"These are a few of my favorite things..."

My favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews. Before VCRs, DVD players, and satellite TV were common in every household, movies on television (the kind with dials instead of remotes) were a special event. Every year, The Sound of Music would be on and it was truly a special event for me. As I go through life, I remember the lessons I learned from that musical. One of those lessons comes from a song called, "My Favorite Things." Hit the play button on the YouTube video above to see the entire movie scene. Part of the lyrics went like this...

"When the dog bites, 

when the bee stings, 

when I'm feeling sad, 

I simply remember my favorite things, 

and then I don't feel so bad."

Well, you don't necessarily have to feel bad to appreciate your favorite things. Often, my favorite things are not just things. They connect me to special people in my life. In the spirit of our upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, here are a few of my favorite autumnal things that remind me how thankful I am for my family and friends.

LEAF-THEMED WELCOME SIGN AND SWAG FROM MY MOTHER

 LEAF-IMPRINTED POTTERY COASTER HAND-CRAFTED BY MY SISTER-IN-LAW

HAND-BLOWN VASE, TWO MEDICINAL BOTTLES, AND A WREATH FROM MY PARENTS

You can also see a corner of a photo of my grandfather and his crew who served in WWII...

A SCALE I PICKED UP AT A GARAGE SALE WITH MY FRIEND TAUNYA

It holds information about local attractions that our guests might enjoy...

 

A VAN BRIGGLE LEAF 

RJNJ and I picked this up at at garage sale just after we were married. It was one of the first antique pieces we bought together.

POTTERY PIECES BY A SOUTHERN WISCONSIN POTTER FROM MY PARENTS

 

LEAVES FROM THE FALL OF 2001 FROM MY MOTHER-IN-LAW 

RJNJ and I had moved to Texas the previous spring. I was missing the fall colors, so she sent a shoebox full of leaves from their yard. They ended up in a frame hand-crafted by my father-in-law out of the most beautiful wood.

PILLOW COVERS THAT MY MOM HELPED ME MAKE

Mom and I found this fabric at Hobby Lobby. She instructed, helped, and guided me through the process of making these beautiful pillow covers...

A WREATH HAND-CRAFTED BY MY SISTER-IN-LAW

THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON

This sign was not from anyone. It was a simple TJMaxx find that inspires me day in and day out. It reminds me to trust in the goodness of all things...