April Favorites

I don't know about you, but I am nearly giddy with delight at spring's arrival. More than average rainfall and colder weather this year (trust me, I'm fully aware I'm a SoCal wimp) has got me appreciating the birds singing, trees budding and longer daylight. I notice every flower that is blooming, I revel in the air being warm at night, and I enjoy wearing shorts. It's got me in a good mood, to say the least. (Kitty at right demonstrates my pleased-ness.)

When I'm in a good mood like this, I enjoy simple pleasures with gusto. Here is my latest list of Stuff I Like at the moment:

• New favorite food item: Trader Joe's Corn and Chile (Tomato-Less) Salsa. A party in your mouth. I have been putting it on lots of different things, but it is perfect on scrambled eggs wrapped in a warm corn tortilla. I cannot imagine what it would be like on a fresh avocado. Oh dear.
  
• New favorite music site: Song of the Day - NPR. They send it right to your email. You click, you link, you listen. Some of the songs get the 3-second gong, but several have been great. I really like today's -- Icarus by Winter Hinterland. Sort of Moby-ambient-Enya-ish. Yes, I just wrote that.
• New favorite local restaurant: sorry to out-of-towners, but Goleta Sushi House is scaled-down and great at the same time. Not in a picturesque part of town, but qualifies as classic hole-in-the-wall status... though the interior is clean and bright.
• New tennie runners: bought a new pair o' kicks that are like walking on pillows... Nike Air Initiators - but mine have a purple swoosh, which keeps me from being completely cool. I embrace that.
• New favorite youthworker website: NBC's Minute to Win It. Seriously -- after 28 years of running goooofy youth group games, I see network television acting like they've invented a new idea. Bully for them, I guess. But I will also gladly rip off their ideas.
• New favorite team (this will last about 10 days, but who cares): Butler Bulldogs. What an impressive Final Four game. Sorry Duke fans. The Bulldogs rocked it big time. Gotta lotta heart.
• Favorite album in rotation at the moment: Jamie Cullum's The Pursuit. Such a classy sound. Great musician. Jazz, but not. Lots of piano, awesome voice, flair with words, stellar arrangements... love all of it. I find every one of his albums outstanding. Best song on this album: Not While I'm Around.
• Favorite treaty-treat: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Eggs. Must. Stop. Now.

How's by you? What is the Stuff You Like right now?

Summer Selections

It's a bee-YOO-ti-ful day outside, and I plan on enjoying it very soon. But I wanted to check in and shoot off my mouth a bit about things that I really like.

Please feel free to share your favorites as well.

Life is good, full of small and sweet pleasures that I enjoy...

• Date Almond Rolls with Coconut from Lassens Foods
• Organic Strawberry Spread from Costco on Brown Rice Cakes (don't knock it till you try it)
• Avocados - at any time of day
• Bike rides -- to the Mission, Lake Los Carneros, Campus Point, on errands
• Scooter rides! especially with a friend in back, feeling summer on your face
• Andy Shauf - sort of a cross between Sondre Lerche (Dan in Real Life soundtrack dude) and Sufjan Stevens
• Tour de France on TV in the morning while I am drinking coffee and eating breakfast
• The Book of Joshua
• Fresh produce from Fairview Gardens -- strawberries, yellow squash, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)

Thanks for being part of my grace-filled life. Feel free to share your own top summer selections.