tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:/blogs/things-that-make-me-happyThings That Make Me Happy2018-01-17T21:10:48-08:00Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design falsetag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31662942014-09-01T10:52:00-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00Smells of Summer<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/83c43484705410f9f1d707c895ec879e75bfd54a/medium/tomatoes.jpg?1409592914" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />There are certain smells I associate with summer, for example, suntan lotion, freshly-cut grass, and rain on the asphalt after a hot day. When I was in the grocery store today, another one came to me: tomato foliage. The smell of the green vine is much stronger than the fruit itself and there’s nothing quite like it. You either love it or hate it — I’m in the love category.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31662842014-09-01T10:29:49-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00Gardening at the Bar <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/d476f95c88b66c716c9dff6fa0fcdfcb12ebb26b/large/shanty2.jpg?1409591850" class="size_l justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Gardening creates beauty for our surroundings. Thank you, lovely woman outside of this drinking establishment, for making me smile today.<br><br> Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31299232014-08-10T12:04:27-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00Snail Mail<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/d3b7327086fec3cfc8677b2127bd7a259140ace7/medium/postcard.jpg?1407695865" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />As a kid, it was a wonderful thing to see the mail man at our box. I had various pen pals over the years, and the idea that I could communicate with people all over the country, all on my own, was mind-blowing. (By the way, I’m pretty sure that every letter I wrote back then started like this: “Dear [name], How are you? I’m fine.”)<br><br>To this day, I still get excited to receive a personalized note in the mail. I love the feel of the paper in my hand, admiring the stationery/card that was selected, evaluating the affixed stamp, pondering the color of ink used to write, and feeling close to a person because I know their hand rested on the page. For me, snail mail beats an email or online posting any day.<br> Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31222642014-08-05T17:14:31-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00Now That I Have Your Attention<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/a9213973e17c63934a296c42bc1d38e6169cce3a/medium/crows.jpg?1407283265" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />As I was working today, I started to become increasingly agitated. I realized some crows were making a ton of racket outside. I stormed over to the window, flung it open, and then yelled “Shut up!” into the street. This didn’t produce any measurable amount of behavior change among the black beauties. In any event, this experience made me happy today, even if just for the pure absurdity of it.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31218142014-08-03T23:25:21-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00Flora<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/05216cda7e74b0fbf5693e5f3b1a58f9e9ab09be/medium/flowers.jpg?1407132139" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Today I took pleasure in working on potted plants in my backyard. Various plant-filled vessels now line my deck, which means I sort of have another room to enjoy whether I'm outside, or inside my house looking through the window. Plus, now I’m excited for visits from butterflies and humming birds.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31208502014-08-03T22:59:56-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00Entourage<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/ffb08c316b3b5b9125001ed7d11d68a13d79d138/medium/animals.jpg?1407025143" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Today I was happy about my personal entourage that follows me from one room to the next. In this picture, I'm sitting at my computer desk. My cat typically does her best to steal half of my chair, as my dog sleeps underneath the desk. This is one of the sweetest benefits of working from home.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31208552014-08-03T22:49:58-07:002017-01-14T11:07:22-08:00The Secret Sisters<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/72513b22841a625f492605b464474c219b70a187/medium/secret-sisters.jpg?1407025916" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I saw Nickel Creek in concert and the opening act was <a contents="The Secret Sisters" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.secretsistersband.com/" target="_blank">The Secret Sisters</a>. When you’re not the headliner, it’s gotta be a tough gig. But these girls did it right: they didn’t wait for the energy of the crowd to dictate whether they were having a good time. Instead, the energy they brought to the stage automatically made the crowd rise up to match them. It was heartwarming to see musicians who are grateful about the success they’re having. So, even though I can listen to The Secret Sisters through my Rhapsody subscription, I still chose to support them by buying a CD.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31208492014-08-03T22:14:09-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00Throwback Thursday<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/24ae3c12a4ce905ad1871dc35d51b14a847148f7/medium/rubber-ball.jpg?1407007263" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />As my dog stopped to sniff something on our walk today, I noticed this bouncy ball. Then a couple feet away, I noticed a lone marble. I thought fondly about playing with these items as a kid, and it made me also reminisce about playing other games like Chinese jump rope, four square, and tetherball.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31004172014-07-31T00:02:07-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00Magic Ingredient<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/da38e7b7dc370fcbf7d0878f39f954bbc7de96c2/medium/img-20140725-184530-992.jpg?1406400201" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I was not in the mood to cook tonight. But the experience was made special by using a dash of "magic unicorn" salt. <br><br><br> Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31049652014-07-29T21:43:10-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00I Heart Light<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/eeccd10f7755d2c7ff2788d24351665bdb87feb8/medium/img-20140728-214634-803-2.jpg?1406646214" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I love that something as subtle as lighting can set the tone for how I feel in a space. This Mason jar lighting installation lives in a room that evokes a sentiment of home — not the dirty dishes part, but that feeling of warmth, coziness, and being at ease.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31020132014-07-28T15:30:07-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00I'm Kinda Shady<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/35e6f102bc5e5a2174f573adf38c82b1eee73656/medium/shade.jpg?1406586536" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />I walk along this street daily throughout the year. Today I was happy about the shade that felt so lovely and kept me cool. But in the winter months, I look forward to walking on the sunny side of the street for a bit of warmth.<br> Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design tag:michellecrumpler.com,2005:Post/31019772014-07-27T18:51:24-07:002017-01-14T11:07:21-08:00Sidewalk Message<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/38136/d8bcc5b60bd0dc10bb7e8e526aa94da85ada1e36/medium/img-20140727-132410-101.jpg?1406510391" class="size_m justify_left border_thin" alt="" />Is anything we come across really a coincidence? Today I think this message was placed on the sidewalk just for me. It made me smile and reminded me to lighten up a bit.Michelle Crumpler | Violin Lessons| Copywriting + Squarespace Web Design