Well, my mice are little and they make me happy. In the same vein as gaspode, I like looking at the stacks of them once they're all addressed and stamped, waiting to go to the post office. Also, my sweatshirt blanket.

This is going to make me sound like some kind of hobo bag lady, but it makes me really happy if I get to the station after one particular person who buys The Times, because s/he always drops the Times2 section in the bin. I retrieve it (the bin is always empty with a clean liner at 6.15 am, so this is not as gnarly as it might seem) and I read it on the way to work. I miss The Times, which I always used to read online (it's now hidden behind a paywall which, unlike the New York Times, can't be bypassed) and the Times2 section has all the interesting features, interviews, recipes, etc.

After I cook something in my cast-iron pan, I re-season it by smearing the inside with a thin coating of vegetable oil and leaving the pan over high heat until it smokes.

Then I leave the pan on the stovetop just because it makes me happy to look at it.

Days when the CEO visits the office, because I get to eat his leftover cookies.

Finishing things. Last night I finished a tube of toothpaste and it felt like victory.

Waking up one minute before my alarm.

Checking my mail, even if there's nothing. My mailbox has an old-fashioned combination lock and it's just fun to open.

Filling our bird feeders so the cats have entertainment.

Brushing the dogs outside.

I love the feeling of conquering the dirt when I'm done vacuuming.

Having to be nowhere on a Friday night.

Sitting down after a long slog of yard or housework with a quart mason jar full of ice and Pepsi and a plate of fresh Lays potato chips with Louisiana hot sauce liberally applied.

Also, finishing a knitting project.

Setting the alarm for x:57 or x:27. I feel like those are lucky numbers and so I feel like it makes my day lucky.

The "Rainforest birds of Hawaii" cd we use as an alarm makes me happy, especially the very squawky bird.

Hearing the chickens clucking next door, or the cows mooing from across the way.

sometimes my shoes make me quite randomly happy.

Looking out the window on the train or at work and watching the light on Puget Sound.

Being in Warrior 2 position. (My best yoga move!)

When my dog stretches his lithe little body on top of me and puts his paws on my chest and stares into my eyes, right after I turn off the alarm.

I also love the feel of petting him right after he is brushed and combed.

Kissing my husband.

Those moments after finishing a book, when I am lost in thought about it.

Watching the foxes in my back yard makes me very happy. An hour ago three of them were playing out there.

Kitty sleeping upside down with her head hanging off - right next to me on the sofa. That's trust and humour bundled together.

Watching "bird TV" out the window and listening to hummingbirds fuss at each other.

When I can enter the subway station and have the train arriving about two seconds after I reach the bottom of the stairs. And even better, when I arrive at my transfer stop and the other train I need is just arriving on other side of the platform just opposite to the side I'm on. Synchronicity, for the win!

Fresh local peaches at Union Square.

Watching a movie at home with the mister with the beasties gathered around us.

How Oliver (the cat) thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread canned tuna.

Watching Kaylee play in the hose that the mister is squirting at her (I really should film it and post to YouTube).

When things sync up randomly. Like when a line of cars waiting to turn have all their blinkers clicking at the same time.

I hit me a while ago then I don't have to be up and performance-ready at 2am anymore.

Reminding myself of that is nice.

Butting noses with The Mogget makes me happy - cat breath and all.

I really like watching my kids eat. Especially the baby, now that she is actually starting to enjoy solid foods. She goes at it with such gusto and abandon!

I also like picking fuzzies (I believe they are properly called "pills"?) off of a sweater.

And removing labels from jars. Soaking the paper off in water, then rubbing the goo away with a cotton ball soaked with nail polish remover.

Sitting out on the patio late at night reading and having a possum come and sit a few feet away and just chill for an hour or so.

Getting into bed and drifting off to sleep hearing my huge cat Mr. Whitey Ford rumbling away because I, my wife, and our other cat, Kitty are all nearby.

I like picking out new checks. I just got to do this again and I got some with an antique map print. Before that it was art deco ladies in gowns. Writing checks is better when they are pretty. But I always get mad at time warner and try to give them the ugliest check because they don't deserve nice ones.

Jumping into fresh sheets on a professionally made bed.

Making people smile and/or laugh. But maybe that's not a little thing. Staying dry on my motorcycle trip up to Terrapin Gardens yesterday. Seeing all the butterflies that are out. A thunderstorm. Learning the drumline to a new song or figuring out a difficult fill. Seeing good news from my friends online, even if it's little stuff. Instant messages (does anyone still do that?) or PMs on IRC that let me know people are thinking of me (or MeFiMails, for that matter!).

Plus the stuff you guys mentioned, like waking up right before the alarm (not too much), and being lost in thought after finishing a good book.

This is so much fun to read! These all made me smile.

- folding clean laundry, occasionally sticking my face into the pile to smell how fresh everything is.

- sending out an actual paper letter or notecard --- and knowing that the friend I send it to will get something besides bills and circulars in the mail that day.

- when I get a bunch of basil, I trim the stems and put it in a vase just like a bunch of flowers. It stays fresh for days or even weeks and gently perfumes the whole apartment.

- flowers. Recently, The Fella came home with a bunch of supermarket flowers "because I found this nice vase at the thrift store, and you can't bring home a vase without flowers!" I always forget how happy flowers make me until I have some.

- giving a really good gift, one that makes the recipient feel known and loved.

- a stack of promising books from the library. For that matter, just The Library, full stop. (Oh goodness, a whole BUILDING full of books they'll let me take home? HELLO LOVER.)

And this probably speaks unintended volumes about the shabbiness of my wardrobe, but:
- new underwear. It's almost embarrassing how happy I am when the new underpants appear at the top of the stack of underthings.

Fresh fruit strawberry-mango smoothies. Fresh mango is a huge pain in the ass to prepare, and on its own, I would rather eat frozen and thawed. However, its flavor blends so well with strawberry for a smoothie that I deal with fresh.

Also, a simple fried egg and toast and an actual cup of coffee (versus "the mug") for breakfast.

Oh, you are a GENIUS. I have frozen strawberries and mango juice on hand. Guess what I'm having for dinner? SMOOTHIE HELL YES.

I love when someone else brings me breakfast: in a restaurant, sure, but at home, too. Just a few days ago, The Fella was in the kitchen (making lunch to take to work, I thought) and then he walked in and handed me a plate of scrambled eggs (with scallion and cheese!) and toast. That's the way to my heart, baby.

The fruit here is so ripe that I am not adding sugar, and I am using raw yogurt.

My bird, Scooby. Even when I'm feeling down, she can cheer me up.

All of the above and . . .

Warm fresh berries.

The smell and feel of leather.

The feel of moving air when I ride fast on my bike

Hearig "Here comes the sun."

Rain on the roof.

Sitting outside in the morning sun, watching the hummingbirds battle and the other birds feed; checking my garden and watching it grow; those brief but fun moments when my teenage sons talk to me.