The title of this post really needs no introduction but it has really made me think about some of the less obvious things that make me smile and bring a little bit of joy and sunshine into my life. Apart from the first few things this list is in no particular order of favourites.
If you have a blog of your own then I tag you to do this list too, just make sure to let me know so I can check it out.
1. My Hubby Tom
I guess this is the most obvious one of all really and had to be the number 1 thing to make me smile. Tom and I have been together for about 19.5 years now and have been married for 17.5 years. We were introduced to each other by mutual friends who thought we would get on, even though at the time I was adamant I wasn't looking for a partner. Things moved pretty quickly, within 6 months we were living together and 2 years to the day of our first proper date we were married. At our wedding my Dad said that he knew the first time he met Tom that I would marry him so we were obviously meant to be! At times he drives me nuts and he can be the most annoying person I know but that is what makes him who he is. I could not be without him, he makes me smile on a daily basis and his love and support is unending.
Both of us have small immediate families who thankfully live close by which means that we get to see them on a fairly regular basis. With my Dad having been quite poorly this year the importance of family has never been stronger.
3. Friends
We have friends spread far and wide, up and down the country and on the other side of the world but one way or another we manage to stay in touch. We may not see all our friends as regular as we would like but just a quick message via WhatsApp or on Social Media is enough to make me smile and cheer my day.
4. Our Pets - Daisy and Zampa
Daisy is our little Westie and she is now 10.5 years old, Zampa is our Meyers parrot and he will be 16 next January. They are both so full of personality, our home just wouldn't be the same without either of them.
5. Cooking
Creating tasty home cooked meals is something I love doing, whether its just for us or for family/friends. I am always looking our for new recipes to try and I like to try and menu plan our meals for each week.
6. Our Home
It may well be just a little 2 bedroom flat but its our home and we love it. I am actually one of those crazy people who enjoy housework - sitting down in a nice clean, tidy and cosy flat is more than enough to make me smile!
7. Christmas
Its no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Christmas, its only October right now but I am already counting down the days until I can put up my tree and decorations. I love everything about the festive season and cant wait to start hearing Christmas songs on the TV and radio.
8. My Craft Room/Scrapbooking
You name the 'craft' hobby and I will have probably tried it, from cross stitch to flower arranging I have tried them all. With the exception of crochet (see No. 8) its the only one that's stuck and has since become my passion. I absolutely love spending time in my craft room creating pages for our albums. We love looking back at the albums I have made, its a fab way of preserving and remembering your memories.
9. Crochet
Another hobby but this is one I can sit and do whilst curled up on the sofa watching TV. I only make blankets and shawls but I love making them and them gifting them to family and friends. I think home/hand made gifts are so much nicer than some of the mass produced things you buy in shops.
10. Baths
I have a bath every day except when its really hot or I am short on time and will shower. Relaxing in a hot bubble filled bath with some candles alight is the perfect way for me to relax and unwind.
11. Music
My taste in music is very eclectic, from Barry Manilow to Paul Weller and from Soul to Country, I have the most random playlist ever! I don't watch a huge amount of TV so quite often there will be music on while I potter about at home.
12. Summer
Apart from Christmas there is nothing I like about the Winter months. I hate the shorter and darker days along with the cold and wet (and sometimes icy and snowy) weather. Give me long hot Summer days anytime.
13. Coffee
I cant start my day without a dose of coffee, and the stronger the better. We now have a filter machine at home and a nice big stash of coffees to choose from.
14. Disney & Disney Holidays
Need I say more......from the watching movies, planning a trip or actually being in one of the parks. I don't care what anyone says, you are never too old for Disney.
I have always been a big stationary fan and the little basket that is next to my side of the sofa contains various notebooks and journals and each one has its own use. I also like to make travel journals when we go away as they are almost like mini scrapbooks.
16. Flowers
Having a bunch of pretty & fragrant flowers in my home is something that always cheers me up. They don't have to be the most expensive or fanciest either, a simple bunch of daffodil's or tulips instantly brighten the place.
17. Watching Old Home Movies
For most of our holidays we have taken a camcorder or video camera of sorts and filmed bits and pieces of where we are and what we are doing. Every so often we will dig out some of the discs or memory cards and spend an evening reminiscing.
18. Going for a Walk
We are super lucky that we live close to the River Thames which gives us a great place to go out for a walk. However no matter where we are you will often find us going for a stroll to explore and get some fresh air in our lungs.
19. Gin
Its no secret to anyone that knows me that I am a big fan of gin. Don't get me wrong, you wont find me coming home from work and heading straight for the bottle but a nice G&T on a Friday night ends the week perfectly.
20. Reading
Its not something I do as often as I should but I really enjoy reading and getting lost in a good book.
21. Shopping
Another one that is a pretty well known fact about me! Whilst I now shop a lot less than I used to and I am more choosy about what I buy I do love a day or even just a visit to the shops. Of course there is also on-line shopping, so exciting coming home to parcels of goodies.
22. Being Kind
I always try to treat people exactly as I would like to be treated. Being kind and courteous isn't a hard thing to do and if one single act of kindness can make someone else smile then that makes me smile too.
23. Social Media
This is a bit of a contentious one as I do agree that SM is not always the best of things. However its where I met some of the people who I now count as some of my closest friends. Its also a great place for meeting and talking to like minded people and for finding inspiration and ideas.
24. Beauty & Make Up
Whilst I am not a beauty guru or expert I do like to wear make up and take care of my skin. You don't have to have the most expensive top of the range products either, you can find some great items in your local Supermarket (Aldi I am looking at you!) or Boots/Superdrug.
25. My Blog
I really dont update this blog as often as I should but I do enjoy writing posts and looking/reading back on years gone by. I dont plan to give it up anytime soon but I will try and make some more regular posts although my blog is written mostly for me, I am not trying to make anything from it. If other people enjoy reading it then thats a bonus!
2 comments
As usual Jane well written and totally you. I found myself nodding and smiling to what you had written and could hear your voice saying it x
Thank you for your comment Caroline xx
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