With the newness of the year and the slow but sure return of the sun, I reflect back on the previous year and those things I don't want to take for granted, those things that help me make it through the dark winter.

I've chosen a few of my favorite things from each month of 2009 to highlight.

January (besides bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens)

Dramatic sunsets and clouds that look like motherships. Birthday cake and my true love.

February (besides snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes)

Hauling dirt and compost into the raised beds in preparation for our first planting in the high tunnel (and Maggie and I taking close-ups of each other). Oh yeah, and homemade bread...

March (besides silver white winters that melt into spring)

A trip to Fertrell to pick up a little lovin' for the soil... and baby tomato plants in the kitchen.

April (besides cream colored ponies)

Starting our worm composting bin, warmer days, first flushes and first harvests.

May (besides brown paper packages tied up with strings)

A quail friend, irrigation, spinach harvests, a Natural Spaces Dome and a Beekeeping Class.

June (besides rain drops on roses)

Sweet friends.

July (besides girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes)

Summer parties, summer concerts.

August (besides schnitzel with noodles)

Tomato harvests. Trips and family visits.

September (besides whiskers on kittens)

Transitions. Irrigation in the high tunnel and new seeds. Findings in the basil.

October (besides crisp apple streudel)

Color.

November (besides wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings)

Food. Wondrous food.

December (besides door bells and sleigh bells)

The celebration of winter with these fantastic creatures in my life.

"...When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad."