insights: giving happy thanks

There are things, big things, to be thankful for, of course, like good health, a husband who makes my heart soar, a family that has my back, friends who have stayed through thick and thin and a dog who thinks I am  the entire world. These are the things to give thanks for.

But there are the other things, the little things, the quirky things that can make your heart leap as you say a silent thank you to God or the universe.

Here are some of the small things, the lovely things, the wondrous things that have made me thankful. These moments are the things I try to remember when I forget just how amazing life is.



(Yes, this is our puppy Emma who thinks she is hidden)

The Happy Things

1. Getting into a bed freshly made with sheets straight from the dryer

2. Hot apple pie topped with a slice of Beecher's white cheddar (Is this just a New England thing?)

3. Finding the PERFECT thing on Etsy.com. Seriously, how can you not love this?

4. The way my husband smiles at me and hums when he likes the dinner I've prepared

5. Settling in to enjoy the movie trailers and hearing the dialogue of the people behind me ("Oh! I want to see that. Do you want to see that?")




6. Calls from the doctor's office to say everything's good

7. The smell of Thanksgiving dinner cooking when you come in from a brisk walk

8. The feel of accomplishment when you've folded piles of laundry

9. Reading Mindy Kaling's new book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?"on my iPad

10. Texts from friends who just want to say "Hi. I miss you. Come to L.A. NOW!"

11. Sisters-in-law who are more like sisters than I could ever imagine. Growing up as an only child I always wanted a sister. Now I have two

12. Cuddling before dawn with my husband and the puppy in one big, happy pile in the bed

13. Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell perfume. It smells like a happy, sunny British morning to me

14. A mix of vintage Sade, Luther Vandross, Basia and Anita Baker on a cold, wet, windy evening

15. Starbucks' Peppermint Hot Chocolate

16. Driving top down on a cold, crisp, sunny Seattle morning with the heat and heated seats on listening to Christmas music

17. Screening all those wonderful Oscar hopefuls. Tis the season

18. Jonathan Adler's Fig Candle

19. When my husband reaches for my hand when we're out walking

20. Watching people greet each other at the arrivals area at the airport (see also: the last scene of "Love Actually")

There are more. So many more. I'm a lucky girl.  You are too.

What does your list look like?

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your life is filled with many unimaginably happy moments as well.