1333. Breakfast in bed
1334. Clean bathrooms
1335. Snuggles with Loki
1336. My husband: making dinner, his hand on my cheek, his hand in mine
1337. the two green plants in our house reminding me that Spring WILL come after all this cold and snow
1338. And remembering this:

1339 - 1341. Grace. Joy. Thanksgiving.

1342. Being part of this online book club, re-reading the book One Thousand Gifts, being reminded why I give thanks

1343. Honest conversations with my hubby about my job

1344. a nice co-worker to spend two patient-less nights with - playing Nertz and roaming the hospital looking for things to do

1345. the Milwaukee Public Library buying a book for me ... well not really for me but it was my request =)

1346. Friends praying for us

1347. couscous and the way my husband makes it yummy (wow, it sounds like I never cook!)

1348. the ice scraper

1349. goldfish, the pepperridge farm kind =)

1350. having our own little Ticket to Ride tournament - and it being tied at the end.

1351. starting a busy week off with prayer

1352. warm boots, gloves and coats
1353. consecutive date nights this weekend =)
1354. time alone today

Blooming Brenna Knits

One of the unforeseen benefits I got from our move to WI is my renewed enjoyment from knitting. Several factors - staying up late routinely before working nights, less house/yard work (due to living in an apartment) and, honesty, having less of a social life in our new town - made knitting a good place to stash some creative juices. I mean, there is only so many things you can do when you are awake til 4am once or twice a week. I have found a good routine to help me flip to a night shift schedule and I have also found a good routine of helping myself stay up that late, which usually includes time on the internet, a few trips to the laundry room, watching 24 on Netflix and knitting. 

I love making yarn that was just a ball of string into something cute and useful. I love figuring out a pattern that I didn't understand the first time I read it - thanks to some youtube knitting videos. I love looking at a little knit something and then going home and recreating it. And I love giving gifts that are personal, unique and hand made. 

And so I opened up a little shop on Etsy to try to sell a few things. It was super easy to set up and I am excited to see what happens. I have no intention of making tons of money but, hey, if I do end up quiting my day night job and opening up a yarn/knitting store, I would be pleased, but also very, very shocked. But really, I am hoping that it will be a fun thing to do and that I'll be able to sell enough to pay for the yarn. =) 

I am guessing that it is possible my first few sales will come from people that I know. My hubby says that I can't give stuff away for free since I am trying to sell it so I made a few coupon codes: BLOOM for 20% off and FREESHIPPING if I'll be seeing you soon and not shipping it. 

My two favorites

And Loki, just 'cuz

I hope you had a warm - and safe - weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with Monday's list of blessings. =)

Sometimes life give you sunshine, warmth and relaxation and sometimes it is cloudy skies, night shifts and toilets to clean.

But there are still gifts there to be found, unwrapped and explored.

1312. Dinner with Christopher's Augustine class and professor. Honey, I can now begin to relate to meals where you listened to "nursing shop talk" the whole time. I love you.
1313. A full tank of gas in the car
1314. a text message conversation with one of my cousins
1315. time with my mom
1316. time with my mom where she buys me yarn. =)
1317. taking a "nap" (when I should have been staying up late) on the couch with Loki
1318. the sun. even briefly.
1319. beginning our study of Hebrews.
1320. Hebrews 1:3
1321. coffee with cream in my favorite mug
1322. my husband driving when it is dark and rainy ...
1323. vanilla ice cream, caramel and whipped cream
1324. lotion for dry skin
1325. shopping with Christopher, collecting a few shipping supplies for my etsy site (which I am SUPER excited to open ... most likely this weekend)
1326. tea with honey
1327. a huge bag of oranges
1328. reading in bed, next to Chris
1329. time to putter (i.e. not get ready quickly)
1330. Valentine's day cards .. I was excited about real mail even before I realized they had money in them
1331. the generosity of said card givers
1332. love.

Lingering

Linger: to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave; to dwell in contemplation, thought or enjoyment.

I spend most of last week, lingering in Mexico, on a beautiful resort near Cancun, on the Mayan Rivera with some lovely friends.

We lingered at the pool. Happy hour (2 for 1 drinks) anyone?

We lingered over dinner ... and then over dessert

yep, that is me licking the dessert dish ...

We lingered over Bibles, books, games and knitting (for me, at least).

seriously amazing book: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

We lingered on the beach

My beautiful friend, Lindsay

We didn't really linger at Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World) but we did go there and it was cool.

We lingered in friendship, evolving and growing

We lingered jumped before and exploding sunset.

the pictures of which are not on my camera =)

I did record a list of blessings while I was there (#1243 - #1311) but I don't want to rub it in and be long winded. Needless to say, it was an amazing, relaxing, wonderful trip and when it was over, I got to fly home to my love and my cute doggie. =)