Lists & the Things I Love

This morning I was enjoying my daily commute. I say enjoying because it's one of my favorite times of year, October. The mornings feel fresh and cool. The colors on the trees are warm and soothing.

With this in mind as I readied to face another hectic day, I flipped through my issue of Real Simple and stopped on a section featuring five easy ways to achieve calm. My favorite was making an "ignore list." I'm all about to-do lists. I have dozens of those for groceries, house projects, Girl Scouts, restaurants I want to visit, vacation destinations and, of course, all the projects I have left to tackle at work.

I was just starting to think about what I'd put on my "ignore list" when I read a post by my friend over at Are You the Babysitter?

She too had lists on her mind. But hers was of a more positive nature, a list of the things she loves. What a great way to break out of a negative, overwhelmed state of mind. So before I write up a list of things I can ignore, I'm going to join Roi and list a few things that I absolutely love...

• October. I truly love fall, cooler weather, falling leaves, kids back into a regular, manageable routine, cozy sweaters and warm scarves. 
• Food. I love shopping for, prepping and creating meals, snacks and treats that my family can enjoy. The entire cooking process is a relaxation exercise. When I do a complicated meal that takes all day, it feels like I've been on vacation.
• Girls night. I don't do this nearly enough. But when I do, the night or evening out with my friends is memorable and uplifting.
• One-on-one time with the kids. I've been blessed with this opportunity a couple times in the last few weeks and have thoroughly enjoyed the freedom to connect with each of my children in a meaningful way.
• Night prayers. This quiet, reflective time is one of my favorite parts of the day and a way for my children and I to feel more connected to our extended family and our community.
• Farmers Market. Just being there makes me happy. People watching and greeting from the info booth or just browsing the vendor tables is a high point of my week.
• The sweet surprise of a rainbow. 
• Impromptu trips to cupcake shops.
• Collaboration of all sorts, especially when new ideas inject enthusiasm into whatever personal or professional project I'm part of.
• Road trips where the journey is just as exciting as the destination.
• Spotting a colorful cocktail waiting for me on the porch rail.
• Cuddle time with my husband and children.
• Sorting through family photos and being flooded with memories.
• Walks in the woods.
• Gathering around a camp fire and roasting marshmallows.
• Listening to music.
• The moon. In all its shapes, sizes and colors, especially in October.

What's on your "Things I Love" list?