gratitude list 02

:: dark chocolate
:: Diet Dr. Pepper
:: children's Tylenol
:: sunny fall days
:: new jeans
:: a new dessert cookbook
:: phone calls with my Number One (that's my sister Emily, in case you didn't know)
:: my sewing blog

I don't even have the energy to go searching for images for this post, because as the first three items on my gratitude may indicate, it's been a long couple of days over here. You know when you can't make your toddler happy no matter what you try? That's when you really need a gratitude list. And dark chocolate. Obviously.

This post is part of a 31-day series on contented living. You can find the other posts here.

the word on the street

We had Sesame Street on this morning, and on every episode the Muppet Murray gives the Word on the Street. Today we learned about habitat. So, today on the blog, the word on the street is habitat.

I've spent all week spring-cleaning my habitat. I'm talking decluttering, wiping down, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, exhausting cleaning. Today I worked on the kitchen. And I'm beat. (Perhaps the Sesame Street viewing was part of a larger effort to distract the resident toddler from my cleaning out the fridge, the worst of all the chores.)

Spring cleaning is hard work, but I can't say that I hate it. Because here's the thing: I like my habitat. Love it, even. And I love taking care of that habitat.

I love all those small handmade gifts collected and cared for over the years.

I love my new mantle and the seasonal vignettes I get to put together.

I love the decorations I've made and the ones I've found at Target.

I love the vacuum lines on carpet, however fleeting.

I love throwing out the unnecessary so I can better enjoy what I have.

I love filling my home with meaningful and intentional stuff. Not pointless stuff, but me stuff.

I love those small things like the sparkly burlap placemats I found on clearance at Homegoods and that refrigerator magnet of my sister and me from ages ago.

I love my habitat even in its mess, because messes like this mean that my habitat is both lived in and cared for.

I especially love that I share my habitat with this little man, because seriously, he's the cutest kid I've ever known.

I also love sharing my habitat with Josh, even when it means that lone socks in the couch are ever-present in our habitat.

I love that my habitat is a reflection of my people and is a place where I feel close to my roots.

I am looking forward to next week when the spring cleaning will be finished, because that will mean that I can finally get back to my sewing machine. (Oh, sewing, how I've missed you!) For now, though, I'm okay with the work and the sweat. Because the thing is that having this habitat at all is a great blessing, and I'm not about to squander it.

contentment

I'm easy to please. I can get really excited about unimportant things.

:: red and gray flannel for the Christmas robe I'm making the boy
:: the boy's dancing--dancing
:: hot chocolate in my $4 Anthro mug
:: the Mindy Project Christmas special that left me simultaneously cheering and lamenting
:: two hours of real, down-to-earth catch-up with one of my top-tier friends
:: an easy slam-dunk dinner
:: two and a half weeks until we jet to Denver for Christmas
:: this week's letter from the missionary brother
:: handmade Christmas gifts
:: the advent calendar
:: Josh coming home before 6:00
:: Sawbones
:: toddler time at the library
:: FaceTiming with my parents and sister
:: Asher's kisses to my parents and sister via FaceTime
:: my Christmas skirt turning out exactly as I wanted, zipper installation and all
:: Pentatonix Little Drummer Boy


Like I said, it doesn't take a production to make me happy. I'm easily content, and I think that's a really good thing. Even on not-great days, my contentment is still there. Life is good, life is full.

wedding thank-yous

Finished. And I am oh so grateful.

If I somehow missed you, I am so sorry and am so grateful for your wedding kindness. Just so you know.

the cutest investment

We got a modest return on our taxes this year, and with a small portion of that return I bought a KitchenAid. Seriously, guys, I haven't been this excited since Josh gave me my sewing machine last Christmas.

The first thing I did when it arrived on Thursday was to try my hand at bread baking (inspired especially by the Bread Brigade). Alas my first legitimate bread-baking effort was sabotaged by my forgetting an ingredient.

Saturday, though, I tried again, and was successful. And Sunday night I whipped up these delights for our young-married FHE group.

{Peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, graham crackers all topped with melted chocolate--yes. Also, next time I'm going to substitute graham crackers with pretzels. Double yes.}

So clearly, I've already gotten a return on this investment. 

I've also felt an added meaning in my culinary domesticity lately since the first anniversary of my grandmother's death. She was an expert in the kitchen, especially in bread- and cake-making. Susan sent this sign to several of us in the family in remembrance of Grandma.

I think it a more-than-fitting tribute. I like to think that Grandma would be really excited about my pear green KitchenAid mixer. You can expect lots of baking to be happening at the Wilsons'.

gratitude list

I think today is a most appropriate time for an ultimate gratitude list.

:: unlimited texting
:: midday phone calls with Mom
:: interstate BG runs with Emily
:: surprised phone calls from Dad
:: funny picture messages from John
:: becoming better friends with Sarah
:: Southwest
:: being friends with extended family--aunts, uncles, cousins
:: Josh Wilson for my husband
:: keeping my initials after getting married--still CJW
:: great in-laws
:: words
:: a college degree
:: my own kitchen
:: hot chocolate
:: so many rainy days in Oregon
:: Powell's City of Books
:: my new bookcase
:: not having to label my food anymore
:: a job that starts Monday (post forthcoming)
:: Josh's job
:: public transportation
:: the library
:: Johannes Gutenburg
:: the moss that grows on the sidewalks in Oregon
:: years of wonderful and strengthening friendship with Rachelle
:: my dear, dear friend on a mission, Katelyn
:: Ghiradelli peppermint bark
:: chocolate, in almost all forms
:: Diet Pepsi
:: Hulu
:: Netflix streaming
:: Netflix streaming dates with Josh
:: lunch with Josh
:: beautiful legacies from both of my grandmothers
:: a relatively successful Thanksgiving pie crust
:: wedding pictures
:: Christmas decorations
:: patent leather
:: monograms
:: ampersands
:: curly brackets
:: commas, et al
:: polka dots
:: television
:: Harry Potter
:: making the bed
:: a clean bathroom
:: YouTube knitting tutorials
:: autumn
:: pot roast
:: blogging
:: my camera (and having found it--haven't taken that for granted again)

In a more serious vein:
:: the gospel
:: my temple covenants
:: my testimony and faith
:: the reality of prayer
:: Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer
:: eternal marriage
:: God's plan is always better than mine--always
:: identity
:: purpose
:: becoming

My life is beautiful. My heart is full.

Happy Thanksgiving.

pretty much the best

Tonight I am thankful for a husband who does the dishes--even when it means he has to wear ruffled rubber gloves.

gratitude list

:: Donut Gems in the vending machines downstairs
:: The Fountainhead
:: home videos tranferred to DVDs and online viewing
:: wedding flowers a la Susan
:: 53 days until the wedding
:: HP
:: "Alias" on DVD
:: air conditioning
:: a sister-in-law who cuts and colors my hair just right
:: Diet Delight (a pudding/Cool Whip combo with mini-chocolate chips that Mom invented)
and most of all
:: Josh's flight to Utah on Friday, signaling the end of the longest five weeks ever

gratitude list

:: Tylenol and Advil
:: orange drink at McDonald's
:: the 801 bus
:: Skype
:: Southwest
:: engagement photos
:: the conference Ensign
:: Dr. Francis, DDS
:: a list of books to read
:: midday phone calls from my fiance

gratitude list

:: 60-degree weather
:: Donut Gems
:: motivation to finish my papers
:: Netflix
:: Band-Aids
:: unlimited texting
:: testimony meetings
:: chocolate cookie dough
:: BYU
:: macro camera feature

gratitude list

Tonight I am grateful for

• uplifting testimony meetings
• an attentive and perceptive bishop
• a dad who is a worthy priesthood holder
• a sister who can clog like nobody's business
• cell phones so I can talk to my mom for an hour on a Sunday afternoon
• Sunday as a day of rest so I don't feel obligated to do schoolwork and can nap instead
• a boyfriend who does the dishes at my apartment

And now for Monday.