Welcome to Friday’s Fave Five, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story, in which we can share five of our favorite things from the last week, wonderful exercise in looking for and appreciating the good things God blesses us with. Click on the button to learn more, then go to Susanne’s to read others’ faves and link up your own.
It feels like we’ve had winter and almost-spring in the same week, with snow one day and bright sunshine today. Here are some highlights:
1. Sunday dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s. We don’t usually go out to eat for Sunday dinner after church for a number of reasons (it usually takes longer, is crowded, and I feel bad about people not being able to go to church on Sunday in order to make a meal for me), but last Sunday Jesse had an activity with his class, and as church is close to Jim’s mom’s place, it made sense to eat over there and then go visit her rather coming home and going back over. I’ve only been to Ruby Tuesday’s maybe 3 or 4 times — Jim doesn’t like the one near us. I tried their Smokey Mountain Chicken and it was wonderful (barbecue sauce, cheese, and bacon on a chicken breast) — I’ve been trying to justify going back again for more. 🙂 Plus their white cheddar mashed potatoes and grilled green beans were excellent. Plus we had a $10 off coupon! It was so nice to come back home after eating and visiting her to just rest for a bit without having to bustle around to get dinner ready and then clean up.
2. A “moment” with Jim’s mom. This is one of those mental pictures I hope will always stay with me. When we visited her Sunday afternoon, a church we were familiar with was having a service in the dining area. We decided to take her down just to see what it was like and to see if she seemed to enjoy it, as she hasn’t been able to come to church with us since she was in the hospital. She has had trouble speaking lately, but when they sang, “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” she was holding Jim’s hand and smiling and mouthing the words.
3. A productive Saturday. Not that other days aren’t productive or Saturdays usually aren’t, but this last Saturday I got a number of things done I had been wanting to do.
4. An especially good book. I could list books as a favorite almost every week, but The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert (linked to my thoughts) will go down as one of the best of the year, maybe one of my all-time favorites. And though sick days aren’t a fave, having one this week allowed for spending extra time to finish it.
5. Snow that didn’t impact function. People laugh at us Southerners for closing down when it snows, but really, cities here can’t invest in snowplows when we only get snow maybe 1-3 times a year most years. They do put stuff on the roads to help, but still advise people staying home during snow. We had maybe an inch or so of snow Wednesday, but it didn’t stick much to the roads at all, so people were able to do what they needed to do. My favorite part of snow is when it is falling, so it was nice to see that while still knowing I could get out if I needed to.
Hope you have a great weekend! Though Jim’s birthday was Wednesday, he actually had to be out of town that day, so we’re looking forward to celebrating this weekend.
Stray Thoughts 
Sounds very yummy what you had in this restaurant ! We have snow but not as much as in other countries. Still enough to cause traffic jams. Hopefully it’s over by now ! I am longing for spring !
How special to see that with Jim’s mom. Probably did her heart good as well worshipping like that.
We haven’t eaten at Ruby Tuesday’s in ages. I would usually just go for the salad bar which was always good.
Happy weekend to ya!
There have been all kinds of studies about how music impacts us and helps us to heal. We are having snow here…but it has definitely impacted travel…and I am up in MA
Sounds like a good week! I like the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday, and I agree about snow that doesn’t stick to the roads!
The egg-shaped silicone mold is from Hobby Lobby. It was with the Easter merchandise.
You’re making me hungry with your posts here. We recently had real bacon (usually I use turkey bacon) on a burger and I seriously have a hard time not thinking about it. I want to add bacon to every meal! Would if I could! 😀
What an awesome “moment” with your MIL! Glad to hear of that!
oh enjoy your husband’s birthday celebration this weekend!! Yeah…us Northeast folk tend to poke fun at your southerners and your total shut downs for a mere few inches 🙂 Seriously….we are sooo ready for spring up here in NY….only 12 more days!! I can’t wait!! Snow and cold are refreshing in December and early January but 3 months of winter is a tad too much for me. I’m more of a summer/autumn person. No matter what the weather I love seeing God’s beauty in all that He created. enjoy your weekend!
I loved reading about your mother-in-law “singing” along with the music and enjoying it so much!
I think it was Wednesday that we had the same kind of snow you did: pretty while it was falling, but not sticking to anything. I loved it too!
Happy Birthday to Jim! Have a wonderful time celebrating this weekend!
Happy Birthday to Jim! Enjoy the celebrating.
That was beautiful, I know, to see your mother in law singing along with the song. Those are the memories to cherish.
I’m always amazed at what music and especially worship can do. What a wonderful moment!
Yes, I must admit I have poked fun at at those down south when they are hit with snow that us Canadians wouldn’t even think twice about. I love snow falling too but not when it is falling “sideways”. That’s when I hole up at home under a cozy blanket though there are some brave ones who don’t let even that stop them around here.
Have a nice celebration this weekend!
I’ve heard more about that book — I need to get a copy! Love the sweet moment with your hubby’s mom. I know what you mean about snow that doesn’t impact functioning…we experience the same thing when a hurricane passes through that gives us rain and a day off, but we keep our power!
Hope you have a great day ahead.
I’d only read the CT shorter version of this woman’s conversion — nothing short of amazing grace. So nice to hear about your good visit with your MIL and some relaxing (and delicious) time before the visit at Ruby Tuesday’s.
I can’t imagine what kind of havoc we’d have here if it ever snowed! Bad enough when it rains 😉
The visit with your mother in law made me tear up. That’s such a sweet memory.
And hooray for making it through the snow with no hiccups.
I need to check out your book review on the convert book. It looks very interesting.
Have a great week ahead!
#2 is moving – what a precious moment!