Just about two years ago, I published a post listing 100 things that make me happy.
I was thinking that it might be fun to revisit that list, and see what has changed over the past two years. Is my list the same? Are there things that I would replace, especially since I'm now living in a different state? And are there things I wrote on the list that I'd forgotten about...little pleasures that I might want to add to my life again?
So here's my old list, revamped for 2012. I would love to see your lists, too. Maybe you'll remind me of some little pleasures I hadn't considered!
- Writing
- A hug from someone I love
- Eating breakfast out...and outside
- Rainy days when I don't have to go anywhere
- Walking on the beach at night
- Singing along with a favorite song in the car
- Being greeted at the door by my cat and dog
- Back to school supply shopping with my kids
- Waking up to a view of trees and sky through a big window
- Windy days
- Figuring out a tough math or programming problem
- Having time to sit at a café and read without watching the clock
- Working on my art projects
- Watching it snow outside my window (with a cup of cocoa in my hand!)
- Scrapbooking with friends
- Spending time with my kids
- Stumbling onto great live music while walking downtown
- Finding a great new mystery writer
- A new book from a favorite writer
- Listening to live jazz, especially outdoors
- Stashing away the perfect little gifts for upcoming birthdays or holidays
- Getting a REAL letter in the mail
- Spending time with my dad, sharing memories and silly jokes
- Getting a flower/flowers from someone
- Wrapping presents with a creative touch
- Cottage gardens
- Finding a great new blog to read and follow
- Learning something new that changes my view of other things
- Moments of spiritual insight
- Fresh, juicy peaches that drip juice everywhere
- Seeing someone I love across a crowded room
- Kissing my husband
- Houses with tons of natural light
- Foggy mornings
- The smell of fresh cut grass
- Clean sheets that have been dried on the clothesline
- Handmade quilts on a bed
- Hearing a song I used to love but had forgotten about -- and remembering the words!
- British television
- Well-worn wood furniture (primitives) with stories to tell
- Long silk skirts
- The smell of old book stores
- Long walks in the countryside
- Seeing cows in a field
- Gardenias - the look and the scent!
- Really watching a butterfly flying
- Photographing the details on old buildings
- Country fairs with animals and old-fashioned craft and food judging
- Quaint old cottages
- Quaint new cottages
- Curving, hilly roads
- Wide roads with lots of green
- The first few notes of the overture before a show
- Being backstage with something to do when the overture starts
- Old, well-worn, super soft blue jeans
- Slices of crisp green apple and sharp cheddar cheese
- Holding hands
- Waking up with my husband
- Rearranging books on a shelf
- Cooking without a plan
- Cello music
- Following a fish around while snorkeling and pretending I'm a fish, too
- Poetry that does not rhyme
- Finding an especially beautiful spot on a hike...and having time to enjoy it
- Wearing soft cotton clothes
- Laying on the grass and watch the light change through the leaves
- Seeing pictures in clouds with my kids
- Flying a kite
- Seeing old people holding hands
- Keeping up on my blog
- Adding something beautiful to my bulletin board
- Finding the perfect card for a birthday or just-because
- Dropping mail in the box at the post office
- Reading on the beach, especially on a chilly day
- Warm hoodies that are still soft inside
- Blue time (twilight)
- Lightening bugs...thousands of them!
- Listening to music on a great sound system (doing that now!)
- Fossil hunting...and finding that hidden treasure
- Lazy Sundays at home
- Friends who stop by unexpectly
- Live steel drum music being played by the Bay or ocean
- Hunting for sea shells at the beach
- Warm socks when my feet are cold
- Lush, green countryside
- Goats with floppity ears
- Getting the photo JUST RIGHT
- Planning for my next trip
- Discovering people who believe in magic and fairies and unicorns and mystery
- Having the perfect airplane book in my purse when I get on my flight
- Long, inspiring, unexpected conversations
- Texture...in art, in fabric, in nature, in my home
- Cozy rooms with unexpected details
- The color yellow
- The smell of a baby's head
- My kids' art work, from beginner scribbles to amazing creations
- Giving away unneeded things to people who can use them
- Old-fashioned country auctions
- Baking for family and friends
- Long walks on cool evenings
Okay, your turn! Post your links and I will happily hop over to see your lists. And if you're anything like me, making this list may start out hard, but by the end, you'll have dozens and dozens of other happy pleasures you just won't be able to fit in the 100! And that, as Martha says, is a good thing!
:-)
