Life is made happier by noticing the simple pleasures and appreciating them. Here are some things that make me happy in the kitchen.
1. An empty sink and dishwasher. I don’t enjoy the chore of putting away dishes, so if I use a dish it’s nice to know that I can easily rinse it and put it in the dishwasher. A pile of dirty dishes in the sink isn’t so nice to look at, and a dishwasher full of clean dishes is a chore waiting to be done.
2. A well stocked pantry. I can pull a meal together, make lunches for myself and my family, and know that I can do a little baking if I want to when the pantry is well stocked. Currently it is not. Bummer.
2a. A well stocked fridge and freezer. Again, options abound and we can make healthy choices when I’ve taken the time to make a list and actually follow it.
3. Cleared off counter tops. I grew up in a home with a lot of clutter. Not dirty, just a lot of stuff. I prefer to have more space and less stuff, especially in my kitchen. I want to see those expanses of builder grade pinkish formica! Something about having less on the counter is calming to me.
4. The smell of something good cooking. I love food. This should come as no surprise. So when there’s something delicious cooking I enjoy the aroma. Of course at that point the counters are usually covered, there’s a lot of dirty dishes in the sink, and the supplies from the fridge and pantry have dwindled, but that’s what it’s all about in the first place, isn’t it?
5. The knowledge that we have more than enough and never have to face the day hungry. My mother used to tell us about starving kids in China. I thought it was a lame attempt at guilting us into eating something unpleasant, but as an adult I do appreciate that we have more than enough. That alone, is something to be thankful for each and every day.
December 16, 2013 at 6:27 am
I love this! Appreciating the simple things is really a great way to live! My husband and I try to do that every day! Excellent post and I hope you have a great day! π
December 16, 2013 at 6:30 am
Thank you, you as well. π
December 16, 2013 at 6:31 am
I just said to my husband last night, that it is such a comforting feeling knowing the refrigerator is full, we have meals for all week-and how grateful I was for that. Thanks for sharing the same sentiment written so well!
December 16, 2013 at 6:34 am
Thank you. It often seems small to us, but to millions it is an dream impossible to achieve. I think it’s important to remember how fortunate we are, especially this time of year when we are getting so many messages of how we should buy, buy, buy and spend, spend, spend on things that we neither need nor really even want.
December 16, 2013 at 7:01 am
AGREED!! π
December 16, 2013 at 6:51 am
Thank you Heidi! I work with people every day who can only dream of a full refrigerator and pantry — it truly is a blessing
December 16, 2013 at 8:54 am
We don’t think about it much, until we see those who go without. Thank you for your kind words and your good work.
December 16, 2013 at 7:06 am
It seems I’m the only one in the house who appreciates cleared counters and an empty sink and dishwasher.
December 16, 2013 at 8:55 am
Oh, I bet they appreciate it, they just don’t want to do it! π
December 16, 2013 at 7:53 am
I agree with you, it feels good when you have done this work. I always think YES!, when all the housework is finished :o)
December 16, 2013 at 8:55 am
It’s a relief, really. π
December 16, 2013 at 7:57 am
BB we take joy in many of the same things! I’m a nut case if my kitchen sink isn’t clean at the start of the day. Maybe someday I’ll get the connection about cleaning it late at night to make this little miracle a more regular occurrance. π
December 16, 2013 at 8:55 am
I know, right? Seems simple, yet… lol!
December 16, 2013 at 8:47 am
I have this personal issue wherein I cannot go to sleep with a full sink of dishes. The sink has to be clean for me to feel as if the kitchen is done.
December 16, 2013 at 8:56 am
It is unsettling for things to be left undone. I’m sure you sleep better when you know all is right in the kitchen. π
December 16, 2013 at 6:48 pm
We heard about the starving children in China when I was a kid, too!
I like a clean kitchen, but I often find that it’s easier to cope with cleaning it first thing in the morning than in the evening when my energy level is low. I’ve taught myself not to obsess with getting everything done before bedtime– for me it’s an important self-care habit for managing my arthritis-induced fatigue. Somehow a task that looks daunting late in the day can seem simpler in the morning.
December 16, 2013 at 9:36 pm
I think it’s really important that you know and do what works best for you. Sometimes something that seems daunting at one time is a breeze later, as you said. Thanks for commenting. π