A New Chapter of Happiness

Years ago while I was in high school, there was a book called 14,000 Things To Be Happy About. My girlfriends and I passed a copy back and forth and even tried our hand at keeping our own record of what made us happy.

To this day, I still have my little green velvet journal with a few thousands things that made me happy during my high school and collage years.

Reading the pages of this little book bring me back. Way back. Many of the same things that brought me joy and delight then still do 'till this day.

Things like…

Sleeping with the windows open
Floral bedspreads
Being thanked
Porch swings
Hearing about the birth of a baby
Star gazing
Pretty crepe paper

Still turn up the corners of my mouth and bring about a sense of excitement and wonder.

Other things like…

Apple flavored lip balm
Making a mix tape for someone special
My silver dolphin ring
Hot pink bikini bathing suits
Staying up all night

… not so much!

More than 10 years has passed since I have put my pen to the pages and given an account of what makes me happy these days. Boy, I’m sure that some things have changed…

Baking bluberry scones with my children
Filling, refilling and filling again the endless glasses of Sophia and Nicolas’ lemonade glasses as they spend a day outdoors
Gazing into the sparkling eyes of my toddler while I sit and nurse him to his heart’s content
Bringing my children to a new place, be it a park, museum or sight
The hours from 7:30 to 11pm ALONE with my husband
Reading a food label with the absence of high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils or food dyes
Working hard in my home so that it is a place where my family and friends feel welcome, loved and well-fed
Posting RECIPES for my blog readers to view (yikes, if I could have only seen this one coming!)

Perhaps I should start a new chapter of happiness…