Enjoyment of Simple Pleasures---like homemade yogurt

Blessed Mama here, I am excited, excited, excited. Today, for the very first time, we made our very own homemade yogurt! I haven't figured up the savings yet, but it is significant. Best of all, because we made it ourselves, there aren't any nasty additives or other artificial "yuck" in it. We will be posting the recipe and instructions in a future post. The entire process was extremely easy too. It was a bit time consuming, but that could be due to the fact this was the first time we had ever done this sort of thing. Next time will probably move along more quickly. We'll keep you posted:) No pun intended. For quite a while now, I have been seriously considering what Living Large really means. Today's Tuesday Task is a direct result of my thinking. It is enjoying the simplest of pleasures. 

Several years ago I began to notice that the sweetest and dearest memories from my childhood have little, if anything, to do with money or possessions. My fondest recollections of youth revolve almost exclusively around those little things that form a bigger picture like smells, sounds, impressions, and feelings. The smell of freshly mown grass. The cool breeze from wet clothes on the line. The contrast of white bedding as it blows dry against the crisp green of the lawn. Morning symphonies from the birds. Squeals of children running through the sprinkler. The wonderful feeling of exhaustion after an afternoon of swimming in the sun. Hamburgers on the grill. How perfectly delicious the first tomato from the garden tastes on that grilled hamburger. Talking loudly above the motor of the ice cream maker. How luxurious a summer afternoon spent reading a book on the porch feels. Iced tea and a snickers. 

Summer isn't the only season that thrills the senses. Crisp, cold bites from a winter wind. Blinding whiteness after a snowfall. Crunchy steps through the snow. Relaxing warmth of a fire penetrating the morning chill. Comforting heat from a cup of my favorite hot beverage. The crackling of the fire. Cuddly blankets and fuzzy socks after a warm bath. The welcome sight of spring's first blush of green. Green blades of grass peeking out of the brown. No matter what the season, memories abound. It's these recollections that bring a smile to our lips and a soft, contented look to our eye. 

So, here's the task for Tuesday...think of your favorite memories and pay attention to what each one has in common. Don't be surprised if your favorite remembrances have little to do with the financial status of the time. What exactly does Living Large on Less mean? Well, to me, it means that I will pay as much attention to the "little" blessings as I do to the "big" things. For when all is said and done, most likely I will discover the "little" things are the most dear. Many blessings as we enjoy our simple pleasures - largely. Blessed Mama