The Simple Things In Life

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
~Albert Einstein

I came across a blog post by Sherry at Everyday Possibilities {don’t you just love the name of that blog? Truthfully, I sometimes pick blogs to follow because of the name…}
She is part of a blogging ring that is writing today about the simple things in life that give them pleasure, and to give thanks for those simple things by writing a list. The host of this challenge is Christina at Soul Aperture {another great blog name}.

I thought that it was such a great idea, I wanted to play along as well.

It's the simple things in life that makes my soul sing...

the changing seasons of the crabapple tree outside my office building {actual picture}
watching clouds drift by
sunsets over water
traveling to a new place
going to my favorite coffee shop ~ Emy Js ~ each morning for my
“liquid courage to face the day”
the mug my daughter made for my morning coffee
laughing great big belly laughs with my Mastermind group
exploring different artistic mediums
singing the litany of saints at church when I am the cantor
answering the door at Halloween and seeing all the kids in costumes {even the older ones who don’t really have a costume but do have a pillow case and roller blades to get the most candy before the end of the night}
singing “Varsity” at a Badger Football Game with my arms connected to other Badgers
playing “Where’s Bucky?” in a stadium filled with red and white
the "5th Quarter"
triangles
the first snow fall
a crackling fire
watching my daughter dance
seeing my son play baseball
kissing my husband goodnight ~ good morning ~ hello ~ goodbye….
a spa pedicure at the Wellness Spa

a massage with Allen at Inner Element
buying a new pair of shoes, and getting an insane deal on them
Japanese Cherry Blossom scent from Bath & Body Works
lying on the couch with my daughter with my head upside down pretending I am walking on the ceiling (remember doing that as a kid? Or it is just me?)
light and shadows as they shift across the floor throughout the day
writing a poem
pine trees in a forest covered with a blanket of snow
getting lost in a good book
date night on the couch
painting a wall
getting into the zone when I am creating something, anything
being inspired by other artists
creating a piece of jewelry and having the recipient tell me that it is better than they expected
decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments from the past
mint
carving pumpkins with the DiSalvo’s {images from 2010 Pumpkin Extravaganza}
stirring my ice cream until it is a creamy consistency
lots of sprinkles
chocolate cupcakes
oranges
Sara Bareilles and Micheal Buble and Rascal Flatts and Mozart
baby toes
bouquet of assorted fresh picked flowers
a hot cup of tea
turkey at Thanksgiving with my mother’s stuffing (haven’t had this in years)
Project Runway
Jeff Dunham and Peanut
fresh sheets
sleeping in late (and not waking up until I want to)
hot bubble baths, uninterrupted
a day without telemarketing phone calls

caller ID
the thrill of finding something unexpected and special in the clearance aisle
receiving a hand written note in the mail
wrapping packages with pretty paper and REAL ribbon {always}
new notebooks, fresh pencils, packs of looseleaf and other new school supplies
a brand new box of Crayons
Moonstruck truffles, especially the sea salt chocolate caramel
finding that perfect greeting card

all my friends made in the blogdom over the last year, you are the best!
supporting local
opening my farm fresh eggs from Raikowski farms to find all the fun colors the chickens lay {my kids like the green eggs!}
fall leaves

rain on the roof

inspirational quotes
pressed pansies
taking a wheel pottery class with my son
taking a drawing class with my daughter
skeleton keys
pearls
jars of old buttons

seeing the possibilities in everything

working on projects with my kids {like the Native American diorama above}
making a list of tasks and crossing them off one by one
clean hair
the smell of my kids after a shower
the rare chance to really hug my son
my fake exasperation when my daughter asks me to scratch her back
giggles
exhaling “I love you” to my husband just as I fall asleep

This is just what I came up with in a short 10 minutes {okay...so I'm a fast typist!}.

What are you most thankful for?

What are the simple things that give your heart joy?
Do tell! And I encourage you to make your own Simple Things list on your blog!

Check It Out:: Everyday Possibilities

Enjoy the day!