February 28, 2010: Day 59

A purple home is a happy home.

February 27, 2010: Day 58

Very rarely, but sometimes when my parents' driveway has too many cars in it, I'll drive across the yard instead of backing out. Well...we got a dusting of snow today and it totally showcased my car tracks. Ooops. Busted!

February 26, 2010: Day 57

The ice is thawing! Hang in there, New Englanders; spring is around the corner.

February 25, 2010: Day 56

I gave blood today! (And this vegetarian has some strong iron levels - woohoo!)

February 24, 2010: Day 55

I love a rainy day every once in awhile.

February 23, 2010: Day 54

Sharing a beer and laughs with good friends can make life feel so simple and easy.

February 22, 2010: Day 53

Corey just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Antarctica. Yes, Antarctica. He brought me back this t-shirt and of course I am so touched by his thoughtfulness. I also simply love what the shirt says. Quite magnificent to think the world truly has only one, huge ocean...brings fond memories of my Semester at Sea days and the ever-changing, beautiful ocean waters. 

February 21, 2010: Day 52

Sundays are simply wonderful for many reasons; one being that it is a day designated for family. Mom, Dad and I enjoyed a home-cooked meal (thanks Dad) around the kitchen table. We discussed our weekends and shared inside jokes that wouldn't mean anything outside of the Smith household. My day was made complete with a conversation with Shannon in California and Courtney & Mara in Chicago. I could talk on the phone with Mara for hours. We discussed everything from Cinderella, to jelly fish at the "quarium," to snacks and play dates, to the upcoming arrival of her baby brother, to the fact that everybody poops. Seriously, this three-year-old is quite the conversationalist. Needless to say she left me smiling for hours.

February 20, 2010: Day 51

Found this card and a bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs in my purse today. On the inside..."I like stuff that makes other stuff better. Love, Mom"

February 19, 2010: Day 50

Friday, fleece pants and a feel good book.

February 18, 2010: Day 49

A dear friend (and my biggest music influencer) sent me a CD of a band I’ve never heard. I love listening to a new album for the first time.

February 17, 2010: Day 48

Field trip with Shannon to the Griffith Observatory to watch the sunset.

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

February 16, 2010: Day 47

My brother-in-law and I couldn't be any more different but we both share the love of photography. He's a wealth of information and has always been generous with his time and knowledge, so I always take advantage of new tricks I can soak up from him. Today he gave me his old Holga camera so I could experiment with a new medium. New toys are exciting at any age. (Thanks Robert!)

Tried a new yoga studio today. Adventures are thrilling, no matter how small.

February 15, 2010: Day 46

Mike and I spent the afternoon walking around downtown Solvang, wandering in and out of numerous shops and side roads. It was a peaceful and beautiful day. After several hours we headed back towards the car and I suddenly noticed a lightness in my wrist. My bracelet. Gone. Thus began the journey of retracing a whole afternoon's worth of steps. The streets were crowded and we had covered so much ground - it seemed pointless to search. I sat down on a bench and cried. I told myself that it was just a "thing" and to let it go. But it wasn't the "thing." It was the individual charms of the bracelet given to me by mom & dad, my sisters, Ruby and Gram. To afraid of rejection, I refused to ask any of the shop owners if they had found it so without skipping a beat Mike took on that task. The last resort shop suggested that we ask at the Solvang Visitor Center. Worth a shot. We walk in and saw the same cranky old man we had encountered yesterday was sitting at the desk. Mike stopped mid-question and pointed behind the desk, "we need to claim that bracelet." There it was, sitting on the counter after being returned by a mother and daughter who had found it abandoned on the sidewalk.

Passed this stretch of sidewalk just moments after my bracelet was claimed. I have no doubt that I have someone looking over me.

Just when you thought pancakes couldn't be any more delicious...they cook them in a ball and douse them with powdered sugar. Deeelish.

Traffic on the 101 during rush hour doesn't leave much to smile about. So we got off the next exit and watched a gorgeous Santa Barbara sunset.

February 14, 2010: Day 45

Happy Valentine's Day from a little piece of heaven.

February 13, 2010: Day 44

Enjoying the sweet sound of the wind chimes on Shannon & Robert's front porch, a gift from mom to each of the four sisters.

Dinner at "the Butter Place." For years, Shannon and I have ranked all other bread & butter to this restaurant. Simply unbeatable.

A warm day fades to a cool evening. There is just something so mesmerizing about dancing water.

February 12, 2010: Day 43

A brisk California evening filled with greasy food, bright lights and outrageous comedy.

February 11, 2010: Day 42

Baaaaambi. Don't let this picture fool you.

February 10, 2010: Day 41

"Blizzard" of 2010. Hundreds of flights cancelled. I must've done something right. See flight 479? That's me! Talk about something to smile about :)

February 9, 2010: Day 40

I miss Gram every single day. Of course some days are harder than others. She must have known that I was having a tough day because I drove around the corner and saw the sun setting over the lake and was reminded that she's always with me.

February 8, 2010: Day 39

There is something about the exclusivity of Girl Scout cookies that make them even more enjoyable.

February 7, 2010: Day 38

Celebrated the upcoming arrival of a new life.
Discovered a secret blog follower today...not gonna lie, Pep, you made my day!

February 6, 2010: Day 37

I love birthdays (and not just because of the cake.) Everybody deserves a day when it's all about them and nobody deserves that more than mom. Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you!

February 5, 2010: Day 36

Yoga in the kitchen, Patrick pretending to be a bird on Helen's chair, tofu tacos and the whole family laughing until our stomachs hurt...

My nieces and nephew (soon to be plural!) are hands down, without a doubt my largest source of contentment. These smiles can turn any bad day into the best day. It's hard to remember being complete without them.

February 4, 2010: Day 35

I simply love, love, love fortune cookies. They offer the perfect combination of a sweet tasting ice cream cone and ability to give any hopeless romantic infinite wisdom to look forward to.

I had five fortune cookies today. Yes, five. 
The fifth fortune said the following:

"Promote literacy. Buy a box of fortune cookies today."

Not a bad idea.

February 3, 2010: Day 34

As I was rushing to get ready for work this morning, I came across this picture my niece, Ruby, drew several months ago. I love how the little girl in the picture looks just like Ruby. I think it's easy to see why it makes me smile.

February 2, 2010: Day 33

The Citgo sign...it's something only a Red Sox fan would understand.

I've traveled to many cities near and far but it's true what they say,
there's no place like home.

February 1, 2010: Day 32

Success!

31 hot yoga classes in 31 days. Challenge complete!