It doesn't take a lot to make me happy.
In fact, I get an inordinate amount of joy just looking at this photo of a row of cups drying on a linen dish towel. It makes me think of order, tidiness, and all the inspiring possibilities that can spring to life over a pot of tea with friends.
It's the small things.
(Photo by LBG.)
And behind every small thing -- the freshly-washed teacups -- there's usually an even smaller thing that deserves a little credit too. An unsung hero, if you will. Something that doesn't get a lot of attention but whose contribution is equally important.
Stand up and take a bow, scrubbing pads.
These cheerful striped ones are just aching to join your kitchen team, don't you think?
(Kitchen scrubber trio, $16.00. Available HERE.)
Below, some more beautiful small things and the small things behind them...
The Small Thing:
An errant rose vine that strains for you to notice her while she's at the height of her powers.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
A twine stand with set of scissors to gently give the fair dame a bit of support should she need it.
(Twine stand with scissors, $20.95. Available HERE.)
The Small Thing:
The gleam of a sweaty ice bucket as it waits for guests to arrive.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
Seeds Merit Silver Polish, recommended by both Tiffany & Company and the Winterthur Museum.
The Small Thing:
Freshly-baked pumpkin bread for an eleven-year old who didn't do as well on the test as he hoped.
Freshly-baked pumpkin bread for an eleven-year old who didn't do as well on the test as he hoped.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
Corn broom cake testers. Used since colonial times to make sure there was something coming out of the oven to be thankful for.
Corn broom cake testers. Used since colonial times to make sure there was something coming out of the oven to be thankful for.
The Small Thing:
Italian parsley. For enhancing frittatas, soups, salads, and almost any other savory dish you can think of.
Italian parsley. For enhancing frittatas, soups, salads, and almost any other savory dish you can think of.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
Kitchen herb scissors. Made to quickly chop delicate leaves without crushing them.
(Herb kitchen scissors, $16.00. Available HERE.)
The Small Thing:
A tidy laundry nook.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
A dark galvanized pail for presoaking chocolatey napkins, red wine accidents and grass-stained jeans.
(Old-fashioned wash bucket, $18.95. Available HERE.)
The Small Thing:
A corner to call your own.
(Photo by LBG.)
The Small Thing Behind the Small Thing:
A traditional turkey wing whisk broom, ergonomically designed to sweep pumpkin bread out of corners.
(Turkey wing whisk broom, $9.95. Available HERE.)
I'm curious: What small thing makes you happy?
x/Lisa
19 comments:
My small thing list might read something like a Dr.Seuss story. Illustrated of course - which is a sum of small things.
Some good small things, a tin of sardines, a lit votive, a postcard from far-away, a rosemary topiary, extra virgin olive oil, honey, warm socks, the last tea-bag, clean glasses, chirp of a bird, a hug, a visit or a chance encounter.
pve
The celedon provencal spoon rest on my stove, a hand knitted cotton face cloth at the bathroom sink and the hand wrought iron poker by my woodfire. Classy essentials all.
PVE and Max:
I'm craving them ALL!
What a lovely post to end the night on. I hope to dream of lovely small delights!
The scent of night blooming jasmine outside my window, two birthday cake flavored Oreo's, one vanilla and one chocolate with a cup of my favorite Ahmad English Breakfast tea, the tiny crystal bowl on my nightstand that holds my wedding rings and catches the light beautifully. Those are the small things that made me happy today.
Thank you for this thought provoking post. It made me stop and really look at my surroundings in a positive light to find beauty in the everyday life we live.
My favorite "The Good of Small Things" today was your post!
Multi bladed herb scissors! I have had an attack of the wanties. I didn't know such things existed but now I do I am not going to be happy until I am snipping parsley with my own set.
Love this post. Makes me think of the littlest most important things in life.
I currently love my Goody spin pins. Puts my hair up in a bun (my hair's really thick) by just using 2 spiral pins equivalent to 40 hair pins! About £6 I think at Boots or Superdrug.
And I found some cheap moisture traps from Lakeland. You put some crytals(also from Lakeland) and it prevents condensation in the rooms. Only £3 each.
Happiness :)
Love this post. Makes me think of the littlest most important things in life.
I currently love my Goody spin pins. Puts my hair up in a bun (my hair's really thick) by just using 2 spiral pins equivalent to 40 hair pins! About £6 I think at Boots or Superdrug.
And I found some cheap moisture traps from Lakeland. You put some crytals(also from Lakeland) and it prevents condensation in the rooms. Only £3 each.
Happiness :)
A box full of trinkets staring at me from across the room on my work table. I'll be using them to make a memory jug this summer!
I love those scrubbers!
Each of your small behind the small things is a delight. I'm happy to have some Italian parsley on hand and agree it brings a lot to a lot of dishes.
Best wishes.
Seeds...they hold so much promise.
Kelly
p.s. lovely post
These are all very true things! the small things are the things that really make a difference! I love putting Italian parsley in fettucini with asparagus and cream sauce! I loved reading your blog! Love, Jamie Herzlinger
A bright red stitch marker picked up at Liberty to help me keep track of the sweater I'm knitting in the round. View from my window this morning? The Elizabethan tower at Sissinghurst. Bliss.
Love this!
For me it is, now:
Monogrammed matchbooks next to every candle in the house
A silver bowl in the den where we corral all my daughter's pacifiers
A stack of folded cocktail napkins on the coffee table
I love these collected lists of small things: They all add up to something large: Happiness and contentment!
And gratitude! Thank you for this! May I add:
Freshly squeezed veggie juice, a kiss from my 13 year old son, a morning with sunshine....
This is an adorable idea, lisa... the small behind the small... We so often forget the small in our daily quests to make everything happen just so...
Have a wonderful Sunday... I am going to take more notice from now on... :)
xv
what makes me happy? tonight it's the rain hitting the window, knowing that the streets will be washed clean in the morning, my full belly, and piles of clean laundry waiting to be put away. Small, good things. Also, if that title was a nod to Arundhati Roy then you are my soul mate :)
Dervla:
Of course it was!! :)
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