Simple Joys of the Week, April 27th Edition

Well, another month has almost flown by. The fact that this is the last weekend is April is mind-boggling, but we won't dwell on that today, now will we? Instead, lets focus on those simple pleasures that we all experience throughout our daily lives. What brought you happiness over the past week or so? 

My simple, sensory joys are below...

Hear: "Johnny and June" by Heidi Newfield

Ever since seeing Walk the Line, I've been intrigued by the story of Johnny and June Carter Cash. Yes, it's kind of crazy and parts are really upsetting, but they also had a wonderfully passionate love for one another, and the music that they made together is magical. So, I obviously enjoy this song (one that I've been listening to all week long!), "Johnny and June" by country singer Heidi Newfield.  It's all about how she wants a "love like Johnny and June," a passionate, fiery relationship--even if it's hard and rocky along the way. Very romantic :) Listen to the song below!

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A close-up of one of my sketchbook pages...

See: My completed sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project

Whew! I finally finished my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project, just in the nick of time, as they're supposed to be postmarked by Monday and I'm in training ALL weekend long. But, although I did procrastinate a bit here (not because I wanted to, but because I've just been so busy!), I had an absolute blast working on my sketchbook and am really excited about the way that it turned out. I'll share some images from it soon, but the most exciting part is that once they receive it, it will be scanned and exhibited in an online gallery (which I'll also share!), displayed (forever?) in the Brooklyn Art Library, and at least one of my pages will be included in the The Limited Edition Book Series. I'm excited to see how it all comes together!

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Taste: Sliced oranges after CrossFit :)

Remember when you played soccer or some other team sport when you were younger, and parent's were assigned snacks to bring after the games? And remember when people brought cold, sliced oranges as the snack? I do, and it's such a yummy memory that I wanted to reenact it yesterday, so in honor of Ben's birthday, I brought sliced oranges to CrossFit for a snack after class. It made me really happy to eat them after working out so hard, and they were also extremely delicious. I think this may become a new tradition!? I guess there's a reason parents always brought oranges, huh? 

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Smell: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies baking in the oven...

I hardly ever bake, but every once in a while, I can make it happen, and yesterday was one of those days. Again, in honor of my dear Ben's b-day  (I told you I love birthdays!), I made oatmeal cookies with chocolate and peanut butter chips--and let me tell you, they were good. But, the smell of the cookies baking in the oven was almost as amazing as sneaking a taste of the batter (shhh!) and actually eating a cookie. And sweet Ben, he really gobbled those cookies up when we came home in the evening, so the effort was definitely worth it ;)

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Touch: KT Tape 

My newest obsession = KT Tape. Seriously. For all you athletes, yogis, and runners out there, if you have any injuries/issues, you MUST try this tape. My new chiropractor (who I think I've already mentioned, and who is great!) put this tape on my back this week, since I was experiencing a bit of pain for quite a few days before I saw him, and I kid you not, this stuff if magical. I woke up Thursday morning with absolutely NO pain, and spent an entire day not even noticing my back/hip-area, which hasn't happened in quite a long time. It was crazy!?! How does it work? It's pretty interesting, and you can read all about what it does here. 

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So see? Sometimes the smallest things--or moments--can bring us joy, and I think it's really wonderful to reflect on these things at least once per week (if not once per day!). Otherwise, life just flies by and we never get a chance to appreciate everything that we're able to experience in our day-to-day existence...

I hope that your week was full of sensory pleasures, and that your weekend is FULL of joy :)

Namaste,
Mary Catherine