Things That Are Bringing Me Great Joy.

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I started this blog as a way to help me focus on all the blessings, abundance, and happy thoughts in my life. I had been married less than a year and was soon to ship my husband off on an overseas deployment.

Once again, I'm back to focus on the good things, and to look for the light.

Since my birthday we've had a lovely little trip to the cape for ocean and to celebrate HandsomeJoe's promotion during his Annual Training. I've painted the kitchen (still working on trim and decluttering before photos), We've traded our electric car for an electric car with a gas backup, we've finished laying the floor (but not sanded or sealed) in our downstairs bedroom, and we've enjoyed a solid month (out of a too-short six weeks) with now dear friends living at the side of our driveway.

Here is a delicious recipe for Sarabeth's stuffed grape leaves using wild grape leaves from our fence line. 

We are enjoying family adventures to favorite places such as the Montague Bookmill - "Books you don't need, in a place you can't find." 

We usually coming home with a couple more children's books in French. I currently have a 542 day streak on Duolingo. I have started a French learning deck through AnkiWeb using the Fluent Forever method. And with their upcoming app, I'm excited to soon reach "fluency level" after all these years.

We are staying cool and slurping up the summer in all the best ways. 

We are enjoying fresh produce and every bit of bounty from local farmers markets and our favorite local farm store.

On a personal note, I had a bit of a heart-in-my throat experience when I discovered that due to many factors, I would not be able to attend Smith College this fall. I then had my withdrawal letter delightfully rejected and a second deferral approved. I'll do one more semester at Greenfield Community College, and start at Smith in January.

Finally, as a form of meditation, without any pressure or agenda (although I can imagine doing another, more informal, show at the coop once I accumulate quite a few more), I've been painting mandalas. 

What is bringing you joy these days? 

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