Usually, there’s a bittersweet sense about closing out another year. But as we come to the end of this one, I can’t say I’m too sad about bidding farewell. There’s something to be said, though, about tough times challenging us to grow and reprioritize. I’ve learned over the course of this year that, while I can’t change my circumstances, I can change what I focus my energy and attention toward, and it’s actually been a pretty fulfilling exercise. Just like Julie Andrews sang in The Sound of Music, simply remembering my favorite things has helped me keep a smile on my face and my sanity intact.
Here are but a few:
Wood-burning fires
Angry duck quacks (follow @garyandlaxrryshow to see what I mean)
Sun tea (Thank you Dallas weather)
Incense, inside and out
Hôtel Costes Radio
Aesop hand soap
Mom’s Butterball soup (a German family recipe)
Bandanas on my pup, Bernice
Sending my husband a list of things I want on TheYes
Shearling everything (that goes for Birkenstocks, too!)
Rearranging rooms to fall in love with them all over again
Cookies from The Festive Kitchen
Caftans for cocktails
Cire Trudon candles
Yellowstone on repeat
Backyard clippings
Organized garages
Adirondack chairs
Down comforters and linen sheets
Vinyls on a record player (especially Sturgill Simpson)
Outdoor dinners on my new screened porch
Shop Laubhan-Oliver’s picks with the gallery below.
