Every day is a blessing, and here are some "favorites" of the past year that I hope to experience again in 2019.
![January](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/31564241127_cf4933355a_z.jpg)
In January, I look forward to a few mild days for winter hiking.
![february](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7817/46504090981_a931cb8230_z.jpg)
Perhaps the potted Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) will bloom again in February.
![march](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/46504092471_34a2e9940c_z.jpg)
Will the garden Rhubarb poke through the soil in March?
![april](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/31564242877_fbc80645ee_z.jpg)
I'll have to remember to cage or spray (with organic methods) the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) before the rabbits eat them.
![may](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7902/31564239417_f18a8f3350.jpg)
Sauteed Fiddleheads (Matteuccia struthiopteris) will be on the menu in May. (Note: Some Fiddleheads can be toxic, so do your research before consuming them.)
How to pick a favorite flower in June? Impossible!
![july](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4843/45780545734_a0ba4280c1.jpg)
July (and earlier!) will provide plenty of opportunities to search for monarch eggs on various Milkweeds (shown here Asclepias syriaca). I'm sure I'll captive-raise a few caterpillars/butterflies, for the pure joy of the experience and to help the species.
![august](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7882/45780546324_b6baf97d59_z.jpg)
Our friends, the sandhill cranes, likely will cross our paths as we hike the local prairies and woodland openings in August.
![september](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7807/46504090371_9005b488dc.jpg)
I'll spend hours observing the acrobatic ruby-throated hummingbirds in September before they all depart for points south.
![october](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/31564238167_930ed75266_z.jpg)
In October, I hope to have 'Explosion' Dahlias and Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia) blooming until the first frost.
![november](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7854/45780545114_1beb28b0d8_z.jpg)
If I'm lucky and prepared, I'll be able to refrigerate and display a few Zinnias in early November arrangements.
![december](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4864/45780546104_29a9df1125_z.jpg)
Finally, in December, I'll enjoy the late afternoon shadows and light effects over the lake.
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These simple pleasures, and many more, promise that the year ahead will be bright. Each month carries its own unique, simple blessings.
I hope you, too, will find many "favorite things" and gifts that will bring you much joy in the year ahead.
Happy New Year!