favorite things as of late

It’s a lovely day outside, and I’m feeling surprisingly chipper.  So, I figured it was time to tell you some of the things that are bringing me joy lately.  

1. Vietnamese Food.  I’ve always been a fan of Thai and Chinese food.  I like some Korean foods.  But until about a month ago, I’d never tried Vietnamese food.  Enter Chez Nga, an inexpensive and nicely-decorated establishment.  It doesn’t look like a particularly interesting restaurant from the outside, but the food is amazing.  It’s so fresh and healthy!  One of my favorite dishes is shrimp wonton soup that has scallions and cilantro (!) in it.  I knew I’d like it when I saw an item on the menu–Chicken with Ginger and Cocoa Sauce.  Sounds weird, but it’s awesome.  The spring rolls aren’t deep fried–they are simply steamed rice noodles wrapped around a wonderful mix of vegetables, shrimp and more cilantro.

2. 450 thread-count Target sheets (something like 60 bucks, at least last year).  My parents have been sending my Colorado bridal shower items up to us lately, and this wedding gift was also sent.  They seemed scratchy when I took them out of the dryer, but very quickly turned soft and luxurious.  We have an expensive set of sheets which are very nice, also, but for the price, I love the Target sheets even more.

3. Playing the piano, singing, and recording music.  We’re borrowing a really great keyboard from a friend, and so I’ve been breaking the rust off my fingers and plunking around a bit.  The other day, I had all these thoughts and words, and I went over to the keyboard, played a song, and put the words to it.  I wrote a song.  What?  Me?  Yeah, I didn’t expect it, either.   In the past few days, I’ve turned all gear-geeky and have recorded and re-recorded it, using different effects.  I’m not expecting anything of this song–it was just something personal, sort-of prayerful, and I simply liked the melody I came up with.  

4.  Being on two worship teams at church.  One is led by our pastor, and the other is led by my husband.  Each team has a bit of a different dynamic, even though the members are almost the same.  The pastor and our pianist-strong female vocalist were open to our suggestions regarding some newer songs.  On Sunday, we’re going to introduce the congregation to Hosanna by Hillsong United–well, truly by Brooke Fraser. It’s not the newest song (2006), but it’s so very powerful.  I’m really excited.  Our version will be a little more like the linked one–a bit more mellow.  Also, I’m pretty sure I have a girl-crush on Brooke Fraser.

5.  An Armetale bowl that was a gift from last year’s bridal shower.  When I received it, I just thought it was a beautiful silver piece, perfect for a china cabinet.  Nope.  According to the website you can actually cook with the piece–right on your gas or electric burners.  You can put things in the oven in it.  You can chill it, and it will keep foods cooler longer.  Now, I haven’t tried it out yet, but it’s pretty intriguing.  I have the “Eddy” bowl–it’s very contemporary, with clean lines.  I just have to get up enough courage to use it as more than a serving piece.  Armetale is also made in Lancaster, PA.  My first roommate at Penn State was from Lancaster (pronounced Lan-cus-TER, not LAN-cast-er).

6.  One of the neighborhood puppies.  Sometimes, he’s out in his owner’s front yard.  All you have to do is call “Puppy!” and he bounds on over and jumps up, paws on the wrought-iron fence, craving attention.  He’s really lovable.  He always greets me when I call him.  He’ll be a huge dog someday, but for now, he’s just cute and sweet (and not able to jump the fence).  Oh, and his favorite toy in the yard is the handle of a rake. He chews and chews and moves it around.  Today when I saw him he was basically raking the yard.  

There’s more, but I’ll stop for now.  I am glad it’s Christmastime.  I am always filled with hope during this season.

Oh, and as a final note, I know I’m becoming more Canadian when ‘favorite’ and ‘neighborhood’ are looking a little bare without their respective oh-so-British letter U’s.