A Few Favorite Things: Sarah

I fell in love with literature when I was in second grade and read "Little House on the Prairie."  I have been hooked on children's literature ever since.  I love its purity and simplicity.  I love that I can pick up the book and I know that there won't be that scene that sometimes disappoints with adult literature.  I have a collection of my favorites and sometimes I like to read them out loud at night to my kids while they fall asleep. 

 

I fell in love with running when I was in fifth grade.  We had a field day at my elementary school and I ran the mile for the first time in my life.  When it was over, I felt great.  I couldn't believe I had actually done it!  I felt energized and wanted to keep running, and running, and running.  My favorite places to run are in nature.  The more rugged and remote the path, the better.  Unfortunately, that is not always safe or convenient, so I end up running in my neighborhood most of the time.  My current and favorite running shoe is the Saucony Grid Hurricane, and I do have the pink =)

I love mountains.  I loved visiting the soft and shockingly colorful Appalachians when I was a girl.  Mount Timpanogas is one of my favorite places in the world.  I have only hiked it a handful of times, but I drew much strength from this mountain and basked in its beauty every day while in college.  One of my favorite states is Colorado because it has more 14,000 foot peaks than any other state!

John Schmidt is one of my favorite pianists.  He makes me laugh and cry.  I love how fun and playful most of his music is.  Even his "serious" songs are upbeat and have a touch of warmth.  If you ever see him in concert, he will sometimes play upside down like this with his hands crossed! 

I enjoy gardening.  I'd like to take credit for my beautiful garden below in Virginia.  However, I have since learned that gardening skills had nothing to do with this paradise of plants.  It had everything to do with the fact that we bought a home on a former SOYBEAN field!  I have since lived in two states and have yet to grow a tomato, but I still love to try.

I love to travel!  Some people might be bothered by living in four states in ten years, but in some ways it has been fun for me.  I like to see new places and meet new people.  I haven't been overseas very much, but I don't think I need to travel the world to know that my favorite place to visit is Europe. I love the history, the art, and the culture of Europe.  I have lived in London and visited France, Scotland, and Wales, and have always wanted to visit Austria where my grandmother is from.  I feel like some day I will be back to see more of this beautiful continent.   
 

I became "smoothie crazy" while serving a mission for my church in Arizona.  We had two lemon trees and an orange tree in our yard and could eat to our heart's content.  Of course, we squeezed more oranges than I can count and practically lived off our concoctions.  Now that I have a big enough family, I have to make two batches of smoothie when we have them.  I don't make them as much, but they will always be one of my absolute favorite things.   

I love theater.  There is something thrilling and so ALIVE about watching a great play or musical.  I especially love the musical Les Miserables.  The music brings me to tears and the special effects are incredible.  However, a small play set in one room like Twelve Angry Men can be just as moving and thought-provoking.  I like to watch movies, but making time to attend a play is definitely worthwhile. 

 I have to put one of my favorite things about our current place of residence.  I love the sunsets here!   The only other place I have lived with sunsets like these is Arizona.  Must be the dry desert air and the big, big sky.  Almost ever morning, palate of color unfolds before me when I walk outside to wave goodbye to my kids on their bikes to school.  Last of all, I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given us such a beautiful, joyful, colorful, world and a life to live it.