End of January Faves

 Well here it is the last Friday of January.  It really did seem to go by faster this year but maybe it's because my outlook on Winter has changed....I'm trying to embrace the beauty in the natural world...God's creation...along with embracing more time to read, connect with my family, and put my all into my teaching job.   When I keep busy, I don't focus on the darker, greyer and colder days and my lack of time in the mountains.  I'm embracing the beauty right in my own backyard.  Part of that is participating in the weekly gratitude meme hosted by Susanne.  I link up at her site with other  bloggers who find FIVE of our FAVE things from the past week to be thankful for. What's something you're thankful for this week??  (share in the comment section or write your own FFF)

A type of Japanese printmaking technique

my absolute fave print from the above style

a French Advertisement  

the famous Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer by Degas
this replica is like the original located in the National Gallery in Washington, DC

• DAY TRIP!  Saturday morning, my sister Joy and I drove over to my oldest daughter's apartment and picked her up for a road trip to The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.  (We live only 45 min from there and go one or two times a year).   My sister Joy had never been there. Courtney had wanted to see the latest exhibit featuring Japanese and French printmaking. It's on display until March.  January was also free admission month so that was an added blessing.  After viewing the main featured exhibits, we ate lunch in the cafe and then saw some of the permanent collections.  I went to the Decorative Arts as I had never seen that area before and Courtney headed for the Impressionists.  We all met at the Little Dancer of course....what's a visit to the Clark without stopping to see her?  (if you're not familiar with this sculpture, I highly recommend you read about it). The original is in the National Art Gallery and she was a real Belgium girl who was a student at the Paris Opera Ballet during Degas time. We had such a great afternoon at the museum and we followed it up with amazing Ethiopian coffee from this place.  I'm thankful for time spent with my sister and oldest daughter. 

• FULL GROUP!  The book group (Small group Bible study) I run on Monday evenings is coming to a close.  We've been doing this book and we wrap it up on Monday.  Well, I decided that yes I wanted to continue to serve in the Small Group Ministry, so chose a new study for the Spring Semester and before the church could even post it online for a week, I was full within 48 hours!  Everyone in my current group wants to stay except one person who can't commit right now, plus I have THREE new members.  Two are completely new to my groups and the other is one of my very best friends who has been in my previous small  groups. I'm blessed to know these ladies and am thankful that they want to do another study with me!  

Chicken Curry and Root Veggies

• CURRY AIOLI:  Earlier this week, for dinner, I put the makings in the crockpot for Curry Chicken and Root Veggies.  I used a half jar of this aioli with 1/4 c. of veggie broth.  This was part of a Xmas gift from my youngest sister Jill and her husband Mike. It was so perfect!!  A quick and easy way to do homemade Indian food and this comfort food is perfect for a cold winter evening. I'm thankful for easy, spicy dinners. 

"Secret santa"  gifts

• SECRET SANTA GIFT!  Since about the end of October, the preK agency site where I teach, has been doing "secret santa" gifts.  Our social worker has organized this and each week a person receives a little gift from someone on our 3 educational teams.  This week I was the recipient!  The person who drew my name decided to reveal herself and it was my site supervisor!  Jess really knows me.....she had her dad's friend paint a small canvas of a lake, mountains, and a pine tree on the left side.   She also got me some thick hiking socks, a gift card to  the best coffee in town and a hand sketched/colored card customized just for me with mountains, coffee beans and various coffee cups.  The envelope has coffee cups on the side.  The card was created by a family friend...a local artist. Now it's my turn to buy for the person I chose!  I'm thankful for fun things to boost morale at work and for cute gifts.

• SUNSHINE, SWEATERS, SOCKS, and SCARVES:  Lastly, I'm very thankful for the sunshine we've had in the last part of this week.....it helps to deal with the bitter cold single digit temps.  I'm also thankful for warm sweaters to wear to work and around the house, for thick socks to wear with cute boots and knitted scarves to wrap around my neck.  

That wraps up my week.  I hope your weekend is cozy and relaxing.  Anyone doing anything fun this weekend??