Little things really do matter. Things? Well, little actions and little pieces of life and little changes – slight switches in routine – make life feel good. Getting out of a rut. A quick hug. Finding a way to insert a thoughtful, supportive statement. I moved our supper time slightly later so Chuck and I can eat together more often. It’s a small change, a little switch in timing, and it makes a big difference in our spending time together.

Sometimes a little switch means sitting down for a restaurant treat. We eat healthy most of the time (we try, really, we do!), so a fresh batch of onion rings and fries still hot to the touch made this lunch out feel extra special. The server added a little touch, too; yes, that’s ketchup smiling at us. We couldn’t help it; we smiled back.

Chuck likes, no, LOVES ice cream, and while I enjoy it, I’m more likely to crave a piece of dark chocolate. But lately he’s been serving up a parfait that even I can’t resist: one scoop of vanilla topped with strawberries and whipped cream. The special touches: fresh grated nutmeg on top, and a dash of creme de cocoa. Mm. On my side, I’ve pulled out the ice cream maker, wiped off the dust, and tried out several simple recipes. Ice cream made from scratch or with a surprising special taste – both are little touches that matter.

Both of us enjoy looking for small pleasures in life. We’ve had some financial reversals lately, so simple pleasures are even more important. I enjoy looking at rocks, analyzing the fossils, and closely examining all things natural. It’s the science teacher geek in me; I can’t help it. But sometimes I find a strategically placed human-made surprise like this one. I think it fits the theme.

Chuck loves to swim and I don’t, so we made time for him to enjoy the pool in his way while I enjoyed it in my own manner. Between the plant life and the rocks surrounding the water, I also found this little message. I had to balance precariously on the edge of the pool to get both pictures. No, I didn’t fall in. And after I spent time exploring, I went back to one of my favorite relaxing hobbies: reading.

If you’re thinking, “Nah, I just don’t have time for this. My routines are perfect the way they are. I don’t have to start looking at rocks, making changes, adding new ingredients to ice cream and finding the writing on the walls.”

To that, I give you this statement: