It's been far too long!

...Since I've done a bit of a "favorite things" post.  Speaking of favorite things, I believe Julie Andrews Edwards is probably one of mine.  Let's see what I come up with, shall we?

1.  Not a well guarded secret that I'm in lurve with Nutella.  I'm jonesing to make Nutella brownies or something, but I'm worried that in making them I would be so disappointed in their taste.  So...I'm back to eating it regular-style (on a finger spoon), on a Ritz or on toast. Num+my.

2.  Note:  the children joyfully washing my car are not the result of human slavery trafficking.  At one point, the above children were little and wanted to please me.  This is a sheer voluntary act.  But the POINT is, my van is one of my favorite things--perhaps by default.  Good old 2005 RHonda is about to turn 120,000 miles old, and she just keeps truckin'.  Oh, and the car that you see on the right--in one piece--is going to be broken in "new driver style" shortly after July 13th.  Gulp.

3.  For about as much $ as a manicure at your local Vietnamese sweatshop nail salon, you can purchase this kit, which includes a pen to do the white tip of a French manicure.  I think the fact that a French manicure can "cheat" your nail length, and the fact that hands always look clean and finished with them makes them one of my favorite things. 

4. Because I tend to lurve medical shows, and due to the fact that it's now summer, and most of my shows are on hiatus, I favor Combat Hospital as one of my favorite things.  This little, Canadian import may just be the engine that could for me in terms of mid-summer TV enjoyment.  I've only seen one epi, but I liked the acting and storyline.  It's about an Army hospital in Afghanistan.  Try it and let me know what you think.

5.  I am so excited for this memoir by Brennan Manning, with John Blase, to come out.  Go here to see a beautiful trailer for it, at the home of The Beautiful Due, by my friend, John (or Pony Boy, as I like to call him).  Listening to Brennan Manning talk about how much God loves us, how worthy we are because of Him.  Well, that's definitely one of my favorite things.

I'm Feeling A Little Julie Andrews-ish...

Here...in no particular order are some of my favorite things. I'd love to hear some of yours, too. Blessings!

1. Mmm...Honey Crisp apples. No, they're probably NOT "worth" the $2.49 or so a pound, but they are soooo tasty. Honey crisp is the perfect description. I can't add a thing. I'm always baffled delighted when healthy can taste good. :)

2. Is this picture big enough? :) Most of you know that we've been in a bit o' a valley. Thanks for your prayers--that's another post, but things are better. However, I did something I hardly ever do. I s.p.l.u.r.g.e.d. on the BIG one. The spiced pumpkin candle is so delicious and really makes my house feel homey and welcoming.

3. Well, New England, we're not. But we have such pretty colors this time of year. I am changing my name to Woman-who-drives-a-lot, so while I'm in the car, I really do enjoy God's tapestry. Growing up in CO, I only got to see one color: yellow. The aspen are beautiful, but not plentiful enough for my taste. Here, we get to see all manner of red, brown, orange, and yellow. Breathtaking.

4. My old, tattered Women's Devotional NIV Bible. I bought this one at Wal+Fart about 7 years ago, when I recommitted. How I wish I would've gotten a leather bound copy. Alas, mine is paperback. I so love this book, not only for what I've read, but for the promises I haven't yet read. For my "ah-ha" notes in the margins, and my highlights on the pages. One day, I'd love to have a leather bound Bible presented to me with my name on it. But for now...this is such a great work horse. Love the common-sense devotionals, too.

5. My 2038 Creative Expression Sewing Machine. Alas...I haven't named her yet, because she's only about 6 months, but I'm thinking: Soe. Zoe means life, and Soe can mean "giver of life thru old rags and fabric scraps". Huh? Right? With me?

6. Okay...I drink. There. I said it. In the interest of full disclosure :), I luuuurve this wine. And in even fuller disclosure? It's under $7.00! Woo Hoo! While I don't imbibe every day, when I decide to, this is a treat.

7. Portion control (?)...Ahem...well I'm trying. Specifically, I really love the 63% cacao extra dark chocolate "promises". Don't you love that name? I wonder what's promised? Ideally, one or 2 of these a day curbs my choco-fiending and thus reduces my calories. Plus--they're full of antioxidants. And that's all I have to say about that.

8. Our family's dirty little pleasure: Survivor. The boys strategize, and the girls look at Jeff's dimples enjoy the reward challenges.

9. My dirty little naughty little guilty little pleasure: Private Practice. I think it should be illegal to be as pretty as Kate Walsh is. So not right. ;)

10. Bamboo knitting needles. As one who doesn't love irritating sounds, knitting with these (vs. metal) is a breeze. They feel warm and smooth in my hands, and look pretty, too.