OLYMPIC WEEK FAVES

I for one am glad it's Friday.  It's been a long, kind of slow and boring week for me. I was fighting my first head cold (started on Saturday with very mild sore throat) since 2018!  The last time I was sick, was when Dave and I both had covid during my Winter Break in February 2023.  I'm thankful I don't get sick often and that the head cold was pretty much over with by Wednesday evening...so...I need to be intentional about finding the blessings this week because honestly, the week sure did seem to drag. 

I'm sharing FIVE blessings that make my "Faves" list and joining up with other grateful bloggers over at this site, hosted by Susanne. Join us!

• OLYMPIC OPENING!  I settled onto the couch last Friday evening with a wine spritzer Dave made me after dinner and a warm, fleece blanket to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. I loved it. Class act this year!  I loved the theme of creativity with harmony and all of the Italian culture that was represented but most especially the 3 Italian composers (Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini) who were depicted. It was so well done!  Much classier than the last couple of opening ceremonies for sure. (this is my opinion).  I didn't think the coming together of the 5 rings looked like a pentagram at all although I know certain groups are saying it was a satanic symbol.  How sad that they can't see it for the beauty and symmetry that it was intended to be!!  Our world sure does love controversy doesn't it? how sad.  But I'm thankful that I personally didn't see it that way at all...I thought it was a beautiful piece of Italian art and the music was gorgeous.  I've enjoyed watching some of the highlights at 8 pm this week: alpine skiing, cross country ski racing, figure skating. I'm thankful for the unity of the Olympics and the hard work and talents of the athletes. 

backyard on a warmer Wednesday 

• FLAG FOUND!  About a week ago the little Valentine garden flag I had in the front yard blew away and I thought it was lost down the street somewhere. It was far too bitter  cold to go searching for it so I gave it up as lost and told myself well....there goes the $12 I spent. When I went out to re-fill the bird feeders on Wednesday morning (because it was warmer!), there was the flag stuck to the side of the house between  the siding and the gutter pipe.  I gently peeled it off the pipe/house and brought it inside to thaw out.  I put it up again on a different garden pole in the backyard which gets less wind than the front yard. I like the cheerful color  with the white snow. I'm thankful I found our little flag and that the temps have warmed up to the mid to high 30s this week, finally!

more clothing donations

• ERRANDS DONE:  Because the head cold was finally pretty much gone by Wednesday, I was able to get out and do a couple of errands: return books to the library and get 2 more; take Dave down to our mechanic so he could pick up his car from a needed repair; and bring a huge trash bag full of donated clothes to the local thrift shop.  Most of the clothes in the bag were old clothes I used to wear to teach in:   3 pairs of nice jeans, pants, blouses and tunics, a couple of dresses and skirts, leggings, and a couple of nice short sleeved summer shirts. These were all things I hadn't worn in the last year and know I most likely never will in the future. A couple of things were brand new and I maybe wore them just a few times. I'm thankful I had a half day to purge the closet and trunk. 

pots, frying pans, covers, small glass containers

mixing bowls, stock pot
slow cooker and
in the far left of this corner  cupboard:
large plastic bowls and party platters

the microwave cart now has the cereals and crackers on the bottom shelf
healthy snacks like protein bars, nuts, quinoa chips on the upper shelf
Drawer holds foil, waxed paper, freezer baggies, extra pot holders

• CUPBOARDS CLEANED:  Usually I wait until  Spring to thoroughly clean out some  cupboards but this week, because of the bitter cold and my own head cold, I stayed indoors and decided to go through the bottom cupboards/corner cupboard and re-organize all the cookware. It felt so good to do this! I used a lightly scented Mrs Murphy's spray on the shelves. I like the end result and even Dave likes it better (he could usually care less about how I arrange the cupboards). (note: I also love the lemon verbena hand soap scent for using in the kitchen...the one I used for cleaning cupboards and counters is Rain Water).  Since we no longer buy lots of processed snack foods or store bought cereals, I was able to utilize the lower part of the microwave cart for this. In the plastic bin on the higher shelf (to the right) we have a variety of low sugar protein bars, boxes of raisins, nut mixes, and low sugar fig bars.  We keep these stocked for tossing into our beach bag or hiking backpack. Dave also likes them in his work lunches. Sometimes I'll grab a protein bar, fruit,  and sparkling water for lunch in place of a salad or sandwich. I'm thankful this chore is done.  

• COFFEE and READING:  One of the errands I had to run this week was to  purchase a gift certificate for my oldest daughter for Valentine's Day.  This year I went with gift cards for both girls.  Courtney first introduced me to this fave coffee shop awhile ago and now that they're in the new space in the town just to the north of us, I head there at least once a week for a coffee and my book or Bible study. This week I brought a library book I was finishing up.  I spent a wonderful 45 minutes nibbling on one of the almond croissants and a maple latte. (my lunch) There's a book section where you can borrow a book while in there or you can buy certain ones. Many are used.  They also sell some local artists'  wares (goat's milk soaps/lotions; jewelry; small tote bags; candles) and not only do they have nice tables for 2-6 people, but they also have cozy armchairs spread around the  cafe. I love it. I'm thankful I had this break in my routine. 

Those are the simple things that made me smile this week...just simple blessings but they all warmed my heart. 

I hope whatever you have planned for Valentine's Day, if you celebrate it, that it's a memorable day for you.