currently grateful

Recently a friend who knew I needed some positivity challenged me to come up with a list of 5 things I'm thankful for every day. It takes some out-of-the-box thinking to come up with 5 different things every day and I've had to skip a few days when inspiration was especially low. But I firmly believe in practicing gratitude and noticing the little things. Here's what I'm most grateful for this month.

A flexible work schedule

My work load recently got much lighter due to losing a complicated client (it really was no loss!) and I am not feeling up to taking on more right now. My manager has been incredibly understanding and supportive and I am so blessed in that! I've been going to the office 1 - 2 days a week but otherwise working from home entirely on my own schedule. I haven't put in full-time hours for several weeks now, and I'm so thankful for the extra time at home, which I've filled with...

Nature therapy

May and June in Pennsylvania is as close to perfection as you can get this side of heaven, in my opinion. There are hardly words to describe the satisfaction I get from working outside - mulching, fertilizing, pruning, planting, creating rock borders - all while listening to a book and soaking in the sunshine. Growing up, I remember Dad often saying something like "I love hard work!" so I guess I got it from my daddy. 😍 I can't think of anything I'd rather do. Walking or biking outside is a close second, though, and I've been blessed to be able to go on a long walk almost every day too. Nature: #1 therapy.

Seasonal tastes

Deep red strawberries, plump blueberries, crunchy cucumbers, sweet Georgia peaches. The intense flavor surprises me every time I take the first bite. The same fruits and vegetables out of season cannot compare. 

On a more indulgent side, something about the warm temperatures makes ice cream taste even more delicious in summer. I've already had some fabulous dips of double chocolate, salted caramel, and raspberry cheescake and plan to enjoy more!

And always, there's 

Books

The best book I've read so far is Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. 

Here's my goodreads review. 

"The audiobook is 5 stars, no question. I might not be rating it this highly if I'd read the print version, but Anxious People is the most delightful book I've listened to all year. After I finished it, I borrowed the Kindle version and highlighted as I listened again. It really is that great! The narrator voices the characters perfectly. Also, the writing is brilliant. Full of profound observations and truths about life, but highly comical."

 

Ever since I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis and Once Upon A Wardrobe I've wanted to read more C.S. Lewis. Here's what I've read so far. I can recommend all of them.

The Screwtape Letters

The Weight of Glory

The Great Divorce (read twice, very thought-provoking)

The Four Loves

The Space Trilogy (science fiction): Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength

Now I'm on a bit of a classics binge. It started with Middlemarch by George Eliot, which I always assumed was dry and dull but turned out to be interesting. Then I decided to re-read all of Jane Austen's books. I've finished Sense and Sensibility and am currently listening to Pride and Prejudice. Here's a review I wrote that could really apply to them all.

"Ahhhh I find Jane Austen to be somehow comforting. You can always be assured you will find flawed characters, a villain, and female airheads in the story. In between there's delightful, proper conversation and much scheming and hysterics by the ladies. It will end with a wedding (or two). Always entertaining!"