Coffee-- I love the smell of it first thing in the morning, I love my quiet early hours sipping it and watching the sun rise.

Ice cream-- One of my favorite weekend treats in the summer is walking to the ice cream place for a huge colorful cone. I love trying different flavors and I love walking back home in the sun enjoying it. Always makes me just as happy as when I was a kid.

Mushrooms-- I grew up morel hunting with my father in the woods, and still love spotting them on my walks now, figuring out which ones they are. I love when the mushroom stalls arrive at the farmer's market, all kinds of colors and shapes and sizes to take home and fry up. I love what fascinating, complex things they are scientifically, and the connections they hold to all the rest of nature in the woods.

Libraries-- One of my favorite places since I was a little girl. I love the atmosphere, the smell of the books, the quiet, the rows and rows and rows of books. I can spend forever browsing endlessly.

Ducks-- My home is right next to a large pond, and a flock of ducks returns there year after year. I always look forward to their return, and to seeing the ducklings arrive so cute and fluffy and tiny and grow up into the new flock.

Rainbows-- I've always loved seeing these since I was a kid, they make me feel so happy and make the day seem so special. I also love anything rainbow colored or patterned and have lots of stuff in rainbow colors.

Lilacs-- I love most flowers, but lilacs are very special to me. I grew up with huge bushes of them lining the yard, and the scent is still a fond memory of home. I'm lucky to live in a city with lots of them here, so that even now I can still enjoy that. I can't wait to have my own house and yard so I can have my own bushes again.

Fires-- I love having a roaring fire in the fireplace when it's raining or snowing out, curling up with a blanket and and a mug and reading. I love campfires and beach bonfires with friends, roasting marshmallows and sharing drinks and stories and songs. I have so many great childhood memories of watching the flames flicker and dance.

Cafes-- One of my favorite ways to spend a lazy weekend morning or afternoon; taking in the ambience, trying specialty drinks, sipping tea or coffee and enjoying pastries or cheeses while reading a good book and watching out the window.

Autumn-- My favorite season of colorful leaves, crisp air, misty mornings, apple and pumpkin picking, and chilly nights with a cozy blanket and mug of tea and thick book.

Cinemas-- There's nothing like being in the darkness with your huge bucket of popcorn as a story plays out huge and loud in front of you, losing yourself entirely on the big screen.

Sci-Fi-- A lifelong love of mine; exploring the depths of space, galaxies and planets both real and imagined, all the most fascinating parts of science in brilliant new concepts.

Tea-- A passion of mine since I was very young. A warm comfort curled up with a book and a blanket, thousands of blends sweet and tart and strong, a soothing steaming mug.

Cats-- Well, all cats in general, but of course especially mine. I've had cats all my life. This is Cal asleep with his tail in his mouth-- since I was little I wanted an orange cat just like this, and I love him so much.

Books-- My lifelong passion and companions. I love losing myself in other worlds, faraway and imaginary places, growing to love characters like old friends. I even love the smell of the pages.

Fireworks-- I love watching fireworks. The lights, the colors, the excitement, the warm summer nights with the blue sky and the damp grass. It turns me right into a little kid again.

Summer-- I love soaking in the sun while I read trashy thrillers by the pool, floating in the cool blue water, warm nights barbecuing and sharing cold drinks, and all the heat and greenery.

Fantasy-- Ever since I was a little girl I've loved losing myself in fantastic worlds-- magical kingdoms, enchanted forests, epic quests across ancient realms, faeries, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and more.

Horror-- Ever since I was a little kid and it was completely forbidden, adding to the thrill every time I got to sneak some home. I love horror. I love being scared. I love old school ghost stories and retro monster movies and modern slasher stuff. I love my old 80s black paperbacks. It's not something you can really explain to someone who isn't into it. It's just plain fun.

Sea-- I've been fascinated by the sea since childhood. I love the beach, I love the roll and crash of the waves, I love the endless blue expanse on the open ocean, I love the changing colors, I love the romance of it.

Mail-- Who doesn't love getting a real letter in the mail? I love getting something from my penpal, bursting with chatty news and questions and decorated with cute stationery and stickers.

Piano-- The most soothing and lovely music to me since I was a little girl. I love both classical and modern piano music, and it never fails to relax me and make me happy. I'm still hoping to learn how to play.

Cooking-- I love how sensory it is, the sound of things steaming and sizzling and chopping, the colors of fresh ingredients, the feel of them under my hands, the look of the ingredients being transformed, the smell of something simmering on the stove, and of course the taste. I love unwinding with some jazz or swing on and my cute apron on and a glass of wine or beer in my hand while I cook.

Spring-- Growing up in Michigan with long harsh winters, I definitely learned to appreciate spring. I love the end of the cold bleak weather and the beginning of warm breezes, fresh air, open windows, everything sprouting up green and coming into flower.

Forests-- I grew up next to a nature preserve and my entire childhood was filled with exploring the woods, with hunting for mushrooms and berries and bugs and learning to identify leaves and wildflowers, imagining myself in a hundred different fantasy novels. It's still the place that brings me the greatest calm and peace.

Rain-- Refreshing summer rain with the fresh green smell afterward, chilly autumn rain while you're warm inside, the look of it outside and the sound against the window while you're curled up with tea and a good book. My favorite kind of cozy night.

Baths-- Soaking and relaxing in the fragrant hot water, with lots of bubbles or a fizzy bomb in a luscious scent. I love reading and listening to books or music in the tub.

Baking-- The feel of kneading fresh dough, the smell of fresh bread or cookies in the oven, and of course tasty goodies when I'm done. One of my fave weekend activities.

Walks-- Ever since childhood I've loved the peace, solitude, and contemplation of wandering through forest trails or even just around the neighborhood.

Sewing-- I love this calming, zen-like craft. I love watching the stitches slowly bloom into something bright and colorful and lovely.

Fresh, clean sheets-- Is there any better feeling than climbing into a fresh, clean-laundry-scented bed at night after a long day?

Walks-- Long nature walks in the woods or by the shore, hiking through the wilderness, or just strolling around my neighborhood. This has been my place of peace and calm ever since I was a little girl and could spend hours and hours just wandering.