blue satin sashes.

I've been feeling melancholy in the last day or two, and so, in the spirit of fraulein Maria, I have decided to write about some of my favorite things from the last week.  As someone wise once said and I will paraphrase -- "yes, the Bible says 'in everything give thanks.'  But if you can't thank Him for the bad things yet, start with the good things":




Good thing number one: apple walnut cranberry muffins with cinnamon streusel topping.  These brought me joy not only because they were a success, but also because I discovered the phenomenon of freezing-for-freshness.  I hate the taste of this-was-delicious-two-days-ago.  I made these a couple days before guests came and immediately froze them.  On day one of guests, I took out one dozen - perfect - and they thawed within an hour.  On day three of guests, I took out the other dozen.  I really should have known this for a while now -- I have faint recollections of learning about ancient mammoths preserved for centuries in huge cubes of ice....  Eh, why not reinvent the wheel?

Good thing number two: Saturday breakfast at Walton's Fancy and Staple.  The ambience alone will make a common flower girl feel like a duchess... or a regular Jane Doe feel like Sandra Bullock.  That particular morning, each of the ladies in my group was given a bouquet of fresh white daisies as we sat down at our table.  As if coffee and gourmet biscuits and gravy wasn't enough.

Good thing number three: Mr. Johnson.  There he is, my new travel friend.  There to accompany me on all my daily journeys and be a witness to the crazy things that I sometimes do in my car when no one is around.  (Like invent silly songs or make funny noises for extended periods of time. Just saying. We all need an outlet for that.)  He is a home-made, hand-stitched birthday present from my dear 16-year-old companion, Jessica.  His full name is Mr. Theodore Johnson.  But he does not appreciate too much familiarity too soon.  He and I aren't even on a first name basis yet.

Good thing number four, last but greatest by far: these wonderful girls (plus one who at this moment was en route to SF) who spent the week in my home.  It is an immense privilege to me to invite someone else to make your home their home.  These girls took care of me just by being in my house, loving me and each other, and girl-talking before going to bed.  Thank you guys for blessing our home.





It is so refreshing to thank the Lord for things like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.