My List of LOVES

Yes I know that this blog is normally reserved for my very opinionated statements about experiences I have had, but this being the month of love, I can't help but think of how much I love so many things. I have decided to write them down as I think of them, so this entry will never actually be finished. I suggest you make one of your own to look on when things look gloomy and down.

1. Laundry.
     Yes, I know, LAUNDRY? ARE YOU NUTS? But honestly, I have a system for it and when I get in the groove of getting it done, I LOVE LAUNDRY! I make my own laundry detergent, and I notice sometimes as I am sitting at the computer, I will have subconsciously lifted the collar of my shirt up over my nose because I love the smell of my laundry that much. Another bonus? I now do laundry with our sweet little 22 month old baby boy. He is so sweet, and has his own system too. He takes the clothes out of the dryer, but they need to all fit in the laundry basket, with NOTHING hanging over the edge. So as he takes each single piece of clothing out and puts it in the basket, he mashes them down to make sure there is room enough for all of the clothes with NOTHING hanging over the sides. Then he helps put the wet clothes in the dryer. This is when he gets seriously tough and manly. I take each single piece of clothing out and hand it to him and with a great big "OOF" he exclaims every time he puts it in the dryer. Again, making sure that nothing is hanging out of it. He sounds like a muscle builder in the gym, and I LOVE it. After he closes the dryer and we start it, it is time to start a new load. While I do this, because it is faster, he has to wait, but when it is his turn, he is so excited to get picked up so he can throw the fabric softener ball in the washer. Lastly, we separate out the next load so it is ready to go. Yes, its a process, but I love it, especially when I have done enough that our house smells like fresh laundry. Oh so clean!

2. Rain
     You are probably saying this is a duh love, but yes. There is nothing that can replicate the smell of rain in the air. Add the kids playing in puddles and dancing in God's showers and it makes a person wonder if you really are in a separate section of heaven, even for just a minute. Need I mention the rainbows? Yeah, nothing man-made is ever as glorious as gifts from God.

3. I love the commuter train, which is actual completely contradictory to my normal personality. I don't like the idea of being stuck somewhere without my car, or the emergency things I always pack in my car, and yet..... I LOVE THE TRAIN. I think it relates to my favorite way to vacation. When we go on a vacation somewhere, we always get the full suite with a full kitchen. I don't like the expense of eating out, so I love making our meals "at home" when we are on vacation. So, when I take the train into town, it is like taking a mini vacation to me! I get to go tour one of my favorite places, downtown Salt Lake City, and still come home to have dinner.

4. I love spring and summer mornings. I have this ritual. Every morning around 5 AM in the late spring and all through summer, the sun is not up yet but it is still light outside. I go outside for the hour before the kids get up and work in my yard. There is no traffic, no kids, and it is not hot. It is like living in a dream garden and is so unbelievably peaceful. I love my yard. I love the flowers. And for an hour each day for half of the year, I love the peaceful quiet twilight I get to enjoy them with. I swear for me, it is better than a massage or chocolate, etc.

5. I love food. Unfortunately my body reflects this, but I really do love food. I have an entire other blog dedicated to food! If you look at my pinterest, 80% of my pins are food! I also grow lettuce in my yard every year. This is one reason I make the absolute best cheeseburger in the world. The lettuce and tomatoes I put on them could not possibly be any fresher than picking, washing and cutting. You want a fresh salad? I have the ultimate in fresh salad. Seriously if I could have a little restaurant where we get to pick the produce as the food is ordered, that would be epic.