The simple pleasures in life, there is nothing better than...

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What's your simple pleasure?

For me, today, it is sitting in the hammock under the trees listening to the radio while the sun shines.

First cup of tea in the morning.
When DD is doing something and randomly hugs me and tells me I'm the best mummy in the world.
Walking her to school every day as opposed to the 10 minute car ride for nursery.
Sleeping in clean sheets.

Looking up at the sky: stars, cloud shapes, dawn, dusk, storms, rain, birds, there's always something to look at. I always find it so reassuring that I'll always be able to see it no matter what situation I'm in and it's got me through some really difficult times and long nights of no sleep. Also a hot shower or bath. The first cup of tea in the morning.

Hearing the birds singing outside on a summers morning. We live in a crappy town, but it makes me feel like I’ve woken up in the countryside when I hear them.

Sitting watching the waves at the seaside. I find it so relaxing.

Eating a spoonful of chocolate spread off a spoon when I make my DCs sandwiches.

Ducks. I find it relaxing watching them swimming.

Making lists. I love a list!

Walking with my dc. Both teens now, and so we've had some very thought provoking conversations this summer.

Peonies

Realising - yet again - how much I love ds and just feeling pure joy at the very fact of his existence.

Having a purring cat on my lap.

Beautiful sunrises and sunsets and a full moon and a sliver of a crescent moon and a starry night.

Flowers. trees, birds, butterflies and bees. As the title of a Reddit community puts it, rather modernly, Nature is Fucking Lit.

I was captivated this Spring when bluetits nested in a nook in my wall.

Condolences for your loss OP

The look on my toddler's face when he catches sight of me across the room. Also the floppy middle-of-the-night cuddles, even when I'm tired beyond belief.

Opening up a bright new nail varnish.

The first sip of a very cold glass of champagne.

Thick salty butter on soft crusty bread.

Walking back into my house after a few nights away with the kids, knowing that we'll all be sleeping in our own beds that night.

Watching my washing blow on the line I absolutely love it

That first chilled glass of wine on the garden at the end of a sunny day

Lying on the grass and watching the clouds

Smelling my honeysuckle and sweet peas

Eating sun-warmed brambles and our tomatoes

Sitting on the beach watching the sea

Paddling

Smelling my children's necks (they are 16 and 19)

Hugs from the kids

Hearing the kids say they love me

Hugging dh

That first cup of tea outside in the morning when the air is fresh and the day is full of promise

Watching the tadpoles in my wildlife pond

Watching bees feed on my herbs, lavender, etc.

An almost deserted beach on a warm evening, after work, when all the tourists have gone home.

Recently it's been the blue & pink evening skies of London as we passed from summer to autumn

Beach walk with the dogs 🐕 love seeing them so happy

A swing! Nothing beats one of those giant round swings you can lay back in in the sunshine, swaying back and forth by a stream and just chilling out…..

Cuddles from my toddler

Her beautiful laugh

A lapsang tea on a cold day

A long scented bath with a podcast or audio book on

Walking through crunchy autumn leaves

Going camping and sitting staring at the campfire after dark.

Do you let butter soak in while warm or let the toast cool first for a 3D butter layer?

Getting my daughter off to sleep in a calm happy bedtime, then getting into my cosy bed at an early time (for me that's before 11pm) with a nightcap, cup of green tea, my cat and catching up on messages, news etc

Spending a day at a fairly quiet beach and swimming in the sea.

Eating outside on holiday of an evening, where the cobblestone streets are lined with tables.

Stretching out listening to music with my big headphones on and a glass of red wine.

Reading in bed, ideally with a milky but strong cup of tea in a pleasingly shaped mug that fits my hand.

When milk comes to the boil in the pan and rises up. The suspense!

Love this!

Clean sheets, getting in a hot bubble bath., first coffee in the morning (early) cuddling my cat

Sex with the person you love.

Cool toast, thickly buttered!