A Few of My Favorite Things

Janet here. I'm humming along with Julie Andrews as she sings "My Favorite Things," one of the iconic songs from "The Sound of Music." Go here if you have a yen to sing along.

I'm grateful for countless things! My gratitude list is headed by God, the Church, then family and friends. But there's little things too. Things that put a smile on my face. Little things like what Julie sings about, those whiskers on kittens, woolen mittens, apple strudels and noodles, oh and wild geese... 

I think she missed the mark with the geese. Hope I'm not offending our friends in Canada, but geese are way too plentiful in these parts. Still, they mate for life, fly in a cool formation and God created them. God never makes mistakes. 

Every now and then, I like to share our favorite things so we can get to know one another better. I'm not going to list the obvious things like books and computers, as I'm sure everyone hanging out in Seekerville likes or needs those.  

In no particular order, here's a few of my favorite things:  

Polish Pottery: We use our Polish pottery dishes every single day. Artists, not machines, puts all those dots, shapes and flowers in place, using applicators to dab on the paint or sometimes painting freehand. Talk about patience! Polish Pottery is made in an area in Poland with the right kind of clay for this hard, heavy tableware. 

Coffee: I'm not myself until I've had at least one mug of coffee. Preferably two. That's kind of scary, but I'm just being honest here. I've read coffee is good for us so I refuse to call myself an addict. I like my coffee black unless I'm treating myself at a coffee shop in the afternoon, then I have a decaf mocha latte or frappe, depending on the season. It's better than dessert. I've learned to whip one half cup of milk with one teaspoon of sugar, then mix with iced coffee for a refreshing drink.

Purses: Writers like Love Inspired author Lenora Worth talk about their shoes, but for me it's purses. Perhaps because I can't wear the super cool sky-high stilettos and ultra flat sandals without support. Purses come in all sizes and shapes and materials. I used to mostly carry the big ones but now I'm looking for smaller models that still hold my stuff, yet don't weigh my shoulder down. This black and white strip with hot pink stitched bow is my latest find.

Uni-ball Vision fine point ink pens: I'm not a fan of pencils or ballpoint pens. This is my go-to pen. They're all over the house and in every purse. An unopened pack like this one is reassuring as my pens seem to run out of ink at the same time. My DH strongly dislikes these pens. This may not be a worthy external conflict in our books, but it is in real life. LOL

Can you spot the Monarch that found my milkweed?

Lightning Bugs: I have a lot of favorite bugs. Mosquitoes and flies didn't make my list but the Praying Mantis, Bumblebee and Monarch Butterfly sure do. I planted Milkweed in my garden for the Monarchs. Their caterpillars dine on milkweed leaves and the butterflies lay their eggs on the plant so milkweed is essential for the Monarch's survival. I'm fascinated by these insects and want to help any passing through on their way to Mexico. Still, it's the amazing lightning bug that zips me back to my childhood. Do you remember the thrill of chasing and catching them, poking holes in the lid of a canning jar and putting them inside? I cringe to think how many might've died inside those jars at my hands. But enough survived that today at dusk a friend's woods behind her house dances with their blinking lights.
   
Rainbows: If the sun is shining while it's raining, I hurry to the windows to look for a rainbow, the reminder of God's promise to never flood the earth again. Isn't it cool that He created such a colorful symbol to reassure us? I always look for the beginning and the end of the rainbow.  

Summer Food: I'm cheating here because I can't pick just one. I love corn-on-the-cob, watermelon, tomatoes, green beans, beets, peaches...all fresh and delicious and healthy. Well, healthy until I slather the cob by swirling it on a stick of butter, an efficient way to get the job done that our son-in-law taught us. Yum!  

Hot Fudge Sundaes: I didn't put these under summer foods because I enjoy an occasional hot fudge sundae all year long. A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge. No whip. No nuts. Simple and delicious. 

The Royal Seal Japan label is still on the bottom.

Lady Head Vases: I have a small collection of lady head vases. These whimsical flower holders were popular in the forties, fifties and into the sixties. Most of my vases are ladies, though men and children vases were made. I couldn't resist this little girl and her umbrella. 

I should've put eclipses on my list of favorite things since today is the Big Day, but I didn't buy the eye gear or make a box so I will watch the eclipse on the computer. Has anyone traveled to get a better view?

You may be thinking, what does my listing favorite things have to do with writing? 

We writers need to remember to give our characters some favorite things that that will add depth to who they are and make them feel real. Perhaps even bond the reader to them. Those favorite things can be surprising or quirky, poignant or humorous. For instance, the heroine plants and tends hollyhocks in her garden because hollyhocks grew on the fence at her grandmother's, the one person in her life who'd loved the heroine unconditionally. Just give the characters a reason for loving them. Or not. No rules today.    

What is on your list of favorite things? Leave a comment for a chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card to help feed your reading habit.

You writers might share the things your characters love and how they reveal who they are.

I brought my favorite apple fritters, along with spinach quiche and sliced tomatoes, coffee and fresh melon.

Janet Dean grew up in a family who cherished the past and had a strong creative streak. Her father recounted fascinating stories, like his father before him. The tales they told instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to write. Janet is a two-time Golden Heart finalist, Genesis and Carol finalist and a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Her Love Inspired Historical novels are also Golden Quill, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Booksellers Best, Inspirational Readers Choice Award and Holt Medallion finalists. Visit Janet at her Website: www.janetdean.net