Raindrops on Roses...

Today it is overcast outside, with rain gently falling. I have always liked the sound of the rain. Something about it is calming to me, almost cathartic.

And this got me to thinking about other things I love. I began by just thinking about them, then I got out a notebook and started writing them down. I found I had rather roughly categorized them by senses: sight, sound, touch, etc.

And then I thought I might like to share them with you here, as a lighter kind of post.

Without further ado, some of my favorite things:

Sounds:
The falling rain. The ocean. Laughter, especially from children. Church bells. Latin chants. Wind chimes. Crackling fires. Whistling tea kettles. Quiet.

Smells:
Coffee. Jasmine. Lavender. Beeswax. Clean babies, fresh from the tub. Cologne on my husband. Fresh laundry. Home made bread. Orange blossoms. Gardenia.

Sight:
Soft light. Sunsets. The smooth, glassy surface of a body of water. Nature. Flowers, especially lilies, sweet peas, daisies, sunflowers, jasmine and lotus blossoms. A star-filled sky. Hummingbirds. Rainbows.

Taste:
Sourdough bread. Fresh herbs, especially rosemary. Tea- all kinds- black, green, oolong, white, herbal. Scones with cream. Cheeses with crackers. Lemons. Gingerbread. Decent wine. Mineral water with lime. Fresh fruit, especially Honeycrisp apples or bananas or crisp, green grapes. Or sweet, ripe watermelons. Hot, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth pralines. French macaroons, most especially pistachio. Italian gelato. Nutella.

Touch/feel:
Hot showers/baths. Lathering up a creamy bar of soap. Snuggling under soft blankets with those I love. Crisp, smooth sheets. Deep, soft, fluffy pillows. Fuzzy socks. Soft, clean towels. Movements of precious babies in the womb.

Other:
My leather-bound Bible. Journals to write in. Stacks of books on my nightstand. Candles. Beautiful yarn and smooth knitting needles. Packages/letters in the mail. Essential oils. Gardens. Uncluttered spaces. Tom's shoes. Talking and laughing and sharing a life with my greatest loves. Libraries. Used bookshops.

I got started and had a hard time stopping; there are so very many things that I love in this life. I've certainly not created an exhaustive list. By no means. But perhaps this will give a tiny glimpse of some of the things that make up me. Not to say that these things personify me, but certainly you can tell a lot about a person by the things they cherish.

How about you, friends? What are some of the things you love most?

~amy danielle