Little things that make you happy.

[GiddyRobin]

Thought I'd start a nice, light hearted thread about things that make you happy! I notice a lot of light hearted threads end up a bit down in the dumps, so for those who just want to share, need a bit of cheer, or are generally nosy parkers (like me! 😂), I thought this could be a bit of fun.

I'll start (and try and make it brief!)

• Family. Yes, yes, twee, sickly, blah blah blah, but it's true.
• Christmas. Festivities and seasons changing in general.
• Books! Give me a good book, a nice box of tea, and I'm happy.
• Cheese. Any cheese. My DS had a milk allergy as a youngster and I had to cut it out too as I was breastfeeding. God I missed cheese. I celebrated so hard with a cheeseboard when he passed the milk ladder that I made myself poorly. 😂
• Flowers in my window. I love watching how the light changes the shades of the petals during the day.
• A good black comedy. Anything Shearsmith and Pemberton does me.
• Oversized men's sweatshirts. Fuck women's jumpers, men's are the way to go and I will die on this hill.

Off to make some sarnies to take to MiL's - v. interested to hear other people's little joys!

Ooh loads of things, I tend to be an over excitable person 😂

Going to greet my little one when he wakes up from his nap
Coffee in bed with my partner on the weekend
The first episode of a new series that we've been watching
Saturday evening chat about where to order a takeaway from
Beef or lamb roast on a Sunday
Brand new (insert fluffy socks/pyjamas/dressing gown)
Booking any holidays or day trips of any kind!
Christmas/birthdays/easter/halloween... anything I can buy decorations and/or presents for!
Buying little outfits for our upcoming baby girl

@RoastPotatoConnoisseur Ooohh, woodland sounds lovely! You must get some of the nicest wildlife visiting! We've got land that we've been trying to re-wild in spaces. I really want to have it as a meadow sort of thing, but it takes so long to grow with anything like that. Thankfully the garden itself is a bit more foliage filled, so plenty of birdy visitors!

I hope this year turns out so well for you both! It's hard getting back to it after injuries (took DH a very long time), but so worth it. I might have to look into cross country a bit, that sounds more like something I'd be better at than the dressage. I bet your horse loves it too! I swear they really do get a sense of achievement from things!

@RachelCarew Your dad was absolutely right! It sets you right up for the day! I ask everyone this - how do you make your perfect soft boiled egg? For me, I put them in boiled water and turn it onto boil for 4 mins, and that usually works! DH does it from cold water and it takes longer...but his eggs are better than mine. 😂

@worriedgal I'm so glad to hear your DD is doing better. Anxiety is so insidious and overwhelming, it can be so difficult to deal with. Finding happiness after that is the best gift of all. ❤️ And I'm so glad someone wrote this - butter!! Bloody love butter. My favourite was this home churned stuff we got when on holiday on Anglesey. Big salt crystals, so creamy and perfect on hot toast. I've never been able to find anything like it again!

@MaltipooMama Heeheehee, you sound like my sort of person! 😂 I try to smother my absurd excitement about things when in public, but at home I'm a bundle of energy - fluffy socks? Joy! Toast came out nicely? Huzzah! Haha. Definitely with you on festivities of all and any kind!
Congratulations on your little one! You must be so excited!

@GiddyRobin I'm definitely not a strong swimmer and tend to stick to my local bay where it's sheltered and there are no strong currents. I only 'dip' in the winter, so in for maybe 5 minutes to splash around and a quick gentle paddle about. It's the endorphins released by submerging in cold water that I love rather than the swimming. Also being in the sea watching the birds and the feeling of peace and calm. You can't beat it. I'm lucky enough to live ay the coast and have been going at least twice a week for nearly 5 years now.

Oh this sounds lovely! I was imagining full on wrestling with waves, which terrifies me. Absolutely agree with the feeling of submerging in cold water - I hadn't really done it before this Christmas, and was shocked by how much I wanted to go back the next day. It's almost a little euphoric! It really does sound like a lovely routine. I'm not too far from the coast, so it's definitely doable. I might have to see if there's a local group I could join. Do you go with friends, an online group, or alone?

Sitting on my recliner sofa under my slanket. Buying a new magnet for my magnet collection (I get one every time I visit a new country or attraction) I might need to buy a new fridge soon…Completing a jigsaw puzzle.

@GiddyRobin There are plenty of local groups and the outdoor swimming community is generally very friendly and welcoming and although I stop and chat with a few 'regulars' down on my bay I tend to go with friends - there's a group of about 6 of us who sometimes go altogether or sometimes just a couple of us depending who can make it. Sometimes I like just to just go alone and enjoy a bit of peace, quiet and mindfulness. If you want to join a group have a look and see if there are any local 'Bluetits' groups in your area.

Thank you so much for this! I love the idea of going with friends or alone, but I might have to convince a few people first and get a bit of confidence. A group sounds a perfect start. I have a friend who does it, but she lives in Ireland and goes with just her husband who is Aussie, so quite a bit more used to being in the sea. 😂 I'll definitely do some research - I've been hankering after something new and meditative this year, so it looks to be perfect.

@KnifeForkAndSpoon2 Magnets are such fun! Collectibles in general! It's lovely sitting and looking at them. Memories I know are accessible at any time, but a little visible reminder is lovely. My DH became a bit obsessed with Wales (he's from Norway), so he has a huge collection of love spoons. I order them for him now even when we can't get there but have a special occasion, and it's totally nerdy but he labels them all with ribbon. 😂 I love it!

@GiddyRobin , into boiling water for five minutes here. Large eggs from a little box with an honesty tin near my house. Had one this morning actually - perfect.

Interesting isn't it, different cooking times/methods. I don't get a runny enough yolk when I start from cold. Five minutes is the perfect amount of time for me to toast enough bread, butter it and cut it into soldiers for three.

@worriedgal , that is so lovely to hear. One of my DC suffers with severe depression and anxiety, it is the reason they chose to commute to uni from home. They still need lots of support from me/to be at home on a daily basis. Hugely academic and a really good student, just fragile. I really hope that I can say the same as you in years to come. 💐

These are just beautiful. My new sofa plus blanket and pillow is making me do a happy sigh right now

@RachelCarew That's so interesting, I wonder if it's the eggs we're used to getting? Mine are usually from my sister who has chickens, but I find their shells very thin. Cracking them for a fried egg is a work of patience. Love the honesty boxes - when we go to Wales there are loads, but they're more rare here in on the Shropshire/Cheshire border.

It makes me laugh though, I watch DH like a hawk when he makes his from cold...copy, and they still don't work! I've decided eggs must just be matched to the maker. 😂

@PollyOrange Love a new sofa! What kind have you got, is it a big squishy one or something a bit more sturdy?

I must add a few more from today, actually:

• Brand new body lotion. My friend bought me new stuff, just Dove (one of my simple favourites), but it's absolutely lovely. I smell so nice! Cracking it open for the first time and taking a sniff!
• Afternoon baths. We got muddy on a walk this morning, and DH took the kids to do some painting and crafts. I had a bath and it was so decadent lying there in hot water while it was still light out. I lit candles, and felt like some 17th Century Lady!

@RachelCarew
It's so incredibly difficult and all consuming for them and us.
Dd is at uni an hour away but is so settled and happy but home whenever she wants and I really feel I can breathe after years of holding my breath for the next issue but it's hard to completely relax.
Much love to you and your dchild x

Seeing my child smile/laugh/be happy in general
Seeing my partner smile/laugh/be happy in general
Seeing my child play with another child (he most likely has autism and is too much for a lot of children but he does have a couple of friends who enjoy playing with him) 🥰
Fresh bed sheets
New pjs
Giving people gifts and seeing that they like them
Being referred to as auntie to my friends children (I have no siblings and it’s so nice to know that I am valued like this)
Long phone calls with my best friend

From today

• another dog one. Although am wondering whether dogs do have ankles. The dog was sitting upright next to me on the sofa and suddenly slumped right and her head found its way onto my shoulder and her wet nose snuffled into my neck
• coming out of Pilates and my shoulders weren’t around my ears any more
• an empty bus that flew through traffic
• the smell of snow in the air

@chewedstraw Funny you mention this, as today we spent some time with my partially verbal "nephew" (he isn't, he's a close friend's son) who has ASD, and it was the loveliest afternoon. He's 5 and really come out of himself in terms of speech recently, and seeing him make friends with my DD of the same age is just so heartwarming. I'm so, so lucky to have that little boy in my life. He's the sweetest child, and DD has slowed down her own crazy in a good way to spend time with him. My friend and I really love evenings like that. ❤️ Sending lots of 💐 and love to you and your little one.

@StripyRedSocks You've got me inspecting my dogs legs now. 😂 They kind of do, don't they?! I've just sat here massaging my big one's leg to find it, and...sort of?! It's a knibbly bit? It counts, I reckon!

Bloody love Pilates! I've been a bit lazy this holiday and I'm looking forward to a class on Tuesday. I usually do it at home but fancied getting back into it with some instruction in case I strain myself. 🤣 We've had a few flakes of snow here, but nothing heavy yet. It's due between 9 and 11, so fingers crossed 🤞.

A nice shower gel - Liz Earle or Arran Aromatics

Sitting in a cafe with a coffee and a book with nowhere else to be

Awakening to the sound of the shower running

People watching at the airport, wondering where everyone is going

A warm red wine / first tea of the day

Making food for friends and trying out new recipes

Checking into a hotel and have a cosy solo night in instead of heading out

Clean sheets!
A really well made coffee outside on a sunny morning (any time of year).
Bunnahabhain Stiuireadhair whisky
(Conversely, given number 3, waking up in clean sheets having had a sober evening)

A tidy house. We had a small family party yesterday and I blitzed the house before they arrived. Came down this morning and the house smelled so fresh, every surface gleamed and there were new pots of hyacinths and cyclamen on the dining table, replacing the Christmas tablecloth and candles and clutter. It looked so peaceful.

DD and her friend went to a birthday party last night. I collected them in the early hours of this morning. DD's college friend stayed over at my house. I had to drop DD into work early this morning and then I went for coffee with DD's friend - we had about 40 minutes to kill before she got her bus home.

I'm sure it was awkward for DD's friend, chatting to her friend's Mam who she doesn't know all that well. We've met before but only a handful of times and then only briefly. But we had a really nice chat and I was struck (yet again) at what a nice young lady she is. I waited at the bus stop with her, just in case the bus didn't turn up (it only runs every hour and has been known not to show up). She gave me a hug before she got on the bus, which pleased me no end. So a special mention to all the young people out there, who often get bad press. And I'm happy that DD has a really solid group of friends.

I’ve packed Christmas away today as I had to change my plans due to ❄️.

Now settling down in a tidy, vacuumed room with a cup of apple and cinnamon tea to carry on reading.. It’s so quiet here today. DCs are out with friends. Just me and my book (and the 🐈‍⬛ of course).

I love Christmas and Christmas decorations, but I also love the sense of space and light (huge 🌲 in a bay window that really makes a difference to the light in my room) that returns when everything is packed away.

• the Christmas tree that was banished outside ready to be picked up for recycling has a beautiful covering of snow. It looks better ‘in the wild’ than it did indoors
• The crunch of snow underfoot

@GiddyRobin I found the nobbly bit 😂 I fear dog has cankles just like me 😂

@thrifty24 Oh a solo hotel stay sounds so luxurious! What a lovely idea! You're definitely right - that beats a night out. Just you and a book and some treats!

@AlertCat I absolutely get you. We woke sober on Christmas Day as neither of us had anything at the family Christmas Eve party - didn't want cloudy heads. It was so nice waking up fresh with everything clean and crisp!

@SereneCapybara Oh that sounds absolutely gorgeous. Flowers really do make a room come to life! Hyacinths especially, such a nice flower. You've got me wanting to plan a visit to the florist now. It's such a nice little way to spend half an hour, and I love how helpful they can be. I'm so excited to see the first snowdrops come up, too. I won't pick them but it feels like a little bit of life pushing through!

@Taytocrisps This is such a nice story. What a lovely young woman! You're definitely right, lots of young people there days get an awful lot of bad press for not having manners, etc., but I find a huge amount of them are actually extremely respectable. It must get very tiring for them always hearing the bad things, but so many are actually very sociable. There's a young lady who works on the reception desk in my local salon, and she's a star. Always happy to natter about her plans for uni and how she's getting on in college.

@RachelCarew I know exactly what you mean. I'm always sad to take the tree down, but it does open things up again. Like you've suddenly got mounds of space! Our bay windows are these funny rounded ones which pop out from outside. The tree always needs to be massive not to get lost, but it definitely makes us lose some light! I'm thinking I might get some greenery to replace it when I take it down this time around. It's the foliage I love most I think.

@StripyRedSocks Hahaa! That made me chuckle! Little doggy cankles. 😂 Mine seems to now think leg massages are a thing. He keeps coming up to me and putting his paw in my lap...obviously this is now a doggy spa, haha! Did it snow for you? It was surprisingly thick here and absolutely gorgeous first thing this morning!

We took the DC out to build snowmen and have a tromp around; it must be lovely being a kid. They had thick thick snow in Norway but even the smaller amount we had here had them squealing with delight! It's magical.

Today's are:

• Undisturbed snow, and then getting to be the ones to disturb it!
• A hot cup of tea outside as I watched the DC and DH play.
• DH able to play because he actually uses the walking cane I got him for Christmas. His old one he absolutely hated so always refused to use, but now he's so much more comfortable and confident.
• Our lovely neighbour who dropped in some really nice hot chocolate.
• Simple jacket potato with cheese and beans for tea. Hot and filling, exactly what we needed on a cold day.

Ooh now perfect JP beans and cheese is lush. Tonight I've enjoyed some fizzy blackcurrant instead of the endless wine and feel I'm going to bed clear headed

Yes me too (my sofa, not yours to add )!

We had new ones delivered just before Christmas and I loved choosing cushions for "my" sofa. Fluffy blanket is an extra bonus!