Five Favorites, Volume 2

I'm really having fun with all the new link-ups I've found the last few months.   Like this one I'm doing today, with Hallie et. al. over at Moxie Wife--I mean, who doesn't like to talk about their favorite things?

For the longest time, I felt like I was an island (although no man is, you know): all alone at my laptop, wondering who in the world besides my little stable of loyal followers (most of whom are called "relatives") was even reading what I wrote.  But then I discovered link-ups...

Hey, I think I just came up with my first favorite!

1. Blog Link-ups!

It all started this past January, when I made my first tentative foray into the popular "7 Quick Takes Friday" link-up over at Conversion Diary.  By February, I'd discovered "What I Wore Sunday," a weekly faith-filled fashion show hosted by Fine Linen and Purple.  Now I've added "Theme Thursday" over at Clan Donaldson and "3 Reasons I Love Catholicism" over at California to Korea to my ever-growing list of Internet places to go, Internet people to see. It's crazy how many new bloggers I've "met" through these link-ups!  I'm getting more visitors to my blog these days, and they're leaving comments.  I'm enjoying the "conversations" we're having.  It's so exciting!  And it's amazing how many interesting blogs I've found that I might have completely missed out on had I never pulled a Phil Mickelson (that is, hit the links--get it?).

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2. The T.V. Show "Psych"

If you've never seen this USA Network show, you don't know what you're missing.  "Psych" is hilarious.  You will probably laugh out loud while watching it...despite the fact that your husband is away on a trip and you're all alone in your big, empty house, watching late-night re-runs of a show that you can see anytime you want to because your sons have given you the first five seasons on DVD as gifts.  (It sounds a little pathetic when I put it that way.)

I love "Psych" because it's hip, irreverent, and funny without being vulgar and inappropriate. Sean and Gus are the best "buddy cops" ever, although they're not really cops.  They crack wise as they investigate murders and other crimes, but you won't see all the blood and gore that's rampant on most crime solving T.V. shows.  It's not quite "Mayberry R.F.D.," but it's about as clean a show as you're going to find these days.  Love it.  Great show.  You should watch it.

3. Sugar Babies

I was at a nearby store called "Piece 'o Cake" recently (it sells cake- and candy-making supplies, party goods, etc.), and I saw these adorable cake decorations in the glass jewelry case near the check-out.  Look at these precious little babies--notice how incredibly detailed they are!  And they are completely edible, made entirely of sugar!

I need to make a cake for a baby shower, just so I have an excuse to buy some of these sugar babies.  I do have two nieces who are about 12 weeks pregnant.  Girls, would either of you like me to make the cake for your shower?  And if so, which one is your favorite: the baby in the flower, the baby under the blankie, the baby wearing a cap and dipey, or the baby wearing nothing but a birthday suit?  Personally, I can't decide; they're ALL favorites.

4. Sugar Babies

Just looking at this image makes me nostalgic for my childhood.  When I was about eight years old, this was far and away my favorite candy in all the world.  These innocent-looking little babies were not the best thing for my teeth, however. Umpteen fillings and four crowns later, I believe my dentist can thank them for helping to put her kids through college.

5. Lemonade Stands

Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned lemonade stand run by a couple of pint-sized salesmen, shirtless in the midday heat, patiently manning their table with boundless hope and enthusiasm.  Of all my sons, these two (#'s 3 and 4) worked the hardest at peddling Dixie cups filled with Country Time lemonade--and they persisted against enormous odds, because they lived near the end of a cul-de-sac street that didn't see a whole lot of through-traffic.  It's been a number of years since this picture was taken (about 20 or so), so my memory is a bit hazy--but I'm pretty sure their dad and I were repeat customers.

Now if only summer would really come!  (Although I should just thank my lucky stars that we're finally snow-free here, and our 10-minute spring has officially begun.)

Okay, time for you to head on over to the "Five Favorites" link-up.  Because blog link-ups are the best (they're my favorite!)--but then again, I've told you that already.