While we're at it, notice the scenery

The bits and pieces of life add up to a full life. I forget that sometimes, when my eyes are fixed on the horizon, the future, or the next thing, rather than my life right in front of me. Truth is, there's always a next thing, but there is also always a here and now.  I want to take care that I don't miss the scenery. These are my favorite little bits of "scenery" in my life as of late:

• Flatbread pizza for supper on Fridays or work nights when we want something fun and fast. I discovered these sprouted pizza/flatbread combos at our grocery store and they make the best thin, crispy, delicious pizza. Plus, we love sprouted grains around here, since we tolerate them a little better than their non-sprouted counterparts.
• The blog turned two in April, and somehow I missed it?! Oops! I actually love this space so much, I'm a little surprised I completely forgot. If I had realized that it was it's birthday, I would've baked a cake or something.
• Speaking of which, I did just make a pan of brownies, just because, so maybe that counts as a belated blog-iversary commemoration. Summer's is our favorite recipe, plus mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds sprinkled on top. I also added cinnamon this time!
• Early morning light through the living room window, plus a cup of coffee and a blanket to cozy up with on the couch.
• Downsizing my closet (always). It may seem like I don't have any clothes left, but I still have quite a large wardrobe. Each time I get rid of clothing, it's the pieces that I've been saving "just in case" or with the mentality of, "But that looks good with that one skirt I kind of like." I feellike the space in a closet should be treated like valuable real estate—everything should earn a place.
• I just decided to do another 6 month hiatus from clothing purchases. This time, a friend is doing it with me! So, beginning June first, formally (but a couple days ago, in reality), I won't buy any clothing until December first. Why, again? I can feel old habits (emotionalizing and rationalizing unnecessary clothing purchases) start again, so I'm trying to be proactive.
• Crockpot meals, more frequently. I used to only make them on days off from work, but lately, I'll prepare a crockpot meal when I work a weekend, since Nicholas is around to babysit it and coming home to a hot meal, ready-to-eat, is the best.
• Memorizing my verses for joy. And trying to reframe each day, especially work days, with the mindset of, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
• Enjoying a new hair cut; four inches are gone. Although honestly, it's a bit difficult to notice a difference unless you see me all the time, since it's still really long.
• That magic "golden hour" light on my commute home from the hospital.
• Cashew butter. Whole Foods has the option in the bulk foods section to grind it fresh and it's amazing. It tastes just like fudge to me! I've just been snacking on spoonfuls of it. Does anyone else have favorite uses for cashew butter?
• Enjoying (crunchy) creature comforts of Austin, like raw, cold-pressed, organic juice and it's pretty branding. It was delicious, by the way! I tried "Sundaze": apple, pineapple, filtered water, and mint.
• Reading Wild & Free by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan. I've been in a bit of a rut with reading, but I'm loving this! I'm underlining and re-reading and letting it all soak in.
• Listening to the "Happy Folk" playlist on Spotify Premium.
• Watching the last season of Downton Abbey with Nicholas as we drink tea and tear up every five minutes ;)
• Revisiting this post I wrote last year about around this time. Those last few paragraphs are as meaningful and helpful to me as they were the day I wrote them.

And those are a lot of the the little bits of scenery in life that I won't forget to acknowledge if I turn away from the horizon, for just a minute in order to enjoy the view from the window.