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Tuesday Open Thoughts

by: puzzled

Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 03:00:00 AM EST

( - promoted by RiaD)

Comfort

And joy

No, I haven't misplaced my calendar or lost my mind, although the latter is up for debate.

When the world seems to be falling apart, we seek comfort. Whether it's a bowl of chocolate pudding made with mom's special recipe, a day spent curled up on the couch with a good book (foot-warming dog optional, but highly recommended), or some childhood ritual, we instinctively return to those things that make us feel happy and safe at times of crisis.

But even when things are going along swimmingly, it's good to take the time to appreciate the little things in our life that make us happy. I came in from running errands in a pouring rain yesterday, and looking for something dry to change into, grabbed a pair of sweat pants fresh out of the dryer. The feel of the warm, soft fabric against my wet, cold skin was absolutely heavenly, and made me realize how often we don't take the time to enjoy those random moments of happy that appear unbidden in our lives.

What are the little things in your life that bring you comfort and joy?

puzzled :: Tuesday Open Thoughts

Tags: open thoughts, simple ideas, (All Tags)

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Tuesday Open Thoughts | 31 comments

erm... (15.33 / 6)

What are the little things in your life that bring you comfort and joy?

WRTI streaming online 24/7...except, like now, when it doesn't.

Getting home after walking a mile in the snow (& the freezing rain, thank FSM, waits until I'm home, warm & dry, to begin).

All of you, here, on this little blog: all my friends here. You all bring me comfort & joy.

And newp's Papo brings me lots of laughs, especially when he's climbed onto the car. I think Papo wants to be a mountain goat.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 08:37:46 AM UTC

Happy Birthday Youff (14.33 / 6)

I am late to the party, sorry.

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 14:34:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

btw, pls forget (12.75 / 4)

that I have a birthday...and erase from your mind when it is.

I would prefer not to be reminded that I'm getting old, lol.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 03:41:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Comfort (beautiful words puzzled) (14.57 / 7)

An owl hooting in the night (this happened to me this weekend as I went to bed at my sisters).

Squash soup.

Swinging on a swing on a summers day.

Smelling a puppies breath when they yawn.

Smelling the outdoors on a child when they come in from playing outside.

Fireflies and firefly's home....

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 14:56:37 PM UTC

puppy breath! (14.40 / 5)

nothing quite like puppy breath!
it makes me all warm & squidgy inside.
(^.^)

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 15:35:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The little things that bring me comfort and joy in life; Probably too many to mention, but here's a start: (15.33 / 6)

Aziza and her loving, sweet attitude and disposition

My nice warm, secure house

My family, who's just a telephone call or email message away, in a nearby town.

Knowing that I have the public transportation readily available to me should I want or need to get someplace when the weather's inclement.

A nice hot shower

Baking.

A walk around town

Knowing that I'm welcome here at firefly-dreaming, despite and for my kooky outlooks on some things

The notion that I can get into my car and take off to pretty much where I want to go.

Being lucky enough to have a wonderfully loving, supportive and stable family who has helped and supported me through the thick and thin throughout the years, and to know that, with their help, I've been able to lead a normal, independent, productive life, like most people.

Knowing that I don't have the pressure of religion or anything like that, so I can associate with pretty much anybody I want.

Having a cadre of family and friends, who, while I don't see very often, due to different schedules and lifestyles, that I look forward to seeing and talking to and laughing with.

Having a nice warm or cool house to come home to when the extreme cold of winter or the extreme heat of the summer is too much.

The very thought or mention of my alltime favorite film, West Side Story, brings a smile to my face, especially when I'm in a crappy mood.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 15:35:33 PM UTC

Hey, Miki, this sounded good to me: (15.00 / 5)

http://thepioneerwoman.com/coo...

What do you think? (& what do other fireflies think?)

I'd be tempted to make it myself, but it's way too much for one person.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:38:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Cherry cake pudding! Wow--just wow! Too bad I'm not into cherries, or I'd try this recipe out myself. (15.00 / 4)

It does look delicious. Make it for when you have friends/co-workers over, and then freeze it until the time comes.

If you make it for yourself, ditto; cut what you think you'll need for afew days, and then freeze it for awhile.

So, trying making the cake yourself, Youff, and see what comes of it. Good luck.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 05:06:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

little pleasures.... (15.25 / 4)

seeing my dogs with "smoke-breath" in cold weather

steam rising off freshly washed dishes

or from a full tub

the smell of rain on parched soil

the smell of snow coming

hot cocoa with cinnamonsugar toast

my grammas Albondigas

a big fluffy dog in bed warming my feet

mrD

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 15:48:38 PM UTC

interesting (15.00 / 4)

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 16:31:14 PM UTC

Nice Open puzzled, I love it! :) (15.50 / 4)

Warmth brings me comfort whether it be a hot bath, a heating pad, a heat vent, warm clothes or the warmth of the people here at firefly.

Chocolate and cookies brings me comfort.

Holding a baby brings me comfort.

Reading brings me comfort.

Animals and family bring me comfort and joy (sometimes I can't tell the difference between the animals and my family ;)) This is one of the times of year when I get to see deer about everyday, sometimes whole herds of them. When I take the time to really see them, its wonderfully joyous.

Watching little kids bring me joy. I love it when they are a little bit naughty but not doing anything harmful to themselves or others or having a whole lot of fun playing and laughing.

When good things happen to fireflies it brings me joy and usually happy tears.

by: Alma @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 17:45:25 PM UTC

Joe Lieberman to retire in 2012 (14.00 / 4)

At least that's one seat that will go from "R" to "D" in 2012.

by: Timbuk3 @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 22:57:14 PM UTC

technically (13.80 / 5)

that's "I" to "D," but DADT aside, I can't say I'm sad to see Joementum heading off into the sunset.

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 00:30:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sunset? (11.00 / 5)

Puzzled, somehow I saw him sitting on the porch -- well, on one of his ten or twelve porches -- yelling Gerroff me lawn! at everyone under the age of ten. And brandishing a shotgun at anyone over the age of 18 who might accidentally wander by.

I believe, however, that we can agree on this one: we despise that man.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 00:47:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yeah, I know, but... (12.80 / 5)

DADT aside (and I do give him partial credit for that), it wasn't him being a neocon that led to me despising him. I don't loathe him because he was a McCain/Palin supporter. It was when he killed lowering the age for medicare eligibility to age 55 that he clarified that he was far more agin me that fer me.

I can't help but wonder if that, lowering the eligibility for medicare, alone might have dulled some of the criticism on the left of health insurance reform. Maybe even changed the outcome of the last election.

I'll never claim "I know", but I can sure say "I wonder".

So yeah, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, Joe.

by: Timbuk3 @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:20:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

BTW, puzzled? This sounds too scrumtious (15.00 / 3)

not to pass along:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/coo...

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 00:50:54 AM UTC

oh, yum! (15.00 / 4)

I adore her site. She's got the best recipes and presents them in such a dry, self-deprecating manner.

For Christmas Eve dinner, we did a beef tenderloin, accompanied by her Burgundy mushrooms. They were a huge hit.

That Cherry Cake Pudding sounds pretty darn amazing, too.

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:27:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

oh, yum! (11.20 / 5)

I adore her site. She's got the best recipes and presents them in such a dry, self-deprecating manner.

For Christmas Eve dinner, we did a beef tenderloin, accompanied by her Burgundy mushrooms. They were a huge hit.

That Cherry Cake Pudding sounds pretty darn amazing, too.

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:27:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

:::hiccup::: (9.20 / 5)

Guess I got into the Burgundy before sharing it with the mushrooms!

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:28:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're so nice (14.00 / 4)

I tipped you twice!

Yeah, PW has great recipes. But that cherry pudding cake thingie just sounds too over the top...I knew someone here would like it.

(And willya send me a small slice?)

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:52:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

thanks (9.25 / 4)

If I make the Cherry Pudding Cake, I'll e-mail you a piece. ;-D

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 02:07:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pioneer Woman (11.00 / 4)

Weird.

After checking out the recipe you linked, I started wandering through her site, and lo and behold, one of her most recent posts was Pig Cake.

I have a similar recipe (I refuse to use margarine), and just bought the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges yesterday so I could make it for my football-watchers this weekend.

You think she's been spying on me?

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:43:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I first found PW via her cooking site (13.00 / 4)

about six years ago...well, shortly after she started blogging, whenever that was. Then I made it to her regular site.

She is wonderful.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 01:59:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

pig PICKIN cake (12.67 / 3)

or PIG OUT cake is what we call it, depending on if you're going to a pig pickin or having the munchies!
(^.^)

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 02:21:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

that's (14.50 / 4)

what it says on my recipe card, too. I got it from a friend, who brought it to a party I had. Mine doesn't have any of the fancy separating the juice from the fruits, either--just dump it in as you go along.

No matter what you call it, it's awfully tasty.

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 02:43:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

burnt mah tongue (11.00 / 3)

on a little pleasure:

Corned beef & cabbage.

Yum.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 03:51:10 AM UTC

shout-out to newpioneer! (12.00 / 3)

Hey, newp: Got a request for you.

I was in today's pootie diary at Orange, and, erm, mentioned Papo & his penchant for climbing on trucks. And mentioned the pic of Papo & offspring on said truck.

belinda ridgewood asked me to post the pic, if I have it (which I don't) so I said I'd ask you to post it.

The pootie diary goes up every day around 3 p.m. Eastern, except Wednesday, when they do a West Coast edition.

Sweetie, would you drop by either tomorrow night or Thursday afternoon & post the pic of Papo & his kids on the car?

I guarantee you will get a lot of mojo for it. Also a lot of new friends: the pootie people are among the nicest I've met at Orange.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 04:28:02 AM UTC

of course! (14.00 / 3)

I love the pootie people, and except for here, that's about the only place I post (except for Sara's quilt diaries). did you know that Sara and Ann put Papo on Juan's quilt!?! they're something else :O)

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Thoreau ... and, do no harm

by: newpioneer @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 05:19:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks, newp! (13.00 / 3)

Be sure to give a shout-out to belinda from me, OK? She seems awfully nice: I didn't realize how new she was until she said something vis a vis dk4 -- she's too new for her mojo to transfer. Or something. I'm dreading that transition myself, but I don't think it's gonna roll out on schedule. From what kos wrote yesterday, I don't think HE thinks it's gonna roll out on schedule, either.

You are such a doll, sweetie.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 05:45:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

dk4 (13.67 / 3)

I hope it goes better than it seems. Right now, I'm afraid the big-names will get all the eyeballs, and it will be hard for a new diarist to get any traction (or mojo).

We shall see...

by: puzzled @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 12:34:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

We just have to hope (9.00 / 2)

people go to the diary list and go through them pretty good. I think at first people will be paying more attention to the front page and all the new whistles, but I'm hoping after they get tired os seeing who the people they subscribe to subscribe to, and who all is sibscribed to them, that they'll get back into more normal mode and hit the diaries list.

I usually hate change of any kind online, but I don't hate DK4. I do think it needs a few tweeks, but once those are fixed I think I can get used to it.

by: Alma @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 17:00:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tuesday Open Thoughts | 31 comments

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