It's the little things that count.

Calling her on her Birthday.
Roses in colors other than red.
The way a fresh-baked cookie bends when you pick it up.
Roasted marshmallows that aren’t quite burned.
Fires that crackle.
When a dog lays it’s head on it’s paws and looks up at you.
Seeing someone enjoy a present that you gave to them.
Tasting the food before seasoning it.
The wine she likes, not the one that is supposed to go with the food.
Milk mustaches.
Leaving work 15 minutes early, and not getting in trouble for it.
Flat rocks for skipping across water.
Fixing the dripping faucet that she’s been complaining about.
The patterns on a just-vaccuumed carpet.
Walking through snow that no one else has ever touched.
Hearing your lover say, “again”.
Crickets chirping when camping.

These are some of my favorite things. For the holidays coming, and the year to come, I wish you all of these things and more.

Brian

always knew you were a fucking softee.

eeeewww

ack!

it’s contagious
getitoffgetitoffgetitoff!!!
fuck

the fog in the morning
the sound of waves against the cliffs
the way she smells
lying in the grass, staring at white clouds
really good chocolate

Hearing him laugh at the really stupid joke I just told

Hearing a man whom I think is attractive tell me he thinks the same about me

Finding the perfect skirt in my size on sale

Flipping channels and finding a great movie that I haven’t seen in ages

Robin

Having your back scratched (or rubbed) without asking

Being smiled at for no particular reason

A sincere compliment or thank you

For the owner of a SUV, you sure know a lot about the little things Mister Cyn!

The smell of a puppy

The pop of a Champagne cork

The smile of your lover when you get home

Sunrise or sunset, when you watch the whole thing

Your favorite childhood comfort food

Taking off your pack after a long hike

A hummingbird that flies near you

Finding a really beautiful feather

The call of a mature mockingbird

Superb service at a restaurant

Finding a childhood book in perfect condition

Getting a parking space with time on the meter

Finding change in the slot

Digging your toes into warm sand

Sinking into a warm bath

The first sip of fresh brewed coffee on Saturday morning

Having room for dessert

The wine you ordered is excellent

and lastly;

Praise from the praiseworthy

Effing good thread for a Cynical man!

I echo Zenster: praise from the praiseworthy
Having the beach to yourself at 6am, when the only tracks in the sand belong to the birds
The sound of the waves crashing, the smell of the salt water, and the coolness of the morning breezes
Hearing a song you loved as a child
Having a cool boss you get along with
Waking up refreshed and in a good mood
Knowing a letter or e-mail from a friend is waiting for you
The tiny little leaves on my red Japanese maple

Happy holidays, everybody!

The way a cup of hot chocolate warms your hands when you come in from the cold.

Candy canes…the fresh ones from Christmas…not the old ones that are still hanging around in April.

Waking up early, only to realize it’s Saturday, and going back to sleep.

Coming home with intentions of doing the dishes, only to find my husband has done them already. (Okay, that one’s more like a fantasy.)

Happy holidays! See you all when I get back from NY.

Rose

The smell of freshly cut grass

A call from an old friend

Seeing a shooting star

Finding a dollar on the sidewalk

A hot cup of tea waiting for you when you get up

The way the world smells after the rain

That delicious drowsy-warm feeling after you hit the snooze button and snuggle down into the covers

Flowers for no reason, other than to say “I was thinking of you today”

Watching squirrels chase one another in the yard.

Seeing a herd of deer in a field

The way the world seems to hush after a snowfall

The kindness of strangers

Thousands of brilliant stars on a black sky

The smell of a new book

Finishing a cross-word puzzle

Making someone smile

the smell of coffee in the morning
the sound of falling rain
the way fall smells, and how the leaves crunch underfoot
that total silence after the first snowfall
his shirt, which still smells like him
the sheer exuberant joy of a child
hugs where both of your hearts beat together
that one singular moment
that musty, old-book smell
moonlight
tears of joy