these are a few of my favorite things

I've been coming up with a list of things I really enjoy in life.  It's kind of a nice thing to think about.

1. Chocolate.  Enough said.

2. A nice fire in the fireplace.  We don't actually have one, but maybe someday.

3. Curling up with a book.

4. Burt's Bees.  I really like the smell of the baby wash and lotion.  

5. Fresh fruit and vegetables.  Avocados, pineapple, berries, tomatoes, etc.

6. Diet Coke.  Sad but true.

7. Nature.  This is a growing love.

8. My new kelty child carrier backpack!  My mom gave it to me for an early birthday present.

9. Sweet potato tempura.  There's something so satisfying about the flavor when dipped in tempura sauce.

10. My crockpot.  We lost the crockpot we got for our wedding, and recently got a new one.  I've rediscovered the ease of getting dinner ready in the morning.  And around six, which I like to call, "the witching hour" in our house, there's not much to do.  It's wonderful.

11. Scrubs.  It's nice to watch with Jomo and laugh together.

12. Real maple syrup.  It makes the fake stuff taste like, well... I'll just say not good.

13. Real vanilla and butter for baking.  Along the same lines.  Tastes good.

14.  Reading a good book to the kids.  Especially when they are really engaged and want to keep going.

15. Making memories.  Like the time Jomo and I went off with our friends on the spur of the moment to Toronto.  And we froze our butts off looking all over (including in an old movie theatre) for our car.  Or the time we had a spam cook-off with our roomates.  Or Jomo and I going to NY city for our first get-away after Z was born.  And the time we almost died when our tire broke off of our van as we were crossing a long bridge. (The tire proceeded to bounce up and over the side in slow motion.)  And it was so surreal to be alive.   And the time that L gave a speech to the whole of Jomo's family Christmas get-together as we all took turns sharing a story.  The only thing was, he couldn't really speak yet, at least not in English.  And of course there are many more.  And the thing is, the experiences aren't always pleasant at the time.  And they can't really be intentionalized.  But it's wonderful to have them, and think back over them.

Making a list inspires me to slow down and savor all the blessings we have.