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 things that made me smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures.

Five Happy Things {Week 22/2025}

I love half term, especially when I have the week off to spend it with my family. My son started the week with his Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the Chilterns so I took my daughter to watch the new Lilo and Stitch film which we both enjoyed.

Before my son had the chance to recover from his walking expedition we were off, our half term adventures included a few days champing which is camping in a church. We picked the beautiful church of St Bartholomew in Nailand which was a perfect base for re-visiting Bristol, a city we all love. We walked over the Clifton Suspension Bridge and re-acquainted ourselves with Bristol and all its wonderful street art.

Did you notice my new blog header? It was designed by Helen at Ellie Illustrates, who designed my last blog header back in 2016, almost 10 years ago. My children have changed so much so it seemed a good time to update the header. It includes some previous elements, like the London skyline, but there is a new family portrait as well as references to the books and crafts we love to share.

On our return to London we made a visit to Turner’s House in Twickenham. This is the only house designed by and built for the artist J.M.W.Turner, so the only 3D piece of art he created. At the time it was outside London, near to the Thames which he loved to paint. Sadly he didn’t use it much so sold it within a few years. It’s been restored and is a wonderful little place to explore – there’s a great pub for lunch nearby too.

I finished the Cotton Clara Hoop Club Box 10 which was designed by Annie Dornan Smith and released in June 2021. I had only stitched one of the flowers and then put it away, not sure why as it was a really simple kit to stitch. The colours are quite autumnal so I will be bringing this out to display later this year.

Let me know what you have been enjoying this week.