Simple Joys of the Week, July 8th Edition

What a week, huh? It's been a hard, heartbreaking week in the news (it feels like the news has all been pretty horrible lately, doesn't it?), so I feel like some positive reflection is much-needed for those of us in the US.

​While I won't go into it here, I do want to say that my heart goes out to the families, friends, and communities of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the 5 fallen police officers from last night's shooting. My heart is broken for all of the violence in our world as of late.

One thing I can say for reflecting on my SJOTW is that this process really does allow me a little time to feel grateful for all that I have in my life--the big things, the little things, the simple pleasures that not everyone is able to enjoy--so lets take a look back at some of those small experiences from this past week.

What simple pleasures are you grateful for from this past holiday week? My SJOTW are below...  

HEAR: "My Church" by Maren Morris
Anyone else loving this newcomer on the country scene? I am! I adore her voice and I adore this song, which I keep listening to in the car so that I can sing along at the top of my lungs. SO good. You can listen below: 

​SEE: My fixed laptop, back from the shop!
Oh, you guys, you won't believe how amazing it is to have my laptop back after 3 days without it! I appreciate it SO much more than I ever did before and am so thankful that it just cost me over $300 to get it fixed (a $300 I would rather not have paid right now, but better than buying a new laptop, right?). As I write this, my tea is VERY far away from me and I have learned my liquids-near-laptop lesson for good. Phew. Thanks for the help, iCape Solutions!

TASTE: Watermelon
I finally had my first watermelon of the season last weekend and it was divine! There's just something about July 4th--as soon as it hits, I want watermelon and I want it NOW. I had some at a 4th of July party last weekend and then bought my own, which I've been eating all week long and have been loving. There's nothing that says summer like ripe watermelon ;) 

SMELL: Homemade Mac n' Cheese
Growing up, my mom often made us homemade mac n' cheese. I know this doesn't sound super exciting, but the recipe she uses is rather gourmet (for mac n' cheese) and I just love it. Ben asked me to make some for us late last week, so I did last weekend, and we've been eating leftovers each night with dinner. Every time that I smell it heating up and then get to eat it, I'm taken back to childhood in an instant. I love how smells and tastes can create such sensory memories.  

TOUCH: Cool ocean water on my skin 
As I mentioned on Tuesday, Ben and I spent most of the day on Sunday at the beach, and it was divine. It was hot enough outside that we needed to cool off in the water every 45-minutes or so, and despite being a bit cold at first, the ocean felt *incredible* once we got used to it (each and every time). If the weather cooperates, I'm hoping to recreate the experience this weekend...

Other SJOTW? Catching up with friends at a fun 4th of July BBQ, hosting the fam for a BBQ at our house, watching an incredible sunset over the water while eating dinner outside at a harbor cafe, and of course, baby stuff galore/getting the nursery ready (it's *almost* there!). 

So there you go. I hope you, too, can find the time to reflect on your simple, sensory joys of the week today, and that your weekend is relaxing, fulfilling, and jam-packed with simple pleasures.