First of the First

Today's* Beautiful Thing is the dedicated voters of Dixville Notch, NH. They vote at midnight so they can be the first votes cast and tabulated. That's dedication! This year the mostly Independent voters (all 17 of them) voted for Dems over Republicans 10 to 7. Yeah!

*This qualifies as TODAY'S Beautiful Thing on 1/7/08 (even though it was 1/8/08 in Dixville Notch when they voted) since I watched the story on TV today in California.

Refrigerator Notes

Today's Beautiful Thing is a love note. I've had these refrigerator poetry magnets up for quite a while. Today I looked at them and they made me feel all warm and cozy inside. I actually wrote the notes from bottom to top. The first I left for my hubby, but he didn't reply. So, I tried a second one, but he didn't reply. I got smart and asked him a question the third time, to which he did reply, in the sweetest way.

pretty!

Today's Beautiful Thing is my new red Kitchen Aid mixer. Isn't she pretty? I was able to splurge on it because of a generous gift from my fairy godmother and a fab sale at Amazon.com. Mixer Love! Squee!

Tea

Today's Beautiful Thing is hot tea. I love a mug of tea on a cold, rainy night, whether it be herbal, black, red or white. Lipton has some new gourmet varieties that are surprisingly good. My new fave is a red tea with strawberries and passionfruit.

Barak Obama

Today's Beautiful Thing is Barak Obama, who won the Iowa Democratic caucus. Don't get me wrong, I'm still an Edwards girl, but I have to acknowledge Barak's wonderful accomplishment as well as his incredibly moving speech. Tonight he sounded a whole lot like a cross between MLK Jr. and JFK--and what could be better? You could feel his momentum grow as he found his voice, and the excitement and love of his supporters roll through the room like a tidal wave. I've had my eye on him since he ran for his IL Senate seat, and tonight he came full circle. I think he's ready now. If he ends up being the Dem's presidential nominee, I'll feel really good about it, and that makes me glad.

Good Work

Today's Beautiful Thing is going back to work after 11 days off and feeling glad to be back. I'm blessed to work for great people, doing something I believe in.

Time Off

Today's Beautiful Thing is time off with my family. Today is the last day or my vacation, and I have enjoyed it very much.

Happy New Year!