Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

Today's Blog entry is dedicated to my dad... You're welcome :-)

The role of disgruntled blogger, usually performed by Kristi, will be temporarily replaced by Julie Andrews for tonight's performance. (OK, she might make a few more appearances in the future as the alter ego). Where am I going with this, you ask? Well it all all started on the plane ride back from Florida.... (fade to memory sequence)

I am NOT a fan of flying (which is odd, because I used to LOVE it, until I had a child), I digress. So, there I was in my flight induced anxiety and decided to go to to the store and pick up my "happy place" - Real Simple magazine. The title speaks for itself, it's simplicity for the soul (for me anyway). Anyway, I came across an article that got the gears turning. It was an article written by one of the editors about all the things she can count on to be there for her, unwavering in their quality and reliability. An example of hers - a hair clip she bought at J.Crew 6 years ago that she uses everyday. This got me thinking... we all have constant and predictable things that are woven in our lives that never disappoint and are always there for us when we need them, sometimes they go unnoticed... but they are still important to occasionally bring some "order to our messy world" and are typically unsung. So, here is the venue where I will pay homage to A Few of My Favorite Things!


The New England Cookbook - Brooke Dojny
I will try my best not to make this entire list based around food, but this one I can't leave out... Korey bought this book for me after it caught my eye at Shaker Village (this would be in my favorite places list - another list for another blog). Anyway, LOVE IT. Wholesome, hearty, comfort food that has never let me down. Every recipe is a gem and is like a warm hug on the inside :-) Also, there are cute, little New England anecdotes scattered throughout.

Sage & Citrus Yankee Candles
Yum... anytime of the year.

Scarves
Who doesn't love a scarf? Handmade is better, but you can never have enough of them! My lovely sister made me a neck snuggler/huggy (I have no idea what else to call it) for Christmas this year, but it's round instead of long and I love it. On the other side of my family, my sister-in-law makes fleece scarves for the whole family every Christmas, I always look forward to what cool pattern she picks out each year.


OPI Nail Polish
A never-fail on my list. Love the colors and the names :-) At $7.50 a pop, they're worth it. Honestly, I need to give myself manis/pedis more often!



Shoes
I am all about comfort in this category. Unlike most women who would sell their soul for a cute pair of strappy sandals, I am more practical when it comes to footwear. I think this is based on the fact that I don't have cute ankles or legs to adorn these "cute" shoes. I also have a hard time loving anything that doesn't last me more than one season... a few of my top steadfast picks would be:
Keen shoes - 3 years strong, and they're not even close to being worn out, I just need new laces! I need to save up for more of these, they rock.
Reef flip flops - Again, 3 or 4 years old (and maybe just a little smelly)... but could be saved this summer with a good scrubbing! OH! I forgot my new Simple flip flops too... They are like a constant massage for your feet!
Crocs - would have been on my list had I not recently heard of children getting stuck in escalators with them. I was told the escalators at Macy's were shut down three times in the week before Christmas due to Croc incidents! Yikes. I still like mine around the house.. no escalators here!
SCHUZ heels - These are my one exception to the cute shoe rule. Suede, strappy and very tall, I bought these in Scotland 9 years ago and I still love them... I just can't wear them for more than an hour at a time.

Gap Men's Jeans
For real... They fit great in all the right places and last forever.


Tetley tea
When I lived in the UK for a wee moment in time I came to rely on the simplicity of tea and how a kettle was honestly on at any given home at any given time, it became comfort food for me (since nothing else was edible over there... ). Nothing beats a nice cup of tea... made the proper way. Steeped for several minutes (I like it darker), milk and a dash of sugar. I have recently reformed myself from the evils of coffee and have gone back to this reliable beverage.

Snow Days
Exhibit A to the left - nuff said

Ginger Snap Cookies
My friend Carol's recipe is the best, however, her 13 year-old daughter says that I make them even better than she does (truly an honor). Alise likes to help me with these, (typically on said snow days) she gets to do the sugar rolling, that is if I can keep her from shoveling the sugar into her mouth first - you think I'm kidding?

Risotto
ahhhh... I'm getting hungry, I should move on...


Wine (for cooking & drinking)
Ok, so I didn't really divert that much... but seriously, the smell of wine in cooking makes my heart swell with love. And the drinking part, well, that just goes without saying... Although, this needs to be in moderation, clearly... There is a fine line between not enough and too much, I know from experience. Lately, my preference is Shiraz... but as the evening goes on, it usually doesn't matter.

All Aveeno Products
Being a direct descendant of crocodiles, I can say that this is the only soap, lotion, etc that I can count on to not make my skin fall off me.

Podcasts - My recent obsession with my shiny new Nano. My top favorites (that you should instantly download!) 1) NPR - Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me 2) NPR - This American Life 3) Manic Mommies (new to me). I'm sure there will be more, but the 2 NPR broadcasts have been my Saturday morning routine (when I can catch them) for a couple years and now I don't have to plan a long car ride for Saturday morning at 11, I can listen to them on my way to work, at work, avoiding work... you get the point.

Music - real quick... My top five artists that I could listen to anytime, anywhere (who obviously have a permanent place on my Ipod). Patty Griffin, Beth Orton, Miles Davis, John Mayer, Nick Drake

Of course, I could go on for days... but all of these "things" do not rank highest on my personal tried & true list... that honor belongs to all my friends and family who are always there for me through everything. I will keep you all anonymous and not post all of your lovely mugs on this blog - for now.


YOUR HOMEWORK - (should you chose to accept this challenge) What I would love is for everyone to respond below in the comment section and share with us your favorite stuff... What makes you tick... Inquiring minds want to know...

Lastly... (seriously, kudos to you if you've gotten this far) whew... My friend Carol told me I had to add this last bit, closing out on the Julie Andrews theme... True confession time - I am the only person in the world that went on the Sound of Music tour in Austria without having ever seen the film. Fascinating tour... had NO idea who these VonTrapp people were and why they had a whole tour based around them. Hmm. Fast forward 10 years - I have now seen the movie (not all at once, but seriously, who has 4 hours straight to dedicate to a musical film?) It was pretty good.