Week Before Christmas Faves

The week before Christmas! And tomorrow is Winter Solstice!!  And our youngest daughter's birthday!  And the first day of Winter! So many things to be grateful for this month and week so I will share FIVE that top the list. I link up at Susanne's site where you can pop over and learn how to join in. 

 

Dave in his 1920s look 

• SATURDAY PARTY FUN:  My husband's company had a 1920s themed party Saturday evening in a venue in the city to the west of us.  I opted not to go this year and I wasn't the only wife who didn't accompany her husband! But I did help Dave purchase clothing from this place so he could look the part. Everything he bought was on major clearance and he had a really good time with his work colleagues. I'm thankful my husband had a night out with friends and co workers and made it home safely. I spent the evening with my oldest daughter and we had such a great time at our own little dinner party. I made some chicken and garlic stuffed ravioli with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and drinks. We had some Christmas cookies for dessert and watched 2  more episodes of the Handmaid's Tale. We talked like friends and that's such a cool feeling when the children are grown up, young adults, who want to spend time with you and actually converse about serious things!  My heart was full...and thankful. 

the stage at church before the worship team comes out

• CHRISTMAS CAROLS:  I loved our church service last Sunday morning. I went to the 11 AM service and sat with my oldest daughter. Dave had to serve on the production team that morning. WHen I first got into the sanctuary/auditorium the stage was set for worship although the lights in the "christmas village" weren't on yet. Usually we have had Christmas trees along the back and sides. this year it is set up to look like a village. I'm going to try to get a photo when the lights are on so you can see it better. I'm thankful for all the Christmas songs we sang, for the Advent message and for the prayer time. 

our kitchen door that leads down to basement
this is where we typically display cards

•  CHRISTMAS CARDS!  I'm always thankful for friends  and family near and far who send out Christmas cards.....we have a fairly good amount so far this year: 19.  Plus I received 9 birthday cards in the last 2 weeks from family and friends both near and far. It makes my heart happy to both send and receive cards. One of my college roommates and I have exchanged cards every year since 1982!! It's fun and the only time we connect (we both send newsletters). We are both hoping, now that we're both retired from teaching (she lives about 3.5 hours northwest of us in north-central NYS), to meet somewhere half-way between our homes for lunch this summer. I'm thankful for  long term friendships. 

Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve
Wednesday mid-day

walking path along the Erie Canal

a mallard couple

• MID-DAY WALK: On Wednesday morning, I had to run two errands and one was out of town. After I was done, I decided to do my daily power walking in the nature preserve in the town I was in because it was so close by to the store I had just been in.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine in and out and mostly blue skies although in my photos they look more grey than blue. There were only two other walkers there and they were both leaving as I arrived. The only other humans I saw were 3 different people on bikes. I walked one mile towards the old lock, turned around and walked the mile back giving me a nice 2 mile power walk. While I walked, I listend to a Christmas concert that a friend of mine had texted me the link to. She was in the choir.  I'm thankful to have had some outdoor exercise this week. I was able to walk every day except yesterday!

Sunday Dawn 
from my deck

Moon sinking low as the sun came up behind me
Sunday morning from my front yard

• DECEMBER DAWN:  Sunday was just gorgeous. The dawn was particularly lovely. For some reason I was up early...Dave actually had to be at church by 7 AM as he was on the Production Team this past weekend and for some reason everyone had to be there a half hour earlier than usual. I enjoyed a walk and coffee before showering and breakfast and these scenes from our deck and front yard just made me say "Thank You, God for your beautiful gift of Creation". 

Happy Winter Solstice tomorrow!!  The first day of winter!!  Here in the Northeast we celebrate all of the season!! And maybe we will actually get some snow here in eastern NY this weekend.....

ENJOY the weekend and the final preparations of Christmas.