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| Jen with one of her close friends |
When our Chick Lit Cheerleader, Jen Tucker, sent me her column for "Favorite Things" month, she gave me some food for thought. "Things" don't have to be about the material goods. She differentiated this by calling it "stuff." She got me thinking about what I enjoy that money can't buy. Since I'm sharing a top five list of favorite material things tomorrow, I'm also going to list a few concepts/activities that always make me happy.
1. Shabbat: I enjoy the quality family time, as well as getting to unplug for a day. The rituals are really nice and there's good food to be had.
2. Google Hangouts with my BFF. We do them once a week and it's like we're in each other's living rooms. Our chats have brought us even closer and we have a fun way of ending them each time, as well.
3. Hearing someone sing really well. It always brings tears to my eyes. You should have seen my reaction to Ariel's voice at a local production of Disney's The Little Mermaid musical this past year.
4. Blogging: Whether it's for CLC or my personal blog, I love when a post just comes together and even enjoy looking back on posts from past years.
5. Laughter: If a day goes by where I didn't laugh at all, it never happened. I love finding things to laugh about. My husband and kids usually make me laugh the most.
Check out Jen's favorite things and stuff and then enter to win her giveaway!
Just Enough Stuff
If you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, and maybe an up-and-coming talk show host named Oprah, you might know they have something in common; favorite things. While Julie Andrews crooned about visions and experiences that made her feel not so bad, Oprah gifted tangible goodies audience members could wear, drive, or sell on eBay. Favorite things recognized and shared in very different ways.
When Melissa asked me to share my favorite things with you, the “stuff” I love versus the “things” I love clashed for my attention. Never fear! Since I couldn’t decide whether to focus on the happy thoughts or the happy stuff, you get both! Just as fun as finding new car keys under your audience seat, right?
Jen’s Favorite Stuff
1. Hope in a Jar- My favorite Philosophy brand skincare product. It’s going with me on a desert island.
2. Dark Chocolate- It completes me. Milk chocolate is okay in a pinch. White chocolate? Is that even chocolate?
3. Cozy Socks- I have chronic cold feet, yet a warm heart. There’s nothing like toasty socks to cover my popsicle toes.
4. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss-I’m nondenominational when it comes to color. I love them all!
5. English Breakfast Tea- A devoted morning tea drinker, this is my favorite brew. I’m not a coffee drinker, which surprises people since I run on high octane. Leaded tea is my morning caffeine fix.
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| Tracey made these socks! And my photo with Seal is here too... |
Jen’s Favorite Things
1. Just Enough- Just enough gas in the tank, just enough milk for a recipe, just enough time to make it to the movies before the previews air. I’m a huge fan of having just enough.
2. Happy Accidents- Loose change in the bottom of the washer, finding the cardigan you haven’t seen in ages, bumping into a friend you haven’t seen in ages who’s been on your mind.
3. Quiet- Like Depeche Mode recommended, “enjoy the silence.”
4. Love- I can’t hear it enough nor say it enough.
5. Cuddles- Snuggles with my children, affection from my hubby, golden retrievers who warm my feet fill all my heart.
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| My daughter and our dogs, the latter not normally allowed on the bed! |
In honor of a new year, and my thankfulness that CLC decided to let me hang around for another year, I’m so excited to send one lucky reader in the continental U.S. some of my favorite stuff! Simply share with us some of the "things" that make you smile for your chance to win. I promise I won’t be regifting my Christmas haul to you.
May 2015 bring you sweet blessings and moments to appreciate the things, rather than the stuff, life brings your way.
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Continental US only. Giveaway ends February 3rd at midnight EST.
Jen Tucker is the author of the funny and true stories, The Day I Wore My Panties Inside Out and The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt. In September 2012, she had her children's book, Little Pumpkin published as an e-book. She also blogs monthly for Survival for Blondes. She currently lives in Indiana with her husband, three kids and two dogs. You can find her at Twitter, Facebook, her blog and on her website. And in case you missed them. check out her previous Chick Lit Cheerleader posts here.
Seeing my daughter happy and filled with joy.
ReplyDelete-Snuggles with my 3 year old
ReplyDelete-Finding a really good book that I can't put down; unless its for snuggles with the 3 year old
- when my hair looks the same from morning to night - the way I left it :)
When my kids get along. I love to hear them talk to each other.
ReplyDeleteThe smell of a baby's skin; The sound of rain on our tin roof; Sitting in the sun on a cool, brisk day.....
ReplyDeleteRight this minute...Rosie O'Donnell and Mario Cantone in a Master Baking segment on the View making banana bread. It's hysterical. I can't stop laughing. You should look it up. 1/28/15 show
ReplyDeleteSeeing the sun rise at my bedroom window, the sound of the mini daschund ' s feet heading to the door in the morning, my first sip of coffee for the day, any of my children or grandchildren laughing.
ReplyDeleteBeing engrossed in a good book.
ReplyDeleteMy parents. I'm an only child so I'm very close to my parents. I just love seeing them all the time. They're the best.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Jen about finding change in the bottom of the washer and also about quiet. I sit all day in silence because I know when my husband comes home, the tv will be really loud and I won't be able to think. I will add daydreaming to my list too. Not a day goes by where I don't dream of things to do and places to see. Laying on the futon at night is a great way to wind down. I like to look at the stars through the window. I used to love doing this outside in the summer, but the last few years we have had infestations of mosquitoes and I didn't want to be outside. The number one favorite thing of mine are kitty kisses and early morning face washes from Miss Kiki. It makes me feel loved. Oh yea, and helping at the cat rescue when they need me. We haven't had a baby in a long time, but I love bottle feeding. It's probably the only motherly instinct that I have.
ReplyDeletemy children
ReplyDelete-Snuggles with the kids and their sweet voices hollering for "mom" - there will come a time that they won't be so accessible
ReplyDelete-Getting snuggles while reading a great book in a fluffy blanket
Some of my favorite are playing with my granchildren, sunny days and blue skies.
ReplyDeleteBeing with my kids, reading a good book, enjoying a good cup of coffee, smelling the flowers, going on a walk
ReplyDeleteI love the time I get to spend with my oldest daughter since she's a few hours away. Keeping in touch through facebook does help a little but getting hugs is even better. I like having my assortment of teas from NUMI. I really appreciate having some time to read--very relaxing. Getting to the ocean as often as I can is very theraputic. Seeing my grandson smile and laugh is very rewarding.
ReplyDeletebluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
cuddles from husband and kids. i love smelling freshly cut grass and hot chocolate. watching my kids get along. esseboo@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love rainy days and hugs
ReplyDeleteI love when I have free time to do what I love to do most...read. I don't seem to have enough time in the day to do all I need to do much less read. I love to see my adult sons...something that doesn't happen nearly as often as I want. The eldest lives in London, UK and don't get to see him every year or even three years. I love the new baby in my daycare. Babies are so precious.
ReplyDelete1. A really good book that just sucks me in
ReplyDelete2. Spending time with my nieces and nephews, seeing and hearing their smiles and laughter
3. Talking on the phone to one of my best friends who moved to TN; she has a son who will be a year on Friday, when she posts pictures of him on Facebook, just seeing his little face makes my whole day that much brighter
4. Amazing Grace perfume: just smells so yummy and clean
5. Hearing my older sister (who lives in Australia with her hubby) even for only a second
reading a good book
ReplyDeleteReading a good book or spending time with my friends and family
ReplyDeleteSunshine and blue skies, spending time with my wonderful grandchildren and reading. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy yellow lab Cooper who loves to cuddle and keep me warm this winter. I can't live without my Ugg slippers, a good book and my Starbucks!!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say watching the sunset - shaunie
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite things are Reese's peanut butter cups, hugs from my family, and family time in general! DamianMom at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI think lying in bed or on the couch with my daughter watching tv. She is growing up too fast and I will miss the times she will do this automatically. Her head on my shoulder - discussing the TLC show we are watching is priceless!
ReplyDeletefavorite thing in laughing with my 3 sons and my daughter. we might be watching a comedy or telling jokes or just "razzing" nicely on each other.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite things...lazy days with my husband, a warm cup of tea, and spending time in the mountains (snow is an extra bonus!)
ReplyDeleteBeing content on a quiet weekend just reading and listening to music
ReplyDeleteTime spent with my husband whose cancer is now in remission!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better then green tea and a great book!!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses from grand kids, the sound of the waves and watching them crash on shore. Colors of sunrise and sunset.
ReplyDeleteSnuggles with the hubby and/or the puppy!
ReplyDeleteBeing out in the sunshine, especially with all the bad weather lately.
ReplyDeleteHaving lunch with my husband .no matter how busy we are we try to meet for lunch.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite non-material things are the sound of my children's full, true later, and the bittersweet feeling after finishing reading a really good book.
ReplyDeleteNieces and nephews with lots of hugs
ReplyDeleteWell wishes from friends on cute cards with lady bugs
The memories created by spending family time and songs that one happily sings
Oh these are a few of my favorite things!