Friday, 2 May 2014

Friday Happies


I miss writing my 52 Weeks Of Happy posts. 

I always used to post them on a Friday. I enjoyed that feeling of looking back over the past seven days combined with the anticipation of the coming weekend, that Friday feeling. Today I feel like writing about the things which have made me glad over the last week as I believe wholeheartedly that small pleasures should be celebrated and cherished, as they add up to a big happy life, so here they are.

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1. A sunny spot to sit with a cup of tea after school.


2. A New Book, this one. It's a gem, one to treasure. I bought it "for the kids" but really it's for me. To be honest, I feared my two had long since outgrown any book which began "My first..." but they love it. Bella read it to herself, while Angus makes me read it to him, especially the page on tadpoles, we've had that one a lot.


I bought it in my local bookshop after seeing a pile on the table and browsing through it. You just can't browse properly online, can you, especially for picture books. It's divided into the four seasons and full of succinct, almost poetic prose and detailed illustrations. It's a gorgeous book, good for babies, children and adults alike.


3. After school garden play.


4. My new light bulb from Nook. I'm obsessed with it. It gives a soft, golden, almost candle-lit glow over the room and I love the way the filaments look.


5. The bluebells that grow under the apple tree every spring. And some white bluebells, too.


We were taught as children to never, ever, pick wildflowers (especially bluebells) and so I get a thrill from knowing that these are mine, and I can pick them if I want to. Not that I do, I'd rather see the colour in the garden than in the house.


6. I tried a new craft, jewellery making, and made some necklaces. I learnt how to tie fancy knots and where in Leeds you can buy jump rings and end caps, should you need to. I found the pattern in issue 37 of Mollie Makes and fancied having a go. Two are gifts, one is for me.


They came out nicely, on the whole. I kept the navy one. 


7. Monday. It was warm and sunny and on the spur of the moment I caught the bus into Leeds (on my own - bliss!) and got some bits and bobs I needed, but mainly I wandered around, browsing and swinging my bag which is my New Favourite Thing because you can put absolutely everything in it. It's capacious, plus it makes me feel a bit like I'm on holiday, like I'm a bit French.


8. Chevrons! I am addicted. They are so zigzaggy and pleasing, up and down you go, changing colour here and there. These colours are left over from my cushion and that cashmerino yarn is dreamily soft and will make the most gorgeous cowl.



Well, that's a bumper list of happies! I'll have to scale it down a bit if I make this a regular thing, I don't want you all getting bored. There are a few purchases up there which is unusual for me. Forgive me, we are still giddy about receiving our first paycheck in many months. I think the odd bit of retail therapy is fine, don't you? Another thing that makes me happy - you lot. You lovely people, who read and comment and offer your support and friendship: thank you

I hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend. 

47 comments:

  1. What a great post - I feel happy reading it - love your necklaces and your bag :-) xxx

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  2. Enjoying reading your happy post. :) (I assume John is enjoying his new job?)
    I hope you all have a great Bank Holiday too, and that the sun remembers to shine. x

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  3. Just lovely, it's pretty important to find happy everywhere don't you think? I do. Love that book too, bought it for my classroom (eh me!). I like the smell of the pages :)!
    Have a wonderful weekend x

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  4. Hey Gillian,
    I miss my happy posts too. I love your happy things. I don't think that one should ever apologise for buying stuff. I used to. I used to feel guilty about anything that I bought. But then I realised that most of it was for the home or for the children or for someone else. It was rarely for myself, and the things I did buy for me were usually from charity shops. So enjoy your lovely lightbulb. And the book has gone on my Amazon wishlist. I may buy it for Pops..
    Have a lovely bank holiday weekend, lovely girl.
    Leanne xx

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  5. Love the colours of those chevrons and also the bulb. Your necklaces turned out well, and yours looks great with that stripy top. I love it when I see a white bluebell (whitebell?) in amongst the blue ones, there's something slightly rebellious about them! Have a lovely weekend Gillian.
    Jane x

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  6. I'm loving all your happies! Very important to celebrate the little things. The illustrator of that book, Mark Hearld, had an exhibition of his work at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park last year. I'm so annoyed we missed it, I think his illustrations are fantastic. Have a lovely weekend! x

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  7. And with this pictures you made me smile .
    These are nice moments ,thank you for sharing
    Have a great weekend
    xoxo
    Lulu

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  8. Love your bag, the new crochet and all of your gorgeous photos. Lots and lots to be happy about,
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  9. I have a bag like that which I use for yarn and I like it very much. I love the bluebells. I'd be picking them too.

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  10. Oh thank you for sharing your happy moments, they've made me smile! You are so talented, now jewellery making? I love the necklace, and it looks smashing with the stripey top! And the chevrons are just gorgeous, love the colours you're using. Congrats on the paycheck - of course of course you should spend some of it on treats! Gosh you've done so well keeping your chins up during these past few months, you deserve an indulgence - it will keep you all buoyed to continue! Have a great weekend, Chrissie x

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  11. Such a happy post...each and every little pleasure put a smile on my face. I absolutely adore your bag!

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  12. I like reading this kind of post! Those chevrons are adorable, love the colours :)

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  13. Oh, I love Mark Hearld's artwork! In fact, I have a cushion cover designed by him right in my field of vision, here in my dining room...http://www.stjudesfabrics.co.uk/collections/cushion-covers/products/bird-garden-cushion-cover. I think I will need to order that book!

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  14. I think that a little retail therapy has been more than earned! I know that you worked so hard on your handmade gifts and budgeting over Christmas that I am sure that you deserve a little something to spoil your family with over the weekend. Love your new lightbulb, amazing, I have never seen anything like that before! So great to see your happy happies, I miss these posts from you! Hope that you have a great weekend. xx

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  15. Lovely happies! The necklaces you made are gorgeous and I love the look of that book - will have to look out for that one. xx

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  16. Why, yes of course you must absolutely indulge in a couple of fripperies and deservedly so.

    I just love the combination of colours in your crochet; that blue is quite a surprise with the earthy tones but my goodness it works beautifully. I really must be a little more adventurous with my own combinations.

    Have a super bank hol.

    Heather x

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  17. A well deserved bit of retail therapy and I love your basket - it is indeed very French! Jewellery making now; Is there no end to your talents? Wishing you a lovely Bank Holiday weekend full of Happies. x

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  18. What a lovely post and well deserved retail treats. Don't edit your happy posts - the more the merrier!

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  19. Don't ever scale down the happinesses Gillian, I love them. That's a lovely bag, I'm a bit obsessed with bags, like some people are with shoes. The necklaces are brilliant, clever you. And I really love the colours in the yarn. I'm contemplating a rippley thing, but I'm not sure if I'll be biting off more than I can chew. That books looks excellent, just the thing for little people and big people who like nature alike. I shall look out for it. I do hope you guys have a lovely long weekend. CJ xx

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  20. Beautiful post. Adore the chevrons. It's always nice to reflect on the positives in life.

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  21. Ah it's been so lovely to read about your happies, Gillian, and they've made me happy for you! I'm loving your colour choices in your crochet, and your talent in necklace making, as well as that lovely educational book and your swinging Frenchified bag! A wee drift, or bunch, of bluebells is difficult to beat, they really are so pretty! Thank you for a lovely share, and keep happy! Joy xo

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  22. I do like a list of happies, the Bluebells are lovely. I am filled with bag envy and although I do not wear jewelry i may have to have a go at something similar. I am new to crochet and loving it.

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  23. It goes to prove that sometimes the little things in life can make you happy. You have created a lovely list of happiness!

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  24. Hi Gillian,
    I miss my happy posts too,Your list is wonderful. I love bluebells and the illustrations in your new book.
    Your chevrons are looking stunning already.
    Have a super weekend.
    Jacquie x

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  25. I used to love your 52 posts too with all those little snapshots of daily life. Lovely book and crochet and your bag story made me smile :) x

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  26. What a super post. Lots of reasons to be really happy! I also have the nature book and love looking at the pictures and reading the lovely words. It hasn't made it to my school collection of books yet because I keep looking at it! Have a good weekend - enjoy those bluebells! x

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  27. I like the thought of little happies adding up to one big happy life, who could ask for more?
    The cowl looks super soft and will be delight to wear, not least because of the scrummy colours.
    Having a go at a new craft can be so much fun and you've made something for gifts too, double happy!
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Lisa x

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  28. So many little happies add up to a good week! Looks like you've just enjoyed a good one. Loving the clever necklaces and the chevron blanket.
    Thanks for sharing and I hope your weekend is full of lots more happy things!
    Gill xx

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  29. I love the sound of the spontaneous trip to Leeds! You just know when it's the right moment, and the bag! The necklaces are clever and the chevrons should make a nice cowl. Enjoy the splurges, Heather x

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  30. I love posts like this, writing about simple pleasures which can all too easily be overlooked or forgotten. Keep 'em coming!

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  31. Lots of things to be happy about this week, Gillian. Have a happy weekend.
    Jacqui xx

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  32. I don't think you could bore us with such lovely posts! One of the very best things about blogs (at least *my* favorite ones) is the emphasis on how the little things in life can be so beautiful and joyful - whether sweet moments with children, friends, a cup of tea or coffee, a trinket that brings a smile, handmade anything...the list goes on and on, making for lovely blogs, growing unlikely friendships worldwide!

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  33. Just catching up with all the goodies here.

    I have a bag just like that, aren't they just the best. And perfect for wool festivals I might add, you can squeeze a lot of yarn into them!

    Gorgeous chevrons ... it's going to be another lovely make :)

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  34. I have that gorgeous book for my girls, the illustrations are out of this world aren't they. What a happy week. Here's to another one. Jo x

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  35. What's the collective noun for happies, do you think? You certainly have an abundance of blessings there, thanks for sharing them. Happy BH weekend!
    Xx

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  36. Great happy things! I enjoy these kind of posts. That light is very cool! I love the necklaces you made and the blue one looks great with your stripy top.
    Marianne x

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  37. Oh we love The First Book of Nature too ... it is a beautiful book ... I love your Friday Happies ... I couldn't just leave 52 Weeks either so Simple Pleasures is my way to appreciate the little things ... looking forward to the next installment ... Beexx

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  38. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I think Friday Happies should become a regular thing.......please??!!

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  39. That book is so lovely - I must look out for it over here. Your necklaces are so pretty too. Hope you had a good Bank Holiday weekend. x

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  40. hi. Actually i miss your 52 Happy posts too. As with many people our family has struggles and so reading your posts about small things making you happy helped me think more positively. its actually why i bookmarked your blog and started following you. Just thought you'd like to know that.
    carrie

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    1. Hi Carrie - thank you so much, that means a great deal.
      Gillian x

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  41. Great post Gillian! I absolutely love the necklace, especially the navy one. I think you've inspired me to buy the magazine and make one. I think they would make great presents too....
    Lovely crochet too....
    Pati x

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  42. Yes, I also think Friday Happies should become a regular thing! Really great post! I especially like your sunny spot!

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  43. Yes bring back the happies! Love this post. The necklaces are lovely, they look professional, and the colours on the cowl are fab. Look forward to seeing that finished. I haven't seen that book the illustrations are really lovely, I so miss children's books. How is the job going? Xx

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  44. I loved your 52 weeks of happy and hope you're able to keep up with these. I love the bulb - it casts such a beautiful light. I love to see the little snippets of your life. The necklace is fantastic!

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  45. Lots of happy things here! I like your spot for sitting with a cuppa and those chevrons are gorgeous.

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