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, crafty time. Although I have still had (paid) work to do over the festive period I’ve found time to do quite a bit of crafting … this always makes me happy. Here’s one of my completed projects:
Last completed socks of 2017
Second, unexpected beauty. Yesterday I went out to the compost bin and looked up to see this:
pretty in pink
I came in to get my camera and when I looked again, I realised this cloud was part of a beautiful skyscape:
looking skywards
Third, a perfect pudding. I’m always delighted when a steamed pudding comes out of its bowl intact and this one behaved very well:
Apple flapjack steamed pudding
So, that’s some of what’s been making me happy this week. How about you?
In fact, that’s it for Three Things Thursday as a weekly feature here on the blog…. it’s been a great thing to do and I’ll continue to think of my three things, but not necessarily to write a post. My plans are to direct my writing elsewhere in 2018. I want to thank Emily of Nerd in the Brain who originally created Three Things Thursday and I hope that you will continue to look for the positives in your life too.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ December 28, 2017I have really enjoyed your 3 Things Thursday posts Jan, and the nudge it has given me to think of mine. Quite understand the shift to be concentrating on other things in blogland. A good time of year to review directions.
That cloud! Gorgeous! There has been a lot of pink in the skies around here too, both morning and evening.
1. One of the joys every day, twice a day, for me is to watch as the light changes – how fortunate we are to have these brilliant light shows.
2. I’m delighted to be ‘the other side’ of Christmas.
3. Yesterday, I had the most wonderful long blustery sunny walk by the sea with a friend I haven’t seen for months – we had a good old catch up and then hot crab soup in a pub afterwards. Life is good!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 28, 2017All those sound good. We’ve had a lot of very grey days with little change in light, which I find depressing, so it was lovely to have some variety yesterday and today, again, the sun is shining. Crab soup sounds lovely.
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Wild Daffodil
/ December 28, 2017Wishing you sunshine!
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Ann Pole
/ December 28, 2017I always look forward to reading your blog Jan, and hope you will be continuing in 2018 – or maybe you have another plan up your sleeve? We are grateful (and some what surprised) to find the 6″ of water in the garden has all but gone today. Just a couple of inches on the paths, and the area of the lawn we raised up just about kept its head above water. Feeling grateful for a certain tutorial last NDG. Thank you.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 28, 2017I’ll still be blogging – I’m just planning to drop some of the regular stuff so that there’s a bit more flexibility.
I saw Steve’s picture of the garden/water feature. I’m sure you’ll get your ground raised and the problem will be reduced.
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nanacathy2
/ December 28, 2017I have loved your three things Thursday posts, but there comes a time when you realise things have run their course and it’s time for a change of direction. The sky is endlessly fascinating I find. In the winter when I stop for a mug of tea and some crafty time I sit watching the day end and that is why I have so many sunsets to share. Your socks are so pretty and I love a steamed pudding, Yum ee. Looking forward to what you write about next year.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 28, 2017I decided it was time to move on – my three things have been a lovely weekly post for more than a year and a half, but I want a bit more flexibility in the blog in 2018, so I’m letting a few things go.
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jo creates
/ December 28, 2017great final “three things” to move on with! 😊 looking forward to seeing what’s coming up in 2018!
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coppicelearner
/ December 28, 2017Like others I have enjoyed your 3 things posts but I am intrigued by all the hints to changes and new things! I shall look forward to what emerges!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 28, 2017I hoping to get enthused about book writing!
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Dartmoor Yarns
/ December 28, 2017Love your three things and your attitude of gratitude. Assume/hope writing in another direction doesn’t mean you’re going to stop blogging?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 28, 2017I’m going to carry on blogging, but I also want to write a couple of books and so I’m going to try to direct some of my energy in that direction.
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Dartmoor Yarns
/ December 29, 2017Excellent. Are we allowed to know what the books are going to be about?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 29, 2017There are actually three I have in mind: an introduction to ecology (with a permaculture slant); a book about pragmatic/healthy approaches death and dying (that I’m working on with a palliative care nurse); and one about living a more sustainable life (based on the blog). It’s just finding the time that has been an issue, so that’s why I’ve decided to blog a bit less.
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Dartmoor Yarns
/ December 29, 2017Interesting – especially the one about death. Yes, something has to give, writing takes a lot of time. Good luck!
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katechiconi
/ December 29, 2017Sometimes we have to stop things which are fun because new fun things arrive in our lives. We’ve all enjoyed your Three Things, but I’m hoping we’ll enjoy the next big thing you’ll be working on just as much. As for me, I’m grateful the migraine which started yesterday also finished yesterday, I’m grateful for no need to cook for a while due to plentiful things in the fridge to graze on, and I’m grateful that all the mess is tidied away, while the pretty and useful things are still with us for a little while longer.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 29, 2017I wanted to stop TTT before it became a chore and it may appear periodically in future. I spent part of yesterday sorting out food to go in the freezer to ensure nothing goes to waste – we had a big piece of beef and after a few days you really don’t want any more, so it’s sliced and frozen and ready for use in a month or so! I do like good left-overs.
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Born To Organize
/ December 29, 2017I’ve enjoyed your three-things Thursdays, but I’m equally happy to hear you are pursuing other writing. Your pudding looks wonderful. It’s fun when things turn out so perfectly from the bowl.
Wishing you a happy new year, Jan. xo
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 29, 2017And a happy new year to you. In 2018 I am going to embrace change!
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