Finding joy in the everyday

Artist:  Jewel Buhay There are few people who are always happy and smiling.  Most of us, from time to time, find life a little tough going, we hit a road block and we struggle to find joy. Our mood goes from sunshine to grey clouds and its colours everything we do and say. For some people it may not last very long, for others it can be much more of a struggle to get out of the ditch.  This is when we start to snap at our love ones, struggle to do our work and just feel grumpy and sad.  Instead of letting your mood pull you down, here are somethings you can do to help life you out of your misery and back into the sunshine. 1. Get outside — sunshine on your face, breathing resh air and hearing the birds sing really does make a differences. It can clear the head and remove you from the problem. Find a seat (or sit on the grass) and spend sometime alone and your head will feel so much better. It is harder to feel grumpy with the sunshine beaming do...

Henry the young magpie who has befriended us.

Last week I wrote about the Danish concept of Hygge  ( LINK to blogpost ) — creating a welcoming, cosy home environment where those that enter feel embraced, a sense of belonging and togetherness.  We all want homes that are like this and whilst doing research into hygge I came across a blog that gave tips on how to create "hygge" in our homes which I thought I would share: (sourced from: " Decor8 ") I love the ideas listed below and agree with them. I have written my own additional comments in red. What do you think - would these suggestions make your house and home more hygge — more cosy? I think whatever we do in our homes, it should be done with love and care and for the right reasons — not to impress others who visit but to make our homes welcoming to whoever steps over the threshold. 1. Make interior design important to you and your family:  This means considering what you have and decorate with intention and style. Not all Danish homes look...

Art Friday: Girls and cats A combination that goes together like hand and a glove!! I loved cats as a child and I love them now — they are warm, cuddle and full of love. As a girl, I would carry my cats (Orange and Blacky) around as a baby, dress  them up and put them to bed. They never seem to mind what I did!!   When a cat decides to love you, that love lasts forever ! **** It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens. ~Cynthia E. Varnado I put down my book, The Meaning of Zen , and see the cat smiling into her fur as she delicately combs it with her rough pink tongue. "Cat, I would lend you this book to study but it appears you have already read it." She looks up and gives me her full gaze. "Don't be ridiculous," she purrs, "I wrote it." ~Dilys Laing, "Miao" Kittens are angels with whiskers. ~Alexis Flora Hope She clawed her way into my heart and ...

There are very few things in life that are free — or it can certainly feel that way? Day-to-day living is pretty expensive and most people are fed up with always handing out money — bills seem to be going up, the price of food, clothing, utilities, all those extra charges and taxes. Once $50 could last ages in one's wallet, now it can go in a few moments at the supermarket with very little in return. It can all get very depressing.  But, there are many things that are free but sometimes we forget about them. So here is a list to remind us all of the many wonderful things in life that are as free as a bird and are waiting for us to enjoy. Some of these things may not seem to be very important — quite trivial but without them, our lives would not be as rich or as joyful.  So the next time you feel weighed down with all those bills, remember the long list of things that are free that will bring happiness and joy to your day. The bible A glorious sunrise ...

What do you think of this great idea (thanks Bets) — since reading this, I have made a real effort to wear things I don't usually wear and its been like wearing new clothes with some items!!!  It has a very trendy name — its called "Shopping your wardrobe/closet" and I did a little of it last year and it was fun!!! I wore combinations I wouldn't usually wear or added accessories to make the outfit look different.  Would love to hear any great ideas from you that I can share with others. 

Whilst searching for blogging stories during my break I came across a story on Danish parenting and families which to me encapsulates all that we as homemakers are trying to do, but perhaps the Danes have the best word for it:  HYGGE The word hygge dates back to the 19th century and is derived from the Germanic word "hyggja" which means to think or feel satisfied. There is no English word for Hygge (pronounced "hooga"), but here is one explanation of what it means: “the absence of anything annoying or emotionally overwhelming; taking pleasure from the presence of gentle, soothing things” .  Hygge relates to cosiness, homey, snug, comfortable, togetherness, family, connectedness. It is about creating the right atmosphere in the home where families and friends come together, leaving the dramas of the world behind, including family feuds and disagreements to create a safe, warm place for all. In short it is a drama free environment from the outsi...