More of My Favorite Things

i realized i haven't added any more of "my favorite things" since that first post....which probably makes it seem like i don't have a lot of favorite things. and that's just not true! so here's volume 2 of the things that always make me smile!

penguins. nature's best dressed bird. the way they waddle, the way the slide on ice. there crazy long beaks. seriously. freaking adorable. when i was a child? i could spend an entire day watching the penguin exhibit at the baltimore zoo. now? as an adult? i can spend an entire day watching the "penguin cam".
http://www.marylandzoo.org/zoo-tv/penguincams/

pink grapefruit. one of the great tragedies of my life is that as i've gotten older? i've developed a sensitivity to citrus fruits. they make my mouth break out. which is devastating. one of absolute favorite things in the world is the smell, taste, color and texture of a ruby red grapefruit. i will on occasion throw caution to the wind and scarf down one of these beauties. my lips and gums will itch. i will talk with a lisp for three days. but it's worth it. they're so delicious!!!!

holiday socks. specifically halloween socks. and yes, i do wear them year 'round. target always has THE BEST holiday socks. this year i found a pair with silver sparkly spiders. and a pair with sugar skulls....THAT GLOW IN THE DARK!!!!!!! they make me ridiculously happy.

the movie "strictly ballroom". baz luhrmann before baz luhrmann was cool. the quirky dry wit. the over the top emotion. the accents. the costumes. the hair. the makeup. and oh yeah.....the dancing. every time i see it, i love it a little bit more.. VIVIR CON MIEDO ES COMO VIVIR EN MEDIAS!!!!

edgar degas. maybe it's because i also love tutus and toe shoes. i wanted to take ballet, but a lack of natural balance and grace was a major hinderance.... so instead i appreciate the artist who captured the art form. even if it does seem kind of creepy he spent so much time looking at young girls....

crispy m&m's. i find regular m&m's rather dull. and almost annoying. the candy shell ratio to chocolate is very unbalanced. peanut m&m's are on occasion a tasty snack. but nothing special. peanut butter m&m's? please. not when there are reese's pieces to be had. but CRISPY m&m's? yeeeeees. i will never know why they went away for over a decade. (except you could still find them in germany....thank you munich). but they have returned! to the states! and i am most overjoyed to once again have access to these addictive little treats.

willow trees. when i was in japan, i made sure to take a side trip to kyoto. not to see the geishas. or the temples. but to see the willow trees. something about the long draping limps and the way they dance in an easy sway when there's a breeze. especially if they're over water. i think they are absolutely gorgeous.

the song "cecelia". by simon and garfunkel. i challenge you to listen to this song and NOT smile.

water. maybe it's because i grew up close to the chesapeake bay? but i always find water to be so calming. wether its standing near open water like the ocean, or the bay, or a lake or even a small pond. floating in a swimming pool or soaking in a hot tub. or indulging in a long shower. i find water to be completely restorative!

this guy:

(people watching at the va scottish games.....truly the best)

10 more things guaranteed to brighten a day! sorry it took me so long to post them, i promise there will be more to come!