Over the Backyard Fence

For the first time this week, Dan and I woke to a house that was just the two of us. Oh, and one granddog. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Back at the start of Advent I wrote about slowing Christmas down some this year. We expected few visitors and a generally quiet holiday. Oh, boy! The house was full on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and it was a lively 48 hours, with much laughter and rowdiness. I have much to be thankful for this week, and want to pause and remember the moments with Susanne at Friday's Fave Five.

The first to arrive ~ The reinforcements. Andy and Diane (my brother and sister-in-law) arrived on Monday loaded with food and gifts and ready to work. The kitchen was humming that afternoon as all four of us cooked and prepped for the next day. Keeping it real:

Overnight lodgers ~ Joe and Sam decided at the last minute to come for Christmas Eve! They drove from their home in Washington state, stopped for the night (and left their dog) before continuing on to Dallas to see Sam's family for the week. I can't remember the last time they were here for Christmas. It was a delightful surprise! My brother Mark was traveling in the opposite direction from Florida, and he, too, popped in for the night. The table was delightfully crowded for Christmas Eve dinner with my niece and her fiance (who arrived bearing crockpots filled with roast and veggies), my son-in-law and grandkids, Dad and Carol, and the rest of us. Fourteen in all.

A few quiet hours just for us ~ Dan and I had a really nice Christmas morning, just the two of us. Our three overnight guests left very early and the Christmas Day guests were due to arrive at noon. So, we exchanged our gifts to each other and listened to Christmas music, and took our time in the kitchen preparing dishes, until Andy and Diane (who stayed at their daughter Brandi's for Christmas Eve) arrived with Brandi. The five of us shared a light brunch, before we kicked it into gear once again, preparing a dinner to feed 12 that day. 

An announcement on Christmas Day ~ We were joined by my nephew Jason and his wife Sophia, and my youngest brother Matt and wife Lois for dinner. Jason and Sophia announced they are expecting a baby next summer! A girl, due July 4th. 

Best-laid plans and all that ~ For several years now, despite my best efforts, I've failed at attempts to get a snapshot for a family Christmas card. Our immediate family (three grown children and spouses, and six grandchildren) are spread out over the United States. I haven't given up, and will try again next year! But in the meantime, I'm filled with gratitude that this Christmas we had a house filled with loved ones, and it came together with very little pre-planning. (And yet I still have no photos to share!)

Merry Christmas to all!

As I pause to reflect on the things for which I'm especially grateful this week, I'm thinking about our Friday's Fave Five host, Susanne. I'm so thankful for her dedication in keeping us going each week, even when her plate is especially full.

🎄Overall, a productive week ~ Three months out from foot surgery, I am feeling my energy has come back. I had a bout of Covid in the middle of it all, so that didn't help. This week, I got so much accomplished and it felt great. I was able to give the house a good cleaning, finish up some business for a group I volunteer with, and make a big pot of pea soup to freeze for quick meals.

🌲"Old" movies ~ I now consider movies 'old' if they were made before 2000. This week, I was in the mood for Christmas shows, but have grown tired of the cookie cutter format of newer movies. So, I tuned into one called A Christmas Visitor with William Devane, and that led me to a couple more. The Long Way Home and Daisies in December. They are all such good, wholesome movies, with wonderful messages and such great 'seasoned' actors. I'm about ready to watch my all-time favorites now -- The Family Stone, The Holiday, The Bishop's Wife, and White Christmas. What are your favorite Christmas movies?

🌲A concert ~ Brooklynn's winter school concert was last night. I'm so impressed with how a music teacher can create a choir of angels from a group of wiggly, enthusiastic fourth graders. The songs were delightful, and the kids performed beautifully.

🌲A day of shopping ~ Dan and I finished just about all of our Christmas shopping today. Our main goal was buying my present, which made it all the more fun! We started with coffee and breakfast at our local French bakery. It was a really nice day and other than a couple of stocking stuffers, I can say that everything on my list is checked off.

Happy Friday, everyone.

It's been a while since I've joined in for Friday's Fave Five. What better time to renew this practice than the week of Thanksgiving? I hope all of my American readers had a nice holiday yesterday.

Thanksgiving Day ~ Speaking of yesterday, we had a lovely dinner at our house, be it small, with my dad and stepmom. Dan and I did the cooking together. We bought a pre-seasoned half turkey from Trader J's which made it easy. The side dishes are the fun part, in my opinion, so we worked on those together -- dressing, mashed potato casserole, roasted veggies, and Dan tried his hand at his mom's fabulous dinner rolls. They turned out really good, but he wants to tweak the recipe for Christmas dinner. I'm thankful for the day we had prepping the meal and then, of course, sharing dinner on Thanksgiving with two of our favorite people in the whole world.

Candles ~ I'm trying to use up what I have, so I took out several fall-scented candles that were stashed away last year. Each one had just about half left, so each evening I light them and have one in the kitchen and two in the living room where we sit most evenings. It's so cozy and the house is a yummy mix of fall smells. It's a nice time of year to enjoy by candlelight.

Adoration ~ Our church has a small chapel that is used for Adoration, the Catholic tradition of praying in the presence of the consecrated host. It's not a practice I've participated in very much, but two of my friends invited me to join them a couple of weeks ago and we've been going once a week. I've come to look forward to the half hour of intentionally being in God's presence and the peace that it brings.

Coffee with friends ~ Usually, my friends and I will meet at the church for Adoration and then go on our way. However, this week they came to my house afterward, since I live about a half mile from our church, and we had coffee and some of Dan's rum cake. (Yes, Dan has been busy in the kitchen!) For a minute or so after I -- spontaneously -- invited them over I panicked! While the house is generally picked up, I couldn't remember the last time I dusted or vacuumed! And, then I quickly pushed those thoughts aside, and felt grateful for more time spent with them, that I would have some delicious rum cake and hot coffee to offer, and these are ladies that couldn't care less about what the house looks like. That's only one of the many reasons I treasure them both. 

Slowing down ~ Today is typically the day I would start decorating for Christmas. However, I've decided that this year I'm going to slow it down just a tad. Dan put the outside lights up on Tuesday while the weather was still nice. It snowed that night, so good thing! We're going to wait and put the tree up next week. I'm still enjoying the Thanksgiving decorations inside, and will be burning down those fall candles for a few more days. It feels good to take it easy.

Happy Friday, everyone.

I scrolled through my phone and found photos of small blessings this week. Here are a few things I noticed ~

After a rather trying day last weekend, Dan and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a favorite restaurant. We had a nice meal, a charming waiter, and when we left the restaurant we were taken in by a beautiful sunset. The day had come to a peaceful conclusion.

I was driving home from a mountain outing earlier this week, and as I came down the last section of very steep road, there were signs warning truck drivers to 'stay in low gear, you're not down the mountain yet!'

I'm reminded that even though the calendar says August and here that means school will start in a couple of weeks, we are still in the throes of summer heat. It's not fall yet! This week the temperatures have been stifling and fires are burning across our state from the dryness. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to fend off the heat and enjoy the summer. Linking up with Friday's Fave Five.

Said visit to the mountains to meet my sister-in-law for lunch. She and my eldest brother live in a beautiful mountain town, tucked in a valley with several large lakes. We had lunch at a lodge overlooking the lake. It was a beautiful day, and the lake was dotted with sailboats and sparkly with glints of sunshine. We sat outside on the porch for lunch, and it was so nice to catch up, just the two of us. Typically when we visit, it's at a family gathering so we don't get a lot of time to chat.

The drive up was beautiful and peaceful and quiet. I played some of my favorite music and took my time, It's tradition when Dan and I go on day trips to grab a coffee for the road, so I did that on the way up.

Iced tea. My favorite summer beverage. With fresh lemon, just a tad of sugar, and lots of ice. Other than water, it's the only thing I drink in the summer, and it reminds me of summer days when there was always a big supply of it when we were growing up. My mom would brew the tea and then add a can of frozen lemonade concentrate, what they call an Arnold Palmer now.

Zinnias. I planted a big bed of them from seed, and these hardy flowers thrive even in the worst heat. I have little bouquets of them cut and put around the house. When the rest of the garden is starting to fade, the zinnias are still giving quite a show.

A visit to the eye doctor. Not exactly summer-related, but I did go for an annual checkup yesterday, and I'm glad to have that crossed off my list. I've been seeing the same doctor for years, and I really appreciate how conscientious she is in looking after my eyes, especially as I age. Yesterday, she had a young resident with her, and she was just delightful, too! I'm sure she is headed off for a great career.

Happy Friday, everyone.

It's Friday, which  means it's time to pause and reflect on five things to be thankful for this week. Like so many things, gratitude is an exercise that can be cultivated. The more you practice it, the easier it is to find things for which to be grateful. Here goes:

Flowers and birds and beautiful country . . . I wrote about my weekend trip in my last few posts, and it truly was the highlight of this week. I went for a three-day birding trip with a new friend, and we saw over 100 species of birds, SO may beautiful wildflowers and some gorgeous country. 

Family and friends texting on holidays ~ Yesterday, the texts were flying between family and friends as we wished each other a Happy 4th! It's the simple things that can add joy to my day. So good to hear from everyone and know that we were all celebrating our country's birthday together and thinking of one another. It just adds to the celebratory feeling of the day.

Cooking with Tommy ~ We had a small family gathering at our house, potluck style. My nephew is always willing to lend a hand in the kitchen, and I love spending time with him, especially working together to create something. The two of us chopping and dicing and talking and arranging the main entree together. He's a keeper! 💓

Good neighbors ~ I love our neighbors! Yesterday, before the festivities started, a bunch of us were outside trimming lawns, washing cars, putting up flags. Inevitably, we'll end up in someone's front yard chatting about this and that. We are so blessed with good neighbors.

Our country ~ I'm thankful for our freedom and for our amazing country. Despite all its flaws and struggles, there is still so much to love about it. God bless the U.S.A.

I'm squeezing this post in at the end of the day to list my favorites for the week. Friday's are for noticing the things that made us grateful during the week, and in this way we grow hearts of gratitude. Thank you to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting!

A Birthday Week 🎂 ~ So many people to be thankful for this week. My family and friends are so generous in telling and showing me how much I'm loved. The simplest text or birthday wish on Facebook will warm my heart, and I'm reminded of how much I adore my family and friends. My girlfriends spoiled me with lunch on Tuesday. On Wednesday, my hubby took me to breakfast and went on a bird walk with me! (that says love right there), and my kids sent flowers and my favorite Cr*mbl cookies. The grandkids up north sent me a new birdfeeder! and the two nearby came over to help plant some small fruit trees I bought. And my daughter came over to celebrate with us, which made my day complete. 💗

It was the 1st of March the last time I posted. Where did the month go? It's been a whirlwind. As I type this on the morning of Good Friday, I'm thinking back to some of the things I've learned through an online Easter retreat that I've been attempting to keep up with since Lent began.

Today's reading included this message:

"While my journey has not led me to crucifixion, it has led me to events that have brought me to my knees, crying out in despair to God, “Let this cup pass away from me.” It is in those moments that we must ask ourselves, “Will we lean on the truth of the Gospel, that light overcame darkness? Or will we lean on the world’s gospel, which wants us to believe that darkness is all we have?”  (BeckyEldrege.com)

I think that each week that I join in with Friday's Fave Five, it's an opportunity to glimpse the light that comes from God's truths. 

Some blessings that came to me this month ~

Pam's Visit ~ My friend Pamela (my bestie of over 50 years!) came to stay for a few days. We had one day to go out and shop and have lunch. Then, our state was hit with a snowstorm -- 24"! -- that kept us indoors for the rest of our visit. We drank tea and stayed in pajamas until late in the mornings and solved all of the world's problems. (If only someone would ask us, we have all the answers). I see God in the friendships that I'm so blessed to have.

Daffodils that I planted last fall are sprouting up. Evidence of what rest, time, then sunlight and warmth can do for all of us. Spring is a time of renewal and growth. I love seeing all the reminders in nature. I see God in the renewal of life each Spring.

Mountain bluebirds -- Dan and I took a hike along the foothills last week and one of the prettiest sights was seeing a flock of mountain bluebirds, glints of blue flickering over the meadow like confetti. Their return is a sure sign of spring. I see God's goodness in the clear blue of the sky and the creatures that he's created.

Brooklynn's birthday ~ To my heart's delight, my granddaughter asked if I would spend the day with her on her birthday. She's nine! Where has the time gone? We had lunch and went shopping, because that's what we girls do. It was, as she said, 'the best day.' For both of us. I see God in the purity and innocence of children.

Spring weather ~ In spite of two rather large snowstorms, there were plenty of nice days, too. Our town has lots of open space and trails nearby, boasting beautiful vistas and all sorts of wonder. . . chickadees, wood ducks and bald eagles nesting . . . are just a few. I feel God's presence in the serenity of nature.

It's Friday and that means it's time to look back on the week and reflect on the blessings that popped up. I'm linking up with Susanne's Friday's Fave Five.

Joy in the ordinary ~ Often times when I look back at the week, I'm looking for something extraordinary to write about here. And yet, when I think back on the memories of my life that I treasure the most, they are mostly the ordinary days. If I could go back and relive a day, I would choose playing with my children when they were little, or a day when Dan and I were just getting to know one another. I would want to share a cup of tea with my mom, and have a nice long chat. I think about the seasons and what I enjoyed most, and it's usually the everyday things like planning a garden or enjoying a walk on a snowy day. There is so much joy in the ordinary. This past week, I found satisfaction in putting my house in order, including clean sheets on the beds and fresh towels for the bath. I bought a new candle and it adds warmth and coziness to our evenings. One day, I will look back on these days, and they, too, will be 'the good old days.'

Bird song ~ On a walk earlier this week, the birds were singing up a storm. I stopped to listen and to see how many I could identify. Red-winged Blackbirds were creating quite a ruckus while Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Flickers, and Song Sparrows all joined in. There were Starlings and House Finches and Robins. I was in awe at how they all sounded so different, and then realized how very lucky I am to be listening to these beautiful sounds when, in other parts of the world, the air is wracked with sounds of war. How fortunate am I?

Mountain views ~ On Monday, I spent a day with my friend Donna and we explored some new parks and trails. At one point, we had a perfect panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains, from Pikes Peak on the south end to Long's Peak on the north -- a distance of 150 miles. The snow-capped mountains against a clear blue sky provided a stunning view. I'm blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

Family gathered round ~ One of my favorite things is having a houseful of people I love. This evening our table was crowded with family. We feasted on flat-bread pizza and salad, and had an assortment of ice cream for dessert. It wasn't a fancy meal by any means, quite ordinary, really. However, the company and the laughter made it a grand time. I'm so grateful for my awesome family.

Fresh bread ~ I've been experimenting with sourdough. I've had some success and some failures, but today was a win. A simple loaf of bread made with the most basic ingredients -- flour, water, salt and some butter. Something so ordinary, yet it brought me a lot of pleasure to be able to mix those ingredients and create something that smells and tastes so good. I'm blessed to never be hungry or in want of necessities.

What did you find extraordinary in your ordinary days this week?

Valentine's Day ~ It's always been one of my favorite holidays. It's such a bright, fun celebration to have in the middle of winter. All the red and pink hearts on a backdrop of snowy days. This year, Dan and I opted to forgo exchanging cards and instead went out for coffee the day before. We went to the new French bakery in town and sipped on coffee and ate fresh croissants. I'm not sure why we went on Tuesday, it just worked out that way. I like to decorate the house with all my Valentine knickknacks, send Valentines to the grandkids and my girlfriends, and bake cookies or cupcakes. On the actual day, I pulled some Italian stuffed shells from the freezer (because what says amore like Italian food?) and just then my niece Brandi texted, asking could she join us for dinner. Of course, I said yes, and an hour or so later she came through the door carrying a big bouquet of flowers and a bottle of bubbly. She was so excited, she'd performed her first surgery going solo that afternoon!! So, of course we celebrated and toasted the milestone event. 

Prayer Hearts ~ Years ago, when my children were very young, an older mom friend told me about something her mother/tots group did when her kids were young. They cut out little hearts and wrote their children's names on each one as a reminder to pray for them daily. At this point, my friend's children were grown, and she still had those hearts tucked in her Bible. I loved the idea, so I made up one for each of my children and one for Dan. Through the years, as our family has grown, I've added more hearts. I try to remember each day, as I hold them in my hands, to pray for each one. I just added one for little Thea 💗.

Gratitude is a memory of God's heart and his goodness to us.

Good morning! I'm a day late, but still want to share my favorites from the week. Susanne sets up our link every week, for which I'm so grateful. The accountability has kept me faithful to this practice for at least five years! I wish I could say I've never missed a week, but I will say that even when I don't get to post here, I find myself looking for the positive things in my life more I ever have in the past. That is a huge blessing in itself. 

Family Time ~ Last weekend, we had a houseful of family visiting. I'm from a family that loves to cook -- and loves to eat. The new kitchen island that I mentioned last week was put to good use, and officially 'christened.' Crescent roll dough was rolled out, flatbread pizza dough was mixed and kneaded, salads were chopped, and lots of cups of coffee -- and glasses of wine -- were consumed while gathered round. I'm thankful for my wonderful family.

A celebratory luncheon ~ On Sunday, our bird club held its annual meeting. It's the first indoor, in-person event that we've had in a long time. We had a packed room with longtime members reunited and lots of new members joining. The program was well-received, refreshments were consumed and it was all quite festive. On Thursday, the committee treated ourselves to lunch. It was nice to get together socially, get to know one another a little better, and relax after completing a job that was a success. I'm thankful for this amazing group.

To-do list ~ Taking a moment to feel satisfied about ticking some things off my list this week. Haircut. Check. New desk chair. Check (I finally bit the bullet and bought one). Package mailed. Check. I'm thankful for the time and the means to get these things done.

I have NO idea why the font keeps changing in this post. I couldn't get Blogger to load this morning, and had to keep staring over. That may have something to do with it. 😕See? Technology. Grrr.

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Karen 💓