Is February zooming by for everyone else?? Just me? I know it’s a short month to begin with, but it feels like my life is currently on fast forward and I’ve lost the remote!
In terms of recaps, here is all the FIGGY goodness from Week 1 and Week 2.
Who’s ready to jump into Week 3?!
FIG COLLECTORS AROUND THE INTERWEBS
It will be hard for anyone to “beat” Melissa’s highlight: her son got married!! Not surprisingly, that momentous occasion featured prominently in her FIG post for Week 2.
That was followed up with more FIGs including: wedding cake (especially the raspberry and white chocolate layer), puzzles, and her dog Riley’s fresh grooming job. Look at that bow! I wish I looked that fancy leaving the hairdresser <3
Diane is loving her new water boiler, Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes (from Costco) to celebrate Lunar New Year, the Olympics, snow boots, playing “My Bed Is My Island,” and when skating bags unexpectedly take the form of a heart! Click through to check out lots more FIGs from her week.
Allison had a very… eventful week. Through it all, she still managed to make me howl with laughter (about paramedics no less), and is grateful for friends (who she describes as a “deep bench” in terms of support), for being pain-free, and for a freshly-organized cupboard!
Sam had some tough “anti-figs” this week: a strained back, a stomach bug in the family, and some other health annoyances. Through it all, she kept documenting FIGs:
- Monday, February 16. I’m grateful for our good friends who loaned us their sump pump when it rained and we noticed water in the garage. I’m also grateful they had us over to hang at the house while our power was out. They made hot cocoa, which was a nice treat.
- Tuesday, February 17. I’m grateful for a long snuggle with A watching the Olympics together. We were both feeling worn down, and I had lost my voice, so it felt great to rest and do absolutely nothing.
- Wednesday, February 18. I’m grateful for some nice moments with the kids, and to Joel for moving around work meetings so he could take my toddler to and from school and I could rest my back. The kids spent a long time working on a “masterpiece” together, which was a super long piece of butcher paper they drew on. My older daughter was really encouraging to my youngest, which was an unexpected delight.
- Thursday, February 19. More Olympic FIGs! Watching Alyssa Liu win gold was pure joy, and watching both kids attempt to perform double axles in our living room was pretty great too.
- Friday, February 20. I made a new recipe (this Chicken Tikka Masala), which everyone enjoyed! It was a relaxed dinner at the end of long week.
- Saturday, February 21. I’m grateful we made it home after a long mountain drive with a very sick kid. Lots of friends helped us to mobilize and get packed up when it was clear we needed to leave quickly.
- Sunday, February 22. I’m grateful for the hummingbird that flew right up to the window while I was enjoying coffee, and cozy time playing board games with my older daughter. I’m also grateful to live two blocks from the park, where we met friends and ran into neighbors.
Noemi saw helictites! Apparently there are only five places in the world with these formations, and she got to see the ones in California!
She wrote a message to her husband in the snow!
Other FIGs: her husband filed their taxes, some aggression-release via dojo class, spotting Rainbow Brite sheets in Stranger Things, and a family movie night. Her full post is here!
Jenny writes: This week, I had an unusually large amount of FIG-ish moments. Little things, like looking up at the moon and noticing that it looked like a smile, feeling a light breeze on my skin, or appreciating the whiff of bergamot in my tea. It was like I was hyper-aware of small pleasures. Of course there were bigger FIGS as well, like…
- Florida weather!
- Nicole’s book.
- Her cats.
- Sleep!
Jacquie came through with a giant list of FIGs.
I am so fortunate to type up my FIGs to you on a beautiful sunny day! That alone is a FIG. Below is a list of what’s been making me feel grateful:
- enjoying a coffee shop outing with both sisters
- lunch with niece and her son
- we all live in different cities so getting together is always such a treat
- a run of good books (The Age of Innocence, When The Cranes Fly South, Heart the Lover, Wild Dark Shore)
- meeting a personal fitness goal last Friday that I’ve been working on for a year – persistence pays off LOL
- helping a friend home from the hospital after she had a minor procedure done that resulted in good news for her
- my daughter (who got engaged in the summer) confirming she’s booked 2 bridal shops for dress shopping next week [What an exciting event for your family!]
- and a photo from one of my hot chocolate festival outings – flavour is white bunny, an iconic Chinese brand of milk candy, and the fish pastries are Taiyaki, street-food that is most associated with Japan and Korea [I can always count on you to send photos of the most interesting festival food!]
I also want to say how much I appreciate you taking the time to compile all our FIGs in a weekly post when you are already so busy. We all benefit from your dedication and hard work, so thank you!
Sarah’s post is full of everyday FIGs which is what FIG collecting is all about.
She writes: The BEST part of this whole joy finding exercise is the realization that almost all of these FIGs are recurring things. It’s not like I am choosing special once in awhile occurrences here. I COULD NOTICE JOY EVERY SINGLE DAY. Wild. [Yes! I love this!]
In terms of specifics, Sarah’s FIGs included: her preschooler reading a chapter book, hard-boiled eggs, combining coffee with a morning yoga practice, and “tree dances”.
Some weeks, Fresh FIGs are hard to find, and that’s when it’s helpful to have dried ones in storage that are still reliably sweet and delicious.
mbmom11 writes: Sorry, only cats and hot showers this week!
I did have a chat with an administrator about what classes I can teach next year, so knowing I’ll probably have a job in the fall is a FIG, though I’d rather leave this job sometimes. So the ambiguity cancels the gratitude.
Lots of emotions this past week, so gratitude is hard.
I’m sure we can all relate. There are ups… and there are downs. Gold stars for appreciating the simple delight of a hot shower and your feline companions <3
I love receiving newsy e-mails full of FIGs. And this one from Joy O’Toole brought a smile to my face <3
Here are my FIGS for February 16-22 – Thank you again for leading this challenge to be thankful every day. I love thinking about what to add to my sheet every day. It’s an evening ritual. [Cue all the heart emojis—I love that this has become a treasured daily ritual!]
- Feb 16 – Lunch with my SIL – we met downtown at a local restaurant, located in an old bank. It’s been a tough winter for her, and it was lovely to get out and spend time together, exchanging photos of her new grandbaby and my new daughter-in-law.
- Feb 17 – In preparation to watch the new Agatha Christie adaptation on Netflix, I read the prequel, The Secret of Chimneys, which happens to be a favorite of mine. So fun!
- Feb 18 – I ordered a new fountain pen because I couldn’t resist the color, flamingo pink, and even got it on sale. It arrived on Feb 18, and it’s already inked up and earning its keep. 🙂
- Feb 19 – After being off for the long weekend and working from home, I went into the library and found a little cup full of chocolates that someone left me for Valentine’s Day. Colleagues who know you love chocolate are the best!
- Feb 20 – Our church had a women’s mini conference on Friday night and Saturday morning. I sat at a table with two women I barely knew but had wanted to know better, and it was lovely to have the opportunity to talk with them and become better acquainted.
- Feb 21 – My husband ordered dinner in and got me potato soup, which I love and it was so delicious. The best part is that I didn’t have to make it! [I’m making soup for supper and have actually been eyeing a potato soup.]
- Feb 22 – During some of our snow days last month, I started playing around with papercrafting, and today I finished a project I’ve been working on for the last couple of weeks. It’s like quilting but with paper and glue.
I’ve attached photos of some of this week’s FIGS, my new pen, and a photo collage of my new cardboard folio that I made to show a friend.
You know it’s an especially good week when you… didn’t get struck by lightening??
Fresh off featuring a porcupine, Julie is back with another intriguing FIG:
- Monday – Presidents Day plus a Movie Date with Ted
- Tuesday – I was NOT struck by lightning, and Gong Hei Fat Tuesday
- Wednesday – Julia Gulia [The sweet kitty pictured top right in the collage.]
- Thursday – Yoga + Lentils and Eggs
- Friday – Frugal Things
Rebecca’s FJIGs included rain, a yummy steak lunch, the first daffodils of the season, a wild bunny, and freshly laid eggs.
Engie emailed me to say: This week I wrote about big things in my weekly FIG roundup…but I have been collecting smaller FIGs just for you. [I am sincerely touched! Give me ALL THE SMALL FIGs.]
- Popcorn.
- How my husband and I worked together as a team to silently do laundry. It’s so seamless and feels kind of romantic that we know how exactly what the other person is doing and how to help with no words. [I love these sorts of reflections about marriage. I feel like those quiet moments of working together as a team are some of my absolute favourite part of a relationship.]
- I put on a lighter coat I hadn’t worn since fall when we had a couple of unseasonably warm days. I found a lip gloss in the pocket! It was as good as finding money.
- Cat cuddles
- Sweet potato chips
- Our new immersion blender
- My husband making me tea in my thermos to take to work every morning
- A quiet day at work to catch up on email and grading
- Starting a new book.
- I just finished the book In Memoriam by Alice Winn, a sad book about World War I. First, I’m grateful there is not active warfare in my country. Second, this quote: “I spend my day hunting for my nightly list,” he wrote, a week before the Somme. “Here is today’s: 1. The tea was still hot when it got to the men, 2. I received your letter (joy!) and 3. I saw a finch twirling rapturously at sunrise. It is impossible to be discouraged with three such things to think about, even if the coming offensive is as red as the men fear.” Gratitude even in the face of the worst atrocities is something worth seeking. Thank you for encouraging all of us to do this exercise in February! [A. Love the perspective. B. I have added this to my holds list on Libby!]
For lots more including: a bloggy meet-up with Sarah, arcade games, a Career Fair, and an ice-free river… check out Engie’s dedicated FIG post.
Stephany had lots of wonderful things to chose from for FIGs this week including: progress on her novel, a day to relax, a new lamp [I LOVE IT!!!], gifts in the mail, and an energetic workout.
ELISABETH’S FIGS
15 Feb (Sunday)
- 110 | Sleeping in.
- 111 | Our church. It feels like home.
- 112 | A restful, productive afternoon.
- 113 | Clean bathrooms.
- 114 | Leftovers.
- 116 | Roses… on sale.
16 Feb (Monday)
- 117 | Major progress on planning spreadsheets.
- 118 | Our home office.
- 119 | Laundry—clean, dry, and put away.
- 120 | Belle cleaning the upstairs while Indy and I were at pickleball.
17 Feb (Tuesday)
- 121 | Belle’s braces are off!!!!
- 122 | Using my Starbucks gift card from Jenny.
- 124 | Another gold medal for Canada at the Olympics.
- 125 | E-mails and texts with Catrina. Our adventure together in Zurich is taking shape!!!
- 127 | My Yeti keeping things warm (this day it happened to be chai tea).
18 Feb (Wednesday)
- 130 | Tylenol—fever reducer.
- 131 | Kleenex!
- 132 | Sunshine on freshly fallen snow.
- 133 | Watching the Olympics in bed.
- 134 | Groceries. The larder was bare.
- 135 | How responsible Belle is.
19 Feb (Thursday)
- 136 | Joy. Our friendship and going through 2025 photobooks together.
- 137 | Feeling better! The sickness was intense but shortlived.
- 138 | Sunshine on snow.
- 139 | Some quiet time to prep blog posts.
- 140 | Shelly—she said my writing is a FIG!
20 Feb (Friday)
- 143 | A “golden” day.
- 144 | Delicious smoothie for breakfast.
- 145 | Coffee at Mom and Dad’s.
- 146 | Getting every errand on my list crossed off!
- 147 | Lunch at Mom and Dad’s.
- 148 | Items arriving in the mail.
- 149 | Canada won a nail-biter over Finland
- 150 | The MOST amazing ski conditions!
- 151 | A sun dog!
- 152 | John got an earlier flight home.
- 153 | It’s Friday!!!
- 154 | Garbage day = clean slate.
- 155 | Indy’s friend over for a spontaneous supper.
- 156 | Energy. All day! Not used to that feeling…
21 Feb (Saturday)
- 157 | Sleeping in.
- 158 | Using things up. I LOVE that feeling.
- 159 | Over $60 in change!
- 160 | Birthday party for Indy to attend… to watch a Star Wars movie. Perfect!
- 164 | Our dishwasher.
I’ll be back next Wednesday with our Final Fig Recap. Time has flown this February, and I’m so grateful for your enthusiastic participation in this gratitude collective <3
Your turn.
- Has anyone else seen helictites?
- What space in your house would you most like to have organized?
- What do you do with your loose change?
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Your organized change- wow that’s a lot of money! The loonies and toonies help bump that up- I always wonder why the dollar coin never gains much traction in the US, despite various efforts. Sorry, Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea! Maybe now that pennies won’t be made anymore the dollar coins will come to the fore? Beautiful handwriting on that list too!
I rarely use cash – kid’s sports entrance fees and concessions stands mostly! Those are all dollars, so no coins needed. And my fountain soda- it’s ninety-nine cents, do I use a dollar and leave the penny behind.
Very satisfying FIGS!
We don’t have pennies anymore and I do not miss them ONE BIT!
I love seeing them all wrapped up in one place; it brings a smile to my face hearing all of the great things that people are experiencing! I will be talking about mine for the month in my post on Monday! I love your ski photo; what a lovely day! Those days are the best, when the sun is shining but it is still cold enough that the snow doesn’t turn to slush… I broke my boot the last time I skied at home with my Dad, so I didn’t go when I was home this year, but your notes about skiing are making me wish I was on the slopes right now with my family.
Can’t wait to read all about it.
I really want to get to the hill at least one more time before we go. The time crunch is on and there are a lot of things happening so it will take some creativity to make it work, but the conditions have been really wonderful this year!
Melissa’s son got married and Jacquie’s daughter is engaged, and I have all the hearts in my eyes for these things! And for all the FIGS! I really love this roundup, all the big and small things. And Allison’s post reminded me that I could really give my pantry a cleaning. I do love a project like that!
So many happy things happening (and Joy’s son got married earlier in the month). Gah!
This month has ABSOLUTLEY been zooming by. I 100% relate to your feeling of being on “fast forward without the remote!” I am a Figgy Failure and have only managed one Fig post so far, but I AM tracking figs so I’ll hopefully share a catch up post! 🙂 I love reading about everyone’s good things!! It’s such a spirit lifter.
No apologies! Life is busy AND YOU ALREADY TRACK GRATITUDE DAILY!!
I hope things feel a little less busy for you soon… and you have your next trip coming up. How exciting!
These are so lovely and inspiring! I love reading everyone’s FIGS, and it’s so great of you to take the time to write the round-up post about them!
Aww. I’m so glad you enjoy reading all the FIGs. They really are delightful.
I LOVE everyone’s FIGs!!! There are several posts that I missed, so thanks (again) for doing a roundup. Shelly is right- your writing IS a FIG!
To answer one of your questions- we throw our loose change in a jar. It’s been a long time since we’ve cashed it in though. We actually don’t have as much as you might think though, because I pay cash for a lot of things, and am always astonishing cashiers by counting out exact change for a purchase. It’s getting tricky now though, because some stores still have pennies and some don’t. Starbucks has moved beyond the penny, so I just handed over $3.15 for my tea, when it actually costs $3.14. I knew they wouldn’t have the penny to give me in change, and it’s all good.
My bedroom is in serious need of a cleaning and reorganizing- every week it’s on my to-do list, and every week I end up migrating it to the next week’s list. SIGH!
We don’t have pennies in Canada any more! They phased them out a few years ago. I have to admit I haven’t missed them AT ALL.
Haven’t been tracking FIGs but have been loving reading all the FIGs people have shared! Thanks for organizing! I’m sure it’s an incredible amount of work for you!
I’m always ready for these challenges to be over by the end of the month, but I genuinely love reading about and receiving FIGs <3
I’d never even heard of helictites, let alone seen them! How cool! What a special experience. I’m also drooooooling over the hot chocolate. It looks amazing. Putting “find a hot chocolate festival to go to” on my wish list.
I love these posts so much. I can’t imagine how much work they are, but they always bring such a smile to my face. There ARE good things out there!
Jacquie seems to attend the coolest food festivals every year.
There really are good things out there Engie. And thanks for sending me your lists/sharing on your blog. You collect A LOT OF FIGS!!!
I didn’t know what helictites are either, that’s so amazing!
I love reading these posts, so inspiring. Thanks for pulling them all together! I’m writing Figs down, but thanks to lots of stuff going on (some days I feel like a juggler with 8 played) sharing is harder.
No need to share; that’s the great thing about a collective gratitude practice. We all get to come and go as it suits and mutually benefit.
I’d never heard of helictites, either!
So no pennies in Canada…does it bother you to pay $4.25 for something that should be $4.23? I mean, most stuff is on a credit card or debit card now, so likely it is a NON ISSSUE. We used to have a change jar with lots of change, and it got up there, but now, none of us use cash anymore, so I think there is maybe $2 for the last year right now.
I love this practice, thank you! I have a list for my Friday post. I mean, I could wait until Sunday for my weekly Randomness post, so I can get the entire week in…but more likely I will post for the last week and then just email you the last day or two. Time will tell.
Skiing locally sounds like a dream. How long of a drive is it for you? Also, hot showers will definitely be on my list this week. Our shower head broke last night.
Basically everything is paid for with credit card in my case, so I mostly just pay the exact amount. I find in terms of most things I might buy in cash, it’s a round number (like things at a farmer’s market, for example).
Can’t wait to see your list!
It’s about 35 minutes from my house, so very accessible. And about 1/2 of that is highway driving.
I love these posts. So much positivity 🙂
Sun dogs are always a joyful moment 😀
I love how frequently cats appear in these posts 🙂
People love their cats 🙂
[…] was kind of a rough month, but the FIGs Collective absolutely made it better. Finding my own FJIGs, and reading about other people’s FIGS, […]
Lila is getting VERY FULL OF HERSELF that she keeps getting featured in these FIG posts. 😉
I have this mason jar that I keep hidden on a bookshelf for loose change, but I put change in it SO RARELY that it’s been half full for YEARS.
I love how cozy your Olympics viewing feels. Very Canada!
She is a natural <3
I can imagine watching the winter Olympics might feel a bit... odd while basking in Florida sunshine!
I love reading about everyone’s FIG’s, thanks so much for putting them all together Elisabeth. I have a big jar of change from before the pandemic. I rarely use cash now so haven’t added to it. I was thinking of taking it to the bank but changed my mind and will put it in my bag so I’ve got something for the homeless.
That’s a great idea to have change to hand out to those who could benefit from it!
[…] for organizing FIG-gy February and for collecting everyone’s FIGS. For everyine who shared FIGS. how lovely to share FIGS- your figs are my […]