101 Small Pleasures

I recently read an article on yahoo that was talking about life's small pleasures.  I enjoyed reading it, so I thought you all might like it too.  It will make you smile!  I bolded some of the ones that were pleasures of mine...and added on a few at the end too.  Add some of your own!


  1. coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too)
  2. crisp cotton sheets
  3. soft skin
  4. old family recipes
  5. the first daffodils of spring
  6. sleeping in
  7. an exercise endorphin high
  8. window boxes
  9. a perfect cup of coffee
  10. a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)
  11. the way babies smell
  12. a handwritten letter
  13. waking up in a good mood...for no real reason
  14. singing in the shower
  15. finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket
  16. doing something nice for your neighbor
  17. a home cooked meal
  18. laughing
  19. movie theater popcorn
  20. playing hookey
  21. a bubble bath
  22. swimming
  23. an afternoon nap
  24. street musicians
  25. your favorite song
  26. saying thank you
  27. helping someone in need
  28. old fashioned photo booths
  29. fresh whipped cream
  30. inspiring blogs
  31. a glass of wine
  32. rainy afternoons
  33. the funny things kids say
  34. a novel you can get lost in
  35. finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale
  36. clean laundry
  37. the wind in your hair
  38. treating the person behind you at the drive-thru
  39. sharing an umbrella
  40. the smell of lavender
  41. a long walk that clears your head
  42. a bear hug
  43. The Beatles
  44. smiling at a stranger
  45. eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)
  46. butterflies
  47. staying in your pj's all day
  48. singing along to the radio and knowing all the words
  49. fresh herbs
  50. ordering in pizza
  51. happy endings...even if they're fictional
  52. flying a kite
  53. puppies
  54. root beer floats
  55. holding open the door...
  56. ...or having someone hold the door for you
  57. fountain soda
  58. white, fluffy towels
  59. sunshine
  60. spending an afternoon at a museum
  61. really great advice
  62. green lights all the way home
  63. the sound of rain hitting the windows
  64. sitting in a booth
  65. holding hands
  66. a great hair day with no effort
  67. building a fort with your kids
  68. when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder
  69. fireflies
  70. the perfect taco
  71. geraniums on a windowsill
  72. slow dancing
  73. the smell of fresh-baked bread
  74. cheesy, uplifting musicals
  75. great stories
  76. the smell of gasoline (???) not sure about this one?
  77. the cold side of the pillow
  78. love letters
  79. old friends...
  80. ...new friends
  81. a pull-through parking space
  82. a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside
  83. when a dog licks your hand
  84. sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner
  85. using your favorite dishes
  86. reading your child a bedtime story
  87. Girl Scout Cookies
  88. flossing
  89. kissing someone you love
  90. the smell of onions and garlic cooking
  91. hot chocolate
  92. jumping in puddles
  93. old photographs
  94. birds hopping on the sidewalk
  95. Ella Fitzgerald
  96. a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar
  97. your softest t-shirt
  98. a new magazine in the mail
  99. fireplaces
  100. having exact change
  101. bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning
ooooooh that last one...just did that this past Saturday!

Here are some additions of mine:

102.  hummingbirds  (of course)
103.  ice cream
104.  a day with my husband
105.  my cat
106.  when the temperature starts to climb in March
107.  my Mom's dressing
108.  sitting around a fire
109.  dark chocolate
110.  freshly baked bread with butter
111.  prayer


What's your favorite small pleasure?

credit:  Sarah McColl

New Ride!!!

Well folks - the time has come - we bought a new car!  I had to say goodbye to my beloved 2000 Honda Passport on Monday, and say hello to an '07 Nissan Murano!  It's gorgeous!  I was sad to see my Honda go...I've had that car since I was 19.  When you have a car that long it becomes a part of you.  I even found a parking pass from when I was in college. *tear*  There are a LOT of good memories that took place in that car.  It took us to the 2001 Outback Bowl, took me from Columbia to North Augusta at least a thousand times, and from Columbia to Atlanta who knows how many times to visit Ben when we first started dating.  And I can't forget how many times I took it to Charleston!  So, I was sad to see it go.  But, there comes a time when you have to weigh the pros and cons of driving around a 10 year old car.  It was time.  So, folks - here she is, she's a beaut Clark, a BEAUT!





Thank you to my sweet husband who made this the most seamless car purchase ever.  Enterprise hooked it UP!

So, I had planned on enjoying my new car on the way to work Tuesday, but unfortunately the "food poisoning" we thought Ben had Saturday night wasn't food poisoning after all.  Yep - it got me.  The virus hit me Monday night around 11:45, and didn't stop until 4 am.  I found some of my nausea pills that I had left over from chemo, and those literally saved my life.  I swear stomach viruses are from the depths of hell.  So, no I couldn't quite enjoy my new car yet.  I was laid up on the couch all day yesterday with stomach cramps, achy muscles and my skin actually hurt.  Ugh - NO FUN!  

Anyways, there's my story of the week.  Hope yall are having a good one!  Is it Friday yet?

Love to all,

Congrats Kristen and Matt!




I am ecstatic that I can finally let the news out - I am going to be an Aunt again! Congratulations Kristen and Matt - what a lucky child - you will be the most amazing parents. We love you more than anything, and we cannot WAIT to meet our new niece/nephew. YAY!

I am a professional Aunt by now - 16 years of experience! So, this child will be spoiled rotten by me and by the rest of the Walker/Stephenson clan. Matt is my husband's twin brother, and for those of you who read this blog that don't know about us - Kristen has been one of my best friends for over 17 years.  There aren't many best friends out there who actually fall in love with twin brothers - it's an amazing story.

So happy for these two - wonder who this baby will look like?

Love you both very much :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILLIPS!

Tomorrow is my nephew's 11th birthday!  How are you already another year older?!?!?!?!  Eleven?  You are growing up TOO FAST my man!  We hope you have a fantastic birthday, and we love you very much! See you next weekend buddy!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILLIPS!!!
ps - you've got great skills...