1.  photos, artwork, and an array of magnets all over my refrigerator

2.  a Zentangle that says “all blessings, no complaints!”

3.  a goofy fairy garden plant shelf with a jade plant, cactus, a wild succulent, and Chinese bamboo

4.  my multi-colored Fiesta ware — fun and practical!

5.  the big kitchen table which has hosted lots of friends and family over the years (and will continue it’s gracious reception of lots of people in the future!)

6.  the big kitchen table which is my office and where I do my artwork

7.  looking out the window at a tree and a bird feeder, what a view!

8.  red and white gingham checked chair seats – yellow and white gingham wallpaper

9.  a window with cobalt blue glass, paperweights, stained glass, a fairy, and a dish of real robin’s eggs

10.  a huge Smurf poster and little Smurfs on a shelf.  I love Smurfs!

11.  silk purple tulips given to me by my dear friend Suzy!

12.  shelving up by the ceiling — figures of Betty Boop, Howdy Doody, gnomes, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, “Where’s Waldo” (he’s on the shelf!), Daffy Duck, Shirley Temple pitcher, the decorated bowl from my childhood, and more!

13.  a gorgeous, large floral stained glass piece in the picture window!

14.  the Pillsbury Doughboy cookie jar that my beloved mother-in-law gave me over 35 years ago!

I could list 100 things easily, but I think you are getting the idea that I love, love, love our kitchen.  It is a happy place!

1. Helping my husband cut a tree down- he’s amazing to watch
2. Fresh salad
3. Walking in perfect weather
4. Clarity
5. Baby steps
6. Sitting on the balcony
7. Catching up with a friend, who’s opening a furniture thrift store in Barberton
8. Carefree days
9. Working on fun things
10. This moment

1. The sound of my son’s laughter…He’s always been such a happy boy. <3

2. Taking pictures of my dog…She's such a joy!

3. Brainstorming with a friend…It's so much fun to listen and give input about upcoming projects.

4. Gardening as a family…It's so rewarding.

5. Finding out what a good and trustworthy friend Logan is

6. Listening to that inner voice even when I would rather ignore it…It's always for the best, but not always easy!

7. I took a nice long nap this afternoon.

8. To do lists

9. Finding a way to help someone in need

10. Gratitude <3

• Holding out both hands, palms up…
• …left hand, I clean the closet top to bottom…
• …right hand, we go to the lake…
• …what to do?!…wellll, right is right, right?!
• Even more convincing is Garrett’s link of Henrik’s great summer advice!  Thanks Garrett :)
• Grabbed the fishing poles and lawn chairs and joined friends at the lake!!
• Hearing Phil’s stories about his escapades in his home State of Maine…fun!
• Charlie, his pet rabbit, loves coffee and toast :)
• “Snipe” hunting….if you’ve ever done it, you’ll never forget :)
• Sapphire mines in the hills across the lake.

1. Yoga on the covered porch at twilight
2. Fireflies
3. Came across a toad in my front flower bed today- at first he scared me to death (the ground moved!) but now I think it’s pretty cool :)
4. Weeding. Such a meditative task, and sometimes it seems pointless. But then I think, isn’t just about everything pointless in the grand scheme of things? Things only have the meaning we assign to them…
5. Obviously weeding is a great thinking time for me
6. Quiet forest after dark
7. The night calls of the birds, the rhythms of the crickets
8. Slightly cooler, moist night air
9. Peace
10. This

• Gson traveling to Vermont
• Son and fam to Santa Barbara, CA
• Dave and Abe’s motorcycles..awesome
• Fondly remembering my Schwinn bicycle of eons ago :)
• 5 yr. old Ryer’s love of his Gpa’s “big blue truck”
• AJ and family’s golf addiction :)
• Looking at a flea market Maytag wringer washer…
• …grateful that I have a washer/dryer to do my laundry
• More rain, but not the cannon thunder of several days ago
• One of Oprah’s favorite things: “Gratitude as a daily spiritual practice. Every day I bless my life by counting my blesings.”

1. Having Logan home safe and sound…He and Ellie went for a bike ride and when it started getting dark, we started to panic. The two dads were out on bikes looking for them while Ellie’s mother and I were driving around, looking for them. At 10:00 they showed up just when we had gone into full freak out mode…I have never been so relieved! It is not like them to pull such a stunt, but apparently they had quite a little adventure. <3

2. My husband remained calm and was sure that they were safe. He was out on his bike when I called him to say they were home, and he was amazing.

3. Taking Wayne out for Father's Day brunch with money I earned…

4. The nice talk I had with Ellie's mom about what an important relationship our kids have…

5. The cute little homeschool girl that I met in Oberlin. She was set up across from me, selling jewelry that she made. Of course I bought a bracelet from her. She was the same age as Logan and reminded me of him and his cookie sales. :)

6. Having enough money to pay the bills and keep up our old house…As much as I really couldn't stand military life, I'm glad he served long enough to retire.

7. Getting up early in the morning and getting things done

8. Taking the rest of the day off

9. Logan's full social calendar…He is so amazing!

10. Evening dog walks…

Last week was a busy, wonderful week, with so many highlights.  Here are some of my favorite positive moments:

An early morning ride to Akron to have breakfast with Bill Jones, master leather craftsman, and creator of the most beautiful leather handbags and belts anywhere.  Bill is an octogenarian and a man of many talents.  He loves to tell jokes and stories, and he regaled us with tales of his adventures – and there were many!  Wonderful conversation and good food shared with a man who won our hearts years ago!

The opportunity to see the CVS store where my daughter, Kylia is the assistant manager.  It looked beautiful, and we met so many nice co-workers of Kylia’s.  We were hoping to meet her boss, Nick, but he wasn’t there.  I later learned he was waiting to surprise us at Hardesty Park, as part of the incredible flash mob!

After the surprise at Hardesty Park, I enjoyed a delicious meal at the Blue Door Café, with my daughters and my friend, Katie!  Scrumptious food, great conversation (mostly about the flash mob) and lots of laughter.

A Google Hangout (video chat) with my niece, Kim, who lives in North Carolina.  She teaches in an elementary school, and pioneered the “flipped classroom” in her area.  Kim and I have always had very similar ideas about teaching and learning, and both of us have had a passion for utilizing technology to enrich children’s learning experiences. Loved being able to chat with her, and to see her!  Even had a few minutes to chat with her son, Carlos, who is now in college!  What fun!

Another evening, two of my best friends stopped in, and Kylia and Kari and I went to dinner with them, at a local restaurant that I had been wanting to try,  The manicotti baked in a stone oven caught my eye on the menu, and it lived up to my expectations!  Yum!  Lots of giggles, chatter and yumminess!!

One of my friends brought me a giant container of blueberries!  I LOVE blueberries!  Our local grocery store only sells very tiny containers of them, and they’re pricey.  What fun to have a big box of them!

My friend, Shelli, sent lots of photos from the homeschoolers picnic that was held last Sunday, at a park on the shore of Lake Erie.  I got to experience the joy of that day all over again, just by looking at all the snapshots!  So many wonderful families!  How fortunate I am to know all these terrific people!

On Friday, I received a large envelope from our friend, Bill Jones, the man the man we met for breakfast on Wednesday morning.  In the envelope was a lovely letter saying how much he enjoyed seeing us again, and a stack of papers filled with comics, jokes and stories.  Bill is a man with a great sense of humor, a tender heart, and kind spirit!  So grateful to know him!

Yesterday, my good friend, Demetrius, stopped by with her husband and their children!  What a delightful afternoon!  We had a good time visiting with them, reminiscing and catching up on everything that has happened in recent years.  Perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon!

I am trying to catch up on all of my mail and emails and messages.  I am deeply grateful for the kindness of so many people.  Thank you for the cards, visits, calls, text messages, Facebook messages and offers of assistance!  I am amazed by the number of people that are willing to pause in their busy lives to do so many kind things for me and for my family!