“A new heart for a New Year, always!” — Charles Dickens I got to ring in 2026 with my first stamp in my passport, thanks to my older son’s destination wedding. ¡Hola, México! I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, relaxing place to begin the year. When I got home and was combing through…
Category: favorite things
I hope this post finds you well
“When I say, “I hope this email finds you well,” what I mean is this: I hope you get to drink your coffee before it gets cold. I hope you’re in a sweet season of life. I hope you witness a miracle. I hope something good happens to you. I hope you see a dog….
Ordinary things
“I am in love with the ordinary things in life. Fresh air. Acts of kindness. Deep soul conversations. Watching things grow. Listening to the rain as it empties its heart towards the earth. Remembering the times I ran through it unafraid, spontaneous, freedom-filled. I find pure joy in the joy of others. I am drunk…
Let them be
“You know what’s underrated? Letting people be. Letting them mispronounce a word, talk too much about a show they love, or get excited about something you don’t understand. You don’t have to get it, just be kind. Everyone’s got something that lights them up. Let them shine, even if it’s not your thing.” — unknown…
Impact
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of; there is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” – Fred Rogers Yesterday a wonderful friend and former colleague stopped…
It’s that time…
The Christmas tree is up, stockings are hung above the fireplace (the first time in my adult life I can say that), and, most important of all, my grampa’s little handmade chapel is on display. It isn’t Christmas without it. Even when I haven’t decorated any other way, it’s a non-negotiable. I even did a…
In closing
Closing the week with little notes of gratitude. A crazy busy week is over and my work went really well. One more crazy week to go. I’m hopeful. I saw many old co-workers or colleagues from other states this week and received more hugs in a span of three days than I can remember. It’s…
Friday’s foliage
When you hear Nat King Cole, even though no music is playing. La-de-da-de-da-de-dum… ‘Tis Autumn. La-de-da-de-da-de-dum… ‘Tis Autumn. (29 of 41)
What a thing
“If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the strangers you have been kind to, the people you’ve made laugh, or inspired along the way, and that star-bright web of you would…
Swoon
I will forever be awed by the colors of fall. (26 of 41)
Five
Happy Birthday, Finnegan. (25 of 41)
This is the season
“To survive the seasons, you must change with them. To survive winter, you must learn to rest. This is the season of stillness. To survive spring, you must be brave enough to begin. This is the season of renewal. To survive summer, you must trust in your own magic. This is the season of abundance….
Reluctant
C’mon, autumn. Let’s get this party started. (21 of 41)
Wishes for the week ahead
I wish for… Opportunities for rest during the rain. Bits of the extraordinary in the most common situations. (No, seriously. Look at the size of this blueberry. It’s like three normal blueberries combined.) Signs of love, even in the mess. My kitchen was in a state of chaos this weekend, but this little sticky heart…
The best validation
“You are the person your dog thinks you are.” That is the sentiment on the front of a greeting card that was given to me by a friend. I cannot think of higher praise than that, so I keep it on my fridge for encouragement. I can only think of perhaps one nicer thing to…
Feelin’ Fine
Finnegan. Face. Flower. And a Fall walk with my favorite fur friend. (Brought to you by the letter F.) (16 of 41)
Valid points
“Can we stop acting like joy has an age limit? If buying a stuffed animal, rewatching cartoons, using a coloring book, collecting cute stationery, or sleeping with a fuzzy blanket brings you peace in this chaotic world, that’s valid. The world is heavy. Bills are real. Burnout is constant. If something soft or silly makes…
Weekend colors
Just a few images from a weekend spent celebrating my mom’s birthday. Beautiful in every way. (13 of 41)
Listen and remember
“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.” — Stevie Wonder A vivid memory from my childhood was my mom’s record collection. I always loved when she played Anne Murray, the Carpenters, and (especially) the Partridge Family…
Friends
“Money can buy you a fine dog. But only love can make him wag his tail.” – Kinky Friedman There are some great little cut-through paths connecting the streets in our neighborhood that have become part of my regular walks with my dog. These little pathways are lined with tall landscaping and privacy fences, so…
At my doorstep
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Vincent Van Gogh In this case, I found beauty on my front stoop. Something about it stopped me in my tracks. I just thought it was so lovely. (8 of 41)
Fingerprints
“Never apologize for your eccentricities. They’re your fingerprint.” – Diane Keaton A lone tomato ripening on a vine draped over the wrong side of a privacy fence — with a heart-shaped leaf, I might add. A blue rubber duck randomly perched on a curb. An expressive garbage can. A leaf showing off in the sun….
Not even close
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colours enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” – Vincent van Gogh (4 of 41)
Rhythms and Reminders
“May you honor the ways you find light and hope in these days. May you find comfort, strength, and rest in the unexpected moments. May you be open to receive everything that God has for you, even if it looks so much simpler and quieter than you expected. “May you cultivate hope on purpose. May…
Everyday joy
“Keep a list of small, ordinary things that make you happy. A new flower from your plant-baby. That book you can’t wait to finish. When you hear something wonderful that happened to someone you love. Cultivate the habit of everyday joy. After a while, you won’t even happen to try.” —- Nanea Hoffman Nanea Hoffman…
hey there, friends 