Things to be Happy About - April Edition

We are now into May so it's time again to post my favorite "things to be happy about" from my desk calendar in April. If you need to catch up you can read about the previous months by clicking on the month - January, February and March.

Here are my April things to be happy about...

• Lemon wedges for fish ~ Fresh lemon squeezed on seafod is so yummy and makes it taste a notch better
• Displaying things on easels ~ If you walk around our house, you will see pictures, plaques, plates and other things propped up on display easels - I love using them in decorating
• The swirl of a skirt ~ Being a girl, big flowy skirts are so neat - there's something about spinning around and making your skirt look like an umbrella . I wish we still lived in the days where women wore dresses and pearls...those were the days
• "Amazing Grace" ~ One of the greatest hymns of all time - classic, timeless and so comforting...it always warms my heart
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil ~ A staple in our house and used in a lot of our cooking
• Buying finishing tackle ~ Not something I do, but something my John does...he loves fishing, just doesn't get to do it often enough. He bought some new fishing stuff about a week ago - like a kid in a candy store, he enjoyed looking through it all and picking out a few new things
• Soup & Sandwich meals ~ So simple, but can really hit the spot. There are so many good soup and sandwich combinations
• Unclutterd Rooms ~ Ahhhhhh, bliss...cluttered rooms do not make me happy!
• Home Cooking ~ Eating out is a fun treat and always delicious, but nothing beats "home cooking"...especially good family recipes
• Thank You notes ~ I was taught at a very young age to send thank you notes for all gifts for all occasions and here I am 31 years old and I still send thank you notes for everything. I think it's so important to show appreciation for thoughtfulness - plus it's another way I can hold onto old fashioned "snail mail"
• Squirrel Tails ~ I adore squirrels - they are one of my favorite animals. There are several that play in the tree outside of my office window and I love to watch them . I get excited everytime I see a squirrel and their fluffy tails. I have squirrel pajamas and also a stuffed squirrel named "Sawyer" that's holding a heart that reads "I'm nuts about you" (who do you think gave that to me?)
• Retreating to a Spa ~ This is something I had never done before, but recently John surprised me with a day at the spa. I had a facial, massage, manicure and pedicure - it was AMAZING. I was treated like a queen and felt so nice when I left there...and so relaxed too
• Maraschino Cherries ~ YUM! I could eat a whole jar
• Wraparound Porches ~ These add such comfort and beauty to a home. I love to see them on houses driving by and it's my dream to have a house with one surrounded by magnolia trees
• French Dip Sandwiches ~ Such a tasty sandwich - warm, meaty, cheesy...finger lickin' good! We like making these at home with leftover sliced brisket and provolone cheese
• The Little Things ~ I am a person that is easily pleased so the "little things" in life bring me such happiness
• Downtown Shopping ~ How delightful are the towns that still have neat stores and shops downtown? It's one reason we enjoy Fredericksburg, Texas so much - Main Street is full of neat shops and stores. It reminds me of a simpler time. I was definitely born in the wrong decade
• Kitchen Supply Stores ~ DANGER! DANGER! I'm a kitchen gadget/tool lover so these stores are my toy store. I can't go in one without staying a while and coming out with something perfect to add to my kitchen collection. I'm overwhelmed by all of the kitchen "stuff" and want it all. I should mention there's a kitchen store on Main Street in Fredericksburg - heaven!
• Post-Its ~ What a gift to this Earth! I'm addicted to buying and using post-it notes and I'm not ashamed...they are incredible things. I have them in all sizes, shapes and colors and use them for everything at home and work. Buy my some post-its and I'll be your friend for life - remember how I said I'm easily pleased?
• Hibachi Cooking ~ One of our favorite date night places is a hibachi restaurant and it's SO good. It's entertainment and a delicious meal in one place
• Tulips ~ This is a very special flower to John and I. I discovered a several years ago that tulips mean "You mean everything to me" so we have exchanged them several times throughout our marriage

Have a happy May - until we meet again...
Riley