Welcome to the latest installment of my online gratitude journal.

In my house we had one virus or another for the entire month of February, but we also had a fantastic five-day vacation in San Diego (well, that includes almost two full days spent in airports and on planes, but we still managed to pack our trip with lots of fun activities).

So here are some of the things I am thankful for from the past month. I hope you’ll post your own favourites in the comments. I’m always up for recommendations for children’s books, recipes, podcasts, or anything else you’d like to share.

Picture Books

In last May’s “favourites” post I included a list of some of my favourite alphabet picture books. Here are two more that we discovered recently.

R is for Robot: A Noisy Alphabet by Adam F. Watkins

Adventures with Barefoot Critters by Teagan White

Also, I really think you should read this book.

Food

When we were in San Diego we stayed in Old Town and twice had dinner at Mexican restaurants where you could watch ladies making tortillas by hand. We enjoyed trying the chips and salsa, carnitas, enchiladas, fried ice cream, and of course a margarita. On our last morning I treated myself to a Mexican mocha, which lived up to the boasts of the sign we walked past every day on our way to see the sights.

Winter in Calgary (and some other parts of Canada) is temperamental to say the least. Well, this month we fired up the barbecue once and made hot dogs that, I must admit, tasted amazing.

I know the official Pie Day is March 14, but when my husband and I were in university we made our own holiday on the fourth Friday of February, when we were both on break from classes. Every year I try to remember to make a pie or two. This year Andrew reminded me just in time and I made a chicken pot pie and a chocolate pecan pie. Both were fairly successful and didn’t last long.

Activities

Some of our favourite activities in San Diego included spending a day at the zoo; seeing seals, sea lions, and surfers; hanging out at Birch Aquarium; wandering around Seaport Village, Little Italy, and the Gaslamp District; visiting the Mormon Battalion Historic Site; and playing in the hotel pool.

In the middle of February my nephew was born! He lives in Virginia, so I don’t know when I’ll meet him in person, but I’m thankful for Skype and digital photos.

Video

I adore this video (and, no, my baby does not know how to plank).

Bible Verses

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.” – Daniel 2:20-22

“ I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” – John 12:46

Two other things I was thankful for in February were the walk-in clinic in our grocery store and the kind pharmacist at our doctor’s office. I try not to take for granted the blessings we experience, even when we’re sick.

What are some of your February favourites?