Simple Pleasures & a Winner

I'm attempting to take a vacation from work with my family this week.  My husband, Dave, teaches high school English and is off this week so we have a nice little break.  We're not actually going anywhere this week, so as I'm sure anyone who works from home knows, it's hard to take a vacation at home when your office is right there staring at you.  ;)

BUT...  we're making a list of things to do- and living right near DC we've got a lot to see & do- and I'm trying to focus on family time & enjoying the little things. 


{we have a lot of these in our grass right now...  not so pretty in the lawn but perfect when your 3-year old gives you a bouquet of them}


I loved reading through the comments on the Tracy Porter Giveaway post



For anyone who didn't see it, the comments were about simple pleasures in life and you can read them at the end of this post.  It's so interesting to see that so many of us share the same simple pleasures.  It must be in our DNA or something.  I thought it would be fun to list a few of them as reminders that every day we have the opportunity for happiness.  It's in our control and we can decide to be happy & enjoy something, even if only for a few minutes.  I think it's these little simple pleasures that day after day make us love our lives & appreciate them & the people around us:



~ A cup of coffee or tea & taking the time to really enjoy it ~

~Fresh breezes blowing through the house & sleeping with the windows open~




~ Time spent talking with your partner~

~ Reading a book~

~Adoring the things our kids say & do~

~Laughing~

{I love those long laugh-filled dinners...  in the pic above taken this past summer, my family is laughing at the painting of the woman I found & love at an antique market.  I call her "Dr.Lilondy" because she looks like my dad's doctor.  She's hanging in my foyer now across from the Da Vinci sketches.}

~Listening to the rain~

~MOJITOS!~

~Relaxing weekend mornings~

~A good meal~

~ Walks~

~Walking through your garden & appreciating the little changes ~

~Cooking with someone you love  & taking the time to make a great meal~

~Going out to eat~


{Image from womenscenter.missouri.edu}

~ A hot bath~

~ Enjoying the sunshine~

~A nap~

~Watching the sun rise~

~...And watching it set~

~Cuddling with little ones~

~Birds chirping~

~Watching your kids play & playing with them~



~Watching them sleep~




~And let's not forget our fur babies...  Watching our pets play & playing with them~



~ Design blogs!!~

~Exercising: biking, running, hiking, yoga, VOLLEYBALL ;) ;)~

~Flowers~



~ Carry-out~



~A new magazine~

~Sitting on the patio/ porch/ deck alone or with someone you love talking over the day~

~ Getting into a bed with crisp, clean fresh sheets~



{photo of our bedroom by Helen Norman}

~ The water: the ocean, a lake, a pond... it does something good to us~





{me hanging on the john boat with a friend on my dad's pond in high school}


~ Hearing your family laugh from another room~



~ Swings & hammocks~

~A great movie~

~wine~

~Being barefoot~


{image via feefeern.wordpress.com}
~Outdoor showers~

~Creating something, whether it's a craft, a drawing, a vignette... anything~

~Sitting by the fire~

~Music...  classical & relaxing or blasting in the car~

~Watching ducks & birds...  this cracked me up that mulitple people had some form of this in the comments but I so agree!!~

~Candles~

~Being the only one awake at dawn & spending a quiet moment alone~

~Laying in bed with our kids... reading, chatting, snuggling~

~Walking to get ice cream on a warm evening~


...And I thought this was one of the most romantic comments left by Bryan, Jen, Noah and Kiki too! :   "I absolutely love when my sweet hubby is able to call & Skype us from Afghanistan ... he has been deployed there for almost a year and everytime the computer sings that he's online, my heart flutters."

...And, finally, I think it's all about time with the people we love...


{My Geedaddy & my 3 year old, Christian}

I've loved writing this blog for the past 2 and a half years and "meeting" all of you.  Reading things like the comments above and getting little comments or emails makes me realize that there are so many of us out there who share the same loves, passions & appreciation for life & all it's got to offer us.  I know I'm getting super-cheesy, but it really is great to be connected to such amazing people.  Thank you for sharing.


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Oh & the winner of the Tracy Porter Giveaway (chosen by  a random number generator) is Cindy Ellison of MARKET DECOR!! Congrats Cindy!!!  Thank you so much to Tracy for her generous giveaway!!!   If you didn't get the chance, check out Tracy Porter's blog and store; you'll love her. 

29 comments:

Kristin said...

I loved this post! It put a smile on my face :)

Marianne said...

Wonderful post, Lauren! I hope you enjoy your week with your family!

jvw home said...

Lauren,
I loved this post...beautiful.
xoxo

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Reading this just changed my ok day into a fabulous thankful day. Thanks!

Acquired Objects said...

You always make me smile, love this post!

XX Debra,

pve design said...

Lauren,
Thanks, I will print this list out and open it to remind me to enjoy the simple things!
pve

Debby said...

WOnderful words and pictures. Sweet.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Love and happiness.
- Joy

Jess said...

Wonderful tips! I will have to ensure I remember these. Enjoy your time off.

A Vintage Vine said...

Great post Lauren! Enjoy your time off...DC is such a wonderful place to explore!! Thanks for the perspective today...you rock!!

Lila said...

That's a great post. It makes you really think about what you're doing everyday and if you're really taking time for something special. Thanks so much!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro

Fiona said...

I love the picture where they are all laughing at your portrait. I just bought a portrait that is a dead ringer for Karen Elson and I think everyone was totally puzzled except for me--ha!

The Remnant Room said...

Such a beautiful post, thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week!
Paula

Unknown said...

This was such a lovely post- thank you for sharing such beautiful thoughts with all of us!!

Sarah Howe said...

Funny, I didn't realize that my post for the day is titled the same! "Simple Pleasures"... seems like our hearts are on the same page.... but your photos are STUNNING

Unknown said...

What a beautiful and uplifting post! Also, my mom and I got a chance to stop by the DC Design House last Wednesday. Sorry we missed you! Everything about it was a total feast for the senses. That balcony overlooking the great room? Such a treat. And the boxwood maze? Soooo cool. Not to mention the fireplace mantle made out of moss. Most of all, though, we loved your hideaway room. Your chairs, and fabrics, simply gorgeous.

Lee said...

You bring tears to my eyes....
thanks for your blog...it always amazes and amuses me.
Have a great break with your family! XO

Market Decor said...

Hi! I am Cindy - Market Decor - I won the PureStyle/TracyPorter Givaway - I'm thrilled! As I told the girls at Tracy Porter (via email), this has really been a difficult time for me, for many reasons, and this past week...well, it was very hard. So, winning this NOW and in light of Lauren's beautiful (and so right on) blog about our Life's Simple Pleasures...this means more to me than $250.00, this seems special, to me, right now. It is happy and hopeful and kind. Thank you, Lauren! I have been following your interesting blog for months now - I do enjoy it! By the way, I did get a personal e-mail from Tracy Porter - how much fun is that! This made my day!

under spanish moss said...

What a great reminder of taking time to enjoy the simple yet wonderful things in life. I needed that. Have a great, memory making week with your family.

LindsB said...

I hope you have a wonderful break with your family, you deserve it!!

Also- I love you to pieces, you are the best EVER!! read your email :)

xoxoxoxox

Emily A. Clark said...

Sweet post, Lauren. Loved reading it.

Congrats on your upcoming BH&G feature. Just saw on Twitter :)

Happy Easter!

Jenny Castle Design said...

Reading this was the best way to start my day!! xoxo

The Buzz Blog @ Diane James Home said...

What a wonderful list of things to be happy about! Just back from DC having spent four great days touring the sights with our 3 boys and realize that happiness is to be with them (and no electronics!) - hope you have some time to indulge yourself this week!

Anonymous said...

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Carolyn said...

i <3 this post!

Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

My Galveston Cottage said...

yes, yes, yes!

Bryan, Jen, Noah and Kiki too! said...

Awe, thank you for including us! Today was hard being away on another holiday from the hubs but this post just absolutely made my frown turn upside down :) Thank you for such a beautiful post, hope you enjoyed your vacation with your adorable family!

Stacy CUrran said...

Laure, this is such a beautiful blog, inside and out...it reall has heart! I adored this post. You clearly have your priorities straight!
Stacy

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