1. Morning walks. I took so many pictures that my first attempt to put them all on this page crashed my browser. This week the weather and my body cooperated and I got to do all our normal walks. But y’all, it was COLD. Beautiful light, gorgeous sky, and we got out early enough and at the right place to see an owl one morning. Eric said they saw a coyote this morning, and because of where they saw it I now know why Ringo gets so excited and starts tracking every time we walk along that one side of the back cement pond.

2. Being able to unload my junk. This could apply to a lot of things but what I’m thinking of in this moment is the load I just took to ARC to donate. There has been a huge pile in the middle of our garage for months that we hadn’t gotten around to loading up and taking, (this winter was rough, y’all). I really really need to clear out my office but without that space in the garage to unload to while I reorganize it’s almost impossible. I had a few errands to run today and since Eric was home, I had him help me load up the car. When I got to ARC, I was laughing at myself because the two cars in front of me dropped off ONE bag each and when they got to my car, I told them, “everything in the back seat, on the floor, and in the way back goes.” One of the kids unloading said, “all of it?” and I said, “everything but the seat cover.”

3. Naps. I need one so bad today. Hopefully I can take care of that once I hit “publish.” I got a set of flannel sheets, have never had them as an adult, and oh wow do I love them. My bed really is one of my favorite places in the world and it’s now even more cozy.

4. Reading. One of the biggest regrets of my life will be not getting to read all the books I want to read. I love it so much, always have.

5. My tiny family, tiny home, tiny life. I love it here, so much.

Bonus joy: two little beloved boys turning two on the same day, stickers, my favorite fork and spoon, a new notebook, ink refills for the pen I thought I’d have to throw out, reusable grocery bags, bird song, that corner of the couch, my infrared heating pad, a warm shower, a cold glass of clean water, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, wild-ish writing, training with Shelby and the gang, hanging out with Mikalina, texting with Chris and Chloe’, the promise of spring, crayons, other people’s dogs, all the ways Eric helps and supports me, watching TV with him at night, sitting on the couch together doing nothing, making each other laugh, the way Ringo will just show up at random times throughout the day asking for some love, documentaries, true crime, music, poetry and poets, massage, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.

1. Morning walks. Once again this week we had snow and morning temperatures that were below zero, so I only got to go on one walk. The rest of the days, Ringo ran with Eric and a few mornings were so cold even that wasn’t an option. The day I got to go was gorgeous. I’ve been going a bit earlier to still be able to catch the sunrise and be out before most people, to feel like we have the whole world to ourselves for a bit.

2. So many canceled plans. I felt a real need for some space this week, unscheduled time, and thought how nice it would be to “take the week off.” Then the week started and things got canceled left and right without me needing to do a thing. I really needed it and had some good rest as well as got some good work done.

3. Trying new recipes. And how easy that is with so many good recipe websites. I’m currently looking for ways to get lots of fiber and vegetables in recipes that are satisfying in all the ways. They don’t always turn out how you’d hoped, and sometimes they prove to be something you’d never make again, but I enjoy and appreciate the process. I’m grateful for the content creators who share recipes, for the internet that gives me access, and for the privilege that gives me the ability to find and pay for the ingredients and cooking utensils and appliances and electricity I need.

4. Writing. I’m trying a new approach to working on “The Book”, which is turning in to as many as five books as I make my way, and it’s really been helping. I tend to immerse myself in a project 110%, don’t take the breaks I need or pace myself and end up confused or burnt out, and I have old lingering perfectionist tendencies. It’s all or nothing. Not only does this make the process difficult, uncomfortable, and no fun, it means I’m not getting much accomplished other than beating myself up. I started offering myself some grace this past week — “you only have to write for an hour and a half and try to get 500 words, then stop and do something else, and if you can’t work on it every single day, that’s okay.” These short bursts have keep things fresh and more interesting for me, less like homework or a chore. I also keep reminding myself that I’m learning something new and that takes time and a lot of mistakes, that it’s all part of the process.

5. My tiny family, tiny home, tiny life. Sitting on the couch with Eric talking about all the important things and nothing at all, watching Antiques Roadshow together, cooking together, taking care of each other, laughing at Ringo and making each other laugh. 

Bonus joy: new spices, snow days, sitting in the sauna with Eric, swimming laps at the pool, the hydromassage chair, training with Shelby and the gang, texting with Chris and Chloe’ and Mom, sharing Instagram reels with Mikalina and Shellie, meditating early in the morning, the new flannel sheets I got (so soft!), stickers, raspberries, albacore tuna, cucumbers, walnuts, salt and sugar and pepper, citrus, clean sheets, a big glass of cool clean water, a warm shower, soft towels, down pillows and blankets, a warm dog, opening all the windows for a bit to let some fresh air in even when it’s cold outside, cupcakes and muffins, gummy supplements, borrowing eBooks from the library, having lost things worth grieving, the promise of our garden, birds in the feeder, the chance to start over and begin again, listening to podcasts and audiobooks and music, flowers, trees, houseplants (seriously, the amount of effort required is so small compared to the joy they give), Insight timer, my moon lamp, poetry and poets, reading in bed while Eric and Ringo sleep.