Today, I’m sharing with you a whole hodgepodge of random things that I love, find delight in, and am thankful for! I think we should all take a step back now and then and look at all the many happy things we have to be grateful for. My sweet friend Anna (Simply Anna) recently challenged her readers to think about (or post about) their personal joys. So I’m taking her up on that challenge, and sharing with you some of my smile givers. These are a few of my favorite things…(and if you’ve watched The Sound of Music you know you can’t read that without singing the song!!)
I love lists. When I was little, my mom had lists everywhere. If she wasn’t writing one she was looking off of one. I’d kinda poke fun of her for it, “Mama! ANOTHER list?!” I honestly thought it was funny. Now. It ain’t no joke. I have lists for everything, and they’re everywhere. And I’m not sure how I could stay sane without them. (Hey, Mama, I get it now.) I love my lists ahaha!
Rainy afternoons. There’s nothing like a cozy afternoon in. At least I personally really enjoy a cozy rainy afternoon in. I don’t mean stormy. I mean those times when it simply just rains. I even have a rainy day music playlist for those days I’m all nestled inside. I focus better when it rains. Coffee’s better when it’s raining (not sure why?). Just kinda peaceful, ya know?
Coffee & Coffee Shops. I don’t have to have it every morning, but I really do love me a cup of coffee. (Hehe ‘specially when it rains) Coffee shops are some of my very favorite places to go (Can you guess when? Yup. When it rains. Go figure.) I work from my computer, and working is so much more fun when I take it with me to one of the local coffee shops. Such a warm, quiet place to work. Not to mention that rich coffee smell….mmmm yessssss.
Rosalynne Love’s Shop. I love really cute tees. And even more than that, really cute comfortable tees. And even more than that, really cute comfortable tees that you just throw on and effortlessly look like you tried to look decent that day. And almost as much as that, I love cute coffee mugs. And I love hand lettering. Rosalynne Love’s shop has definitely found its way to my heart because Rosalynne sells a lovely abundance of both of those very things!  (That’s where my shirt I’m wearing in this post is from! Isn’t it cute!? Twin with me and snag one for yaself here!)
Hymns. Those ol’ songs? Heck yeah. Oh yeah. You betcha. Hymns are such beautiful, passionate songs of worship. In my post Whatever My Lot (click here to read) I described them as overflowing with “…the most grateful of praises, the truest, most devout devotion, the sweetest of glorification, and the deepest of love for the Savior.” Seriously though.
Puns. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know just now hardcore the obsession is. But it is not just on Instagram. I’m constantly making puns. Or thinking of a pun. Or interrupting someone with “Ahaha wait, was that a pun?” My poor friends and family…ya’ll keep them in your prayers ’cause I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Quotes & Something Well Said. I have a whole little journal for quotes, sayings, or something well said that I find inspiring, thought provoking, I want to remember, or just make me happy! I love me a good set of words.
Lighting. My husband says it’s my photographer side coming out anytime I point out lighting. That warm evening glow, light through trees, the designs the sun makes through your window/blinds and onto an unsuspecting wall, moonlight. It’s just one of life’s tiniest little things that truly brings me so much delight for some reason. (If you’re into photography, then you prolly feel me.)
Mayonaise. Globs of it. I mean it. Seriously. Slather that all over a piece of bread with a slice (or three) of tomato and mmmmmmm. ya’ll. (Mayo and tomato sandwiches?….yeah I miiiiiiight be from the south…)
Old things. Antique stores are my favorite. At five years old I would choose to watch an old western or a Rogers & Hammerstein movie over cartoons. “Old songs” were (and still are) my favorite (The Andrew Sisters, Elvis, The Chordettes, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters…I could go on.), old books, history, old recipes….if it’s old, I’m almost guaranteed to love it. I even collect old vintage photographs/portraits.
A good old fashioned hand written letter. I love writing them, and I absolutely love getting them. They’re so meaningful to me, to be honest. Someone sat down and took the time to write something personal and it’s just so special. I save and have saved every hand written letter I’ve gotten. (I have a lot considering I’ve been pen pals with six different people since I was little! SO fun.) Hand written note over a store bought card ANY DAY.
Dario Marianelli’s Pride & Prejudice Album. The dreamiest piano music ever. It’s my favorite. I have the piano books for the songs but am slacking in actually perfecting them. If you haven’t listened, please do!
My husband. I love Chance bunches hehe. He’s my best friend and keeps me constantly laughing, so I’d say that he’s probably my biggest smile giver on this list. 😉
God gave us countless reasons to smile. Though it is definitely easy to get caught up in the negatives of this world because there are so, so many. But hey, girl, let’s be joy seekers together regardless! Let’s live a life of gratitude, and smile because His abundance of blessings and extravagant love is crazy.
(P.S. Don’t forget to go visit Rosalynn! Head on over by clicking here!)
