Hi there, folks!
Another Monday.
Another blog post.
This is number 290 by the way.
That means we are only 10 posts away from number 300!
Maybe I need to start thinking about something special to do for that milestone?
Thoughts?
Ideas?
My brain isn’t ready to think about that right now, so any and all ideas are welcome.
I’m also currently sitting on the couch getting smells of the chili that is cooking in the crockpot.
Mr. Sunshine’s 2025 culinary exploration continues.
And along with ideas for post number 300, please send me any and all of your favorite recipes to share!
Well then.
Shall we get down to business?
I say YES!
By the way, the chili smells so good.
I can’t wait to have it multiple times this week.
This past week started off very rough with the first snow of 2025 and an insanely busy week at work that was truly exhausting.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Repeat.
Among the moments of exhaustion, I was able to find some joy and smiles in the following…
- Eating ice cream cake with Ellie during Tuesday family dinner.
- Playing “vanguish the red dot” with Souci (the beautiful grey dollfaced Persian kitty I’ve been checking in on the past week).
- Rewatching Schitt’s Creek and realizing much much I enjoyed it the first go around of viewing (where I only got through season 4) back during the pandemic. I literally LOL multiple times.
- Impromptu Thursday night dinner cooking salmon and having Devin over and him beating me at Sequence…again. One of these days I will win again.
- Celebrating 10 years at Webstaurantstore and reading beautiful words from the coworkers and friends I work with everyday.
- Enjoying a delicious dinner at The Belvedere Inn that I got to treat my parents to in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
- An amazing in-person session with Ryan at Sunshine Studio that involved coffee, cards, and exhilarating conversation about an array of topics that was stimulating, energizing, and beautiful.
- A belated Christmas dinner celebration with Abby, Jed, and Porky.
- Having an opportunity to sub as organist at a church that I haven’t been to in over a decade.
- Sunday cuddles on the couch with myself, my blanket, and my bathrobe.
This past Friday, Hoda Kotb signed off The Today Show for the last time.
And over the weekend, I looked at some clips from the show and I got teary eyed, especially watching the video clip of Jenna Bush Hager reading her goodbye letter to Hoda. I dare you not to cry while you watch.
Hoda is an individual I identify with so much in regards to her empathy, kindness, and trying to find joy in the simple.
It made me get out her I Really Needed This Today book from a few years ago that is filled with simple quotes and daily reminders to give us that extra boost of support when we need it most.
Starting to read it again reminded me that finding joy in the simple things is so important.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Repeat.
I hope this week leaves you finding joy in the simple, laughing at the unimaginable, and smiling at the stranger.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 