Elements of Happiness

Gift season is upon us. In my extended family, in addition to exchanging holiday gifts, we have nine birthdays that we celebrate between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That doesn’t even count my husband and sons. Quite honestly, I find the females in the family much easier to buy for. My nieces always enjoy my gifts and…

Last month, I traveled to Traverse City, Michigan, home of the National Cherry Festival. As I munch on Cherry Republic’s Ambassador Mix (dried cherries, pistachios, dried cranberries, sugar, macadamia nuts, and sunflower oil), I’m thinking back fondly on my short, two-day visit. When I travel, I like to get immersed in the uniqueness of a…

. …finding a Starbuck’s at the baggage claim area of a major airport, knowing that I had a three-hour drive in front of me. ….seeing the face of a friend who had fallen in love again, after unexpectedly becoming a widow a couple of years ago. ….picking fresh tomatoes, string beans, and strawberries from my…

As I emerge from a period of burnout, I’ve really begun to appreciate my sister, whose house is a five minute walk from my home. She called me up to go to Nordstrom’s anniversary sale this morning. We went for an hour–a true girly girl outing in the middle of the day, in between my…