small pleasures, life's treasures

Some of the smallest pleasures bring the most joy. These are some of the things that I love...in no particular order.

• books...all different kinds
• lindt 70% chocolate (only a little bit cause it's pretty rich)
• quality sheets and a down pillow on my bed
• smooth, rich red wine
• beautiful design - architecture, interior, industrial, graphic
• home baking (cooking as well as eating)
• sunshine in my kitchen in the afternoon
• fruit and vegetables that are in season bought from the market smelling fresh and beautiful
• the sound of the surf when I'm falling asleep (a luxury...we can hear it from my sister's beach house)
• moleskine notebooks especially the quality paper of the pages (visit http://www.moleskine.com/)
• momentary exchanges with strangers that make your day (and hopefully theirs)brighter
• candlelight (never overhead lighting - especially not with dinner)
• home made preserves (my favourites are seville orange marmalade, raspberry jam, harissa and chilli relish)
• the first swim in the ocean in summer
• cooking for friends and engaging conversation over dinner
• herb gardens that have a perpetual supply of basil, rosemary, italian parsley and lavender
• contemporary art and photography
• good quality tea (if it's herbal, in leaf form)
• the smell of rain on the footpath after a blistering day
• meeting interesting people of all ages
• open fires (not environmentally friendly...but lovely in moderation)
• generosity of spirit
• louvre windows
• open mindedness
• essential oils (my favourites are mandarin, ylang ylang, lavender)
• connecting at a soul level
• creativity
• fresh flowers in my house
• the sound of my daughters laughing together
  
  what are the things that you love?