Friday’s Fave Five - February 6, 2026

It’s been a while since I participated in Friday’s Fave Five, and I appreciate the opportunity to pick up a habit that helps maintain a focus on gratitude and good things. 

Fresh flowers. I got out of the habit of keeping fresh flowers on the dining table, in part, because our chess board claimed the centre spot since we play most days. It’s not a big deal to put the board away and set it up at lunchtime when we usually play, so it’s been banished in favour of a vase of flowers. This week, it’s tulips. 

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2026

The weather. Things looked a little different around here last year at this time when we were in the middle of, what seemed like, a neverending winter. Today, there's barely any snow in our front yard and the temperatures are above freezing. Not sure what the lack of precipitation will mean for the farmers this year, but, at this point, I'm not complaining.

Family, and a trip away. I arrived in Kamloops late (so, so, very late) yesterday to visit our daughter and granddaughter for a few days. What a joy. I’m staying in a hotel, as they don’t have room for an overnight guest at this time, so it’s also a bit of a retreat time for me. Double the blessing. I’m sure the events of the next few days will make it onto next weeks fave five list. 😊 (The trip itself with a late first flight, resulting in a missed connection, and 10 1/2 hour layover in Calgary was something of a nightmare, but all’s well that ends well.)

A good night’s sleep. Call it seasonal depression, an overactive mind, or succumbing to the stresses of life, I’ve spent too many nights laying awake with my mind racing lately. I think I’ve turned the corner, at least I enjoyed sleeping through the night enough times this week that it’s no longer a surprise when I wake up in the morning.

DIY skincare. I’ve used a face moisturizing product I order from the U.S. for quite some time. It lasts a long time—I purchased the container of product that’s about to run out in April 2024. It’s 100% natural, but expensive and not available to purchase in Canada (and we’re all about spending our money at home these days). Shipping and the exchange rate would add to the cost, too. I did some investigating and found I can make something with most of the same ingredients (shea butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil) for a fraction of what I would pay for this product. I made a batch, and think it’ll do the trick!

I’m rebooting this blog that I left for parts known and unknown in 2010 when I combined three blogs into one on my website. I look forward to reconnecting here and making new connections. You.can also find me on my website and Substack.