On Fridays I will post about something that makes me happy. Maybe if you are reading this post you will share something that makes you happy, too!
The photo above is of my bedside table. Full disclosure – if the photo was of the entire table top you would see a tub of decidedly un-photogenic moisturizer, two or three books stacked precariously, and a crumpled up tissue from last night. When I started this blog, I wanted to steer clear of giving the (false) impression that I have a perfect life. However, there are little corners of my life that are beautiful and that do give me great pleasure, and I want to share that sense of gratitude with you. I know that within each of our messy lives, there are these corners of joy, and I think it is a good practice to spend some time each day dwelling on these things, and ignoring the metaphorical crumpled tissues of our lives. I decided to leave the Apple Watch charging in the photo for some semblance of reality!
So. The photo above. First of all, my bedside table was made my father, who passed away in 2014. He was a master carpenter and a true artisan. One of his specialties was creating tables using intricate marquetry for the table tops. I treasure this table as a remembrance of my dad’s talent, his hard work, and his love for his family.
On the table is one of three “yoga ladies” that I bought from World Market last year (they came in a set of three, each with a slightly different arm position). I have one in my cubicle at work, and the last one currently resides in the kitchen, but she doesn’t seem very happy there and may be moving to a new location sometime soon. Whenever I look at one of my yoga ladies, a sense of serenity comes upon me. They remind me to take a couple deep breaths and slow down.
The pewter tray on the table was actually the only thing I was going to write about today. It was only after I took a good look at the photo that I realized how much in the photo actually makes me happy as well. I bought the tray in a store called Pierre Deux in Carmel, California probably 25 years ago. Pierre Deux specialized in French Country fabrics and furnishings, including little pewter trinket boxes, trays, and picture frames. About a year ago I started using this tray on my bedside table to hold my earrings and necklace each night. Oh gosh, that necklace in itself makes be happy, but perhaps that will be a post for another Friday. What makes me so happy about this tray is that it gives me a sense of ritual every night as I remove my necklace and earrings in getting ready for bed. Rituals and routines may be boring to some, but I find them very reassuring and comforting. There was a time in my life when the earrings and necklace would have ended up in any number of random places each night (or not removed at all), but I have found that creating this evening ritual makes me happy.
I will be back on Monday. I hope you have a peaceful, relaxing weekend!
Lovely, Michelle! And the Apple Watch instructs us to “Breathe” as well, so it’s all completely harmonious!
Joyce! Even though you told me last night that you had looked at the blog, I still got such a thrill when I got the notification that you had commented. I’m collecting a list of things that make me happy for future posts and I added two things last night: those lovely magnets you gave me (especially the little bird!) and “laughing with Joyce and Daniel.”
Another fun post! I love this…..
I can see why this space makes you happy. The gorgeous table and everything on it looks so full of positive energy and meaning. Love the yoga girl. It reminds me of my daughter, who always wears her hair in a bun on her head.
I have a bedside table full of meaningful positive energy, as well. On top it holds a few of my favorite books, a Nook (in case I need a new book pronto), a lamp, a shell from a recent walk on the beach, a small sound machine that runs 24/7, and a book end on each side of 3 old leather-bound volumes of Dante’s Vision – a gift from my husband a few years after we met. The drawers are full of all my favorite books! Clearly there is a book theme there….. books make me happy.
I wish I could show you a pic of my dresser where I take off my jewelry- if I wear jewelry. It makes me smile from ear to ear…. just because. It has my favorite necklaces and rings, a gold framed map of Bermuda- where my husband and I were married, three small books about the ocean (Poems from the sea, Gifts from the Sea, and Stories from the Sea), and a jar of shells from different people/different times/different places in the world. People, books and the ocean…. These are some of my favorite things….they make me so happy!
Love your post, Michelle. xxoo
I so enjoyed reading this comment, Elizabeth. I suspect that you and I are kindred spirits! Your bedside table and dresser sound like places of such serenity. I, too, love the ocean. I suspect growing up in Rhode Island will do that to you. Having been landlocked for the last 16 years (Lake Erie doesn’t count!), I know that our next home will have to be at least within easy driving distance, if not walking distance, of the ocean.
I think we are kindred spirits as well, Michelle. The ocean….it is essential. 💕
Lately, I’ve been cooking vegan meals, and although I do not do enough cooking I have found this diet very enjoyable, also I am eagerly awaiting spring so I can get out in the garden!
I always love working out in the garden in the springtime. I just lose steam about halfway through the summer and then by September my garden is totally neglected, lol.