I love how blogging friends get my mind going.
Last night I was reading a post on Gwen Moss titled, The Sacredness of Ordinary Days, and fell asleep pondering my ordinary (probably boring to most) life.
On Thursday nights, my thoughts always turn to my friend Monica of Prince Snow Farm who does #filledwithjoyfriday on Instagram.
This morning I grabbed the camera and went looking for anything that filled me with joy.
The fact that I have the time to just walk around the house taking pictures fills me me joy.
These Turkish towels fill me with joy, not just because they are lovely, but because they are a recent gift from the wonderful woman who will become my son's mother-in-law in just 50 days.
On a recent trip to Turkey, Vega hunted for towels for me in the bazaar - she says we should go to Istanbul together to shop and bring things home to sell.
My Mother's Day gift from Steve fills me with joy because it keeps me hunting for fun quotes to display - unfortunately this typewriter does not work.
My garden
My garden
from inside or out,
weeds and all, fills me with joy - I should have gardened today, but I chose to be lazy instead.
This young lady fills me with joy because she makes my son smile and
This young lady fills me with joy because she makes my son smile and
 |
| pardon the poor quality of the photo - Aylin texted me this photo of one of the gifts at her "Palm Springs Weekend" |
will share my name in less than 2 months.
What fills you with joy?
What fills you with joy?
Aw thanks for the shout out my friend. I really enjoyed seeing the things that make you joyful and I think my favorite was that beaming picture of your son with his beautiful bride to be!
ReplyDeleteWe have never seen Joshua happier than he is with Aylin. He beams and they are so cute together. We are so lucky that he has taken a job in Santa Barbara and they will be living so close to us. Her parents live just a few blocks from us.
DeleteThis lovely post just filled me with joy, made me feel ready to start a new day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMr & Mrs to be look very happy I'm sure the excitement is building.
A buying trip to Turkey sounds fun.
As always I love your photos inside and out. I enjoyed the quote in the typewriter too.
Have a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady
People like you fill me up.
ReplyDeleteI loved your share on your last post about the same subject, and like you dear friend, the very thought of being alive, to be in a place where I can find beauty in the small things, like my home, the birds outside in our birdhouse, my husband who can't stay still and takes me on walking excursions until both of us can't walk anymore, the SEA and again, FRIENDS.
LOVE YOUR HOUSE, your world. YOU.
Anita
Being in our 'house on the hill' in Greece and turning it into a home fills me with joy. Listening to the birds sing or the sound of the sea against the sand, watching butterflies, doctoring up the stray Tom cat who's adopted us. . they all fill me with joy. As does reading the blogs of friends which makes the world seem very small indeed!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post :) What a lovely soon to be DIL she is!
ReplyDeleteA perfect post to start my day. So inspiring. Being able to find joy in the everyday is a wonderful gift. Blessings to you and your beautiful DIL to-be.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it just change everything when we focus on joy?! Thanks for sharing all your ordinary joy - most of our lives are filled with these. Love your pics, happy for you getting a new pretty family member.
ReplyDeleteMary
Great post. I think it's important to remember the small, simple things in life that fill us with joy. Let's see... what fill's me with joy... my dogs always make me smile and feel joy, working on my fixer upper house and garden, my antique booth space, the list goes on! Thanks for making us remember to slow down and enjoy things.
ReplyDeleteTania
Quiet,sunny, summer weekend mornings when my whole family is home. I like it when all of my birdies are in the nest. Your pretty pics put a smile on my face, too, Carol. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. It's just the beginning in a fabulous new chapter of your life. More smiles for sure! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this post since 'wishing you Joy' is often how I end my blog posts. I want to Instagram but my old phone won't support it. I'm working on getting something better soon. I may join you in the #filledwithjoyfriday! Lovely photos and so fun to just take your camera and look through the lens and snap away!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
Carol,sounds to me that you have sooooo very much that brings you joy daily! I enjoy the photos you take of your gardens. The turkish towel is beautiful! I recently purchased an inexpensive one at TJMaxx to use as a tablecloth! Thanks for taking part in #filledwithjoyfriday. It sure brings a smile to my face each friday when I see all of those photos people post!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking there is much that must fill you with joy. Beauty surrounds you and you enjoy all the small details of it.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I love your comment that having time to walk around the house taking pictures fills you with joy. TIME is the greatest joy of all!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment Carol, your blog fills me with joy. So upbeat and happy! Have a wonderful weekend xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!! The Turkish towels and that typewriter stole my heart!! Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteLovely at your place! Beautiful photos...
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, take care!
Titti
Lovely post, exciting times ahead for you and your family. I also enjoy the little things in life, so important too!
ReplyDeleteJust being outside in nature fills me with joy....along with your flowers!
ReplyDeleteIt's the little things that make us the most joyful. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol, As usual I love your pictures. To me I love your blog...you may think ordinary but to other is very exciting. So glad your son has joy in his heart. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteA simple life fills me with joy! Your posts and colorful home and garden fill me with joy as well. Aylin is a beauty and your son look like he couldn't be more joyful! So happy that they will be living close to you. Have a lovely, joy-filled weekend! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteRecently I attended a Peace Day for Women one-day retreat at the Convent of St. Mary, near Bellevue, WA. The nun in charge devoted the entire session to thinking about and finding the things which bring you joy. I'm so glad that so many things are bringing you joy right now, and hope that your hand has totally healed. Enjoy the wedding in July, and "keep looking up" as PBS says on its astronomy films! :) xoxox
ReplyDeleteLovely post and beautiful photos! Those towels are great, I love the colors. Your home and blog are both so happy, colorful, and joyful!
ReplyDeletexo Sally
Your daughter-in-law-to-be is beautiful and looks really happy, like a bride should be :)
ReplyDeleteYour home brings me joy. My home brings me joy too and so do my dogs... and the boyfriend, the kids, my family, I could go on, but I think blogger would cut me off LOL
Did Steve notice the oar??
xo,
rue
Feel free to use the "Enjoy the Little Things" quote - isn't it priceless! In so many ways!
ReplyDeleteMary
Reading your post filled me with joy; it made me think of all the simple things that I have to be thankful for. Your photos are beautiful. You sound so excited about the upcoming marriage...hope you'll share some photos with us after the Big Day. I have the very same Underwood typewriter as you. I love how you display it with a paper in it...think I'll copy your idea! I also love your blue and white towels. I'd love towels like that but am not sure I can make it to Istanbul!
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying the weekend,
Cheryl @ 22 Applegate Lane
It's a lovely idea to focus on what brings us joy, Carol. One little offering from me are the big, fat peony buds in my garden. They hold the promise of lush beauty very soon!
ReplyDeleteKaren
What a sweet couple and I'm so happy you love your future daughter-in-law already! All your pictures are gorgeous, as usual.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you my friend,
Patti
What a great post! So much happiness surrounds you I can tell you shine so much joy from the inside out too! Oh my goodness, to walk around the house taking pictures fills me with sooooooo much joy! Just taking pictures anywhere is my passion!
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening.
Nancy
LOVE! I enjoyed all of your beautiful garden photos my friend! Your blooms are exploding! And yes it is the little things that bring joy front and center isn't it!!?!??! Your soon to be daughter in law is stunning! I can't wait to see the wedding pictures! What a joy!!! Happy happy weekend!! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteWell, for one thing- reading your blog fills me with joy! Looking over on the sofa and seeing one girl stretched out with her head on sister's lap watching a movie fills me with joy. Watching the 3rd sister sitting in front of the hassock wrapped in a princess blanket also makes me smile. Looking up I see the reflections of leaves through the high windows waving at me from the far kitchen wall...that makes me smile...I could go on all night. Most of us are so blessed if we just look around us. xo Diana
ReplyDeletePretty much the same things: my camera, creativity, blogging, flowers, family and friends. Really, the only thing missing from this beautiful post is cake :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Today, what filled me with joy was: 1. Finding a piece of furniture for a friend that she's been searching for. 2. Doing a photo shoot of my niece's daughter. 3. Refolding and stacking my quilts for display. 4. Fixing dinner for my son. 5. Getting my haircut. I love to find joy in the everyday things of life! Many blessings to you Carol!
ReplyDeleteYour post filled me with joy. Seeing all the beautiful photos you took of the things that fill you with joy made me think about what fills me. One of the things are my little hummers that are always so busy eating when I get up and go through the dining room to the kitchen early in the morning. Or my two sweet dogs that are so excited to see me, even if I am gone for only a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteLooking at my flowers that are growing from seeds. These are just a few of my favorite joys.
Great post, Carol.
Mary
Hi Carol,
ReplyDeleteLove all your found joys. Aylin is gorgeous and she and your son are a beautiful couple. Enjoy all these wonderful days leading up and preparing for the big day. I know you are so excited.
Kris
I love all your beautiful photos!! We have to find joy everyday!!
ReplyDeleteKathy
A day free from reno's fill me with joy lol - but to be honest with you - often the reno's themselves fill me with joy!
ReplyDeleteOur garden is starting to blossom too !
Beautiful pics Carol - I love those Turkish towels - I used to have 2 of them ( almost identical )
Hope you have a great Sunday Mrs. Cook Sr :)
xoxo
Carol, I love the way you live your life. I feel sad for anyone who could think living an authentic life filled with joy is boring.
ReplyDeleteSo many things are bringing me joy right now. Our summer officially begins Tuesday, the front porch, my flowers, an upcoming week long vacation at the beach, an online class I'm taking, the books waiting fir me to read them, the birds chirping, quiet mornings...I could go on forever!
I needed this today Carol! Lately I've been so project focused that I've lost a little "just plain ole Joy" in my day to day goings on. I love the typewriter with the quote! So many pretty photos.
ReplyDeleteMy children give me joy! My husband making me laugh gives me joy. Getting a project done gives me joy. Visiting beautiful blogs like yours gives me and Reminds me of joy :-)
Have a great Sunday my friend!
It's always nice to live life with gratitude! I love that turkish throw that you were gifted. Sounds like your family will be expanding soon! Such an exciting time!
ReplyDeleteThose Turkish towels are perfect. This post made me smile and lifted my spirit. Thank you for sharing you joy. Debbie
ReplyDeleteYour posts fill me with joy. On my bucket joy list is coming to California and walking the beach with you and Leslie!
ReplyDeleteCarol.
ReplyDeleteYour pretty flowers are joyful, your excitement over your now in 49 days Son's wedding is joyful, enjoying your blog is joyful.
I meditate twice daily, it brings balance and harmony into my overactive never rests mind. It enables me to focus on all the simple blessings of joy that I might miss if I didn't take time for meditation. One of my biggest joys is my Grandchildren, truly a precious gift from my son.
xoxo,
Vera
I forgot to mention, I love your Turkish towels. I have many sets, smaller than bath, more hand towel size. Mine are from Turkey by route of West Elm!!! Have a beautiful Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a moving and heartwarming post. It got me thinking about all the things I'm grateful for big and small. If you wouldn't mind I may do this in the near future
ReplyDeleteCindy
Beautiful and touching post Carol. It's always a joy to visit you and leave blessed.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day.
Hugs, CM
Reading about your joy, filled me with joy today Carol! You have so many wonderful things to be thankful for. Loved every photo!
ReplyDeleteLovely post...it's often the ordinary things of our day that gives us lots of joy. However, your life is anything but boring, Carol!!!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Your life definitely isn't boring! I know your life isn't perfect (whose is?) but the parts you share with us are beautiful and charming. I try to find joy everyday, if just in the little things.
ReplyDeleteLove your post!! I try to find the joy in everyday...the good days and the bad days.
ReplyDelete~Cindy
Your life seems happy so it can't be boring. I truly have much in my life that brings me joy :) Hearing my little granddaughter say my nannie is here when I go to their house, feeling her little arms wrap around me in a hug, hearing my older granddaughter talk about something she is interested in, seeing my flowers bloom, so many things, so much joy.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Carol! Your pictures are gorgeous.i love ordinary days with time to potter and craft and create.......family, gardens, seaside walks and making things bring me joy!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Helen xox
I love how you styled your ladder with blues... That made me smile!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the things that bring joy to your life. The Turkish towels are lovely - our daughter and SIL spent some time there and loved the linen towels so much. Enjoy the countdown to the wedding - a gorgeous couple.
ReplyDeleteStopping here for a visit always fills me with joy. Like you, it's the simple things that make me joyful.
ReplyDeleteYour future DIL is lucky to have you as a MIL.
Ah, what a lovely post. I don't think I take enough time to appreciate what fills me with joy. Spending a long weekend at home with my husband fills me with joy.
ReplyDeleteBasically, alot of the same things as you! Growing plants, blooming flowers, pretty bottles, family, beloved pets, pretty material, sunny porches and sandy beaches, salty air, seashells, breakfast in bed, summer rain showers, lilacs, teapots, misty moon, and hydrangeas! Love the turkish towels.....been looking all over for those!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet and happy post about your beautiful surroundings, both inside and out, your lovey daughter-in-law to be, and your charmed existence! Always wonderful to pop in and see what you're up to; thanks for another enchanting visit!
ReplyDeletePoppy
I think it's important to recognize the things that bring us joy...big or small on a regular basis. Life can get a little hectic sometimes and these things sometimes can fade in the background. Love this post Carol. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
❤️Ana
Awesome photos...you always have something to take fab pictures of. Love the pic of the lovebirds. The countdown is going on, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJane x
Thank you for this delightful post on how to live 'mindfully'. It's a gift that can slip away so easily in this busy, complex world.
ReplyDeleteThis year me and husband are doing big projects together around the house and we get a lot of joy when we see the results.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you are snapping pictures, everywhere you turn is filled with beauty. Thanks for sharing your world!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Patti
how exciting to be welcoming a new daughter into the family. she is blessed to getting a beautiful mother in law. Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteOh dear friend, thank you for coming to my blog post! ANd that chair....I found that one in the trash...Oh yes, I think I told you about it! AND the same neighbor who gave up the chair also has an old ladder too! Hmmm.....I must go see if it's still there!
ReplyDeleteYou should see my sailboat. It's ready for the sails. My Ph.D. husband who has to run off to work every morning was standing at the kitchen counter, putting in the last details of the little mast for me.....teeeeehee.....
Off today to go to a computer training class. GRRRR! But on Monday, we are sailing off.....can't wait.
LOVE! Anita
Beautiful post Carol! Like you, so many things fill me with joy. Love what each new day brings! Gorgeous gifts from your future dil's mother. Perfect for you and look darling on your ladder! Can't wait to see photos of the wedding. Such a cute couple. Tomorrow I am sharing my beach themed table with my knotted napkins inspired by you my friend!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
happy your days are so joyful......just reminds us all that the smallest moments can make the biggest impact in some ones day
ReplyDeleteI've said it before and I'll say it again, your house is my all time favorite. I want a house just like it someday, so simply pretty...I get so excited when I see a new blog from you!!!
ReplyDeleteLove love the photo's! Looking at those pictures made me smile
ReplyDeleteas does reading your blog