By Patricia Belyea
SEATTLE WA As we move into a new decade, memories of the past and resolutions for the future filter into my brain bandwidth. Just as importantly, I want to think about what makes me happy. Selfish as it seems, it’s easier to spread happiness when I’m happy myself!
In no particular order, here’s my list of Things I Love:
- homemade cinnamon rolls
- peonies
- early morning walks on warm spring days
- fireworks
- healthy popcorn
- strolling along a long beach
- a nice glass of red wine
- gathering with my family
- lemon bread with icing on top
- brick pathways that click
- butterflies
- making dramatic quilts
- toast with molasses
- gardening with nothing else to do
- loons
- biking in kyoto
- holing up at the Cabin
- phone calls with my kids
- boughs of cherry blossoms
- seeing my mom
- pulling potatoes out of the ground
- cooking with fresh herbs
- first class plane trips
- nice shoes
- guild gigs
- meeting other quilters
- wooden floors
- Japanese temples
- sushi—sometimes
- a clean home
- fresh sheets on my bed
- a long bath
- upbeat music
- hand stitching
- tea time with girlfriends
- binge watching TV
- firemen in their blue uniforms
- my painted bed
- a car with rubber bumpers
- trips abroad
- visiting Hawaii
- being excited and inspired
- dancing
- swimming in fresh water
- Michael’s smile
- wandering through aquariums
- kittens
- small museums
- smart luggage
- warm rocks
- a hike with a wonderful view
- farmer's markets
- a cool new necklace
- slight sweet iced tea
- easy meals
- a comfortable chair
- colorful spaces
- summer flowers
- cheese & crackers
- Buche de Noel
- Gary’s paintings
- breakfast with my twin
- a good night’s sleep
- unfrizzy hair
- butterscotch ripple ice cream
- getting swept into a good book
- collaborating with brilliant people
- a tidy room
- BBQs—shish kabobs and corn
- finding money
- cleaning up clutter
- talking with kind people
- going to a movie by myself
- white cupcakes with lavender icing
- Jack in the pulpits
- starry nights
- studio time
- indigo
- playing Scrabble
- hearing an amazing choir sing
- afternoon naps
- the smell of a rose on a bush
- fresh peaches
- white picket fences
- successful clothes shopping
- good food in the fridge
- a sense of calm
- an easy writing pen
- bakeries
- tupelo honey
- a feeling of well being
- rosemary-scented soap
- kokeshi dolls
- hummingbirds
- sweet air
- little ones
- whipping cream
- a latte in the morning
- hand-dyed yukata cottons
- waking up to a new day
May your list of Things You Love be long and wonder-filled. Happy New Year!
