Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts Friday’s Fave Five so we can share our favorite things from the last week. This has been a wonderful exercise in looking for and appreciating the good things God gives. Click on the button to learn more, then go to Susanne’s to read others’ faves and link up your own.
Here are five favorite things from this past week:
1. Pellet ice — by the bag! I’ve mentioned before that I like what I call munchy crunchy ice like Zaxby’s and Sonic’s has. We stopped by Sonic’s over the weekend so Jesse could get a slushy, and saw a sign that they now sell their ice by the bag. So we got one! It’s been nice to have it at home.
2. An unexpected visit. The little girl Mittu baby-sits was not going to be coming the latter half of this week and Jason was off Wed., so they came up for a quick visit. Nice to be close enough to do that!
3. A fan. Jason and Mittu had bought me a fan for the sewing room at the old house because that room didn’t have a ceiling fan and got the brunt of the afternoon sun, but I hadn’t really needed it yet, so it was still in the box. But I got it out this week to use in my bedroom because I wake up hot during the night, and our room doesn’t have a ceiling fan yet. It’s a big help. PLUS — it has a remote control. How cool is that?! Literally!
4. Being able to buy in bulk. Our old house was very short of storage space — a lot of my kitchen things had to be put in the living room closet. But now I can buy a package of 8 rolls of paper towels or several packages of toilet paper or use a coupon good on multiple cans of something because I have the space to put it. I am hoping that will lessen the trips to the grocery store in time.
5. People who go the extra mile. People have been very friendly at our new church — more than just hand-shaking and saying “It’s nice to have you.” But this last Wednesday night one lady went even further by telling me more about a new ladies’ Bible study that was mentioned in the bulletin and offered to send me the information via e-mail, plus searched for a church directory for me, etc. That was a special blessing this week because last Sunday I was feeling especially teary at church. I was in the restroom at some point, and heard people coming in and out chatting animatedly, and just all of a sudden was hit by a sense of not belonging, of not having any personal friends yet here (they weren’t ignoring me — I was in a stall). As I said, people have been very friendly, and I know it takes time to build friendships, and I know that will come in time, and I am not the type of person who spends a lot of time out with friends and have been enjoying some solitude at home in which to get things done. But it was just one of those weird out of the blue emotional wallops. And though I wasn’t consciously thinking about this at the time, later I realized that that was our first Sunday without seeing Jeremy, Jason, or Mittu — every weekend since we moved, between birthdays and helping them move we’ve been there or they’ve been here, and this was our first weekend without them, so that undercurrent may have been making me a little more emotional than usual. But this lady’s interest and helpfulness at the very next service there was just a reminder, that, yes, those friendships and that sense of belonging will come in time.
6. Jeremy’s first week on his new job seems to be going well — he has enjoyed it and thinks he will be able to handle it well. Plus the friend he knew before he moved there has had him over a few times.
I think that’s about it for this week! Oh, except I didn’t mention any food for Thom. 🙂 One of the favorite dinners of the week was Chicken Enchilada Bake when Jason and Mittu were here, and I love the mini apple strudels one grocery store here has. The big ones are just too much, but a couple of the small ones are just right.
Each of those is about big enough for two bites.
Happy Friday!
Stray Thoughts 
Those strudels look divine! I wonder how many calories are in those two bites…
I’m sorry you were feeling lonely… but sO glad that woman showed you some extra love! I’m sure you will make friends quickly at church.
How nice that Jason & Mittu just POPPED in! And I’m glad to hear that Jeremy is doing well. You’ve all got sO much adjusting to do…
We’re settling into a new church and I feel the same way. =D I think it’s ok to feel that way but then I also know that friendships will be built in time and with some effort. So we press on!
What a fun surprise visit from J&M! How fun!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Finding a new church and settling in does take time and can be hard on the emotions. (I’ve moved 40ish times.) So glad someone reached out to you. I love attending women’s Bible studies because of the chance to learn, grow, pray and play together. Hope you “settle” in quickly.
I didn’t know you could buy pellet ice by the bag. I’ll have to get some for my dd (26 years old). When she was little that was her favorite “dessert.” 😉
Chicken Enchilada Bake – yum!
#5 brings me back a memory of my mother quietly bursting into tears on the pew, (of all places! I was kinda embarrassed) the first time we attended a new church when we moved to another city. I was about 11 at the time, and just stared at her not understanding why she cried. It turned out she was missing her ladies trio from our old church; her crying did occur when a ladies trio was singing on the pulpit at the new church. Her situation was very similar with yours. I understand Mama perfectly now. Thanks for sharing that and thank you for the birthday greeting.
Sonic! I haven’t seen a Sonic since I left Las Vegas. I want a chocolate coke!
And about that pellet ice -when my niece was sick she used to send me to buy her 7-Up at Sonic because she liked the ice better.
Pellet ice is my favorite!!!
Those apple strudel’s look pretty amazing as well!
Loved reading your list. I recently bought a fan on a stand for my studio because it gets so warm in there. I had a little table top one but it didn’t cool enough space.
Mama Bear
I’m thinking it was hot all over, great that you have a fan to take out but better that it came with a remote. that is cool.
So you can buy this pellet crushed ice, hum I’m going to look around for that.
I loved to read your list this week my favourite was the strudels though, I’m all about food especially on the weekend and before a big storm.
Have a good weekend
You are so lucky to need a ventilator ! I had to put the heating on which is a real shame for beginning of September ! but already August was rotten !
Now you have my mouth watering for some strudel! :v)
Gotta love the guy who thought to put a remote to ceiling fans. :v) I never use ours at night even though we have one in the bedroom because of the very fact I’d have to make a big ruckus to turn it up or down.
I’m glad there are ladies reaching out to you at church. Hopefully you’ll be snug into a really good study with a bunch of lovely ladies soon!
I miss Sonic! Haven’t been to one since I moved from California…eleven years ago this month! Have a Cherry Limeade for me, will ya? 😉
I know how you feel about church, too. I attended our MOPS group for three years, was a member of my old church for three years, and took my kids to and helped out at our children’s ministry each week for three years…and developed NOT one friendship. I pray my new church will be better, this weekend will be my first time attending. I will pray for you, as well.
Your #5 touched my heart, Barbara. I know just how you feel. How wonderful that someone was there for you that day.
That Chicken Enchilada Bake sure sounds interesting!
Have a great weekend. (Thanks of listening to my interview!)
Never heard of pellet ice before. I’ll have to check into that. So glad to hear you are settled into your new home. Being in a military family, I can sure understand the feeling of being an outsider after a move. But I’ve always found that God had a special friend or two to bless me with on each move. I’m sure you’ll find the same thing.
WOOT!!! You are the bomb!!!! Thanks for posting the apple strudels and the enchilada bake sound delish 🙂 It takes time to make new friends and I’m so glad the lady at the church approached you. I can feel what you were going through especially when it comes to family. At least Mittu and the little girl got to come up. That’s tremendous. Pellet ice…I’ve never heard of such a thing. Where do you suppose I live? LOL. I know I don’t need to remind you at all but keep the positive thoughts and just give it time. Your a wonderful lady and when the people in your new home get to know you as we all do, they will be thankful to have you be a part of their lives 🙂 Have a great weekend 🙂 Now I’m hungry LOL
The enchilada looks YUMMY! You are making me hungry! 🙂
I love how your family is so close-knit.
We drive by a Sonic all the time but have never stopped, I hear they have great ice cream drinks. But now I am intrigued by the pellet ice as well!
I appreciate people who go the extra mile as well, such a blessing.
Great list! I love Sonic ice, too. ;-D I hope that you can find some kindred spirits at your new church.
I’m glad you’re getting settled in your new neighborhood. You’ll make friends soon enough. Your apple strudels made my mouth water and chicken enchilada sounds lovely, I must be getting hungry, it’s near supper time where I am now!
I hope you’ll have a great weekend Barbara!
“they weren’t ignoring me — I was in a stall”–sorry, I know you were in a teary moment, but that just made me giggle the way you said it!
My oldest and I both love Sonic ice too!
Yummy! I’m glad that Jeremy is doing well in his work. Very nice of Jason and Mittu to get you that fan. Bless them. You have great people surrounding you!
Do you have any video of that? I’d love to find out more details.