My whole week revolves around getting to Friday. Once it's Friday, Anna announces first thing in the morning that it's Friday-erev-Shabbos (Shabbat). Shabbat starts at sundown and I know that if I've managed to make it as far as Friday morning, I can certainly manage most of another day. Once Shabbat comes at sundown and I light my Sabbath candles, I breath a different kind of sigh - it's knowing that whatever I managed to get done that week got done, and whatever I forgot or didn't get to (generally most of what's left on my list) will wait until Saturday night at the earliest.

While Shabbat - Saturday - is certainly my favorite day of the week, Friday - erev Shabbat - is a close second. I love the hustle and bustle and watching the clock to see how much time we have left. I love the fact that I don't work on Fridays, so I can do my errands and food shopping during daylight hours when I have some semblance of some energy. I love the fact that Anna loves Shabbat so much, and she always asks to help and to be involved. I love the fact that as she gets older, her helping has slowed me down less and less.

We have a farmer's market in town with fruits and veggies from local growers that I like to support, and yummy pickles and the most vibrant fresh flowers. It's much easier to watch the season change based on what flowers are available at the farmer's market, rather than the steady availability of imports at the florist.

And it's a family day. With the old ladies coming from their weekly trip to get their hair done, other moms who are home with their kids, and all languages can be heard spoken. It's almost like a small part of our town longs for the old days of push carts and cobblestone streets. I know I certainly do.