<p>A pot of tea and cinnamon toast cooked in the oven so that the sugar gets nicely caramelized.</p>
<p>Sitting on the glider on our back patio in the evening watching the sun set across the lake while watching the ducks and geese with DH on one side and sweet mini schnauzer on the other = my favorite part of every day!</p>
<p>At home: at the end of the day, pulling up the cushy ottoman and plopping my feet up on it w/ a warm cuddly blanket.</p>
<p>At our summer cottage: sitting on the beach with a pile of magazines by my side, the warm sun on my skin and soaking in the lake/shore landscape around me. </p>
<p>Walking around the neighborhood on a nice weather day, just me and my Ipod music.</p>
<p>Living down south–I don’t miss the snow (except for skiing). </p>
<p>Baking</p>
<p>A good conversation with son, friends, family. Will be very happy if son can manage to get a flight and visit.</p>
<p>my new wood floors (replaced the 24 year old carpet–no need to mention how gross that was)</p>
<p>good news from physician</p>
<p>A Christmas card and personal note from a long-time friend who lives far away</p>
<p>D doing a funny, animated version of a SYTYCD dance</p>
<p>Cuddling with H in bed at night</p>
<p>A phone call from S running Christmas gift ideas for his sister and Dad past me; (He’s got ideas!)</p>
<p>A 4-year-old friend excitedly telling me there are two(!) presents under her Christmas tree with her name on them!</p>
<p>Saturday was stressful: an hour from home, my oil light goes on and I discover I don’t have my pocketbook with me. I pulled into the first gas station I saw and explained my plight and asked for a quart of oil which they gave me gratis.</p>
<p>Taking an afternoon nap yesterday with my cat snuggled up against me, knowing all the while that my son was home, in the next room.</p>
<p>Living in the South - where the weather and the people are warmer, kinder and happier.</p>
<p>Wool socks.</p>
<p>Hearing the little cat on the sofa start to purr in his sleep.</p>
<p>Pumpkin bread, both making it (oh, the smell as it bakes!) and eating it.</p>
<p>Eggnog.</p>
<p>Drinking a gin and tonic with an extra twist of lime after sailing on a hot summer day.</p>
<p>Finding more than one shark’s tooth while walking on the beach.</p>
<p>Laying in bed at night reading a good book after everyone else has fallen asleep and enjoying the quiet noises of the night - crickets chirping, remembering the low moans of the tugboats on the river (from my childhood), the little squeaky kitty noises my cat makes when she’s sleeping, the hoot of an owl (just before dawn) who lives in a tree overhanging my back yard. I love having the night to myself.</p>
<p>Catching the scent of jasmine or wisteria in the air.</p>
<p>Receiving Christmas cards, homemade cookies, and chocolate truffles.</p>
<p>The sight of the decorated tree shining in the dark living room at night.</p>
<p>Seeing the Christmas stocking I had as a child hanging in my house.</p>
<p>Watching snow falling on the evergreens outside our windows.</p>
<p>Tree ornaments with a story behind them.</p>
<p>The first cross country ski outing of the year. I LOVE to ski, but I sort of forget just how great it is during the long 8 month or so stretch without enough snow for a good ski. Then I get out there, skating along next to the brook and watching for the swans that sometimes float there. It smells like pine trees, is totally beautiful, and feels so healthy!</p>
<p>Sitting on my front porch on a warm summer day, watching the butterflies and hummingbirds on my butterfly bush</p>
<p>The “preheat” setting on my electric blanket on a cold night, so I can slide into a warm bed.</p>
<p>I come home from work, feed the kitty, and then go in my room to change…and she leaves her food bowl to follow me into my room because she’s so excited I’m home.</p>
<p>Receiving a phone call from my mentally ill son when he forgets he’s never going to speak to me again.</p>
<p>Hanna, that sounds like D1 
She would leave a snack on the counter to follow me around and talk to me after school. And that is a little thing that makes me happy!</p>
<p>Hearing my younger son play his banjo</p>
<p>Knowing my older son is playing touch football with his HS friends – every Thanksgiving Friday at 2:00 PM, come hell or high water</p>
<p>Watching my two sons enjoy each others’ company</p>
<p>Magnolia Mom - “Living in the South - where the weather and the people are warmer, kinder and happier.” </p>
<p>OUCH!</p>
<p>I was going to say flannel sheets and a down comforter, but now I’m thinking all kinds of reasons I’m so glad I live in the North! I’m going to be a nice northerner and not print them.</p>
<p>The Lola Heatherton Love Spirit Christmas Special with the Juul Haalmeyer Dancers. AND the Dusty Towne Christmas.
THANKS YOUTUBE</p>
<p>AND thankyou Catherine O’Hara</p>