I did hear about it. I love your hiking trails. I am hoping to get out and hit some local trails before long, maybe with Josh in tow. Hope you have a great weekend! See you again soon!
Your deck looks so inviting. It’s been so rainy, grey and cold here that I haven’t been able to get outdoors very much. It’ makes staying inside all that much harder. But, we can walk through town a bit and there is a breakfast place nearby that is open for take out so we’ve been treating ourselves every once in a while.
Your deck looks so fresh and welcoming. I'll bet you just live out there when the weather is nice. I'm sorry I missed the One World concert. I think it is being re-aired, but can't find the date? It sounds awesome. I'm so thankful for all of the trails in our community. It makes it so easy to be outdoors without having to drive to the mountains. A different kind of environment, but it's all beautiful! Happy Friday, Faith!
Your deck looks lovely and I hope you get better weather (and no more snow!) to be able to enjoy it. I missed that special so thanks for sharing that beautiful song. I've been meaning to watch it on catch up as during the Lady Gaga segment (here anyway) they must have featured clips of front line staff and Nick's sister was shown. (She works in an ICU) There's no end in sight to our lockdown at the moment and still conflicting views on mandatory wearing of masks but if we do have to wear them I'll be getting to grips with my sewing machine I think. Stay well.
I have not seen that special, I'll make a point to look for on YouTube this week. I have always loved that song. We've had gorgeous weather all week but today is really windy which is no fun because it makes being outside harder for any length of time. Chickadees are my favorite little backyard bird along with nuthatches. I would love to put a birdhouse out but we have a cat so that is a no-go. Your reading area looks very inviting. We are not mandated to wear masks but lots of people are wearing them when at the grocery stores.
Your walk looks like it was relaxing and refreshing. I love hiking in trees.
And your deck is so inviting! I want to come sit there with you and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with you--but not now. Let's wait until all this is over ;0.
What a sweet thing Deb did, sending you masks!
I hope you are having a good week!
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