My iPad and iPhone combo- There are so many apps to make my life easier, more entertaining and I am more organized than I have been in years.
My Joule sous vide immersion circulator. My favorite tool in the kitchen as I can start dinner when it is convenient for me and food will “hold” and not overcook waiting for everyone to get home, though it is just the two of us 98% of the time.
3)Vitamix blender. Spendy for a blender but it does the job so well.
Electric kettle- I drink tea everyday and my husband uses an Aeropress for his coffee. I used to boil water on the stovetop and nearly burnt the house down when my mom was sick, forgetting I had put water on to boil. This was $15 at Costco, sits inside my pantry and turns itself off when I am distracted.
My Yeti tumbler for my previously mentioned tea. I have had different insulated tumblers before but this one is well made and bright pink and just makes me smile.
I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE some canvas prints my son had made for me. Compilations of favorites photos, edited to black and white. They hang side by side and make me smile every day.
A huge Christmas type wreath with white lights and decorated with all sorts of birds I’ve collected over many years hanging above the hearth. Each bird is different and it’s been thinned over the years (or moved to another wreath) just so I can add to my collection. Most every bird has a story or reminds me of something. Like an art scrapbook for me.
I’m not sure it’s great decor or just plain “tacky” on some level but it makes us happy all year long to turn it on.
I love my imac computer, my uggs in the winter, my dad’s hand thrown pottery, my king size bed, my chanel no. 5 perfume (almost out) and my cats – right off hand that’s what i think of. OH - and my lilacs in the spring!
I’m not very acquisitive and don’t form attachments to belongings much, but I like this thread and these things:
My Chemex. I used a French press for years, then a stovetop/Moka pot, then an Aeropress for a looong time, but the Chemex is the best coffee maker for my needs and I love love lurve it.
My trumpet.
My Sound Devices 788T audio recorder, which I use for most of my recordings but which is especially great for recording live performances--it's built like a tank, incredible DAC and preamps, and very portable. Amazing machine.
My Vitamix. Use it at least once a day, usually twice, sometimes more. Smoothies, sauces, gazpacho, soups, sorbets...mmm.
My slippers--bought them at a ryokan/onsen in rural Japan 5 years ago and wear them every day, but somehow they are completely new-looking. Amazing.
Some art, especially a screen print by a close friend on which his 2-year-old scribbled with black crayon when he wasn't looking. Makes it look even more beautiful, and when he saw me admiring it, he generously gave it to me. Got it framed recently and it looks so good.
My kimchi refrigerator (which I use for beer. It's perfect for beer.)
An old English translation of the stories of Lu Xun, published and printed in China long before China was open to the West. Amazing stories, cool object, semi-crazed translations.
Everyone is killing me with the animal thing. I so badly want a dog. I have a love/hate with my feral cat who adopted me…how do you truly love something that bites you “just because” LOL. He went missing recently for 18 days and the night before he was found (living in a dumpster 9 miles away) I was dog-shopping shelters online. Timing is everything.
Okay, things I love. Inanimate of course. I have a few pictures of each of my kids I truly love. And now I’m stumped. I have a few homemade items my kids have made me…my son built a nice table and on another occasion, a beautiful cutting board. My daughter made me a ceramic vase. I have a CD that I put together for my parents’ 50th which I love.
Wow, guess the materials things just escape me. I know though if I had a beach house I would love it. If I had a white Range Rover with black trim I would love it too. And if I had a Husky or Golden Retriever I would love it.
I just thought of something else - I absolutely love my engagement ring/wedding ring set. The stone is small and the bands are unique. Even 40 years later, I wouldn’t want any other set.
Raindrops on roses
And whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells
And schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Wine in my glass and Netflix on TV
Amazon prime and shipping at no fee,
Nice cooler weather and all that it brings…
These are a few of my favorite things.
Facetime and texting and calls for no reason,
All the traditions that come with a season.
Photos of family and friends now and past,
These are all favorites I do hope will last.
.
@garland–I think it’s what makes you happy. And yes, the idea is things and not people nor pets I believe but OP can correct me so we’ve probably strayed from the original task. But it’s fun to dwell on what does make us happy in our lives and appreciate what we’ve got.
My dog- I love doing all sorts of things with him. He can be quite a character and you have to know how to read him which just makes me love him more.
The photo of my two girls with the oldest dd’s face scribbled out. Youngest dd was mad at her one day. I now have it and a non marred one framed.
The rose bowl that belonged to my great grandma. I wish I knew more about it and her.
My electric bike that my husband got me for my birthday so I can keep up with him on the hills.
My bird feeders that attract birds, squirrels and chipmunks.
My yard- everytime we think of downsizing, we gaze at the backyard and sigh.
My kitchen Aid- 36 years and going strong and is a connection to my mom.
And like many others- my phone and my paperwhite kindle.
“@garland–I think it’s what makes you happy. And yes, the idea is things and not people nor pets I believe but OP can correct me so we’ve probably strayed from the original task. But it’s fun to dwell on what does make us happy in our lives and appreciate what we’ve got”
Always nice to hear about anything that makes people happy. But yes the idea of the post was a counter to the idea that “things” are never what we should love. No one challenges that we should love our family or pets or things like experiencing nature. But there’s a lot of challengers on the “there are things I love front”
Let me say that I’m anti-clutter and anti hanging on to stuff just cuz you don’t like to get rid of it. I have no problem getting rid of stuff that not necessary or at least highly useful. In the past decade I have really pared down. But there are “things”I love because they add to my life or make it easier.
My dogs are similar to some people in that they are the target of my love, but the dogs are like things in that I have replaced them after their deaths. I won’t be replacing my daughters.
The other things I love might seem even sillier: I have a particular brand of mug warmer, no longer sold in stores, that I love. I actually bought one from a private seller on Amazon. I have some old plastic measuring cups that are a bit discolored but have held up through measuring flour, oats, sugar, and other baking ingredients for at least 20 years. When my one pair of jeans starts getting holes, I replace it with another pair of the same brand. And I love reading but rarely buy books for myself, so the library is my friend.
Can we have more than 10? I have a feeling I’m gonna run out. I’ve been clearing my house on too many threads…
So…
6) A cheese plate in blue and gold I got from the Biltmore house gift shop years ago. I don’t think cheese has ever graced it with its presence but it doesn’t matter. It’s too pretty.
Can we have more than 10? I have a feeling I’m gonna run out. I’ve been clearing my house on too many threads.”
Lol. Absolutely!
I’m the OP and I have many others: A few
My Poppin desk accessories that I bought for the 5th anniversary of keeping my desk clean. These make me happy every time I look at them.
A tiny hairbrush from The Body Shop that fits in my dressy purses
My iPhone case. I’ve owned a version with my last 4 phones. My kids use it too. It’s by Silk and has a credit card case on the back. Can’t imagine another case. My work key card is in there. Amd one credit card so I can just take that with me at lunch at work and not my briefcase.
I just listed the 10 that came to mind with just a little thought. I figure they are pretty important if they came to mind quickly and I’d hate to live without them. Most of them are pretty useful!
