We’re ten days in to 2025, so I decided to make a top ten list of my favorite things about this year so far.

1. Fires in the fireplace. There is no substitute for a wood burning fire in the living room on a cold night.
2. A snowy day. Today it snowed 6 inches here in East Tennessee. I love watching it. I enjoy looking at all the posts about it. I really love knowing all my people are right here with me in the house.
3. The days are getting longer already. I have great respect for the solstice. I also truly dislike long, dark days. Going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark cannot be good for a person’s soul.
4. Using, wearing, eating my Christmas presents! All those goodies come in handy in wintry weather. New clothes for the new year are morale boosters. And new candles, kitchen gear, and wine glasses make for pleasant dinnertime prep and enjoyment.
5. Church. The first Sunday of the new year, our minister said, congrats you’re batting 100% (@1 for 1). Funny. True. And motivating.
6. Pilates. I pretty much threw up after both of my sessions this week. For someone who viscerally hates working out, getting back into the groove of taking care of me felt weirdly good.
7. I get to have extra time with my college boy. Yes he holes up in his room and complains that I have no food. But, I get extra hugs and thank yous and lunch dates.
8. Books! Books will always make my list. I have read 3 books this year. Reading is my favorite. I’m always looking for a new novel or biography. Send me your suggestions!
9. Socks! Yes, it’s corny. I got several new pairs of warm fuzzy socks to wear in the house and I’m obsessed.
10. Photos. I’ve been organizing and updating my photos and a scrapbook of the boys I started a while back. It’s a monumental task. Iphones, Facebook, and Instagram just made it harder not easier!

And there you have it. My quiet, normal, everyday life full of favorite things help balance the life changing, upsidedown, frantic moments that never stop coming. There are alot of big moments in life, so I’m working hard to savor the small ones.

Love Y’all, Marla