some of my favorite things...right now

My study. 

I call it a study, but it is my haven away from everything and everyone. When I step inside the door of this room I feel all the tensions of the day just sort of wash away. Here is where I get to be totally "myself", usually in my most comfortable garb, t-shirt and shorts or sweats. No need for pomp and circumstance in my little haven. Here is where I read and write, where I listen to my music and where I visit with my friends, either online or via phone. I have a most comfy couch in here, a nice coffee table, some basic side tables, a large book shelf and another chair, a hickory rocker, that was Amish made and a wedding gift from my husband's parents. My writing table is a a folding table. One day I hope to purchase a wooden desk, but until I find the perfect desk, this table will do. I'm a simple girl, I don't need everything to be fancy and perfect, as long as it is comfortable. 

Music

Recently I was watching this commercial on television, and I heard the music, not really watching the commercial itself and I paused and repeated the commercial a zillion times until I had some of the words and then I set off to Google it and to see if I could find the song and sure enough, there it was! I love the arrangement, I love the words and when I heard the whole thing together I liked loved it. It was a bit "Olympic" for me. Check out the official video on youtube if you like. The video is pretty good and I should say, I'm not into rap music at all, so this was interesting to me that I enjoyed this song so much. 

This song is by The Script and Will.I.Am and is called Hall of Fame. 

The other song that is interesting for me is by the band, Passenger. 

Three things stand out for me, 1. The singers voice. It is distinct and interesting. I was paging through the radio one day and heard this voice. I quit paging and listened and wished I could hit replay. 2. I heard the music in the background, some for soulful instrument that is so beautiful. I don't think it is a violin, but for sure a string instrument. So, so pretty. 3. The lyrics, an almost "Song of Solomon" kind of song, don't you think? A little bit melancholy, a little bit philosophy. I took the liberty to copy and paste the lyrics below so you can read them. You can also find the official video over on youtube if you are interested in hearing it. 

Let Her Go. 

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go

Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch, surely dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go

Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
Because love comes slow and it goes so fast

Well you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
Because you loved her too much and you dive too deep

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go
Oh, oh, oh no
And you let her go
Oh, oh, oh no
Well you let her go

Because you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go

Because you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go

My Necklace

A year ago I had a couple pretty stressful things going on in my life and I was having a very hard time coping and some days I felt lost and like I couldn't remember who I was on the inside. I was going through the motions of living, tossed to and fro, it seemed. I was really troubled with how things were shaping up and felt like I needed a physical reminder to prompt me of who I am and wanted to be.

So, one Saturday just about a year ago I was out shopping for my "mother of the groom" dress for my son's wedding and on my way home I kept thinking about how lost I felt all the time and decided to stop off at a jewelry store and see what they have. I wanted a necklace or something to be there to remind me of who I am. I walked inside and the very nice young sales girl helped me pick out a pretty cross necklace. I made my purchase and walked out of there feeling better somehow. I have worn that necklace nearly every day since making the purchase. During the day I like to reach up and feel it there, or when I go to the restroom and happen to look in the mirror and see it hanging there around my neck it makes me smile and remember, "I'm not lost, I'm not powerless to cope, I'm a daughter of God and that is all I need."

I don't know if this could possibly make sense to anyone else, but having this reminder around my neck has been a helpful tool for me and so I guess if nobody else understands, that is OK, because it has really worked for me. To be clear, the necklace itself is not doing anything only reminding me of who I am. 

So, now, bear with me, amateur hour is coming up. I tried SO hard to get a picture of my necklace to show you. I spent all kinds of time shooting it in various angles and lighting and really came up with nothing really good. 

I have this frame to display pictures hanging over my writing area, I keep pictures there that I've taken and inspire me in some way. That is the necklace hanging there. 

Then I hung the necklace on a lampshade and it proved just as sad as the first picture. the little curve over the cross is a rose gold and the cross itself is white gold with small diamonds in it. You can't see any details here, just the shape. 

I hung it over a pitcher I painted. 

The best close up I could get. 

And there you have it a few of my favorite things, some longer lasting than others, but I wanted to mention them here tonight. 

What are some of your favorite things?