MEMORIAL WEEK FAVES

 

JUNE!!  One of my absolute fave months and the time of year that my hiking season really takes off....from now until mid-November, I will be climbing mountains about every other weekend until my summer vacation begins when I will be climbing or hiking a deep woods trail at least 3 times a week.  The Adirondack 100 Mile Challenge began on Sunday and I have a personal goal of 200 miles by Labor Day 5 September when the  Challenge officially ends.  I have also surpassed my fundraising goal of $150 by raising $275!!  It's not too late to give to this Challenge.  The money goes towards the maintenance of  the Adirondack Mountain trails,  education for inexperienced hikers, and  for helping to train summit stewards, as well as helping with teaching Leave No Trace and how to navigate the woods/wilderness areas and leave it pristine.  A couple of you have donated to my fundraising page....and please know your donations are appreciated. Every person who makes a donation is entered into a raffle with the drawing taking place in early September!  It's not too late to donate. Just email me and I will send you the direct link!  

For now....let's pause, breathe, and share FIVE of the blessings God brought to our lives this past week. Susanne at Living to Tell the Story is the host.  Sometimes it's the little things...sometimes it's bigger things....but,  in everything we are to give thanks.  Here are my five fave blessings from the week!

tea rose from front flower bed

• ROSES!  My tea roses bloomed this past week.  The bush is large now and is spreading.  I love it.  These pink blossoms are so delicate and filled with a wonderful aroma.  I just love them and am thankful this bush has done well for the last 25 years. 

"Fish" (vegan) tacos

Fresh Green Bean/Mozzarella/Cherry Tomato Salad

• FRESH HOME COOKED FOOD:  Last Friday evening, we didn't want to order out so I made vegan "fish"  tacos for Dave and I.  They're very similar to ones that Claire and I get at a vegan bistro in a city north of us.  SO good.  I had a watermelon salad to go with them.  Perfect for a warm spring evening. Monday evening it was VERY hot and humid (92!) so we picked up fresh turkey subs from Jersey Mikes.  SO good. Tuesday evening I made the green bean salad...there's nothing like fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with crisp raw green beans and a drizzle of Italian dressing.  I'm thankful for fresh food and easy meals!

the "reading" corner of the deck

pretty pink impatiens

• ANNUALS IN!  Saturday morning, Dave had to run to Lowe's so I went with him to get my impatiens for the deck containers (and one for the front stoop).  I also wanted a hanging plant for the first cherry tree in the yard but I didn't like the looks of them there. We got home, I got to work putting the pretty pink flowers into pots.  I have 2 on the deck and this one sits on our front stoop. I also bought some in a hanging down basket for on our trellis.  AND I spied some of the Morning Glories popping up through the soil where I planted them in April.  I'm not sure how well they'll do this year but we're giving it a try. I'm thankful for Spring flowers that last all throughout the summer.

 Peerless Pool trail through the wetlands
Saratoga Spa State Park
29 May

Peerless Pool trail through the pines
Saratoga Spa State Park

• SUNDAY HIKE:  After the early service on Sunday, Claire and I decided rather spontaneously to go to the Farmers Market at this place to browse and perhaps do a little shopping.  The Market is held at the Lincoln Baths and  there are MANY vendors.  From cheese to wine to gourmet peanut butter to pottery to jewelry and of course farm produce.  Coffees, chocolates, vegan and mediterranean offerings......it's huge.  Everything is organic and/or locally produced.  We just love it and it had been over 3 years since I got to go to the Summer Market due to Covid restrictions.  We had a blast.  Then we drove over to the other end of the park and walked one of the new-to-me trails there:  Peerless Pool trail.  It goes past the back of Peerless Pool where I used to go with friends and our children when they were very small.  The hike was super easy and only 1.06 miles so Claire was happy about that.  It started to get very hot so we headed home to relax and read the rest of the afternoon. I'm thankful for time spent with my youngest daughter. 

Dave and I on Sunday evening

Courtney and Dave

Courtney and I

Claire and Dave make vegan s'mores!

Sunday evening 8 pm

• FAMILY TIME!  Sunday around  8 pm, Dave and I started to burn some brush we had collected from the winter storms and our oldest daughter came over for an evening visit and to enjoy some s'mores and the fire.  We all sat around the pit reminiscing about past camping trips, bonfires at the beach house, past cottage vacations, etc.  It was so much fun and so relaxing and as darkness descended we just continued to sit until late into the evening. I'm so thankful our oldest girl lives nearby and can pop in for these kinds of activities.  I'm also thankful we were all together for part of Memorial Day Weekend. 

That wraps up my fave blessings from the week... there are many more of course.....what made you smile this week? do share in the comment section!

HAPPY WEEKEND