Things I Love

Right now, this very minute - I have to tell you about these things, simply because someone has to know. I'd just like to state for the record that your life will not be changed by these confessions, but my life is changed constantly by their simple existence.

1) Split pea soup. OMG. I fixed some of Campbell's Chunky version of it yesterday, which I don't like as much as their regular version (nothing is better than mom's homemade version which she took to making for me when it strangely became one of my favorite foods in the world), but still... so good. I don't know when it started, but as soon as it did - there was no turning back. I'd pick split pea soup over any other kind, any day of the week. My favorite way to eat it is to crumble Ritz crackers in it and stir in some shredded swiss cheese until it's a thicker consistency and yeah - talk about comfort food. I just had some for lunch with saltine crackers and no cheese and it was still quite heavenly!

2) "Moosejaw's Daily Madness." Every morning, "Trapper" from Moosejaw sends the most random emails to those who sign up to receive it. I would highly suggest it as his humor and educational (but oh so random) trivia bytes help start the morning off right when I arrive at work, and just might for you too.

3) Thinking about the summer. My skin just starts to itch and I have an immediate compulsion to jump into the nearest body of water, which these days amounts to the bathtub, the toilet, and the sink, since the pool isn't open yet and we can't start kayaking until all of our gear is in. But summer is coming, and 85'F degree weather on a weekend is enough to make one daydream incessantly about the months that lie ahead.

4) Listening to our wedding playlists. Since about mid-december I've been working on compiling playlists ("Pre-Reception," "Lunch," "First Dances," "Cake-Cutting/Bouquet&Garter Tossing," "Main Dancing") for our wedding reception. If I had a "Recently Played" playlist on my iTunes like it comes set up with, all you would see is these songs. I've been working on sorting the songs from a main list into individual lists and then establishing order within the individual ones. Oh, it's a blast, because when I play the songs I imagine in my head who will be out of the floor and all of the smiles and swelling in my heart and it's just awesome. We're going to have so much fun!

5) When my friends update their blogs. I love pictures and anecdotes, thoughts and quirky stories about people's lives, especially people that mean the world to me. Unfortunately, this area of love in my life is pretty deficit since I have about one friend (who's a God-send and a new blogger) who's been updating pretty regularly lately.

6) Redbud Trees. (see trees in header image) There is nothing that excites me more about spring than these gorgeous trees; not only do they so brilliantly complement the emerging greens of the earth, but they're are just such a striking color. I can't help but notice them everywhere I go and smile at the sight of them. You've got to love the south for playing home to this charming tree!

7) My husband-to-be. He and Aaron are at Horse Pens 40 in Alabama today to do some bouldering; after he finished up an open-fire breakfast of oatmeal, he gave me a call to say "Hi!" (we've haven't talked much while he's been away this weekend) and also to tell me how excited he was to see me when he gets back tonight and to be able to take me to all the new places they've been this weekend. It was a quick 2-minute conversation reminiscent of last year when he'd only have a short time to call from Africa, but knew that every second counted and tried to let me know how much I mean to him. It's funny, these three days are the first we've been apart in awhile. I mean after five months, a weekend is nothing and sometimes a needed time, but still, there's no denying how life just makes that much more sense when we're together.

So yeah, your life is more complete now, knowing these things, right?

What are some things you love, right now? I'd love to hear!