1. this little gift 
{because it appeared inside my doorway, in the middle of a pile of laundry and dirty dishes and flies and unmade beds, and seriously brightened my day and made me feel loved and a little bit teary.}
2. this mirror 
{because i bought it at a rummage sale for $30 when i was twelve or thirteen, with money i had earned from lawn-mowing (i think my mom must have given me $10 or $15 to help buy it); it felt like a very big and grown-up purchase. the frame was stained wood; i painted it forest green to match my room. it came to my little college apartment with me, then my tiny cabin in grand marais. when ben and i got married, i painted it and some other furniture black. it has followed me to almost every place i've lived and graced more than one bedroom, more than one living room, an entry-way, and now, our little bathroom. this is sort of crazy to think about.}
3. this sticker 
{because mountains. because there was a hole in the door. because pattens love stickers.}
4. this stack 
{because ideas. because writing. because thoughts. because i got to participate in a wonderful workshop. because who but God knows what He is up to in all of this; i'm looking forward to what may be in store!}
5. this sewing machine 
{because now that it's set up and threaded and i hemmed ben's pants last night, now i've opened a can of worms for myself, i'm sure. oh, how i've missed sewing.}