The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.
Joining in with the lovely Jen at little birdie, here are the small things which have brought me happiness this week:
1. I got my reading mojo back! No more magazines in bed at night and instead a pile of books sits on my bedside table. I've recently finished Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon, the eighth in the (excellent) Guido Brunetti series of murder mysteries set in Venice. I always turn to crime fiction when I want comfort reading (that's weird, I know) and this did not disappoint. I've just started reading The Summer Book by Tove Jansson which looks as though it will feed my ongoing fascination with all things Scandinavian.
2. Lunch yesterday and today: wholewheat pitta bread stuffed with houmous, falafel, cucumber and avocado.
3. This subtly beautiful print, which we recently had framed, is perched on the mantle piece in the living room until we decide where to hang it. I asked the framer to use non-reflective glass which only cost £5 more, and I'm so glad I did. We can actually see the print, rather than the reflection from the window!
4. Primulas to brighten up the pots on front steps. Seriously, the front of our house makes me depressed every time I approach it - paint is peeling on the render, the front door, and the garage door and it all looks so shabby and unloved. No-one must ever think our house is unloved!! That actually pains me. So, until we get a warm, dry weekend to tackle the exterior paint jobs, I'll refresh the pots and hope that the brightly coloured flowers draw the eye away from everything else...ingenious, no?
Have a very happy weekend you lovely lot. After a week of freezing weather, the temperature rose today and the sun has just come out. What a difference. It's like the weather knew it was Friday!
So adorable, as always!! Happy weekend Gillian. :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm it is just about my lunch time here and that sandwich looks yummy. The flowers are so pretty and I am quite sure they make it looked like someone who loves your place lives there. Happy Friday and Have a fabulous weekend. :)
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ReplyDeleteI love The Summer Book. I love The Moomins. And I love,love, love the new picture. Have a lovely weekend, Gillian.
Leanne xx
Oooh I am going to have to start reading Donna Leon's books me thinks!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh Gillian ... your lunch sounds yummy ... I am a little peckish thinking about it and I love the little primulas ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with books! That's the kind of reading I turn to as well. That, or true crime, to be even more scared. Haha. Your sandwich sounds delicious, I'll have to try that combination.
ReplyDeleteI've already put Donna Leon in my amazon cart. ;-) I love murder mysteries. And thanks for sharing a scandinavian author. I am very hopeful about them. Have you read Jo Nesbo?
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Jo Nesbo but never read his books. We did however recently watch two Norwegian language film adaptations of his books, Jackpot and Headhunters. Jackpot was funny and Headhunters was excellent, a film that stays with you.
DeleteI would really recommend Jo Nesbo if you like crime thrillers - thanks for your book recommendations I love a good crime book. Lets hope the weekend stays a bit warmer :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about the summer book, it is on my reading list.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week-end!
Oh I can lend you some of the Jo Nesbo books if you want - I have the two most recent but I have read them all. They are getting a bit silly now though, the early ones are much better. Love that picture, so beautiful. x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Gillin, your lunch of yesterday looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the titles of the books, I too am an avid crime reader.
luv
irene
xxxx
Always good to get abook recommendation, going to check Donna Leon now. Sounds like something I'd enjoy. Our book group errs on the side of worthy and weighty which sometimes is a bit of a struggle...and don't worry, the front of our cottage looks an utter mess at the moment so you're not alone on needing to hand out a bit of front garden love! x
ReplyDeleteHello Gillian,
ReplyDeleteI am also using flowers to 'draw the eye' until I can start painting again - very pretty primulas. Yum to the falafel!! I am reading Swedish thriller writer Jens Lapidus's 'Easy money'. Have a good weekend!
Ivan x
I love that print! I need to do some planting at our front door. Everythink is looking so dry (and dead) at the moment. Have a great weekend! xo
ReplyDeleteI love The Summer Book :D (And pitta with humous and avocado ... now I know what to have for supper :D )
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about a house that looks unloved, I feel that way too! And mine is looking very shabby just now, but there is just too much happening to find time to sort it out. We even ended up paying a chap we know to paint my studio walls and it felt ridiculously extravagant, but it was that or wait until next Christmas methinks. Sigh.
Hope the sun shines for you so that you can get your jobs done ... Looking forward to seeing the results too!
ReplyDeleteLve Claire xxx
Spring and flowers go together like bread and jam! Here's hoping for a sunny weekend...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Jenny
Love your print, perfectly complimented by the Pom Pom garland! Have a great weekend! :) x
ReplyDeleteI wish my reading mojo would return! It has been missing for a while. Love your newly framed print. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteMarianne xxxx
Love the print!
ReplyDeleteEllie
x
Hi Gillian, glad you have seen some sun! I am also noticing the outside of my house now, after the winter it definitely needs some TLC, and the pots are looking very sorry for themselves! your bird print is lovely, and your pom poms, and I would be interested to know how you get on with the Summer Book, Heather x
ReplyDeleteYes, our house looks neglected from the outside too but we live on a main street and it's always too cold & windy!!! Your primulas look bright & cheerful - maybe that's what my house needs!! Have a lovely weekend. I love reading your blog xXx
ReplyDeleteLove your print and I too love crime fiction.
ReplyDeleteJune
I used to read magazines rather than books in bed too, but I've got back in to my book reading and it's saving me a fortune on magazines.
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, I think that I could live at your home. I love Donna's books, I love that Pita with those marvellous ingredients, I love your decoration and your plants so I'm sure I can live there.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Spain
Pretty primulas are just so cherry for pots. I have them in tubs on our windowsills and they make me smile each time I come home.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
glad you've enjoyed reading books again. I'm intrigued by the Tove Jansson book. May have to check that out. Happy weekend Gillian x
ReplyDeleteLove that print and I completely relate to the "unloved" front of house comment as ours is just the same with a big pile of everyone's muddy boots as the main feature - sigh. Mel x
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy week! I love the print and the fun garland! And the Spring flowers are a sure way to brighten up a front entrance!
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