I’m still busy finishing my “Marquess and Governess” story, but I’ve also been thinking about things that make me smile.
There are important things that make me happy, of course–my family, my friends, my faith, my country, my writing career, for example–but today I’m thinking about the silly little things.
My New Dishes – I already mentioned these. My Christmas gift. A Lenox Butterfly Meadow set of dishes. I filled in with more pieces after Christmas from a trip to the Lenox Outlet in Williamsburg, and a half-price sale at Macy’s. Look at the result!
I smile every time I open the cabinet door or put food on a plate or even empty the dishwasher, which I do cheerfully now.
See the white cereal bowls? What a deal. They aren’t Butterfly Meadow, but as Stacy and Clinton of What Not To Wear say, “They don’t match, but they go.” They were the perfect size to replace the old dishes and they were only $5 each at the Lenox outlet. They’d be $20 each at full price. That makes me smile!
You might also notice the vintage corning wear on the top shelf. I’ve had some of those since I got married and some I inherited from my aunt. They make me smile for the memories they embody. And they are perfect for the microwave.
Taking Walks – Since my Curves closed, I’ve been taking walks. What makes me smile is when my husband comes with me. There’s something about the fresh air and exercise that makes for good conversation and camaraderie. And when it is with one’s husband it’s even better. Here he is taking a photo of me taking a photo of him taking a photo of me…
Breezy Radio — Another thing that makes me smile recently is Breezy Radio, which I stream through my Itunes. It’s an internet radio station that plays “Singers, Swingers, Standards and Classic Jazz.” It’s happy music mostly. Love songs, show tunes, old music. I find it my favorite music to write by.
There is always a reason to smile, even if for silly reasons.
What is making you smile these days?
Since we are in the middle of Summer here in Australia, I’m voting for the air conditioner to make me smile. My new Solar Hot water System makes me smile – I love green energy.
It’s so hard for me to wrap my mind around it being summer in half of this world of ours…..
I love that you have a Solar Hot Water system. I love Green, too.
Your dishes are lovely, O Divine One! My Mom has a set of Hall China she inherited from her aunt. We are always on the lookout for a piece she doesn’t have and I definitely smile when I find one!
I wrote a blog not long ago about finding reasons to smile when the writing gig gets you down. It was inspired by a site I encountered on my way to work one morning. There is a pasture I go by every day. There are three horses and a pony in it. This particular day it was POURING rain. I glanced up as I drove by and saw that the pasture’s equine inhabitants were wearing RAINCOATS! Not just raincoats, but raincoats with hoods with the little holes for their ears. Each one had his own brightly colored raincoat and hood. It just made me smile to think of someone going out to put these raincoats on these horses.
I had to look up Hall China. There are collector’s clubs for it!!!
Your story about the horses made me smile, too!
I had no idea there were collector’s clubs for Hall China. Wait until I tell Mom!
My Great Aunt Icie got the china with some sort of coupons from coffee years and years ago. And now they are collector’s items. Some of the pieces go for outrageous sums of money!
Funny that things like china from coupons is now valuable!
I love your dishes!! They’re beautiful. I’ve mentioned before my own collection of dishes, each place setting is different. Favorite books make me smile. My Christmas cactus, Chris, and the feral cats hanging out in our yard. I look around my room and I have pictures, lots and lots of pictures, of the Savior, Lord of the Rings, my dog, my horse, Richard Cerqueira and Jimmy Thomas.
I like the idea of different place settings, Judy! You can switch every day, according to your mood. And I’ll bet, although they don’t match, that they do “go” and make a beautiful table.
I’m thinking not everyone will know who Richard Cerqueira is!
Find out here: http://tinyurl.com/7d8zx42
Mentioning the Christmas cactus reminds me. My houseplants make me smile, too. Mostly because they are still alive (I’m usually terrible with house plants)