VALENTINE'S FAVES

 

It's Friday and as of 2 pm today I will officially be on Winter Break from teaching.  

I'm also pausing today to share FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the past week.  Most of them revolve around celebrating Valentine's Day and celebrating the end of the first semester small group Bible study I led.  It's always a good thing to give thanks to God.......how He longs for us to live a life of gratitude. Our hostess is Susanne from Living to Tell the Story.  Head on over to her site to learn more about this weekly practice.

Arugula Salad

Veggie Stuffed Potato Patties

Dave and I before the show
(photo courtesy of Claire) 

• DATE NIGHT!  Friday evening after work, we got semi-dressed up and went out to eat at this amazing Moroccan restaurant that some church friends had recommended but none of us had ever tried.  Because our youngest (Claire) is a pure vegan, sometimes it's hard to find restaurants that cater to the more healthy life-styles.  Since she was included in our date night, we thought it'd be a great choice for all of us and it didn't disappoint!  We did have to wait about 10 minutes for a table (they don't take reservations) but the orders were put through so by the time we sat down there really was no wait to eat.  Everything was so good!  I had the arugula salad and potato patties you see shown.  Dave had the Spinach Tagine and Claire had the Veggie Cous-Cous and Pita Bruschetta.  Then we walked over to this place to attend the final tour of Rent.  We all love musicals and had never seen this one.  It's amazing!  The music is phenomenal and of course your emotions are all over the place with this show. Truly outstanding.  I'm thankful we had a great date night!

Grilled Tofu Salad

Pomegranate Cosmo

• LUNCH WITH FRIENDS!  The book group (Bible Study small group) I led from Sept until last week is finished and we celebrated by having a social event on Saturday.  I made reservations at this restaurant that I used to go to all the time when we were newlyweds and hadn't been to in over 20 years!  It's still amazing but with an updated menu and every single woman (6 of us) LOVED everything we ordered. My choices are above minus the dark chocolate  gelato we had for dessert! The best blessing was that they surprised me with a gift card to a tea place I enjoy and the fellowship we all engaged in.  Stories of our Valentine traditions, good food and laughter.  There's nothing like the bond of Christ to knit our hearts together.  These are truly my friends and sisters in Christ. It's a blessing to do life with these ladies (and one of them is my cousin!). I'm thankful that everyone (except one person who can't commit right now) will be in the Spring study which begins next week! I believe our hearts will be knit deeper as we explore a new study and continue in our friendships. 

image courtesy of boardgamegeek website

• FAMILY DINNER/GAME DAY:  We are not Super-bowl fans (we're Red Sox/baseball!!) so we invited our oldest daughter over to Sunday dinner (Roasted chicken, vegan stuffing, mashed garlic potatoes and steamed green beans; chocolate shortbread heart cookies for dessert).  Courtney, Claire, Dave and I were all still chatting after we ate and Courtney actually suggested a board game.  So we played Clue.  It was like old times when the girls were 9 and 14 and we used to play this all the time.  My heart was full and I'm so very thankful for my family and our fun times!

• PHONE CALL!  I  had 2 phone calls from one of my very oldest and best friends (Diane).  She lives back in our hometown and helps to care for her aging mother. We have been friends since our moms were young married women in the church I grew up in.  Diane is about 4 years older than me but we have a shared history (along with her sisters and brother) and when we chat on the phone I feel grounded.  I needed some  guidance this week and some laughter and I know I can always count on Diane.  THe blessing is that she didn't know I was longing for a heart felt talk and just randomly called me.  I'm so thankful I took the time to talk with her.  We are amazed at the unity we have in Christ and that our friendship is still authentic after all these years. I'm so thankful for her. 

• GOD'S PROTECTION!  Yesterday after work, because our temps were in the upper 50s, I decided to stop at our automatic car wash in our neighborhood and get the salt off my car.  I haven't had it washed since late summer.  I paid, went through and got to the drying part with the count down to get out.  Well, just as I approached the opening, the automatic door FELL DOWN just missing my hood but dropping my license plate/holder. and of course now I was locked inside.  I had to get out of the car, go over to the emergency button that opens the door and get back in, drive out, before it shut again!  Unfortunately I didn't know the plate had fallen off until I got home so I had to drive back to find it.  I prayed the entire 2 miles.  And there it was just OUTSIDE the door.  PRAISE GOD.  I checked the car, my husband (who still works from home) checked it, got new screws and popped it back into place (in NYS you need TWO license plates at all times on your vehicle) and guess what?  THERE WAS NO DAMAGE to my front end!!  I had God's protection and I'm so thankful for this. If I had been just 6 inches forward, that door would have crashed down onto my windshield. 

That wraps up a busy week.

What were your blessings this week?  

Whatever they were, be thankful for them!

HAPPY WEEKEND