Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the little or big things that made me smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures.

Five Happy Things {Week 47/2025}

I thought I would try making my own mincemeat this year. I usually buy a jar from Waitrose, which always tastes good, but wanted to make my own. I didn’t realise I would need so many ingredients! I mixed all the ingredients together and left it overnight, and it’s currently in the oven at a low temperature to melt the suet. I’m following a Delia Smith recipe so I hope it’s good.

Last week we attended another Sixth Form Open Evening with my son who is currently in Year 11. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces of some of the students he went to infant and junior school with. He’s currently thinking about doing four A levels, I love that he is so ambitious for himself.

We try not to think about Christmas much before my daughter’s birthday at the end of the month. However I couldn’t resist making a walnut shell wreath to hang up. Receiving a handful of walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds was a gift, symbolic of prosperity and good luck. Nuts are now a staple of our Christmas traditions, we buy some every year.

I finished a jigsaw I’ve been working on for months. I feel like I started this last winter and only just managed to complete it. The World of Hercule Poirot, another Laurence King puzzle, had 100o pieces!

This week my daughter will be turning 14! She decided to go to Ninja Warrior UK with some friends which was a great choice for her. She had a great time on all the inflatables – such a fun way to start her birthday celebrations.