Some of My Favorite Things...What Are Yours?

The Pink Owl and several others have inspired me to do a post about some of my favorite things right now. Some things are seasonal and some are not. For example, now that the weather is turning cooler, I'm again becoming addicted to (1) Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Lavender Body Creme. It's heavenly and helps me to sleep a little better also.I make coffee every morning in a french press and after trying many different coffees, the (2) Gevalia Costa Rica Peaberry seems just right to me all year 'round. I'm still a disciple of (3) Starbucks Pike Place Roast when I'm out and about, but the Gevalia variety is nice and smooth and just starts my day off right. Hank is an uncomplicated coffee drinker...whatever we have, he'll drink.

(4) Sharper Image Sound Machine. I can't find a photo to post because they've discontinued my particular model and apparently Sharper Image is undergoing a restructuring BUT...our sound machine set to "jet plane" is just the thing to filter out annoying sounds (like snoring). We thought it was broken last year and I had everybody I know searching for a replacement...turns out it was the electrical cord which was an easy fix. It wouldn't have worked for us when our kids were young and waking up during the night, but it is definitely a favorite thing now.

I adore (5) Bare Minerals make-up. I start with the primer, add the powder foundation and finish with the mineral veil powder. I high encourage you to try it...the finish is practically flawless.I don't love cleaning house but I do love (6) Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products. All the scents are nice but the Geranium is my favorite.

(7) The Good Home Company also has some lovely cleaning products. I particularly like the laundry detergent and fragrances. They're great in combination but laundry fragrance alone makes bed sheets smell divine. You can buy it in bulk to refill the cute bottles.

I am not much of a wine drinker but Hank is, and last year Real Simple placed (8) Liberty School Cabernet on a list of things that never disappoint. He concurs...it's moderately priced and he hasn't been disappointed yet.

I do really enjoy a nice glass of port and friends of ours introduced us to the (9) Mayo Family Winery last Christmas. Legare and I made quick work of the bottle presented to us as a gift and quickly ordered more. At $35 per half bottle, it's a bit pricey but we only break it out on special occasions.

One last thing...the book that touches my heart every time I read it. I mentioned it several weeks ago when I read it yet again. It's my regular read

before each new school year begins. The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy. Maybe it's the educator in me...maybe it's the southerner in me and the fact that I'm familiar with the setting. The movie version is Conrack (the children couldn't say "Conroy" and took to calling him Conrack instead).