Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Small pleasures.


Late winter is a time of small pleasures. When it's cold and gray and (depending on where you live) snowy, and maybe you're not leaving the house as much, and not being as active as you are in the spring, summer and fall, it's a good time to notice little things that can make you smile or give you a pleased sensation, which is what you hang onto to get you through till spring. (Whew, that was a long sentence.)

Here are a few of my small pleasures right now:

--Gain HE detergent--in lavender! I love Gain, but they've only ever made their high-efficiency detergent in the original scent. Which is nice, but sometimes you long for a new smell. I was so happy to find a lavender scent at Wal-Mart the other day (it almost made going to Wal-Mart feel worthwhile!) Plus, they have a lavender fabric softener. My sheets are tumbling in the dryer right now and giving off a wonderful aroma.

--Craig Ferguson. I've seen lots of clips of "The Late Late Show" on Youtube and CBS.com, and I read Craig's memoir a few months ago, so I've been a casual fan for a while. I've been up late a lot of nights this past month with stomach pain and general anxiety-based insomnia, and so I've gotten to see Craig in real time. And I love this guy. He is ridiculous and goofy, but somehow that goes down better at 1:00 in the morning. And his interviews are a delight. He is really interested in everyone who comes on the show and always manages to make them come off as funny and interesting. And that accent! Love him.

--"Talking" greeting cards. I don't buy greeting cards with those audio chips in them very often, but every now and then I find one that's perfect. I was shopping for Valentine's cards for my nephews and nieces the other day, and I found the perfect one for my 13-year-old nephew. The front says "This little card isn't meant to embarrass you..." and then when you open it this very high-pitched woman's voice shrieks, "Hi, honey! Hi! Guess who wuvs you? I do!" It makes me laugh every time I open it, and it makes me laugh when I picture Tanner's face when he'll open it. I highly recommend this card if you have a teenage boy.

--Sharpie pens. More accurately: Sharpie / Pen. They're bleed-proof permanent pens with a clickie top. I picked them up at Walgreens and they are the black pen I've always dreamed of!
Yes, I dream of pens. Don't judge me.

--Ella and Louis. I mean, Ella and Louis. In my continuing quest to become a senior citizen before my time, I've really gotten into jazz/swing/big band music. Pandora is invaluable for stepping outside your musical rut, because it's a great way to hear a lot of an unfamiliar genre without having to buy a bunch of albums. And then if you hear something you love, then you can track it to Amazon and snatch it up. I was cleaning out the fridge a couple weeks ago and listening to my "Bing Crosby" station on Pandora, which pulls up tons of other stuff beyond Bing, and "Isn't This a Lovely Day?" came on, and I literally stopped what I was doing to listen. I had to buy the CD because this track is not available as an mp3, so I used the Amazon gift card my parents gave me for Christmas. What a great purchase.

What are your small pleasures this winter?

12 comments:

Leslie said...

I love LOVE Love Sharpie pens too! I haven't tried the clickable ones, but the fine tipped Sharpie PENs in black...yummy! As a kid I loved the office supply (stationery) store way more than the toy store. Weird, I know.

Of course I live where winter is the lovely season, so my winter pleasure yesterday was dragging the beach chairs and a blanket outside to sit and read in the sun with my two little sickie kids. Sofia got herself all set up with an umbrella and side table (complete with a water bottle as a vase) and other goodies. Then she went inside and fell right to sleep (too much exertion for a sickie, I guess!). Anyway, I'm hoping to do the same this afternoon since both of 'em are home again.

(I'm cutnpasting this to my blog...thanks for the idea.)

Leslie said...

P.S. I enjoy the modern voices that are influenced by Ella Fitzgerald. I just wish they didn't have such, ahem, colorful personal lives to keep them from producing albums (Amy Winehouse, in particular).

Latharia said...

I don't know what my small pleasures are ... but I'll sure try to think about it & blog about them. Thanks for this positive spin, Janelle.

Mimi said...

I also love Sharpie pens.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Love Sharpie pens, AND Craig Ferguson. My daughter lives in LA and has seen his show live several times -- says he is hilarious when he is NOT on the air, too.

Small pleasures -- I love that concept.

And thank you for your kindness and sympathy on the loss of my father; your sweet comment was very much appreciated.

Best wishes, Cass

Meadowlark Days said...

i got a keurig for christmas - i usually just drink tea, so i've been enjoying decaf coffee with cream for the last few months!

good luck planning your garden!

Latharia said...

Strawberries ... fresh bread ... spring air ... cuddly cats ... Castle. Yup, getting better!

Kerry McKibbins said...

Hi, just dropping by from 2 peas.
Like your blog!

PBSpirit said...

Hi Janelle,

Paula Fritts here. We were at Marietta together. I'm completely flabbergasted to come across your blog today. I started my first blog last night, logged on today to make some updates, clicked "next blog" and couple times, and here you are! I mean, really, what are the chances?!?! I'm looking forward to reading your posts and catching up.

Paula Brown

Positive Thoughtsh said...

See the power of positive thoughts within you.

Caribbean Culinary Tours and Vacations said...

winter is not my best time of the year, I am from the tropics originally. However I try to adjust since I am allergic to the cold I break out on my feet and hand. So I thank God daily for his blessings which include winter. I just got my first sharpie pen and it's pretty nice,love writing with it.

Donna said...

I was just catching up on blogs, which seem to have dropped off my radar these days. I love your line about your quest to become a senior citizen....haaaaaaa!!!! Oh you crack me up so much!