Random “Happy” Things…

Sometimes it really is the “little” things that help make life bearable.  You know what I mean?  We get so much bad news from the media, that we don’t always stop and acknowledge the small, but important, things that make us feel a little better about everything, so that’s what I’ve decided to do here.  Here are some of my recent “happy” things:

1) My Christmas cornflake wreath – Now this may not look all that appetizing to you, but, believe me, it tastes wonderful!  I only make it at Christmas time because it’s so addictive that I have trouble not eating it all in one sitting!  It’s made of cornflakes, melted marshmallows, vanilla, margarine, food coloring and has red hots for “berries.”  The cornflakes keep it from being sickeningly sweet and it truly is yummy.  The other reason I only make it once a year is that it’s impossible to make without getting your hands covered in melted marshmallows (at which time the phone invariably rings!) and it’s a pain cleaning up the sticky bowl and utensils afterward.  But it is so worth it!   I love pulling little pieces off, assuring myself that the cornflakes make it a health food!  I mean, come on!  Corn is a vegetable, right?

2) My new paper man – I’ve written several posts about my sporadic newspaper delivery and how much it annoys me.  The previous guy would drive by my house at ninety miles an hour, fling the paper out the passenger window and, if it landed within four houses of mine, call it good.  More than once he actually just dropped it in the street by the curb! So the last time I complained, I mentioned that I might as well cancel because I never knew whether or not I’d even get a paper!  Well, miracle of miracles, a few days ago I got a call from the district manager telling me that she had fired that guy.  Apparently, my complaints were not the only ones.  She said she had hired a new guy who really was intent on doing a good job.    The first couple of days, I glanced out my upstairs window, looking to see if I could spot the paper and felt dismayed when I couldn’t.  But, when I opened the front door, there was the paper!  Right on my front doorstep! No wonder I couldn’t see it!  That has never happened before.  What a luxury!  And today I heard him throw it, then heard his car stop.  I peeked out the window and he had actually gotten out of the car to throw it closer!  I love this guy. I wonder if he’s married.

3) My new discovery – Every year at Christmas, one of the things my little sister used to get me as a treat, was a bag of chocolate truffles, which I love.  But, since that won’t be happening this year, I decided to get some for myself under my new “Be-nice-to-Star” policy.  However I couldn’t find the brand she usually gets.

So I bought these.  They’re made by Lindt and they’re called “Lindor Truffles – 60% Extra Dark Chocolate Shell with a Smooth Filling.”  I love dark chocolate, but was worried because I had never had this brand before.  Well, I’ve done a taste test, (okay, two…or maybe three, to be scientific,) and I just have five words to describe them:  BEST. CHOCOLATES. IN. THE. WORLD! I am so serious about this!  That first taste, dare I say, your virgin taste of one of these truffles will send you into a state of ecstasy, so you’d better be sure you’re sitting down!  I mean, oh my gosh!  The earth moved, okay?   To say they’re good is just simply inadequate.  If everyone in the world could eat these truffles, there would be no war…enough said.

So, there you have it!  Three small, but very happy things that have lately made my world a little nicer place to be.  What three things have put a smile on your face lately?  I’d be interested in your comments!

And meanwhile…I WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!