Thankful list!

Some days, I just wake up grateful. I'm more prone to smile, and think to myself "WOW, I have it really, really good." It just happens naturally. Other days, it's more work and I have to push past my (sometimes) grumple-guss tendencies.

Today is a thankful day:

7 things I am thankful for:
(in no specific order)


1) PODCASTS - Anyone who's ever worked from home or doesn't have tons of face-to-face interaction with people throughout their workday will know EXACTLY what I mean. With our house lacking a television (another thing I'm grateful for), having one of these going while I work is awesome. And free! Love it. Also, in this vein is Pandora. Gah, I love that thing.

2) HOMEMADE SALSA - With a bowl of this stuff and some corn chips, I am one happy camper. Case just started making our own since most of the stuff you buy just tastes kinda funky/over-processed. Throwing some together that's the perfect (spice) temperature and tastes completely fresh turns out to be super easy. I love it. Perhaps I'll post the recipe if there are any salsa-philes out there...

3) RIDING MY GIRL BIKE INSTEAD OF USING MY CAR - A small thing that is very rewarding to me. Deciding to run my errands on bike, getting everything done and arriving home revived, albeit sweaty, is awesome. Having the health to be able to do this is great, something I never take for granted.

4) MY AWESOME HUSBAND - Keep in mind, this list is NOT in order. I do not love my husband less than podcasts or salsa. :) Hah. But seriously, I am so unworthy of such a great spouse! Hugs in the morning before he leaves for work, sharing breakfast before the day starts... Sigh. He is a good, good thing. :)

5) THESE COCONUT THINGS WE MADE - This also pertains to my husband... He is a fantastic cook, and helped me make these chocolate dipped macaroon things. EXCELLENT! I snagged this recipe over at Domino (which I can also post if anyone wants it.) I'll just say that we'll definitely be serving these at our next dinner party...



6) THE ABILITY TO START OVER - Losing my "day job" over a month ago has been such a huge blessing in my life. Although I adored my co-workers, we worked for someone who has different values than I do, and it was such a bummer to feel compromised that way. The free time has left me with more time to write, build my business, freelance and focus on articles that interest me, and learn about things I've always wanted to. For example, I checked out a bunch of books from our library and am teaching myself how to change the oil in my car. Sort of a small thing, but it's something that empowers me and contributes to my own autonomy. It's been great to rediscover that I am NOT my job, something that's pretty contrary to the American psyche.

7) WATCHING MY FRIENDS START OVER - This one is bittersweet. Lately, it feels like all of our close friends are moving away from Santa Barbara. Most of the people we know are in their early 20s and in a really transitional stage of like, and unfortunately, Santa Barbara is a really hard place for young people to sustain a living. I'm grateful for the excitement and new beginnings that are in store for them. Friends have left or are leaving for Boston, Denver and San Francisco, and it's been hard not to feel a little left behind, like we should be moving on, too. But God's timing is perfect, and we'll move when things line up, and not before then. Besides, it's not like this is a terrible place to live... ;)

So there are a few that just popped into my head. This is a good exercise if your having a bleh-day, or even if you aren't. LIFE IS GOOD!!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I take no credit for those macaroons. You made those delicious things all by yourself.

Lara said...

It was a team effort! Sorry I ended up eating most of them... :(

KateLouise said...

I want to eat the chocolate macaroon things! Where do I find the recipe?

KateLouise said...

I think you need to approve me

KateLouise said...

and you are cute!

Lara said...

Kate! You are the best!

Also, I just tried to leave the recipe on your blog, but I'm not invited... So I will post it here and hope you get it... :)

COCONUT MACAROONS
Makes 12
The Ingredients

* 2 egg whites
* salt
* ½ cup sugar
* ½ tsp. vanilla
* 2 cups finely shredded coconut
* 2 ½ oz. bittersweet dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 350° F. In medium bowl, add a pinch of salt to egg whites and beat with an electric mixer until stiff. Fold in sugar and vanilla, then stir in coconut. Using a small ice-cream scoop or a spoon, form cookies on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden, then let cool for 30 minutes. Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat. Pour into a bowl, dip macaroons into chocolate, and return to baking sheet until chocolate has hardened. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve, up to 3 days.

Lara said...

Also, come to our dinner party Saturday. I will most likely have these out for dessert. :D