HOLY WEEK FAVES

 

It's Good Friday.  One of the most holiest days of the Christ followers holidays.  Because of the Cross, we have the Crown! Jesus Christ!!  Our Savior and Redeemer and the One True LIVING God!!  HALLELUJAH.  Join me as I share in FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the week (there were several more but these are the highlights to me....the things that really made me say "Thank You" to our Creator).  I'm linking up with other bloggers over at Susanne's site, our very gracious host.

FIVE FAVES

• EASTER DECOR:  I love putting away all the winter decor from about mid-March to early April and slowly taking out some spring and Easter/Resurrection Day decor.  I don't have a whole lot as I prefer the minimalist look, but I do have a touch of Spring or Easter in each room.  Here's what I chose for this year.  I'm thankful it's finally Spring...and Easter of course is a very important and fave holiday!

Spring Bunny/egg  and spring sign
on top of piano
in the living room

nest of pastel eggs on living room bookshelf

Silk Crocuses for dining room table

The 3 EMPTY crosses and Easter signs
for wall shelf in family room

Porcelain Bunny and small Spring candle 
for small movie cabinet in family room
the snake plant is named Sylvester

• MOTHER-DAUGHTER DATE: My oldest girl invited me over to her apartment for a late Sunday afternoon "date".  We went for a late afternoon walk at this place and followed the Erie Canal trail to the old historic lock. Then we walked back to the car where we ordered our dinner (Veggie Pizza) and picked it up, brought it back to her apartment and watched two more episodes of Season 2 Handmaid's Tale.  (it's so far from the book now but we still enjoy it and are making fun of Hollywood because they've strayed SO far from the book!). I brought her some homemade peppermint cocoa cookies I made and we enjoyed one with a cup of hot herbal blackberry/sage tea she made me for dessert. I'm thankful for time spent with my oldest girl.  Here are some fave photos of our 2.2 mile walk:

Tall Spruce Trail......totally under water.
we'll come back later in the Spring to walk this trail!

Courtney at the old lock
Erie Canal

Woodpecker posing for us along the Erie Canal trail

• SUNSHINE!!  We've had wonderful days of warm sunshine, green grass and  flowers bursting open.  I'm so thankful for warmer days and color!!

purple crocuses in afternoon sunshine

tiny blue flowers in the front flower garden 
....i can't wait to fix it all up for the spring/summer season!

• AFTER WORK HIKE!  Tuesday was an absolutely perfect Spring Day.  Temps in the mid 60s and full on sunshine and blue skies.  I left work my normal time of 2:30 pm and drove north just about 4 miles from my house to the state park called Peebles Island State Park. I've hiked there MANY times over the last 25 years or so and feel very comfortable being there by myself.  Surprisingly there weren't many other walkers/runners/hikers there.  I did pass  an older couple leaving as I was heading towards the river on the perimeter trail and I saw someone far ahead of me on the Eagles View trail.  I only had time for a 1.6 mile hike so I took the Perimeter to the river, then hooked a left to the fire road trail and then hooked a right onto the Eagles View trail and then back to the exit/car.  I'm so thankful I live in a diverse area with all kinds of hiking trails/parks/mountains.  

The Mohawk River/falls
on the Perimeter  Trail

Perimeter Trail

• DINNER OUT!  FINALLY after not seeing one of my very best friends (and spiritual mentor/former counselor), Cheryl, for 2 years in person due to Covid, we were able to get together for a late dinner Wednesday evening. The weather was mild and we chose this restaurant.  She met me there after her workday as she works 9-6 and I work 8-2:30.  We sat and talked for 2 hours catching each other up on our family news, church news, etc. (her youngest son is my oldest daughter's age and her oldest daughter used to babysit my girls and is now a mommy herself!) and the waiter had to come over to our table to tell us they were closing up. It was just so great to finally get together.  I'm so thankful for good friends and sisters in Christ.  

BONUS FAVE:  This just in:  Our youngest daughter, also known as the ballerina, has officially accepted a full time position as a caseworker for a non-profit agency that deals with families in crisis.  She will begin the end of the month.  She is thrilled to land a job in her sociology field.  She has also accepted a part time job  (only 5 hours a week on Sats or Suns) to be a fitness instructor at a Barre workout spot.....  ... she can put some of her ballet technique to work.  I'm thankful she has landed a full time job with benefits and can also add to her savings with this part time weekend gig.  I WILL miss having her work for my fave coffee chain though :) (*Bucks). 

That wraps up my faves from the week.

I hope (if you are a Christ follower) that you embrace every moment of this EASTER weekend!  Enjoy RESURRECTION SUNDAY!