The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.
Joining in with lovely Jen at little birdie, here are a few things which have made me very happy this week. One very big happy and three little happies, which are no less valid for being eclipsed by number one but let's face it, it's not often you get a letter from the Queen.
1. A few weeks ago Bella drew a picture of a palace guard. She wrote an accompanying letter and we posted it off to Buckingham Palace. Imagine our total delight and joy when we came home from our holiday to find a reply on the doormat. The thick, cream envelope bore a Buckingham Palace stamp on the front and a satisfyingly big, fancy royal crest on the reverse. We opened it very carefully with a knife so that we didn't tear it (it was the first time in my life that I wished I owned a letter opener) and inside was a letter written by a lady in waiting to the Queen and some information about the palace. Bella was thrilled. I was thrilled. Even John was slightly impressed. Bella stood up and talked about it in assembly this morning. Something for the memory box.
2. Ok, not quite as exciting as a letter from the Queen, but the sight of these two on the doormat was a very welcome and happy sight.
3. Using the basket I bought on holiday as my new crochet work basket. Useful, pretty and full of holiday memories.
4. This little posy I picked from the garden earlier in the week has made me happy every time I look at it. Those sunny, vivid colours are especially welcome today when it's 12°C and raining.
I wish you all a happy weekend. It's raining cats and dogs here and I'm hoping for a quiet two days after a full and emotional week. Angus settled really well at school - thank you for all your good wishes. He looked a little lost when we dropped him off but he's always smiling when we go to collect him and seems to be taking it all in his stride. I am still - slowly, slowly - getting round your blogs to say hello and catch up and am looking forward to doing more of that this weekend.
A letter from the Queen is a definite for a memory box, how wonderful. So glad to hear your LO has settled into school well, it must be a relief for you.
ReplyDeleteA letter from the Queen is definately a perfect happy, followed closely by the Ikea catologue! x
ReplyDeleteI actually let out a little "yeep" when I saw Isabella's letter. How utterly exciting is that?
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny old business settling back in after a holiday, never mind the new school/year and all that. I prescribe a super relaxy weekend, do you hear me?!
Hxx
How brilliant ... a lovely experience for Bella ... and yes we will mostly be chilling this weekend after a hectic first week of school ... the rain has started here too so definitely one for indoors ... enjoy your weekend lovely ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic memory for Bella! Love your big basket, too... Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW to Bella!! What a great thing for her to have received. A letter from the Queen!!! Something as you say she will always remember. I bet that you are busting with happiness and pride in your house right now - you should be. Bella obviously follows on from her Mum in being creative. Sounds as though Angus is doing well with school as well - quite a time it has been since you got back from your hols. Hope you have a good weekend enjoying the magazines, crochet and flowers!
ReplyDeleteWow! A letter from the Queen - how exciting! I like that basket, too! It looks perfect for holding yarn.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to get a reply, and such a nice one too! She must be over the moon. Your flowers are so colorful and pretty. I would love to have a basket like that, it would be so much sturdier than my yarn bag (which I like very much, but still).
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for Bella to get a letter from the queen. I have to say that I'm a little envious. Such a fantastic Happy Moment.
ReplyDeleteWow that's so exciting to get a letter from the queen, Bella must have been so excited. Great that Angus is settling into school so well. xx
ReplyDeleteWOW! A letter from the queen! So amazing, and such a great keepsake! :) I hope you have a very relaxing and great weekend! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThe letter is a real treasure. How exciting. Love the idea of you using your basket for your crochet. Stay warm and dry xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a very special regal week. So glad all is well with Angus. I useo be a reception teacher and know how important those early days can be .
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd have been really excited too! And how lovely to get a reply so quickly. Glad Angus is settling into school so welltoo. x
ReplyDeleteLove the letter (and Isabella's full name - so pretty). Wish I'd picked up a basket in France... so simple yet beautiful. Claire xo
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's been a good week. Lucky you for a quieter weekend. Rugby, rugby and more rugby. How I've missed the sound of my tumble dryer on a Friday evening getting all the kit ready for tomorrow! On the plus side I'm hoping the rain will have made the ground a little softer for the boys to land on.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend. x
Wow, really happy for Bella (and family). Also (ashamed but really impressed) it's ikea catalogue time, yippee. Sarah
ReplyDeleteI too am doing catch up - lovely pictures and i bet Bella was so excited when she got that letter. I am so glad that Angus has settled well at school, it is such a relief when they do. I have a basket from France too,think I might use it for the same thing.
ReplyDeleteA letter from the Queen, how wonderful! My eldest drew a lovely picture of the Red Arrows after we saw them recently, and I've been trying to persuade him to send it to them. He'd quite like to too, but the effort of writing a letter is a little too much I think! Looks like you had a good week. I hope the weekend is lovely too, despite the rain we are all going to get.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I would completely pass out in a heap if I had a letter one the Queens behalf!!! How awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour basket is perfect for yarn! love it!
Have a great weekend,
Tammy x
So glad to hear that Angus is settling well, such a nervous time for parents which the children normally take to so much better!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Bella received a reply from BP.
We had the new IKEA catalogue a couple of weeks ago and it's sat on the table waiting to be looked at and discover what I now need!
Lisa x
Bells must have been jumping out of her skin with a reply from the queen, I know I would have, and Joe lovely to two about it during assembly. Very sweet memories. I so love using my French basket for an array of things, but a firm fave is to stack it with projects. You're look lovely. Happy weekend to you lovely Gillian xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous letter from the Queen. My Alice has written to her twice in the past and has been overjoyed when she got a reply, one from Balmoral and one from Buckingham Palace. It's good fun for our kiddies I think.
ReplyDeleteReally pleased to hear about Angus settling in, change can take a little time to settle. I am pleased the first bit of going back to school is over, now we can have some sort of rhythmic routine.
I'm loving your flower post Gillian, its one of my all time favourite things picking flowers from my pots and popping a posy or 2 around the house x Hope you all have a great weekend x Penny
Such lovely things to be super happy about!
ReplyDeleteI imagine Bella must have been overjoyed with that letter. I remember when I received one from Princes William and Harry after Diana died - having sent a card or letter or something. Then everyone in my class copied me and sent one because they wanted a letter too. Cheeky!
I absolutely love Ikea but when I went the other week was surprised at how expensive it had got. I felt very old moaning about the price of tealights! Have you got a Tiger near you? It's very similar to Ikea, full of all the nice bits you find in the Marketplace area that is cheapish too. A great place for teacher finds and things for the home too! x
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic for Bella to receive such a special letter. I have a similar one, but from Tony Blair (when he was a popular PM) to Sam. He invited him for tea when he was six (Sam, not Mr Blair). He loved his letter and also took it to school. And how nice to see your own garden picked posy. I admit to not having picked many flowers this year. I've left them where they are.
I'm glad Angus seems to have settled into school. My friend told me yesterday that Olly will start full time school next September. I thought he wouldn't go until after Christmas 2014. I am already dreading it.
Have a lovely weekend. We are buying a kettle, a shower and stationary for Sam from Staples today. Rock and Roll!
Leanne xx
Gillian,
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic for Bella to receive such a special letter. I have a similar one, but from Tony Blair (when he was a popular PM) to Sam. He invited him for tea when he was six (Sam, not Mr Blair). He loved his letter and also took it to school. And how nice to see your own garden picked posy. I admit to not having picked many flowers this year. I've left them where they are.
I'm glad Angus seems to have settled into school. My friend told me yesterday that Olly will start full time school next September. I thought he wouldn't go until after Christmas 2014. I am already dreading it.
Have a lovely weekend. We are buying a kettle, a shower and stationary for Sam from Staples today. Rock and Roll!
Leanne xx
That's what I've been waiting for - to see what the queen had to say! That's wonderful!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic memory for Bella! :) x
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly not an every day event getting a letter from the Queen, how fabulous! I love the pictures of your home, it looks so stylish and yet very cozy and inviting! :D
ReplyDeleteS x
What a thrill!!!!!!!! (and I live across the pond!!!)
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling thrilled for Bella too, sat in my armchair here in France! How wonderful they wrote back; polite and totally decent. Clearly Bella's letter must have made a great impact.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
Wow Bella, so amazed at your letter from the palace. I just had a peek at your drawing - love it! x
ReplyDeleteWow thats amazing to get a letter from the queen she must have been so pleased. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrill for Bella to receive such a personal letter from Buck House - I'm impressed too!! Your crochet looks so at home in its new basket!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's impressive- I'm sure Bella would be thrilled. Your happy photos are all so colourful. Just playing catch up myself after the summer, it's nice to get to read what everyone else has been up to:)
ReplyDeleteOh my a letter from the queen!! That is beyond exciting and something to be treasured always. A lovely, colourful post as always.
ReplyDeleteMarianne xx
I can just imagine Bella's grin! And good for Angus. They grow up so fast! We were at a wedding with our lot yesterday and I can't even pretend to myself any more that they are 'mostly grown', as it says on my blog, because it's quite clear they are all grown up now. If only I'd had a blog to record all the milestones as that was happening, as you do so beautifully here.
ReplyDeleteSuch a thrill for Bella! I imagine it will be one of those awesome defining childhood moments that she'll refer to often throughout her life. And if you can't personally get a letter from the Queen, then some lovely mags on your doorstep always make me happy. Love your basket too. Hope you all have another great week settling into School. Mel x
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely happies but a letter from the queen definitely tops the lot x
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant surprise, the Queen sending you a letter. Just fab. Love that you, too got excited by the Ikea catalogue and the Simple Things, both are beside my bed too. Your posy is delightful and I have a basket like yours with long handles that has been my faithful shopping bag for years. An epic post, love it. Katie x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful group of happy memories! A letter from the Queen - how exciting! I bet there aren't many children who get to take one of those into school for Show and Tell! X
ReplyDeleteSo pleased they wrote back. How lovely. Frame it and the envelope.
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ReplyDeleteaw, love the letter, how brilliant! x
ReplyDeleteWow! A letter from The Queen?!?!?!? That's so cool.
ReplyDeleteWe got the IKEA catalogue in the mail this week too. Love it!
Oh how lovely she got her reply! and what a sweet letter too. Lovely posy too very pretty it's getting colder here too x
ReplyDeleteIsabella you are one cool cat! That is so awesome!
ReplyDeletea joyful moment
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