AUGUST FAVES

 

It's August! One of my absolute favorite months!  And it's Friday which means I'm joining in with other bloggers to find five things that made me smile and say "Thank You, God" this past week. It's been a week full of blessings. Some were big events, some were just little things.  What about you? What are you thankful for this first Friday of August? Join in with us over at Susanne's site. 

FIVE FAVES

Happy Birthday to Dave!

• DINNER CELEBRATION! Dave wanted to go out with me to celebrate his birthday for a nice dinner. One of the blessings for my husband was that both daughters wanted to have dinner with us as well and let's just say seeing my husband this happy, made me say "Thank You, God". We  went to his favorite Japanese restaurant and had such amazing cocktails and food. I'm so thankful for my family and for God blessing my husband with a great birthday celebration. 

The ice cream pie I made for Dave's birthday.

Claire (age 24), Courtney (age 30)
Cherry Plain State Park
eastern NYS

the girls braved the cold water of Black Lake
Cherry Plain State Park
30 July

• SUMMER SUNDAY:  When the girls found out that I was heading to their fave state park on Sunday after the early service, they both asked if they could join me. I told them yes as long as they brought their own snacks. That's the perk of having young adult daughters out on their own......I no longer have to pack for them! We had a ball. We listened to our fave secular singer on the way up the mountain road, we read books, talked, they swam (the air was only in the high 60s!! Our area has really cooled down and I love it...no more high humidity!).  I'm so thankful both girls wanted to join me for a couple of hours of perfect Summer Sunday weather! 

Me and my dear friend Deborah 
31 July after our long mountain climb

• FOREVER FRIENDS:  My childhood friend came up from her home in TN to visit her NY family and friends for 2 weeks. Deb and I go way back. She's the sister of my close friend Diane. The 3 of us were super close growing up and we all spent time together as teens at our church camp.  Both families have always been close. Deb is a hiker but we haven't been able to hike together since before the pandemic!  Last year we met for a quick dinner due to scheduling issues and we made a plan to hike a mountain for this year. Well that day was this past Monday and it was a perfect summer day for a hike. It was a bit overcast at first but the sun came out in the early afternoon and the high was 67 up there. Just wonderful hiking temps! We went up to the high peaks of the Adirondacks (about 2 hours north/northwest of me). She spent the night at our home Sunday night and we chose to hike up Rooster Comb.  It's a "less than 3000 feet elevation" mountain so short and steep in spots. Thankfully, I had hiked it 3 times before and know the trail well. It was her first time doing a mountain like this. She loved it!  We hiked/climbed a total of 7.4 miles. When we were done, we cleaned up and went down to Schroon Lake for an early dinner. I'm so thankful we had an awesome day. 

The trail after the first half mile up Rooster Comb

Faith beginning the climb up the last quarter mile

Giant Mountain and Hopkins to the left from the summit of Rooster Comb

I hiked Giant to the summit in 1978 and to summit of Hopkins in 2021

Deb at about the 2 mile mark going up Rooster Comb Mt

    

last part of the trail......another quarter mile to go.
the ladder is a bit intimidating but once you start to climb
it's all worth the effort....

me on the summit of Rooster Comb 
NY's highest peak, Mt Marcy, is the high point behind my left (your right) shoulder
Wolf Jaw and the Great Range is the other high point behind my right (your left) shoulder

                

• ORCHESTRA EVENING! Wednesday evening was one of those perfect summer nights: cool temps in the low 60s, sun setting, full moon rising, a deep blue sky at dusk and no humidity!  My sister Joy and I, and her son Luke had lawn tickets for this place to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra on their opening night. I packed my dinner of hummus, veggies, crackers, protein bites, peaches, pinot grigio to share with Joy.  This was an all-Tchaikovsky program! There's nothing quite like a world renowned full orchestra playing the national anthem. Once we were seated again, they started with the Symphony in E Minor (just amazing...I knew the first 2 movements), then a Violin Concerto in D Major (my first time hearing this) and then to end the evening, the 1812 Overture with real cannons and then fireworks.  I'm so thankful I took the time to go.  There's nothing like a good classical concert to make me smile and to say "Thank You, God for your gift of music". 

Philadelphia Orchestra on stage at SPAC
Saratoga Springs
2 August

Cheers to the Classical Season

• RELAXING AND READING:  I can't begin to tell you how much I love relaxing in the sunshine or in the early evening by the fire or on the deck. I love eating breakfast on the deck and July was too darn wet or hot/humid to enjoy it.  I've been savoring the last week because it's been just perfect weather. It's my favorite. I'm thankful for good books that are free from my town library....for a wonderful devotional that really makes me meditate, for my prayer group, for my family members who are saved and prayer partners with me, for chats with my husband over dinner. We enjoyed burning some brush 2 different nights this past week and Deb loved sitting out by the fire before we prepped for the hike and went to bed. All of these blessings just make me smile and say "Thanks, Father God."

Sunday evening bonfire
30 July

 Early morning on the deck....a fave meditation spot
3 August

breakfast on the deck...thanking God for Italian bread from the bakery 
and for fresh blueberries and strong coffee and time in the Scriptures!

That wraps up my week.

Whatever you have planned for the weekend, I hope you find time to spend in nature and relax and recharge!