National Blog Posting Month: aka "My Favorite Things"

I am participating in National Blog Posting Month, or whatever it's called. I thought of doing the novel writing thing, but I just couldn't draw the commitment out of myself and knew I would be set for failure. It is part of my "Back on Track to begin writing more often so I decided to start here.

I seem to do better when I have a theme for my posts. The year I did Blog 365 (and succeeded!) I decided that the least I had to write each day was one thing for which I was grateful. I am sort of keeping with that. When the Emily and Michael were younger and both lived at home during November I would often have them say something they were grateful for before we ate dinner. Some nights I forgot, but we did it pretty frequently.

This month I am going to do it, but maybe with a little twist for me - I am going to be materialistic - yep you got it - when I said "things" in the title, I really meant it! I am going to post photos of THINGS. Some of them may have a great history or story to them and that is what makes them a favorite. Some of them are just beautiful. Some just make me happy. Some were just a good bargain, and I love a good bargain! I started by taking some pictures around the house last night so tonight's first favorite THING is....

... a beautifully woven table runner/mat that I now use for a wall hanging. The very first year I bought my house I started have long-term house guests. My friend Sirpa's family came to visit from Finland. Her grandparents stayed with us for almost three weeks. They spoke no English and the only Finnish I could speak was to tell Jonathan "no" and "hot" and play "Peek-a-boo." They were wonderful and we spoke pidgin Finnish and pidgin English and gestured a lot and it was fun. We had more than one dinner with ALL the family here in my house and it was grand. They always complimented my cooking and you know of course, that made them even more dear to me. I believe in USING things you love. Unfortunately I used and washed this so often that it started to wear a little. That is why it hangs with the one end tucked under. Sirpa's grandmother made this especially for me and I will cherish it always. It is an amazing reminder of a friendship, of learning of a culture, of having a friend whom I will always love.. and the rye bread that Grandmother also brought, carrying it off the airplane in a brown paper bag!