Friday Happies

Some of the things that have made me very happy this week are:

1. Blue cornflowers. 

Back in March, my friend Leanne sent me some seeds which she'd collected from her own garden. Zinnias, cosmos, nigella and these cornflowers. I planted them all with, ahem, mixed success and now suddenly, I have these beauties. Last week I had reedy, weedy looking plants, then they all sprouted the most stunning blue flowers, seemingly overnight! Gardening, wow. I like the blue and white - always a favourite combination of mine - with the Dala horse.

2. Sewing. I've done lots of embroidery this year, but It's been months since I did any applique or delved into my fabric stash. I'd forgotten what delights lie (crushed) in that drawer! 

A mum at school ordered a t-shirt (the first I've made this year I think) and I had fun sorting and searching, looking for the right sort of fabrics to make a monkey swinging from a tree.

3. Salted liquorice from IKEA. Impossible to photograph, but oh so moreish.

4. A new mattress.

A freshly made up bed is a heavenly thing all on it's own, but when you've just taken delivery of a new mattress, and waved goodbye to the old, lumpy one...well that is very good indeed.

5. Charity shop finds. This pyrex Carnaby dish cost me all of 50p. It's a small casserole dish, missing it's clear glass lid, but very useful all the same. I love pyrex, but I particularly love this pattern as my Grandma had some of this style in her kitchen, and so it reminds me of her too.

I've never bought plants in a charity shop before, but three little succulents, for only £1? Ok then. I just need some cute little pots now.

Thank you all so much for your wonderfully warm, supportive and downright lovely comments on my last post. The generosity of spirit in the blogging community is a good, good thing, and  it is to be celebrated.

I hope you all have a great weekend. The Tour De France begins in Leeds tomorrow and it is a HUGE deal up here in Yorkshire. It's not really my cup of tea, but I'll be mentally cheering on Yorkshire and the cyclists while I avoid all main roads and public spaces until it's all over. I may take the kids strawberry picking.

And happy fourth of July to my American friends!