SPRING BREAK FAVES

 

For the first time in several years, I actually have had a "great weather" Spring Break!  Here in eastern New York, we have had a marvelous week of warm temps, sunshine, blue skies.  

Today, I'm sharing FIVE of my FAVE things from this past week.  My husband had to work of course, as he isn't a teacher, but I had several fun things planned and was able to even accomplish some spring cleaning and a little bit of yard work. Looking for the things we are grateful for is a good spiritual discipline and I love linking up with other bloggers who do this.  We all join in over on Susanne's site. 

Photo of me was taken by my oldest daughter Courtney
Highland Park
Saratoga, NY
Easter Sunday afternoon

a piece of steel from the World Trade Center
when it collapsed on Sept 11, 2001.
Highland Park Memorial Garden

Courtney reflecting in the memorial garden. 
It's very sobering to see this sculpture of the World Trade Center steel.
She was only 8 years old when the terrorists attacked. Claire was 2 1/2.

• EASTER SUNDAY:  Easter was  sunny but cool.  We all needed sweaters or jackets.  Dave had to work Production at church for the 3 special services.  He was at church from 7 AM until 1 PM. (we broadcast live online and people from around the world tune in).  The girls arrived to  go to church with me for the 10 service and then we hustled up to Saratoga to have an early dinner at this place.  It's a tradition for us to do this with my sister Joy and her son Luke and my youngest sister Jill and her husband Mike and their 2 girls Emma and Mady.  Sadly, Dave just couldn't get out in time to join us as the only reservation we could get was for 12:15!!  And we made it in March! I neglected to take family photos but I did manage to get a few shots  afterwards on a walk we did throughout the park nearby. Jill and her family had to get Emma back to UVM  so they were facing an almost 3 hour drive to and from Burlington VT.  The rest of us walked in the park, and then the girls joined Dave and I back at home for a little while. I'm thankful Easter was a nice day and we spent it with family. 

my younger sister Joy and my youngest daughter Claire
leaving Highland Park

• MID-DAY HIKE!  On Sunday evening my best friend from my childhood home town and hiking buddy asked if I wanted to meet her at this place for hiking one of the trails on Monday.  I had never been there even though Dave and I have driven past the turn-off many times over the years. We actually just thought it was a nursery and garden center.  Had no idea there were hiking trails.  This was my first official hike for the 2023 season!! Although I didn't need proper hiking clothing due to the trails being all flat and rated easy. We had such a great time in warm, sunny weather even though parts of the trail we did (Woodland Trail) was very muddy.  Below are some of my fave photos from the hike.  

  

  This sculpture was just outside the Welcome Center
  and we just thought it was hilarious. 

  
  

    We walked over to the barn to see if it was open and although it was closed up (they do special events in there sometimes), there was some barn art on the back of the building.  This was my fave: 

photo courtesy of Cheryl A Blask 
Monday 10 April

    We also popped over to the Meditation Garden which is still under construction although much of it was complete.  The pond and bridge were especially nice and yes we walked the labyrinth and I prayed. 

The Meditation/Peace Garden

The Peace Garden/Meditation Trail Labyrinth

    Finally, we made it around the Woodland Trail loop.  It consisted of another large pond where the peepers were really out in force, an open meadow with a stunning view of the Schoharie Valley (the area south-west of Albany) and a wooded walk before coming out onto another meadow. 

Woodland Trail

a view from the lower meadow of NY's Schoharie Valley

    I'm thankful for good friends and new places to explore!

• CHORES COMPLETED:  I had made a "to do" list for Tuesday which included a run to the grocery store, spring cleaning my husband's upstairs office, dusting and vacuuming the kitchen and family room and sweeping out the garage as well as cleaning up the front stoop and getting the porch rocker from the deck to the front. I added a couple other things to the list like pay a bill, make an appt for my bi-annual eye exam,  take a 2 mile power walk, and return a friend's call.  I'm thankful I took Tuesday to complete all of these chores!  The nice weather helped!

• ANTIQUE DAY! One of my very best friends from my hometown area met me at our fave antique store.....in a very old factory in a town near where we  grew up.....and we had a ball shopping and browsing all morning on Wednesday.  I found some great stuff:  a pink tea cup and saucer from the 1950s for my oldest daughter's birthday in July (she collects tea cups and loves pink), a tin coca cola bottle circa 1996 that goes for $59 on ebay and I managed to pay just $6.00, and 2 spring infinity scarves for only $20!  We then ate lunch at a little cafe, bought coffees at another fave cafe and did a nice 1 mile walk along the Erie Canal.  I'm so thankful for great friends and time to shop. 

Morning coffee and 74 degrees
13 April

• SELF-CARE DAY:  Yesterday, I only had a quick early morning dental appointment to get some bonding re-done and then I enjoyed my morning coffee on the deck in the sunshine.  I then drove north about an hour and had to go to 2 villages in the eastern Adirondacks to get my book signed.  This challenge is a lot of fun!  I then drove further north just for fun and to breathe in the pine scented air....then I drove south east to this village which is just wonderful when it's not tourist season.  People from all over the world  flock here between Memorial Day and Labor Day so I avoid it then if I can. It's only 45 min north of our home.  I sat in the park by the lake and did some reading and then walked around.  I just really needed to get away for a day. It felt great and I'm thankful I could do it. 

Lake George and the Tongue Mt range 
of the eastern Adirondacks
as seen from the village pier

Lake George and some of the eastern peaks 
as seen from Shepherd's Park, downtown Lake George

That wraps up my Spring Break fave blessings.

I hope you all have a wonderfully relaxing weekend.  Back to teaching for me on Monday and then only 10 weeks left until retirement!