Simple Pleasures: An Evening at Home

The setting sun had spilled desert colors across the sky -- gold, copper, and terra cotta -- by the time I left the office. As I drove home, the colors faded and night began its gentle arrival. When I finally got home, the new moon's crescent sailed just above the mountains to the west.

At home, I was greeted by my husband who had had the day off and was now preparing a simple, healthy meal. The doors to the patios were open to let the cool and fragrant spring breeze pass through the house. Wanting to fully enjoy the beautiful weather, we decided to eat dinner on the front patio. So I set up wooden TV trays and took a couple of small chairs outside. I placed them around a small plastic table that, a day earlier, I had decorated with a bright cloth and a wine glass full of fresh spring flowers. Now we would eat our meal in a lovely little corner with a view of the calla lilies.

Gypsy, my 14-year old black Lab/wolf mix, joined us, sitting near my feet and hoping for some tasty morsels to fall on the ground. My husband and I chatted about the doings of the day, his daughter's expected visit, and Gypsy's health.

Afterwards, we cleaned the kitchen together. We then took Gypsy for her evening walk. My husband can't always join Gypsy and me for the occasion, but he could this night. We walked arm in arm, talking quietly and occasionally including Gypsy in our conversation. We looked up at the stars, their brightness enhanced now that night had fully arrived.

We finished our walk in time to watch "Frasier" -- one of the few television programs we bother to watch.

Uneventful? Perhaps.

Boring? No.

For us, a leisurely evening at home is one of the greatest rewards for our efforts to simplify our lives. One of our major goals, as a couple, is to have a happy marriage; and spending unhurried, non-stressful time together is central to that goal.

Living simply is what you make of it. The key is to make your life revolve around, and support, your goals and priorities -- to create a fuller, healthier, happier life. And, as always, the effort to simplify one's life is a very individualized process that carries its own rewards.

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