I recently read an article that defined joy – but not overall happiness – as being the small details in life that bring us fleeting but nonetheless real satisfaction. Whether because they have sparked my fascination, offered extra little conveniences, or dotted my life with moments of pleasure, following are several things that have floated my boat recently. (Maybe we will have an actual boat someday, and I will be sure to add it to the list!)
The UFO Phenomenon. I am certain I am opening myself up to all sorts of nerd jokes here, but I have discovered a whole new area of interest. Here is what happened: Recently, I was sick, felt terrible and was essentially couchridden on an otherwise lovely three-day weekend. Randy made a drugstore run for juice and medicine and such and, wanting to distract and cheer me, he decided to purchase some light reading for me in the magazine section. Well, I am not the easiest person to buy a magazine for – I am practically an advocate against beauty magazines and I already subscribe to my favorite other sorts. He ended up taking a gamble on one called OpenMinds, a thick publication addressing “UFO Investigations, News and Evidence.” Knowing I am a Sci-Fi fan, he figured at the very least it would be amusing. Expecting nothing more myself, I flipped through it. Then I went back and read every article. What I discovered was both alarming and awe-inspiring. I ended being terribly impressed by the amount of evidence for and the widespread witness testimony about some truly bizarre, unidentified phenomena. I am not interested in trying to reach premature conclusions about what is actually going on, but I highly recommend checking out the mind-boggling details!
Falsies Mascara. I needed new mascara, anyway, and thought *Maybelline’s claim of false-looking results unlikely, but figured the stuff would at least suffice to coat my lashes in black. However, it ended up being my favorite mascara ever! It really does add impressive length and fullness. And for people like me who don’t even have cause for getting dressed every day (although I do anyway!), the occasional extra primping boost is pretty exciting.
Potatoes. Potatoes? Yes, potatoes. This almost-too-easy-to-be-called-a-recipe from 101 Cookbooks’ blog reminded me of the delicious, natural simplicity of baked potatoes. Now that we have been reacquainted, spuds have become a regular staple in my kitchen.
Dark Chocolate. I love dark chocolate. It provides just the sweet edge I am looking for after a meal, and by now we all know about its significant health benefits. Plus, I have increasingly tried to be mindful of the fact that when I purchase something, I am essentially “voting” for it, contributing to the stats businesses use to respond to consumer preferences. So I particularly appreciate Endangered Species Rainforest Dark Chocolate because it is an all-natural product made from “ethically-traded cocoa beans from small family-owned farms” and that “supports endangered animals’ habitats.” Printed on the inside of each wrapper is information raising awareness about a featured endangered species. We don’t have to choose between continuing to be consumers and becoming more aware and responsible.
Raw Organic Cashew Cream. On a similar note, I have also been making an effort to cut back on (vote less for) animal products for environmental and compassion reasons. While I do still eat meat occasionally, one of the ideas some advocates in this arena promote is that one needn’t eliminate meat or animal products entirely to make a difference. Wherever you are on the animal consumption spectrum, by eliminating meat even just one day a week, you can significantly lessen your impact on the environment. Take a moment to read about the Meatless Mondays movement. I found the following to be the most moving statistic:
The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those
of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons
of water go into a single pound of beef, while soy tofu produced
in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
That said, I am also an ice cream person. I already eat meat only rarely, so my biggest room for improvement lies in the dairy aisle. However, Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery concocts this amazing stuff – nondairy, natural, organic, rich, flavorful, even nutritious. It totally works for my ice cream fix. It is not low-fat, but I didn’t say I cared about fat, did I? Because when it comes to dessert, I don't.
Out of Africa Shea Butter Bar. It bothers me that the only way to access so many of the beauty products I can't seem to live without is by purchasing them in bulky plastic containers. For years, I used pump face washes until discovering this shea butter face bar. It is all-natural, practically lasts forever and I love the results. I save money and end up cutting back on my plastic consumption. Win, win, win, win.
Speaking of reducing plastic consumption, last week I came across solid lotion bars in a little boutique, the only packaging being the bit of wax paper in which they were wrapped. Great idea, right? So I asked for the independent manufacturer's website so I could promote them here, but was disappointed to learn they are not online. So I did some Googling to see who else sells/ships them, but it turns out making them at home is so easy I simply must recommend it instead. Click here for the recipe. I will definitely be doing this myself when the weather gets cooler, at which time extra moisture is a must for my skin, and treating my body with a bit of (optional) scent, as I do so love to do, won't get me eaten alive by the Midwest's outdoor residents.
Suction cupped bathroom supplies similar to this, like hooks, soap dishes, etc. let me hang bathing suits or hand washed items from hooks suctioned onto the shower wall, and put my face soap bar in a dish suctioned above the sink so it doesn’t get icky sitting on the counter top. Most home improvement stores carry lines of these - every bathroom gadget you can think of gone suction cup wild. Each costs a couple of dollars.
Dr. Seuss! Of course, I already knew his books were superbly rhythmic, and funny, and brilliant, and sweet, and silly, but how often does a single adult have occasion to be reminded of the joys of Dr. Seuss? But now, my toddler insists daily on reading together multiple Seussical lyricals with the fervent insistence most adults apply to their important to-do lists. Experiencing a little (or a lot) of the sublime, good-time rhyme on a daily basis is so much fun and really keeps things in perspective.
Mermaid Art. I don’t exactly know why I love Mermaid art all of a sudden. Maybe it was sparked by decorating the Peter Pan nursery (a.k.a. the Darling nursery), has to do with living by the water, or just seems like a fun (although only slight) break from the typical fish-themed bathroom, but perusing the variety of fun, whimsical, beautiful, retro-style Mermaid art out there is my latest “thing.” Fortunately, connecting with our bliss does not require we be rational. I recently saw a piece of interior decorating expertise in some sort of décor magazine advising that we all surround ourselves with items we love and find beautiful, no further explanation required. While most of the items in our home have a story behind them, it is nice to keep in mind that I do not always have to know the answers to my own “Why?”s.
Chai latte with a shot of espresso. Sighhh. My absolute favorite. Although it sounds strange, it is actually the perfect blend. This list is definitely not organized in order of importance.
Speaking of chai lattes… Making fancy beverages – coffee concoctions, herbal teas, fruity mixed drinks – at home is a key way for me to milk a little extra joy from my day and share it with others as well. It seems like such a simple concept, but back in the days when the economy was booming, so was my checking account. Even splurging on weekly pedicures, dry cleaned clothing and nearly daily soy mochas still allowed for stashing away healthy savings. But even in the midst of such prosperity, I wish it had occurred to me to buy a coffee maker and a teapot and take a few moments each day to make a little something special in my own kitchen. But back then I was so busy and always on the go… Maybe that is why I am only now stopping to consider the little, everyday things that bring me joy. It is a state of mind I am more than happy to have in place of my long lost pedicures any week.
So now I just have to ask - and I'd love to know! - what are your little pleasures or big fascinations lately?
- Sarah
The UFO Phenomenon. I am certain I am opening myself up to all sorts of nerd jokes here, but I have discovered a whole new area of interest. Here is what happened: Recently, I was sick, felt terrible and was essentially couchridden on an otherwise lovely three-day weekend. Randy made a drugstore run for juice and medicine and such and, wanting to distract and cheer me, he decided to purchase some light reading for me in the magazine section. Well, I am not the easiest person to buy a magazine for – I am practically an advocate against beauty magazines and I already subscribe to my favorite other sorts. He ended up taking a gamble on one called OpenMinds, a thick publication addressing “UFO Investigations, News and Evidence.” Knowing I am a Sci-Fi fan, he figured at the very least it would be amusing. Expecting nothing more myself, I flipped through it. Then I went back and read every article. What I discovered was both alarming and awe-inspiring. I ended being terribly impressed by the amount of evidence for and the widespread witness testimony about some truly bizarre, unidentified phenomena. I am not interested in trying to reach premature conclusions about what is actually going on, but I highly recommend checking out the mind-boggling details!
Falsies Mascara. I needed new mascara, anyway, and thought *Maybelline’s claim of false-looking results unlikely, but figured the stuff would at least suffice to coat my lashes in black. However, it ended up being my favorite mascara ever! It really does add impressive length and fullness. And for people like me who don’t even have cause for getting dressed every day (although I do anyway!), the occasional extra primping boost is pretty exciting.
 |
| www.101cookbooks.com |
Dark Chocolate. I love dark chocolate. It provides just the sweet edge I am looking for after a meal, and by now we all know about its significant health benefits. Plus, I have increasingly tried to be mindful of the fact that when I purchase something, I am essentially “voting” for it, contributing to the stats businesses use to respond to consumer preferences. So I particularly appreciate Endangered Species Rainforest Dark Chocolate because it is an all-natural product made from “ethically-traded cocoa beans from small family-owned farms” and that “supports endangered animals’ habitats.” Printed on the inside of each wrapper is information raising awareness about a featured endangered species. We don’t have to choose between continuing to be consumers and becoming more aware and responsible.
Raw Organic Cashew Cream. On a similar note, I have also been making an effort to cut back on (vote less for) animal products for environmental and compassion reasons. While I do still eat meat occasionally, one of the ideas some advocates in this arena promote is that one needn’t eliminate meat or animal products entirely to make a difference. Wherever you are on the animal consumption spectrum, by eliminating meat even just one day a week, you can significantly lessen your impact on the environment. Take a moment to read about the Meatless Mondays movement. I found the following to be the most moving statistic:
The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those
of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons
of water go into a single pound of beef, while soy tofu produced
in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
That said, I am also an ice cream person. I already eat meat only rarely, so my biggest room for improvement lies in the dairy aisle. However, Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery concocts this amazing stuff – nondairy, natural, organic, rich, flavorful, even nutritious. It totally works for my ice cream fix. It is not low-fat, but I didn’t say I cared about fat, did I? Because when it comes to dessert, I don't.
Out of Africa Shea Butter Bar. It bothers me that the only way to access so many of the beauty products I can't seem to live without is by purchasing them in bulky plastic containers. For years, I used pump face washes until discovering this shea butter face bar. It is all-natural, practically lasts forever and I love the results. I save money and end up cutting back on my plastic consumption. Win, win, win, win.
Speaking of reducing plastic consumption, last week I came across solid lotion bars in a little boutique, the only packaging being the bit of wax paper in which they were wrapped. Great idea, right? So I asked for the independent manufacturer's website so I could promote them here, but was disappointed to learn they are not online. So I did some Googling to see who else sells/ships them, but it turns out making them at home is so easy I simply must recommend it instead. Click here for the recipe. I will definitely be doing this myself when the weather gets cooler, at which time extra moisture is a must for my skin, and treating my body with a bit of (optional) scent, as I do so love to do, won't get me eaten alive by the Midwest's outdoor residents.
Suction cupped bathroom supplies similar to this, like hooks, soap dishes, etc. let me hang bathing suits or hand washed items from hooks suctioned onto the shower wall, and put my face soap bar in a dish suctioned above the sink so it doesn’t get icky sitting on the counter top. Most home improvement stores carry lines of these - every bathroom gadget you can think of gone suction cup wild. Each costs a couple of dollars.
Dr. Seuss! Of course, I already knew his books were superbly rhythmic, and funny, and brilliant, and sweet, and silly, but how often does a single adult have occasion to be reminded of the joys of Dr. Seuss? But now, my toddler insists daily on reading together multiple Seussical lyricals with the fervent insistence most adults apply to their important to-do lists. Experiencing a little (or a lot) of the sublime, good-time rhyme on a daily basis is so much fun and really keeps things in perspective.
Mermaid Art. I don’t exactly know why I love Mermaid art all of a sudden. Maybe it was sparked by decorating the Peter Pan nursery (a.k.a. the Darling nursery), has to do with living by the water, or just seems like a fun (although only slight) break from the typical fish-themed bathroom, but perusing the variety of fun, whimsical, beautiful, retro-style Mermaid art out there is my latest “thing.” Fortunately, connecting with our bliss does not require we be rational. I recently saw a piece of interior decorating expertise in some sort of décor magazine advising that we all surround ourselves with items we love and find beautiful, no further explanation required. While most of the items in our home have a story behind them, it is nice to keep in mind that I do not always have to know the answers to my own “Why?”s.
Speaking of chai lattes… Making fancy beverages – coffee concoctions, herbal teas, fruity mixed drinks – at home is a key way for me to milk a little extra joy from my day and share it with others as well. It seems like such a simple concept, but back in the days when the economy was booming, so was my checking account. Even splurging on weekly pedicures, dry cleaned clothing and nearly daily soy mochas still allowed for stashing away healthy savings. But even in the midst of such prosperity, I wish it had occurred to me to buy a coffee maker and a teapot and take a few moments each day to make a little something special in my own kitchen. But back then I was so busy and always on the go… Maybe that is why I am only now stopping to consider the little, everyday things that bring me joy. It is a state of mind I am more than happy to have in place of my long lost pedicures any week.
So now I just have to ask - and I'd love to know! - what are your little pleasures or big fascinations lately?
- Sarah
* Life Flipping does not receive nor has it ever accepted compensation for its content.
10 comments:
Three things:
1) One strong theory regarding governmental coverup of UFO's is that to admit their existance would negate the credibility and power of organized religion, and that society would "fall apart" if that happened.
2) When I was a little kid stuffed size enhancing bras were called "falsies". Makes me giggle every time I see and ad for that brand of mascara.
3) And, speaking of joy, look at the radiant joy on your face in the pic you included with this blog!
1) I think that may be the case, and it is such a disappointment. No individual or group should think themselves expected to possess ALL of the answers to the complexities and mysteries of life and the Universe.
2) Hehe, I made you giggle!
3)Thank you. I must be drinking a chai latte :)
- Sarah
Should I post the completely, outrageously naked mermaid picture of you? Joy!
Drat! Because you have write access to the blog, you are the one person whose comments I am not able to moderate :) You are so silly!
- Sarah
The joys of current life:
The joy in my toddler when his dad comes home from work each day.
The delight in my toddler at the simplest of all things, like "helping" around the house, or finding something fun to repeat, repeat, repeat all. day. long. (The delight I see in him is better than the less-than-delighted feelings I sometimes have for the repetition.)
My evening shower...just a few minutes on my own.
Quiet time each day, when the tot is alseep and nothing else is going on.
Times like last night when my husband and I talked for quite awhile in bed, reminiscing about different times we have shared together. We cut ourselves off several times because we knew we needed to go to sleep, but the conversation continued, until finally we just stopped. One of the main reasons I LOVE the fact that we don't have a TV in our bedroom and we don't really use our cell phones and have the cheapest plans with the cheapest phones available.
Such sweet joys! And yet a few moments alone are so lovely, too. I can totally relate :) And I hear you re: no television in the bedroom. (That's a rule in our house, too.) Those late night conversations are fun.
- Sarah
I absolutely LOVE the Chai with expresso. I had them in California this Summer. Mine had White Chocolate Moca in it as well. I just tried to order one at Starbucks and they didn't really know how to make it. Gotta find a small coffee shop that has already caught on to the rage.
I also rediscovered the potato this winter. It is a great hearty staple.I like to make twice baked with sauted veggies.
I think you and I are kindred spirits of sorts when it comes to beverages :) And yes, those small coffee shop baristas tend to really know their stuff! Mm, twice baked is so good. It's nice to have something easy and natural (and inexpensive!) on hand when I don't feel like cooking a whole complicated meal.
- Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Great post! I can't wait to try the Chai with expresso.
My fiance was just visiting and we always try to dance at least once during our trips, in our bare feet, any time of day in the living room/hotel room/wherever.
I subbed in a music class on Friday and the kindergarten and first grade classes sang, hopped, and tiptoed along with some cute songs in a circle (I joined them). I stopped for a moment to enjoy such an innocent, sweet time with them.
I have a new favorite smoothie that I make at home that includes a frozen mixture of pineapple chunks, orange juice and gingerale....along with fresh fruit you throw in. No milk, ice or yogurt. My new favorite!
Take Care!
Kelli
Kelli, when you try the chai latte with espresso, get it iced. Drinking it cold seems to bring out all of its subtle flavors.
Dancing! That is a great one. I have definitely not danced enough in my life. We take our toddler to music classes now, though, and dancing around with all of the parents and other babies is such a nice reminder of the importance of music, and of making time for silliness :) The best part is later, seeing her wiggle and bounce every time she hears music. It is SO cute, but I make sure I don't laugh so she won't become self conscious about it; I just smile, compliment her and join in.
- Sarah
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