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.  

52 weeks of happy (51/52 & 52/52)

So the last of my posts for 52 weeks of happy.  I have loved this series created by the lovely Jen at little birdie.

It all started over a year ago with these simple words,

'the happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything'

We have had many happy days and moments lately and two special celebrations. Our nine year wedding anniversary and a little ones sixth birthday.

Spending time with friends and family, enjoying good food and whiling away the hours outdoors has brought much happiness these past few weeks.  In fact, this seems to be a pattern in my happy things over the last year.  Those simple things are what we appreciate most as a family and for that I am so, so glad.

It has been wonderful to record the many things which might easily have been forgotten in the everyday buzz of family life.  All those moments of happiness which make the everyday special are worth remembering.

So thank you Jen for your wonderful idea.  You are brilliant. And, also thank you for reading and commenting on my happy posts.  I loved hearing what you had to say and reading all your thoughts.

I have decided that I won't continue with 52 weeks for another year but I do want to find a way to remember the happy moments I hope to encounter soon.

So on that note, that's all for now folks.  Nothing left to do but send happy vibes your way.

weekending: 52 weeks of happy (50/52)

What a truly beautiful October weekend we've had.  The sun has shone and we have been busy, busy, busy.

I had been wishing this weekend away as I raced around preparing for all our plans but thankfully I slowed down and took time to enjoy all it brought.

On Saturday, I made a lampshade at a workshop I went to with a friend.  After, we had lunch, a good natter and visited a craft collective's pop-up shop.  All in all, a very lovely day.

When I got home, Mr F, the little ones and I popped out to Florence Court for a walk.  We spotted signs of autumn everywhere.  Leaves on the turn, horse chestnuts beneath the trees and an abundance of berries weighing down the branches.

The little ones kicked up the leaves, collected shiny conkers and played in the park.

And today, we went to the christening of my gorgeous little nephew.

Quite the whirlwind and it doesn't end there.  Tomorrow is the birthday of our second little man and on Wednesday we celebrate our nineth wedding anniversary.

So we have had lots of happiness here.  Linking up with the lovely Jen for the 50th week of 52 weeks of happy.

52 weeks of happy (48/52 & 49/52)

Two more weeks gone, so close to a year now.  My happy things for 52 weeks of happy.

Beautiful autumn skies.  Autumn is my favourite time of year, especially when blue skies and sunshine feature.

Artwork by the little fairy, one of many.  Now at playschool, she has found more outlets for her creativity.

Instagram.  A phone upgrade has meant I can play too.  Slightly bewildered at first.  Now, I have gotten the hang of it.  You can find me there @thelinencloud if you like.

Preparing for the longer nights.  Chopping logs and getting out the blankets and throws, ready to enjoy cosy nights by the stove.

Snippets of happiness here these past few weeks, joining in as always with the lovely Jen at little birdie.

Wishing you all a happy autumn.

52 weeks of happy (46/52 & 47/52)

Another double dose of 52 weeks of happy this week.  I've been so busy with the little ones returning to school and countless school runs, time seems to simply disappear before my eyes.

I wish I could grab it and squirrel some away.  I expect things will mellow as routine takes over.  I'm looking forward to relaxing a little.  Maybe I'm kidding myself but I live in hope.

Anyway, my four simple happy things this week include one extra special serving of loveliness.  I became an aunt again.  My brother and his wife had a beautiful baby boy last week.  He is so precious and perfect.  A gorgeous new addition.

My sewing class is making me so happy.  I love it.  My teacher has a wealth of knowledge and is so generous in sharing it.  I get lots of one-to-one time with her.  Just perfect.

Taking part in Mezz's handmade card swap and receiving a parcel from Hannah from dainty and ivory.  It included beautiful cards and lots of pretty gifts.  Happy mail is just lovely.

Picking vegetables from the garden and trying new recipes.  Bean soup with curly kale, beetroot and chocolate cake, courgette fritters and steamed runner beans. All delicious.

Joining up as always with lovely Jen at little birdie and wishing you all lots of happiness in the coming week.

52 weeks of happy (45/52)

52 weeks of happy.  Joining in with Jen to remember the simple things which made me happy this week.

Finding a sewing class.  At long last, someone to help me really get to know my sewing machine. An end to guessing.  I'm off there now for a lesson.

A surprise treat for the little ones.  We are going to see How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast tomorrow.  I can't wait.  I think they will love it.  We are all fans of his lovely books.

Crafting with the little fairy.  She will be in her element at playschool. Paint, glue, glitter and stickers on tap.

Relaxing in the afternoon with a huge mug of tea, reading my favourite magazines and indulging in a sweet treat, makes me very happy indeed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

photo: Playing with vintage sheets from the lovely Heather at my little red suitcase meant more happiness.

52 weeks of happy (44/52)

I'm really not sure where this past week went in such a hurry.  I am on auto pilot most of the time now. Enjoying the remaining days of the holidays in a haze of exhaustion.  Nine weeks is a long, long time when you're looking after three busy little ones who seem to have an endless list of wants.

I'm not complaining though.  Summer has been wonderful and I am happily exhausted.   But, I may be running out of steam.  Thankfully Mr F is off for a few days next week.An extra pair of hands will make me very happy indeed.

We were invited to my uncle's 80th birthday party last weekend.  A lovely sunny day and a party in the garden.  An opportunity to catch up with my large extended family.  Happy smiling faces all around.

A visit to Mellon Fun Farm on Sunday with the little ones.  A happy day out, a picnic and lots to see and do.

Watching my second little boy conquer his fears.  Whilst his big brother revels in handling insects and animals, he has been unsure.  At the farm he found, picked up and played with a ladybird, nervous to begin with, but gentle and relaxed as he became more confident.  So lovely to see.

Joining in as always with lovely Jen from little birdie for 52 weeks of happy. It feels good to stop and take stock of the simple happy things.

52 weeks of happy (43/52)

Joining lovely Jen for 52 weeks of happy.  Late, as is becoming my habit.  I really must try harder. 

Beautiful red flowers on our runner beans. Even if they never produce beans, they have been worth planting for the flowers alone.

I am officially frazzled.  I spent a hectic day today, running from one shop to the next, gathering necessities for returning to school in two weeks time. New uniforms, school shoes, vests, pants, socks, the list goes on and on.  But I am very happy to have it all sorted and in good time, leaving the remainder of the summer holidays dedicated to having fun. 

Our new houseplant, a maidenhair fern, brightening a corner.  I love its lacy green fronds and the blue of the pot.  Two of my favourite colours.

The apples on our tree.  Autumn is on its way.

I hope you are having a happy week enjoying the simple things.

52 weeks of happy (42/52)

Linking up with Jen for this weeks happy things.

Little mushrooms and toadstools appearing in our garden.  They are amazing, so delicate and perfectly formed.  I am a little fascinated by them.

Making blackcurrant jam.  I had convinced myself it was going to be very difficult but happily it was fun, although topping and tailing the blackcurrants did try my patience.  I'm hoping it doesn't resemble cement when we eat it.  I love the way the jam stained my wooden spoon.

Beautiful coloured threads.  One of my aunts was having a de-stash and thought of me.  Embroidery skeins, tapestry wool and crochet hooks were gladly rehomed.

A gift from my mum.  She saw me admiring this little brooch on a day out recently and went back to get it for me.  A really thoughtful surprise.  My mum is lovely.

Wishing you all a happy week and thank you so much for your comments.  I love to read them.  They make my day and you make me happy too.

52 weeks of happy (41/52)

We're almost half way through our summer holidays.  Most days we don't have a definite plan.  Free and easy, we let our mood dictate what we get up to.

The sun is still shining although we have had some amazing thunderstorms.  As our summer days roll into weeks we are loving every minute.

Joining Jen for 52 weeks of happy, my four simple happy things.

Blackcurrants.  Gathering the shiny, ripe fruit alongside the little fairy as she said 'just the black ones, not the red ones, leave them for birdies'.  I think I will make some jam.

My new bowl, a bargain find.  I love the blue flowers around the rim.

Making flapjacks, sticky and sweet.  Another childhood memory to share with my little ones.

Meeting up with my cousin and her three girls.  A catch up and an opportunity for our wee ones to become firm friends.

I'm off to a car boot sale tomorrow.  Fingers crossed I find some treasure. Wishing you all a lovely day whatever you get up to.

52 weeks of happy (40/52)

Enjoying another happy week of summer, joining in with Jen for 52 weeks of happy.  Like many of you, I've been outdoors enjoying the garden.

Bug hunting with the little ones.  They love chasing butterflies around the garden and are entranced by the bees, trailing them from flower to flower and asking all sorts of questions about how they make their beloved honey.

I've loved watching my eldest riding his new bicycle.  He has now mastered a big boy bike, riding without stabilisers and is pleased as punch with himself.  He was so determined to learn. 

The vegetable garden after a late start has just exploded with growth. Beetroot, potatoes, courgettes, rocket and cabbage are thriving.  I'm looking forward to cooking with them soon.

The ease the summer sunshine has brought to the school holidays.  Past summers have been a frantic dash between rain showers, trying to organise wet weather fun.  This year the gorgeous sunshine has ensured the first few weeks of the holidays were stress free and I have been a very happy, chilled out mama.

For all of you just starting the school holidays, I hope you all have a lovely break filled with long days of sunshine.

52 weeks of happy (38/52 and 39/52)

Joining Jen for 52 weeks of happy, a double dose of happiness this week.

Our school holidays are well underway. Just one of many happy things right now.

The weather. Glorious sunshine and blue, blue skies and in the evening skies marbled with pink hued clouds promising a beautiful day tomorrow.

Adventures in sugar paste.  I had an evening of fun creating decorated cupcakes as gifts for the boys teachers.  They are a little amateur but I was pleased with how they turned out.

Reading Roald Dahl books in the sunshine with my boys.  I loved these stories when I was younger and iI  I have enjoyed their familiarity.  Reading outside in the shade is a great way to while away an hour or two when the sun is hottest and energy levels have taken a dip.

I do love summer, especially summer bathed in sunshine.  Maybe it's a case of rose tinted spectacles but weren't our childhood summers just like this.

Hope you are all enjoying yourselves and to our friends in the southern hemisphere I hope winter is mild and equally enjoyable.

52 weeks of happy (37/52)

Week 37 and as always linking up with lovely Jen for 52 weeks of happy.

School's out for summer here at the end of next week.  I think I am more excited than the little ones. Breaking from routine.  Thoughts of lazy summer days, fun and sunshine are making me very happy indeed. Nine long weeks, I can't wait.

Like Gillian in her lovely post I am so proud of our two boys.  They both received excellent school reports and are thriving academically for which I am really grateful.

But what pleased me most were the comments regarding their behaviour, their positivity and helpfulness and the eldest setting a great example for others by being well behaved.  So lovely to hear.

This little plant arrived home from school this week with my littlest son.  A surprise for me.  He chose Sweet William and sowed the seeds at school a few weeks ago.  It is ready now to be transplanted to the garden. I am looking forward to seeing it bloom.

Receiving this thoughtful little gift reminded me how simple gestures can create much happiness.

Linking up with Lou for nature in the home this week.  A gift.

52 weeks of happy (35/52 and 36/52)

A double dose of 52 weeks of happy this week owing to the gorgeous sunny weather here and my need to spend every available second enjoying it.

As always linking up with the lovely Jen at little birdie.



A visitor to our garden.  A very curious pheasant who often wanders across our patio step although when I produce my camera he takes off at olympic speed.

My little fairy.  She is fascinated by insects, squealing with delight when she finds a ladybird or spider. Her love of nature is infectious.

A birthday gift from the little fairy, 'because you're lovely Mama'.

Fields of gold.  The meadow of buttercups over our hedge.  Apologies for the rather unfortunate view of the cow's rear.  It was so busy eating it didn't want to pose for my photo.

There were many more happies I could have chosen but these are a few I managed to get some pictures of.

Happiness is so easy to find in summer don't you think?

Wishing you all a very happy week.  The rain has returned here but hopefully not for long. 

52 weeks of happy (34/52)

Hold on to your seats for a whirlwind 52 weeks of happy today. The sun is beaming and I am not missing one single second of it. I am determined to stock up on all the vitamin d I can.

So my four simple happy things for this week. Almost cloudless skies, although I do love a wispy cotton wool cloud.

Hedgerows full of cow parsley, blossom on the apple tree and sunshine. Bright, shiny, happy sunshine. I'm off out to soak it up.

Wishing you all sunshine and cloudless skies. 

52 weeks of happy (33/52)

I want to say a big thank you to Jen this week for starting 52 weeks of happy.

In answer to your recent ponderings Jen, there are times when I struggle to find happies that are new and exciting but I have realised that even though the simple things which bring me happiness are often similar, recording them here makes me appreciate them more.

Our two boys, as thick as thieves really enjoying each others company.

A wildflower posy gathered on a lakeside walk.

My first origami crane, it might be the first of many. I loved figuring it out.

Happy mail. A parcel from the lovely Jane from teawagontales. The best kind of post.

So that's it for this week. I wonder what next week will bring.

Thanks so much for reading and for your lovely comments.

52 weeks of happy (32/52)

52 weeks of happy. Week 32, four simple happy things making me happy this week.

Beautiful bluebells, so pretty.

Enjoying our little escape away. It was a real treat to spend time together not following routines or timetables. It makes me really happy to go with the flow.

Reading Flow magazine. It's full of happy things.

Baking soda bread using my granny's recipe. She made the most amazing bread. I need more practice.

Simple happies again this week. Thanks to Jen for reminding me to stop and remember the little things that float my boat.

Hope you all have a happy week.

52 weeks of happy (31/52)

Joining in as ever with the lovely Jen at little birdie, here are my four simple happy things for this week.

Spending the long weekend at home, gardening, planting the vegetable beds and enjoying some sunshine between showers.

Gorgeous blossom in the garden. Blackthorn and a new addition called The Bride. I love the simplicity of white blooms. 

Going to the cinema to see a film. It was the little fairy's first time and she loved it. We don't go often so it always feels like a special treat and i loved seeing Paperman which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. A lovely story with beautiful animation.

Ironing. I know, not what you might expect, but i was ironing and packing for our little jaunt to the coast. We head off tomorrow. There is a lot of excitement in our house tonight.

So I will be disappearing for the next few days but am looking forward to catching up when we get back.

I hope you enjoyed the weekend. Thanks for the advice and lovely comments about my rabbit. I will let you see, when I get it framed.

52 weeks of happy (30/52)

Another week has flown by. April has been a really busy month here. Now it's almost over, I'm looking forward to a more relaxing May.

So for the thirtieth 52 weeks of happy (I do hope you aren't bored to tears) here are my four simple happy things. The look of pure happiness on our birthday boys face at his birthday party on Saturday afternoon. He had an absolute ball.

Getting reacquainted with my digital SLR. I really love my camera but had gotten out of the habit of using it as it was easier to carry a smaller digital camera. Now I have no need for a bulky baby changing bag I can carry it again. I would love a pretty camera bag though.

An afternoon out with Mr F on Sunday. A few precious hours stolen for ourselves while the little ones visited their grandparents and the opportunity for lunch in our own company. Bliss.

Beautiful blossom everywhere. So pretty and delicate.

Wishing you all a really happy week.

52 weeks of happy (29/52)

My four happy things this week. Daffodils picked from our garden, the blooms of the bulbs planted late last year.

Visiting the Creative Crafts Show with my lovely friend and feeding my fabric habit.

Cross stitching like crazy.

Preparing our vegetable patch for new plants. One bed done, another to do.

It just proves it is the simple things in life that make me happy. Hope your week was full of happiness too.

As always, I'm linking up with the lovely Jen for 52 weeks of happy.