Simply DeLIGHTful ~ A Walk in the Rain

There's nothing like a walk in the rain!!!

When you are in a good mood & already loving life, it seems that your laughter gets louder with the raindrops & the puddles open their arms & invite you to come PLAY...dance, splash, & make MERRY!!!! What JOY!!! It shimmers through you and around you...pure magic!!! You can't help but share your SPARKLE when you return!!!

When you are in a place of sorrow, fear, or heartache, a walk in the rain is healing. As the tears come, the raindrops then wash them away & all the emotions that came with them too. It seems as if the world is crying with you.... saying I feel & understand....give it to me, my dear... & then reminds you that you are a part of this BIG beautiful world. The things that you were upset about seem to become small & disappear into its BIGness....and then your heart & eyes open again to see the magic. You see the way the rain is falling on the puddle & the car lights hit it...you are walking on starlight!!! What JOY...what a night...what a Life!!!

Whatever you are doing right now...stop. Grab a flashlight & take a walk in the rain. Go by yourself or with a loved one...just go. There is truly nothing like it!!! They are ALWAYS memorable!!! When did you last enJOY the simply deLIGHTful gift of walking in the rain? Don't wait!!!

~ Christi Rafferty

Simply DeLiGHTful ~ Candlelight

I LOVE CANDLELIGHT!!! In my claiming back of ME, I have rediscovered my candle lighting ways. There is something magical & heart warming about it...and who doesn't want that every day?!

When is it good to light a candle? Let me count some of the ways:

before I do the dishes. It makes me smile & that brings JOY to my chore. 

once my place is all cleaned up. It is the finishing touch & makes everything seem extra sparkly...well worth my effort!!! 

bathtime. There is nothing better!!! Turn off the lights, sink into the hot water, & let the mind drift...instant relaxation...ahhhh. Warning: when hair catches on fire...I mean if...go under the water to put it out...not as relaxing...so be careful...just sayin;)

when listening to music. I will turn off all the lights & lay on the floor. Watching the flickering of the candlelight all around me ...with the music...dancing shadows...so completely magical & mesmerizing!!!

when I eat dinner at the table. It is beautiful to watch the movement & the colors of the flame and my dining becomes an experience as I take the time to savor the food...much better than a drive-thru picnic (although they have their moments too;))

Of course, candles are wonderful for company & for romantic evenings too...just remember though...don't save the JOY, the magic, the beauty of candlelight for just those occasions...you can be simply deLIGHTed every day...just for you

~ Christi Rafferty

Simply DeLIGHTful ~ BarcaLounger

Yep...you read it correctly!:)

There is a family cabin up in Maine where everything mostly stays the same. To my surprise, there was a new addition. I glanced at the new furniture that my parents had purchased & thought ugh...this is the new stuff?!...knowing too that it will now be there for decades to come.  I mentioned my surprise at the barcalounger that seemed way too big for the corner it was in & the size of the rest of the room.  The answer was of course, it replaced the one that was there before...my Grandpa's from another time period (funky green color fabric with darkwood arms). Maybe that's why I had always shied away from them...they were grandpa chairs and that's that. I decided I should at least try it out...humor my parents;).

Well, let me tell you...my Grandpa Walton knew something!!!  The minute I sat down, I was in HEAVEN!!! The material was SUPER soft and it felt like I was sitting in a BIG yummy HUG!!! I could have sat there for hours!!! Think I can get rid off all the other furniture for next year?;)...already thinking it needs to me moved to the center of the room so it has a better view out the window at the Lake:)

Is there something you haven't tried because you thought it wasn't for you? Because your mind had dismissed it...just because? Open up & try new things...you might just find Heaven on Earth... & be simply deLIGHTed!!!!

~ Christi Rafferty

Simply DeLIGHTful ~ Hot Chocolate

I believe that staying in the moment & enjoying the simply pleasures in Life is where Happiness lives. I'm being inspired to start sharing how I experience the world...my simply deLIGHTfuls...I hope that these make you smile as they do me:)

There is nothing better than a decadent mug of hot chocolate! First, I like to have the right mug handle...not good if I have to smush all of my fingers through...although I will;)  I never used to notice the lip of the mug, but have since experienced a lip on a cup that is divine! It just feels good as it caresses my lip as I sip. When it is set down, in front of me, it makes me smile at its beauty. I love to take a moment & appreciate it in all its splendor.  Different flavors & toppings abound too....YAY!!! Now is the tricky part, I'm shimmering with excitement that my chocolate heavenly experience has arrived & now I have to wait! Patience...I will tell you how I feel about that concept another time!...let's just say... when it comes to my hot chocolate, it is truly a test... often one that I fail..to the point where my tongue is burned & now I don't get to taste the rest:'( But when I pass the test, ahhh....I am rewarded with an experience Heaven sent. I will sit in silence as I allow the warmth to flow throughmy hands.  The smell, the taste, ahhhh...yes, I will at times tell the person I am with that they will need to stop talking a minute because I will not hear what they are saying. I'm in the intimate space with my hot chocolate...my eyes will close so I can feel all of it. A smile & sigh of complete happiness usually follows.

How do you drink your hot chocolate? Your coffee? I hope you experience yours with the same smile & sigh of complete happiness that I enJOY with mine. Simply DeLIGHTful!

~ Christi Rafferty