I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s “favorite things” and thinking through my own. I love it when we get intentional about making a list like this…doesn’t it just make you want to give a shout out of praise?

Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of my favorites:

• a day with just the right temperature, no humidity, bright sunshine and a light breeze
• the fragrance of orange blossoms, confederate jasmine and gardenias
• quiet time with my wonderful God, especially surrounded by nature
• a hot cup of Tazo “Refresh” tea
• any and everything about a bookstore – the smell…the ambience…the, um, BOOKS
• the feeling of anticipation when I begin a new book
• everything about travel – even schlepping around an airport
• my little dog when he looks as though he’s hanging on my every word
• my girls in the middle of side-splitting laughter
• cooking, while listening to Dean Martin
• having my whole house open to the outdoors
• a fire built from pinion wood
• time spent anywhere at all with my man
• a long, hot bath with lavender (or any of the aforementioned fragrances) bath oil
• my own white chocolate cheesecake (actually, just about anything I bake, which is why I don’t do it all that often anymore!)
• the New Living Translation Study Bible – I’ve started using it to enrich my study and I LOVE it! (This does not, nor will it ever, replace my beloved NIV that is a ratty mess!)
• my MacBook. Oh. My. Word.
• my iPhone. Oh. My. Word. Times. Two.
• The Secret Garden – a precious book from childhood by Frances Hodgson Burnett (illustrated by Tasha Tudor)
• my bicycle with the basket on the front in which my little dog rides (a la Toto)
• the sound of water, be it a fountain, waterfall, babbling brook or the ocean tide
• a good thunderstorm
• homemade soup on a cold day
• the written word
• high quality paper and writing materials
• getting mail the old-fashioned way
• going to the movies
• fine dining
• a unique, boutique hotel that has thought of every detail before I have
• old movies
• historic buildings and homes – heck, just history in general!
• a well-thought out SURPRISE!
• learning
• laughter through tears
• reunions with family and old friends
• days when I don’t have to go anywhere
• a deep, thoughtful conversation
• traveling the road home…with you

So, without further ado, the winner of my Favorite Things Giveaway is (according to the random number generator on my sidebar) #22… Patty! Congratulations! It has been my amazing privilege to meet a fair share of my blogging friends; Patty is one of them, making her a precious real-life friend, too! Girfriend, I’ll be in touch to get your mailing address. Some of my faves on the list may or may not be included in your box (I especially wouldn’t get your hopes up about the MacBook or the iPhone – I’m just saying!). Remember, one of my greatest favorites is a SURPRISE!!

Thanks, again, to all of you for playing along and sharing life with me. Like I said before, no list of favorites would be complete without YOU!