“Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love
and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.”
I’m a very simple person, so it doesn’t take much to make me happy. I don’t chase fashion or follow trends or try to keep up with the Joneses. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
That being said, the list of things that bring me joy are so basic and so uncomplicated that not a day goes by that I don’t get to enjoy at least one of them, usually more. This week I’d like to share with you some of my guilty pleasures.
1) 70s and 80s Music – Play a song from the past two decades and chances are I won’t recognize it, not unless it was extremely popular at some point, and you couldn’t possibly have missed it. But play a song from the 70s and 80s, and more often than not, I’ll tell you which one it is and who sings it. I may even sing along with it. Yuppers, I’m a 70s and 80s girl. That’s where I spent my youth, and that’s where my favourite music comes from.
2) New Plants – Can you ever have enough plants? Indoors or out? Not in my world. Somehow, like magic, I always manage to squeeze one more into my home or garden, despite how many are squeezed in there already. Just one more, I promise myself. And then I break the promise and pick up another, and another. Can’t help myself. There are just too many beautiful plants calling out to me at the garden centers. I am shamelessly weak.
3) Cheesecake – There are very few sweets that I like, and this is one of them. But not just any kind of cheesecake. I need the traditional, New York style cheesecake with lots of strawberries on it, not the chocolate-style nonsense. I could live with substituting the strawberries with cherries or blueberries, but that’s it. Don’t alter the rest of the cake!
4) Pizza – If I was allowed to eat only one food for the rest of my life, it would undoubtedly be pizza. The world would be bleak without this precious food.
6) Books, Books, Books - Reading books, purchasing books, hanging around the bookstore...as long as there are books involved, I’m there. I am a voracious reader that keeps lugging books home. And now that you can order them online, well, they just keep piling up. Bliss...
7) Thrift Shops – As I get older, I find myself enjoying thrift shops more and more, not only for the low price tags, but also for the unique finds. Where else can you run across a pet rock, one of the nuttiest fads of the 1970s?
8) Peanut M&Ms – In a perfect world, all the comfort foods (like these delectable chocolate-covered peanuts) would be a dietary food, and I’d be able to munch on them daily. But alas, they are loaded with calories, so I rarely eat them. [Sad face]
10) Taking Pictures – I’ve been snapping photos as far back as I can remember. And I’ve never stopped. I have tons of photo albums -- and they keep growing. Imagine how thrilled I was when digital cameras came along? Can you say oh-so happy?
11) Road Trips – Secretly (and it won’t be a secret after this post), I fantasize about jumping in my car, hitting the road and never looking back. I dream about driving cross country (USA and Canada), visiting different places and just wandering from city to city and town to town with no permanent address. (There must be an eclectic, adventure-seeking side to me. Or I’m heading toward a middle-age crisis.) But this won’t happen because there are people that love me, and there are people that I love, and I won’t (shouldn’t) abandon them. So, the closest I come to this urge is getting in the car with family members (who keep me restrained) and doing short-distance road trips to neighbouring towns and interesting tourist attractions.
12) Fudgsicles – When I was growing up, these were my favourite frozen treats. Years later, they still are. Fudgsicles are a deliciously drippy snack with their smooth chocolatey flavour that is not too sweet.
13) Popcorn – Air popped. In the microwave. With butter-flavoured cooking spray and whatever spices appeal to you. Result=delicious & low fat. Yummy.
14) Smirnoff Twisted Coolers (Raspberry Flavour) – I barely ever consume alcohol because I don’t really like it. But whenever I do happen to have a drink at a party, this is what I choose. If it’s available, of course. Very tasty. And it gives you a good buzz.
15) Gardening – During the winter months, I can be found with my nose pressed up against the window, whimpering at the inability to get outside and hang around in my garden. When spring finally rolls in, GERONIMO, I race out to my garden to embrace it. Day after blissful day. Chores are left undone. Groceries don’t get picked up. The family is hungry. Pffft... Who cares? It’s my favourite time of the year, and I’m insensitive towards anything that tries to get between me and my garden.
16) Licorice – Twizzlers. Strawberry twists. Oh my.
17) Trivia-Style Game Shows – OHMYGOD...when did this happen? 30 years ago (when I was a teen), I wouldn’t be caught dead watching a nerdy game show like Jeopardy. And now? Now I look forward to it. And feel exhilarated when I give the right questions to some of the answers. I get just as stupid with ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’.
18) Afternoon Naps – If life didn’t get in the way so much, I’d be enjoying afternoon naps a little more often. And my perfect nap includes a good book, a few comfy pillows to prop myself up on, and a rainy or snowy day to make me sleepy. When all that’s in place, it’s a matter of minutes before I drift off to snooze city...
19) Board Games – I’ve never outgrown my love for board games. Or my ruthless competitiveness. I play to win. Even with my kids. So much for cultivating their self esteem.
20) Ice Cream – Chocolate chip, heavenly hash and cookie dough...these are my favourite flavours of this most sinful comfort food. And a scoop of each in one sitting is heaven.
What are some of the things you enjoy?
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