Friday, March 15, 2024

Friday's Fave Five #777





Hi everyone and welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  It's our little space in the internet to pause and note our blessings over the last week.  So glad you came by.  Unfortunately I won't be participating today.   Mom is in hospital and I have been there every night after work all week.  I will leave Mr. Linky so you all can share your thankful post.  I hope I can come by and read them.  It's always so encouraging seeing all the good things God has done and blest you with.  Have a great week and hopefully I'll be back next week.




Friday, March 08, 2024

Friday's Fave Five #776



It's Friday and that means taking a pause out of our ordinary days and seeing the blessings within it.  We all have ordinary days, though my ordinary day may look very different from yours.  But in those days we consider so routine, so plain or so unexciting there are many blessings from God hidden throughout.  But as we go through our days do we even take note of them or pause to be thankful for them?  It's so easy to take for granted those things which may not be earth shaking or life changing, but still have lifted us in the midst of our everyday.  Join us as we develop our hearts to take notice and be grateful.



~ new season of Somebody Feed Phil ~ there are very few tv shows that both Hubby and I like and that we watch together.  Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix is one of them.  It is the perfect combination of Food and Travel, humor and learning.  We've watched the episodes so many times and still laugh at his insight and antics and enjoy his obvious love of food, culture, travel and people.  And now finally the 7th season has arrived so we've been enjoying it together in the evenings.  

- the Chosen ep 7 - 8 ~ well you know this one was going to be here, right?  Saturday we went to see the final two episodes of season 4 at the theatre and boy, it did not disappoint.  So, so much to this season, I can't wait for it to get to the Chosen app so that I can watch it again.  (Which is free btw and available in Google Play and Apple or on your smart tv's app store) or you can watch season 1-3 here





~ more relaxed Thursday in dayhome ~ with 6 pre-schoolers normally here on most weekdays yesterday was a nice break only having four attend.  

~ a good night's sleep ~ after a horrible couple of nights due to sciatica pain acting up it was pure heaven to sleep through the night.  A good night's sleep is such a blessing!

~ dayhome spot filled quickly ~  I admit, that the worst part of my job is the constant interviewing.  Every time a family leaves the spot needs to be filled and so I interview, or in today's trendy vernacular:  "meet and greet".  It's a stressful time as not only is the family interviewing me but I'm interviewing the family and we're both trying to determine if we will be a good fit for each other.  And the whole aspect of virtually letting strangers into my home to look around at all areas their child would be in is still, after 33 years of doing this, unnerving.   And sometimes to fill a spot one has to go through several of these sessions.  After being given notice of one of my families moving away at the end of the month it was search time again.  But, praise God, I filled the spot very quickly with a family that I was referred by a former family.  It was smooth and easy and felt very comfortable.  


What have been your favorite blessings of this week?










Thursday, March 07, 2024

March 2024 Reading Picks

Whew, February was a slow reading month.  Only one book and one audiobook.  That is not the norm for me.  But the book I did read was so good and left lots to think on so it really wasn't a book to zip through.  When it was finished I couldn't pick up another for a few days after.  Hopefully March I'll be back on track.  There is so many good books to choose from with my 2024 Reading Goal of reading my purchased books down to zero.  I've really been enjoying totally mood reading through them.  I've found it fun at the beginning of each month to go through that pile and see which are drawing me while in the back of my mind knowing I will get through most of them this year.  So for March these called my name:





PURCHASED BOOKS

          ~ The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
          ~ The Women by Kristin Hannah
          ~ When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor
          ~ Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
          ~ Meet Me In Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
          ~ A Piece of the Moon by Chris Fabry


LIBRARY HOLDS

          ~ Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson
       

NON-FICTION




Any good books on your radar this month?  




Friday, March 01, 2024

Friday's Fave Five #775




Happy first day of March everyone!  I have no idea where February went. but here we are in March.  With the days zipping by it's a good habit to take a pause to reflect and recognize the blessings that we have been given.  In the everyday it's so easy to just not even notice those things that are a blessing in our lives.  Be they big or small, blessings from God are what lift us up, get us through our days, make us smile and make us feel good and yes, even loved.  In our busyness we can so take them for granted and not even realize they are there.  Join us in taking the intentional pause to take note and to give thanks.


~ visit from our youngest ~ Sunday our youngest daughter drove down and spent a couple of days with us.  It was a nice and relaxed visit where we just hung out together.  There was no pressure to go anywhere or have to do anything.  We just stuck around the house and enjoyed each other's company.  Love those kinds of visits.


~ hedgehog fun ~ not only did our daughter give us a visit but so did her pet hedgehog.  On Monday the dayhome kids had the fun of meeting her.  It was so much fun to watch them go from nervousness to wonder as they watched the little creature eventually uncurl and show us her nose and face.  They were fascinated and later played at being hedgehogs all curled up.  So fun to introduce them to a new creature.  



~ good deals ~ over the week I've come across several deals on some items I've been eyeing.  One was a purchase for the dayhome business.  We set it up this week and the kids have been loving it.  Love when I can get what I'm needing on a deal.

~ book gift ~ when shopping at Costco I noticed they had a book I've been wanting to read after hearing great things about it.  Upon voicing that to Hubby he promptly put the book into the cart and purchased it for me.  Love being the recipient of his giving nature that day and can't wait to read the book.


~ tea on cold evenings ~ the beginning of the week saw some colder temps which called for some nice hot teas in the evenings.  This week my favorites have been some yummy dessert teas such as Caramelized Pear, Turkish Apple, Apple Pie, Spiced Biscuit.  So warming and soothing on those cold nights.


Pickwick is a Dutch brand and available here (Canada) and here (U.S.).   I buy mine at a Dutch import store in town.  




What have been your favorite blessings this week?




Friday, February 23, 2024

Friday's Fave Five #774



Welcome to Fave Fives everyone. Looking for blessings in our everyday and being grateful is what we're trying to make a habit out of. Please join us as we share 5 of the blessings from the past week.

~ movie date with Hubby ~ two weeks ago we saw The Chosen season 4 episode 1-3 at the show and we all looked at each other and made a date for episode 4-6 in two weeks time.  Well this weekend was two weeks and we went with great anticipation on Monday.  And boy, it did not disappoint!  There was tension and humor and tears.  So much to think and dwell on.  One scene in particular as they played out a visual of a teaching from the sermon on the mount really hit me.  So convicting.  Again much to discuss on the way home.  Definitely a highlight of the long weekend.




~ friends over for Chinese takeout and a movie ~ Saturday we had good friends over for a fun afternoon.  We hadn't seen each other since November and so we all were looking forward to spending the afternoon together.  The food was delicious, the conversation fun and Hubby made a big batch of his should be famous popcorn for the movie.  So thankful for these times spent in company of friends with whom we can relax and totally be ourselves.  

~ daylight when I get off work ~ it is now daylight out still when I get off work so I've been trying to get out for a good brisk walk at least 3 - 4 times this week.  I know our dog appreciates the jaunts and my winter lazy self has loved being able to get out for that half an hour of exercise in the fresh air.  

~ morning visitors ~ yesterday morning I opened the front curtains to find a trio of visitors showing off outside.  They timed their appearance perfectly with the arrival of my earliest dayhome child who was absolutely thrilled to see "reindeer" on my lawn.  A little visit from our river valley friends always makes me happy.  



~ earlier bed times ~ I am most definitely a night owl rather than a morning person but being a working gal I do have to get up early.  The last week I have tried to get myself to bed before 11 p.m.  at the latest (which is about half an hour earlier than is the norm for me) and other than Friday and Saturday night I have accomplished that.  In fact, almost all the work nights over the past week I've made it into bed by 10:45.  That is huge for me.  I am working towards 10:30 and hopefully I can make that goal and stick with it.  

What have been blessings for you this week?








Friday, February 16, 2024

Friday's Fave Five #773






Hi everyone and welcome to Friday's Fave Five!  We're taking an intentional pause in our week to notice what was a blessing in our lives this week.  Please join us as we develop hearts of gratitude.

I was not able to do my post last night due to a family situation that needed tending so will join in later today as I am able.  I've left Mr. Linky for you to go ahead and link up your own posts.  :)  




Well here I made it!  Ready and raring to go thinking about what was a blessing to me this week.  So many things going on right now but also so many things to be thankful and grateful for!


~ surprise bouquet & chocolates~ one of the families in my dayhome gifted me a surprise floral bouquet for Valentine's day.  It was totally unexpected and very sweet of them. I also got some chocolates from another family.  It was nice to be acknowledged on a day that for most childcare providers is a lot of work.




~ valentine's evening for the seniors ~ Mom's assisted living holds a Valentine's social (the day after Valentine's) where each resident is allowed 2 guests.  While I wouldn't count it as a rollicking good time it was nice to be one of mom's guests.  There was cake, beverages, roses handed out and someone playing accordian for the residents.  The time spent with her  celebrating love is what was the blessing.

~ hot coffee on cold mornings ~ It's been a chilly week again here and every morning I'm very grateful that hot cup of coffee to get the day going.  Small blessing but a blessing it is.

~ helpful hubby ~ Hubby has been taking on a lot of the grocery runs as of late specifically the "big box" store runs.  He isn't as busy at work right now and this helps me out immensely!  I'm very grateful he takes this on without me even having to ask.

~ blue skies ~ funny how little things like this kind of go unnoticed on a regular day until you don't see those blue skies for a week or more.  This morning the sun rose to a lovely, albiet still cold, blue sky.  




~ comfy pants find ~ the older I get the more I appreciate finding cute clothes that also don't pinch and constrict.  I love jeans but I tell ya, I am over the skinny jean phase of fashion!  On a trip to get my daughter a gift card for her birthday at a store we both like I happened upon a  pair of light blue colored jeans, perfect for spring, that didn't squeeze the life out of me.  Sold and for a decent price at that! 



Thanks for joining in with me this week, honing our habit of a life that is grateful no matter the circumstances surrounding it.  Have a wonderful week.  It is a long weekend for me so I am looking forward to the extra day to, hopefully, relax.  

Thursday, February 15, 2024

February 2024 Reading Picks

Here it is mid February and I just realized I did not do my post for my February books to choose from.  I have all the books picked out, picture taken and then totally forgot about it.  Oh well such is my life.  But better late than never.  It's a busy month for me with work but hopefully I can keep plugging away at my goal of reading my purchased books down to zero this year.  My audiobook reading is also all over the board as I borrow them from the library and if I happen to not be finished with it, if someone has it on hold, it automatically returns at then end of my borrow time.  So it's been a back and forth experience with those as I have to once again put a hold on it and wait for my turn in the queue.  But I like "reading" in the car so I am going to continue trying to make headway in those through the year.




PURCHASED BOOKS

          ~ Universe of Two by Stephen P. Kiernan (finished)
          ~ Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
          ~ When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor


LIBRARY BOOKS

          ~ The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan
          ~ The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (bookclub)


AUDIOBOOKS

          ~ Making It So by Patrick Stewart
          ~ In His Image by Jen Wilkin
          ~ Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Dugger Vuolo (finished)


NON-FICTION

          ~ They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin (also a purchased book choice)




Any good books on your radar this month?