Maybe it comes with getting a bit older, or more mature, shall we say (it's hard to believe 30 is looming large), but I'm beginning to notice that  there are certain things in this life that I really enjoy.  I've also noticed that most of them are rather prosaic.  That's alright, though--I wouldn't really want my greatest earthly pleasures to be great, extravagant things...hardly achievable or likely to come by.

I derive a sense of calm and accomplishment from a clean and organized home, softly lit, candles burning, Norah Jones humming in the background, and that particular absence of sound that signals a contentedly slumbering baby boy.  Ahh.

Hot tea, and I mean hot, with steam that curls your eyelashes as you hover your lip over the rim of the mug for that first, tentative sip, and the slightly scalding sensation that follows the first swallow.  A good magazine and a piece of really dark chocolate complete this trinity of tranquillity.

Natural fibres, wood, stone, earthy colours and streaming sunlight...slightly imperfect items, repurposed objects, and furniture and household items with history or a good story behind them.  All these combine to create a calming yet energizing environment for me.  I would love to combine them all into my ideal home someday.

Pottery.  Any kind, all kinds, especially mugs, for that really hot tea.

Cooking a good meal, following a recipe using delicious-smelling and fresh, healthy (and preferably organic) ingredients.

There are lots of others, but I will stop there, so as to enjoy my tea whilst it still burns my gizzard.  :)