Mid-April Faves

 

It's mid-April!  So far here in eastern New York, it's turning out to be a beautiful Spring. March of course surprised us with snow (since we didn't get any all Winter, we really could not complain!), and then last week brought summer-like weather to us!  This past week has been more normal for April on the east coast and I'm ok with that.  The grass is green and has already been  cut once thanks to the husband, and my tulips are all up minus the 4 the bunny managed to chew. Life is full of blessings and I'm here to share five of them from my past week.  These are things that made me smile and/or say "thank You, God".  

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Maple Cream Vegan Donut

iced coffee with oat milk and agave
made by Claire

• TIME WITH CLAIRE:  Our youngest daughter and I had a coffee and donut date at her apartment on Saturday afternoon.  It was beautiful outside so we sat on her little balcony at the new bistro table set she bought and she made iced coffees and had bought donuts at our very fave vegan place.  (They used to be known as Birch Bark Eatery (we LOVED it there!!)  and were located in a town to the north but now they are in downtown Albany and are just a donut/coffee shop). Oh man......what fun we had.  We talked for a long time and then decided to get an early dinner at this fave pizza place (because they actually have vegan  cheese for her) and we watched an old movie we had only seen once.  (We love Maeve Binchy books at my house). I'm thankful for time spent with Claire. 

out with the green and in with the blue!

our space for bonfires, friends, family 

for al fresco dining and drinks space for family and friends

• DECK DONE!  Last Saturday morning was so warm and sunny that after eating breakfast on the deck, I headed to Target to grab a new rug as the green one was faded and frayed.  I cleaned the deck, swept, cleaned all the deck furniture, added some new pillows and got out some of the spring decor.  The morning went by fast doing all of this work but it felt great to be done and now we can enjoy the space with our family and friends.  We plan on doing a lot more entertaining once I retire. (like we used to do when I was a SAHM). While I was cleaning up outside, Dave was inside the upstairs full bathroom replacing our 28 yr old light fixture with a new pewter one. He worked hard as he had to disconnect the electrical and drill a hole through the tile. Not an easy job. I'm thankful for a hard working husband and   I'm thankful for outdoor spaces. 

• MOVIE NIGHT:  Sunday evening was a movie night and I chose this movie that was available on Hulu.  Dave ended up leaving about 1/4 of the way through it to go do something else but I was enthralled with the movie because I had loved the book several years ago when it came out. In fact, it was probably the best book I read all that year. You can read my review here.  The movie was very close to the book and the narrator of course is Death and in the movie, that was done with excellence......and of course the famous ending line. Gave me chills. The only thing I didn't like, was that the movie left out the part about the Jewish man (Max) writing his story on newsprint.  But of course  the books are usually better than movies anyways.  I highly recommend the book first and then see the movie. The actress playing Leisel was just superb.  I'm thankful for relaxing evenings with literary excellence, whether it's a book or well produced movie. 

Patti has more blooms!

The Erie Canal from the bike path
North Colonie

Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail
in the North Colonie section

More tulips in my front garden have opened!
Left side and center
20 April 2023

The right side of the flower garden

• BLOOMS! More blooms opened up this week and I especially noticed my tulips after work yesterday.  I had come home, changed into work out gear and drove over to the west part of our town to do a 1.2 mile power walk for some cardio fitness. When i got home the sun was in the front full force where my main flower garden is located and I saw the bright colors and ALL the tulips are now opened.  I'm thankful for after work walks in pretty surroundings and for more blooms on my African violet and for tulips! God's handiwork is amazing. 

summer outfits for our Vermont trip
all on sale via Natural Reflections/Bass Pro Co

the perfect tee for me!

These summer skimmers (capris)
 are made from 100% recycled bottles. 

this tag was attached to the waistband of the capris

• SUMMER CLOTHING SALE!  I was browsing during Spring Break online at one of my fave casual clothing stores.  I love Natural Reflections (the women's section of Bass Pro Company).  For those of you who are hikers or campers, you probably are familiar with their line of clothing. It's often quite pricey as they also sell not only their own brand, but Athleta and Northface.  I only shop the sales cause....I'm frugal that way. The only time I pay full price for something is if I need a fancier type dress for an event. Natural Reflections doesn't sell fancy but they do sell functional.  I managed to score an 80$ Athleta skort for less than half price!  I also found a Natural Reflections Sleeveless casual dress for summer concerts on the lawn....I already have scads of cardi's to go with it.  I found a perfect pair of denim skimmers for bonfire nights or going out to lunch after an easy woods hike, and a cute tee shirt that is perfect for me.  This all came to just under $70!!!  I kid you not.  THAT is what I am thankful for.  Good quality clothing for our Anniversary Trip in June/July at a fraction of the cost it usually is. I also love that the skimmers are made with recycled bottles....just like our LLBean deck table that we bought more than 15 years ago. I love a good sale and am so thankful these items arrived this week and that the company is starting to care about the environment.

Well that wraps up my fave blessings from the past week. 

I guess I should mention that the little ones (I teach special needs prek students ages 3-5) came back from Spring Break all ok, only a couple of the children regressed, and all came back healthy and ready to learn. It was actually one of the easiest weeks back I've ever been a part of. 

and remember:  Tomorrow is Earth Day.  Let's take care of  God's creation!!

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend.