1. The look of Skitty's paw prints in fresh snow.

2. How whenever I call Joe my boyfriend in his presence, he corrects me and says "fiance," with a petulant emphasis on the last syllable.

3. That new-ish pet adoption commercial where the woman tries to get the dog to understand he's supposed to fetch the ball, gives up and rolls on her back, and then is totally surprised when the dog finally brings the ball to her. Its tagline: "You don't choose the dog; the dog chooses you." (The first time I saw it, I actually cried.)

4. Everything about the movie WALL-E (which makes me cry EVERY time).

5. Ina Garten. (Lately I kind of wish I could BE Ina Garten. She's lead such a fascinating life, and she always seems SO happy.)

6. When Scout crawls into bed with us, puts his fuzzy little face between ours, and lets out a big, contented sigh (can you tell I love my dog or what?)

7. This radio ad I heard last night for, um, personal lubricant, where the guy and the girl are all, "You're amazing!" and "No, YOU'RE amazing!" (because it reminds me of how dorky Joe and I get sometimes).

8. Miniature carnations, surprisingly enough.

9. The scrunchy face my best friend Candace makes whenever I tell her something she knows is true but doesn't want to hear.

10. Two words: baby socks.


[NOTE: Recipe of the Week will return tomorrow, and from now on will run on Wednesdays. Why? It's silly, but the News Journal runs its food section on Wednesdays, and Wednesday make me think "recipe" more than Tuesdays.]