I Know What I Like

I Know What I Like Written by Linda Hogeland February 2011

I like the sound I hear when I bite into a crisp apple
Especially if it is very fresh and juicy…and I can’t help but think of God with each tasty bite!


And not all apples are alike…I don’t care for the Red Delicious.
I prefer Gala, or Jonathan, Golden or other sweet varieties. I only like the sour apples like Granny Smith when eating them in a pie, warm, and topped with a scoop of natural vanilla ice cream. And sometimes my heart yearns for an apple crisp fresh from the oven with a little bit of cold milk poured over it in a bowl.

On a cold winter morning I like a steaming bowl of oatmeal with a dab of real butter and a couple of teaspoons of dark brown sugar. Mmmmm… it just warms me from the inside out…and stays with me throughout the day, making me feel content.


Contentment also comes from comfort foods like beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, or homemade macaroni and cheddar cheese. Or for me, a piece of shortbread with a cup of English breakfast tea with added milk and sugar.

I know what I like….

I like a freshly made bed with the toss pillows not tossed at all, but carefully placed in just the right positions to enhance the smoothed out comforter, and to give an inviting look as you enter the bedroom.


And the room isn’t quite right unless the curtains are pulled back to let in the natural light that warms the room and casts a happy glow into each corner.

And speaking of light…God said, “Let there be light…and there was light… and it was good”.

I like accent lights in every room to create a cozy feeling, and the light of a fire inside the fireplace. I can totally understand why Thomas Kinkade paints each window in his paintings as though every light were lit. It gives the impression that the home is lived in and filled with love….warmed with happiness.



I like a home filled with family…from young to old…gathered together around a table enjoying a meal, or lounging in a room filled with laughter, conversation, and wit.




Steaming cups of coffee held with both hands to warm the body and the soul, as the sisters catch up, or the guys talk of movies, sports…or nothing at all as they catch a nap in the recliner, or on the couch, in a room buzzing with chatter.

Yes, I know what I like…

I like babies on my lap, or lying asleep in my arms, as I plant kisses on the tops of their heads, or caress their chubby cheeks.


I like the sound of a toddler, asking Grandma to tell him a story… or the feel of his little arms hugging my neck.


I like the sound of a piano in full movement as my adult grandson’s fingers dance across the keys, sending forth beautiful music into my ears…but also into my heart and soul.
With my granddaughter accompanying him on her violin with the bow sliding gracefully, and the violin tucked neatly under her chin next to her slender neck. Oh what joy this music brings me.


I know what I like.



I like that my oldest granddaughter likes to drive over and visit us, because she says she misses us when too much time passes. She brings warms hugs with her as she comes through the door. I love having grandkids.


And along those lines, I like the click of the pool balls rolling across the large green table as the little guys amuse themselves. Or the older kids challenge each other. Or the loud, loud clatter as grandpa shows them how to break properly, and several colorful stripes or solids find their way to the pockets! He is such a show off…but I like that he is good at playing pool. He is good at so many things. But he is the best at figuring out math in his head, and he showed off those abilities when he worked in finance all of those years before he retired.


What else do I like? The big screen TV with a movie playing, lights low, and volume loud, as friends or family gather around. Popcorn popping in the microwave. Salty, buttery, bowls of popcorn passed to each viewer…crunching, munching…togetherness!

Or shopping…yes, I know what I like.
Browsing…hunting for that little treasure that will bring delight. A happy feeling when I find a new little item for the curio cabinet, or that kitchen gadget to make my life easier. That scarf, those earrings, that little something to complete the look!



I like the feeling I get upon returning home from a vacation. That sense of peace I feel when I open the door to my haven.



A warm bath is a true delight. And soaking in a tub is so relaxing. The terry cloth robe I grab after my bath wraps me up, and then brings me to my closet full of clothes. What shall I wear? I like to put outfits together, always trying to come up with different combinations.




I like lipstick, blush and mascara, and hairspray…but better yet, the little tube of concealer to erase the dark circles that my allergies bring. These are all necessities…but none-the-less, things that I like. They bring life and color to my face, and put a little spring in my step. I feel better when I look good don’t you?

I like to see my youngest granddaughters on their pretend hotel stays in my guest rooms. Hats, purses, lacy shawls…they order room service and I bring trays of goodies…and cups of tea. They tip me and I return to the hotel kitchen until the next time they ring their bells. Good times…happy memories. They are getting to the age they soon won’t want to play this anymore.


But I also love watching my “babies” grow up into lovely young ladies and handsome men. I love to think of their futures and I love to pray blessings upon all of them everyday. I love them so.


Trips to the ocean are a rare treat, but I never cease to wonder at the power of the moving waves as they crash to the shore. I stop to pray…not with closed eyes, but eyes wide open as I look to God and thank Him for the beauty I’m beholding.


Simple things in life bring joy…like eating an artichoke, peeling each leaf and dipping it in melted butter, scraping off the tasty treats at the end of the leaves….and then lastly getting to the heart, the real reward.
I know what I like.




Large flowing fountains, and Tuscan Villas…Italian countryside with towering trees, vineyards and olive orchards. I may never see these things with my eyes or touch my feet on Italian ground, but I enjoy reading about them, and seeing them in the movies. A girl can dream can’t she?





Cd’s playing in my car as I take a drive alone outside of town, listening to the music, talking to God, praying out loud as if He is in the passenger seat there beside me. He is! I feel His presence…I know he is there.




I know what I like….times with my Savior.



Hugs from my husband, my hand in his, or times I feel his gentle kiss on my neck as I stand in the kitchen cooking. I love the feel of his arm around my shoulders, as we sit in church together. And I like seeing his face, smiling at me from the other side of a table. His voice reading the Bible to me, or his head bowed as we pray together. The knowing looks we share when our hearts are one. The times when we are, “in tune” knowing what the other is thinking…demonstrated when we finish each others sentences.




I know what I like.

I like writing down my thoughts in poems and stories…and I like writing notes and letters to those I love. Sharing my heart…reaching out to touch yours…finding common ground, and staying there awhile…having a nice little visit!


I love the verse for the day:
He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
(Proverbs 15:15b)


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