Friday Happies

1. On Monday, something truly amazing happened. Something rarer than than an eclipse of the sun, less likely that the sighting of a unicorn. At about 2.30 pm, my washing and ironing basket were both completely empty. Yes. At the same time. We've had one but not the other before, but this, this wonderful and marvelous occurrence...wow. This has never happened before and probably never will again, but I had to keep walking past it and looking in, checking it was still empty. Yes, still empty. For about two hours I was a domestic goddess and in a state of bliss. Until John ruined it by putting his work shirt in, but still.

But, remarkable as this may be, it makes for a boring photo, so here's a picture of this morning's sunrise taken from the landing window.

2. Another exciting thing to celebrate: I crocheted my 200th square for my blanket. This blanket has felt at times like it will never, ever be finished, so this milestone was welcome for my mental health as much as anything. 200 down, 25 to go. Then I just have the, ahem, minor task of sewing it together and crocheting a border.

I think I'm going to feel like I've practically given birth to this crochet project by the end. It's a crocheted gestation. I'm not sure if I'm cut out for blanket making. By the end of this I will have darned in 1800 ends. I feel a bit sick now I've typed that. 

3. A new shopping bag. 

4. My parents are staying and we spent a lot of today gardening in the sun which was pretty lovely, I have to say. I found this huge pine cone and am honestly baffled by it's appearance as there are no pine trees anywhere nearby. A mystery. And also, spending time with my parents make me happy. Ever since I moved to Leeds, and especially since we had the children, they have made time in their lives to visit us as often as they can. (They live on the South Coast.) There is never more than a couple of months between them coming here or us going to see them. My mum recently retired and my Dad still works so they are busy people, but determined that their relationship with their long distance grandchildren would never be lesser than the one they have with their four other grandchildren who live ten minutes away. I appreciate it, hugely. Also they are really good at gardening. 

I feel tonight that life is sweet and good. I am content and have a lot to be thankful for. I wish you all a happy, restful weekend. I think this unseasonably warm weather will break tomorrow and it will feel cooler, more like autumn. More like it should do at this time of year.