Loving Friday and Feeling Blessed

Recently, I have been feeling truly blessed. Blessed by the kindness and generosity of people, blessed by good fortune and blessed by the universe for answering some prayers. What's not to love on a Friday like that?

Where do I start....?

Today at school, I only have one class. My junior high students have gone on a walking excursion for the day, up north somewhere to see the red leaves of autumn. The one high school class that I have is my favourite of the week. They are really enthusiastic and many have been good little students this morning, coming to have me check presentations they have prepared for today's lesson.

In last nights mail, I was delighted by a wonderful, surprise gift from the very generous Big Cat! I won't tell you what it is just yet, as I want to photograph it in some good light this weekend. Now as the days get shorter, it's dark before I leave school at 5pm.

Then this morning's email inbox brought another couple of wonderful surprises. I won $10US credit voucher in the very talented Amy's Etsy store, Moyou. I'm going to use it to buy one of her super cute Kuma Wheat toys. I've been eyeing them off ever since she started making them, and he's going to be perfect to cuddle up to on these coming cold nights.

And if that's not enough, I was also featured in another Treasury! I haven't done a screen saver of it yet, but you can see it here. It was put together by Hedda Vatter who creates some lovely warm things that would also be nice for winter.

I haven't been blogging or blog reading as much lately. With these shorter and colder days, I've been finding that I need to take life a bit slower for a while. My poor computer has been somewhat neglected as instead I've been snuggling under the covers with a book or three. I've been enjoying walks in the chilly air, visiting the local temple gardens often and soaking up the zen vibes. I had forgotten how refreshing sitting and watching the fish swim in a pond, eating good healthy food and taking care of myself really is. I'm enjoying the time while I can as after Christmas, life will speed up again as I prepare for the big move back to Australia.

I wish everyone a lovable Friday!

Loving Friday

You know it's going to be a pretty good day when your local craft shop has a sale. I didn't pick up many fabrics, as that store's fabric stock is waaaay overpriced, even when on sale. But the sale was a good time to stock up on thread, pick up some new cutting tools, a couple of craft books and such.

Rather than go home and work as planned, I treated myself to a magazine (American fashion, so an import, so at import prices, it really was a treat) and a visit to Starbucks for a cup of tea (which I've mostly cut out) and scrumptious cookie.

Had a wonderful "chat" to the cutest nine month old baby while in the line at the supermarket.... the chat did bring me a few tears as well, but we still have hope...

Big Cat had some lovely links on her post today that really helped me with some of my blogging guilt I've been feeling of late. I'm so behind in acknowledging some awards and tags, replying to comments and visiting people lately. Sorry everyone! I hope to be back on top of things soon, though feel like I've been saying that for way too long now.

And then to top it off, tonight I have a dinner and movie date with my husband. As well as my blog, he's been neglected of late too, so time to put some energy into "us".

Hope everyone is have a fabulous Friday and looking forward to the weekend ahead. Thanks to Big Cat for sharing the Friday love.

Friday Love

Oops, I forgot last Friday's, Love Friday. It's one of those things when you're on holidays and you don't know what day of the week it is.....

Anyway, I love this Friday because I have a date! And even better, it's a date that I don't need to leave the house for, don't need to dress up, do my hair or makeup for. It's a date that I don't need to confess to my husband when he returns next week.

I have a date with my sewing machine!

I'm not going to impose any goals, not going to feel guilty if things get started but not finished. I'm going to start by trying to make this top, and then see where my fancy takes me from there. I may even run out on my date for a while and sneak in another date with my sketch book at a coffee shop.

Gotta love holiday Fridays! Thanks to Big Cat for sharing the Friday love!