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Five Happy Things {Week 493}

Posted on March 24, 2024 by jenny

Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for a while over the last few years. It is my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of the adventures we have as a family.

Five Happy Things {Week 493}

Last week my son turned 14 years old! I can’t believe he can be 14 already. He received money and parts for his computer, and thankfully an expansion pack for Carcassonne which gave us all something to do together.

It was also my own birthday last week. I received a new book from Persephone Books, Random Commentary by Dorothy Whipple. I recently read High Wages which I really enjoyed. Random Commentary is a selection of extracts from her diaries and notebooks, chosen by her. It’s really strange reading her innermost thoughts, especially after enjoying one of her novels. She is very honest and self-deprecating and therefore strange hearing her own thoughts about her novels, almost as if she didn’t always like the characters and stories she wrote. I’m not sure if I’m going to carry on reading it, or put it aside until I’ve read her other novels.

I was able to spend Friday at The Stitch Festival at the Business Design Centre. This is somewhere I’ve wanted to go for a while and finally took a day off to go. As well as the exhibition I booked two workshops and had fun trying Italian corded quilting and making a fabric badge. It was lovely to sit and make something different, not that I’m not enjoying working on my Liberty tumbling block cushion. I found the cushion pad this week and was surprised how large it is – much larger than I remember!

the Stitch Festival shopping haul

Over the weekend my son was busy with the practice expedition for his Duke of Edinburgh Silver award. He didn’t enjoy the experience as it was badly organised and they cancelled the overnight camping element! The weather hasn’t been particularly bad lately so we were surprised to hear the ground was not suitable for camping, especially as when we picked them up there weer hundreds of other groups camping there.

Have a great week!

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  • Five Happy Things {Week 455}
    IMG_9639
Category: Monday Happy List

13 thoughts on “Five Happy Things {Week 493}”

  1. Lisa says:
    March 26, 2024 at 9:41 am

    The stitch festival sounds like really good fun. It’s a great hobby to have and so relaxing too.

    Reply
  2. Yeah Lifetstyle says:
    March 26, 2024 at 10:20 am

    Happy birthday to both you and your son – I hope you enjoy your books! The Stitch Festival sounded perfect for you – right up your street. I hope you enjoy the rest of this week.

    Reply
  3. marie Cris Angeles says:
    March 26, 2024 at 10:52 am

    My mom used to be a sewer before. And now I’m starting to do it as my hobby and I enjoy it!

    Reply
  4. Rhian Scammell says:
    March 26, 2024 at 12:07 pm

    Hope you had and your son had lovely birthdays. I remember doing my Duke of Edinburgh and the organisation can make such a difference x

    Reply
  5. adriana says:
    March 26, 2024 at 12:40 pm

    I bet the stitch festival was so much fun – it sounds it! Loved reading this!

    Reply
  6. Melanie E says:
    March 26, 2024 at 1:52 pm

    I hope you and your son had a really lovely birthday last week. Sorry to hear about the DofE expedition being cancelled. It’s a shame they didn’t do it later in the year.

    Reply
  7. Beth says:
    March 26, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    The Stitch Festival sounds like a ton of fun for anyone who loves fabric or fabric arts. That must have been a blast!

    Reply
  8. Tammy says:
    March 26, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    Sounds like the festival was a nice surprise and I’m glad you finally got to experience that. Sorry to hear about the expedition though for your little one! Hope they make it up another way.

    Reply
  9. Lavanda says:
    March 26, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    I’ve heard about the stitch festival from my sister, sure does sound like so much fun! I’d love to participate sometime.

    Reply
  10. Jupiter Hadley says:
    March 26, 2024 at 5:18 pm

    I hope you had a fantastic birthday! Sounds like a really interesting read. I have no patience for stiching.

    Reply
  11. Heather says:
    March 26, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    The stitch festival sounds like a lot of fun! Hope you and your son had great birthdays!

    Reply
  12. Natalie says:
    March 27, 2024 at 2:36 am

    Aww 14, they grow so fast! The Stitch Festival sounds like a great place for arts and crafts.

    Reply
  13. Kat says:
    March 28, 2024 at 4:15 am

    Happy belated birthdays to you and your son! 🎉 Sounds like you had a blast at The Stitch Festival, despite the hiccup with your son’s expedition. Hope the coming week brings even more joy! 🥳

    Reply

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Welcome to the gingerbread house blog. I’m Jenny, London mum of two teens. Craft and family lifestyle blogger, occasional baker of gingerbread. Find out more about us, our latest crafts, and be inspired by our days out. Contact me jenny@the-gingerbread-house.co.uk

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