The Little Things

Last Saturday at the coffee shop I was craving something sweet, so instead of my usual black coffee I splurged on a soy latte with sugar-free syrup. “Any flavor, your pick,” I said. The barista nodded. I’ve been a regular for seven years, and in all that time this guy’s never smiled or said one more word than absolutely necessary.

When my drink was ready, I settled in at my favorite table, spread out my current manuscript, took a sip of coffee, and about fell out of my chair. The barista was crossing the shop and I jumped up and flagged him down. “Hey!” I said. “What did you put in my drink?”

He stopped and looked at me tonelessly. “Sugar-free dark chocolate and salted caramel.”

“That is the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had.”

He smiled.

It’s that time of year when gratitude is emphasized, when we’re all encouraged to pause a moment and reflect on the good things, big and small. In addition to the perfect cup of coffee, here are some of the little things I’ve been grateful for of late.

Image by the Book Bunnies

This review of Murder by Milkshake from Marshmallow the book bunny

I appreciated every review of my debut YA cozy mystery on the Murder by Milkshake blog tour, but this one was something special. It’s not every day your book gets critiqued by a super cute, fluffy white rabbit who happens to love literature. Check out the Book Bunnies website for thoughtful reviews and adorable photos from well-read bunnies Marshmallow, Caramel, and Sprinkles.

Morning writing time

Now that I’m in my second year of teaching middle school, I find I don’t have to go in an hour early anymore to prepare. I’m instead using that time to write, several mornings a week, before I head out for work. That slice of morning time is a treasure to me—it’s usually only a half hour, maybe forty-five minutes, but the house is calm and quiet, my mind unburdened by the demands of the day, and it often feels I accomplish more than I could in an entire evening.

Pencils

Every freshly sharpened pencil is a new beginning. I always draft in pencil—I love the feel of the lead scratching across paper, giving voice to my otherwise silent words with that satisfying and somehow authoritative sound. There have been many alluring lines uttered in romantic comedies tailor-made for the bookish heart, but “I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils” is the one that still warms me all the way to my toes.

Comfort Reads

I wouldn’t be much of a writer if I weren’t first and foremost a reader. And although I enjoy discovering new authors and staying up-to-date on the latest fiction releases, there’s just nothing like curling up with a book I’ve already fallen in love with. My current comfort read is The Lord of the Rings, and I’m probably not too far away from a Harry Potter reread as well. It’s almost winter, after all.