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.
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| February 4, 2025 |
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| 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!
Have fun on your trip! Yes many products can be made yourself. I used to make my Mom a special hand cream because she worked with fabrics everyday her hands would dry out so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I’m going to look more into to making things myself with everything getting more and more expensive these days.
DeleteThis is a great list of things to be thankful for. I am sad that our Body Shop stores have all closed here in the USA and the ones in Scotland won't ship to us!! so I'm wondering what will replace my wonderful fave body lotion and perfume when it's gone (Satsuma). I do find that a local to me store carries something similar so I'l have to check it out. I'm not one to make my own skin care products.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that here in NYS we finally have snow this winter and a lot of it for the Albany area.....I just don't care for the 14 strraight days of single digits temps. This weekend will be our coldest one yet they're saying. That' s ok. I'll watch the opening ceremony tonight of the Olympics, and watch netflix movies and read all weekend other than going to church.
LOVE tulips. They've been my fave flowers for years. Google "why are tulips the flower of NY's capital city Albany?" (I'm part Dutch by the way and we live 6 miles north of downtown Albany).
Happy weekend!
We still have the Body Shop here in Canada. Wonder if they would ship to you.
DeleteI'm sorry about the insomnia. I have an occasional bout, fortunately not often. Also sorry about the long layover in Calgary.
ReplyDeleteI do love your tulips💖.
It amazes me how little snow you have in February. I grew up in Manitoba so I know all about snow!!
Oh yes, as a Manitoba native, you certainly would know about snow! Weather is crazy this year.
DeleteThe weather is certainly doing strange things. The tulips look lovely. I currently have daffodils in my house. Yes insomnia is horrible so I'm glad you seem to be having less of that. Enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteBright, happy daffodils are among my favourites at this time of year too, Wendy.
DeleteMy mother in the UK always has fresh flowers in the house. My daughter is the same; me not so much as I find the heat in the house doesn't do them any good at all especially during the winter season. The first two photo's of this year and last, reminded me of us here in Southern Ontario, we had hardly any snow until February; then it went mad. Here we have had so much snow starting back in November........the joys of a Canadian winter; all over the place!
ReplyDeleteCanadian winter is "like a box of chocolates" in that we never know how it's going to play out!
DeleteThank you for commenting on my blog, Linda. This online world is a bit of a maze sometimes. I write on the InScribe blog, my own blog, and have begun a SubStack account where I post excerpts from my soon-to-be-published book.
ReplyDeleteI've blogged at Fabric Paper Thread since 2007. I enjoy the community I've found there, and the friendliness of fellow bloggers.
Weather here on the west coast is odd this winter, too. Lots of rain and very few days of frost. No snow, although we did have plenty of it last year at this time.
Tulips add spring loveliness and hope indoors.
It certainly is a maze, Lorrie. Thank you for coming by this morning.
DeleteWe are having a snowy winter and my snowblower pooched out on me. I am not happy!
ReplyDeleteGlad you've rebooted. Happy to read your post!
Oh no! Hope you are able to get it fixed to tackle what remains of the winter beast.
DeleteGood to "see" you again! Our weather has been all over the place this year--single digits and snow as well as 60s and sunshine.
ReplyDeleteMy son and d-i-l bring over flowers sometimes. It's especially nice in winter when there is nothing blooming outside.
Have fun on your trip! I hope the return trip goes more smoothly.
Yay for good sleep and moisturizer that works well!
Thank you for coming by, Barbara. Yay for your son and DIL for bringing flowers now and then!
DeleteVery good list!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine!
DeleteWelcome back to FFFs!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are enjoying your short holiday, red eye flight notwithstanding. And sometimes staying in a hotel gives everyone a feeling of holiday.
I will gladly send you some of our Ohio snow!
Have a good week and safe travels back home.
Thank you, Willow! Thanks for the offer of Ohio snow. I think I’m good. 😉
DeleteNice to see you here again, Linda! The February pictures are quite the contrast. The same could be said for here. It’s been hot and dry, and we’ve had a few windy days. Fire risk is elevated.
ReplyDeleteI have troubles with sleeping sometimes, too. I never thought about the seasonal effects, but it does make sense.
The tulips looks so pretty!
Thanks, Karen. It’s fun catching up with bloggers I’ve missed and finding new ones to follow.
DeleteWelcome back! It's been a very dry winter here for us in Southern Alberta. What a difference from last year! I'm glad you're sleep is starting to get better. Tulips are my favorite flower.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Susanne.
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