As the summer quickly zooms by and the busyness of fall lingers in the near future, I’ve been thinking about taking a moment here and there to enjoy the little things that bring me joy.
For example, the other morning when I was watering my flowers, a dragonfly landed on a blossom and instead of hurrying on past it to complete the chore, I turned off the water, leaned closed and admired the way the sunlight glistened on its iridescent wings.
The little things.
I’m all too often guilty of not paying attention, or allowing myself the time to savor those precious little joys that come from the simplest places.
Like chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven.
A gorgeous summer sunset.
The horses in the pasture behind our house.
Summer flowers.
Or a refreshing glass of mint iced tea. I’ll even share the recipe with you!
Mint Iced Tea
3 mint tea bags (I’ve tried a variety but my favorite is Bigelow Perfectly Mint works the best)
4 cups boiling water
8 cups cool water
2/3 cup sugar
Mint sprigs
Stir sugar into the boiling water until it is dissolved. Add the tea bags and let steep for about 10 minutes. Discard tea bags and pour tea into a 12 cup pitcher. Add cool water and stir. Toss in a few fresh mint sprigs and serve over ice in chilled glasses.
In my new release, Sunrise Surf, the hero has learned to appreciate the little things in life, because he works a dangerous job as an undercover officer for the Oregon State Police.
What happens when a dedicated Oregon State Police officer (who grew up on a cattle ranch) goes undercover as a homeless surfer… and falls for a small-town doctor who has no idea who he really is?
Logan Wright’s latest assignment pulls him deep into a dangerous drug ring on the rugged Seaside coast. But nothing complicates his mission more than Laken Hayes—a beautiful, big-hearted doctor who stirs something in him he hasn’t felt in years.
She’s juggling a full life, raising her teenage nephew and holding down a demanding job. The last thing she expects is to be swept up by a charming surfer with a mysterious past and a heart full of secrets.
If you love slow-burn romance, high-stakes suspense, and coastal charm, Sunrise Surf delivers a heartfelt, page-turning journey where love just might be the biggest risk of all.
What about you?
What little things bring you joy or make you smile?
Post your answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card
and a digital copy of Sunrise Surf.
A cup of tea, a book, a handmade quilt.
Those are all wonderful things, Denise! Love the all!
A good book, my dogs, my kids, seeing birds & wildlife outside, the smell of something sweet & yummy baking
A good book, my dogs, my kids, seeing birds & wildlife outside, the smell of something sweet & yummy baking
That is a great list of little things. There is nothing quite like the smell of something delicious baking in the oven! Thank you so much for stopping in today!
My great-grandson’s smile every time he sees me, a steaming cup of coffee in the morning, a fawn venturing out for the first time, finding baby watermelon on the vines. picking the first strawberries of the year, and so many other things.
So many beautiful things to enjoy, Rhonda. Thank you for sharing them with us today. Have a lovely, wonderful day!
All the outside activity – feeding the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and kitties at my FIL house and the llamas, horse, dogs and cats at mine – playing with the kittens too!
Love all your little things, Teresa. Enjoy those kittens! So fun!
The giggle of a small child
There is something so precious about that sound. Have a wonderful day!
Being with our puppy Snowball can make me smile. She is so dramatic and funny.
Oh, I love that! Enjoy your time with Snowball today!
Little things that make me happy or smile – babies, children laughing, doing something nice for someone else, praying for others, new school supplies, laughing with friends, and reading a great book.
Such great little things to enjoy, Susan. I love your list! Thank you for dropping in today!
animals
They are so enjoyable!
A text from a friend, a phone call, hearing a baby laugh, running in to someone I know unexpectedly (like at the grocery store), seeing flowers.
Those are all such fun little things to enjoy, Trudy. May your day be filled with beautiful little moments to savor!
For me this summer it’s been watching the sunflowers I planted for the first time growing and popping open! I’m not very successful with plants but WOW did I do a great job with these. One stem actually has SEVEN flowers to open with 3 that opened in the last 24 hours!
That is amazing! Sunflowers just sing “August” to me, so that’s wonderful you have so many growing. Enjoy!
Seeing my great granddaughter smile and laugh.
Love that! Thank you for stopping in today!
My darling Grandboy–he’s 13 and one of the most charming kids I’ve ever met. So full of love and kindness and so dang smart, he scares me. He loves swimming in the lake with me and driving our golf cart all around the resort where we have our cottage. One day, he won’t be that interested in doing things with his grandmother, but for now, I’m cherishing every little moment.
Oh, that is wonderful. Yes! Cherish every moment with him and store up a wealth of sweet memories in your heart. Have a lovely rest of your summer!
Early Morning walks.
A beautiful time of day to enjoy! Have a lovely rest of your summer, Kim!
Enjoying going outside, reading a good book, spending time with family.
All wonderful things to enjoy! Thank you for sharing that with us today!
My grandsons’ laughter, a funny book and my husband doing something special.
Those are all such lovely things, Debra! Thank you for stopping in today.
Good morning. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. We all need reminded at times. I love looking at the little things and giving God thanks for being able to look and enjoy. Lately, I have loved holding my only/new grand daughter. So tiny and sweet. I have taken time to look at my surroundings and giving thanks for what God has given us. I really do love my iced tea that I make and take the time to really enjoy it. Oh so much more, but than I could write a book. LOL.
Congratulations, Lori, on the arrival of your granddaughter. Couldn’t you just sit for hours and hold that wonderful little bundle of joy? So happy for you! I’m often guilty of being in a rush and not taking time to be grateful for the little things, but they make up so much of our daily enjoyment. Have a beautiful day!
Seeing a panoramic view of soaring mountains.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing the wonder of God’s handiwork, like a beautiful view of soaring mountains. Thanks for sharing that, Janice!
Right now, what bring me the most joy is my little niece, she’s staying with me while her mom is away temporarily and at 3 yrs old, she’s just a bundle of energy and happiness. The things she says! how she makes me laugh at her silly antics.
Oh, I love that you get that special time with your niece. You’re making memories you’ll always treasure. Enjoy every minute!
I like all the ” little” things and especially the “big” things-like breathing, food, companionship and BOOKS!
Those are all such great things, Joye! And books are a pretty big thing in my world, too!
Seeing a beautiful sunset, my puppy Riley greeting me when I come home, reading, seeing a quilt project completed and visiting my great, great grandniece.
Those are all fantastic things, Jackie! Have a beautiful day!
I enjoy sitting out on our porch swing, enjoying the weather, especially when the temperature starts cooling down. 🙂
Porch swings are so fun. So nice you have one to enjoy!
I like being home when it’s raining and just watching it through the window.
There is something so cozy about being inside and watching the rain fall.
Spending time with my granddaughters, Selena and Anastasia. Just sitting back and watch them play. It can be quite entertaining.
I think it’s wonderful you get to spend time with your sweet granddaughters. And I love their names!
A cup of tea, chocolate and a book.
My grandkids, watching the birds and squirrels at my bird feeder, and the blessings I get from God every morning.
Hearing a song I love brings me so much joy.
Music is amazing! Thanks for stopping in today and have a fantastic rest of your summer!
My pets, watching my fish in the tank, hearing and seeing the birds that visit my yard, reading, listening to music…
So fun you watch your pets and the fish, as well as the birds in your yard. Reading and listening to music can be so soothing and relaxing. Enjoy!
Taking a walk and chatting with the neighbors I see along the way
Playing with my grandchildren
Swimming
Listening to music
Reading
Wonderful things to enjoy, Laurie! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Fudgy brownies, iced coffee, and a good book.
Those are great things to enjoy!
I’ve been smiling a lot lately watching this year’s kittens playing with one another. We have a white one with a black spot on its nose…….so cute. Spectacular sunsets as I sit on my front lawn. Watching the full moon come up over the horizon with my 11 year old grandsons who said they had never seen the moon rise before. They live in Badger Canyon where it would be hard to see the sun or moon come over the horizon. This summer my daughters and I have been marveling over the praying mantis we have seen in our yards. I hadn’t realized before how much their color changes to match what they are on. Yesterday one looked nearly the shade of yellow of the bucket it was on. Something little I have often overlooked.
What wonderful memories you are making this summer, Alice. How lovely you’ve watched the moon rise with your grandsons. The praying mantis are so fun to watch, especially how they change their colors. Thank you so much for stopping in today and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Love watching birds, butterflies, bees and even spiders. God made all of them so unique and for our enjoyment. It amazes me to see all His creation. So many times we don’t take the time to enjoy the things that are all around us. Thanks for the reminder to stop and enjoy the moment.
I need that reminder more than I should to take a moment to enjoy the world around me. So glad you appreciate the birds and bees, and all God’s wonderful creations.
I enjoy working in the gardens. There is something therapeutic about digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, watching the flowers & veggies grow, and eating all those fresh vegetables. I love being able to sit on the wrap=around porch with my husband, just relaxing, reading a book, having a meal, or watching the hummingbirds at the feeders. Things have been rather scattered lately and we haven’t had the time to do much of that. In addition, the weeds are winning in the gardens. We need to regain our peace.
Reading, my crazy cat, music, sunny weather, blue skies, birds singing, crickets chirping, flowers, chocolate
Children’s laughter, pet kisses, hugs from friends, being warm under the cover while in a cool room just to name a few ?
I enjoy reading at my kitchen table with either a glass of water or iced tea. We feed the stray cats. I love looking out the backdoor and watching them come eat and drink. They may even climb up on the backdoor to meow at us. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
The funny antics of my dogs make me smile. As does working on a fun puzzle.
I work with prescholers and what makes me smile is when they give me a hug and thank me for helping them.
I live close enough to Erie, PA to be able to visit Presque Isle State Park a couple times in the summer, my favorite thing to do is to stay & watch the sunset! .. My husband’s favorite thing is Ice Cream @ ‘Sara’s”!!
My granddaughters giggles make me smile and bring me joy ?
My granddaughters giggles make me smile and bring me joy ?