Savoring spring

Just a few snippets of daily life around here lately:

Smelling lavender soy or beeswax candles

Rearranging our bedding. With all this "springy weather," it's tempting to buy new things just to freshen up our space, you know. But instead, I'm focusing on rearranging what we have: using the living room orange pillow cover in our bedroom, swapping in navy pillowcases for the bed, and turning down the quilt to use the pretty orange blanket as a design feature.

Tasting new spices! I used saffron for the first time last night when I made risotto. It smelled so good when I opened the jar, and then when I ground it, the aroma was it was even better. I'll need to think of other ways to incorporate saffron—maybe in a dessert? Anybody have a good recipe that uses saffron?

Pre-ordering a beautiful new collection of knitting patterns in Home and Away. There are so many classic, practical, and wearable pieces.

Sitting on the couch, in my pajamas, between night shifts, a lot. And trying to reclaim a little bit of that in-between time for projects and reading for fun.

Hearing thunderstorms. It thundered and poured for most of the night last night, and it was the best.

Planning a sewing project to do with my sister-in-law when the family visits in late June. I'm excited to have a sewing buddy! And I've been itching to do some home goods sewing with linen—I'll be on the linen train indefinitely, I think.

Eating leftovers! There was a time when I didn't like leftovers (sorry, mom!) What was I thinking? I'll write a post about how we meal plan soon, but these past two weeks were a good, balanced stretch for us. We tried a lot of new recipes, and we actually liked all the meals (I've made my fair share of "duds," believe me). Bonus: extra good leftovers to use for work lunches.

Drinking coffee. What else?

Celebrating Nurses' Week! If you know a nurse, give him or her a hug (but only if they're a hug person ;)

Reading & writing Psalm 25, because I remember best by writing, because it's so good, and because I love how it praises the character of God and puts emphasis on waiting and being teachable. Verses 3-5:

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths . Lead me in your truth and teach me , for you are the God of my salvation, for you I wait all the day long.

What are you seeing/smelling/tasting/rearranging/anticipating lately?