Now that life has slowed down a bit, I’ve had a chance to stop and enjoy the little things in my life. I’ve talked in the past about how the little things are sometimes the big things and how even the smallest gesture can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Being home this week has made me realize this even more, so I wanted to share some of the little things I’ve recently enjoyed!
Acting silly in the backyard. There’s nothing better than Quinn’s little laugh and it’s such a fun way to wind down the day together as a family.
Buying fresh flowers for our kitchen. This bouquet was just $3.99 at Trader Joe’s and worth every cent for a an instant boost of color and cheeriness in our home.
Quinn’s new “caw-caw” mimic when he hears birds outside. He just started it the other day and it kills me. It’s so darn cute and it makes me so excited for him as he introduces more sounds and WORDS into his vocabulary!
New shoes. It’s crazy how happy a new pair of shoes can make you, right? My TOMS arrived from Zulily earlier this week. Hooray! And wearing them everyday since has put the biggest smile on my face. My old TOMS were seriously well-loved (and stinky), so I’m so glad to have a couple of new pairs in my life.
Stretching in the shower after a workout. The warmth feels so nice on my tight muscles. It’s such a small thing to do, but, man, it feels amazing.
Taking Quinn to play at the library. We picked out all new books for the week and played with some new friends!
Adding espresso beans to my smoothie. I love the flavor and crunch!
Going to bed earlier. Every night this week, I’ve gotten a solid 8 hours of sleep and, wow, I’m a different person when I am well-rested!
Pumpkin butter. Pumpkin butter. Pumpkin butter. I’m eating with everything lately. My favorite new snack is pumpkin butter + peanut butter on a rice cake. Mmm!
Running happy. With travel and UC stuff, I took almost 2 weeks off from my half marathon training. (Well, I ran a few times, but I wouldn’t consider it training.) I got back on track this week and have had some great runs so far!
Speaking of running happy, I wanted to tell you guys about a cool running event happening next week: The Run Live Q&A Chat! You can chat with me and the other Brooks blog ambassadors about all things running. You can also ask us questions in real time– anything from what’s our pre-run snack of choice to our favorite shoe to how we got into blogging. It’ll be fun! The live Q&A is set for Wednesday, 9/30 from 8-9pm EST and you can participate online at community.brooksrunning.com. I hope to see you there!
Question of the Day
Your turn! What little thing did you enjoy this week?
P.S. Be sure to enter my giveaway to win $100 to Albion Fit. Their workout/lifestyle gear is seriously adorable!
I’ve been loving taking my little guy outside to play. He loves to play with the leaves!
I love Trader Joe’s flowers! Such a bargain and they last forever. The library is so much fun for little ones – it’s super cute to see them excited about books and learning <3
I love pumpkin butter…and I love rice cakes and they definitely go well together!
Funny enough, I wrote a similar post on Friday – https://peanutbutterkait.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/fantastic-friday-its-the-small-things/
The small things add up and become big things!
Holy cow, your Toms shipped fast! I ordered mine on the 11th and they’re not set to ship until the 28th.
The little thing I enjoyed this week: I put googly eyes on the under side of the toilet seat so when my husband got up to pee, I heard him laugh in the middle of the night. Priceless.
I love the idea of this post! I have been realizing how some of the best things in life are the small things and often free! Some things I have been loving lately and enjoying are evening walks with my dog, nightly phone calls with my boyfriend, and just the feeling of support from my family with a move!
It sounds strange, but try adding a spoonful of pumpkin butter to your coffee in the morning and then some cream. It tastes even better than a pumpkin spice latte.
That sounds delicious!!
That does sound good. I never would have thought of it and I love everything pumpkin!
Taking a walk with my son after work I love spending the quiet time together and unwinding.
I treated myself to a pedicure even though I had tons of work that needed to get done. It was the best “me” hour and much needed!
Great list! I’m loving the cooler mornings we’ve been having lately. The weather has been gorgeous- 50s in the morning and 80s during the day. Beautiful! Definitely going to take advantage this weekend with a hike and outdoor fun!
This week, I enjoyed catching up with my newly engaged friends over dinner! We ate outside in the beautiful, cooler air. It was wonderful!
I try to focus on the little things too. It just seems to make me happier when I do focus on the little things in life. This week I have been enjoying tea, candles, and my boyfriends smile.
Watching my 10th grader play and score for his high school soccer team! I love the look of pure happiness when he celebrates with his friends.
You need to catch a video of Quinn and his sounds 😉
And pumpkin butter is the BEST!!!
There are a few on Instagram! He’s always laughing! 🙂
Homemade grass-fed beef short ribs in the slow cooker. It’s such a small luxury when dinner is ready to go and the house smells wonderful.
I totally agree with you about buying flowers- they make me smile and smell wonderful all week!
I switched sides of the bed with my husband last night and it was AMAZING! HAHA… I like to face the inside of the bed, but my right shoulder does not like to be laid on, so after a YEAR of being in pain, I asked to switch sides last night. The few hours I slept were awesome. The 4 times I had to get up with my kiddos in the middle of the night, not so much.
I am so jealous that you get 8 hrs straight! I haven’t slept an uninterrupted night of sleep since I had my first child 6 years ago, I think I’m doing something wrong. 🙁
That’s awesome. Mal WILL NOT switch sides with me. Haha!
I recently found your blog after my doctor, of all people, recommended it to me! I also have UC and live in the Boston area. It’s so great to see someone living “normally” with UC – it’s a good reminder to not get too caught up in anxiety and the “what ifs” that can come along with it. I guess finding this blog is my “little thing” for the week 🙂
Aww, that’s so sweet. Thank you! I’m so glad you found CNC! 🙂
I absolutely love your contagious positivity in your posts! But we recently got a new juice bar in our little Hungarian town and I FINALLY got to try what juicing was all about today for the first time! haha, talk about late on trends!
I don’t have instagram and I’m not on Pinterest – do you have a coupon code for Albion clothes? I want to get some pants!
We love to run Julia around after dinner to tire her out before bed – it’s my favorite part of the day!
Getting in a few runs this week is my happy little thing this week. I had to take a hiatus for a while due to some medical stuff, and it’s amazing how great it feels to back to it. Even if I am super slow. Ha!
Hi Tina!
I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now, and this post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes ever. I have it hanging up in my office cubicle as a daily reminder that it’s the little things that add up:) Have a good rest of your week!
“Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.”
I love that! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I miss my kids being little…I have yet to try anything pumpkin but it is in my sights. This week I had some great runs, great temps, and just feel really good. I would love to know how you became a Brooks Ambassador..Thanks
I was asked to be part of the blogger team by the brand!
I enjoyed one of my last non-working weekdays with a visit from a close friend who moved away. And this afternoon I’m meeting another friend I haven’t seen in forever for a walk with our dogs. And the weather is PERFECT! I’m going to miss my Thursdays off…
Quinn is such a cute little boy!!! It will be great fun when he starts talking!
I need more info on these espresso beans in your smoothie! Do you literally just take them straight from the coffee bag and blend them with your smoothie?
Yup!
I love getting fresh flowers! They always have a great way of brightening my day. 🙂
I love watching my son walk, he just started walking this past week and its the cutest! Sometimes I just want to eat him up! Its so much fun to just see him walking around while I’m doing something in the kitchen, makes me smile
I need some pumpkin butter in my life! Love it. And my roommate just brought home a little pot of flowers to put on our table. You’re so right – it just makes everything a little happier!
It really is the little things… I met my husband last night after he finished work and we walked home together… those extra 20 minutes together wondering home and discussing our day… so special!
That looks like the Library I go to in Hanover. John Curtis?
my favorite pumpkin butter snack – baby carrots and pumpkin butter! combo may sound a bit strange- but the best food combos usually are 🙂 SOO GOOD!
I love buying myself flowers. It’s a good TREAT YOSELF and also just a great mood booster to have fresh flowers in the house. Now if only I could remember to change the water…