"Even when the rainbow seems to pass right by me....I'm still finding Gold in the clouds....."

02 February 2024

MidWinter Faves






Tomorrow marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, according to the Farmers Almanac, making it the shortest season (only 88 days).  Then why does Winter feel sooooo long????  

While we ponder that question, let's also look back at the last week and find five blessings to share.  I probably have more than 5 but I'm not gonna lie. This week was hard on many different levels. So here are five that make my faves list because they were blessings that stood out to me. Head on over to the host site to read more! 


image courtesy of the museum website


Little Dancer, aged 14 by Degas

  • MOTHER-DAUGHTER DATE: My oldest daughter,  Courtney, the art girl, asked if I wanted to go to the new exhibit on display this winter at one of our fave Northeast art museums. Of course I wanted to (plus admission is free every day during the winter months!). So on Saturday we drove east to Williamstown MA.  We saw the British prints that were on special exhibit and of course visited some faves that are in the permanent display collection like the ballerina pictured above. We always have to visit her in honor of Claire, our youngest ballerina girl. After a few hours in the museum, we dashed downtown for a coffee and then drove back towards home.  I'm thankful we had a good day and that even though the fog was very thick through the mountain pass,  we had a dry day and a safe drive. 

Chicken tikka masala, aloo palak,  basmati rice, samosa chaat
  • INDIAN FOOD!  Since Courtney and I spent the day together all day Saturday, Dave and I had decided we'd have her over for dinner and order Indian food since she now likes several options from our fave place.  She placed the order and we picked it up on the way home from MA and we all enjoyed an amazing dinner of authentic Indian food in the  coziness of our home.  I'm so thankful for  evenings like this!
Pond Walk

solitude 


  • WINTER WALKS:  I've been enjoying some solitary winter walks this past week.  We received 3 inches of snow overnight, Sunday into Monday and it was so pretty. I actually really loved it.  Our whole yard was bare from all the rain last week so it's nice that it sort of looks like Winter again even though most of the month has been gloomy with a lack of sun.  I'm so thankful I live in a town that has a plethora of walking trails and 2 large community parks. 




  • WORSHIP AND WORD:  This song is one that has ministered to me time and time again in the last year.  Wednesday evening I had a small gathering of women (there are 7 of us) in my family room to discuss Strategy One from this book, which is our study book this semester.  We are doing it as a regular book club, meaning we aren't watching the DVD or doing the study guide with all the homework.  Rather, we read it during the week and come together each Wed evening for 12 weeks to share what our thoughts are regarding the  chapter and Scriptures. I used this song to open up our discussion.  It's very powerful......I'm thankful for God's Word and the chance to worship Him with  music. 


image taken from cafe website
  • ANTIQUES AND LUNCH:  Yesterday, I drove out to the central part of the state and met my sister Hope who lives in that area (she lives about 30 minutes east of our childhood hometown and I live about 80 min from the town) for browsing at the antique place pictured above.  I found a few fun things for gifts and then we met our friend Diane for lunch in the cafe that is attached to the antique shops.  This whole area used to be a factory. It's right on the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and there's a ton of history there.  After lunch, Diane needed to get home and I followed Hope back to her house i in the woods for a hot cup of tea.   I'm thankful I spent the time away from home yesterday as it's been a rough week with the cervicogenic headaches and neck pain.  

That wraps up my week!

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend doing the things you love




 

8 comments:

Melanie said...

Faith, I'm so sorry to hear that you are still suffering from those headaches. Chronic pain can just wear you down. I'll be praying.

I've never heard of that song before. Truly a blessing. Sometimes all we can do is breathe His name.

It sounds like such a great day with your daughter. I've never had Indian food but I've always been curious. It's been ages since I went to an art gallery.

Your winter wonderland looks perfect for walks. I love the quietness of the outside with snow.

Have a blessed weekend.

Susan said...

Hi Faith, how nice you could have time with your daughter and your friends. That antique store looks amazing! I have heard that song and love it. Nice that you are in a book club with your friends. A friend just asked me if I wanted to be in a club with her. Once my ear gets better, I want to get out and walk. Have a nice weekend!

Wendy said...

I'm glad you got to spend time with your daughter and your sister and friend this week but sorry to hear you are still in pain from your neck and the headaches. Chronic pain is so debilitating. The snow does look pretty and I wouldn't mind walking there - I don't mind the cold as long as I'm not being snowed on. That is a powerful song - a good choice for your group meeting. Have a good weekend Faith and I hope the pain eases.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Faith. I know your headaches are so challenging - I hope that you have had a head-free Friday. Chronic pain is really tough. Of course I will keep praying for you. I love all of your faves in this post. The museum looks great - so glad you could go there with your daughter this past week. I am glad that your book group is going well. I would love to go see the Erie Canal and go antiquing. What a fun outing. I hope to see you again on MP. Have a good weekend.

Barbara H. said...

What fun times with your daughter and sister. My daughter-in-law is Indian, so we've visited several Indian restaurants in town and she cooks Indian food sometimes. All the family loves it except me, I'm afraid. But there are a few dishes I like ok.

I am so sorry the headaches and neck pain are still issues. Praying for you.

Gattina said...

I love Indian food ! Unfortunately it's very expensive in Brussels, I can't understand, when I go to the UK it's the cheapest plate and here it is only for posh people ! In "my" wonderful park I started to do little walks, unfortunately it's always raining, I wonder where all this water is coming from.

Willow said...

Those headaches! I'm sorry they're back. I guess the fave there is that you are still out doing things.
Your walks always inspire me. I'm glad you got so much time outdoors this week.
Oh, that art museum sounds like fun. (when we lived in SoCal, we would go to Getty Museum or Getty Villa regularly--admission is always free; you just pay for parking) Love the ballerina.
Indian food--yum!

Susanne said...

Oh no, so sorry it's been a tough week with those headaches. Praying for you this weekend that you have some relief! The art exhibit sounds like it would be a wonderful way to spend time with Courtney. And I'll never say no to Indian food. Love it! We usually do it as take out too. The black and white feel of your photos is lovely! It makes a gray day but such nice contrasting pictures. We have a snow storm predicted tonight after a glorious week but we are desperate for the moisture so not going to complain. Love that song! How fun to go to that antique place. We have a town about an hour or so away that has a ton of antique shops. I've always wanted to go check out the stores there.