These Are A Few of My Favorite Things…

Oh, the Sound of Music. How I love you. 🙂

I am rounding the corner of my comps; the end is in sight! I turn in my final written tests in one/two days (depending on if I can make *my* deadline or just the real one a day later). I’ve been in my “cave” a lot lately, and while intense focus and avoidance has been good and necessary lately, this fairly solitary reality has reminded me of a few things that I am so grateful for since I notice them a bit more clearly now after their absence. (Why does it usually take losing something to be reminded of its value?) I’ve also been writing a lot about memory as a theological concept for my homework and I think the idea has been seeping its way into my thinking and feeling at various levels. Remembering identity, stories, particularity – all deeply theological things. More on the heavy end of this later on…   

But for now, here are a few (pretty random) things that I am reminding myself to be grateful for today:

Favorite quote: “Out of the strain of doing, into the peace of the done.” – Julie Louise Woodruff 

Favorite time(s) spent today: catching up with friends that I’ve had to avoid lately, lunch with my hubby, crying (happy tears) while listening to music, writing a really solid concluding section for my current paper, and having fun teaching today on the topic of the Gospels.  

Favorite decorating inspiration: Blik Graphics (via Kara). Check out their products, they are AMAZING.  

Favorite new singer: Ingrid Michaelson – her voice is fabulous, the lyrics blend funky and insightful, and they have played her music on several Grey’s Anatomy episodes.  

Favorite new purchase: my camera, which came today, a day early!  

Favorite Upcoming Event: Italy!  (we leave Friday) We are both really excited that we planned this trip when we did and can’t wait for the break.

Favorite breakfast food: whole wheat toast with homeade apple butter; mmm, makes my morning!

Favorite new recipe: pumpkin spice cake, that Peter has been making with a great recipe from Vicky; its really moist and spicey and autumnal.

So – “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad – I’ll simply remember my favorite things and then I won’t feel so bad.”

* When the sleep deprivation bites, when the caffeine stings, when I am feeling brain dead – I’ll simply remember…   :)