Despite the Weather, Let's Spread Some Happiness

Hello everyone, how are you getting on in the wind and the rain?

We had a rather damp night away, staying in St Albans.  I'm sure it's a lovely city, but when the weather isn't good, it's difficult to enjoy walking around.

We did spend some time in the cathedral, which was very interesting.

We had a lovely meal in the Wetherspoons in the city centre - a bit like being in a medieval banqueting hall.

November seems to be going just as quickly as October did.  My resolution for next year is to work out how to make more time - it may require some magical prowess, but I'll see what I can do.

I've just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

What a fabulous book.  It's not a newly published book, it's been available for quite some time, but I've only just discovered it and it's got me so excited.

Gretchen spent a year thinking about ways to maximise her happiness.  She wasn't unhappy, she wanted to see if it was possible to find ways to be even more happier with who she is and what she does.  She devotes a chapter and a topic to each month - relationships, friendships, money, leisure activities, spiritual matters, health etc.  This is not a book that tells you how to live your life.  It is Gretchen's own experiences that she relates, in a humorous and entertaining way.  It is very inspiring and I've already started planning for my own happiness project.  Like Gretchen, I have a happy life, I have everything I need and I have a wonderful family, but I think it's important that we constantly try to improve ourselves so that we can be more supportive to those around us.

Happiness is infectious and I'd like to do my bit to spread it around.

A Lovely Present

I have recieved a wonderful present from Grace - just to cheer me up. 

It's a 1939 edition of the Penguin Guide to the Lake District. 

It was written at a time before too many tourists and cars filled the Lake District - very quaint.  At the end of each chapter there's a little drawing of penguins on their travels. 

Although the Lake District isn't that far from us (only 86 miles from Liverpool to Ambleside according to the book) we don't tend to visit very often.  We had a wonderful holiday in Coniston a few years ago but haven't been there for a while now. 

This little book has inspired me to go and visit more often.  The place names are so delightful - Buttermere, Grisedale, Tilberthwaite and Eskdale. 

The only problem can be the weather - a bit bleak in winter - so maybe when the Spring comes!

Dancing Backwards

I've just finished reading a lovely book Dancing Backwards by Salley Vickers.

It's a while since Ive read a book that I've really enjoyed. This one is the story of a woman recently widowed, taking a cruise trip across the Atlantic to new York to meet up with a friend she hasn't seen in years. The actual journey is punctuated by a metaphorical journey into her past in which she unravels her own involvement in troubling events.

I have enjoyed all of Salley Vickers's previous novels, especially Miss Garnet's Angel. Dancing Backwards is well written and a very gentle read. It is both funny and sad in places, a great read for long, lazy summer days.

On trying to be productive, whilst avoiding the housework etc

It's three months since I started this blog and two months since I joined ravelry. It has certainly made me more productive. Seeing other people's finished projects, I feel I should be churning something out on a regular basis. The other day I got this lovely crochet book out of the library.

It's called 201 crochet motifs, blocks, projects and ideas and it's by Melody Griffiths. It's full of beautiful floral motifs. This is ideal - when I feel the urge to complete a project, I can make something quick and stunning from this book.

In the meantime I am making excellent progress with Rosalind. It knits up so quickly and I might even be able to finish it over the weekend. There's cricket (2nd Test Match) and golf (Open at Turnberry) on the TV so hopefully I'll be able to sit around quite a bit over the next few days. Chris has now started his 6 weeks holiday, so he's got his feet up already - I keep telling him, us housewives don't get holidays.

The jungle that used to be the back garden desperately needs some attention - but I'm hoping that it will rain so I've got an excuse not to do it!

Grace is away this week. She's completing the gold expedition for her Duke of Edinburgh award. 5 days and 4 nights walking and camping in the Lake District. If last time is anything to go by, she'll come home with rotting feet, serious BO and severe sleep deprivation. I can't image she'll ever want to look at a tent ever again. Whilst she's away I am busy making and planning for her 18th - all very secret, so no pics or details yet.