simple pleasures

I've missed recording the simple happy things which have given me pleasure in the everyday.  52 weeks of happy was a great project however when I had completed the year I decided not to continue. Instead I intend to occasionally record my simple pleasures, the little things that make me happy. Enjoying taking a moment to appreciate the simple things.  There has got to be good in that.

::   Tulips.  I love them.

::   Hama bead fun for me as well as the little ones.

::   Lunchtime at the library.

Simple pleasures.  Making me smile.  

signs of spring

Today the sun shone bright. I wandered around the garden hoping to spot signs that spring is on the way.  I'm tired of winter. So it was with much delight, that I found nature awakening from its long winter sleep.

Daffodil buds poked out of the soil surrounding our silver birches. The soil, in part was covered in a carpet of tender stemmed clover.  Catkins danced wildly in the sudden sharp gusts of bitterly cold wind.  And there were clusters of tiny white blooms on the viburnum.  

In the vegetable beds, curly kale, the vegetable that keeps on giving.  It is the sole survivor from last years planting and still provides leafy greens for dinner.  It seemed luminous in the cool sunlight.

Spring is coming.  Of that I am sure.  Are there signs of the changing seasons with you?

Joining in with Annie's 'how does your garden grow?'

oat cookies

So quick, so simple and so delicious.  Oat cookies.  I make these oat biscuits or cookies regularly for the little ones. They are a firm favourite. Great for lunchboxes and after school treats.  And especially good with a cup of tea and your feet up.

oat cookies (makes 16)

ingredients

75g plain flour
75g porridge oats
75g golden caster sugar
75g butter
1 tbsp golden syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda

method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.  Mix the flour, porridge oats, sugar and baking soda in a bowl using a wooden spoon.  Stir well to combine.
Melt the butter and golden syrup together over a gentle heat.  Pour over the dry ingredients and mix again.
The resulting mixture is glossy and quite crumbly.  Take small amounts of the mix and roll into golf ball sized balls and place on a greased baking tray.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and enjoy.

Note: I made these cookies last night and omitted 25g of the sugar.  I consciously try when baking to cut the sugar content a little bit, just to see if we miss it.  The cookies were equally moreish so I will use 50g sugar next time.

Are you a fan of homemade biscuits?

the year in books: february

Joining in with Laura for #theyearinbooks, my choice for February is Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple.

I perused the Persephone catalogue happily for a few hours, eventually settling for this novel. It arrived by post a little while ago and I have loved delving into it.  

For my January read I chose This Perfect World by Suzanne Bugler.  A book from my bookshelf which had gone unread until now.  The novel is well written, tackling the difficult subject of bullying head on.  

The story focuses on Laura, as she enjoys her seemingly blissful existence, that is, until her less than perfect past comes back to haunt her. It is a quick read which is dark and uncomfortable at times.  The story vividly illustrates how perfect existences can collapse like a tower of cards. Whilst I couldn't say that I really liked this book it made interesting, if unsettling reading.  

I am looking forward to my next book and will be having a look through Goodreads to help me choose.

If you fancy joining in or finding inspiration for reading more you can find Laura and lots of lovely bibliophiles here. 

hello february

January wasn't unbearable but I am happy to bid it adieu. I quite enjoy January's calm, after the storm that is Christmas but it has been a long, long month.  I am delighted to welcome February.

We have spent this weekend like most since Christmas, indoors cosied up by the fire.  We venture outside for short bursts of fresh air between rain showers and otherwise only when we really, really have to. Hopefully February will bring longed for bright days with a little sunshine.  I am wishing for a day by the sea. 

In the meantime my winter survival plan involves crafting, reading, baking and stitching. And the certainty that spring will soon be here.

Hope you all had a great weekend.