It's time for Thankful Thursday!
The last time I deviated from real food or health topics for a day it was a hit – the Ticked Off Tuesday post has quite a few comments and they keep coming. Some of them will make you laugh out loud they're so funny. 🙂 It was nice to lighten things up a bit like that, so today… It's Thankful Thursday!
What's the smallest, most insignificant thing that brings you great joy?
Only one rule today, similar to last time, it can't be a big thing like saying, “my children”. It has to be something fairly small and insignificant in the whole scheme of life that you really love.
Thankful Thursday was Kent's idea so I'll share his first…
- When I'm standing at the bathroom sink shaving in the morning and the heat kicks on and blows warm air on my feet. I love that.
- When I was a kid we sewed the holes in our socks together, so I feel like the richest guy on the planet when I look into my closet and see a package of unopened socks.
Here's mine:
- When low jets go screaming over my head, it's SO cool and makes my day. (We don't get low ones by us very often.)
- The fleece blanket I keep by my feet in bed at night to keep them warm, ahhhhhh, I love it.
- My hot water dispenser at the kitchen sink — that thing is so handy for warming up my coffee, for defrosting something quickly, etc. (Read more about how it helps us to avoid plastic at this post, A cup of coffee without the plastic toxins please.) Or read, Redeeming My Morning Coffee.
Your turn! Tell us for Thankful Thursday: What's the smallest, most insignificant thing that brings you great joy?
p.s. Thanks for the post idea Hubs!
Plane photo, Creative Commons, 2.0
Sheena says
My Onion goggles, so I don’t suffer when making food for my family.
KitchenKop says
Good one Sheena! 🙂
Liz says
When the kids discover that a hen that they helped raise from a chick ? lays her first little egg ?. Pure joy.
KitchenKop says
Liz, what a blessing to live and raise your kids on a farm!
Sarah Robinson says
Thankful for winning a drawing at Harvest Health. Small but fun thing!!
KitchenKop says
That IS fun Sarah, what’d you win?
Kel
Mid South Moma says
Siting at the computer catching up on emails with my 4 month old on my lap and listening to his sweet cooing sounds before he falls into a deep sleep in my arms
Heather says
Our house! Our last several years have been rough, with job changes, unemployment, and way too many moves, including staying with relatives, and including 3 moves between MO and CA. But, as of a year ago, hubs has a great job, doing what he loves and excels at (also a big thing we’re thankful for!), and we found a place to rent that is little short of a miracle for here: 3 bedrooms, set up really well, plenty of space, conveniently located, and with an entire ACRE of yard, including lots of different fruit trees (I’m in Silicon Valley, land of small houses and tiny yards).
I am thankful to have all of our possessions out of storage and our books mostly on shelves.
I have the coolest kitchen set up, with only a couple of things I would change if I could–it’s a joy to work in!
I am thankful for sewing–the time and skill to do it, the joy of it, the amount of money it saves us, and the sewing area that lets me get lots done with ease.
Our morning cuddle time–our 4 1/2 year-old girl and 3 year-old boy pile into our (blessedly king-size) bed every morning to cuddle and play with their baby brother. It’s a truly beautiful way to start the day!
D. says
This past saturday I spent most of the day giving myself a homemade facial. Started by mixing my own blend of herbs (rose buds, calendula, lemon thyme, lemon balm, whole cloves, broken licorice sticks, dried orange peel, etc.) to use as a facial steam (I make them up to sell at bazaars and stuff and I call them “steamers”) which is the first step. The second step is a cleansing grain facial wash made up of ground almonds, a bit of kaolin clay, palmarosa essential oil and a shot of avocado oil all mixed into a brown sugar base. Then a French green clay mask (made up of French Green Clay and some of the “tea” from the strained facial steamer blend of herbs). The last two steps are a orange/rose hydrosol toner splash and then a blend of decadent oils which sink right into my skin and make my face feel brand new.
It was a lovely day. I also put some tea bags over my eyes and rested on my yoga mat on the floor while my clay mask was “working” for 30 minutes. I love to put tea bags on my eyes anytime I can because it forces me to “shut down and relax” for at least a few minutes in what are usually very busy days. Even 10 minutes works for me!
Commenter via Facebook says
Getting to go to the grocery store all by myself!
D. says
Saturdays when I have nothing planned! I like to stay in my flannel jammies, my lambs-wool lined slippers, plop into my glider-rocker, put my feet up on the ottoman and work on whatever cross-stitch project I’m doing. In the past 14 years I’ve made cross-stitch pictures for every single one of my 14 nieces and nephews, 12 great nieces and nephews and all four of my siblings, and countless other projects for my kids and even some on consignment. Some of them were quite detailed. I don’t use the pre-stamped dealies either. These are truly counted cross-stitch on 16 or 18 count aida cloth. I love to thumb through my Paula Vaughn design books looking for ideas. I also have a couple of other wonderful books of designs and you wouldn’t believe how fast the hours fly by when I’m absorbed in a project or planning one.
The thing which will make a day like that even better is if it’s snowing and blowing outside, and I’m inside with my projects, sipping hot Lady Grey tea. Ahh, the joy of relaxation after a long, hard, slogging week of caring for little ones.
Nancy M says
Oh! Have to add that I love how our dog greets my husband when he comes home. She gets as excited as a little kid, running for the door, dancing and whimpering, and waiting for him to scoop her up in his arms. Then she relaxes and is at peace. Needless to say, I am not the first one to get hugs and kisses when my husband comes home! 😉
Nancy M says
When the kids and I head out at 7 a.m., the street that goes from our neighborhood to the school heads due west, facing the Rocky Mtns. The view each morning is just a little different depending on the sun’s position and how it shines on the mountains, and whether or not there are clouds rolling over the tops. This morning was so crystalline clear with the blues and whites of the mountains, and the large white moon still lingering in the sky just over the peaks.
I also like the waterfall sound that my cell phone makes when I receive a text message. I especially like it when that sound is in the middle of the night and it’s my sweet husband somewhere in another time zone saying that he’s on a plane bound for home following his most recent business trip.
Kristin says
I used to keep a list in my purse of these things to pull out at odd moments or when I was feeling down. Here are a few:
The very first sip of hot tea in the morning.
Starting to read a brand new book.
Re-reading a favorite book.
My four fur babies tucked in around me in a chair whenever I (rarely) sit down.
Caroline says
A fridge full of real food.
I don’t realize how anxious an empty fridge makes me feel until I fill it up again. And once full, sometimes I just open it to look at all the possibilities…
LS says
1. Indoor plumbing
2. a big ol stack of freshly cut and split firewood
3. driving in a car warmed by sunshine on a cold day.
4. checking on my 3 kids (6yr-13yr) before I go to bed and feeling secure that I know right where they all are…knowing in a few years they won’t all be here under my roof each night.
margaret says
Taking a walk in the sunshine with my husband.
Rocking my almost-2 yr. old to sleep in the afternoon.
The sounds of my children playing happily together.
A square of dark mint chocolate.
Walking in to the kitchen after I’ve cleaned everything off the counters.
Walking across a just-cleaned floor (no crumbs!!).
Time in the quiet of the morning to read my Bible uninterrupted.
The smell of fresh-cut alfalfa hay.
The smell of warm horse.
Walking in freshly tilled soil.
The beginning of a good book, and the ending of a good book.
And yes, my friends, TOILETS! (clean, of course)
Pak says
A beautifully sharpened #2 pencil. Really nice watercolor brushes. When I go to make dinner and I have every ingredient, down to the spices. When all the children are getting along on the same day.
Barb Schmidt says
Small, but not insignificant: the first– only!– time my grandson (at age 5) gave me permission to hug him, just a little bit, after he helped plant flowers for me on Mother’s Day. He says he’s scared when people touch him, except for his Mommy and Daddy.
KitchenKop says
This one especially melted me.
I love that you don’t force him. He’ll always feel safe with you because you respect his feelings like that. What a gift indeed. 🙂
Kel
Commenter via Facebook says
My vegie garden and my knitting…
Holly says
In no particular order…
1.) Being able to spend a few hours browsing in a used bookstore
2.) Sleeping and night nursing my 19 month old. She’s not a very cuddly baby, but at night, she does want to cuddle.
3.) Roast chicken and root veggies out of the Romertopf–so good…….
4.) My hubby’s whistling (the house is so quiet when he’s not there)
Barb Schmidt says
A rosy sunrise when I’m driving to pick my girls up from their 3rd shift jobs. I feel like God made it for me, but everyone else gets to share too. Like when Mom makes your favorite birthday dinner, and the whole family shares it.
Commenter via Facebook says
Oh, and the kids bedtime!
Commenter via Facebook says
That first moment when all the groceries are put away.
Dianna says
1. Quiet time with the Lord. Energizes me for the day.
2. My children’s laughter.
3. Cream skimmed off fresh raw milk in my coffee in the morning.
Makes me smile everytime.
A long bath at the end of the day with magnesium bath crystals
Gina Lindsay says
Walking between the shelves at the library gives me joy, every single time I go to get new books.
The smell of a loaf of fresh bread as I pull it out of the oven.
Snow. Living in Tennessee we don’t get a lot of it, but the mere sight of a snowflake makes me giggle like a six year old.
Commenter via Facebook says
coffee!
Barbara says
The smell of tea olive bush and narcissus.
Martha says
The sight of snow on the bare tree branches in the woods.
Magda says
1. Hugging DH after he gets out of his evening shower (after he dresses, of course…. hmm, sometimes before LOL)
2. Nursing my 2 year old after he wakes up from his nap: he’s all warm and cuddly and I just soak it up, every time.
3. Having my afternoon coffee, or two. I just recently started drinking it again: very watered down, 1/2 decaf and with Primal creamer (coconut milk or cream, egg, vanilla, cinnamon). It’s my guilty pleasure and makes my afternoon.
I love this idea! Thanks Kelly and Kent.
Doreen says
I agree with the jet one. I grew up on, or around air bases. When I was young, I always thought my dad was on the plan, and I’d wave. We had a Stealth Fighter pass over us once in the deep Sierras, before they were even known about. It was awesome, and a bit scary!
Kathy (aka Mrs Dull) says
I LOVE the jets too! I pass by the airport during my daily commute. I hope,hope,hope that the timing will be right for me to see the really big planes up close as they land and take off. When that happens it’s such a thrill!
Doreen says
I love it when big huge snow flakes are falling.
Flo says
Oooh! I HAVE to agree with you, Doreen! 🙂
Jennifer says
Me too. In fact, a couple weeks ago, it was lightly snowing but so cold that the kids and I were able to see each snowflake design as they landed on the windows – it was absolutely mesmerizing! We were there for over an hour just ooohing and aaahing over all the amazing designs.
Flo says
Kim M. reminded me of the bald eagles we’ve been seeing more of this year. They are so cool!
Grace says
On the rare occasion that I can visit our country house, it makes me insanely happy when I sit on the front porch with a cup of coffee and hear the neighbor’s donkey bray “Good Morning!” to the world. Perfection!
There are only 17 more months until we move there. Anticipating that makes me really happy, but it’s a big thing.
Diane says
Thank you, Kelly and KENT. I have arranged to be notified of these posts and cancelled the Ticked-Off Tuesday notification. It’s a good way to count so many of the blessings we have, to read about others’.
Kim Morisett says
I love when I see hawks sitting in trees along the egde of the highway as I drive by!
Diane says
What’s the smallest, most insignificant thing that brings you great joy?
That’s a hard one because it’s no longer small and certainly not insignificant anymore, for any of it, is it?
I love to hear from the lady several states away who sometimes calls my number, which is a digit off from her friend’s number. She was so sweet the first time, and I found being the Wrong Number made me smile when SHE called.
Bonnie says
Toilets, my friends, toilets.
Need I say more?
Steph says
Sun warmed cherry tomatoes right off the vine
Bevie says
Orchestra music with lots of tympani! I listen to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana before work if I need a little mental boost.
Children’s books, I love the artwork in a good one even though my kids have grown out of them.
Sandy says
Sometimes being in the third cloudiest state (MI) really gets me down, but lately I’ve been more & more aware of the awesome sunrises and sunsets we get with those clouds! I find myself lingering at the window watching the color changes in the clouds, often taking pictures of them. Without those clouds I wouldn’t be enjoying the magnificent sunrises & sunsets that we get with them. Last night (2/8/12) was no exception! I was driving home, heading West and I couldn’t believe the sunset that was on display through my front windshield. Just learning to be content where God has placed me.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Wow. What a gift to sip my coffee & read these this morning. I love you guys & can’t wait to read more. Your thankfulness makes me even more thankful for all these little things!
Brianne says
Curling up with my cat!
Maryjane says
The smell of fresh air, especially in the spring!
Dorsey says
I am thankful for the cricket chorus I hear each evening…… it means my hearing aids are still working!! It also reminds me of childhood days as I was raised in the country, on a farm.
2. I am thankful when I can splash my face with cool water in the AM…. it means we have indoor plumbing…. and the water didn’t go out!! That happens here in Florida. LOL
3. I am thankful for my dogs who seem to follow me constantly. Company is always at my feet.
Laurel says
Hearing my sweetie’s key in the door.
Grace says
Oh, I love this one. The best sound in the world!
Sally says
I am thankful for farm fresh eggs that vary in size, shape and color. I just marvel at them.
Diane says
I could not agree more. Good post!
ValerieH says
1. flannel sheets
2. using a neti pot in the morning when I have a cold. It makes all the difference because it clears out the overnight mucous. Before I found this, I coughed it up all day.
3. the christmas cactus cutting is finally growing leaves
Colleen says
Anytime I walk into the subway just as a train is pulling in makes the day so much better.
Flo says
When my husband brings me a cup of coffee in the morning when he wakes me up.
Diane says
My bed (it’s king size, does that make it not small and insignificant enough 😉 I LOVE my bed. I would marry my bed if I could 🙂 It’s the most comfortable, plush bed I’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping in, and every night when I lay my head down on my pillow and sink onto my giant “cloud”, I thank God for it!
Jenny says
We have 3 female goats for milking and I am chief goat milker. Thankful, very thankful for that but recently I did severe damage to my knee that required surgery. While waiting for surgery and unable to get off the couch except for bathroom breaks, one of our goats had her baby. It was a very large baby boy that didn’t make it. The mother is ok, thankful number 2. The issue was, now she needed milking right away. My husband got a lesson in milking goats pronto. Thankful number 3 is that now someone besides me can milk the goats. Oh, luv my husband cause he took very good care of me before and after surgery. Not easy to do when its just added to an already overfull day.
Naomi Williams says
When I come home from the gym, my husband heats up my bath towel over the heater vent and hands it to me nice and hot when I get out of the shower.
Yolanda says
A new box of Crayola crayons… even if it is only the little 8 crayon size.
Jennifer says
YES!
Jill Nienhiser says
1. A really ripe summer peach fresh from the tree–I’ve never found one to match the juicy deliciousness of a variety we have back home in Missouri though! Still looking.
2. A fantastic summer tomato still warm from the sun, sliced with sea salt and pepper.
3. Soaking with epsom salts in my nice deep bathtub.
4. Not exactly small, but, my car. I drove a beat up 1990 Corolla I got used in 2001 for years and finally got a used 2007 Mazda 6 in 2009. It’s been more than two years but still feels luxurious every time I get into it. Air conditioning! Doors that shut with ease! A radio that works! A ceiling that’s not falling down on my head! Wow! Seat heaters? Moon roof? And–you’re kidding me!–a rear-view mirror on the passenger side??!!! Crazy!
5. My cat’s warm furry belly.
Rhoda says
The smell of clean straw in my barn, my sewing awl, a finished sewing project
Laura says
I got unusually happy yesterday every time I saw the gallon of fresh salsa fermenting on the counter. This traditional food stuff is a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding.
Linda says
The sun on my face on a cold winter day. I have a hard time getting through winter so when I can get outside and feel the sun it cheers me up immensely.
Jennifer says
1. The tiny space heater under my desk. One click and I’m toasty warm (with no complaints from the other 5 family members about the whole house being too hot and only a couple extra pennies a month in electricity.)
2. The “Serenity” (1:1600 scale Firefly replica) that dangles from my minivan keys. Makes even the most mundane errand shiny. https://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/jewelry/d25f/
3. The four-part chorus of “Pleeeease, just one more chapter?” as soon as they see me reach for the bookmark.
4. The unique bedtime routines I have with each child. My oldest is 15 and every night I still get a hug, a kiss and “love” (pats on the chest over the heart) before he goes to bed.
Nicole says
Catching an unexpected glimpse of the moon, for some reason it gives me great peace, it’s like the eye of God watching over us or something!
Irene says
The smell of winter hazel. Spring is nearly here.
Paula says
When my hubby brings home two apple boxes full of lightly distressed produce! For only $18 too!
Ki says
Boy Meets World reruns on youtube. And a warm fire to fall asleep to.
jenna says
The smell of homemade bread coming from an oven and the thought of spreading butter on top while it’s warm!