simple pleasures

Just a few of the simple things making me smile lately. 

: :     Bright blue skies and birds singing.

: :     Her joie de vivre. Her feet never seem to touch the ground.

: :     Top knot. The current style of choice. So perfectly pretty.

Joy can be found everyday if we just take a moment to look around and find it. I know January can be a struggle sometimes, but just appreciating fleeting moments and simple pleasures might help shorten this long winter month.

So what's making you smile lately? I'd love to know.

first snow

This Saturday morning, we were awakened by excited squeals of pure delight. "Mammy, Mammy, snow! Its snowed! Daddy, look its snowed." Our little ones were so excited. Noses pressed against the windows as they marvelled at the winter wonderland outside. They couldn't wait to get out into the snow to play. 

After wrapping up warm they raced out into their winter playground. Little snowmen were built, snowballs were thrown and snow angels were made. They stayed outside until they couldn't stand the cold any longer. 

Hot chocolate beside the stove, warmed tingling fingers and toes. The snow is now all but gone. Minus temperatures meant frost this morning, but milder temperatures are forecast for the week ahead. Hopefully the snow will return again and another fun day will be on the cards. 

goodbye november

Goodbye November, as you disappear for another year. You've been fun. Bringing many days to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Hours spent outside kicking through the fallen leaves, exploring, playing and making music in the woods.

For every calm day, there was a stormy one to balance it. Days for curling up by the fire, building dens, baking, and crafting the day away.

A month to savour. The calm before the storm. December arrives tomorrow. And with it, the excitement of Christmas. I'm looking forward to some festive fun. How about you?

simple pleasures

A record of the simple things bringing pleasure to my life lately. Life's little happenings that are making me smile.

: :    Our eldest's love of nature. It's infectious.

: :    Blue skies and feathery fronds.

: :    Soup season and warming bowls of goodness.

The small tortoiseshell butterfly was rescued from a spiders web by our biggest boy. Its wing was damaged, so he carefully carried it around the garden for over an hour until it recovered and flew off. He really respects all living things and seems to instinctively know how the natural world functions. I wonder sometimes where his interest will lead him. Good places, I expect.

These photos are taken from my Instagram account. IG is a great way to record moments from the everyday, so the pictures seem to suit my simple pleasures posts. Apologies for the repetition if you've seen them before. If not, you can find me there at thelinencloud, should you fancy a peep. 

So, for now, happy hump day, the weekend is in sight.

simple pleasures

Wishing goodbye to July. A few snapshots of the simple things bringing happiness my way. A moment in time, to celebrate the joy in the everyday.

: :    Precious time spent outdoors with my wildlings. 

: :    Happy mail, full of gifts from new friends.

: :    Indulging my love of photography.

July has been a joy. We've had fun times, filing away memories to enjoy again. I'm hoping August brings its share of good times. Fingers crossed for a heatwave. 

simple pleasures

Just a few simple pleasures making me happy lately.

: :    My boy's pure joy in finding a hatched egg in the garden.
: :    Blooms and blue skies. Summer is here.
: :    Impromptu adventures on the lough shore.

Now that summer has finally arrived there is more than enough to keep a smile on my face. It is hard to believe we are almost half way through June already. We have a busy few weeks ahead in the run up to the school holidays at the end of the month. 

The school sports day is tomorrow and as I write, the wee ones are galloping around the garden like wild ponies, practicing for tomorrow's activities. I best go and make them their tea.

Wishing you all a lovely evening and thank you for your comments on recent posts. I love reading them. They make my day.

wildflower love

Wildflowers are enchanting. Pretty little blooms that appear as if by magic. To choose a favourite is an impossibility for me.

Bluebells. Doesn't everyone love bluebells? Woodlands carpeted with blue are truly magical. The nodding bells swaying in the breeze. Perfect fairy flowers.

Cow parsley. Frothy fronds of delicate lace like blooms. Perfect little parasols. Maybe the prettiest wildflower of all. 

Cuckooflower. Heralding the arrival of spring. Almost always coinciding with the first call of the cuckoo. Pretty pink blooms dotted all through the meadows and verges. 

And lastly speedwell. Tiny, perfect little flowers. The most beautiful shade of blue.

So, do you have a favourite wildflower? Do tell, I'd love to know.

one day in may

This Bank Holiday Monday dawned dry and bright. A lovely day to visit the woods in search of bluebells. We packed a picnic lunch, met up with friends and set off to explore. 

The woodland was beautiful. Just beginning to come into leaf as the new growth appears slowly but surely. The beech leaves were especially pretty, all soft and translucent and a perfect shade of green. The woods were full of spring sounds; birdsong, babbling streams and rustling leaves. A soundtrack to total relaxation.

The little ones explored abandoned dens and built forts with fallen branches. We found a carpet of bluebells. Though not completely in bloom, they were very close. Oh well, I suppose that means we must return again another day.

Wildflowers bloomed along the path. Wood anemones, sweet violets and lesser celandine were among them. Sheep and baby lambs in the fields bordering the woodland enjoyed the sunshine, basking in the warmth. They were wise to enjoy it. It has been so cold here these past few days. Torrential rain and freezing winds do not feature in my expectations of May.

One of my best friends is getting married on Friday. I have everything crossed for pleasant weather. Even just a little sunshine. Come on May, you can be so gorgeous.

How about you? Have you been searching for bluebells?

Joining in with The Photo Gallery 229 on Sticky Fingers.

simple pleasures

Spring has well and truly sprung, bringing simple pleasures and sunshine.

::   Blossom. More beautiful blooms appear everyday.

::   Watching our nature lovers explore and learn about the world. 

      Like little sponges.

::   Blue skies and colourful street art on a trip to Dublin.

We've had some lovely sunshine this weekend and we've spent our time outside enjoying the warmth. The sky is beautiful this evening. All glowy and pink. A shepherd's delight. Promising more sun tomorrow.

I hope you've had a great weekend with sunshine and blue skies. Wishing you all a lovely week.

simple pleasures

Just a few simple pleasures bringing happiness lately.

: :     Blue skies and wispy clouds.

: :     Playing with clay.

: :     Gorse blossom and it's coconut scent.

: :     Freshly baked scones. With jam and cream.

: :     Tiny little blooms. The garden awakening from its winter slumber.

I really enjoy taking the time to stop and acknowledge some of the little things which bring happiness to my day. So what's making you smile? Do tell.

simple pleasures

Some simple pleasures making me smile on these bitterly cold winter days.

: :      Freshly baked bread. So delicious.

: :      Winter blooms with perfect colours and papery petals.

: :      Tiny little hands in mine on a winter walk. 

January has been and gone. For me, it is the calm after the storm. Quiet times to recharge and plan adventures for the year ahead. And now February is here, bringing some welcome sunshine. An icy wind blows everyday here and looks set to stay for a while. But winter will come to an end and spring is on its way. Little signs are everywhere. I love the promise of spring.

Are you looking forward to the end of winter?

simple pleasures

Simple things bringing happiness my way recently.

:  :     Making Christmas pudding and remembering my lovely granny.

:  :     Dried hydrangeas from my mum and dad's garden.

:  :     Amazing evening skies. A photo from earlier today.

So that's it for November. The festive season is almost here. I'm hoping for a slow, calm December. Time to celebrate the season and enjoy the simple things.

Our advent tradition of 'Mrs Christmas' will begin tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see the little ones faces.

simple pleasures

Simple pleasures which made me happy recently.

: :    All the blues. Skies, sheets and pegs.

: :    Bees and butterflies on the oregano. 

: :    The scent of thyme flowers. 

A record of these simple happy things. So reminiscent of summer as the seasons begin to change again. The weather here is blustery at best and has been properly cold some days. 

Autumn is my favourite season. But shouldn't we have just a little more summer? What do you think? Are you looking forward to the change of season?