Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. D.C. got about six inches of snow on Tuesday, most of which has already melted, which is the best kind of storm around here. The kids got a day off, everything got to look pretty, and then it all warmed up and went away.

2. I needed three of us to show up for volleyball in the storm on Tuesday night in order not to forfeit, and I got four. On my walk to the game, I got to see college kids sledding and playing football in the snow, and two field mice raced in front of me, trying to get the first footprints along the virgin sidewalk canvas. And Jess gave me a ride back to the metro, which meant I didn’t have to catch the last train home. (We did not win, but I can’t have everything.)

3. Rudi and I picked up pizza and cannoli as a pre-birthday celebration tonight and then curled up with the cats to watch sitcoms, including three old Valentine’s Day episodes. It was a gentle way to usher out the end of my 50th birthday year, particularly since Rudi will be out of town for my actual birthday. (Never fear; friends and I are heading out for the night.)

How about you? What’s been beautiful in your world lately?