My weekly exercise in gratitude – three things that are making me smile – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog [or Twitter account or Facebook page or diary or life in general] with happiness.
First, bees. Although there is deep concern in the UK about pollinator populations, our garden has been buzzing with bees and hoverflies recently. They seem to have been particularly enjoying the raspberry flowers and the comfrey. Here are two that I spotted recently:
If you want the first, you’ll need to plant some flowers to attract them (the one in the picture is resting on some borage flowers after I removed it from the limery), but if you want one like the second, Helen has a fabulous free pattern over on her Beastie blog.
Second, a hair-do. Just in time for the heatwave (now over – it’s drizzly today), Max went to the groomers. He always looks lovely when he comes home…. you’d hardly know it was the same dog!
Third, money from the tax man. Now, I don’t generally discuss doing my accounts and how much I dislike the process. Fortunately, however, we have a good accountant and we just hand over our paperwork and he fills in the forms… and this morning the outcome was a small cheque for me from HM Revenue and Customs… now that really is worth a smile.
So, those are three things making me smile this week. What is making you happy?
-oOo-
Emily of Nerd in the Brain originally created Three Things Thursday, but it’s now being hosted by Natalie of There She Goes.
The Snail of Happiness 
crawcraftsbeasties
/ June 22, 2017Oooh, the bees made Three Things Thursday! Thank you! And I for one am grateful that someone tried out my pattern, and that it worked! Max really seems to be enjoying his new ‘do… Did he get modelling lessons at the groomer’s too? He looks Instagram-ready in the “after” photo!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 22, 2017Perhaps I should have included the sequence of photos that led to that final one… Max’s bottom, Max’s side, the top of Max’s head, Max out of focus (many times), Max lunging at the camera…
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crawcraftsbeasties
/ June 23, 2017Hahaha! Having tried to photograph Boyfriend’s family hound before, I feel your pain! 😆
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katechiconi
/ June 22, 2017My three things? Finishing the Blue Hour quilt; several days of brilliant bike riding in the warm winter sunshine with great food and the company of friends; tonight’s delicious tender rack of lamb marinated with honey, chilli, fennel, garlic and freshly ground salt and pepper.
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Wild Daffodil
/ June 22, 2017Max’s expressions are priceless! What a characterful dog.
My three things are: 1. a cooler day today, giving me more energy; 2. Being surrounded by children and grandchildren full of health and happiness; 3. recent peaceful days of crafting
Feeling blessed.
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Laurie Graves
/ June 22, 2017Woo-hoo! A tax refund. That is bound to brighten any day. That bee is adorable, and Max? Well, he is beyond adorable. As was noted in previous comments, such an expressive face. Little buddy!
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Susie
/ June 22, 2017Love, love, LOVE Max’s hair do! Looks great. That reminds me, I must get Arnold’s hair done!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017Max is the only one of the whole household who goes to the hairdressers!
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hopedose
/ June 22, 2017How adorable is the bee
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017Easy to make too
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thecontentedcrafter
/ June 22, 2017Isn’t it amazing the difference a hair cut makes! I still remember my discombobulation when Siddy had his first groom – the dog she was carrying out to give me wasn’t one I recognised at all 😀 And it’s always lovely when the government gives you back a little cash! Love the little felted(?) bee – very cute!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017Max is always so happy after he’s had his hair cut… I love the way he frolics about when he gets home.
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Born To Organize
/ June 22, 2017A couple of bees, an adorable pooch and money from the tax authority…that’s an impressive list. I’m glad you timed the haircut to coincide with the heatwave. I’m also glad you have drizzle again. I’m green with envy.
A tiny kitten named Tessa is making us happy every day with her enthusiasm for life and her affectionate ways. My Little Free Library is freshly remodeled and stops me in my tracks whenever I see it. Donna is an amazing artist. I’m happy to have a portable air conditioner keeping the main room in our house at a reasonable temperature, since it’s 100F outside. Have a lovely weekend.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017I thought about you when I came across another Free Little Library in Manchester a few weeks ago… I’d never seen one for real before.
I’m so glad that your little Tessa found you and you found her – she is one lucky kitten.
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Born To Organize
/ June 27, 2017I’m so glad you found a library in Manchester. I smile to myself whenever I hear of one spotted somewhere. Thank you for your kind words regarding Tessa. She’s a treasure we didn’t realize we needed till she showed up. We all feel like we’re the lucky ones. xo
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arlingwoman
/ June 23, 2017Sounds like an awfully good week. I’m happy with a haircut and printing out the pattern for the bee…AND that I’ll get the kitchen painted this week…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017Our kitchen needs painting… I’m going to have to do it soon, because a new cupboard is due to be fitted in the next couple of weeks and the wall it’s going against needs to be painted first. I have the paint, but not the enthusiasm!
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arlingwoman
/ June 23, 2017That’s how I feel about my bathroom, which also needs painting…
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nanacathy2
/ June 23, 2017Don’t think bee two would be much good for polinating, but it’s very sweet. Your dog is very pretty with the haircut and hurrah for tax rebates.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 23, 2017Fortunately we seem to have plenty of other pollinators in the garden, so bee #2 can be purely decorative!
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Linne
/ June 25, 2017Loved this post and have posted myself (as you suggested). Then forgot to come back and mention it to you. I included your links to the original and current Keepers. Thanks so much for sharing this great idea. ~ Linne
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 25, 2017glad that you are joining in… there are weeks when it’s difficult to focus on positives, but those are the most important weeks to make the effort.
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insearchofitall
/ June 26, 2017Your dog looks so cool and comfy now that he’s had his summer do. I have enjoyed watching the bees in my front yard again this summer as well. They don’t seem to be bothered by my being there are just busy…as bees. Money from the tax man is always cause for celebration. Or maybe it went straight to the groomer. 🙂 Me, I have so very many things to be grateful for everyday. Our heat wave is ending today and then back to normal hot. 🙂 Yay!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 26, 2017There’s a borage plant right outside our kitchen window that the bees love… it’s all too easy to spend time just staring at their busy activity. I must plant more borage next year.
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