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Every year around this time I like to think about the little things I am thankful for. NOT the big things like family, love, health, employment. I’m very thankful for those, yes. But there are so many little things that make life a joy, which get overlooked in the shuffle.
For instance, I am very grateful that every time I leave the house (even if it’s for 5 minutes) when I return I get to enjoy the full tilt Reggie welcome home wiggle dance. This involves rushing to Mom, wiggling butt sideways in joy, rushing away to grab the nearest toy, then bringing it back to be admired along with much love and kisses and the chant of “baby boy, baby boy.” Yes, I have lost my mind. Still, a little thing that brightens every day. Sometimes several times. If I’m really bummed, I can even stand in the garage for 5 minutes, then come back in. He has no clue.
Number two on my little things hit parade is the Keurig coffeemaker IV bought me for our anniversary. (No diamonds for moi, my heart belongs to coffee.) Fresh coffee in 2 minutes! Wow! And tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, apple cider. Amazing. I am very easily amused. See above.
Number three–hot pink. Who can be bummed if there’s hot pink in the world? Which explains the Ugg boots, new socks, ipad case and Clay Matthews jersey–all in hot pink. Whee!! If Reggie wouldn’t eat it, I’d buy him a hot pink sweater. He’s a dog. He’s color blind. He wouldn’t know.
: exacq / Foter / CC BY-NC
Number Five-My mother in law’s brussel sprout casserole. Really. It’s so good I can’t tell you. I think the secret is massive amounts of cheese and butter. The best part? SHE makes it. Woo, hoo!
What are the little things you’re thankful for?
69 Comments on “We Pause to be Thankful for the Little Things”
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I’m thankful that I can send my share of Brussels sprouts your way.
I’m thankful for so many other things too, but it’s really the little things. Mornings with NO alarm clock blaring, warm cookies straight from the oven and black cherry season.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:04 am.
I will take them all! Thank you.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:08 am.
Coffee is a major bit of thankfulness. I must have my coffee or I am apt to go off several deep ends, it has happened but the government hushed it up, I think because I removed a large number of insurgents from this mortal plain.
The silly faces my g-girls make when they see Nana bring the camera out.
My Galaxy 2 Tablet, I upgraded from my IPhone when I kicked AT&T to the curb. It doesn’t make calls, I bought a Cricket for that, but it is so much easier to read on it and surf the web.Because it makes me happy I bought it a pretty lavender leather cover for it. I will probably think of other little thankfulness’s later but right now I am thankful for my pillow which calls to me.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:14 am.
I’m right there with you on the coffee!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:09 am.
This year there are some THANKS that are heartfelt and there are some “thanks” that are sad. But since those two Thanks are focused on family, I’ll digress from mentioning them.
Now as to the thanks for the little things…
Uno – the e-reader bought by my eldest bro and his wife. Didn’t get around to using it until I got some necessary “stuff” for it.
Dos – my native “junk” food, which I don’t have right now, but I’m glad that these “junk” food can be bought at some Asian food stores a few miles away from my home. Easy access…though I really shouldn’t be thinking about them since they are “junk” food.
Tres – Books. ‘Nough said.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:49 am.
Books and nums. ‘nough said is right.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:10 am.
I am thankful for a nice comfy bed to sleep in in a few hours. I didn’t get much sleep last night and having to be up at 3:30 this morning to get ready for a trip to Brisbane with New Guy and his friend didn’t really help.
I am thankful for the warm days that we are now experiencing because I really hate the cold weather. I am also thankful that we didn’t get fried the other day when we were driving home in the storm from dropping another friend home.
I am thankful that New Guy has gotten a job. I can’t begin to tell you just how much I was freaking out over making ends meet which was provoking me into an obsessive compulsive vacuuming of the carpet (usually late at night but everyone in the house was awake anyway).
I am thankful for all of you goddesses, you accept my cranky, obsessive self and like me regardless which confuses the heck out of me because there are times that I am just not very likable and can be a moody irritable cow.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 5:23 am.
The goddesses are always worth a big thanks.
I am also thankful for our warm weather right now. 60 degrees here in November is unheard of. I’ll take it.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:12 am.
The little things in life make life worth living! I am thankful for many little things. Hey, you can send the extra sprouts my way! Love them!
One – The barn filled with animals. Even on those freezing early mornings when the horses water buckets are frozen I have a barn full of 25 horses who greet me, snicker, stick their noses out for a treat or a pet, and push their heads into my chest for a pet. The small calf always come over to lick and the goats are jumping around my legs.
Two – Warm jackets and mittens and large puffy comforters for snuggling into when cold.
Three – The Goddess – I check them out every day and pick up their books to read every day. What a wonderful way to escape without going anywhere.
Four – Cheesecake!!!!!!!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:28 am.
Cheesecake!! Got excited there for a minute. Whew. Love it.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:13 am.
I am thankful for books, real and e-books, and a Kindle. My two little dogs who love you all the time. The electric hot water kettle the kids gave us for making tea.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:29 am.
I got one of those kettles too! Love it.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:16 am.
I am thankful for books. A little slice of fun and escape served up between two covers. I had to stop reading for a few minutes last night becasue I was giggling too hard at a line in the book I’m reading now. (Lisa Kleypas’ It Happened One Autumn) That was great.
I am also thankful for Columbo Italian Dry Salami at Trader Joe’s. I grew up with it in CA but once I moved to the East Coast I couldn’t find it. Trader Joe’s is the only place that carries it. It is ambrosia. I could live off of salami and swiss cheese sandwiches.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:35 am.
My MIL loves Trader Joe’s and she’s Italian, so it must have some good stuff.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:17 am.
Little things I am thankful for:
That I have so many BIG things to be thankful for each year.
Jordy Nelson is back and Greg Jennings is feeling better. Peaking at the near end of the season will be “fan”tastic!
We are in the 60s for the foreseeable future. Hard to use the walkout refrigerator (my back porch) after Thanksgiving but great to hang Christmas lights!
TGBs and all the wonderful people who write and read here. What a great place to be part of – people who love shoes, coffee and a romantic heart.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:08 am.
Ha, ha! I also have the walkout refrigerator, which I will miss this week. The turkey is now taking up half the refrigerator.
As soon as Matthews is back, my Sundays will be complete!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:18 am.
I must say, I love my Cowboys and Texans, but man that Clay Matthews is HOT………..
Love, love, LOVE him! The hub already knows that all Clay Matthews would have to do is WINK and I would be off and runnin. 
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:58 am.
I know!! Whenever he gets a sack, I am even more thrilled with my DVR that lets me replay and replay the FLEX celebration.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:46 am.
I am thankful for Propalin. It is a medication that helps my lab not pee while she sleeps. It has made such a difference. Now I don’t have to worry about her falling asleep on the couch or the rug.
I am also thankful for the jets in my bathtub. We recently got them working again, and it makes me wonder why I thought that I could go without them.
I am also thankful for Jersey Milk chocolate bars. I have been snacking away on the bag of mini’s I bought myself after Halloween. They are little pieces of creamy heaven.
Books. I am always thankful for books.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:18 am.
Bathtub jets are the best!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:41 am.
The little things are the best…
1, starting to decorate for Christmas early so we can enjoy it with friends
2, my husband cleaning toilets
3, my daughter’s calls on her way to work at 6:20am, it is ok since I am at work at 6am
4, the sun is shining, it could be snowing her in New England!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:28 am.
OMG! Your husband cleans toilets??? SCORE!!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:42 am.
Lori, I’m with you on the DVR. It’s such a big help when I’m away from the house or when I must watch that baseball or football game in lieu of my regular programming. Who am I kidding? Sports ARE my regular programming. Haha
I’m thankful for my music, especially my Rod Stewart easy listening marathon. It relaxes me like nothing else I can think of.
I’m thankful for strawberries for my Special K. Every morning they continue to be a treat.
Of course, there’s the Goddesses and their books and all the other books that keep me company whenever I want a getaway.
I’m thankful for the doctor who told me I had the arteries of a forty y/o in this 66 y/o body. I’m thankful for the arteries!
~Donna
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:40 am.
40 year old arteries. I am impressed, Donna! You go!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:42 am.
Love this list! The color I am grateful for is turquoise. I wear it, but it in my decorating, love it everywhere.
Cat noses. They’re just so elegant.
Growing potatoes in bags, then pulling out those perfect, tiny new potatos and eating them that very day.
Rainy days.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:44 am.
Turquoise is also absolutely beautimus!
Potatoes in bags? Who knew!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:03 am.
I love your list. I share your list. Coffee, dogs…
I am reminded every fall, after brutally hot summers, how much I love the weather here. Rarely too cold, always just right and lots of sun
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:19 am.
You could come here in the summer and I could come there in the fall. The dogs would play. We would drink . . . coffee.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:38 am.
My Guy…we’re still going strong, gotta always thank goodness for that.
Prince Fluffypants and his brother, Beans. They make me laugh. They are like Oscar and Felix. One is so fastidious and the other not so much. Until Fluffypants force grooms beans and beans acts like he’s beimg killed. It’s all very dramatic and funny.
You guys, you make me laugh.
Laughter is good.
Thermal Jammies, oh man I love my comfies, and my fuzzy spa socks. Jammie day is awesome.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:28 am.
The name Prince Fluffypants is something to be thankful for. Love that!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:39 am.
I’m thankful for my walking buddy. We started walking seriously back in June, then managed to make our schedules work when the kids went back to school in August, and naturally started dieting in a healthy way. The transition was slow, so we didn’t feel like we starved/giving up favorite things. Now, we’re to the pont where our clothes are loose and we are in serious need of new things for our wardrobe.
I’m thankful for my coffee buddy. Yes, I have a lot of buddies. Right before Halloween, she asked if I had any story ideas, as her daughter wanted her to participate in nanowrimo. In less than five minutes, I verbally had a story line and plot. She looked at me and told me to go write it. Now, she is a rock of support whenever I get needy/whiney. I don’t know if anything will come of writing, but for the first time in about six years, I’m doing something for myself that is fun and that I want to do.
My mac book. I love my mac book. I love the way it works, and I love that it has a word processing program that isn’t Word. I can save the stuff I write as a Word document, so that I can send it to the rest of the world, but don’t have to put up with the dang auto correct.
As I read over what I’ve written, these seem like big things, but they started out so small, and somehow morphed into big things.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:31 am.
I have Mac everything and love it all. I love that I can write on my ipad in Pages, then send it in Word. That is very cool.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:40 am.
Pages is my favorite. I love showing the invisibles so that I know if I have extra spaces between things.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:12 am.
Amen to the Keurig!!! I love that thing–it keeps the peace in my household since there’s no mess with it either.
I’m also thankful for:
–Dr. Scholls insoles: They make my feet happy when I’m on them all day.
–Smart phone: I didn’t think I’d like it, but I love it, and now I’m sad when I’m without it.
–E-reader: I travel all the time–I can carry 100 books with me and it weighs two pounds. Awesome!
–Having a handy brother to fix my plumbing (and other things) upon occasion.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:40 am.
Handy people are so great! I wish I was one.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:25 am.
What a cute list, Lori!
One little thing I am thankful for is the new phone I got yesterday!
This may sound strange but I’m thankful for the snoring war that woke me in the middle of the night. Usually the dogs battle one another in the war, but I am fortunate enough to have my loved one home this week. A three way snoring war it was!
Another little think I’m thankful for is great books, and even greater authors!
I may be in the minority, but brussel sprout casserole sounds wonderful. I have to google that!
I also loved Barbara’s last one. Rainy days. Love them.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:56 am.
Loved ones being home is especially lovely. Can’t wait to see youngest tomorrow. He’s been away since August. :/
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:27 am.
What a great idea. We are usually noting the big things we are most thankful for this time of year, but I like the being aware of the little things, too.
I am so thankful for my tooshie warmers in my Kia Sorento. I don’t know who it was that invented them, but I could give them a full on, wet, sloppy kiss. They are amazing! I’m not needing them lately since the lows have only been in the 50′s, but a week or so ago, when they were in the 30′s, it was heavenly.
I’m so thankful for books…as everyone does, I have my own problems and it is so nice to be able to put those away and focus on someone ELSE’S problems for a bit.
I love a good story.
I’m thankful for this site. I love reading the blogs and comments. Sometimes the blogs are silly and sometimes they are insightful, and there is always at least one in a week that makes me truly laugh out loud. Your blog did today, Lori, when you were talking about your MIL’s brussel sprout casserole because that’s how I feel about my sister’s banana pudding. Most people love mine and I always get asked to bring it. Mine is EASY…I use instant vanilla pudding, whole milk, bananas and the mini vanilla wafers. The only thing I do that really takes effort is I make homemade whipped cream that I sweeten with a little confectioner’s sugar spread on the top with crushed vanilla wafers. My sister, however, MAKES homemade vanilla custard with her’s (along with the vanilla wafers and bananas) and it’s WARM when you eat it. OMG, it is the best thing ever, and SHE made it, so that makes it even better.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:10 am.
I’m glad I made you laugh, Julie. Another of life’s little pleasures, yes?
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:28 am.
Oh, yes. Hank-th-Pup’s joy in my return home, even if I’ve just gone out to the car for something. The smell of fresh-baked cookies (I made three batches last night). The clean look of the kitchen drawers–I just took everything out of them, scrubbed them and put everything back in. I’m thankful I did that little chore each time I pull out a fork.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:30 am.
Come to my house, Christie. I will let you make cookies and clean the drawers. LOl!
But I know what you mean. It’s always so nice when something is just right for a while.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:48 am.
Mmmmmm Brussels sprouts. If your MIL wants to share the recipe…
I am thankful for a fun job that lets me be creative and work with some rather fun people.
I am grateful for my cat and dog who don’t mock me for talking to animals, but humor me as I speak human in a canine and feline world. I am also honored that Shadow pups has decided I’m the bees knees in his world, even though having a dog within 3 feet of me at all times can be a little like going through an obstacle course.
I am thankful that soon I will be moving out of this wee town and back to civilization.
I am also thankful for – probably the most thankful for – is my friends for being amazing, supportive, intelligent and FUNNY.
oh.. and twinkle lights and Christmas ornaments. They brighten my December every year and never fail to make me smile.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:42 am.
You know I have never asked for the recipe because someone might then expect me to make something besides turkey.
Twinkle lights are definitely awe inspiring. Do they have hot pink twinkle lights?
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:49 am.
I think you’re safe, the turkey is the biggest, most important dish.. and if you rock the bird, they can bring the sides.
You know, I’ve seen hot pink ones used, but not in stores… now I need to find some!
I’ll let you know what I discover.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:25 pm.
I definitely rock the bird.
That sounds kind of obscene . . . LOL!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:35 pm.
My daughter has had an all white tree (I remembered it from my aunts apt. in Manhatten in the 60′s) with all pink lights. She puts it up every year but the wires have to be white not green!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
I had all white ornaments and lights last year. But I like the sound of pink and white. Would only have to change half the stuff!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:04 pm.
My MacAir– I am discovering it works really well as an ereader, along with its other joys. It is luring me over and away from a PC world, I think.
My cat Ivan, who has shown amazing maturity in not allowing the newer dog disrupt our special relationship.
My CVR with 4 wheel drive, which I am sure will conquer the snow once we get some, and in the meantime has me riding high in traffic
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:14 pm.
I like being high above the traffic. Whenever I drive son’s Jetta–which has been at home while he’s at school–I feel very small and miss the bird’s eye view from my Suburban.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:36 pm.
I’m thankful for:
Putting on my coat and finding 1.00 in the pocket! (I’d love a 50.00 but were talking small)
Jigsaw puzzles that I can actually put pieces together on. No all white ones for me!
Raisn bread pudding warm out of the oven with whipped cream.
Finding a piece of costume jewelry that’s so unusual I have to wear it right away!
A cup of tea in an old cup with a saucer and a real napkin.
Hankies, my daughter still thinks it’s awful you blow your nose into something without throwing it out! I love old hankies.
Romance writers who can describe a man so romantic I want to become fictional.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:03 pm.
I LOVE finding money in my coat or pants. A present!
Don’t let me near the bread pudding. It would be mine, all mine.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:05 pm.
OMG, I’m thankful for hot pink, too!
I’m thankful for my tv shows! And for books.
I’m thankful for cake.
And I’m thankful for wax (which I’m about to go get — waxed). It huts so much when the woman needs to do the final touch with tweezers. I’d DIE if I had to get my whole eyebrows done with them!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm.
Cake is always a good thing to be thankful for. How about hot pink cake!?!?
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:41 pm.
You made me snort this morning, Lori. *g* Like you, I am thankful for the DVR. I can now start watching Castle ten minutes late, and catch up by skipping commercials so by the end, I’m live. It makes me feel clever.
I’m also thankful for Doublestuff Oreos. They’re like regular Oreos, only twice as good. And they still make regular ones, so you have something to compare the extra goodness with.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 1:54 pm.
Have you tried the fudge covered oreos? Sigh. How about oreos and Castle?
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 2:34 pm.
Ooooo, fudge covered oreos! SO good!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm.
Little things I’m thankful for.
-the coffee my hubby makes me most mornings
-my warm fuzzy robe
-nap time (baby’s and occasionally mine as well)
-cheesecake
etc.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm.
I am a huge nap fan. One of the best times ever.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:33 pm.
Lori,
That was too funny a list of little things. And, yes I have tried the fudge covered oreos, picked some up Sunday at Publix.
For me, little things.
1. My Kindle Fire, awesome and that I won it, even better – thank you Kate Angell.
2. Iphone – I’m able to call, text, surf the internet, check facebook, take pics, whatever, on my handy device.
3. My yard – I can sit out in the driveway, or backyard and be happy.
4. Christmas ornaments – I love looking at them, especially on my trees, yes trees.
5. Cameron – my 8 yr old nephew, who gives new prospective on things, just ask him. He is Mr. Entertainment.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 3:09 pm.
I had a yard once. Now I have crater-ville. Thankfully, for Reggie, he is cute.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm.
I’m thankful for:
1.Dvr because by the end of the day I’m too tired to watch tv, and I like watching tv during the day when no one is around to ask me a billion questions.
2. Books!!!
3. My 9 yo daughter’s sense of humor. Two weeks ago in the car, she said to me, ‘Mom, know what would be ironic? A dentist getting a cavity. Even more ironic, the firemen having a fire at their fire station, or the police getting robbed at their police station.’ I know people in their 40s who don’t get irony.
4. That my 12 yo son still talks to me, and points out stuff to me that he wouldn’t to his dad.
5. My cobbler who keeps my shoes looking like their brand new, even if they’re 70 years old.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:03 pm.
I also love watching all my shows, one after the other, by myself. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:23 pm.
You’ve got good things on your list! I’m with you on the DVR!
I’m thankful for tea, chocolate, and quiet moments (if I ever get one again). I’m also thankful for books, yoga pants, and educational children’s shows.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:41 pm.
I need to get me some of those yoga pants I keep hearing about.
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:45 pm.
Days with no alarm clock.
Snuggling in bed on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a great romance novel and my dogs and cats all plastered against me under the covers.
Cadbury’s chocolate.
I have a job. I hate my job, but I have one and there are so many people who don’t.
My Mom’s chicken and dumplings!
The three ringed circus that ensues every time I come home – dogs (and one cat who things she is a dog) make me feel like the master of the universe no matter how badly my day SUCKED!
Azaleas in bloom.
Milo’s sweet tea!
And places like the Goddess Blogs where everybody knows your name and everyone is always up for some fun!
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:49 pm.
Azaleas in bloom-what a picture. Lovely.
Posted on November 21, 2012 at 8:15 am.
Lori, I’ve read you blog over and over and keep thinking the same thing — BRUSSEL SPROUT CASSEROLE? I can’t fathom, although I can see how the ‘butter and cheese’ part could help.
I’m thankful that both of my kids are doing well and moving ahead in their lives.
I’m thankful for this awesome job that is filled with exciting twists and turns.
I’m thankful for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews and Donald Driver and the rest of the amazing Packers.
And I’m thankful to have TGB which almost always gives me a grin with my morning cuppa.
Posted on November 21, 2012 at 12:25 am.
It is a truly amazing dish and I only have to wait one more day!!
Posted on November 21, 2012 at 8:16 am.
I would love the recipe for the Brussel Sprout recipe. Will you share?
Posted on November 21, 2012 at 12:07 pm.