Finding the sunny spot to sit in and just close your eyes for a minute. Just soaking in the warmth. Our pets know this luxury. Smart little beggars.
Drinking your morning coffee, tea or milk in a pretty teacup. A pretty saucer is an added bonus.
Eating your lunch to quiet music at a properly set table.
Really listening to a child's laughter.
Drinking in all the beauty of sunrise and sunset. The sky as it changes throughout the day.
Crisply starched pillowcases. Pillows fluffed. The sheets folded over the blanket, proper. In other words a well-made bed.
Pinning on a pretty brooch, or earrings. Or wearing a bit of lace. Or something pink. Something that makes you feel ladylike.
Reading something you really enjoy. Not something just because it's on Glenn Beck's or Oprah's reading list. Not something that you think you should be reading. Just something that you enjoy.
Taking a good sniff of that mornings coffee, that wonderful soap, the herbs growing on the window ledge.
A moonlit walk.
Well there's ten to get you started. Feel free to add to the list in the comments. Never forget to enjoy this wonderful gift called life!
Those are so true! I wonder at what age I began to feel these simple joys of life?! Surely when I was little I enjoyed some of them, such as the smell of a flower, or sitting in the sun on that first warm day! But I really think I notice them more now. (esp coffee..I didn't drink that until later!) Maybe all these you mentioned are part of wisdom! love,andrea
ReplyDeleteMaybe they are part of having the kids raised and out of the house Andrea! Ha! Lot more time to stop and smell the roses now.
DeleteA well-made bed really IS a luxury--so true! Beautiful list :)
ReplyDelete-jaime
Having a well-made bed IS a luxury when you have little ones, Jaime. But it's so nice to climb into at the end of the day. The Ritz can't do any better!
DeleteMmm. I felt 'every' good thing you mentioned. Another for your list - blogging with borrowed babies singing in the background!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
I sat in the sun and sewed today, while listening to the news, Debbie. All the doom and gloom couldn't ruin the glory of that sunshine. We've had so many gray days, sometimes we forget what the sun looks like.
DeleteBeautiful! The best things in life are usually the best ones! :) Thank you for sharing such a beautiful picture my friend...Spring is really almost around the corner...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by and leaving, as always, such wisdom. You have so much Jane, I am so glad that you are willing to share so that we may learn also :-)
m.
Ahh! Thank you Maria. I'm humbled by your kind words. Never let anyone dissuade you when you find the path you believe to be right. It might be different than what everyone else is doing, but what would the world be like if we all traveled the same paths?
DeleteI love the smell of coffee! And that first sip in the morning! mmmmmm! My favorite part of waking up :)
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of coffee too, Jane. And I don't even drink it. That is I love the smell of coffee whenever anyone else makes it except my husband. He makes it so strong, it singes the hairs in your nose when you smell it! But I always take a stroll down the coffee aisle whenever I'm shopping. Pure bliss!
DeleteTwinkling stars, full moons, fireflies, the purr of a cat, strawberries and cream, warm scones...I can keep going for a long time, you know! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
Hugs,
Courtney
SHHH! Courtney don't mention warm scones! On a major diet and the one food I'm really craving is a nice warm from the oven scone. I could go on and on too. It truly is a wonderful life!
DeleteGreat list Matty! I'd love to hear owls, don't think there are very many around here. Once saw some crows chasing a Great Snowy. Nasty old crows. I think my needles will be on friendly enough terms to nit up a few beanies for your charity. Just not anything lacy.
DeleteWhat a lovely list, Jane! Okay, I'll play. My top ten freebies!
ReplyDelete1. Playing with the does, stopping to smell their sweet scent in the sunshine.
2. Stroking the kitties as they purr.
3. Wrestling the dogs and watching them smile.
4. Listening to the click-click-click of my knitting needles as I work the the latest project.
5. Sitting on the porch in the evening and hearing the owls calling back and forth in the bottom.
6. Making a lovely angel food cake and eating it with freezer strawberry jame put up in the spring because it makes me think of the coming spring!
7. Messaging the Airman who is half a world away and knowing that, for those moments, we are as close as we are when he is home on leave.
8. Stretching out on the bed on fresh sheets at night after working all day. What is it about the coolness of sheets to make one feel so wonderful??
9. Slicing fresh bread just from the oven and drizzling our honey over it.
10. Having wonderful blogging friends who are, in some ways, closer to me than friends present in body!
Have a marvelous day, Jane! I hope you and the knitting needles make up soon!
Gee wilikers Matty! I replied to your comment above!
DeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteA lovely list, indeed! Let's see, I guess I would add sunrises and sunsets, line-dried laundry, taking time to tackle a big project, taking time to make something frivolous and fun, antique stores on a cloudy day, and reading out loud. :)
Love,
Marqueta
And I forgot to add visiting the winsome Grahame family on your blog, Marqueta! What other family has piano playing chickens?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun list! I agree, really listening to Children's laughter is such a gift, I love when I hear my children happily laughing in another room, or when I hear my niece and nephew making each other laugh- so fun and cute! My dogs do have the right idea with their naps in the sunspots, basking in the sunshine is so nice. I will add one of my favorite freebies- I can spend an hour just watching the little birds in my backyard snack on the bread and seed I leave out. I love watching them hop and fly about and singing their songs. I also love cuddling up with my big labs :) What a nice post! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the first time you heard your firstborn giggle, April? I remember I kept tickling him because I just couldn't get over how sweet and adorable it sounded. I was reminded of it lately when there was a link on my news page to a You Tube video of a baby giggling. It's very popular. Seems everyone loves to hear a baby laugh! The other day a cardinal was sitting on our porch and a stray cat was sleeping on the other end. Neither was bothered by the other one. Wish I had my camera. Talk about the peaceable kingdom!
DeleteI can say "Amen!" to each of those things you have listed. I would combine those few moments in the sunny spot with a good cup of tea, a book--and a cat or two for company!
ReplyDeleteSounds like heaven! I think that's what I'll do this afternoon.
DeleteI think one of my favorite luxuries right now is the time of day daughter and I set aside for needlework. She's been knitting and I've been crocheting.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound nice, Shara! I can just picture you two working on your projects.
DeleteÓtima lista de pequenas coisas que não custam nada e adoçam a vida.
ReplyDeleteBoa semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
(⁀‵⁀,)
¸`⋎´
¸.•°`♥
Obrigado Inez! Olhando para as fotografias bonitas é outro prazer grátis!
DeleteWhat a wonderful list. I love to hear a train whistle... the train tracks down the street from me were taken out, and then, a few years ago, laid again. I just love hearing that rumble,and then, the whistle. I run to my front door and open and look down the street. It's an especially haunting sound when I hear it late at night... the town is so quiet, and then, the lonesome train whistle.
ReplyDeleteOverall I have found how peaceful it is to turn off TVs, computers, radios, and just enjoy the silence.
For me it's the church bells that create that haunting sound, Joy. Especially when it's one of those foggy gray evenings. Sort of bittersweet. I think just the solitude is why I love gardening. Just me and the birds. Of course, I'm fortunate, I can enjoy silence whenever I want just by turning off my hearing aids!
ReplyDelete