Simple Joys of the Week, April 26th {Special Guest Post} Edition

Ben (my husband) is 30 today. Yikes!  To think that when we started dating he was just a spry young 21....my, how time has run over us like a freight train! As a special gift and to celebrate this big birthday, I promised Ben weeks ago that I'd let him share his SJOTW this week, as my very first SJOTW-guest-poster (!). To say he was excited is an understatement ;)

The sweet guy has been taking pictures and making little notes all week long (he got very into it, which I love), and has finally come up with the following list of simple, sensory pleasures. Take a look below to see what made Ben smile over the past 7 days...

HEAR:  Anthem Lights' "Best of 2012 Pop Mash-up"
This musical gem magically appeared on my One Direction Pandora station the other day (yes, I created a One Direction Pandora station).  Apparently, Athem Lights is a Christian group from Nashville.  Whatever the case may be, they combine three of my favorite musical elements:  glee clubs, Top 40 music, and mash-ups. Mary Catherine thinks I have an affinity for Christian groups*, but I think I just like these guys because they sound like The Warblers from Glee. Enjoy! 
[*Editor's note: Ben is not religious, which is why I poke fun at him for this]

SEE: Wife in the Kitchen Baking a Pound Cake
There is no image more beautiful than that of my Wife in the kitchen. If you didn't already know, Mary Catherine doesn't have a ton of free time between teaching, practicing, blogging, managing, painting, and doing all of the other things that she does on a daily basis.  Seeing her in the kitchen is symbolic of her having some free time, which is nice to see.  Plus, the pound cake is a family recipe and I can't wait to have some.  In case you were wondering, the recipe is not for public disclosure.  It's one of the perks of marrying a woman from the Manley lineage.

TASTE:  French Fries with Malt Vinegar
I had been ordering sweet potato fries for a while, but have recently made the switch back to regular french fries, particularly when malt vinegar is available.  I think that pouring malt vinegar on your fries is something traditionally done when eating "fish and chips."  However, I find it to be tasty along side a cheeseburger.

SMELL:  Breathe Right Nasal Strips
This isn't really a "smell," per se, but these nasal strips have helped me breathe much better lately, particularly while sleeping.  I have had a deviated septum since getting elbowed in the nose while playing basketball when I was 13 years old.  I strongly recommend these if you have any trouble sleeping.
[Editors note: As you can imagine, they're also really sexy...]

TOUCH: Goat Tape
Goat Tape is a "premium" athletic tape that I use on my thumbs when working out.  CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting are brutal on the thumbs, thanks to lots of snatches, cleans, and pull-ups.  Standard athletic tape tends to slide off the thumbs when you sweat.  Goat tape is, as they advertise, "Scary Sticky."  Plus, they donate a portion of their proceeds to Mercy Corps, who uses the money to buy goats for families in need.  Pretty cool, huh?

What brought you happiness this past week? My (Mary Catherine's) biggest simple joy? Reading Ben's SJOTW and celebrating his birthday with him ;) I heart birthdays.

If you want to give Ben a little birthday gift, follow him on Twitter! He's pretty new and really wants some followers (again, SO sweet!). 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend full of lots of simple pleasures!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine