Mary’s Favorite Things

Aside from God, friends, and family, these are some of the things that made Mom happiest in life:

·        Starbucks Pike Roast coffee

·        Gnomes

·        Tiny things

·        Wild 1960s bicycle gangs of Burien

·        The deep silence while snorkeling

·        Almond croissants and Christmas Kringle

·        Norwegian rosemåling 

·        Live music

·        Pointed toe high heels

·        1940s fashions

·        All things Australian

·        True and thoughtful song lyrics

·        Yorkies

·        A perfect haircut

·        Samsara perfume and Bulgari cologne

·        Champagne

·        Perfectly folded laundry

·        Analyzing human behavior

·        People who live as they please

·        The many moods of the Sea

·        Our Lady of Peace Retreat House (Portland, Oregon)

·        Nuns in full habits

·        The Sound of Music

·        Hoop earrings

·        Nordstrom Café’s Lime Cilantro Chicken Salad

·        Polish Christmas Songs

·        Pope John Paul: His sayings, his joy, his humor, his humility

·        Nun Movies: The Trouble with Angels, The Bells of St. Mary’s, Come to the Stable

·        Carmel, California

·        Sea otters

·        Gregorian Chant

·        Hugs and kisses from Zelie, Beaux, and Lachlan

·        Disneyland: Peter Pan’s Flight and Radiator Springs

·        Good service in restaurants or hotels

·        Ballroom Dancing: Dancing with Dad, or watching Dancing with the Stars

·        Being Irish: laughing and loving fiercely; feeling everything too deeply. Pride & humility. Doubt & faith. Joy & sorrow.

·        Adrian Monk

·        A 73 degree sunny day

·        Argentinian Malbec

·        Jimmy Buffett

·        Babies

·        The perfect Christmas tree

·        1960s “Nancy Drew Foods” (Egg salad sandwiches, chicken salad, canapes, relish trays)

·        Cooking all-day spaghetti sauce

·        Watson’s Nursery & Greenhouse

·        Skiing

·        Sir Elton John

·        Gift shops

·        Beeswax candles

·        Sunday night sundaes

·        Live theater

·        Fresh laundry, hung outdoors to dry

·        Belting out “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Mis

·        Captain von Trapp (AKA “Captain Awesome von Sexy Pants”)

·        Harry Gesner and “The Sandcastle House” in Malibu

·        Knitting hats and embroidering tea towels

·        Bruce Willis

·        Spinning wool

·        European delicatessens

·        Campfires

·        Kayaking, being followed by seals

·        Naps

·        Vintage T-Birds

·        Polished shoes

·        Seashells and sea glass

·        Uniforms

·        Good conversations, being understood

·        Vintage Catholic pictures and holy cards

·        The mandolin

·        Musicals

·        Hiking and camping

·        Minimalist living

·        People who tell the truth, even when it’s inconvenient

·        Dark chocolate chips

·        Our Scottish heritage (Humor, loyalty, and a fighting spirit)

·        Tahitian pearls

·        Reading biographies

·        Rooting for the underdog

·        Folk art

·        Dancing in the kitchen

·        Free spirits

·        Snacks

·        Talk radio

·        Investigating

·        Plaid blankets, pillows, and furniture

·        Music festivals

·        The Kohala Coast

·        Inside jokes

·        All things gemütlich or hygge

·        Making people feel special

·        Flowers in window boxes

·        Hot soup and crunchy bread

·        Swing dancing

·        Thai Food, especially fresh spring rolls

·        Murder mystery novels

·        American Bandstand; The Lawrence Welk Show; The Carol Burnett Show; The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

·        The perfect shade of lipstick

·        Non-plastic anything: Wood, natural fibers, leather

·        The Scottish bagpipes and the Irish uilleann pipes

·        Historical sites

·        Braiding hair, buying hairbows for Zelie and Beaux

·        Frederick & Nelson’s; Frango chocolate mints

·        Fresh air; sleeping with windows open

·        Old West Seattle

·        Sticking it to The Man

·        A well-tailored coat or outfit

·        Binge watching good shows (The Office, Ted Lasso, Outlander, X-Files, Maid, White Lotus, Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Handmaid’s Tale, Poldark, Downtown Abbey, Mad Men, Breaking Bad; Better Call Saul; Yellowstone)

·        Westerns; John Wayne; 1883

·        Anything Made in the USA

·        Pine trees and sword ferns

·        Helmetless bike riding

·        1990s old-school rap

·        Freedom, Courage, and Loyalty

·        Cottages and cabins

·        Beatrix Potter

·        Being barefoot

·        Coastal living

·        Scandinavian interior decorating

·        Independent thinkers and skeptics

·        Women who champion women

·        The glory days of SNL and the Oscars

·        Good music at Mass

·        Kalua pork nachos, Mai Tais, Melona popsicles

·        Memes

·        Low lighting; cozy incandescent bulbs

·        Scenic lookouts

·        Full-sky beach sunsets

·        Garden-grown food

·        The Shire; The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

·        National Parks

·        Pandas

·        Gummy bears; Australian licorice

·        Irish Gypsy caravans

·        Movie theaters and drive-in movies

·        Guy Lombardo and Dick Clark hosting New Year’s Eve

·        American Values; The Founding Fathers

·        Kingfishers

·        Norwegian sweaters

·        Maybelline Blackest Black mascara