I’m easy to please. Ok, well,Β if you ask my mom, she’d say otherwise, but, in general, it doesn’t take much to make me happy. Of course, there are things that I am βΛparticular’ about, but isn’t everyone? I guess what I am trying to say is the simple things in life make me the happiest.
Tonight, for instance, I cuddled on the couch with M & m with a glass of wine in my hand and Dexter on the television, and I couldn’t have been happier. There was nothing more I wanted at that moment.
WeΒ used the wine glasses from my bridal shower tonight!
AhhhhβΒ¦ I love nights like tonight.
Dinner
This evening’s dinner came straight from Real Simple’s Dinner in 15 Minutes Flat online tool, which is my newest obsession. I played with it for a good 20 minutes the other night.
To use it, you just select the main ingredient and cooking style, and then it spits out a bunch of recipes based on those criteria. I’m a big fan of the 5 Ingredients or Less option!
Tonight, I picked Pasta/Rice/GrainsΒ + Easy and ended up with Pasta with Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette. It was aΒ reallyΒ simple recipe andΒ sort of reminded me of pasta tuna salad, but with aΒ more salty, olive flavor. (I also added some crumbled feta to the mix.)
On the side, I had some honey-roasted root vegetables. (There’s still a ton of leftovers!)
After dinner, I enjoyed a Coconut Cream Pie Larabar andΒ a handful of dried apricots. My sweet tooth was en fuego this evening, but the apricots eventually satisfied it.
Off to relax with my boys a little more and then to bed!
Good night! π
What simple things in your life make you happy?
89 Comments
I guess I’d say being laid back and enjoying simple things are two different things π Seeing my old doggie (16) wag her tail is a simple thing that makes me happy; espec first thing in the morning!
that pasta looks amazing!!!!
Coffee, TV time, hanging out with friends and doing absolutely nothing all come to mind π
Reading, relaxing and a delicious glass of wine!
Wow that is such an awesome online tool! I’ll have to check it out! <3 Dexter
We are having a similar night, but with Schlafly beer and Arrested Development π
I’ll check out that tool!!
Wow that is an awesome awesome tool, going to try that! Also I love Dexter and I feel the same way: a night in watching Dexter with my husband = perfect!
Foods like bananas and Luna Bars that can be eaten on the go when
I’m too busy for a full meal. What can I say, I’m a busy bee!
And Skype. I love being able to see and talk to my family/friends in person rather than on the phone.
Simple things in life that make me happy? My dog when I get home from work. He’s all too excited!
Chocolate. I can be in the worst mood, and even though it doesn’t make my problems go away, I can just forget about my stress and savor something for a moment!!
I love the title of your post. Dexter is the best show ever!
I absolutely LOVE nights like that, they really are the best!! Especially when you get time to relax and forget about any crazyness going on.
I agree – a night spent with Mr BBB, my fur girls and a glass of wine = heaven!
I just have to say that I love Dexter! Great show.
A good pair of comfy pajamas are the best and curling up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
What a cool website! I’ll definitely have to try it out one night for dinner.
Looks delicious! I’ll have to check out that tool! π
I love waking up in the morning and going out for a run when there isn’t too many people out. Right when the sun is rising. It’s quiet, peaceful, and if you do see a runner, they are SUPER nice and give you a nice hello! π
Sounds like a great night! Relaxing nights are the best and the simple things in life really are the most wonderful. π
Just started watching Dexter myself!
Seeing my baby smile is pretty awesome, but my favorite thing is seeing her reaction when my husband comes home. It’s like she’s the biggest groupie for his rock band π
Fires in the fireplace, great tea and a good book you don’t want to put down.
Cuddling with my hubby and our puppy Muffin, Skyping with my mom & sister who live overseas makes me the happiest! But a really simple thing like seeing the sun in the morning makes me super happy as well π I love how that pasta looks! Will definitely check out that tool, thanks for sharing! π
what a cool tool! thanks for sharing!
What a great meal planning tool!! So glad you posted about it π
That looks like a great tool! I love fast and simple meals – and spending the evening cuddled with my husband as well. We are catching up on Brothers and Sisters so we just watched an episode!
omg! I love Real Simple, and this sounds amazing. perfect for indecisive girls like me who get too hungry to take the time to cook a real meal and end up ordering pizza π
I’m going to check out Dinner in 15 Minutes right now! My fiance LOVES Dexter!
I love Dexter! Such a great show!
Whoa, that sounds like an awesome website! I’m going to check it out. Your meal looks delicious π
Ah, sounds like a perfect evening! Just wait until you get to the season 4 finale of Dexter! Love that show!
Chocolate, the beach, and the smell of lemon. Ahhhh.
Snuggling up on the couch with Jay to watch West Wing is by far on of the simple things in life that I enjoy. We are re-watching the series for the third time and it is still one of my favorite TV shows ever!
I think Dexter and wine would always make me happy, spent so many nights doing that since September with my boyfriend (we both started and finished all 5 seasons in 2 months haha). Generally though, little things make me a lot happier than big ones.
Cuddling on the couch with the boyfriend and/or my cats always makes me happy! I’m going to check out that Real Simple website now π
It’s always the simple moments like this that make me happy. Having coffee and chocolate on the couch with my mum while watching a movie, laughing with a friend as we go for a walk, cooking dessert π
A nice, simple glass of wine will ALWAYS lift my spirits!
And thank you so much for linking that website…I LOVE it!! π
i’m the same as you…sitting here next to my husband and watching TV with him makes me happier than anything in the world!
Dexter is amazing. Love that show. I’m happy with the simple things in life too. Cooking dinner for my boyfriend and watching a netflix with a glass of wine or beer on the couch.
Sounds like the perfect evening to me. I have a feeling I’ll be frequenting that website a lot, what a fun tool. Thanks!
Finding a good book that you can’t put down! I also LOVE family get-togethers, especially when grilling is involved!!
That is a really cool website! I can imagine it is invaluable after a long day of work, errands, life, whatever, and the last thing you want to think about is, “What am I cooking for dinner?” Thanks for sharing!
P.s. Love the wine glasses, my birthday is July 12th. π That is also a really great idea for a shower gift. I’m gonna look into it, because I was recently asked to be a bridesmaid!
My pups, my boyfriend, and a peanut butter sandwich all make me happy! π
it’s not hard to make me happy, play a good movie and give me ice cream i’ll be a happy camper! π
Amazing dinner and perfect downtime with the guys. π Glad you had a great night!
Dinner in 15 minutes flat!? I definitely have to try that out π
P.S. I’m still on season 3 of Dexter, ahhh I love it!
A hot bath while reading a good book.
Watching my cat curl up to sleep on my husband’s shoulder.
Any kind of live performance.
So many things to love and to make me feel glad to be alive!
Dexter is seriously one of my ALL time favorite shows. Is it wrong to love him? It makes me feel like a crazy person loving a killer! Wait until you see the season 4 finale!!
One of the simple things in life that I love…. seeing squirrels or bunnies while on my run… π
I love sitting down to dinner with my husband at the end of a long day.
Hi Tina! Longtime reader but it’s my first time commenting. Your Dexter reference did the trick. I won’t say how I expected your night to turn out because I don’t want to spoil the ending of season 4 but I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Best,
Jen
Ah the simple things in life! I agree with cuddling up with my honey and the dogs, watching a good show/movie and good eats and wine! I also love finding something long lost or getting a new magazine, letter or package in the mailbox.
I just did a post on Coconut stuff..everything from entrees to desserts. Coconut cream layer sounds good.
and yes to this “I’m a big fan of the 5 Ingredients or Less option!”!!! Amen!!! WHen i see long ingred lists, I click off the recipe…just bein’ honest π