things I love right now.

I mentioned at the first of the year that my goal for 2012 is to stay focused on the present and to stay locked and loaded on the here and now.

I had no idea how difficult such a task would be. My mind is always working, always thinking about what's coming next and even worse, looking back to analyze what has already happened and how I could've behaved differently to help create a better outcome.

One way I have been successful in my goal is in recognizing the things, regardless of how simple, that make me happy. These are things that on even the crappiest of days, can bring a smile to my face.

Here is my list of 5 things that I love right now.

1. My yard.

I'm absolutely using "my yard" liberally here, since while I do live in the house with these lovely tulips in front, I have done nothing to contribute to my lovely yard, which is by far the best in the neighborhood. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking through Candyland.

2. Garden & Gun magazine.

I have loved Garden & Gun since I picked up my first copy a couple of years ago. The magazine, which CBS news says is "not about gardens or guns," makes the south come alive on its pages and every time I read it, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have been raised here.

This week, thanks to friends John and Katherine, I was elated to learn that I made it into the magazine. Well, not me, but a tweet that I sent about their list of "50 Best Southern Bars." Not exactly the way I'd planned on first appearing in a magazine, but I'll take it.



3. My new orange pants.

I bought them when I was in New York last month at Joe Fresh and they make me happy. Part of the reason I love them (besides that they're bright and fun and summery) is because I bought them before I knew colored denim is all the rage this summer. Could it be that I have an eye for the trends? Probably not, but it's nice to think so.




4. My new food processor.

My desire to make fresh pesto led me to make this random and somewhat hasty purchase. I have very little kitchen space and even fewer cooking skills, so I have no business owning such a fancy piece of kitchen equipment.

When my mom asked me what other foods I could make with my new appliance, I said honestly, "I have no idea," and immediately started Googling "things to make with a food processor."

So far, I have only made two kinds of pesto with it, but I have high hopes and big plans.

5. 4th & Swift

When my foodie friend Emily told me that 4th & Swift is currently her favorite restaurant in Atlanta, I knew it must be good. When I had a weeknight off, I decided to take advantage and go. Only I didn't quite realize how fancy this North Avenue restaurant is - not exactly appropriate for an impromptu Monday night catch-up dinner. Luckily my friend Kim was game and we dined alfresco on a delectable brussels sprouts with green apple salad, lobster dumplings and seared Ahi tuna.

And desserts, of course. Two of them.




Since she and I hadn't caught up in a while, we also inhaled plenty of gossip and ridiculous stories. A rare Monday night treat.

It was lovely.

What do YOU love right now?