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 big mug of Chai Tea (Mystic Chai from Sam’s Club) every morning. It’s not just the taste, but something about holding that big steaming mug of yumminess is relaxing. Sitting on the sunporch on Sunday mornings reading the newspaper with my husband (with my chai tea). (we have church on Saturday evening – can you tell I’m a PK? had to clarify that I AM going to church LOL) Have a great day!
pk @ Room Remix
I’d have to say I light candles. That always makes it feel a little more homey and special at our house. And I buy the inexpensive candles from Walmart. And you know what? They smell just as good (actually better) as Yankee Candle. Mmmmmmm cappuccino. 🙂
Just having a rich dark roast cup of coffee with cream is a big treat for me — I’m very sensitive to caffine so I can’t drink it often. As well, I either make my own scones or buy a decadent pastry from my favorite French pastry chef (Julian). Then I tuck up with a magazine (from my stack that I continually buy from the thrift stores) and savor my snack.
-Having flavored creamers for my coffee.
-A cup of Russian Tea (from a dry mix I put together).
-Using a recently purchased body pouf from Target (about $1.99) to make my Ivory soap really lather up and make me feel decadent.
-Eating outside on the patio and enjoying the afternoon/evenings.
-Grilling chicken wings and watching Alabama football (hubby is a grad of Bama; I went to Clemson, but am a Bama fan too!).
-Checking out books and magazines from the library.
-Listening to my iPod.
-Making those Pillsbury cookies (the kind already in little round balls) with my son who has autism.
-Homeschooling my daughter.
Especially now with all the beautiful fall foliage…I love to load the kids up and go driving around remote dirt roads close to home. It’s just so serene to see the sunlight filtering through the brilliantly colored fall leaves. It’s even fun in the summertime…stopping by the river to dip our feet in the cold water and splash about.
I so needed this post today! I forget how wonderful the most simple things in life can be! My favorite simple pleasure are:
A cup of hot chocolate from McDonald’s. With a $1 off coupon it only cost me around a $1.25 and its so yummy!!!
A clean house
Curling up on the couch with a People magazine. My mom buys me a subscription every year for my birthday.
The smile on my sweet little boy’s face every morning.
Taking my son to the park in our neighborhood on a beautiful afternoon.
Let’s see, I really love buying a stack of Southern Living or any home decor magazines at a garage sale or flea market for $3 or less and then go home snugle up in my super comfy blanket & read magazines to my heart’s delight. My other comfort is my nightly bubble bath. I as well love my coffee with a dash of cinnamon..yum! Oh and listening to praise & worship always makes me happy!
Hey Rhoda!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind comments! It’s so fun to stay connected with people and share decorating and other interests with each other! I loved your recent post about DIY monogram plaques! Love those! I just love doing DIY projects so it’s so fun to get new ideas!
Thanks again!
Music!
A heated blanket and a good ‘thrift’ book!
See my the post I did as well… http://www.theticklepinkthrift.blogspot.com
Thanks Rhonda for helping me start my day with ‘positive’ thoughts!!
There have been enough times in my life when the simple (as in cheap) pleasures were all that I could afford and I learned along the way that they were the best kind anyway.
* Fresh flowers from the garden, whether it’s just one rose or a tiny bouquet of lilies.
* Finding the perfect “something” to round out a display or collection at TJMaxx or HomeGoods for hardly any $$
* Opening a cupboard or drawer that’s organized and efficient makes me sooo happy (and cost nothing to get that way!)
Those are just three but I could go on…
Nice post, Rhoda. One of the good things that’s come from this crazy economy is our collective shift in perspective. I hope the new attitudes stick around even as the economy improves.
Hey! I’m very sorry that this thank-you is so late; however, I want to thank you for the Southern Women’s Show tickets. (and the patience you had as I drove around lost) My friend and I had the BEST time with the exception of the flu I caught! I’ve still been weighing whether or not I would like to start a blog. I’m afraid I won’t have the time, not sure where to get started, etc. Before commenting, I found your post on 10 tips for beginning bloggers. It motivated me to get started. Thanks!
Simples in life:
1. Sitting in a room with no TV
2. Unplanned one-day road trips
3. Finding a store that hasn’t been “discovered” by most of the public
I’m like so many of these ladies. A hot bath by candlelight, a great glass of red wine, a good book, a warm throw blanket and my kids safe asleep in bed are all I need. A little dark chocolate too. Perfection ! Great post Rhoda !
HI Rhoda, First I want to thank you for commenting on my home over at Joni’s blog, that was really sweet of you. My simple pleasures are like yours a good cup of coffee in the morning, I sit on my front porch and watch the sprinklers, I am easily amused. Sitting in my backyard with a glass of sparkling water with lime and a good shelter magazine and just watching all the sweet little birds. A drive to the Ocean and just sitting and watching the waves, now that is Bliss. I actually find the simple pleasures bring more contentment than what we think of as “Big or cosly Pleasures”. Love your coffee cup! Kathysue
I too have been reading your blog for some time now and really enjoy all the things you write about. But, like some others, have never left a comment, until now. Simple pleasures is what my life is mainly all about. I like – to sit down at the end of a day with a good magazine (Country Sampler, Country Living, or even Better Homes & Garden), light a candle, and have some tea. Yesterday I rode in my neighbors combine when he harvested his beans ( doesn’t take much to make us country folk happy!), I learned all about the combine and the harvest. I also love music – if he would have had the radio on, I would have really been happy!! I like to mow the yard and work in my flower beds too. I was just thinking the other day – it really doesn’t take a lot of money to make me happy and I’m good with that.
My simple pleasures
1. Waking up to fresh home brewed coffee.
2. A good hot shower.
3. A mid morning chocolate break – Bliss dark chocolate,please.
4. Taking time to have a morning devotional and prayer.
5. Afternoon coffee with friends.
6. A stroll through a local antique store.
7. Dinner with hubby.
8. A little extra time before bed to check a few blogs that you know are going to have some great pictures or fun stories to read.
9. Spending time playing with my dog.
10. Making some time for crafting or cooking from scratch.
Great post! Aside from lighting candles and having a cup of tea at night while watching some TV, I like just having a nice, homemade dinner with my family in the dining room with nice plates and candles. I have two boys and my husband works shift work, so my life has been very hectic lately. I don’t get a chance to make a homemade dinner nearly as often as I used to, so I’m doing my best to make special meals when I have the time. And after reading your post today, I realize that just the simple act of eating together, which we no longer do so much, is one of my greatest pleasures these days. You’ve inspired me!
I can’t resist a FULL HUNTER’S MOON…and it costs the big goose egg. This past week-end we had such a windy day/night but it was in the 70’s (50’s the norm for us in Nov) hubby and I had a glass of wine out on the deck watching the clouds fly and I mean fly across the moon….it was spectacular….
I am with you on a good cup of coffee, hubby likes Starbucks but I prefer Dunkin Dounts…..we have a Keurig machine and I just love it…..I have a new Timothy’s brand that I look forward to in the am 🙂
Thanks Rho for a great post,
Kathy 🙂
My favourite thing is a fire. Lots of people have gas fireplaces now, but nothing beats a REAL fire … the smell, the crackle, getting to poke at it, even the dying embers. Sit in the family room with a tea, a book and a fire going. Who couldn’t relax!
Thanks goodness we are coming into fireplace season.
Hi Rhoda,
Being a woman who has worked outside the home for 38 years, I yearn for simplicity in my life. My home is my sanctuary and I love being able to spend a day fluffing my nest. I also immensely enjoy making homemade cards and gifts for family and friends. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction other than when someone asks “Did you make this”?
I thoroughly enjoy long afternoon drives with hubby where we meander down the roadways admiring all the lovely homes we see along the way and then maybe even finding a nice little gift shop to stop & browse through.
Two of my ultimate pleasures are spending time with my 2 small grandsons and attending Saturday evening mass. I can easily find the simplicity and peace that I search for in life while attending church. I feel safe there and can often times become filled with emotion when I look at the congregation and know that we are all there for the same reason.
Thank you Rhoda for allowing me to share some of my simple pleasures in life and as always TFS! Sheila
Throwing a cinnamon stick or two into my coffee grounds. (powder cinnamon always backs up my coffee pot).
Grinding our own coffee beans for that fresher taste.
Bottles of Perrier or San Pellegrino tucked away to enjoy when the moment is right.
Taking a ride in the country.
A new audio book from the library or Librivox. If you don’t know about Librivox. It is fabulous.
Finding a new book at a booksale or yardsale. Recently we found a booksale–fill a paper grocery bag for $5.00. Heaven!
A candle that makes me wonder what is baking. Right now my indulgence is Vanilla Cupcake from Yankee Candle. approx. $1.49
Fresh new magazines to enjoy after the kiddos are in bed. Great deals on inexpensive subscriptions out there.
Netflix watch instantly or just Netflix in general. This has been a great money saver for our family—I also despise going to the video store and pondering over what to rent.
An occasional new CD (I still love CD’s)–may not sound like a cheap indulgence, but my lastest Harry Connick has been listened to a zillion times and it just makes me happy. I recently picked up a Norah Jones Cd for $1.00.
A music download for my MP3. At less than $1.00 it can brighten even the dullest day.
Warm vanilla milk. A coffee mug of milk. Add a small amount of vanilla and a little sugar. Heat and enjoy.
Obviously most of these are still indulgences. Some wouldn’t have been how I would have chosen to spend my money during the tightest years.
Love this post and reading all of the ideas.