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?
My simple pleasures:
A bath by candle light
Pouring a glass of wine into a fancy, schmancy wine glass when I am all alone
Stopping by the grocery store for a $5 bunch of flowers that usually last for a week and make me so happy!
Using the “good” china and my sterling silver flatware for an every night kind of dinner
Buying a more expensive cut of meat when it is on sale and having a special meal instead of going out to eat and paying for a tip and the extra costs. Did you know that beef tenderloin is cut into filet mignon steaks? I just learned that!
Making yummy pies/cakes/cookies, etc. with the kids.
Bringing in nature to decorate. Go on a walk and pick up acorns, pinecones, colored leaves, sticks and add these to tabletop arrangements.
Finding a good book or magazine at a yard sale or thrift store. Definitely under $1 and time for me to just zone out in “me time.”
Renting a Red Box $1 movie, popping some popcorn, and cuddling under a warm blanket in the dark.
Sewing a patchwork scarf in seasonal colors. Making a new bag out of scrap materials. I look for sheets and cuts of fabric at thrift stores to use in sewing. You find a lot of great prints and the sheets are so big you have a lot of fabric.
My coffee in the morning (I buy Starbucks brand – they have on the bag now “If you buy a bag – bring it in and get a free cup at your local Starbucks) and I love that!
Going to the library and getting a good book to read. So much better that buying a book that will sit on your shelf afterwards.
Nice warm bath & then afterwards, I do a mani/pedi on myself. I definitely save money that way.
Finding good books to read at library sales or thrift stores. And then sitting down with it with a cup of tea and some lit candles.
A bath by candle light.
Taking time for myself – maybe a facial mask, giving myself a manicure or putting extra thought into what I am going to wear that day (maybe even combining old clothes to make a new outfit).
I love this post! I was just thinking last night how sometimes life can move way too fast and we actually do and have too much. I thought how nice it will be today to just slow down and truly enjoy what I already have. Your post is a great inspiration for that!!
Thanks, Silke
About two years ago we bought a cheap pump espresso maker. That little coffee maker squirts out better coffee than what I can buy at Starbucks (okay…so I do know how to use it…burned coffee & milk taste nasty). I love, love, love being able to make fancy coffee drinks at home. We usually only make them on the weekends but they’re oh so good!
My garden is the one of my little pleasures. I filled up my window boxes …it costs a small fortune to properly load them up and make them look nice. It’s so worth it to me though. Everything else can be rotten and falling apart but at least I have flowers (or had…fall has taken away most of my flowers).
WIth three kids pulling me 100 different directions and a hubby who travels all the time I look forward to the simple pleasures. My big one right now is cherishing an actual night at home….cooking supper for the family, sending the kids to bed (or at least in their rooms) early, lighting a candle (midsummers night by Yankee Candle or High maintenance by Tyler candles are my favorite), playing some Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Buble’ or Barbara Streisand in the background and reading a book while sipping coffee with Southern butter pecan cream.
Ahhhh…it’s simple, relaxing, and can be recreated over and over as the cost is definitely minimal.
I love reading everyone’s simple pleasures. We live in such a hectic world it is nice we can find these.
My little pleasure is finding things to use in my home at Goodwill. I had never shopped at GW until a few months ago, now it’s my favorite haunt. Hugs, Marty
I never take my first cup of coffee in the morning for granted. 🙂 It’s always a simple pleasure.
I’m really enjoying the softness of the light that comes into my house this time of year. It’s beautiful in the fall. I’m enjoying the mild temperature, beautiful leaf colors, birds singing, and the sound of the waterfall in our pond.
A couple of days ago I enjoyed my first piece of pumpkin pie of the season.
Great post Rhoda. I’ll be back later to read more. 🙂
Hi Rhoda
I wrote about simple country pleasures, yesterday! 🙂
Morning coffee, is one of those wonderful simple pleasures at our house, too.
My favorites simple pleasure is watching the sun rise, whether at home or our place at the lake. It doesn’t cost a cent and never fails to please, whether the weather. The dawning of a new day. Beautiful!
Great post!
I’ve recently dusted off my breadmaker. Last weekend I used it to make cinnamon rolls that were divine! I also made two loaves of bread that we’ve used for sandwiches.
I love my CDs and candles, and using the herbs from my little garden.
A hot tub and a new bar of Ivory Soap (it floats!) with some classical music playing. It’s good to be clean!
Going through a stack of old magazines and enjoying them all over again.
The unconditional love of pets.
A walk.
Rhoda’s Blog – love it
Have a great day, Lisa
Showering, exfoliating, conditioning, shaving, manicuring and pedicuring, moisturizing and tweezing without any interruptions! With three girls 5 years old and under, this hardly ever happens, but when it does, I ENJOY it!
Also, freshly washed, high quality sheets (bought on deep discount) that have been scented with softener or linen spray…putting my freshly washed body into a freshly made bed is a an incredible luxury that I know I’m blessed to enjoy.
Other little pleasures, quiet time to read my Bible or pray alone, working in my gardens, books and magazines (thrifted, of course), kisses from my babies, time with my hunny, baking my own bread.
What a great post, Rhoda. I remember a commercial when I was a kid for Van Camps pork n beans…”live’s little pleasures are the best..all the little things that make you smile”… Now, pork and beans would not be on my list, but since my girls are in dental school and I’m an empty nester, I would say, picking up my little warm fuzzy ball of fur yorkie, Duchess and giving her a good morning hug would be one of my favorite simple pleasures. Calling up a neighbor and getting out for a walk in this crisp fall air is another…
I’m coming back to see all the great little cheap thrills others come up with!
Rhoda, I also love simple pleasures in life. Freshly laundered linens are one of my favorites. Straight vacumn cleaner lines on the carpet. Alone time when I can do anything I’d like to do. Time with my husband. Cooking supper for my family. It’s the simple things in life that really make it special, isn’t it? Thanks for this post and reminding us to slow down in life and treasure these moments.
I’ll be coming to Birmingham tomorrow (Friday) for Christmas Village at the BJCC. Have you ever been? My mother, sister, and I go every year and always look forward to it. And a day off of work is just an added bonus! 🙂 If you attend, perhaps I’ll run into you. Have a great rest of the week!
Hi Rhoda. I have been following your blog for about a year, but this is the first time I am finally leaving a comment. I so enjoy your blog. This is a great post with great comments. We have a fire ring in our backyard that my husband made seveal years ago of leftover landscaping rocks. After dinner we love to light a fire and have a glass of wine or a martini while sitting in adirondack chairs around the fire. No tv, no phones. Ahhh.
Finding dirt cheap accessories for my home and altering them to suit my needs/taste
Making pizza for my family
Lighting the bazilions of candles that I have in my house
Lying on my bed with a few magazines and a pot of apple flavored tea
Playing or reading to my everlasting love, my son
Going to the movies with my husband (w the extra-large popcorn pls)
Sitting in front of the fireplace
Hmmm….You just made me realise how MUCH I love spending time at home….!
Hi Rhoda,
This time of year, I love getting up early while it’s still somewhat dark and having my coffee by candlelight. It’s such a peaceful way to ease into the day.
I love your blog and have checked it every day for over a year now. Keep up the great work! 🙂
Hi, Rhoda! Well, you hit the nail on the head on lighing candels. I have been doing that just about every night for my family ….even last night when it was cup-o-noodles and grilled cheese! My kids just love it!
Oh and I love costume jewerly! I found this fabulous ‘saphire and diamond’ pin at GW a few weeks ago for $3! You should see it!!! its beautiful and a bit gaudy…just how I like it!! Even better then the real thing!! LOL!!!
My big thing right now, aside from occasionally thrifting, is to make myself a chocolate coffee drink. It doesn’t really have a ‘name’, it’s just some chocolate fudge brownie ice cream, blended with some chocolate coffee that has had a chance to cool down. I don’t really like coffee, in and of itself, so Starbucks has not ever been a big “thing” for me…but their bottled frappuchinos were an especially nice part of traveling (one of the larges will keep me going for a couple of hours, lol). So this is my compromise…chocolate, caffeine, and tasty. Yum.
A cup of homemade Chai tea and a candle burning in a clean house is enough for me. I also love to “shop” my house and just change something up a bit in the decor. It feels fresh and new and full of possibility for free. Also, the feeling that I’ve made someone else day better, whether it is a member of my family, a patient at work, or a neighbor or friend, there’s real satisfaction in helping others. Thanks Rhoda!