I appreciate: All things B today….

• Black raspberries from our own backyard! Delicious!
• Bubbles! I learned how to blow a bubble inside another bubble.
• Baby bunnies. I saw one on the drive home last night – so tiny and cute!

I appreciate:

• Sweet acts of kindness, like Ryan picking up dinner for me when he was out getting his and Katie’s dinner.
• An extra day at home to settle back in to “real” life before the week begins!
• A real shower – one in which it isn’t necessary to duck down in order to wash my hair.

I appreciate:

• Rascals, like our chief rascal and mischief-maker, Ivan. My life would be so much less interesting without them.
• Clothes pins — for all they do to further the rascals’ cause.
• This year’s cabin catchphrase (thanks to Heidi), “Power through!” Really got us through some challenging moments….
• Last night’s wonderful thunderstorm!
• Being home again with a plethora of fabulous memories to think over.

I appreciate:

• The easy, cooperative way we accomplish meals up here at the cabin. Feeding a group this size could be tricky!
• Leftover night at the cabin. What funny ideas people come up with for combining the last of the week’s meals.
• That we had a nearly perfect weather week. Today was a little steamy, but the rest of the week was picture perfect!

I appreciate:

• Yesterday’s completely gorgeous weather. Perfect day for our annual golf outing. I had so much fun playing with Ivan, Debb, Heidi & my dad!
• Making an 18-foot putt. Yes, I even have witnesses! And then, a few holes later, watching Ivan make a 30-footer! Awesome!
• Going to sleep to the sound of loons calling across the lake. How lovely.

I appreciate:

• Getting out in the canoe – even if only for a short trip. Makes me excited for when my heart is completely recovered!
• Seeing fireflies every night. I love the darkness here.
• Hearing owls outside my window before bed! I think they were barred owls. This city girl finds all this nature-y stuff pretty exciting.

I appreciate:

• The luxury of sleeping in. I never seem to pull it off at home, but here at the cabin, it’s a given.
• Heidi. I don’t know what craziness keeps her coming back every year, but it sure is fun to have her join our goofy crew.
• Seeing The Heat with Heidi and Ivan. What a great way to spend the rainy afternoon!
• That we are all so focused on finding what’s fun this week, no matter how things go. So much laughter!

I appreciate:

• The yummy, fresh, green smell of the north woods….and getting to smell that smell every day this week!
• The wonderful, weird experience of briefly checking in online every morning and then being offline all day!
• Sara, again, for minding the shop this week and making such a lovely thing possible.
• The lovely new status game improv peeps are playing.
• Okay, time to take my coffee down to the big cabin and play some Scrabble!

I appreciate:

• This quiet morning with no city sounds – just birds chirping and kids playing.
• Knowing that I’ll be playing at least one game of Scrabble today — and maybe even a game of Super Scrabble!
• Blueberries for breakfast. Delish.

I appreciate:

• Being in a place that requires me to maneuver around turtles in the (dirt) road as I’m nearing the cabin and then seeing a toad by the front door of the big cabin.
• Being part of a 30-year old tradition of taking a week each year to gather for fun & games, reminiscing, silliness and laughter.
• Pat & Mckenzie for staying home to take care of the new kitten.
• Ivan, for reminding me to beware of rapscallions. They’re everywhere!