CHRISTMAS WEEK FAVES

 Christmas week!  Time to slow down now that I'm on break from teaching until 3 January, and share FIVE of the blessings God brought to me this past week.  I do this with other bloggers and we all link up at the host's site, Living to Tell the Story.  These five are our FAVES from the week. Do you have some fave blessings this week? 

Crossings Park at dusk

sunset at the park

• WINTER WALK:  If wasn't officially the Winter season yet when I walked at our large park in the south end of town this past week but it sure felt like it.  It was only 28 degrees F after work one afternoon but I had a thick jacket, my walking boots (it's not a place for hiking...people go to jog, power walk, bike or roller blade on the paved trails and there is one wooded section that isn't paved that I love), a winter knit hat, and a thick scarf plus gloves.  I was  chatting with a friend on the phone as I walked and little did I know my car was the only one left when I got back to the far lot. The park officially closes at dusk.  I ended up walking on snow in the woods and it totaled 1.3 miles!  I was chilled but so thankful for the beautiful winter scenery and the cardio workout. (As you can see, we don't have much snow yet here in eastern NY)

our oldest daughter finishes the card house....and then crash.......
my nephew Luke tries not to laugh

Luke (my sister Joy's son) loves his new golf balls

Courtney's best friend Nathanael came along!

my youngest sister's (Jill) daughters and my oldest:
Emma (19), Mady (14) and Courtney (29)

• PARTY #2!  Last Saturday from noon til about 5:30 pm, my 3 younger sisters and our families gathered at my sister Joy's house for our Annual Christmas Gift Exchange and Game Day. It was Dave and my 2nd Christmas party this month. (actually my 3rd if you count the work one)  We had a blast!  Everyone attended except Jill's husband Mike who not only is a Special Education Administrator during the week, but runs 2 different mall stores on the weekends as well as leads worship music in their church.  He just doesn't have the staff to leave the stores on the weekend......so we missed him but will hopefully connect with him in March on his birthday.  We had lots of food and fun playing Generation Gap and Super Power Rino game (Pictured above).  Everyone loved their gifts and I'm thankful the weather was mild for the trip north. 

homemade Peanut Brittle made by my sister Hope

• DECADENT DELIGHT:  My sister Hope gifted my husband Dave with a bag of peanut brittle! He's cutting back on refined sugars so offered me some.....I had my first taste of peanut brittle like my Grandma M used to make for the first time Monday in probably 45 years.  Oh my goodness.  How decadently delightful it was!  The first taste brought me right back to my grandma's kitchen where she would let us eat as much as we wanted.  It reminded me of being 11 yrs old and sitting at her 1940s style table.  I'm thankful Dave decided to share some of this treat!

Vegan "chik'n" veggie pot pie

• PARTY #3!  Tuesday evening, Dave and I had the girls over for our youngest daughter's  (Claire) 24th birthday.  She is actually a Winter Solstice baby but she was going out with work colleagues Wednesday evening, so we did gifts and food with her Tuesday evening.  She requested I cook my homemade vegan pot pie and make vegan chocolate crinkles.  I did, and also served roasted squash on the side. We had coffee and cookies vs cake as we really are not  cake eaters....and then she opened her gifts from us and Courtney and we all watched Miracle on 34th Street (the original from 1947) because it's tradition. How thankful I am for our youngest girl. (she didn't give permission for her picture to be on this blog this week thus the potpie photo!  I cut a star into it because she has always been known as our shining star...and her name means Bright like a Star...perfect for a ballerina.....!

https://www.amazon.com/UTTU-Sandwich-Adjustable-Orthopedic-CertiPUR-US/dp/B079FK5QKD?th=1

image courtesy of Amaz*n

• SUPPORT!  My chiropractor recommend the above pillow for me (she uses one too and even travels with it) as it's designed for people who have neck/cervical issues and who sleep on their side (the preferred method for people with degenerative disc disease or neck arthritis).  The middle foam piece comes out and she recommended that I sleep on the lower side as I'm on the small side in stature and weight.  What a HUGE difference. It's hard to see in the photo but the front is slightly lower than the back when you remove the middle layer...the photo has the middle layer in it. It's constructed of some bamboo and is memory foam that keeps you cool all night.  I've now been using it for 7 nights and NO headache or neck stiffness when I wake up.  It's not a cure...I do still get the neck pain/stiffness and headaches throughout the day (some days are pain free with just stiffness) but the sleep is greatly improved. I'm thankful this pillow which is usually $60 was on sale for $44.  I do highly recommend it if you are a side or back sleeper. I'm also thankful that the chiropractic treatments are starting to work: twice a week I get a neck adjustment/stretches from her capable hands; a neck massage and/or upper back massage with the Rapid Release.  I'm very  thankful for health insurance and unlimited chiropractic visits per year!

That wraps up my week!  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.....Dave and I will be singing in all 3 of our church services (2 pm; 3:30 pm; 5 pm). The girls will attend the 5 pm and then we will all gather in our home for a light supper and desserts while we watch the classic musical White Christmas...another fave tradition. If you would like to watch one of our services (each one is about 55 min long and includes lots of worship music, the sermon and candlelight) I believe service will be broadcast online live.  You can also pick it up on You Tube.  Here is the link to the church website where you can then find the link at the top that says Grace at Home. Click on that and then click on Watch Live.