A Few of My Favorite Things - November/December 2020

Though this one is a bit tardy, writing these posts has become so rewarding to me that I don't want to let it fall away. I, for one, need the reminder to stay grateful for the simpler things in life.

CHILDREN WHO DON'T FIGHT. I was sitting here one day trying to remember the first thing on my list of favorite things over the past couple months...with boys arguing about everything and nothing all around me. I couldn't think. I (loudly) called them over to read what I was typing (which is that above) and after it got them to stop and think I thought that I could probably just leave it here because it is true. It's very cold out (it's been down in the 20's and below here) and everyone is getting less sun, and it makes none of us super happy.

House plants. Although my drive for planting this time of year is at rest with the trees, I miss the lush greenness outdoors, the layers and patches of color from blooms and variations in leaf tone, and the privacy of our yard. Having a mini garden of sorts in my dining room and hardy green friends here and there throughout the house makes the brown months easier. I often sit by the window and soak in the sun when it shines, and just recharge. 

Moisturizing products. Gone are the soggy, humid days of summer and everything is dry. Especially my skin. I feel as though I can never drink enough water. My favorite lotion for the last few years has been Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Body Lotion (for very dry skin). It's more like a cream than a lotion, but is not super oily, and has a pleasant, natural smell that isn't over-powering (described as "green tea.") The boys say I smell like leaves after I use it, which is fine by me. Occasionally I also get patchy dry spots on my face, and for that I use Jásön De-Stress Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Moisturizing Creme, which also has a natural, pleasant smell. And my favorite lip balm is one that was gifted to me, Soothing Touch Vanilla Rose lip balm.

Creative projects. Addie's dollhouse has been in the forefront of my projects lately, but I love making anything beautiful. A dear friend recently gifted me the latest book her mom wrote, Called to be Creative, in which she proposes that we are all called to be creative in imitation of the Creator in Whose image and likeness we were made (though being creative looks different for each of us). I was stunned to read her description of what I call "the zone." In her book, Mary Kenyon calls it "flow"... the act of totally losing yourself in a project, when space and time cease to exist and you are totally focused with what's at hand. Watercolor and pyrography put me in the "zone." After an entire night engrossed in one of these projects, I feel refreshed as if I just had a spa day (or what I imagine a spa day would feel like if I ever had the opportunity to experience one). Just knowing I have two or three projects waiting for me leaves me with an almost perpetual excited anticipation. I recently picked up a small embroidery kit, although I kept telling myself I had enough fabric and thread and I could just sketch up my own design. It took away some of the hassle that usually keeps me from starting new projects. I also got a travel watercolor set and books for Christmas that I'm so excited to use, and unpainted nesting dolls that I get to design. These projects are one of the best treatments for anxiety.

Our health. We survived Covid. It was not pleasant, but not as awful as the flu. After an illness it's easy to appreciate how good you feel when healthy.

My Parents. I'll throw a 6th last favorite in here because...so many reasons. But as they say, this is not even close to the least. My Mama is my best friend and my Daddy is my rock. They are always there for me when I'm in need, and even when I'm not. They tough-loved me when I was being stupid and cried with me when I hurt. They spoil me and my family rotten, and I love them to death.