Joyful

With each passing year on the ageing clock I seem to find more joy than down in the dumps blues.

I remember trying to will myself into a melancholy state when I was a teen. Didn't everyone know I was an artist who should be living a devil may care life. Instead tea arrived on the table not long after my mum got in from work, my folks played loads of golf all summer long and a little bit less in the winter, relatives and friends visited and it was all very regular and happy. 

To a teenager it was so dull and so I did lots of stupid things to test my parents sanity. Sometimes my eccentric auntie Annie would visit to liven things up. Life and a bit of drink added to her strange charm. After one visit she left The Happy Hooker under her bed which I was shocked and delighted to find. It sure was a real eye opener to my twelve year old self as my parents just didn't discuss any of that sort of stuff  with me. I pretty much learnt all I'd need to know about sex and more besides from that book.

I had a few years in my late twenties when I wasn't as happy as I should be. Nowadays I refuse to let whatever life throws my way hit me for too long. Sure I get down, but I never give up fighting. I do my best to seek out all the happiest bits in life and just enjoy.

I ended up thinking about joyfullness and happiness when I looked over these pictures.
They're just a few of the wonderful moments of the last week or so. In fact I realised each one captures some of the things and people that make me really happy.

I love having flowers in the house. I'm definately no gardener, but I can weed and dead-head roses. I added a few of these sweet smelling blooms to my cutting and tidying pile after work one evening.

Fresh seasonal food has made mealtimes bliss lately. Fresh veg from a friends allotment and then this gift of sweet strawberries from another ended up as a risotto and Eton Mess the other evening.

Yucky drink, gorgeous bottle. I've always been a sucker for lovely packaging. Miss Millie and her daddy drunk the contents.

Now I do love a bit of lace. In a typo error on Instagram I ended up saying "I tend to come all over lace" which really isn't true at all you know, but I do like it a lot.

I loved this Modflower barkcloth and was holding on to it for a while. A friend really really wanted a Happy Shopper bag made in it so in the end I though what the hell. Spread the fabric joy around I think, I still have enough for a teeny bag for me.

I was thrilled to make another Annual Top for the lovely Laa Laa lady.

In fact I've been so busy sewing, knitting and making lately my fingers are on fire when I'm not at work.
It's a real juggle around family, keeping house and cooking when we get in at the end of the day, but it makes me so happy and I just need a fix every day or I feel I'll get all hissy with everyone.

Mind you I gave up my making time tonight for an evening stroll down the lane with my man and Alfie Blue. Sunlight on green fields, clean air and utter peace after a day in the city and teaching in a non-descript room. Yay that makes life feel good. We talked about childhood a bit and both decided we'd go back to 1975-77 because it was always sunny then! Life was just happy and simple at seven or eight.

Last night I watched the BBC Land Girls on DVD and fiddled with felt.
I'd made a purple brooch with a cluster of these flowers, but fancied trying single blooms this time.

 

I quickly stitched on the brooch back at seven this morning so I could wear this one to work. I wear a brooch every day, it's another part of my happy making ritual.
 

I just had to include this picture as it makes me smile each time I see it on my phone.
This is post being a bridesmaid at a pretend Hindu wedding at school.

I also treated my man to a large cup to replace the beautiful Meakin one he broke. It's by Midwinter and has got a fabulous name. Quite Contrary  just sums us up pretty well. We decided long ago we were were well suited because we doubted anyone else could cope with us.

At the same time I treated myself to the Midwindter Queensberry jug on the far left. All bought from a  lovely lady selling Midwinter who chatted to me as if we'd known each other for years.

I don't ask for too much really. My home keeps me sane and calm, my family fill me with joy, being creative is what I've realised I need and as for food - a friend said recently that it's how she sees me showing my love for others. I like that.

footynote: I was so thrilled you enjoyed reading my last post and thankyou for all your lovely comments. I used to be able to tell who visited me, but now my sitemeter is broke and tells me no one comes this way any more so who knows who pops in unless you say hi.
 I really appreciate all the connections and comments left aswell as those of you who've stopped by lately to follow- hello to you.

Speak to you again very soon.