SUMMER FUN FAVES

Well here we are getting towards the end of July and wow I feel like it's been flying by this summer! Maybe because we've had a full schedule ever since getting back home from our Plymouth MA vacation. This next week will be a slower paced one and for that I'm thankful! 

I'm pausing today to share FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the past week. I link up at Susanne's site with other like minded bloggers who also like to be intentional about giving thanks to God, the One who brings the blessings. 

Lye Brook Falls
Manchester, Vermont

• SOULSTEPS HIKE:  Last Friday I had 8 people all signed up to hike in Vermont.  Our destination was the 2nd highest waterfalls in that state. (Dave and I hiked to the highest one last summer when we were in Stowe Vermont). This hike involved 7 women and one college boy (the son of one of the women).  It was 2.3 miles to the falls and back. So we hiked 4.6 miles that day but it was a glorious day of temps in the mid-70s and NO humidity!  The trail was very rocky and although we knew some of it would be, we were surprised that almost the entire trail had lots of rocks to climb over. No scrambles were needed however, so we were happy about that. It was a tough hike but we all celebrated afterwards by going to this cute coffee shop for iced drinks. (I have more pics of the trail on my FB page). I'm thankful I get to lead and organize this group and I'm thankful we all had safe travels to and from Vermont. The trailhead was only a little over an hour from my house so that was another blessing! And I'm so very thankful for these new friendships that are forming and the fact that we are all sisters in Christ. 

from l-r: Diane, me, Karen, Meg, Anita and her son Dylann, Pat
missing from photo: Joan
photo used with permission

• SOFTBALL AND FARM STANDS:  Last Saturday afternoon, Dave and I went just a town north of our home, to watch our youngest niece (Mady) play in her softball tournament. She normally pitches but the game we saw, she was playing first base. She had a great hit, bringing 2 people home as well as her self!  It was fun chatting with her mom (my youngest sister, Jill) and her dad (Mike) and Mike's parents are up visiting from SC so it was great to see them again, too. We were thankful the high humidity had broken Wed night and that we could enjoy the nice summer sun without sweating!  I'm thankful we stopped at a farm stand on the way home, too, to get some fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes from one of our fave farms. 

Mady, age 16 
showing her tournament ring
Photo used with permission and taken by Jill 

• SNAIL MAIL!  This past week I received a beautiful card with a handwritten letter inside, along with several Scriptures, from the lady I wrote about last FFF.  Selma is like a second mom to me....she has always been super encouraging and she's one of those Christians who really lives a life of integrity and grace. She was thanking me for visiting with her and praying for her and this card also contained a private message which just made me pause and say "thank You, God." I'm so thankful for this 85 year old woman who has meant so much to me over the years. Although we don't see each other often, she sure holds a special place in my heart. 

• EVENINGS ON THE DECK:  This week the weather has been pretty good....not too hot with cool evenings although the beginning of the week was humid. Wednesday and Thursday evening I sat on the deck to read and it was perfect....in fact, last night was actually a bit chilly! I love this weather and that I can keep the central air off for sleeping.  I'm thankful for our deck, the citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes away, solar candles and good books!

• DAY AWAY!  Yesterday, I had a scheduled SoulSteps hike with originally, 6 people signed up.  Well the family of 4 had to cancel so that left me and my dear friend Cindy. We first met at work and then church! We have remained good friends ever since about 2008!  Although she attends a different church now, we have remained prayer partners and good friends. We headed to the trail yesterday that ends at a deep woods lake in the southern Adirondack mountains. It's an almost 2 hour drive north west but we enjoyed the drive and got caught up on our family news, etc. We were the only people on the trail at 11 AM and we got to the lake about 45 min later after hiking the 1.36 miles in.  We waded, heard and saw a loon, and just   marveled at this beautiful lake. We then hiked back and grabbed lunch at this place in town.  We then stopped at the farmers market there and had fun poking around. It was cool in the mountains (68!!) and then we drove through this town where I showed her where my mom grew up, and where our family camp was when I was growing up in the '60s and '70s. It was such a fun day and although we didn't get home until 5:30, we agreed it had been a perfect day! We both love that area of the Adirondacks so we were in heaven. I'm so thankful this hike worked out for us and that we could enjoy the day in the mountains. 

Fawn Lake
in the Jessup River Wild Forest Area
southern Adirondacks

We waded in the water all down the shoreline

there's a loon behind the reeds......

Cindy and me
at Fawn Lake

love having iced tea
in a large mason jar...i use these at home too!

That wraps up my week of special blessings. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend doing the things you love!!