Friday, January 29, 2010

Favorite Things

As of this week, my blog has received over ten thousand views since its inception three years ago. While I know there are many blogs that receive that many views in a single day, it's still touching (and a little humbling) to think a few people care enough about what I think to drop by here that many times.

I considered writing something profound for this momentous occasion, but I decided to follow my friend Liesl's lead and do something fun instead. So with out further ado, I give you a list of ten of my favorite things:

The Gospel
Every good thing in my life--present, future, and eternal--stems from Jesus Christ and His teachings. His Gospel is a constant source of hope, perspective, strength, and inspiration to me.

My Family
My husband, kids, and extended family bring such joy to my life (no pun intended).

Books
I love learning, and I love good stories. My all-time favorite book is Garlic and Sapphires.

Cookbooks
Yes, they deserve their own category. I love cooking and trying new recipes, so every page of a cookbook is a potential new adventure. My favorite cookbook is probably How to Be a Domestic Goddess, not because I actually use it that much, but because the photos are luscious and it always inspires. As for which collection of recipes I use the most (aside from my own cookbook), I love trying things in the Taste of Home magazines I subscribe to.

Kitchen Gadgets
Something about kitchen stuff just makes me happy. I'm particularly fond of my citrus zester,* probably because it makes me feel like I'm some sort of haute cuisine diva (and sometimes I am, but usually not).

Public Radio
My local public radio station is brain food for me. I rarely turn it on at home (cuz I'd get nothing done), but I nearly always listen to it when I'm in the car. I like the fact that they strive for balanced, in-depth news coverage, and I enjoy the segments on books, current happenings, global culture, you name it.

Blogs
I love different blogs for different reasons. Some are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. Others provide recipes or entertainment (or both). Still others offer inspiration when I'm having a rough time and need a smile.

Walks
I'm so grateful to live in So Cal, where even in the dead of winter I can take the kids on a walk for some fresh air. It rejuvenates the soul, and is the best cure I've found for cabin fever.

Gardens
I'm a compulsive gardener. Not necessarily a skilled one, mind you, but I am persistent. Since I'm currently an apartment dweller my garden presently consists of lots of herbs and greens in pots. When I think of my future dream house, I don't dwell much on the interior; I tend to think most about the yard (and the kitchen--duh). In the meantime, I garden vicariously through other people.

And last but not least . . .

Foaming Hand Soap
I'm ridiculously fond of BBW's Gentle Foaming Hand Soaps. It's hard to say exactly why. I guess the kid in me loves that they make bubbles and smell good. The OCD adult in me is kind of picky about fragrances, though, especially since I have to find one that my husband won't mind exuding each time he emerges from the bathroom. I wouldn't mind smelling like wild honeysuckle, but it's hard to imagine Phillip splashing that fragrance on before heading to school. I like Coconut Lime Verbena, and I think Phillip does, too (if he hated it, he would have said as much by now); Kitchen Lemon is a good choice, as well.

Cheers!

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*Note: I don't actually own the zester I linked to; I couldn't find a picture of mine.

4 comments:

Cathy said...

I came back today after a few disappointing attempts to find new stuff here. Holy Cow (not referring to my child's most treasured thing)! You are alive!

I'm never gonna forget the domestic goddess display in our kitchen...

Kimberly Bluestocking said...

Good to hear from you, too. :)

I think my brother gave me the Domestic Goddess cookbook around the time we were roommates. I made a lot of Baklava Muffins in that kitchen.

Serena said...

Thank you for putting your thoughts here they are fun to read and remind me that it is normal to be an at home mom with all these ideas and being smart and dealing with life, since the world makes us feel that we should be working 12 hours a day and have our kids in daycare and have a maid and drive a suburban and a two story house and 30,000 dollars in debt, or there is something wrong with us LOL

Kimberly Bluestocking said...

Some days I have ideas buzzing in my head like bees for hours. Other days I feel like the only things I think about are keeping kids fed, rested, and reasonably clean. :)