VALENTINE'S WEEK Faves

 I feel like I just wrote "half-way through January already" and yet here we are at just a little over the half-way mark in February!!  Time is flying this winter when in years past it has seemed to drag.  Maybe it's because here in eastern New York State, we still haven't seen any significant snow storms! 

While we are waiting for Spring to arrive, let's pause and share FIVE of our FAVE blessings from the past week.  I enjoy this part of the blogging community....linking up at Susanne's site and reading the blessings from other women around the world.  It's good to find the blessings in our ordinary days. 

The main road in the state park that leads to the lake/beach
was lined with luminaries. 

heart shaped lights near the entrance

starry night
photo by Courtney E T

compliments of Courtney

Courtney, our oldest girl
on the bridge going across the lake

Me on the lighted bridge

Starlight over the lake

• LUMINARY HIKE! Last Friday night, I picked up food from this place and then picked up our oldest daughter from her work office and we drove north to our fave local state park for the Luminary Hike. What a perfect evening!  There were more hikers this year..and more families with children...than last year.  The skies were mostly clear so the star gazing was awesome and the temp was 41 degrees!! (f).  We didn't even need gloves this year.  We walked the entire route (2.18 miles) and also spent time at one of the two bonfires on the beach.  This year there was also a bonfire on the bridge over the lake as well as a bonfire near the warming hut with free hot cocoa.  We passed on the cocoa as we just weren't cold enough but also spent some time talking with one of the nature educators.  What a glorious time Courtney and I had.  I'm thankful she suggested it and I'm thankful the weather was awesome. 

• CHURCH CONVERSATION: Sunday, after the 11 AM service, my husband had a missions team luncheon and meeting to attend so that left me on my own. I ran into some friends of ours  that we met about 8 years ago in a small group Bible study we attended together. I've seen Betty and Kevin from a distance at church but this past week was the first time we actually had a good conversation in a long time, catching up on one another's news, etc. And small world:  Betty, who is my age, is in our oldest daughter's small group at the class that Courtney is taking on Wednesday nights!  I'm so thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ and good conversation.  We promised to pray for each other as Kevin is going through a small battle himself. I'm thankful for the power of praying friends and that we can lift one another up!

I won a giveaway from Colletta's blog!

a special card from a special blogging friend

• SURPRISES!  This past week I had two fun surprises in the mail:  a giveaway gift from this blog and a beautiful card from my  blogging friend and prayer partner, Deb from over here.  I love getting mail besides bills and junk mail that ends up in the recycling bin!  I'm thankful for the blogging community, for people who pray and keep in touch, and for fun giveaways!  

• RELAXING AND READING: On Valentine's morning, Dave told me he was working from home and had an important phone call in the work office upstairs. That was all the excuse I needed to have a slow start to my day.  After breakfast, I made myself another mug of coffee with a fave blend from a fave shop, and sat to just read.  (I didn't want to run the vacuum upstairs while he was on the phone for work). One perk (among others) of being retired is the slower paced mornings.....I no longer feel guilty for taking time for me.....for savoring a favorite coffee and for lingering over the pages of a good novel. After all, don't we deserve it after working for years?? Seriously, I'm so thankful for the slower start to my day. 

Vanilla and Lemon Macarons

• COFFEE WITH CLAIRE!  Yesterday morning, our youngest daughter invited me down to her apartment for coffee.  She also served these French macarons (totally vegan!!) that she orders from Montreal Canada.  I had the lemon one. So good. They're not super sweet like regular macaroons. In fact, the lemon flavor comes out once you have chewed.  We spent almost 2 hours together, chatting and talking about all kinds of things.  I'm so thankful for our youngest girl and the chance to visit with her on her days off from work. 

That wraps up my week!

Of course there were other blessings: we didn't get the snow that NYC did. ......we had days of sunshine....we saw blue skies.....we saw  so many different birds at the feeder...we had some answers to prayers.....what about you? What's one thing you're thankful for this week? do share in the comment section!

HAPPY WEEKEND!!