I heard from our Spanish exchange student on Monday.
We have lived in the Seattle area now for 20 years and I still love seeing the mountains on a clear day. It was 60 and sunny this past Sunday so took a 30 mile bike ride with W and D across the newly opened 520 bike lane. Olympic mountains to the west, Cascades to the East, Mt. Rainier south and Mt. Baker north. If you ignored the adjacent traffic and the other 4000 people using the bike lane on such a glorious day, there are few places on earth with 360 degree views this pretty.
Slipping into bed that has freshly laundered, good quality sheets, and ironed pillow cases.
Fragrant French soap.
A great cup of coffee as I watch the sun streaming in through the French doors off the deck.
Escaping the city into the mountains – even for just a couple of hours.
Planning the garden.
Having my husband empty out the dishwasher for me in the mornings, a chore I dislike.
My kids laughing.
Having my kids at home and hearing them laughing together.
Time spent with dear friends and family.
A nice hot bubble bath on a cold evening.
A glass of chardonnay.
A good cup of tea in the morning.
Hearing a favorite song on the radio on the drive home from work.
Having a new recipe turn out really well.
Remembering to fill the gas tank before it’s on E so I won’t have to do it when it’s bitterly cold or snowy.
Taking a nap, especially on a rainy Saturday.
I’m with @ChoatieMom on the ice cold martinis, then there’s getting out of the cold, midsomer murders (TV show) every Monday, Dr. Blake and Death in Paradise, and chicken pot pie.
In the winter, sitting on my sofa with the sun streaming in the windows warming me, and watching the birds eat the berries off my holly bushes.
When I lived up North, going for a walk in the winter after a big snowfall. The sun would sometimes make the fresh snow sparkle, and the deep snow would dampen any noise and the world was so quiet. As I would walk along I would hear my own breath and feel my limbs stretch, and I’d be filled with a profound sense of wellness and peace.
I love any time with either or both kids.
Love happy times with my folks.
Time spent with new or old friends.
Eating good food.
Looking out at oceans and mountains.
Skies at dusk and sunsets (sunrises are too early).
Reading a good book.
Texts or calls from our kids.
The smell of lilacs and linden trees in bloom.
Seeing (or observing over time) any kind of wildlife - from an interesting insect to a moose or grizzly bear.
Hearing a song from my college days.
Looking at my kids’ baby pictures.
Beachcombing.
Watching “Ellen” videos on Youtube.
Losing a pound or two.
Taking a sip of my daughter’s Dr. Pepper :).
My older dog smiling at me as we take our walk
Freshly done sheets and towels
Garden and Gun magazine
Tummy time with my younger dog
A Manhattan, just right
My grandson. To pick him up and hug him and kiss him…bliss. And to get a smile or laugh from him. To clap and praise him for little things he accomplishes. (He’s 16 months old)
Opening my eyes in the morning to a message from S, studying overseas- luckily, almost every morning since he left in September.
Hearing my kids laugh, being around them, any contact where they are noticeably content.
Listening to H tell a ridiculous and usually not funny joke he created out of thin air, then humoring him with a nod.
Walking alone in the woods. Watching the hummingbirds, cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, etc. through the kitchen window. Spring lilac bushes in bloom. Driving to pick up a kid, regardless the distance. Blasting and singing to music in the car. Playing piano. Painting. Digging in dirt. Reading good writing. Watching a sunrise by the ocean. The sound of gentle rain. Photographing nature. Pouring over photos S sent from traveling to 7 countries I’ve never seen.
Meeting people in real life that I’ve known for many years online - and them being as wonderful in real life as I’d imagined.
Top feeling in the world- when a kid texts or calls to share good news and you’re the first to know.
