We’ve apparently started a new habit here on Paradise Lane. Its has been becoming a tendency for years, but here recently-it happens everynight.. When Detroit was little- I remember the first night I heard him bark- we were keeping horses that summer for a friend and somehow they got out.. Our juvenille watchdog sounded the alarm. What a good dog..

So he’d bark sometimes- but not excessively- a stray piece of ag bag plastic was on the premise, or a plastic bag.. Or a car was parked somewhere out of place.. Not quite as good of a dog..

But recently-the coyotes have been spotted running past the house, and a black bear.. which is reason to bark.. But my!! All night, every night? And both dogs at full capacity? And usually right beside our equipment shed, where the sound fills the shed, and amplifies, and our house practically vibrates.. Bad dog..

I’m not sure when the first time was that I heard this song.. Mother has sung it for years. I’m sure you recognize it from “The Sound of Music”..

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

So maybe it would be helpful to take this to heart.. “When the dog bites” (or barks).. I wonder if my parents think of this, as they, once again, experience the benifits of an over protective guardian.. “DETROIT! ROLO! FOR THE FIFTH TIME!! BE QUIET!!!!” Usually the war ends with the dogs being ushered into our garage to ponder their misdeeds in silence.. It must be hard to be so unappreciated..

What are your favorite things? I have quite a list.. *Mint tea in the summertime  * Hearing a song that brings another place and time to mind- trip down Memory Lane  *Random encouragement from a friend- whether its a note, a text, or a hand on my arm with a “How’s life?”  * The Bible verse a day app on my phone  *Riding along with the windows down  *A starry night  *Sitting in our livingroom and watching out the windows at snow swirling downward  *Parking equipment after a long hard day, and being so thankful for God’s provisions  * Fresh cookies  *A colorful sunset or sunrise

I could go on and on.. Maybe you have some to add too.. It’s good to look at the blessings.. Maybe that’s why it good to be awakened at night.. To stop and think over all the amazing things in my life.. God is so good.. “And then I don’t feel so bad..” Thanks Detroit and Rolo.. And they smile, and go back to their afternoon siesta.. After all, there’s work to be done come nightfall.. 🙂

Blessings on your week,

Kendra

Bonus pic:

It was cold this week.. Mother, Emily, and Julia got to enjoy some quality time on the ice..

This week marked the date for me to sign the dotted line and take possesion of a bit of land in Fort Defiance.. I’m so excited and thankful for God’s leading.. Pretty sure it may soon be added to my list of favorite things.. 🙂 Time will tell..