A Few of My Favorite Things About...

SPRING!
::green shoots appearing from out of the cold, drab ground::blue skies::fluffy clouds::sunshine::greening grass::birdsong::longer days::fewer clothes::breezes::flags flappin::planning gardens::Easter::tulips::Mother's Day::baseball games::sidewalk chalk::crocus::blowing bubbles::porch sittin'::fresh dirt::potted plants::clothes flappin' on the line::lacy emerging leaves::baby chicks::bunny rabbits::horses frolicking in the fields::baby lambs::wind chimes::grilling out::daffodils::long walks::bicycle rides::farmers plowing and planting::a kitty stretched out in the sunshine::lacy curtains blowing softy against an open window::crickets singing::frogs croaking::garage sales::convertibles::lilacs::forsythia::wind in my hair::flip flops::the smell of freshly cut grass::seventy-five degree days::sleepin' with the windows open::

all photos from last year's photo file

So, what are some of your favorite things about spring?

Christmas Is...

::a manger scene::a children singing in nativity pageants::gingerbread men::gumdrops::candy canes::evergreens::strings of fat bright lights::snow quietly falling::carols reverently sung::happy faces on toddlers::excitement before the ribbon comes off the gift::santa claus::elves::classic movies::three wise men::icicles::steamed up window panes::warmth of a fire::wrapping paper and scotch tape::sugar cookies::choirs::decorations everywhere::happy times::warm memories::snowmen::brightly colored tins::the smell of evergreen and cedar::

A Few of my Favorite Things...about

SUMMER!

::strawberries::going up north::breezy afternoons with lacy curtains blowing in the wind::the smell of newly mown grass::laundry on the line blowing in the wind::the smell of a campfire::raspberries::sleeping with the windows open::looking for shapes in the clouds::the sound of the waves on beach::the smell and sounds of a swimming pool::the soft "thwack" of the ball as it hits the gloves of my husband and son as they play catch::black cherries::watching flowers grow::flip flops::farmers busily working::butterflies::hummingbirds::weddings::baseball games::fireworks::peonies::flags flappin' in the wind::fireflies::the smell of the earth after a thunderstorm::barbecue grills::bike rides::making jam::a nap in the air conditioning on a hot summer day::a good road trip along the lakeshore::relaxing and browsing at a flea market::outdoor dining::sunsets::watermelon dripping to my elbows::bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwiches::strawberry spinach salad::fried green tomatoes::fresh jam on toast::buttered sweet corn squirting as you bite into it::car shows::outdoor concerts::laying on the bed in the middle of the day, before a nap, listening to the sounds outside the open window::happy animals laying in the grass::trips to get ice cream::shade trees::an old movie playing as the crickets chirp outside at dusk::tan legs::white blouses and khaki crop pants::a field of hay drying in the sun in long, lazy strips::steam rising off hot pavement after a good, cooling rain::the soft sky with cotton ball clouds::green crops all rowed up::

The shore of Lake Superior

Sunset over Lake Superior

Tahquamenon Falls

Lighthouse at Whitefish Point
all photos in this post courtesy of my talented daughter!

A Few of my Favorite Things

newborn babies::grandpas::grandmas::courage::clotheslines::the sound of Bible pages turning when the pastor announces the text::the way my husband's strong arms feel when they're wrapped around me::getting away::the feeling of satisfaction i have when all my kids are sleeping under the same roof::the smell when the farmer next door turns the dirt for the first time in spring::the way a fresh fall apple from the orchard sounds when you bite into it::my sentimental husband::the smell of the beach::the sounds of the waves::the good feeling after a hard day's work::crawling into bed when sheets are freshly-laundered and line-dried::rocking on the porch and visiting with a loved friend or sister or my husband::violin music::old aprons::a good dance tune::people that dance whether they're good at it or not, but smile the whole while::ladies who probably shouldn't wear bathing suits but do it anyway so they can play in the water with their children or grandchildren, bravo to them::sundays::coming home::freshly picked black cherries::work-worn hands::a long, warm hug from someone you haven't seen in a long time::the way a mother looks at her newborn baby::the way a father ruffles his son's hair::the smell of a horse barn::the way animals prance and run in the springtime::my husband offering to make dinner::campfires::a good hearty laugh::amazing grace::the first quiet magical and sparkling snow of winter::old-fashioned Christmas lights on a real tree::grandpa's plaid wool hunting hat::a hard-working man with a farmer's tan::payday::the look of concentration on a child's face when they're really trying to learn::blue eyes::my daughter's spirit::my sons' strong sense of right and wrong::fruit stands::the foam in the glass when coke is poured over ice::when my husband bakes cookies::the county fair::puppies::kittens::innocence of a child::a good carrot cake::newly refinished antique furniture::old rugs and linens::the feeling you get when riding on a roller coaster::loud fast cars::a good storm::the fourth of july and everything it stands for::the smell of corn standing in the field and all ready to combine::strawberries::big band tunes::old mustangs::a nice breeze on a summer day::riding with the windows open in the spring::toddlers just learning to walk::a crisp white blouse with jeans:: men who wear work boots::discovering a rainbow::a movie that makes me laugh and cry::finding the first ripe tomato::oldies music with the top down on the convertible::flip flops::boots crunching on snow::serving my family a good hot meal while we all sit at the table and talk::country churches that sit by the side of the road in a green meadow::fireworks::the look in the eye of a newly-engaged couple::a simple picnic::blue skies::my son and husband heading out to fish::the look of my canned garden vegetables::a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift::a thick milkshake::visiting the greenhouse in spring to pick out annuals for the yard::thanksgiving dinner::carving pumpkins::the excitement when one of the boys shoots a deer::the way a newborn stretches and squeaks when they wake up::potlucks::the anticipation of seeing my daughter again::

What are some of YOUR favorite things?