Something to ponder…
With our economy in the tank and things looking pretty bleak out on the job front and in our own pocketbooks these days, what is the one little thing that you do that gives you a big dose (or a little dose) of pleasure? Something that doesn’t cost a lot?
For me, it’s my morning cup of cappuccino that I mix up myself.
I hardly darken the doors of Starbuck’s ever anymore. Oh, it’s a treat to go there occasionally, but at almost $5 bucks a cup, just not worth it. My hubby loves the bean grinder I brought home from a yardsale and so every morning, I hear the whirrrrrr of that little gadget as it grinds up the morning beans for our java.
It’s not a real cappuccino, but it’s close enough for me. I buy flavored syrups by Torani and have them around for my coffee treat and those various flavored creamers that are in the dairy case these days. Caramel Machiatto, White Chocolate Mocha, Italian Cream, all of those make me giddy to have my morning cuppa and I flavor it up just for me. I use my Goodwill Italian frother to foam up some skim milk to go on top and add a dose of cinnamon-sugar. Ahh, pure bliss! 
And how about something as simple as lighting a pretty candle on the table for dinner? I left these out from our little dinner party the other night and decided to just light the cute thing and enjoy it for ourselves.
Now that’s simple!
How about you? Let’s start a list that we can all refer back to. What is your simple and maybe inexpensive little pleasure that makes life enjoyable for YOU right now?
In spite of the economy, those trials and tribulations that we all have, and even the stormy weather some days?
Do tell?
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Hi Rhoda….For me it’s all about fragance in the house. I love the smell of candles or the little peebles you put in the vacumn or anything that you sit around to add to the home’s aroma. We have a cappucino maker & love that too….enjoy your coffee fix
Bonnie
Oh, good post Rhoda. Today I did one of my favorite things. I spent the entire day with my mom. We met for breakfast and then went to some of our favorite small stores at their Christmas Open Houses. We didn’t buy anything all day long, but had a blast getting ideas and just spending time together. Another personal favorite at home is fresh sheets. If I could do it I would have fresh sheets every night! I also love sitting in the sunroom in the evening and talking with my husband about our day. Just wonderful times.
A quiet weekend at home with projects to do always brings me happiness. A good cup of morning coffee while sitting at my clean desk, looking out the window and writing is also a very cheap pleasure. Cooking a good meal from scratch. Reading Jane Austen. I could go on and on, but I won’t!
Lastly, when I take the time to sit down and watch a movie, having my cat (or foster kittens) curl up in my lap – well, there’s not much cozier than a warm, fuzzy kitten with it’s purr motor rumbling.
My favorite is an afternoon cup of tea with lots of milk and sugar, sitting at my computer and reading blogs like yours for inspiring and pretty ideas.
For me, its falling asleep with the TV on! Seriously. I love the light of the tv that is just enough to feel like an old friend’s hug but not enough to wake you from your sleep. The TV in our bedroom has a timer on it and goes off an hour or so after we fall asleep so as not to waste electricity. Weird… I know. But there is something oddly comforting about it. I can remember being a kid and leaving the TV’s on during stormy nights for weather updates. I think that is where it stems from.
Oh and a well stocked pantry of free stuff from my coupon shopping… that too! LOL
Looking through my stash of decorating magazines and books.
Enjoying my morning cup of tea while checking out the latest on my favorite blogs.
Reading the latest books by my favorite authors.
Re-reading my Miss Read books.
Reading anything!
Hi Rhoda,
Love your blog and great ideas! My secret little indulgence is a cup of coffee with half a hot cocoa packet stirred in and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! Yum!
I love going to the library, getting new books and coming home to read. I also love lighting candles and just being still with music playing.
Rhoda,
Wow, what a great post and what great food for the soul. When I read the other’s comments I realize just how many little things there are out there that bring me pleasure-what a great thing to think about. I love the look and feel of a room in my house after a deep cleaning- I could just sit and look at it for hours. A long bath and climbing into fresh bed linens makes me feel like I am the most blessed woman in the world!
Girl!!!!!!! I am right there with ya!!!!!!!!!! Makes ya feel like you are on vacation….!!
What a lovely post. I comfort myself through background music, scented candles, special teas and coffees. I must ask:
WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GORGEOUS VOTIVE? Thanks for your time. Martha
I like a new book or magazine every once in awhile. I also love candles and fresh flowers.
I agree about the special coffee! I tend to have it straight in the mornings but I enjoy different flavors, creamers & cappucinos/lattes in the afternoon or evening. Candles are a staple for me and I love pleasant fragrances all through the house. I’m sensitive to certain ones and cannot use anything really sweet or strong. I love beautiful music too, especially when I’m cooking.
It has to be Earl Greydecaf tea hands down.
I love the stuff. Such a light lemon flavor that just relaxes me.
Going to the Goodwill on Wednesdays with Mom. That is senior discount day and she lets me put stuff in her cart and pay her back later. She always seems to be looking for a purse or sweater. I look for decor and kitchen stuff. We get to visit, laugh and find stuff inexpensively.
A cup of chai by Stash tea with two Splenda and whipped cream, a soak in my jacuzzi tub while reading my magazines, an afternoon nap, a glass of riesling, a square of dark chile pepper chocolate by Lindt, a massage from my hubby, petting my furry Keeshond pup, and cuddling my boys before bedtime
. These are a few of my favorite things.
It’s always good to get back to the basic things and simple pleasures of life. A grinder bought at a yard sale can bring just as much joy as one bought new from Macy’s.
After on long day of flying, I LUV to go to my hotel room, lock the world out and take a nice hot bubble bath with the shampoo that the hotel supplies. Ahhhhhhh!
At this time of year, I have a small pumpkin candle here on my desk to enjoy, WARMED apple wine (sometimes with a dollop of whipped cream!!!!), blueberries on my cereal (even though they are WAAAAY too expensive right now). I also love to set my table and have friends over for dinner. LOve it! And best of all, my SOFT throw that I sleep with when it is cold. XO, Pinky
I love scents in my home. I burn candles, and I also have an electric tart warmer that I love. The tart warmer heats the fragranced wax tarts with a special, low wattage bulb. The warmer has cut out designs – stars – and the light shines through, throwing lovely star design lights in a darkened room. I love Yankee wax tarts. My favorite is New Zealand Wild Berry, but it is a retired fragrance. I managed recently to acquire 18 tarts. This is one of my simple pleasures.
My twin girls and husband gave me a card last mother’s day that has a recording…My husband says “do you love mommy- Sam says yes, then Katie and my husband comes on and says we all love you happy mothers day” I LOVE that card and play it often
That looks like a great cup of cappuccino. I also make my own lattes and do not frequent Starbucks as much! Have a great day
Rhoda, loved your article. Really loved the parts where you mentioned where you purchased those kitchen “tool.”
My simple pleasure would have to be meeting a long time friend at a thirft store and then having lunch together. We hardly get to see each other and this is our time to catch up with one another!!! This week (Wed. for the 1/2 sale), we met at the Salvation Army Store on hwy. 150. My big bargain was a Krups (ice cream machine) for $4.99. It looked brand new! So now, my other simple pleasure (with my husband) will be having some homemade icecream!
A scented candle
Homemade cookies (less expensive and waaaaay better than store-bought)
Sunday dinner with family
I love having a really good cup of decaf coffee and choosing which flavored creamer to use.
I’ve been enjoying peppermint tea in the early mornings. Occasionally I drink it alone, but often with a snuggly, pajama-ed little one. It’s one of the only teas I like without sweetener so it’s been my go-to tea as I work to get the last of the “baby fat” off since my sweet boy is a year old now!
Rhoda, I could love me some of your delicious looking cappucino! For me, I have collected rare and niche perfumes so instead of buying any new ones, I go to my perfume cabinet and rediscovery old ones I haven’t used in some time. I also review new perfumes for a perfume ezine and the editor sends me a lot of new samples and sometimes full bottles. It feels like a huge treat since I haven’t been able to purchase any for over a year since leaving my job.
Also, I cut out purchasing many of my favorite magazines because I found so many extraordinary blogs like yours online that I rarely miss the magazines. I can get all my information and enticing photographs through your blog!
Rhoda, I was wondering if you’d mind sharing where you find those flavored syrups. I adore a nice non-fat mocha as often as I can, but Starbucks does get pricey.
Our simple pleasure is just running around the great outdoors. We have lots of nice parks all around this city and its surrounding suburbs.
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