A Grey Day

Hello everyone, thanks so much for all your lovely comments on my last post, very much appreciated as always.  I hope you are managing to stay warm today.  Here we have seen rain, sleet, and on higher ground, snow, it hasn't got light all day and it is so cold it feels raw.

But, there are some things that are definitely cheering up my day...

The scent is intoxicating...

This one should have been blue, but hey, it is still stunning....

Hyacynths... so beautiful, and especially on a day like today...

Little reminders that Spring isn't really too far away.  

Have a great evening!

Helenxx

Reasons to be cheerful - part 2

Hi everyone!

Thought I would share a few things that have made me feel cheerful recently:

 A walk through the park on my way from one appointment to another.  A great chance to grab a bit of fresh air and appreciate some very welcome sunshine.

A bit of window shopping - I love this craft materials shop, the staff are very helpful and friendly, I have attended a couple of their evening workshops too, always a lovely treat.

I love the skies at this time of year just before dusk.  And I also love the skeletal outlines of the trees against the sky.

And finally, how could this little chap not bring a smile to my face?

One of the training providers I visit regularly has a small holding, where some of our more challenging students find working with animals and the land really rewarding and calming.  This little chap always comes along to say hello to me, and his face was just so cute I couldn't resist taking a quick snap!

What is making you feel cheerful this week?

Helenxx

Reasons to be cheerful - part one!

Good morning everyone, well, we have made it through to the first weekend after the return to routine!  It has been a very hectic week, and I must admit to going to bed at 10 o'clock last night as I was exhausted!

Mind you, I was up at 3 in the morning the night before hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights...I did see some very pale streaks in the sky on the northern horizon that definitely wasn't cloud or con-trails from a plane, but whether these actually were the aurora borealis I cant truthfully say...but I would like to think that they were.  I have always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights since I was a little girl, hopefully one day I will be able to travel to one of the Nordic countries to see them  in their full glory.

Anyway, this morning I got up bright and early, glad to see that the rain has cleared away for the time being. 

Those of us of a "certain age" (and my age goes up tomorrow as it is my birthday!) will remember the Ian Drury song "Reasons to be cheerful" so may well smile at the title of this post.  Today's post is just that - things that are making me feel cheerful today!

First up, pots of spring bulbs - I usually buy these on my return to work after the holidays to cheer me up. 

Hyacinths, these are the pink variety:

and my favourites of all, the blue:

I love the wispy, mossy covering on the soil.

Some sweet little daffodils to complete the collection:

these cost £3 all together for the three pots, bargain!

Loving these little USB lights arranged around one of my Moroccan lamps:

Certainly a cheerful, cosy sight on these cold days of winter.

What is making you feel cheerful this weekend?

Helenxx