My Favorite Things

This week the gals over at I ♥ Faces are taking a break from contests and asking their followers to write a story in pictures.  The theme being “My Favorite Things.”   Am I the only person that immediately hears Julie Andrews start singing whenever I hear that phrase?  I hope not.  These are just a few of my favorite things (well, the ones I have photos for anyway).

 Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I love the colors, the smells, the crisp air.  I wish it were longer.  It seems there aren’t enough days to fit in all the activities I like to do in the fall.  Last year, we drove up to Niagara Falls when the fall foliage was just at its peak.  Gorgeous!!! 

Birds

I have loved birds ever since I can remember.  I may have written before that my mom bought me a coloring book of common backyard birds when I was about 5 or 6.  That was the beginning of wanting to know the names of every single one I saw.

Butterflies

How could anyone have a list of favorite things and not have butterflies on it somewhere?  Just watching them flutter around makes me happy.  We raised ten American Painted Ladies last summer.  It was fascinating to watch them go through the stages.  I am learning the different species we have thanks to my new favorite field guide Butterflies of Ohio.

Family

How can I even begin to describe how blessed I am.  I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful, healthy children.  Sometimes I miss the cute baby/toddler days, but I have to say that I really am enjoying the ages they are right now. 

Field Guides

These are my favorite tools that help to quench my thirst for knowledge.  When I see something I never noticed before, I simply must know what it is.  In order to learn more, you must first know the name of the subject you want to study.

Flowers

Nothing profound to say here, I just love them.  I am partial to native plants and wildflowers, though I do plant other things as well.  My gardens are designed (and I use that term loosely) with butterflies in mind.  Perennials and flowers that readily re-seed themselves are my plants of choice.  Oh, and presumably they are deer-resistant.  Although, I think the deer will chew anything if they are hungry enough.

Friends

I am blessed to have wonderful friends.  I wish I had room to share photos of each one of them!  I’ve been able to reconnect with several from school through Facebook, and that has been a blast.  And I’ve got new friends through blogging whom I have never actually met.  What fun!  I love meeting new people.  And as fun as the good times are with my friends, I’ve come to realize the treasure they truly are as they have supported me through some of life’s most difficult times.

Hiking

My favorite activity by far.  Breathing the fresh air, exploring God’s marvelous creation.  It energizes my mind, body and spirit.

Onyx

Our family cat turned 17 on Sunday.  She’s an old girl, for sure, but just as sweet and beautiful as the day we brought her home from the Humane Society.

So how about you?  What are your favorite things?