The Little Things That Light You Up

My daughter just did a post with this title and I thought WOW!! she's really on to something! I thought it was such a great topic I'd follow her lead and do my own version of it and include some of the things she also hit on.

It is so true how the older you get the more the simple things bring joy to your life. Going out to fancy restaurants and expensive places seem to lose their appeal after awhile. You kind of can get tired of having to dress up and make sure your makeup and hair is perfect and all of that kind of stuff. I kind of enjoy a pizza and a movie at home now more than I do going out to the fancy restaurants.

Why do people think that you have to keep up with the Jones every time they replace their new luxury car? A car is just an object that makes getting from point A to point B a little easier and faster. We can't forget all of the little must-have gadgets and appliances. I know I'm guilty of that one as I always think "I need that" every time I'm at the quilt store and I see some new quilting tool or toy.

Let's not forget the guys out there that have to have the newest most up-to-date software programs, flat screen televisions that are even skinnier and bigger than the last one they got, faster computers every time there is an update out and of course all of those tools that they think they have to have to complete even the simplest projects.

All of these things seem to fade from memory quickly with little lasting benefit when you really stop and think about it.

Whether it’s enjoying a cold drink on your patio watching the sunset, a backyard barbeque with family and friends, watching a movie with your honey, enjoying a bowl of ice cream with your grandchildren, catching up with your girlfriend over some coffee, driving through the country looking at the sights or feeding bread to the ducks at the pond. We all just need to think back on the moments that make us smile and realize that we really don’t need all that other stuff. It's just stuff and not the type of thing that memories are made of.

My daughter pointed out that you have 24 hours in a day. Even if you spend 8 of them sleeping and 8 of them working, you’ve still got another 8 left to spare. Find the little things that bring a smile to your face and get out there and do at least one of them daily. If you can’t find the time to do them then it’s time to reorganize your priorities and get your life back on a healthy track. Figure out what’s important to you and cut out all that other stuff.

If we all can’t do the things that make us happy in the life we live, then it’s time to figure out what we need to do in order to make sure we can do these things.

Nothing is worth letting life’s best moments pass you by!

Some Beautiful Flowers

Don't you just love these beautiful Peonies? They are so beautiful. I just love them! It doesn't matter if they are still kind of closed up or when they are all the way open. They are just so gorgeous. I think these are one of my favorite flowers and of course I love the color. They have quite a few shades of pink in them if you look closely.

Flirty Apron Swap

I recently participated in another Flirty Apron Swap. The theme this time was Cupcakes and/or Mary Engelbreit. I know I said I wasn't going to do another apron swap because I already own a zillion but I couldn't help myself! I love aprons and I loved that the theme was cupcakes so I went ahead and signed up again.

Being the procrastinator that I am I waited until the day before the apron had to be made to start it. I work well under pressure! I had already purchased the cupcake fabric that I was going to use but I of course changed my mind as to what type of an apron I was going to make and at the last minute had to run to JoAnn's before they closed to get enough fabric to finish the project and make a ruffle. I always like my aprons to have a ruffle and extra long ties so that if you want you can wrap the ties and tie it into a nice bow in the front. I had already picked up the little extras that I was to include as a gift in addition to the apron so that wasn't a problem.



I decided at the last minute to add the little pink pom-pom trim to the top of the apron and again on the top of the pocket. I thought it just added a little extra to the look of the apron.



Here is all of the goodies I included with my package. I of course had to send one of my all time favorite apron patterns as part of the gift. I included a roll of Mary Englebrite ribbon, some colorful candy or muffin liners, a magnetic note holder that I made and a few other little things.



Here is me modeling the apron. I fell in love with the cute cupcake apron and didn't want to give it up. I always do that. I should just know by now and buy enough fabric to make 2 of them because this has happened the last couple of apron swaps.