A List of Small, Perfect Thingsย
(A short list inspired by this photo Will sent me of our pup Graham while I was away working this past weekend.ย A list because life is just a series of tiny, wonderful moments between dishes, tax season, and flight delays)
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A cold pat of salted butter melting into the warm top of a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffinโsome things in life should be both indulgent and dramatic.ย A thick smear of cold cream cheese will also delight.
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Graham, once a skittish shelter pup, now sun-drunk on his own farm, hopefully unaware that he ever lived a single day without a fried egg breakfast and all of Texas as his backyard.
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The cup of coffee Will sets on my bedside table every morning.
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That sacred moment a cake is perfectly baked in the ovenโgolden brown, domed just soโand the whole kitchen smells like browned butter and caramelized sugar.
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The rhythmic scrape of a wooden spoon against a cast iron pan – a sound as soothing as knowing thereโs still one more cookie left on a plate on the counter.
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A bowl of gumbo on the second day, when the flavors have reached their final form and you feel like some kind of culinary genius just for having leftovers.
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Flicking off the kitchen lights at the end of the night, knowing every dish is washed, the coffee pot is set, and that Future Me is going to love Present Me for the setup.
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Standing next to a stranger at the coffee shop, both pointing at the same pastry, silently confirming that you both have excellent taste.
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Curling up in the best spot on the couch, with a bowl of Homemade Hamburger Helper and absolutely no plans to explain your second helping.
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Falling asleep with a book on your chest, fully intending to read just one more page, but instead drooling slightly into page 74.
Please please, tell me one yours!
xo
26 Responses
Those (too few) days I can actually where one of the (too many) soft cozy sweatshirts I have hanging in my closet. (I live in South Florida.)
1. The feeling of my cat twitching in her sleep, curled against my belly under the blanket, as I drift off to what I know will be a really great nap
2. A loved one expressing delight while eating something you cooked
3. Applying Burts bees chapstick
4. Pausing at the end of a really great book to savor the final sentence
5. Arranging flowers from the farmers market
6. Waking up after a good nights sleep
7. Sunrise with a cup of tea
8. Fresh sheets on the bed
9. Licking the bowl while baking
10. The moment you know you caught a really great moment on camera
1. On a cold, early morning, reading the beautiful prose poems you’ve inspired, Joy!
The smell of the air right before a big rain storm.
Finding pieces of sea glass walking along the beach.
The taste of a Kewpee hamburger when visiting my hometown.
Putting my thumbs through the thumbholes of my sweatshirt.
Picking out a new pen at the stationary store.
Signs of the first daffodils and crocus flowers blooming after a long dark PNW Winter.
The rumbly purr and soft fur of a snuggly cat.
Sounds of the neighbor’s chickens as they chat away ready to lay eggs.
Ocean waves creating a cycle of relaxing breaths.
Refreshed and relaxed feeling post yoga session.
First sip of morning coffee made by your partner.
I loved this so much (a dash of positivity when we needed it most) that I shared this for my 8th-grade students to read and then create their own list. We had SO much fun sharing with each other and adding to our lists. It was non-stop focusing on the small, wonderful things that we have in our life.
XOXO
Love this! I’m a teacher, too, and our students need (and so often bloom with) these celebration moments–even my sooooo sophisticated seniors!
Love this list so much!
Having my two-year-old gently pat my cheeks with her soft hands and whisper, โitโs okay, honey.โ I donโt know where she learned this, but I hope it never stops. This sweet, simple gesture reminds me we all need more pat cheeks and reassurances that itโs going to be okay, even if we donโt know we need it. ??
The double question marks were supposed to be a heart. Now I knowโฆ :)
Bird singing! I love listening to their song. It relaxes me so much.
1. A giggling baby.
2. Bringing homemade blondies to flight attendants on every outbound flight (for 15 years)
The smell of mountain laurels in bloom.
The feel of my baby napping on me
Morning routine of โwaking up the houseโ โ turning on the heater, opening up the blinds & curtains, fluffing up sofa cushions, changing the water in flower vases โ while coffee is brewing, is almost meditative for me.
Baking for and preparing home made Purim gifts for friends.
My big dog snuggled up close all along my side under the warm, cozy blankets. <3
The feel of my dog pressed tightly into the curve the backs of my legs make when sleeping on my side.
Thanking God for His great mercy while watching the sun rise each morning. Also, we need more Graham photos??
A warm sun spot on the couch, a soft blanket, a hot cup of coffee, a cuddly cat, and nothing on the โto do listโ for the next hour!
Watching the ponderosa pines outside my home dance with the wind, the needles turned silver by the morning light!
Morning coffee in my Carolina Room, sun basking in, watching the cardinals at my bird feeder on a cool winter morning.
The weight of your pet trampling you in bed as you lie semi conscious luxuriating in the knowledge that itโs the weekend
You have described my perfect moment to a tee.
1. The way sunlight dances through the trees at the end of the day.
2. The way small babies will stare at you and coo or laugh and smile.
3. A good hug. That kind where your bodies fit together perfectly.
4. Belly laughs that make you cry happy tears.
5. The anticipation of sitting down to enjoy a warm meal with friends.
6. Slow mornings and hot coffee.
7. The generic hand soap that slightly smells of almond and is always a pleasant surprise whether youโre at your OB/GYN or Buffalo Wild Wings lol!
8. Pleasant small talk with strangers that feel like friends.
9. Exploring a new city with no agenda and unexpected surprises.
10. When youโre really hopeful and anything feels possible.
The warmth from the sun bringing out the smell and sounds of spring after a cold few months of winter ?
Bed lounging – getting back in bed with my cup of coffee, my two dogs, and my cat and just enjoying that first steamy sip and thanking God that I have the life I have.