Simple Joys of the Week, Valentine's Day Edition

This year, for the first time ever, my Valentine has 4 legs. And needs to get her toenails clipped (ouch!). And may or may not have an aggression problem when it comes to strangers, strange dogs, most men, and dark trucks. But hey, nobody is perfect, amiright? And I love her just the same. 

Btw, how was your week? Did the polar vortex's shenanigans throw you off track? I hope that even if you were slightly snowed-in/rained-in/iced-in, you were still able to experience some simple, sensory joys over the past 7 days. Sledding, hot chocolate, warm slippers, and/or warm fires, perhaps? 

Speaking of simple joys of the week, mine are below...

HEAR: Elizabeth Laime's Family of Podcasts--especially "Totally Married"
Not to be creepy, but I've listened to so many of Elizabeth Laime's podcasts that I basically think I know her now (And I kind of think we're BFFs, too. Such is the world of putting it all out there on the internet!). But srrrsly, if you're a podcast person, if you like to laugh, and if you like total honesty + openness, I think you'll enjoy her podcasts. She has three--Totally Laime, where she has conversations with interesting people in the entertainment industry, Totally Married, where she and her husband talk about their married life and then answer listener questions, and Totally Mommy, where she has a guest on and they discuss being mothers and then answer listener questions. [Even though I'm not a mom, I still listen to Totally Mommy and find it really good!] I'm obviously sold. Yay for my new BFF, Elizabeth! ;) 

SEE: Is it weird to say Ben? 
Ben and I have been really busy lately, and we have very different schedules right now. We're like ships passing in the night--he gets home, and I leave to go teach. We run errands separately so that we can get everything done. We rendez-vous at the house around 9pm, exhausted and hungry, and spend a little QT together (doing dishes, folding laundry, + snuggling with Sayde), before heading to bed around 10. So, the little time we've had together this week has been very special. I miss him!  

TASTE: Sweethearts/Conversation Hearts. I know--I can't help it.
I really like how they taste!!! I do! I saw them in CVS yesterday, and I just couldn't resist. Yes, they leave your mouth a bit chalky, and yes, they're just straight sugar + chemicals, but I'll indulge once per year if I want to. Plus it's pretty fun to read them while you eat them, as they've become fairly snarky these days ;)  

[Just to be clear, I don't like Peeps. I have my limits when it comes to seasonal candy.]

SMELL: Oil paints & solvent
Until yesterday, I hadn't had my oil paints out in over a month. I haven't been getting as many oil commissions lately (more watercolor and acrylic), and whenever I haven't used oils in a while, I forget how much I adore them. They're my first love when it comes to painting, really. Sure, they smell and so does the solvent that you must use to clean your brushes, but oh, do I love that smell! So excited to get back to painting in this medium!

TOUCH: Run on the beach--in 25 degree-weather + lots of wind ;)
 I don't run much anymore, because I have hip and back issues that really can't take it. However, when it's 25 degrees outside + super windy and you NEED to take your dog on a long walk to release some of her pent-up energy, turning that walk into a run is a good idea. Similarly, I find that running on sand feels MUCH better on my body, as it's a softer surface and there's much less pounding (it's harder, but healthier for me!). It also felt pretty amazing to be roasting hot on the windy beach in the winter. I might make weekly beach runs a new thing...? 

So, there you have it! I hope you have a wonderful weekend that is chock full o' the simple pleasures in life. 

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! And smooches and canoodles and nuzzles and xoxo's all of that yummy stuff.