Simple Joys of the Week, May 10th Edition

Okay, people. Another week has come and gone, life continues to rush by, and in an effort not to miss it, I'm here to share my simple, sensory pleasures from the past week. There is always so much to be grateful for, but I think we often just forget to pause and feel that gratitude. So lets do that for a moment, shall we?

These are the little things that brought me joy this past week...what were your SJOTW?
 

HEAR: TED Talks (about 15 different talks)
On the 9-hour car ride home on Sunday (driving to SC for the weekend = bad decision), Ben and I listened to a bunch of TED Talks. It was so fun; I kept saying "I feel like I'm getting smarter and more interesting just by riding in the car!" and I honestly think I was/did. We listened to so many that I can't pick just one to share here, but I can tell you that if you haven't downloaded the TED app, you should (it's amazing!). I also listened to them while I painted all day yesterday. I'm obsessed. 

SEE: This poem (below) written by my Dad
He sent it to me this week, just in time for Mother's Day this weekend. It brought tears to my eyes and almost made my heart burst open. It's about my "little" grandmother, pictured above with my brother. You can read the poem here:

My Little Mother

We marked our heights
in pencil on the yellow kitchen door.

Five-foot-five was your line,
way above mine,
and with my father gone,
yours was the highest mark to shoot for.

Must’ve been seventh grade 
when I caught you, at that point asking 
you to measure me every week.

So proud of catching, then surpassing
you, like drinking a whole quart 
of milk at dinner
or hitting a baseball over the fence.

I kept growing, had to look outside
the home for other people 
to measure myself against.

Fifty years of gravity later, 
you’ve lost a few inches,
and now, little mother,
I could carry you anywhere--

and I do--
you fit nicely there
inside my heart
where you will always be.

Gets me every time. Phew. Other SEE SJOTW? The "Big Pimp'n" truck (pictured above), which made me laugh on our long car ride, and of course, my family :) 

TASTE: Dinner at Pomegranate On Main, in Greenville, SC
OMG, this restaurant was so good. I'm putting it on here for anyone who travels to Greenville or lives nearby, as it's definitely worth checking out. I'd never had Persian food before, but now that I have, I will look for it whenever I can, because it's amazing. Ben and I really wish that this place was right around the corner in VA (if it was, we would go every week!). Pomegranate, if you're reading this, please add a location in the DC area!

SMELL: Scents of the neighborhood
I know this sounds like a weird "smell" SJOTW, but yesterday Ben and I went on a long walk together, and somehow ended up exploring some parts of our neighborhood that we'd never been to. We popped our heads in new restaurants (or restaurants that were unbeknownst to us), picked up menus, and took in the smells, sounds, and sights of the place where we live, but often, don't really see. It was very enjoyable and felt pretty special, as we're usually not both home at 6pm on a Thursday. 

TOUCH: My new scanner
So dorky, I know, but I've been wanting a scanner forever and finally just went across the street to Staples and bought one. I didn't realize how much easier it would make my life, but all of the sudden I can just scan my art, as opposed to trying to take pictures (always too dark, a little crooked, etc.) or taking it to the printers down the street. Yay! It truly is the little things that make life easier and more enjoyable. 

What brought you happiness this past week? I hope that you were able to truly experience some of life's simple pleasures... 

I'm off to yet another graduation this weekend, this time for my middle brother who is graduating from Law School (!), so I'm sure I'll have lots more to report come Monday. I'll be flying this time, though, so don't expect any more "Big Pimp'n" truck sightings ;)

Have a fabulous weekend!