Grand Teton National Park

Family trips in a van

Flying to a new airport

Elk antler arches

Snow-capped mountain in July

A green meadow filled with wildflowers

Going outside early in the morning

Watering my patio containers

Old family photos

Discovering fountain pens

New ink, in beautiful shades of brown, green, and blue, for my fountain pens

Nice people I’ve met on my book tour

Putting up the Christmas tree

Taking down the Christmas tree

A freshly vacuumed rug

The love from a dog

Automatic coffee pots

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day

The realization I have everything I need

The realization there’s very little I want

Living in the present so as not to regret the past nor fear the future

Planning home-cooked meals before the 5:00 what’s-for-dinner emergency

Lentil soup in the slow cooker

Lip balm

Hand lotion

Fingerprint-less kitchen cabinets

Talking to cookbook authors

Reading cookbooks

Snow days

Cookbook manuscripts

Morning quiet time

Dreams

Having a plan

Dave Brubeck

Blooms on the tomato plants

Strawberries and blueberries

Banana Strawberry Smoothies

Fire Watch, July 4, 1952

Listening to music, outdoors

Staycations

A veggie wrap sandwich with sprouts

A late afternoon swim

Limestone walls in Central Kentucky

Driving the backroads

An unexpected hug

Shopping for the perfect gift

A new white shirt

Soft-serve ice cream

Sunrise over Grand Traverse Bay

Watching the sunset from my front porch

Fresh basil, tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes on pasta

The best male cook I know

Grilling in May, June, and July

Making plans for a vacation

Iced green tea

Writing my own cookbook

Staying up late

Responsible children

Container gardens

A glass of chilled white wine on the patio

Dinner with my sisters

Having the pots and pans cleaned up before dinner is ready

Hearing a first grader read

Listening to children play the piano

Cold chocolate milk

My first ice cream sandwich of the year

A note from a friend

A love note

A bright, sunny Easter morning

Baked Eggs with herbs and parmesan cheese

Boys building Legos

A dog chasing a tennis ball

Chocolate peanut butter eggs

Roasting a leg of lamb with mustard, garlic and herbs

Thinking about a new book to read

A new doggie from the animal shelter

A young girl in a green spring dress

Hair falling softly around my daughters face

A freshly bathed dog

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

My son with his head on my shoulder

Watching a movie as a family

Potstickers and sauce

Fuzzy edamame pods

The first full day of spring

Crocuses peeking through the ground

Chives under the service berry tree

Listening to my kids jump out of a dark place to scare their siblings

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing

A dad and son headed to the mall

Snuggling on the couch and watching a movie

A nice, cool breeze

New songs loaded on the mp3 player

A Midnight train to  Georgia

Eighty’s music

Meatloaf’s one hit wonder – Two out of Three Ain’t Bad

Dark Chocolate M & M’s

A new gel roller ball pen

Watching two growing boys play with their legos

An emphatic yes or no from a child

Wearing soda jerk hats at Steak and Shake

Large vanilla milkshakes

Saying prayers together

Peanut butter fudge for my little valentine

Chocolate covered cherries for my other little valentine

Cherry Republic, Glen Arbor, Michigan

Doing a little bit at a time

Checking something off my list

An emergency fund

When enough is enough

Not wanting more

Less is more

Library books

Hot green tea to warm my hands

Not feeling pain in my shoulder or arm

Freedom to live with intention

Happy school-aged children

Homemade brownies

Pulled Pork Barbecue

The way Warren folds the laundry

Gratitude and humility

Love and compassion

A drive through Kentucky backroads

The writing of Thomas Merton

Time to write

Time to read

Snow falling gently

Krohn Conservatory Winter flower show

Hearing the furnace kick on when it’s10 degrees out

Wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree

Watching the kids shake the wrap gifts under the tree

Reading a book that makes me ponder

An a ha moment

The beauty of a newborn baby

A hot shower

Fresh smelling shower gel

Soft, clean hair

Taking the kids out to the local coffee house for a treat

A quiet house on Christmas eve

Music filling the air

A hilarious movie

A good tear jerker

Old Saturday Night Live reruns

Reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond

Chili Con Carne

Watching a child stir a pot of soup

A glass of crisp (not too sweet) white wine

Clementine tangerines

Ceramic Santas my Aunt Eileen painted

A roaring fire in the fireplace

French manicures

Stockings hung by the chimney with care

Suprise gifts

Stone coasters

Twinkling white lights

A sleeping child

An awake child

Routine

Baking Spritz cookies

Sunday afternoons

Music on the mp3

Bourbon-barrel ale

Aged gouda cheese

The sound of kids playing air hockey

The smell of fresh baked ginger cookies

Bing and David singing “Little Drummer Boy”

Walking to a neighborhood party

Stepping out for a breath of fresh air

Chap Stick

A clean bill of health

Getting up early

Reading in the morning

The first cup of coffee

Fresh Christmas tree

Green jasmine tea

Fresh laundry

Frost on the rooftops

Peppery red wine

The longest night of the year

Thomas Merton

Visiting with high school friends

Lazy mornings at home

The smell of a fresh Christmas tree

Playing pick-up-sticks

Watching my kids play dress up

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Another writer’s perspective

Cucumber finger sandwiches

King Rat nutcracker

A blank page

A new pen

A fresh notebook

Christmas spirit candles

My prayer group – 4 faith-filled women

An evening wine and cheese party

Music in the house

Watching children build Legos

Green jasmine tea

Packing delicate christmas ornaments in tissue paper

A young boy with a new watch

Sports “letter” jackets

Accomplishing a task long overdue

Hot tea with milk and a dash of sugar

Good health

Knowing I can accomplish a task

New stamp designs

An organized book bag

Writing letters and cards

A new recipe

Fresh, whole ingredients

A pleasant-scented candle

Dusted tabletops

Vacuumed corners

Hot tea and shortbread

Whole-grain toast and marmalade

Energy

A juicy homemade burger

Listening to a good radio interview

Constant Comment tea

A dusting of snow that won’t melt

Hot, hot water to wash dishes

A hard day’s work

A job well done

A few priorities for the week

Oven-fries dusted with fine sea salt

Vaseline on chapped lips

A pizza party

Peaceful transition of power

Leaving a secret note for someone

Silent time to pray

Fresh clementines

Honey bell oranges

A photograph that catches a sideways glance

A nice, wide, smile

Soft pashmina scarf

Super Bowl Sunday snacks

Super Bowl Sunday commercials

The Boss

Snow boots

Ice on the trees

Sun shining through the snow

Baking while snow falls

Snow Days

The quiet of a snowfall

Powdered sugar dusted doughnuts

The sounds of children sledding

Hard boiled eggs in potato salad

Aretha Franklin’s hat at the inaugration

Winter clothing sales

Spicy red wine and lamb chops

A warm pair of socks

Listening to children in the kitchen with their father

Someone else washing the dirty dishes

Someone else cooking dinner for me

3-D glasses

Crisp onion rings