It’s Friday, I’m in Love

This week has been an especially fun one with lots of visiting with friends but also an especially tiring one because said visiting has kept me up past my normal old-lady bed time and therefore a little groggy at work.

But now it’s Friday, and I’m so happy for the coming weekend. Here are the top five things I’m happy about at this very moment.

1. Google Chrome

I’m an Apple person and am perfectly happy with Safari at home (yep, I just said that), but my new snazzy work laptop is a Dell and, therefore, sans Safari. I’ve been using IE 8 out of laziness and upgraded to IE 9 yesterday. What a disaster! This morning I downloaded Google Chrome (after about 15 min. of reading Internet posts about Chrome vs. Firefox, and 15 min. is a lot of time for me to spend on something like “which Internet browser should I use?”). I love it already. It’s simple and doesn’t pester me with questions every time I try to close a window. Here’s the article that convinced me to try Chrome.

2. Adagio Teas ingenuiTEA mug

I love hot tea, especially in my cold office. My co-worker recently turned me on to Adagio Teas, specifically to this steeping mug. It’s fantastic–easy to use and easy to clean. Watch it in action here. Then check out their huge variety of loose teas. I’ve only tried greens so far, but they’re delicious and I expect to order others eventually. My small town doesn’t offer a place to buy loose teas, and while I love my homemade, herb varieties, sometimes I want some real tea. This is the perfect fix.

3. Farmers Markets

I love going to markets. Whenever I visit a new town or city, learning the time and location of its local market is first on my list. I love to see what vegetables grow in their area, what their favorite types of preserves and other prepared foods are, and what fun arts and crafts I might be able to snag to commemorate my trip. My husband and I sell artisan bread at our local farmers market each Saturday, and it makes for the perfect start to the day. It also beats the pants off going to the grocery store. Last week we bought mixed salad leaves, baby spinach, bok choy, early squash, hydroponically grown tomatoes (surprisingly delicious!), onions, collard greens, holy basil (delicious as a hot tea), radishes, stuffed grape leaves (oh so good), and a scone for breakfast. I’m looking forward to getting up early tomorrow morning, loading up the freshly baked loaves, and visiting with others from our quaint little town. I’m also excited to pick up our fresh veggies for the week. If you have the option, make sure to get out to your local market this weekend–meet the farmers, crafters, bakers, etc. in your area, enjoy being outside, and take home loads of delicious and beautiful goodies!

4. Purple Martins

We have a purple martin house and some gourd bird houses in our garden. They sit vacant most of the time, not right now, though! A beautiful purple martin took residence a few days ago. He flits back and forth from his house, the pine tree, and the power line. Over and over and over again. I’m not really sure what he’s doing, but it sure is pretty to watch. I wish he would find some friends, so we could have a colony, but for now, I’ll just enjoy him. So beautiful when he flies to and from his little abode.

5. Moxie & Oliver

This is my new favorite Etsy shop, and I’m in love with this purse. They also sell handmade guitar straps, belts, flasks, wallets/money clips, bracelets/cuffs, and more. Everything is beautiful. Unfortunately, many items, like this purse, are out of my price range. I’m certain the items are 100% worth their hefty price tags, being handmade and all, but I just can’t afford them right now. Maybe some day. Definitely check out the shop though. I’m also in love with this money clip, this clutch, and this guitar strap.

What are you currently in love with?

Happy Friday, y’all! 

Photos/graphics linked to their source.