a few of my favorite things

I am inspired by a post I recently read, that my friend Jana wrote.  In this post, she listed a few few of her favorite things.  And quite honestly, I hope the idea catches on and spreads!

In a way, just the title of the post brings me back to my childhood, when life seemed simple, and we were in the car as a family singing.  We were singing one of the many songs that my grandma taught us from the most amazing movie ever, "The Sound of Music."  We would sing "These are a few of my favorite things." I can only imagine me singing it off the top of my lungs, thinking I had an amazing voice.  Jillene was a little bashful about her voice as she sang; somebody could only hear her if they were literally sitting a half a foot away.  And then there was Janelle.  Little Janelle.  :)  Lets just say that we thought at that age that she would literally be tone deaf the rest of her life.  I am thankful (for her and us!) that her musical vocal skills are largely improved since those days! :) 

But I love the concept of the song, as I think about it.  It says that the simple things in life are the things we should be thankful for, even when life gets hard it, they are what we should be thinking about...."Raindrops of rose, wiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, silver white winters that melt into spring, these are a few of my favorite things....When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things.  And then I don't feel so bad."  Love it!

So here is a short list of some of my many favorite things....

1. Wrapping myself in warm sheets, towel, or clothes, right after they are out of the dryer while they still smell fresh like the fabric softener sheets. 
2. Listening to country music, on a 70 or 80 degree day, windows down, sunroof back.
3. Brownies.  Enough said.
4. Health....you don't realize how much you appreciate it, until it is gone.
5. Naps on a blacket outside in the sun (when its not too hot/not too cold.)
6. Touch.  I think many of us are touch deprived.  That is why I give hugs to all my clients and friends when I see them and when I say goodbye.  And massages aren't bad either!
7. The smell of the first rain of fall...yes, I am trying to remember this time of year how much I love it after summer.
8. Little kid laughs and giggles!!!
9. Going on a walk in fall, leaves changing, latte in hand, with a good friend.
10. When the house is completely clean, it smells good, and you actually have time to sit and read and enjoy it.
11. Sewing/craft/cooking days to instrumental or worship music.  Even just a few hours of just being creative and letting your mind relax.
12. Quiet.  It is definitely the most underrated thing there is!!!
13. Holding hands.  Simple. Pure. Closeness.
14. Swinging.  There is nothing like a swingset to make you feel like a kiddo again.
15. When you go so far back with a friend, that there is just an understanding between you two that you don't have to explain much.  You just know and understand when you are talking.
16.  When you fall in love with a song and have to listen to it on repeat...until you are finally tired of it and move on to the next..
17. Having the ablilty to help somebody who needs it, expecting nothing in return.
18. Finding the perfect piece of fabric! (Only those who sew will understand how exciting that is!)
19. My favorite pair of jeans.
20. Being able to have peace in my heart.  I am right with God.  I know Him.  I can hope and smile at my future.  And I am confident in my hope of eternity.