Blogger’s Favorites Part II – Emily of Wide Open Spaces…

image via Wide Open Spaces (via like it, like it, like it)

I adore Emily… In fact I consider her a bit of a blogging kindred spirit. Her blog is incredibly lovely and interesting and diverse, and she’s so soulful and thoughtful. I’d love nothing more than to get to know her better over a cup of coffee one day...

Emily, you in?

So without further ado, herewith Emily’s favorites. Enjoy and have a splendid Father’s Day weekend!

Photo credits -- shoes, coffee, pencils

Traveling -- Anytime, anywhere. Train travel and fantastic hotels make me particularly happy. Put me in podunksville in a great hotel and I’m good to go. It’s a bit of a hobby for my husband and I to visit great hotels and determine how we might try to make them even better. And I never like to let my passport expire, just in case. Next on my list: Copenhagen, San Luis Obispo, Vancouver, & Asheville.

On a related note – I love a great town. Small or large, stateside or overseas, nothing makes me sigh with delight like a town well down. For me this means lots of local flavor, beautiful green spaces and interesting places to walk and get lost in.

The Four Seasons -- (Not the hotel chain, though they do make me happy as well, see # 1) The distinct look, feel & smell of each new season thrills me. I love celebrating seasonal festivities and I am always readily anticipating the next in line.

Books -- The smell, the feel in my hand, titles, cover art, first lines, last pages – there isn’t much about books that doesn’t make me happy. Walking into a bookstore or library is like stepping into heaven. I even like to decorate with books - the ultimate utilitarian décor.

A Morning Alone -- With two little ones, silence is indeed, golden. On the rare occasion that I have a morning to myself, every act feels utterly luxurious. That slow, sweet cup of coffee. The leisurely act of getting ready. Reading or exercising or browsing through a shop all take on an entirely different tone in the absence of my little loved ones. And with all sincerity - coming home is sweeter yet.

Thunderstorms -- Rumbling and patient with plenty of flashes of light. The kind that starts Friday afternoon and ends sometime late Sunday.

Fresh Starts -- Birthdays, New Years, the start of a new school year. I’ll even count freshly sharpened pencils and a new journal as blank slate enough to smile.

Swedish Imports -- Saabs, Volvos, IKEA, Swedish Massage and last but not least, Swedish Fish. Those Swedes know what is up.

High School Sports -- I’m not a big sports fan but nearly 15 years out of high school, all of the papers and proms have faded from my mind. Somehow just remembering those autumn afternoons watching football, or chilly winter nights at a basketball game – and not a moment has passed. The best moments of my youth remain there crystallized in time. Go, Scouts, Go!

Shoes -- This goes hand in hand with seasons. I am incapable of entering a fresh season without the proper footwear. Spring flats, Summer sandals, Autumn boots and Holiday heels – each beckon me like clockwork.