Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for a while. This 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 our family adventures. It’s a post I always love to write.
Five Happy Things {Week 452}
My daughter is now in her last term at Junior school and picked up her Leavers jumper last week. She has been wearing it non-stop (despite the hot weather). We also received her last Junior school photos, and made sure we purchased all her sport team photos too. She is beginning to feel sad about the end of term, especially as all her friends will be going to different secondary schools.
Last week I went into London for a work meeting. It was great to be able to look around another university and this was actually the first face to face meeting I’ve attended in years. It was so much better than a Zoom meeting!
I visited our local library as I wanted to get some dressmaking books. Now my kids are a little older we don’t seem to visit the library nearly as much, which means I don’t get to choose books for myself very often. My local library has a great craft section and I picked up some fun books, totally inspired by watching the Great British Sewing Bee.
Did you know it’s elderflower season here in the UK (usually between late May to mid-June)? We’ve been seeing the pretty white elderflower which look like flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers for a few weeks. It grows in woodlands and hedgerows so we often see it on our dog walks. We decided we would go out and pick the flower heads whilst the children were at Scouts, and picked a big bag full of the elderflower flowers, and turned it into cordial. We used an elderflower cordial recipe we use each year and it’s perfect paired with some gin or white wine.
Over the weekend my husband bought me a bike! I’ve had a problem with my knee for the last few years but it’s finally felt better and I always get left at home when the family goes for a bike ride! So I found a lovely bike in a local independent bike shop, Bikewise in Ickenham, and now have a bike for the first time in years. I’ve already been out in the local area and am looking forward to longer bike rides with the family.
Biking is the best bonding for a family. Happy to hear that your knee feels better.
There are lots of elderflowers near where I live that are in bloom, I must go out and pick some as I would love to have a go at making elderflower cordial.
I love going to the library, but I really shouldn’t go as often as I have so many books at home still to read haha. What a lovely bike you have, what a nice treat to have a new one x
Your husband is so kind and sweet to buy you a bike. It’s a great way to explore the locals.
Kids grow up so fast. they’re Junior high school now and you don;t realize they’re already in Uni.
That bike is so pretty! I’d love to have one myself! I’d love to roam around town with a bike!
I’ve been meaning to make elderflower cordial for years. I never seem to find the time unfortunately.
Elderflower is so pretty! We also like the drink in Italy, it is called sambuco. It is very fragrant.
The best way to bond with your family is to go biking together. And we love doing some picnics on the weekend
I love thinking about the good things and feeling gratitude and positivity. I wish I had elderflowers growing – your recipe sounds wonderful! I did see elderflower syrup at IKEA!
I absolutely loved reading your Happy List for Week 452! It’s such a delightful and heartwarming collection of moments that brought you joy. Your daughter’s excitement about her Leavers jumper and the bittersweet emotions surrounding the end of term are so relatable. It must have been wonderful to have a face-to-face work meeting in London and experience that personal connection. Exploring the local library and finding inspiring dressmaking books sounds like a treat. And I can almost taste the refreshing elderflower cordial you made with your family. Lastly, congratulations on getting a new bike! It’s fantastic that your knee is feeling better, and I’m sure you’ll have many enjoyable bike rides ahead with your loved ones. Your Happy List always brings a smile to my face!