Are You Getting Enough Of Life’s Simple Pleasures?

Tough times are the best time for rolling out small indulgences.

Years ago my friend Debbie came to my home for the first time. She’s a Texan girl and it was her first trip to Canada. In the morning, I set out plates of hot toast and fresh butter and about eight different kinds of jam and jellies.

The delighted look on her face was priceless.

“Girllllllllllllllllll — what is this??”

I had little spoons in each jar (I don’t like butter transfer in my jam) and she stepped right up, promptly took a few pieces of toast and cut them into small squares. She said, “I’m trying every kind!” And she happily did.

I’ve tried this with all my friends and it is the strangest thing — it automatically puts a smile on their faces. It feels indulgent and decadent and whoever said that was a bad thing?

Because honestly, one of the simple pleasures in my life is a homemade or gourmet jam. Marmelade from England? Raspberry jam from France? Rose petal jelly? Bring it on! It doesn’t cost much, it lasts several months and setting out abundant jammy choices? It just makes me happy — and Texans too.

Right now — you may feel like you’re stretched a little thin. When unexpected events happen, our sense of humor, positive attitude, and resilience are put to the test.

But strangely — the simplest of pleasures in your daily life can help you stay flexible. You just may not have thought of them in awhile.

This morning I went through all of my unmatched coffee cups and picked my seven favorites. I’m one of those strange people who need to choose a different cup each day to match my mood.

I want them to be on the first shelf in my cupboard and an easy choice to start my day. My favorites include cups my sister and aunt gave me with owls and running horses. A local potter makes chicken and ladybug cups that charm me and keep my coffee perfectly hot.

And this one — well this daring cup has the quote from one of my favorite writers, Cheryl Strayed, who wrote Wild. Forgive me if the words shock you, but she said them first.

And whether my unusual cups are filled with coffee, tea or hot chocolate — they speak to me on a soulful level. Trust me — they work.

Every morning, after I put my coffee cup in the sink, my beloved werewolf of a dog slowly walks up to me and throws his toy on the floor. I stare at it and then look at him. He stares at it and looks at me. And then BOOM — we are off — and I chase him around our kitchen island and are you ready for this? I bark at him while we play chase.

It’s ridiculous, funny, it makes me run full tilt and how much fun is it to hide from your dog?

I definitely count it as one of my daily simple pleasures. And if for some reason I skip the chase? Something feels off and I think my werewolf feels it too. How do I know? Because he’ll keep dropping the damn toy on my foot all day long until I remember.

One of the many simple pleasures in my life is finding books in thrift stores and second-hand shops. Two recent additions to my library have kept me company the past few weeks when I catch myself feeling snarky.

The World of Pooh by A.A. Milne was written in 1926 but my edition is from 1956 and Synonyms, Antonyms and Prepositions by James C. Fernald (Yes — I am a nerd) was written in 1914 but my edition was published in 1947. And I got them both for the grand total of $4.00.

Swoon! Imagine that — books that waited for me for 64 years and 73 years. They bring simple pleasures of distraction and inspiration and offer many charming, elegant and graceful words as food for thought. I’m not the same person when I surface out of them.

If you were here I’d show them to you in person, however, this picture will have to do.

Perhaps you need to dust off some forgotten books and allow them to take you on an adventure?

When we’re in the midst of busy, daily life it can be challenging to try new recipes. But now? I’m determined to cook two new dishes each week. I like feeding people I care about and I like challenging myself with out of the ordinary dishes.

Two nights ago I made a lamb ragu that simmered in spices, anchovies, wine, and milk for three hours — and then I tossed it with egg noodles. The meat was fork-tender and the broth was mellow with garlic.

The simple pleasure of chopping, braising, stirring, and then smelling the alchemy that took place in my beat-up Le Creuset dutch oven ( I got it for $6.00 at a thrift store) just made the day feel lighter.

And seeing people I love have second helpings because they can’t stop themselves? Well — for a cook it doesn’t get any better than that.

So if you’re feeling a little blue or wound up like a top? Take a step back and look deep into the simple treasures you have within your home.

Perhaps you have some fluffy towels that need to be put in your bathroom. Or have a luxurious bath every day and use the good bubble bath you stashed away. Enjoy a little sip of brandy at night when you read your book. Indulge in a documentary in the middle of the day and feel slightly wicked.

The simple pleasures of your life are in abundance all around you — so let them work their gentle magic and help see you through.

And the next time you have toast for breakfast? Use four kinds of jam.

Thanks for reading! I have loads of food essays (delicious recipes too) and thoughtful and quirky simpler living essays waiting for you. (Well over 100 of them!) And this story caught the attention of NBC News in New York!

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