Year of Pleasures

Upon the recommendation of my friend Dana, I read Elizabeth Berg's The Year of Pleasures this week. I finished it last night, and I really enjoyed it.

Berg is a writer like no other. She has a way of describing that is wonderful and unique. One of my favorite phrases is "sausage-and-egg voice." I mean, really. That's just awesome.

I think finding the pleasure and joy in everyday life is what we should all be doing, every day.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

My friend Dana is always good for a book recommendation. This latest one is no exception. I picked up my own copy of Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project yesterday and I'm engrossed in it already.

I completely identify with the author's position: I'm generally a happy person, but I could be more appreciative and happier in general. She says, "I'm happy, but not as happy as I should be."

I have blessings galore, but often feel an emotional sort of malaise. I don't know if I'm just a malcontent, or a latent pessimist, or what my problem is.

Hence, this book and this project.

Yesterday I purchased the book after spending time wandering around Barnes & Noble (a happy time for me). Then my youngest daughter and I went to Joann's craft store and wandered around. I ended up finding yarn on sale--it's from the Debbie Stoller (of Stitch & Bitch fame) line. I also found a free crochet pattern for a striped scarf, and I decided to make it with the two instead of the four colors. I'm not really a crocheter, but since I thought it might be faster than knitting, I went ahead and started it yesterday.

One thing that also makes me happy is starting new projects. My problem generally comes in the middle, when I can't see the end and get discouraged. But finishing things also makes me happy, so let's see if we can figure out the happies in the middle of things.