Friday night grateful list

riday nights... Oh how I love Friday nights. Especially when the fireplace is lit, the table is set for family supper, and my men are with me. Happy me.

This week I'm grateful for:

Visiting friends. Even if said friend was packing up her house to move south PERMANENTLY. That part sucks. But getting to see her multiple times this week? Sweet.

A wee bit 'o snow. Certainly not the dump I was looking for, but I'll take what I can get. And with the cold we've been having too, it's noisy snow. I usually think of snow as creaking and squeaking, but this snow is moaning, I swear it is.

My men. Each in their own way, they let me know I'm loved. Bliss.

My favorite gray sweater. I have a "problem," wherein I get an item of clothing, and it becomes THE item of clothing for that season. I might as well not have a closet full of clothes, because all I'll wear is this one obsession. This season it's a bargain Eddie Bauer Outlet gray cardigan, and I wear it almost every day. If you've seen me since January, I've probably been wearing it. I love it, and the week it was at the dry cleaners was the worst week of the winter. (Well, that might be overstating it a bit, but you get my drift.)

Cut hyacinths to signify spring is on the way. Who knew you could get them at the grocery store? Not me; usually they are potted and much more expensive. I know it's odd that I dream of winter (snow) and spring (flowers) in the same breath, but that must just be part of the glorious mystery and contradiction that is me. And these particular contradictions smell so lovely!

My computer. It's home and in one piece... now to restore it back to its former glory will take a bit of work and transferring of this and that, but I'm just happy it is home!

Crochet... finally, a picture of a few of my squares... I have been working with a dozen colors, in all kinds of configurations. It's a bit wild, but I think it will come together in a beautiful cacophony! (Or not, I'll keep you posted.)

Inspiration from other crochet hounds. Take a look at this wonderful project, someone who is doing a square a day... 365 squares, not unlike the photography project called 365. Clever. And beautiful. I just love how each square is photographed on a background, so artfully arranged.

Isn't that just so impressive? There are some other crochet links that I will share, later. So much inspiration.

Memories, childhood happy memories. My mom has been on a scanning binge lately, going through old pictures and scanning them or, heavens!, tossing the bad ones. Here's one she found and sent to me. It's of my brother (at top, a little River Phoenix in the making), myself (in the treehouse, arms crossed, oh yeah!) and our cousin Greg (striped shirt, thinking how the heck did I let these two talk me into climbing this tree?). Maybe circa 1975? Don't we look all kinds of Stand By Me? Yeah, I think so too. Way cute.

Time. The stories of those for whom life has been cut short are never far away; each week I seem to hear of someone at least loosely associated with my social circle who has passed. I am so grateful for the time I've had already on this planet, and while I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon, I'm also grateful for the faith that sustains me and tells me that it would be alright anyway, and I'd see you again soon... (See Ma, that's a little depressive realism for you. Seth would be proud.)

Words. Specifically, poets and their way with words. My girl crush on Mary Oliver continues... “And that is just the point… how the world, moist and beautiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That’s the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. “Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?” - Mary Oliver

I hope the weekend brings you everything you need to rest up and get ready for another week. If you are near and dear to our family, know that you're in our thoughts and prayers. Actually, even if you're not... We pretty much cover the gamut around here, people-wise, in our prayers, so if you're currently on earth, breathing, we've prayed for you. If that offends you... well. You'll get over it. :)

Happy weekend!