In Praise of the Ham Sandwich and Other Simple Pleasures

[tickledkitty]

I just made myself a ham sandwich for lunch. It wasn't large or loaded with extras--just a bakery bun with a couple slices of deli ham, a slice of swiss cheese, a few pickle slices, and a dab of mayo. Nothing special but surprisingly good. Just right. Just an every day sandwich and a glass of iced tea that made me happy for some reason.

It may be because I haven't been feeling very well for a few weeks and am finally feeling better today. Maybe it's because I feel emotionally together today. Maybe it's a combination of things. Whatever...I'll take it.

So, tell me...what are some of your "simple pleasures"? What little things do you do for just for yourself that make you happy?

 

[JagFarlane]

Fried eggs with a lightly toasted bagel to mop up the yolk. Its just something simple to make up, tastes oh so good, and is definatly nice and filling.

 

[tickledkitty]

BTW, this doesn't have to be about food. It could be anything that you do for YOU.

 

[CharleyH]

I just made myself a ham sandwich for lunch. It wasn't large or loaded with extras--just a bakery bun with a couple slices of deli ham, a slice of swiss cheese, a few pickle slices, and a dab of mayo. Nothing special but surprisingly good. Just right. Just an every day sandwich and a glass of iced tea that made me happy for some reason.

It may be because I haven't been feeling very well for a few weeks and am finally feeling better today. Maybe it's because I feel emotionally together today. Maybe it's a combination of things. Whatever...I'll take it.

So, tell me...what are some of your "simple pleasures"? What little things do you do for just for yourself that make you happy?

Interesting post. I do lots for myself, but I have not had a bubble bath, complete with incense and candles in a very long while. I think I am due. Question is who cleans the tub?

 

[tickledkitty]

Interesting post. I do lots for myself, but I have not had a bubble bath, complete with incense and candles in a very long while. I think I am due. Question is who cleans the tub?

Funny. I was thinking along those lines myself. Most of the time a bath or shower are just part of your daily routine, but sometimes they can feel extra good. Almost restorative.

Oh, I have another one. I love to get my hair cut. I always feel so good afterward. Partly because my hairdresser is a good friend. We laugh together and share each other's gossip. It's also about how I feel about myself. I go into the salon as my old, drab self and emerge as a shiny new me.

 

[CharleyH]

Funny. I was thinking along those lines myself. Most of the time a bath or shower are just part of your daily routine, but sometimes they can feel extra good. Almost restorative.

Oh, I have another one. I love to get my hair cut. I always feel so good afterward. Partly because my hairdresser is a good friend. We laugh together and share each other's gossip. It's also about how I feel about myself. I go into the salon as my old, drab self and emerge as a shiny new me.

It's a great ask TK. I really do not know how to relax anymore. I always shower and a bath is not only relaxing, but with a lover? Mmm. A hair cut makes me feel free, yet lets get back to food? Indulging. I am a woman who hates chocolate, but give me carpaccio? ROWR!

 

[S-Des]

I'm reading this as I eat my own ham sandwich.

I used to write as a way to do something for myself, but haven't had the time or energy lately. At the moment, a day with nothing to do but lay around seems to be the best I've got (although I am going to do more golfing this year).

 

[tickledkitty]

It's a great ask TK. I really do not know how to relax anymore. I always shower and a bath is not only relaxing, but with a lover? Mmm. A hair cut makes me feel free, yet lets get back to food? Indulging. I am a woman who hates chocolate, but give me carpaccio? ROWR!

Wow. I've only known one other person who hates chocolate besides myself. People think it's weird, don't they?

 

[JagFarlane]

BTW, this doesn't have to be about food. It could be anything that you do for YOU.

-chuckles- well I was serious bout the fried eggs.

I also like to just go to the range and drop a couple hundred rounds...relieves so much stress

 

[tickledkitty]

I'm reading this as I eat my own ham sandwich.

I used to write as a way to do something for myself, but haven't had the time or energy lately. At the moment, a day with nothing to do but lay around seems to be the best I've got (although I am going to do more golfing this year).

I love those "lay around" days too, when my kid is with the grandparents and I have the house to myself all day. I seriously value my alone time.

 

[glynndah]

Fresh sheets just in drying in the sunshine. I have an Irish linen set from my grandmother's hope chest. I've been saving them, but perhaps today's a special enough occasion to put them on my bed.

 

[CharleyH]

Wow. I've only known one other person who hates chocolate besides myself. People think it's weird, don't they?

I've never pretended not to be odd. SALT! Mmm.

 

[jomar]

Reading the OP my immediate thought was chips and salsa. And all the better if the the salsa is chilled.

 

[S-Des]

I love those "lay around" days too, when my kid is with the grandparents and I have the house to myself all day. I seriously value my alone time.

With me, I'd rather do something with my daughter for "my" day. Being a single father, I don't get to spend that much time with her, so it's easily my favorite thing to do. I'll do the alone time if she's with her mom, but it's not my first choice.

 

[Recidiva]

I love this. I've been working on consciously enjoying my day responsibly and not sweating the small stuff.

Lunch today was homemade Tom Yam soup with lemongrass and cilantro from my garden. Mango relish - I discovered a love for ripe mango today, I must have had crappy mango up to this point. A little iceberg salad with shredded carrot, homemade dressing from peanut sauce and coconut milk.

And I had a craving for chocolate I just didn't think would be cured by what was in the house, so while I had to run some errands, I picked up a childhood favorite. Breyers Rocky Road.

Every little craving corner of my brain is satisfied, leaving an afterglow of satisfied yum.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

A cold beer after a hot day in the garden.

Having Mama just reach for the lube with a grin and say "A quickie all right?" She thinks they're fun, too, I hope, but it's really about me.

peanut butter on hot, toasted sourdough.

tuna spaghetti

rocking chair on the front porch in the early morning with coffee.

Lots of things, just lots.

 

[tickledkitty]

Fresh sheets just in drying in the sunshine. I have an Irish linen set from my grandmother's hope chest. I've been saving them, but perhaps today's a special enough occasion to put them on my bed.

You're special enough all on your own for Irish linen, glynndah. What if that special occasion never comes?

 

[tickledkitty]

Reading the OP my immediate thought was chips and salsa. And all the better if the the salsa is chilled.

Warm chips and homemade salsa from the Mexican restaurant down the street. Yeah, baby.

With me, I'd rather do something with my daughter for "my" day. Being a single father, I don't get to spend that much time with her, so it's easily my favorite thing to do. I'll do the alone time if she's with her mom, but it's not my first choice.

I'm sure if I didn't have my girlie all the time, I'd feel the same way. Maybe it's a matter of giving more value to what we have less of. I think it's good for her to get away from me once in a while too.

tuna spaghetti

I love tuna. What kind of sauce?

 

[DesertPirate]

Sitting on the bank of a stream/pond/lake/river with a fishing line in the water. Not fishing per say, just thinking.

 

[CharleyH]

I love this. I've been working on consciously enjoying my day responsibly and not sweating the small stuff.

Lunch today was homemade Tom Yam soup with lemongrass and cilantro from my garden. Mango relish - I discovered a love for ripe mango today, I must have had crappy mango up to this point. A little iceberg salad with shredded carrot, homemade dressing from peanut sauce and coconut milk.

And I had a craving for chocolate I just didn't think would be cured by what was in the house, so while I had to run some errands, I picked up a childhood favorite. Breyers Rocky Road.

Every little craving corner of my brain is satisfied, leaving an afterglow of satisfied yum.

Damn you! I am allergic to lemongrass, but cilantro? Try a whitefish pressed in roasted sesame seeds, a side salsa with cilantro, lime pulp/ juice (touch of lemon and orange juice) and finely chopped Jalepeno peppers, onions and tomatoes, and a touch of papaya. Beautiful!

 

[tickledkitty]

I love this. I've been working on consciously enjoying my day responsibly and not sweating the small stuff.

Lunch today was homemade Tom Yam soup with lemongrass and cilantro from my garden. Mango relish - I discovered a love for ripe mango today, I must have had crappy mango up to this point. A little iceberg salad with shredded carrot, homemade dressing from peanut sauce and coconut milk.

And I had a craving for chocolate I just didn't think would be cured by what was in the house, so while I had to run some errands, I picked up a childhood favorite. Breyers Rocky Road.

Every little craving corner of my brain is satisfied, leaving an afterglow of satisfied yum.

I really like the way you said this. It's very fresh, and I like the idea of peace and physical and mental health, even though you didn't really say that. You said a lot about yourself just by describing your lunch.

As I made the first post, I was thinking about how I would describe what I was feeling, and that's what my motivation was for the thread, aside from the obvious feel-good aspect. I seem to be doing that a lot--thinking about how I'd write my experiences as they're happening.

 

[Recidiva]

Damn you! I am allergic to lemongrass, but cilantro? Try a whitefish pressed in roasted sesame seeds, a side salsa with cilantro, lime pulp/ juice (touch of lemon and orange juice) and finely chopped Jalepeno peppers, onions and tomatoes, and a touch of papaya. Beautiful!

Oh, that sounds yummy. I have some nice tilapia and all that stuff - bought some yuzu juice and I want to use up the bottle.

I think heaven smells like cilantro.

 

[Recidiva]

I really like the way you said this. It's very fresh, and I like the idea of peace and physical and mental health, even though you didn't really say that. You said a lot about yourself just by describing your lunch.

As I made the first post, I was thinking about how I would describe what I was feeling, and that's what my motivation was for the thread, aside from the obvious feel-good aspect. I seem to be doing that a lot--thinking about how I'd write my experiences as they're happening.

Yes, for me it's about balance.

If I think I can have everything, I overeat and then get apathetic because my taste buds are entirely destroyed. I end up eating hypersalty and hypersweet out of a bag.

I'm working on my patience with food this year, taking the time to make good things, new things, and stuff I really want. Just...eating less of it

Over time I build better habits and remember to add a little bitter and hot into the mix. And still splurge every now and again when the back of my brain MUST HAVE.

 

[JagFarlane]

Lunch today was homemade Tom Yam soup with lemongrass and cilantro from my garden. Mango relish - I discovered a love for ripe mango today, I must have had crappy mango up to this point. A little iceberg salad with shredded carrot, homemade dressing from peanut sauce and coconut milk.

-chuckles- reminds me of sitting at the Ernest Hemingway Restaurant in Antigua. They served some awesome mango daiquiris.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

For the most part? Nothing.

I rarely get time to myself. However d(not so dear)h has been forewarned that for my birthday, I am going to use the money I get from my parents to go see Indiana Jones.