In an article in PREVENTION magazine, Maria Rodale gave 20 ways to enjoy all the benefits that pleasure can bring to your life. Number three on her list is to: Savor a romance novel.”
Why, thank you, Ms. Rodale, I believe I will.
She writes “…reading books with happy endings is one of life’s greatest pleasures.” Among Maria’s other tips — play with animals, take a snooze, and watch a funny movie. Great advice, eh?
I love lists!
Let’s give it a shot and list the things that give us the greatest pleasure. ( Let’s just consider sex a given. LOL ) Can you come up with 20?
Here are mine in no particular order:
reading a great book
listening to music
writing a great book
holding a baby (yep, that’s me)
spending a day with my husband
a leisurely vacation
taking pictures
painting a room
shopping for treasures
decorating my home
growing flowers
cooking for my grandkids
seeing my children happy
a clean house
laughing with friends
a task well done
road trips
brownies (the chocolate kind)
the color teal
a balmy summer day
FYI: If you missed Badlands Bride from my backlist, there’s a reissue available only at eharlequin this month. CLICK HERE TO ORDER A COPY. It’s a snap to order. I happen to know since I had to order my own copy to make sure I got one! I got covers, but no author copies.
So, even if you can’t come up with twenty favorite things, can you think of ten? I’m drawing a name from your lists for a copy of my October release, THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS!
Reading a great book
Listening to a great book while cleaning the house.
Spending time with my kids
Knitting
Sketching
Watching a great movie
Spending time with just me and my husband
Baking with my daughter
Foggy days (love fog, don’t know why)
Chocolate
Listening to music
Spending time with family
Painting
Thift store shopping
Taking a nice relaxing bath
Fall when all of the colors are beautiful
Making bread from scratch
Playing board games with the family
Doing puzzles
Camping in the mountains
Taht was harder then I thought it would be. I got to about 14 and got stuck. That was fun though.
Hi Cheryl, I can think of 20 things,
1. Our own home not rented
2. Better job,
3. Hiking through the woods and hills with the girls and husband
4.relaxing and reading.
5. having a big flower and vegetable garden
6. having 1 room in a big house just for my books my own library
7. having my Mom alive again!
8. safer place to live
9. sending time with old friends
10. knitting & crocheting
11. being by the ocean
12. walking in the desert looking for tarantulas!
13. collecting teapots and old time cook books
14. watching baseball and football
15 having a nice dinner out with just hubby and I.
16. having a quite hour looking on eHarlequin.com for more books.
17. holding our biggest snake 5 1/2 feet long like cuddling a baby the only way she likes to be held.
18. go fishing haven’t been for years
19.living out in the country Not the city.
20. to be healthy!
Happy reading
Penney
Hmmm… twenty things that give me the greatest pleasure? I haven’t written out a pre-list so it may take awhile.
discover new truths in Scripture
teach others to apply scripture to their life
read books
read up on authors and their books on blogs
discover new blogs and meet new authors
did I mention read books and meet authors?
camp
ride motorcycle
play with my grandchildren
sleep
visit our children
eat ice cream and chocolate
watch a good show with my husband
read a book together with my husband
work on projects with a group of people
paint
grow a garden
watching pictures of kids on our screen saver
cooking when the kitchen is clean
drive through the mountains during color change
play songs I know on the piano
listen to music
Oh, I think I DID make the twenty! I see books are involved quite often but this is my life and loves for now. I’ll think of more after I sign off for sure! Thanks for entering me. Oh, I do love Christmastime. Though it is too commercialized, I love the colorful decorations and the songs and the joyful season.
1) Finishing the Sunday Crossword puzzle without peaking at the answers.
2) A book that makes me laugh out loud
3) Eating fresh tomatoes from the garden
4) Having all four of my daughters and their husbands sitting around my kitchen table
5) A really red tree in the fall
6) Reading my daughters’ baby books
7) Hitting a really great scene in my own writing and feeling like I nailed it
8) Really soft slippers
9) My ‘Sweetest Softest Bathrobe Ever’ from Bath and Body Works
10)A great smelling candle
11)Long hot showers
12)My husband’s cooking especially when he makes a Mexican chicken and rice dish-or just experiments on anything because that seems to bring out a great side of him
13)Royalty checks
14)My authors copies arriving
I’m having my first great grandchild in about three months. I’m planning to enjoy that very, very much. What a great picture of you holding the baby, Cheryl.
Hi Cheryl,
I hope you’re doing well, minding doctor’s orders, and getting back on your feet.
First, I want to say that I read your story in “The Magic of Christmas” and I loved it. Baby Blue Christmas was a great story. Loved the opening when the hero found the babies in the livery stable, lying on a bed of hay. It brought tears to my eyes. So sweet. And I liked how the love story progressed between Turner and Susannah. It was very satisfying! I’ll recommend the anthology to all my friends, you can bet on that.
I think the pleasure on the very top of my list is spending time with good friends.
Reading
Writing a special story
Sharing good food with others
Caring for the less fortunate
Tending a garden
I’ll think of more later but I’m a little pushed for time. I’ll be back though.
Reading a good book
Love babies, so holding a baby
Watching a great movie
Pieceing a quilt
Working in the yard
Taking a nice long walk in the spring or fall
Going out for a nice meal
Having someone else clean my house, which doesn’t happen
Sleeping
Spending time with my family
Hi Cher – I hope you’re doing well today. Taking it easy?
I agree with almost all of your Top 20 list, but I don’t have grandkids to cook for and I HATE painting, because I get it everywhere except on the wall!
Reading
Writing
Not Rithmatic (ha!)
Watching old movies
Having a date with my hubby
Cooking dinner for my grown-up kids
Having the whole family over
Playing games with above family
Loving my kitties
Volunteering for Operation Gratitude
Dancing
Eating chocolate
Going to my nephew’s baseball games
Thanks for reminding me of all the good things in life!!
I loved reading your lists, thanks, guys! I’m on the mend from surgery on Monday, so not much of a participant today, but I’m doing well.
In no particular order (that would be hard lol):
Spending time with Family
Reading
Buying books
Cuddling/playing with my cats
Bowling
Bocce
Darts
Eating (especially out)
Drinking fresh coffee or red wine
Card Club
Playing any type of Games from board to Wii
Listening to music
Volunteering at the American Legion
Having my two grown children over with husband and boyfriend.
Home grown tomatoes and onions
Debating/discussing anything
Rollercoasters
Finishing a project
Surprises in the mail
My grandpuppy and grandkitty lol
A vacation anywhere
Caring for my feral cats
My tempur-pedic bed and slippers
Laughing
Playing on the computer
Winning a contest 🙂
Reading
watching anime
loving my animals
taking care of my baby nephew
drawing
playing video games
teasing my sister 😉
baking
singing with the radio
getting surprises
… 😀
Okay, suddenly I’m dying for my mom’s cinnamon rolls. Those should be on my list. I think I’ll phone her and get her going on baking.
She’s 80, maybe I oughta give the poor woman a break, huh????
Naahhhhhhh!
LOL! Come on, Mary! She probably loves making them for you–you know how putting a smile on your kids’ faces is right up there! 😉
Hmm… here are some of mine–
– reading a good book
– slipping into a freshly made bed
– a professional pedicure
– chocolate, especially a fresh batch of the good stuff!
– reading with/to my children
– talking with friends
– ballet class
– receiving real mail (fun stuff, not bills!)
– having time for a nap
– a clean counter
– surprising someone else with a treat
– finishing a project, especially if it’s a gift–an afghan, cookies, a scrapbook…
– fresh sushi
– hearing someone say, “Good job!” for something that you worked hard on
– seeing my children spontaneously doing something kind or right
– laughing so hard I’m crying 🙂
– knowing you’ve done the right thing or knowing you’ve done a good thing
– getting an unexpected phone call from an old friend
– coming home after vacation 😉
– turning someone else on to something you love, too–a book, a new kind of food, hobby…
Hmm… a long list 😉 Lots to be thankful for, too! 🙂 Thanks, Cheryl!
Reading a great book
Listening to a great book
knitting & crocheting
Baking
Chocolate
Listening to music
Nice surprises in the mail
Traveling
Watching movies and series on DVD
Listening to music
grandbabies
crock pots
Halloween
books
knitting
a clean house
chocolate
bubble baths
scented candles
family
Thanksgiving
naps
laptop computers
kitty cats
perfect, cool days
autumn colors on the trees
homemade soup
There are in no particular order but just as they came to mind.
spending time with my granddaughter(age: 2 1/2)
spending time with my husband and kids – does that count as two?
watching a good movie
reading a good book
watching my favorite tv shows
traveling
sunny days
bright blue skies
ice cream
Sonic cherry Coke with extra ice
my writing buddies
laughing with family or friends
completing a book by the deadline
Oh Cheryl, what a sensation topic, as always. Right now I’m on vacation slogging through The Time Travellers Wife (I am not liking it but will finish LOL) so my # One will be:
1. Reading a REALLY good book and it must have a happy ending.
2. Wind in my face.
3. Good results on a medical test.
4. An unexpected letter or card or e-mail from somebody I haven’t heard from for a while.
5. Petting a warm dog.
6. Hearing a kitty purr.
7. Seeing my roses blooming at that perfect moment before I manage to ruin them with mildew or whatever.
8. Hitting the bulls-eye in darts.
9. Cake. Any flavor.
10. A down comforter with a featherbed underneath. Yum.
11. Decorating my house for Fall.
12. Real maple syrup.
13. Wine tasting anywhere LOL.
14. Seeing Half Dome at Yosemite from Glacier Point. (Something no one should die before seeing. It literally took my breath away)
15. A flickering, warm fire in the fireplace.
16. A child’s petting zoo.
17. Our county fair.
18. Being with my grandbaby anyplace, any time, anywhere LOL.
19. Weddings. Doesn’t matter whose.
20. Hearing a well-played pipe organ.
Wow, all this put me in such a good mood. Thank you!!
Hi Cheryl! I loved reading through these lists. I enjoy lots of the activities already mentioned. Here’s a few more:
Seeing my family happy
Aromas from someone cooking in my kitchen
Seeing a great movie
Crying at a great movie or great book
Laughing
Seeing an act of kindness
Driving in my car listening to music
Good news of any kind
A nice walk on an early fall morning
Writing a moving scene
Being a part of P & P
Hugs on the recovery! 🙂
Some of my favorites in no particular order
1. Watching the grandkids in their activities.
2. Watching the Husker Volleyball girls
3. Playing golf
4. Hitting a long drive
5. Making a long putt
6. Reading a good book
7. Watching some TV
8. Eatiing out
9. Watching birds in my back yard
10.Spending time with family
11.Spending time with friends
12.Traveling and seeing new places
13.Shopping
14.Being right
15.Sleeping in on my day off
16.Planting flowers
17.Watching the flowers bloom
18.Fresh tomatoes
19.Ice cream
20.Visiting P&P
I have neverbeen a list maker but here goes:
1. Spending time with my hubby
2.family
3. friends
4. authors
5 babies (think these are my all my favorites to spend time with.
6. I love reading
7. beading
8. traveling
9. hiking
10. bird watching
11.shopping
12. my job
13. the people I work with
14. my comfy chair
15. my nebraska pjs
16. hearing my granddaughter say “Hi nana and Papa, are you coming soon?
17. chocolate
18. popcorn
19. fall colors
20. my own photos
As it so happens, I am in the middle of reading The Magic of Christmas. I tried to wait until closer to Christmas, but I couldn’t. I am loving it, by the way! Thanks for sending it to me, Cher! 🙂
Here are my favorite things (in no particular order):
1. being retired!!!
2. watching college football with my family
3. reading, reading, and more reading
4. walking the beach
5. watching Dancing with the Stars
6. listening to music
7. keeping scrapbooks and photo albums
8. visiting blogs like this one
9. sleeping
10. going to movies
11. sitting around the dinner table with my family
12. traveling to new places
13. going on cruises
14. ice cream
15. eating at a nice restaurant
16. going to plays and concerts
17. going to craft festivals
18. decorating my house with holiday/seasonal items
19. cooking
20. helping my family
Here are a few of my favorite things:
Kenneth Ray Cochran
Kenneth David Cochran
Joel Alan Cochran
Tiffany Hughes Cochran
Mary Claire Roth
Robert Vincent Roth
Shannon Nicole Castillo
Ashley Eileen Cochran
Taylor Orion Castillo
Paul Alan Cochran
Julia Michelle Cochran
Morgan Scott Roth
Mason Alexander Roth
Abbey Elaine Cochran
Sadie Mackenzie Cochran
Tristan Blake Castillo
Jude Harrison Cochran
Reading
Taking a nice nap.
Singing in our church choir.
In case you hadn’t noticed, this list includes
Honey, our children, and our grandchildren. There
is nothing more favored in my life than my family!
Pat Cochran
Reading.
Hanging out with friends.
Spending the holidays with family.
Autumn in NY.
Cookies and ice cream.
Watching my favorite tv shows.
Going to the movies.
A good night’s sleep.
Celebrating good news with a bottle of champagne.
Traveling to new places.
Reading a great book
Listening to good music
Spending quality/quiet time with hubby
Playing with granddaughter
Flying to WA to visit grandson
Holding babies
Christmas and everything about it
Easter
Chocolate
Bread – anything breadlike-pastries, pies, cakes 🙂
Monthly Writers meeting
Writing
Watching a good movie
Listening to a GOOOD sermon!
Walking with Dog
Jogging when able (gotta do something to counteract all those carbs LOL)
Swimming
Picking berries to make jelly with hubby
going to the houseboat (occasionally) with hubby
Visiting with friends
Wow, I doubted for a moment there I could come up with twenty!
Interesting to see how much we all have in common.
PamT
Chiming in late to wish you a speedy recovery, Cheryl. Adding a few favorites…
Grandchildren
A brisk autumn day
The smell of mountain air
A really good workout
Voices of friends on the phone
Waking up late with the cats on my bed
Coffee flavored anything
Time with my California daughter
Quail in my backyard
lots more…
My ten would be…
family
friends
laughing
every season
country music
sunrises and sunsets
early quiet mornings and evenings
campfires
gardening
reading!
tall glass of iced tea
long walk in the country
church
the great outdoors
flowers
chocolate!
traveling/ road trips
sunshine
taking a moment to enjoy everything
Well, that is more than 10! LOL I just couldn’t stop 🙂 Thanks for the fun!
20 of my favorite things?
Writing
Time with hubby
Time with my kids
Reading good books
Listening to music
Visiting family and friends in my hometown
Watching a good movie
Karaoke(in my living room of course-not in public)
Making creative stuff with my sewing machine
Taking photos
Trying/creating a new recipe (esp. when it turns out good)
Growing flowers/gardening
Decorating for holidays
When new story ideas hit me out of the blue (Yay!)
NaNoWriMo
Mowing the lawn (time to myself to think)
Painting a room or putting up wallpaper
A chocolate malt milkshake
Game night with the kids and hubby
Autumn
(that was harder than I thought)
Im always running late ,but here goes anyway
Holding my granbabies
a hot bubble bath
scented candles
a roaring fireplace
reading my Favorite christmas book
walking in the fall leaves
a really good hamburger smothered with everything
my mammas cooking
seeing my kids smile
being alone a enjoying the quiet
being hugged by my husband
Cheryl I am a little late having trouble with the computer had to use hubby’s. Hope you are feeling better today.
1. Spending time with hubby
2. Spending time with grand baby
3. Spending time with kids and rest of family.
4. A good book to read like yours. hit hit
5. A cup of hot cider & a blanket
6. Nice drive on fall day
7. A walk in the park or downtown to the new bridge
8. Playing with the animals
9. cooking
10. Watching a funny movie
11. eating really good food
12. Taking pictures of new grand baby
13. SHOPPPPING!!!!!!!!!
14. Getting kisses from hubby
15. taking a relaxing bubble bath
16. Having my garden
17. Talking or just spending time with my friends
18. Having a job I enjoy!!!!!!!!
19. Listening to good music
20. Watching Christmas lights on the tree I love that and I am really to put it up now.
21. Finding new Mickey Mouse items. Found something new for Christmas.
22. Having enough money to buy all the things I want.
23. Good health
24. Getting new jewlery
25. Blogging
candles in every fragrance/size
Nature music
fireplaces
talking on phone with friends
Scrapbooking
painting my fingernails
Quad riding with dh
Chinese food
receiving an unexpected gift
sharing with my best friend