Simple Joys of the Week, July 18th Edition

Well, my friends are gone. We took one last walk this morning, sang a few last songs together (more on this below), and then I dropped them off at the bus station so that they could catch a shuttle back to Logan Airport. Sigh. 

Having guests in town is so so so so amazing and then they leave. It's over, just like that. You're exhausted, your house is a mess, and you're alone again. The place feels so quiet, and although part of me is excited about getting back into my routine and spending some QT with my hubby + dog-child, the other part of me is super sad that my staycay is over and my BFFs have left. 

It's a bit of a letdown. 

But, the past week was simply AMAZING and I cannot believe how much we did in just 7 days. Almost every second of every day was full of joy, so it was hard to choose, but I've narrowed things down to some of my favorite simple, sensory pleasures below.

What brought you happiness this week?

HEAR: Impromptu sing-a-longs
If there's one thing that my friends and I all have in common, it's that we all love to sing. All the time. With no musical accompaniment or radio or song on in the background. Solo, if you will. Thus, we spent at least 25% of our time together this past week singing, and it was magical. This morning, when my friends were upstairs packing and Ben was getting ready for work, he said "Do you hear them singing up there?" To which I replied, "Why do you think I'm friends with them?" Some of my fave acoustic performances from the past week: "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette, "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah, and "Stay" by Lisa Loeb. Classics. 

SEE: Humpback Whales!! [I'm obsessed!!!!]
Yesterday, we went Whale Watching in Provincetown. While we hoped to see a whale or two on the trip, we had no idea that our expectations would be totally surpassed and that we would see about 20. They were everywhere--nursing, feeding, lolling about in the water, making noises, playing--and they were incredible. There are no words. Whale watching was one of the most amazing things that I've ever done and I was awe-struck. I am now in love with these creatures. Look for them in a painting or two, coming soon...

TASTE: Dessert Week 2K14
That's what I've coined the past week. We decided that while on vacay/staycay, we would have dessert every single night--and dessert, we did. We enjoyed the following (and this is not an exaggeration): 3 different trips to get ice cream cones, a strawberry-peach pie + ice cream, carrot cake, cheesecake, a chocolate chip cookie pie + ice cream, and a cinnamon chocolate chip scone. Phew. I am going off of dessert for a little while starting tomorrow, only because I have an "Ice Cream Social" to attend tonight (I know!!!!).

SMELL: Champagne
What goes well with dessert and long days in the sun? Champagne! And we indulged in quite a few glasses this week :) We had White Wine Spritzers after spending days at the beach, Mimosas on the ferry to Nantucket, and Prosecco (not champagne, but similar) after Whale Watching. It was quite the treat, as I never drink champagne in my normal life. It just adds a little je ne sais quoi...

TOUCH: Playing cards/game cards
Have you ever played Scattergories? If not, and if you love word games, you should. Some of my favorite memories from the past week took place when we were just sitting at the kitchen table playing games, making fun of ourselves, and laughing. I always forget how much I love playing games until I play them. I want to do more of this!

Other SJOTW? Long days on the beach (we went to 5 different beaches while they were here!), riding bikes on Nantucket, shopping in all of the ADORABLE shops on the Cape, taking long walks, watching my friends get to know Sayde, and plotting the tattoos that we wanted to get but decided not to get, after all ;)

What. A. Week. And now I'm done with visitors until my mom comes in September.

Hope you have a gorgeous Friday! Take some time to ponder your SJOTW, if you can...