morning mood

Is there anything better than listening to music in bed while drinking coffee and spooning your dog, and then he sighs, puts his paw on your hand, and cuddles deeper into the crook of your shoulder? (The answer is no.)

i scream

After a years-long relationship with Cherry Garcia, I'm revisiting an old flame, Haagen Dazs strawberry ice cream, and remembering why I loved it in the first place.

small victories

I may have finally figured out how to do a ponytail that doesn't look sloppy by the end of the day. It only took 41 years.

pop

Finally, a well timed zit pop. 

best monday morning

Best start to a week: drinking coffee in bed while sandwiched between my two favorite dogs.

rolling with it

The utterly busy relaxation, the mindless plans, and the class excitement of safari are so awesome. More stars in Botswana than even Namibia, and lots of big cats eating their kills. My camera has decided it only wants to work intermittently with a lot of fussing, so I won't get as many great shots, but the theme of this trip, what with its last minute genesis, Boyfriend's passport issues, and my camera, seems to be "roll with it," and it seems to be something I'm getting better at with time. Simple pleasures like a cozy bed on a cold desert night, hot porridge with honey before the sun comes up, a lazy afternoon nap in between game drives, and the unexpected click of the shutter when my camera decides it's willing to take a photo, all of these are delightful bits of each day.

to do

Watch more sunsets.

greatest hits

When you wear one of your favorite old t-shirts and remember why it's a favorite.

say cheese

It bears repeating: cheesy toast is the perfect snack.

birks weather

Hello, Birks, I've missed you!!

what's that smell

When you find not one, but two new perfumes that you love, in addition to getting a new bottle of one that you already loved, every day is a delicious choice.

surround sound

When there's rain hitting the roof, have your Google Home play rain sounds inside.

fresh start

When you use a new lip balm for the first time, and you almost don't want to, because it is so pristine.

gimme some love

I couldn't stop laughing when Boss Dog couldn't get close enough at work today.

well rested

Over ten hours of sleep last night, the first long sleep in a while. Also, appreciating more than ever the value of keeping old and making new female friendships. Also also, the wonder of breathing through both nostrils still gets me at least once a week.

looking for good

Our government might be burning down, but I got maybe a dozen or so of my coworkers to play games and drink some of my cheap beer after work, and remember that they like each other, and I've got my boss's dog staying with me for the weekend with no real plans, so I foresee a lot of cuddling and making out with dogs on the couch, which is good for the soul.

so soothing

I know nature sounds, lavender essential oil, and the color blue are supposed to be calming, but I think I lean towards the sound, smell, and sight of my dog as he sighs happily while napping.

simple and delicious

Gazpacho, charcuterie, and cheese toast (finished with a broil) is the easiest delicious summer lunch.

day of rest

And after a day of being out and about, doing things, seeing people, it's lovely to have a day of staying in bed in pajamas, reading and dozing.

what to wear

A few of us at work who often accidentally dress the same have now mapped out simple criteria for each day (today is hoodie day, bonus points for featuring the color maroon), and it is so simple and dorky, but it makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier and faster.