It's the Little Things

 I got to my office at about 7:15 this morning. My office, you know, is just a few steps from my bedroom. I had forgotten to program the coffee pot last night, so I was thinking about going upstairs to make some when I spotted a Starbucks cup sitting on my desk. My first thought was that it was just a left-over cup that I had forgotten to toss, but... I didn't have Starbucks yesterday.

I reached out to touch it. Perhaps it was just a mirage? Nope. It was still warm.

I cautiously took a sip. Ahhhh... Grande Decaf Caramel Macchiato Extra-Hot (or at least it probably had been an hour earlier when my sweet man left it there for me). Just the way I like it! Lyle had driven to Starbucks, then stopped back by home to slip in and leave a coffee for me before going on to work.

I popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds, then sat there sipping my latte and counting my blessings...

1. being married to such a thoughtful, hard-working, romantic man
2. an office all to myself (though I've really got to get it organized soon!)
3. a cute doggy who also adores the man
4. daughters who are also thoughtful and hard-working to keep up with the house and such while I'm working frantically on project deadlines

My blessings, of course, are far more numerous than that. But it was time to start my day.

Etsy Treasury Lists

I have had way more fun that I ever thought I would with my little Etsy shop the past few months. It's been interesting to see the things people like, and what sells. I have also enjoyed the social networking part of the Etsy experience. One feature I really like is the Treasury List. This is where anyone can chose 16 things they like (usually based on a theme) from different vendors and put the pictures together to share. I've had fun building Treasury Lists of my own, but I am especially excited when someone else features one of my items in a Treasury List. Here are some of the recent Treasury Lists that feature something from my shop:

Crochet Fashions features my crocheted lace cuffs. I love the dainty, lacy selections in this collection.

  Coffee with Cream features my set of coffee-colored crocheted washcloths.

My Room is Like a Bit of June features my sage-and-ecru set of crocheted washcloths. Doesn't this seem like a cozy room?

 A Dash of Sage also features my sage-and-ecru washcloths. Sage is currently one of my favorite colors.

I'm honored to be included in these beautiful Treasury Lists. What are some of your favorite finds on Etsy?

My Messy Office

If we waited until we "had time" to do anything, I suspect we'd never get anything done, would we?

Earlier this week Lyle mentioned that he thought he'd like a corner desk for a change. His desk is in the family room and he thought it would be a better fit than the desk he was currently using. As it happens, he had been using the beautiful roll-top desk we bought for me several years ago. I had his corner desk in my office. We had traded desks soon after we moved into this house. I can't remember why. So when he started talking like that, I happily volunteered to trade back with him.

Now, in our family, Lyle is the one who likes to rearrange the furniture. I know, it's usually the wife-- but not me. Maybe I'm just too lazy. I don't know. In any case, when he decides to move things around he doesn't waste any time. So Tuesday evening we swapped desks. And now I have boxes of office clutter and files sitting all around me. What a mess!

Not only that, but I'm in the middle of a major work project that is due in less than 2 weeks... and then I'll be out-of-town for a few days. I'm hopeful that I can get it all put back together after that. Then I'll have to show you how nice my office looks with my pretty desk.

In the meantime, I probably won't be blogging much.

I Love My Library

I'm blogging today about why "I Love My Library" over on the Sonlight blog. What's your favorite library resource? I'd love to know!

Winter Days

Winter has been late in making her appearance in Idaho this year. That hasn't hurt my feelings much at all. I like having four distinct seasons, but it is my opinion that they should each get exactly 3 months to abide with us! When Winter sneaks in well before the official end of Fall and then lingers around way past when the calendar says it's supposed to be Spring-- well, to put it kindly, she quite wears out her welcome. I hate to tell it on her, but that's what she usually does around here most years.

Not this year. For the past 3 weeks or so we enjoyed day after day of sunshine. Chilly sunshine, to be sure, but after all, it is January. I was happy to soak it in while it lasted. I knew Spring couldn't possibly be arriving this early. I was a little concerned that if we didn't get more snow we might be suffering from a drought come next summer. And much to the delight of the young fry (a la L.M. Montgomery) the snow has finally come.

I took the picture of our backyard  yesterday, and the one of the bistro table on our deck this morning. I expect it will be awhile before I'll be sitting out there for coffee again. The snow is still coming down and piling up even higher. The kids have been out romping in it until their cheeks are rosy and they are worn out...

...ready to come in and snuggle under a blankie with a good book on one's new Christmas Kindle.

We're enjoying the days!