Just a Few of my Favorite Things :)

Yes, lots of these are really cliche, but it doesn't make them any less true, or any less enjoyable to me, for that matter.  These are all things I wholeheartedly adore, and often get giddy over. Sometimes it's nice to remember the simple gifts that our Father in Heaven gives us on a daily basis. I've said it before, and I'll say it again- I am so thankful for my 5 senses.

The feel of sand or mud in between your toes.

 

Playing with blades of grass.

The sound, smell, and sight of fireworks.

 

Pumpkins.

Artwork by yours truly

Crunching fall leaves whilst walking down the sidewalk.

Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup on a cold day.

I'm not supposed to eat this, but sometimes I am guilty :)

Fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies.

  
Warm bathes.

Running/driving through deep rain puddles.

  
Gloomy days. Yes, I really do love them- they put me in such an interesting mood.

Sunny days and summer evenings.

Comfort food.

Mashed potatoes and gravy :) oh yeah!

Collecting items from vacation spots.

3 day weekends.

 Super starry nights.

  
The way trees look after a fresh snow fall or frosty night.

The smell of oil paints and turpentine.

 

Bouquets of flowers.

  
Swirled ice-cream cones.

 Fun printed wrapping paper.

Finding cute clothes on the clearance rack.

Glow sticks in the dark.

 Back rubs.

Babys chubby cheeks and toes.

Power outages (means for candles, flashlights, and spooky stories!)

Changing your hair color (and/or style).

Going into stores and restaurants that love celebrating holidays.

  
The sound of the little bell that goes off at the door when you walk into a boutique.

 Not expecting to win a prize or giveaway, and being notified that you're the winner.

Silly knee socks.

 Putting on warm, dry socks after your old ones have become soaked.

Taking the scenic route to work.

 Hearing a song for the first time, and falling in love with it.

Anni (and Vance's) 2012 Bucket List

I'm not really one for making new years resolutions. To be honest, I think they are pretty stupid and kind of pointless. Come February, nobody even cares about the goals they set for themselves, and are already settled back into their old habits. Okay, okay, so not everyone, I am sure, but a good majority anyway.....

What I prefer to do is create bucket lists of things I really want to do in my life, preferably realistic things I can see or accomplish within the upcoming year (or two). Here are just a couple of things I have thought of thus far:

1) Visit the Spiral Jetty.

I am from Utah, live in Utah, and have heard and learned so much about this beautiful, man-made Earth creation- yet I still have not visited it! This was actually on my bucket list for last year, but since I never wrote it down, or told anyone about it, it is up for grabs again this year. 

2) Visit the Salt Flats.

Same scenario as the first, so I'd really like to go there with Vance and take some cool pictures, which could easily kill 2 birds with one stone if you read the next item of my 2012 bucket list.

3) Get some cute, frame worthy photos taken of me and my hubby so we can update our picture frames in our house :) Salt flats is looking like some cool scenery for it!

In the meantime, we'll just keep using this one. It just really captures our features ;) 

4) Have a picnic (preferably an early summer morning breakfast) with my husband at Utah Lake.

 We live minutes from this lake, so what's stopping us really? Other than the current cold weather. Soon as summer hits, I intend to watch the sun rise from the lake with Vance, whilst eating a delicious breakfast of some sort.

5) Paraglide at Point of the Mountain.

All the time as we are heading to Salt Lake from Utah Valley, I see this as I drive by, and I want to be a part of it sooooo bad! (It probably costs a fortune, but hey, you only live once!)

6) Learn how to ski.

I don't expect to even be good at it. I'll look just as goofy as this guy!

Vance and I have free passes, if you go on certain days, to some mountain resort up north (can't remember what it's called.) Only problem is finding time we could go on the days that are free. With school and work it gets kinda tricky.  

7) Go tubing at Soldier Hollow.

I'm mostly listing this one because I know it shall come to pass this Saturday! (and I have always wanted to go with Vance but it costs a fortune- thank goodness for Church activities) Woot!

8) See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in NYC on Valentines Day.

Again, I am only putting this one because I know it is to come true! Vance and I are lucky enough to be going to NYC next month for work, and have booked our tickets to see this play on the day of LOVE! I am so excited and have to keep pinching myself to see if it's really true.

9) Own at least one beautifully illustrated book to start my collection. Here are a few I really hope to possess this year:

10) At least have a FIRST DRAFT started of at least ONE of the childrens book ideas I have.


11) Read and ponder this book from cover to cover.

and lastly, this is a bucket list must. Maybe not this year, but at least before I die....

12) Go on a hot air balloon ride.

And there you have it! My bucket list! Hopefully I'll get some, if not all of my items checked off this year :)

What's on YOUR list?