Friday Favorites-- Another Cold & Wet Spring Week

With a lot of cold, gray, rainy days this week we stuck pretty close to home.  It was a quiet and pretty uneventful week. 

Friday we went hiking with our hiking group and we had 2 new families show up!  It was a nice short hour long hike and my feet barely hurt at all that night-- progress!  It had rained the night before (and off and on most of the day) so the water was running high.  




While Alec did not get 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd place in the SkillsUSA baking challenge he was awarded a finalist medal and had a great time at the awards ceremony on Friday. We discovered on Tuesday that he came in 4th place in the state!  That's awfully good for a sophomore!!  We're so proud. 




I spent my day on Sunday crafting; making Easter cards and a spring wreath for the front door. I spent most of my day on Monday making birthday cards for all the April birthdays we celebrate.  Here's a small sampling of what I made. 







My foot was a bit sore Tuesday after walking over 10,000 steps on Monday but Evan and I decided to chance a short hike. We just did a 45 min. loop and by dinner my foot was still feeling Okay; a bit sore and achy but no limping or anything.  






Alec had his first track meet of the season on Tuesday and actually participated in the 100 meter dash (despite his leg/ankle bothering him-- gee, wonder where he gets that from?!) and then worked on the javelin and the discus like last year.  We all noticed huge strides in his ability this year.  Sorry, no photos; mine all came out just awful. with 4 teams and the chain link fence in the way they're just a blurry mess of bodies. 

Evan talked me into ditching the schoolwork on Thursday and heading out hiking.  We went to one of our favorite hiking places and tried out 3 new trails.  It was a bit chilly and cloudy but we hiked for just over an hour.  





Linking up with: On the Edge, 





Comments

  1. NatashaApril 8, 2022 at 6:51 AM

    I'm glad your foot is starting to feel better. And YAY Alec for doing so well as a sophomore. That's amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 8, 2022 at 10:15 AM

      It's slow going but I'm trying to alternate days of hikes/walks with days of rest but I am so relieved it's not bothering me all the time anymore. We are so proud of Alec and he's already talking about next year's competition!

      Delete
  2. HollyApril 8, 2022 at 7:05 AM

    Glad your foot is feeling better! Love the way you still get all the hikes in even during the rainy weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 8, 2022 at 10:16 AM

      Thank you! We try to get out when it's just overcast and not actually raining whenever we can.

      Delete
  3. Andrea NineApril 8, 2022 at 8:06 AM

    Fourth place in the state is amazing for Alec! I love your cards and I’m glad your foot is feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dara @ Not In JerseyApril 8, 2022 at 8:10 AM

    4th place, wow! The weather here this week has been super windy and I hate wind. I'm wanting to go out and take some pictures for this week's 52 frames and I'm jealous of yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 8, 2022 at 10:17 AM

      Aw, thank you! It has been a bit windy here but not too bad; there are times it's so windy we don't feel safe being in the woods.

      Delete
  5. SusanneApril 8, 2022 at 9:15 AM

    As always, the areas where you go for walks are lovely! They remind me of the forests in Sweden. I hope your foot is getting better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 8, 2022 at 10:20 AM

      Thank you! We love searching for new places to hike and I am so relieved my foot is getting better.

      Delete
  6. AmilaApril 8, 2022 at 9:30 AM

    These are beautiful photos. I like all these nature views. Beautiful crafts too. Congratulations Alec for receiving this award! It is great to receive this award.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sparkles and LattesApril 8, 2022 at 1:51 PM

    Ok i need to make more cards like you do. They are always so pretty and way more thoughtful. Your hiking pictures are so pretty. So excited for Spring and Summer hiking.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kari April 8, 2022 at 2:56 PM

    I'm glad you're feeling better. Good for Alec! I love your attitude about it. That's how we feel about any kind of competition the girls enter. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jo TraceyApril 8, 2022 at 5:08 PM

    Nature, crafting and a finalists medal - looks like a pretty good week overall. Loving those cards...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Memphis BridgesApril 8, 2022 at 5:29 PM

    Congratulations to Alec on his accomplishments! As soon as you mentioned hiking, I was wondering about the foot. Glad it is slowly getting better. Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 8, 2022 at 7:56 PM

      It is feeling better as long as I am careful not to overdo it.

      Delete
  11. Jodie's Touch of StyleApril 8, 2022 at 6:46 PM

    I think Alec should be SO proud. What an accomplishment. And so glad your foot is doing better Joanne,
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. MelisApril 8, 2022 at 8:55 PM

    Accomplishments *always deserve to be celebrated! Your crafts are super cute! I love all the cards you created :-) Now, what is the story behind that last photo with the sunken walled area around that tree?! That looks like a lovely/magical spot to spend a bit of time in. Hope the weekend ahead is a good one for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 9, 2022 at 7:54 AM

      Thank you! As far as we could tell from a nearby placard that is an old farmstead that has crumbled and left behind a stone foundation and the forest has regrown around (an in!) it.

      Delete
  13. MarshaApril 8, 2022 at 11:08 PM

    Congratulations to Alec! That's quite an accomplishment! Don't you just love this time of year when everything is just beginning to turn that springtime color of green? Beautiful photos as always, Joanne!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nancy 's Fashion StyleApril 9, 2022 at 2:30 AM

    I say congratulations to Alec because I think 4th is very good!! Your Easter cards are so lovely, especially the green one!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Deb's WorldApril 9, 2022 at 6:31 AM

    What a great result, well done! Love all your photos too! #weekendcoffeeshare

    ReplyDelete
  16. DawnApril 9, 2022 at 7:51 AM

    That is a wonderful accomplishment for Alec. You all have endless beautiful trails to walk on.
    Blessings, Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  17. NatalieApril 9, 2022 at 6:53 PM

    Congratulations to Alec on his award! Your Easter and birthday cards are lovely. Thank you for sharing your week and beautiful hiking photos with us at #weekendcoffeeshare.

    ReplyDelete
  18. LeanneApril 10, 2022 at 2:00 AM

    Hi Joanne - glad to see you out and about despite your foot being a bit of a problem still. We're finally getting some rain here - which is a very nice change indeed. Loved all your crafty stuff and the wreath looked beautiful against the blue door.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Inspiring MaxApril 10, 2022 at 2:35 AM

    Your cards look amazing. Your son should be proud of his achievements. How special.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AstridApril 10, 2022 at 12:19 PM

    I'm so proud of Alec for making it to fourth in the state skills-USA baking competition, he certainly does deserve a medal for that. I'm also so happy you did so much crafting and hiking. Visiting from #weekendcoffeeshare.

    ReplyDelete
  21. JessApril 10, 2022 at 6:10 PM

    Your cards are so cute! I love sending cards but have never branched out into making them. I'm not very crafty, haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 10, 2022 at 7:26 PM

      Aw, thank you! I began making my own cards in an art class in high school and have pretty much never gone back. My style and the materials I use have changed a lot over time but I get such satisfaction in crafting them myself.

      Delete
  22. KirstinApril 11, 2022 at 4:33 PM

    Congrats to Alec. 4th place is awesome. Your wreath and cards are beautiful. My mom used to make cards. I love hiking near water, especially streams and waterfalls. I was having some issues with one of my feet a few years ago...they'd get painful and numb/tingly after walking...I started wearing wider toe box shoes and that helped a lot I think. At least I haven't noticed an issue since I started wearing them. I haven't done a hard hike since, so it would be interesting to know how they would hold up. That last photo of the tree in the middle of the rock wall is cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne April 11, 2022 at 5:29 PM

      Thank you! My favorite hikes are those near water and waterfalls. I wish we had more waterfalls nearby. My pain is definitely from a pulled tendon or muscle in the middle of my foot as it only hurts when I point or arch my foot and it is getting better. I walked for over 2 hours today and it's barely hurting.

      Delete

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