Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.

1. I still don’t have my fall decorations out yet, but I wanted to change my front door. I had a cute scarecrow wreath the last year or two, but for some reason I just didn’t want “cute” this year. Hobby Lobby had flower stems on sale half off, so I got a few and put them in the holder I used for spring flowers. I wasn’t sure how fall colors would work with the lighter green holder, but I like how it turned out:

2. A comfy pink sweater. I don’t even remember where or when I got it, but I have been taking it in and out of the closet for a couple of years thinking that pink is a spring/summer color and I didn’t have any fall/winter clothes to wear with it. But it goes well with denim and a few other things. It fits and feels just right.

3. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie treats with melted chocolate chips on top. Meant to get a picture — but they don’t last too long around here!

4. Music in general and Christian music in particular. Next to the Bible and possibly Christian books, nothing ministers to my heart like music.

5.Warmer days. I know I just said cooler days recently, and in fact, last weekend’s weather was perfect for my tastes: cool but not cold, sunshiny, and breezy. But our furnace went out this week! We have a fireplace, one room has a gas heater, and we have a portable electric heater, so we’ll be ok if it gets cold again, but it is nice to have this little reprieve from the coldness. If the furnace had to go out, I’m glad it happened now and not in January when we’re in the 20s.

Bonus: Short and cute

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

One of my favorite teachers was an English professor who taught Literary Criticism. He wasn’t a dynamic speaker, didn’t move much or have much of a range in his voice; he didn’t use snazzy audio-visuals. But he was brilliant in his field, yet he was not interested in coming across as brilliant: he was interested in sharing with and inspiring his students. I loved that class and wish I had taken more like it and more classes with that professor.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.

I have a hard time choosing between two, so if you’ll forgive me, I’ll mention them both. One was after struggling with assurance of my salvation for years and finally deciding to get the matter settled: more on that here. The other occurred before that. My father was an alcoholic. My mother was not but did drink at that time. They both stopped years later. The year before they divorced was my year of doing really stupid things. I don’t know why, and this isn’t the post in which to analyze all of that. But that was the only year I drank alcohol. I was only 15 turning 16, but someone always had an older sibling of legal age to buy it. After my parents’ divorce and our move, one day I saw a wine bottle on the counter at home and in that moment decided I never wanted to touch it again and did not want anything connected with the lifestyle it represented.

3. About favorite colors–a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

My favorites are pink, blue, and green, in lighter shades. Most are cool colors (pink technically is warm, but cooler than red.) Though I love the brilliant fall shades on the trees, in my home or clothes I prefer cool, soothing colors. It always irks me when I hear a decorator or fashion “expert” talk about colors “popping.” I don’t want my colors to pop, thank you very much. Other than that, I can’t really tell you. Those colors feel like happiness and home to me.

4. What’s a sure sign that you’re getting older?

I have multiple signs: graying hair, wrinkles, creaky knees, “I remember when…” and “When I was your age…” statements.

5. Please don’t sermonize, but Halloween–is it a yes or no for you?

No.

6. What’s your favorite musical?

Les Miserable except for a scene or two.

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

How about a small town mouse? I like the feeling and quiet of the country, but I like the conveniences of the city.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It’s true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, “Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn.”

For $19.95 I’d rather have a book or dinner out, but if someone had already named a star for me, I would try to appreciate the thought.

9. This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn’t.

Driving. 😳 Yes, I have been guilty of that a time or two, but not regularly. I don’t text often because it takes me too long.

10. “It’s not a party unless _______.”

Umm…unless there are people and food there. I’m not much of a party person, but it’s fun when a gathering turns into a party.

11. When you’re stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.

I always, always bring a book for waiting rooms. Not for traffic. If stuck in traffic I’m too often stewing about it (one of the little things I need to just relax and trust the Lord about), but sometimes I’ll find something interesting to listen to on the radio or call someone or just think.

12. If you weren’t yourself, would you be friends with you?

I guess it would depend on who I was and what kind of personality I had as to whether I would like me if I weren’t myself. But I think so.

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.

1. The Lord’s compassion and patience in His correction. My earthly father wanted my good in teaching me right from wrong, but his way of discipline was harsh and authoritarian. Plus my parents were from an era in which it was thought that loving or hugging after discipline would somehow take away from the discipline. Thankfully I was taught differently before I had children. A child’s heart is often most tender right after correction, and that’s when they most want to make sure the relationship is restored and everything is okay between you. There is a particular “besetting sin” the Lord has been bringing me to conviction about, and I am just so grateful for His tender hand.

2. Jeremy and I are often home during the day but don’t often eat lunch together as we get up and eat breakfast at different times. But one night when I had a lot of leftover rice from dinner, he suggested making fried rice for lunch the next day. He went out and got shrimp and snap peas to add to the chicken and rice we had. It’s fun having a son take an interest in cooking! It was very good — we’re talking about making it for dinner for everyone else some time. I had planned to take a picture but forgot.

3. An unexpected package — though I should have expected it. Carrie at Reading to Know reviewed some Little Pink Books a while back, and, remembering how much I love pink, she e-mailed me and asked me if I’d like them. Wasn’t that thoughtful? I had forgotten in the mean time that they were coming, so it was a pleasant surprise to get her package in the mail this week.

4. A fun excursion to Tuesday Morning. It’s tucked away behind some other stores and I often forget it is there, but a sales flyer this week had some items I was interested in. They didn’t have one thing I wanted — I have been searching for a new bedspread or quilt for some time in the right colors, but nothing they had would really work. But I did pick up a few neat things, one of which was this:

Not quite sure where I will put it yet: I have a couple of ideas but usually have to think about it for a while.

5. Two unusual music videos, both fairly short:

Bach on the big piano at FAO Schwartz:

Music made with bottles and roller skates:

(If for some reason the videos aren’t showing up for you, you can find them here and here.)

Happy Friday!

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts?

Bleah. Not a fan. Don’t like the taste. If I am going to ingest calories of sugar, it needs to have chocolate.

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you’re not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.)

“Hello, my name is Barbara…” We both worked in the library and introduced ourselves. Pretty basic, but at that time in my life I didn’t initiate conversations often, and I was surprised at myself that I did this time.

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian?

Nope. I love meat. And with low blood sugar, I need the protein. I suppose if it were medically necessary I’d have to see what I could do, but I can’t see myself ever becoming one by choice.

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume?

No!!!!!

5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people’s heads with your fist and “It’s the Great Pumpkin” airing only once a year).

This question is the one that I have let sit here for hours without coming up with a definite answer. Probably half a dozen things will come to mind in the next day or so. Though there are many things that make me feel nostalgic about my childhood, I can’t think of a particular item that I miss. I do miss the carefreeness of childhood — even though there were some rough patches, overall I have more fond memories than bad ones. And I miss the family togetherness. Since we’ve all left home we don’t keep in touch as much, especially since my mom passed away. And of course, my mom would be the person I miss the most, with my grandfather and grandmother as well.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for?

No, I haven’t, and I can’t think any trophy-worthy accomplishments.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year?

Dec. 1.

8. What’s your favorite board game?

Scrabble, though I like Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan a lot, too.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)?

I don’t mind them but they make me a little antsy because I’m so particular about what I like that often a surprise gift is not something I would have chosen. While I appreciate the thought and the effort and the care, it’s a little frustrating to know I’ll just tuck it away til the next yard sale. But when a surprise really hits the mark — well, I love that. And when surprise things are done — when someone unexpectedly fills up the gas tank or cleans something they’ve not been specifically asked to or offers to make dinner — well, I love that.

10. Is it easy for you to say, “I’m sorry?”

I think so.

11. What is your favorite candle scent?

Most candle scents give me a headache, so I don’t have them except for decoration. I even have to give candle stores in the mall a wide berth when walking by them. I thought I’d make a quick dash into one once to get a gift for my sister, but after a few seconds felt like I couldn’t breathe and had to leave.

12. October is traditionally “open house” time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?

Light snacks would probably include veggie pizza squares and pudding chip cookies. I don’t think I would have an open house to show people things that represent me — though in a sense our homes do that in themselves — but hypothetically speaking, like a school-type open house, I suppose I’d show the few articles I’ve had published, maybe print-outs of a few favorite blog posts, a few craft things I’ve made, family photos. My heart collection would be pretty obvious.

You can find more entries or join in the fun at Linda‘s.

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe.

Jientje at Heaven Is In Belgium hosts A  Thousand Words In Idioms on Wednesdays wherein she asks participants to illustrate an idiom or two with a photo. This is the very last one, so if you’ve been thinking about joining in, this is the time!

Staying on track.

If you’re staying on track, you’re keeping in line with your goals or you’re keeping within the parameters of your goals, e.g., “If I want to lose weight, I need to stay on track with my diet and exercise.” (I just finished watching The Biggest Loser, so weight is on the mind. 🙂 )

Making tracks.

This usually means leaving one place to go someplace else. I’ve also heard it used to mean that one needs to go fast: “If I’m going to make it to the store before it closes, I need to make tracks.”

The top picture was taken by Jeremy, my oldest son, and the bottom one by my husband a few years ago, but they are all in our archives together as family pictures, so I hope it is okay I am not using photos I took myself.

No idiom to go with this one, but I just wanted to show what Jason made with his tracks:

Awww! I could have used that one for warm fuzzies even though it was a cold day.

You can see more at Jientje‘s on Wednesday.