Subscribe to Pleasure in Simple Things via RSS ReaderFollow Pleasure in Simple Things on InstagramFollow @InSimpleThings on TwitterLike Pleasure In Simple Things on FacebookFollow Pleasure In Simple Things on PinterestEmail Jackie

missing the candles

August 29, 2020

sized spoonful of chocolate terrarium

Yes, I hate Covid-19.  Like everyone else, I miss the normalcy of everyday living.

Never did it become clearer than celebrating my birthday week.

Just losing the simple opportunity of blowing out birthday candles was upsetting!  An official birthday celebration certainly does not seem complete without candles!

sized eating chocolate terrarium

Chocolate Terrarium served at Terrain Café in Westport – a birthday cake substitute with finesse!  Soft milk chocolate ganache, dark chocolate mousse, matcha morsels, and dark chocolate cake.

Everyone that has had a birthday since isolation began knows what I am talking about.  You try to make your birthday as normal as possible and then comes time for cake…and, of course, in the current climate, candle blowing is out of the question!

So, no candles this year.

chocolate terrarium from side

Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you many years ahead of candle blowing!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things (you never know when they may be gone), Jackie

no comments

prayers for big basin

August 21, 2020

redwood tribute

Today I am posting a little tribute to California’s oldest state park.

A raging wildfire has inflicted serious damage to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.  Sending prayers for the well-being of this magnificent park and to all in California suffering from the devastation of the fires.

Click here to see more of the park.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a fabulous weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things,  Jackie

no comments

best read summer 2020

August 14, 2020

daisy and the six open book

My favorite book this summer has been Daisy Jones & The Six. Not that I am wishing summer away! Wait, let me restate that – My favorite book this summer so far has been Daisy Jones & The Six.

daisy jones and the six on the rocks

This novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid blew me away. I guess I am late to the party on this one since I found out that Amazon is already making the book into a miniseries. It will make a fabulous miniseries! I urge you to read it now so you can enjoy the book as written before watching anything inspired by it on the screen.

The book is unique and fun and impossible to put down! If you have never read a book in one sitting, this one may be your first!

daisy jones and the six beach

Although the book is fiction, it is presented in a documentary style and would be very easy to believe as a documentary – with true-life images, complex characters, and fascinating detail. The story follows the formation of a (fictional) famous band (Daisy Jones & The Six) and the lives of its members during the 1970’s.

The life of the band happens while the reader follows the music scene in Los Angeles during the 1970’s – so fun!

daisy and the six rocks

Background interviews with the band members are included as well as the lyrics to the band’s songs!

This book makes me want to read everything Taylor Jenkins Reid has ever written – and I will!

daisy jones the six in the weeds

Do yourself a favor and buy a copy. Don’t take it out from the library – the waiting list is probably way too long anyway! But you will want to own a copy so you can loan it out to all your friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Take pleasure in simple things – like reading a fabulous book!
xo Jackie

no comments

storm isaias

August 7, 2020

isaias

I found an easy way to make good on my promise to change up my perspective at least once a week.  Walking around outside and checking out Storm Isaias, up close and personal, accomplished my perspective change for the week!

coast Isaias

Looking back, it probably wasn’t the best idea that It just so happened I was checking it out while a tornado warning was in effect!  But, I’m glad I did.  The coastline was so beautiful to watch during the storm!

sea wall at Isaias

Our area of the state – the southwest – was hit especially hard.  Connecticut received a significant amount of the strongest winds from the storm – wind gusts in my town reached 68 mph – which was why I had trouble standing up when I tried to take photos and was only able to take a few!  Watching the rage of the storm and getting soaked by the sea spray was actually invigorating – and the beauty of nature was awe-inspiring.

dock at isaias

The storm rated in the top three in the history of our state in terms of power outages (probably at least through the weekend),  It was bad enough so many people were already confined to their homes because of COVID-19, but now many need to leave to seek out a shower, a charging station, or a hot meal – if a store or a restaurant nearby has power and is open!  Or, if the roads on the way aren’t blocked by trees!  Most traffic lights are out, so that poses a hazard as well!

I found a Target open today and the store was operating on what I would guess was ‘generator mode.’  The lighting was barely bright enough to see and the produce area and freezers were empty.

riding the storm

I hope you are faring well if you are in one of the towns in Isaias’s path.

2020 just keeps getting more challenging!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

no comments