Thankful for the Little Things by Carol Ross & Amy Vastine






It’s almost impossible this time of year to NOT be thankful. Even when the stress of the holidays starts to weigh on us, we’re still grateful for our family, friends, pets, and our health. Incredibly so. But, really, we’re pretty thankful for those “big” things all the time, right? But what about the little things, the maybe somewhat silly things, we might not spend a lot of time thinking about? Today, Amy and I are taking gratefulness to the extreme. Because sometimes it is the little things.


Amy is super thankful for…

Google. Whether I'm researching what guest ranches are like in Montana or looking up a recipe for pork chops that my children might actually eat or watching lessons on US History in 1828 to help my daughter study for her AP US History quiz, Google is my saving grace. If it wasn't for Google, I don't know how I would survive the crazy demands of my day-to-day life. How did my mom and all the moms before her do life before Google? I am glad to never have to know!


Dryer balls. Winter is approaching in Chicago and that means one thing in my family ... dry skin. My kids all have sensitive skin that's prone to bouts of red and itch splotches especially during this time when we heat pouring through the vents. I learned a long time ago that fabric softeners and the residue left behind by dryer sheets only makes it worse for them. Thankfully, there are dryer balls. Not only do they eliminate my need for a dryer sheet, they also help my clothes dry faster! They naturally soften and fluff up my laundry and reduce static cling. What could be better? Someone else could do my laundry for me. Yep. THAT would make me extremely grateful! But for now, I will simply be thankful for something that makes laundry take up a little less of my time and keeps my kids feeling fine. 


Carol is extra grateful for…



Aglets! In case (like me) you didn’t realize this remarkable invention had a name, an aglet is the casing on the end of your shoelace. It’s one of those things you might not think about until it wears off and then you have to figure out a way to shove the unraveling end of the lace through the eyelets on your shoes while you sweat and curse and wonder why you weren’t more grateful for them in the first place. Wikipedia told me that some version of the aglet has been in use since Roman times and Shakespeare even referenced them in Taming of the Shrew. But in the 1790’s a man named Harvey Kennedy made a couple of million dollars on a modern version of the shoelace...with aglets. Thanks, Harvey! You the man.



My citrus juicer. Since I’m gearing up to make Thanksgiving dinner for 20-some guests, cooking is on my mind. I love to cook. And I have a confession to make; I have a weakness for kitchen gadgets. Do they always turn out to be as cool as I think they’ll be? Um, no. (One of these days I’m going to use that tortilla press, I swear!) But every time I use my citrus juicer, I’m awed by its simple efficiency. Seriously. If you use a lot of fresh lemon or lime juice, I highly recommend one of these little beauties.

It doesn’t matter how small or seemingly insignificant or possibly silly you think it is, we want to know what matters to you. What little things are you thankful for?



Comments

  1. I completely agree with all of your favourite ‘little’ things, Carol and Amy, especially Google which reveals a world of information at a keystroke. I’m not a proficient tech user, but I’ve come to love texting and instant messaging as a quick way to be in touch with my family members. I just became a grandmother a few weeks ago and love my daily ‘fix’ of a photo and caption about how my wee granddaughter is doing.

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    1. That's so sweet, Janice! Congratulations on the addition to your family. Being able to stay connected is such a gift thanks to technology.

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    1. Thanks, Liz! You are so great about being grateful. I love following your Facebook posts in November!

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    2. Thank you for giving me today's!

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  3. I'm with you on the little things--I'm pretty grateful for my garlic press! Not that Google is little--it has such a big place in my life I catch myself taking it for granted. Thanks.

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    1. I also have a huge fondness for my avocado slicer and de-pitter (is that a word?) Funny how little gadgets make us so happy!

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    1. Hey, no judgements here!! If you want to be thankful for wine - you go right ahead! :)

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  5. Ooh, yes, the avocado slicer! Love how the edge scoops out the center. But I have to give a shout out to my crockpot too. A writer’s best friend.

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  6. Crockpots, yes! And while we're on the topic of kitchen gadgets, I have a favorite little paring knife that's my trusty companion through all my culinary adventures.

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  7. All those things. My instant pot is my newest favorite thing, because I can saute the onions or brown the meat and then cook under pressure in no time. Thankful indeed.

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  8. Internet, without which I wouldn't be reading this great blog!

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  9. I have always enjoyed thinking about the little things too. Indoor plumbing (well, not so little maybe), chocolate, pizza, soda water, a cat's purr (I lost one of mine recently and miss her so much), the scent of vanilla, spiced cider in the fall, and much more. I'm going to have to look for one of those citrus gadgets, so if I can find it I'll add it and your info to the list!

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  10. I'm grateful for all the little pretty things. Like my recipe box from Rifle Paper Company and the gorgeous recipe cards that come with it. I love writing my favorite recipes down (it's kind of relaxing) an having them so easily accessible later on!

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