Friday's Fave Five - October 21st

 

It's a frosty Friday and time to list my blessings for the week. It's been a frosty week - in the low 30s at night but we have a warming trend coming this weekend. Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for giving us this opportunity to share our blessings.

(Disclaimer: Please forgive some of these photos. I didn't even try to arrange things in most of these photos attractively.)

1. Time with family: Wednesday, my son, daughter-in-law and I took off for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for some leaf-peeping. The colors are magnificent right now with oranges and reds and golds. Our intent was to drive to Clingman's Dome, sit in their parking area and my daughter in law, who is a fantastic photographer was going to take sunset photos. We expected beautiful views, even with the chill and we were dressed for the cold. I love our adventures, even when they don't come out as planned. See #2

2. Clingman's Dome: This is what we found when we arrived at the parking area. . .

It was a wintery wonderland with 21 degrees and a blistering wind. I don't think I've ever felt cold like this! We didn't stay long but what a gorgeous place! This was at 7 pm and lest you think we were the only strange ones to do this, the parking lot was fairly full. When we got back to civilization, we stopped for hot coffee. 

3. Good sleep: For a while, I've had some sleep issues. I either go to bed tired but then just lie there, or I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. The last week, I've been able to sleep well. I've made myself stay up later, even if I'm tired and that seems to be helping. I certainly feel better and my joint and muscle pain is less.

4, Tea in the morning: A couple weeks ago, I ran out of coffee (my usual morning beverage) and decided to switch to tea for a change. I was skeptical of this but dug into my tea stash. I've fallen love with Twinings Oolong Tea. 

And then found in the back of my cupboard, some tea I'd been given as a gift. I'd completely forgotten about this. Now I don't know which I like better, the Oolong or this. . .

I've discovered the comfort of a mug of hot tea in the mornings now. I don't know if I'll ever switch back to coffee.

5. My poor geranium: I'm not very good with plants and whenever I buy a plant, it's a science experiment. I bought a healthy geranium plant a few months back, kept it outside and then brought it in. It got the very hot summer afternoon sun and wasn't liking it. I may have waited too long because leaves dropped off one by one until it was mostly stalks. The plant was actually three in one pot, so I transplanted the healthiest one (the one that had at least 2 leaves) and waited. There wasn't much improvement, so it went back outside until I could take it to the garbage. 

But I couldn't do it. There must be some emotional connection between me and this plant because I brought it back in, set it in a place with just a bit of light and now this . . .Leaves!

I guess I'm stuck with it! 

I hope everyone is having a good day and looking forward to a great weekend. October is just flying by!

Friday's Fave Five

 

 

Today I'm joining with Suzanne at Living to Tell the Story for my favorite five things that happened this week. 

1. My geranium: This doesn't sound very momentous but for me, it is the equivalent of a science experiment. Plants fear me. I just don't seem to have the knack of helping them show the best of themselves, or even keeping them alive. I over water or don't water enough. . . . the list goes on. Where I live, I can't plant anything in the ground so it's a pot garden or nothing at all. My geranium is the first of I hope will be more to come. I picked this plant because it had the most buds. It's in a hanging pot at the moment and I need to get a bigger pot to transplant. Wish me luck!

2. I'm blogging again: I had blogged for years but a couple of years ago I stopped. I had become disinterested and frankly didn't have anything to say. My friend Barbara and her blog began to motivate me, whether she knew it or not. I realized that maybe I did have something to say after all so I began again. It had been so long that I had to relearn Blogger all over again. But, I'm back!

3. A video Bible study: As a rule, I try to be very discerning regarding who I listen to when it comes to the Bible. One person I've always admired and trusted is Anne Graham Lotz.  Right now, Anne is offering a free online video study on Jesus in Me. It consists of eight videos and it well worth the seventeen or so minutes per video to watch. It's available free only until August 31st.

4. Two birthdays: Two of children have birthdays 2 days apart. Mike's comes first - today. He's my last born and he's a awesome guy. He plays drums for the church praise and worship team, and he's got a quirky sense of humor that, I know, has to come from me. He's getting his usual Amazon gift certificate because I never know what to get him. 

My daughter, the middle child, is the daughter I always wanted. She is herself a mother and a grandmother and is not only smart, talented and pretty, she is an editor who is always available to correct my grammar or spelling. Her birthday gift is a bit different. A few weeks back, we were discussing favorite childhood books. Her's was Ramona and she specifically remembered two titles and even what the covers looked like. When she stated she wished she could find them, I headed to E Bay, and guess what? I found them. 

She knows they're coming and she' very excited!

5. An inspirational place to visit: I first "met" Donna through her Instagram page which led me to her site, Serenity in Suffering. It was just what I needed at the time and I find so much comfort and Godly counsel there. It truly is a place of serenity. If you have a chance, look around her site. She has a lot to offer.

Well, that about does it for this week. I hope your week has been lovely and full of blessings!.