Five Favorites

You know those little snippets in life that you come across every once in a while that are just the best ever and you fall unrepentantly head over heels in love with?

It could be a certain product, or a new recipe you've tried, or even a silly little habit that you just want to make your BFF.  You really can't beat it when you find something that makes life better, easier, or more fun.

So in that spirit, I decided to start a semi-recurring post of five of my favorites.  We're talking every once in a while...maybe a few times a year if I'm feeling it.

Yes, I'm aware that I'm not Oprah and most people won't give a flying !@#$ about what I like, but at the very least, maybe you'll happen upon a new to you discovery or be inspired to experiment with something you've never tried before.  You know, spread the joy and all that crap.  That's the goal, anyway.  Without any of the clout the Big O has!

Some of the favorites I'll share are looong time favorites of mine, and some might be new discoveries that I just can't live without.  I'll warn you now, I went full on nerd with the pictures for this post.  Forgive me.  So, here goes with my inaugural Five Favorites:

1.  L.L. Bean
This one is a long time favorite.  Granted, they can be on the uber preppy side, sometimes even sliding into the nerdy category...but the fact is they make excellent products.  I think I've been disappointed only once or twice in all the years I've been buying from them.  And I buy from them A LOT.  Not just clothes, either.  Furniture, accessories, bedding, you name it. Those Mainers know what they're doing!  High quality, primarily made in the US, and my favorite as an Alaska resident - free shipping!

2.  Aveeno Lotion
I have to thank my sister for this one.  When we found out we were moving to Alaska after living in high humidity Florida for years, I was scouting around for body lotion recommendations because I knew it would rapidly become a daily necessity.  This brand was suggested, and I use it every single day.  It's so light, and my favorite part is that it has no over powering scent to it, which isn't always the case with a lot of body lotions.  Love, love, love my Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion!


3.  Room Temperature Butter
Seriously.  It's a game changer.  No more fighting with the butter to spread it on toast or a muffin!  It's nothing but cooperative.  Come on - we've all had that moment of ripping through a slice of bread with a cold, hard ass chunk of butter!  Room temperature butter changes all of that.  It lives on the counter, happily waiting to comply with your every butter spreading need.  I can't go back.


4.  The Last Lecture
This is one of those books that stays with you.  It's written by Randy Pausch.  He was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a few months to live.  This man left a beautiful legacy and compelling reminders to all of us saps still slogging away at life.  The messages in his last words are unforgettable, poignant and lessons you'll take to heart if you're smart.  If you haven't read this one, go get it.  Trust me.   And get some tissues.


5.  Magic Hat #9 on Tap
Sadly, I haven't had one of these in quite some time.  It's just not a beer you can get on tap up here.  Not too surprising, considering it hails from Burlington, Vermont.  I like it in the bottle too, but there's nothing quite like a #9 on tap.  It just has a different quality than the bottled variety and was one of my go-to requests around town when I had easy access to it.  Tasty, tasty beer.  A favorites list of mine wouldn't quite be complete without at least one beer included!

So, there ya have it.  My first attempt at sharing "Five Favorites" with all 6 of you readers out there.  I know - the anticipation for another list of favorites is palpable, right?  Not to worry.  I'll bust out with a new list every so often.  Until then you'll just have to wait on the edge of your seat and wonder.

Ta-ta for now.