Award | Diet, Dessert and Dogs

Ten Things that Make Me Happy

So, did you catch all 20 song titles in that last, Waldo-esque post? Today, it’s ten up-front things that make me happy (looks like we’re working in multiples of ten on DDD these days. Ah, if only that applied to the last 10 pounds I want to lose.*sigh*).

Last week, I was honored with a “Happy 101″ award from Johanna over at Green Gourmet Giraffe. Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while will know that I love memes and awards, and used to participate enthusiastically–and immediately–in the early days of this blog.

More recently, well, not so much. It’s not that I don’t still want to participate; it’s just that life is a bit more chaotic these days (so if you gave me an award in the past and I haven’t yet gotten to it. . . I sincerely apologize). This time, I decided I’d better get on this right away before the opportunity passed by.

Johanna listed her items each with a corresponding photo; I decided to emulate her approach. I also loved that the award asks you to list ten things that make you happy. I mean, really, how many of us should be focusing more on that?

Ten Things that Make Me Happy

1) This face:

I love this face. Elsie is one of the sweetest, quietest, calmest and most docile dogs you’ll find (well, except when she meets a previously unknown, white fluffy dog–then she’s the Tasmanian Devil). She is all-around lovable and I adore her. ‘Nuff said.

2) This face:

This face makes me laugh, even when I don’t feel like it. Chaser is a clown and a scamp, and an extremely affectionate girl. Cutie!

3) This face:

[Is it significant that the HH's face comes after Elsie and Chaser's? Naw.] Okay, so my Human Honey is too shy to have his face plastered on my blog. But trust me on this one: despite the thinning hair, despite the lines etching their way into his brow, despite the sarcastic jokes about vegan food, I still love that face. Maybe it’s because we met later in life, but I feel a comforting sense of “home” with this guy. I’ve never been anything but 100% myself with him–and he has always thought that was okay. He’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met and simultaneously the silliest. Happy.

4) Making Things with My Hands

[Detail from a sweater I knit for the HH]

This one’s a bit of a cheat, as it’s a huge category that encompasses cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, drawing, pottery, even gardening. But there’s something supremely gratifying about creating an item that didn’t exist before by combining your own efforts and raw materials. Don’t you all feel that way about creativity in the kitchen?

5) Wacky earrings.

[An 80s-era selection of my no-longer-worn favorites, clockwise from 12:00: gaudy plastic white loops (my mum would be proud); papier mâché jewel (for those Stone-Age glam parties); geometric wire (or, as a colleague once called them, "gerbil wheels"); pearls from my wedding to the Starter Husband (never worn since); fishies (the only pair I still like); "The Viking Shield"; paper accordion; and hot pink beaded.]

More than shoes, which were never my thing; more than clothes, which sometimes fit and sometimes don’t, I love earrings. Earrings are never too small (and, as you’ll see, many are now too big) to fit; they brighten up an outfit without breaking the bank; and you can collect lots of them, which enables you to wear something different every day. My mum used to don really gaudy earrings even into her 50s, and I see I’m following in her earlobes.

6) Lifelong friends and friends that are dear to me.

[A sketch I did of Georgia O'Keefe]

As it turns out, my dear friends Gemini I and Gemini II have known me since we were about 4 years old–that is, before my younger sister was born (eat your hearts out, Oprah and Gayle!). Of course I love friends who may not have been in my life more than 4 decades (!), too, but a shared history that extends through most of one’s life is something that truly makes me marvel and feel joyful. And the best part is that, even if I met them for the first time today, I’d still like them.

7) Writing.

I’m one of those people who’s more comfortable writing than speaking when I need to communicate with someone else. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t writing, from comic books on paper towels as a child (paper towels were much sturdier when I was a kid) to short stories to articles to books in my more recent past. In fact, I’ve often joked that I’m better on paper than in person! When everything clicks and the words emerge the way I envision; when I’ve spent a couple of hours writing and it feels as if maybe 10 minutes have elapsed; when the language seems to sing of its own accord, and I’m merely a conduit for that melody–well, then, I sit back, re-read, and feel awash with happiness. (And getting paid for my writing? Bonus.)

8) Chocolate.

I couldn’t very well write about things that make me happy without this one, could I? Chocolate was my first true love, before the HH. Unlike the HH, however, my relationship with chocolate has remained tumultuous. As I remain on the ACD and discover that yes, a healthy lifestyle can be sweet (and include the occasional cacao-based treat), well, maybe the serotonin-based happiness will last longer than it takes to melt a square of Lindt 70% on the tongue.

9) Walking under, beside, or near trees.

[Leaf detail on a handmade vase]

Some people are ocean people; others are forest people. I’m in the second camp (even though, oddly, I don’t like camping). Taking the dogs for a long walk through the foresty trails near our house; walking along the woodsy areas up north when the HH and I take off for a summer weekend; exploring the green spaces scattered across Toronto; all bring a smile to my face.

10) Comments on my blog and the readers who leave them.

Yes, it’s cliché to mention this, but I will reiterate anyway: you, dear readers, bring untold happiness into my life. I am eternally startled and delighted to find that anyone reads my blog at all; but spying a new comment on my blog really makes my day shine and my countenance brighten. I love hearing from you and knowing that you’re out there reading. Thank you! (And all you lurkers out there–and you know who you are!–now’s your chance. Leave a comment and make me really happy!)

Okay, now the fun part. Here are the rules:

1. Copy the award image into a post
2. Then list 10 things that make you happy
3. Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day
4. Put in a link to their blogs
5. Notify the award receivers
6. Award recipients must link back to sender’s blogI’m supposed to pass this along to 10 bloggers. Let me begin by saying that there are WAY more than 10 other blogs I’d like to include in this list, so know that every blog I read is one I love and one that makes me happy.

In order to restrict the list to only ten, I decided to choose blogs I’ve not mentioned before, or those I’ve just recently discovered (with one exception).

My Ten Happy Blogs:

1) Green Gourmet Giraffe. It makes sense that I love Johanna’s blog, too; I’ve been reading her blog as long as I’ve been writing my own. I’m delighted whenever I see a new post from her in my Google Reader, as I know I’ll be treated to her detailed descriptions, engaging prose, and entertaining anecdotes. Johanna is also daring in her approach to cooking and baking (check out her novelty cakes) and is always willing to try something new. With a new baby on board, she still manages to blog regularly. And she hails from Melbourne, a happy-making fact for this Antipodes-loving gal.

2) Oh She Glows: I found Angela’s blog after she linked to a recipe on mine–and was so happy she did! Angela’s boundless energy and optimism are infectious. Her upbeat, entertaining posts chronicle her quest for health and fitness and her trials and victories running a new bakery. She also includes lots of quick and easy recipes. It’s easy to see why hers is such a popular blog!

3) Affairs of Living: I was thrilled to find Kim’ s blog when I first started the ACD (misery loves company, I suppose!). In addition to her anti-candida regime, Kim was also recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, so her diet poses specific challenges. And yet she manages to create delicious, innovative foods, many of them vegan, that appeal to everyone. All this, and she does it with good humor and vitality (and just the occasional resemblance to Mary Tyler Moore).

4) Vegan Epicurean: Alicia’s blog is one of my favorite new finds this year. I have no idea how she manages to run a household and spend time with family AND post as often as she does, but somehow, the posts keep coming! Her recipes are amazingly creative yet leave you with the sense that they are also eminently doable. This woman knows her way around a kitchen and whips up a bunch of interesting dishes Every. Single. Day.

5) Happyveganface: The name says it all. Read Jessy’s blog, and you’ll be happyfaced, too. In addition to killer recipes (all of them gluten-free in recent days), the most amazing burgers, reports on running and CSAs, and her own quirky vocabulary, Jessy’s writing is upbeat, positive and all-around adorable.

6) Manifest: Vegan: I’ve only recently started reading Allyson’s blog, and already am in awe of her gorgeous photography and creative ingredient combinations. This is a great blog for drool-worthy photos and recipes.

7) Veganize it. . . Don’t Criticize It!: Jenn’s skill at veganizing typical omni fare is unparalleled. Looking at her photos, you’ll think you’re reading a menu at some upscale restaurant in LA or New York or London–and you’ll want to order it all! She’s been cooking up a storm in anticipation of her upcoming wedding. And she’s mighty amusing, too.

8 ) Voracious Vegan: Tasha’s passion for baking, cooking, and her life on a US compound in Saudi Arabia comes through in every post she writes. I’ve learned a lot about the customs and culture over there (as well as her pack of dogs and her horses) through her posts–and picked up some great recipes, along the way, of course. She also runs her own bakery!

9) Cooking Candida-Free Leah is another candida-survivor who makes the most of the “permitted” ingredients on the ACD , with creative takes on conventional recipes and original experiments as well. Although we cook with different ingredients (she’s an omnivore), many of her dishes are easily adaptable to my diet (such as a recent cornbread, for instance–yum!).

10) Making Love in the Kitchen: A fellow holistic nutritionist with a passion for helping people get healthy, Megan’s blog is fun to read–period. Another blogger recently referred to her as ”the cutest nutritionist ever,” and one read of her playful, upbeat blog, and you’ll see why. Oh, and she posts recipes for healthy cookies!

I hope the bloggers I mention here don’t feel compelled to participate, as I know how hectic life can be! But I do hope you check out some of these on the list and bring a little extra happiness to your own life today.

And speaking of Happy. . . Happy No Rooz (Persian New Year) to those who celebrate!