"I simply remember my favorite things...

....and then I don't feeeeel soooo baaad!" - Maria

Question: Why is this considered a Christmas song? I've been listening to a Christmas radio station and heard this song at least 3 times. I mean, I love it. But Christmassy? Isn't the entire movie set in Spring and Summer? Some of Maria's favorite things are kinda wintry, I guess. I just always relate the song to the movie, and the movie is totally not a Christmas movie.

Anyways, the non-Christmas Christmas song got me thinking. I wonder what things I would sing about to calm 7 frightened Austrian children during a thunder storm...jk, jk. This is simply a list of things that I find enjoyable/inspiring/cool for anyone who cares enough to be interested.I also threw in some leftover "what I'm thankful for" things that didn't get used up @ Thanksgiving.

1) Scented Hand Sanitizer from Bath & Body Works If you want your hands to feel clean, but not smell like pesticide, this is for you. It's wonderful. I use it all the time.


2) Natural Life products: My mom, Aunt Teresa & I discovered this at a store in Longview and I fell in like. I really like the pillows that look hand stitched, very cute. I bought this one.

3) The song "5 Years Time" by Noah and the Whale I dare you to listen to this and be in a bad mood.

4) Heifer International. This is the organization that we have chosen to donate to this year for Christmas as a family (Mayfield Cousins) I think it is very fitting considering our farming/agriculture background. If you happen to be a member of the Mayfield cousins and you have not donated your share (ahhem, Trevor), then please see the long list of family emails that you have not read yet and find the link.

5) Clorox Wipes I use these all the time, like the hand sanitizer, but it's ok if these smell like cleaner. I love coming into my bathroom and it smells like Clorox. I'm turning into my mother.

6) Ayala Bar Jewelry This is an Israeli artist that makes the most beautiful jewelry that I've ever seen. It's so colorful and different. I'm inspired by it.

7) Ray Lamontagne His voice sounds kinda old fashioned, which is what I like about him. I like his new album, but it's all pretty good.

8) Sonic. Sonic Drinks. Sonic Commercials I just love me some Sonic. I miss the Abilene Sonic though, the one closest to me stinks, literally and figuratively.

9) Vintage Pyrex. For some reason I've gotten into 50's vintage dishes. Maybe because they are so well made, and cheap. I got a set of casserole dishes at an antique store back home in this same color for MUCH less than the price listed on this site.

10) Scarves. The best winter accessory. I really like the soft snuggely ones. (could this be a serious Christmas hint?)

11) Teapots. Tea is awesome! I can't believe I never drank hot tea until recently. And teapots, what an adorably round and cheerful shape they are! I'm not sure why I'm just realizing this, but lately I've been drawn to any teapot that I run across.

12) Wassily Kandinsky This guy is one of my favorite artists of all time. He used music as the inspiration for his paintings so they are all extremely colorful and full of movement. I think they are incredible.

13) ACU. Every time I go back there, I'm flooded with nothing but fond memories. Since I've been out of "the bubble" for a while, I realize that not everyone gets to have such a great college experience. Wildcatz 4 life.

14) And......last but NOT least, this amazing, exciting, incomprehensible fact.

That's it. Sorry this is so long. Just know that I could have added much more to this list. I like a lot of stuff. Thanksgiving pics to come soon.