Ten things that make me smile:
1. Baby Pandas
I watched the video of Taipei Zoo's new baby panda with his mom several times this morning. So good.
2. Yellow Flowers
3. Long Emails
There is nothing better than a long, newsy email from a friend.
Unless, maybe it is....
4. Video Chats
I spent some time on the computer with a far-away friend yesterday, and smiled for the rest of the day.
5. Words
Books, newspaper articles, blog posts, old journals, letters, post-it notes, even magazines. I love words - reading them, writing them, holding them in my hands. Words are beautiful things.
6. Spoons
Not just any spoon, although I do love spoons found on the side of the road. I am talking about spoons that are hand decorated to send to those battling invisible illness.
Spoons 4 Spoonies was started by my dear friend Tia to honor Misty Tamone who lost her battle with chronic illness in December 2012. It is a project dear to my heart, and I know Misty would have loved it.
Tia sent me this spoon last week. It has a piece of Misty's art attached to it.
I cried, smiled, and then cried and smiled some more.
You can also find Spoons 4 Spoonies on Twitter.
7. Light streaming through gauzy curtains
One of the most simple, yet beautiful, things in the world. Even better if the window is open, and the curtains are moving gently with the wind.
8. People who are changing the world
There are a lot of special people out there working to make this world a better place, even if it is just the small piece of world where they live. I am blessed to have some of them in my life, and they encourage me every day to do more, live louder, dream boldly, and take action.
9. My family
Thomas and Katarina are the biggest blessings in my life.
I found this picture of Katarina at four years old when I put together the flip-book of her first nine years for her birthday.
10. You
Every single one of you who stop by this blog, and read my words, make me smile. Thank you for that. Seriously. It is a beautiful thing to know we are not alone in this world.
What made you smile today?
It made me smile that my handmade bracelet gave Tia ideas. Because of you, Tia, The Matrix, and recovery, I have become obsessed with spoons. I really need to put my hands on that Jasper Fforde book that Teala introduced us to, the one about spoons
ReplyDeleteThe Spoons 4 Spoonies project is so interesting and unique. I've never thought much about spoons, but I'll have a different reaction next time I see an old, decorated spoon. And I also agree with light streaming through curtains. Reminds me of childhood for some reason. Thanks for sharing! I found you from Mama Kat's linkup!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a wonderful list. I love sun coming in through windows. I absolutely love words - aren't they amazing? And I also love long emails from my friends. Been a long time since I received one of those. Your daughter is precious. And yes, I am awesome as well. *snicker*
ReplyDeleteWhat made me smile today? My girls are a riot. They have the best sense of humor. This will serve them well, and that makes me happy.
I need to make more lists like this. So much more fun than endless to-do lists, although I kinda like those too :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this. Some of them I completely agree with you on. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh she looks like Katie Holmes in that picture! Seriously. You see that don't you? :D
ReplyDeleteThat panda video - me too!! And I smile from newsy emails too, especially newsy emails from NEW friends.
ReplyDeleteAw! This is a wonderful list (and I am definitely looking up Spoons 4 Spoonies). LOVE that picture of Katarina. It's so adorable!! I will add my own #11 to the list....YOUR BLOG! :) Thank YOU, Tracie for making me smile all the time! --Lisa
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post - love this :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Tracie! Thanks for dropping by my blog. Sweet list. Katarina is too cute and I am not saying this because we almost have the same name (minus one vowel)!
ReplyDeleteI wrote the same list last year.
What a great list! So much pleasure from such simple things! We juts got some Pandas in our zoo here in Toronto, and it was a huge deal - everyone loves pandas! And I also love newsie letter from friends. Words really do make me happy - and you can revisit them whenever you want too!
ReplyDeleteLovely...I love that picture of Katarina too, she's a doll. And the spoon...I may have to check those out. I'm not following her on Twitter, so I'll definitely be looking into that.
ReplyDeleteThat video of that panda gets me every time... so sweet...
ReplyDeletelove you focus on the thanks that make you smile.. we all need to do that more often :)
The only thing better than a long e-mail is a long letter. I love letters.
ReplyDeleteWhat does it tell you about our world in 2013 that we look back on long emails with nostalgia? My brilliant decision to check in on your blog this morning made me smile. As did Grace's handwritten note to the tooth fairy last night for her to "hand over $20 or $100 please" for a prime incisor left under the pillow.
ReplyDeleteThis list of smiley things made me smile. Emails, chats and gauzy curtains gently swaying - just lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this one! That photo of the yellow flowers is gorgeous. Katarina is a beauty! I love going back and looking at old pics of my kids too. What cuties!
ReplyDeleteThat pic of K is just so adorable. And I love the yellow flowers too. Such simple yet sweet things that are blessings.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the little jewel hanging off the spoon. Very artful. Katarina has the most gorgeous eyes, she's a bonnie lass if I ever saw one.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile! You make me smile -- when your face pops up on my comment feed, I always smile!
ReplyDeleteThose spoons are amazing. I battle chronic illness and I think that is a brilliant idea.
I have been having an existential crisis myself lately over whether i am doing enough to change the world. I write about it because I have been inspired by those who do seem to be changing the world and I wonder how much I do.
XOXO
Traci
Tracie, love this post! You know I share your love of yellow flowers, or really yellow anything. I love squee-worthy animal videos, catching up with the friends, words and light filled rooms and curtains.
ReplyDeleteI think in heaven there will be light streaming through the gauze curtains in our rooms.
ReplyDelete