It's been a busy start to the year! Between work and life and a professional qualification that I've decided to study for on top of everything else, last week's post didn't happen. But I managed to accomplish what I needed to do and felt better for it without feeling like I'd stretched myself too thinly - it's all about balance after all. (Shameless new year post plug).
But wasn't this weekend wonderful? The sun shone and it really felt like spring was on its way. Granted by the time the sun went in, I felt like I was going to lose my fingers to the cold but still, the glorious hope of spring remained fresh in my mind and it felt good!
Of course, the views over the last few mornings haven't been quite as glorious...but still beautiful in their own hauntingly eerie way.
So what else has been making me smile over the course of the last week?
♥ Gilmore Girls... I've been marathoning all of the Gilmore Girls series over the last few months (can't actually remember exactly when I started!) and last night I bawled my way through the final episode of series 7, which now leaves only the recently-aired special to go. I've loved working my way through this - what on earth can I start when it's over?!
♥ Planning a university reunion weekend... After a flurry of weddings over the last few years, there has been a flurry of babies and general life shenanigans, which has got in the way of a proper catch up with my close group of university girls for a couple of years. With one of the girls having a second baby on the way this summer, we've decided to have a meet-up in advance of that and use the opportunity to meet one of our friend's little twins who arrived on the scene shortly before Christmas.
♥ Porridge... As the weather has got colder over the last few weeks (and the lovely Miss Sally continues to extol its delights on a regular basis with some awe-inspiring combinations of flavours), I've been craving porridge's comforting warmth and finally tracked down some gluten free oats this week. Despite the fact that my mornings tend to be a blurry haze with little more than 5 minutes to wolf down my breakfast, it's been so lovely to start the day with some porridge again - a little warm glow before I brave the morning chill. Apple and cinnamon is my current favourite :)
♥ Women's Marches... I couldn't join in the Women's March on London on Saturday because I had to work, which I was really sad about but just seeing all the photos/news stories/tweets roll in made me smile so hard. Seeing that amount of people come together so peacefully filled me with optimism and sheer joy, despite the knowledge that one of the major things being protested about is still very much an on-going issue.
♥ Family lunchings... On Sunday, hubby and I joined my parents,and my brother and his girlfriend for a lunch to celebrate my brother's birthday. They may have been slightly hungover after celebrating the night before as well (I'm all for making the celebration last as long as possible!) but we enjoyed a lovely few hours catching up...particularly as we hadn't all been together since Christmas. More get-togethers please 2017, love them!
Of course, the views over the last few mornings haven't been quite as glorious...but still beautiful in their own hauntingly eerie way.
So what else has been making me smile over the course of the last week?
****
♥ Gilmore Girls... I've been marathoning all of the Gilmore Girls series over the last few months (can't actually remember exactly when I started!) and last night I bawled my way through the final episode of series 7, which now leaves only the recently-aired special to go. I've loved working my way through this - what on earth can I start when it's over?!
♥ Planning a university reunion weekend... After a flurry of weddings over the last few years, there has been a flurry of babies and general life shenanigans, which has got in the way of a proper catch up with my close group of university girls for a couple of years. With one of the girls having a second baby on the way this summer, we've decided to have a meet-up in advance of that and use the opportunity to meet one of our friend's little twins who arrived on the scene shortly before Christmas.
♥ Porridge... As the weather has got colder over the last few weeks (and the lovely Miss Sally continues to extol its delights on a regular basis with some awe-inspiring combinations of flavours), I've been craving porridge's comforting warmth and finally tracked down some gluten free oats this week. Despite the fact that my mornings tend to be a blurry haze with little more than 5 minutes to wolf down my breakfast, it's been so lovely to start the day with some porridge again - a little warm glow before I brave the morning chill. Apple and cinnamon is my current favourite :)
♥ Women's Marches... I couldn't join in the Women's March on London on Saturday because I had to work, which I was really sad about but just seeing all the photos/news stories/tweets roll in made me smile so hard. Seeing that amount of people come together so peacefully filled me with optimism and sheer joy, despite the knowledge that one of the major things being protested about is still very much an on-going issue.
♥ Family lunchings... On Sunday, hubby and I joined my parents,and my brother and his girlfriend for a lunch to celebrate my brother's birthday. They may have been slightly hungover after celebrating the night before as well (I'm all for making the celebration last as long as possible!) but we enjoyed a lovely few hours catching up...particularly as we hadn't all been together since Christmas. More get-togethers please 2017, love them!
♥ Caitlin Moran on Desert Island Discs... Oh my goodness, this was absolutely wonderful - a feast for the ears, both musically and anecdotally. I adore Caitlin Moran any way, I think her 'How to be a Woman' should be read by everyone, but this made me love her even more. Apparently they recorded over over 2 and a half hours but it was whittled down to just over 30 minutes of pure joy as Caitlin whizzed through her life from a childhood of home schooling and living with her parents and 7 siblings in a council house, to writing her first novel at 13 and becoming a journalist. "Life isn't about surviving" she said at one point, "it's about cramming in as much joy as possible". Abso-bloody-lutely! Kirsty Young really had a fight on her hands trying to get Caitlin to pause on certain topics and dwell on things that she perhaps would have been tempted to gloss over and poke fun at. One particular moment had me in tears, it resonated with me so completely...not ideal in the middle of a bus on my commute home but still. Go and listen to it immediately and, if you haven't already, read 'How to be a Woman'. I'll leave you with another favourite quote:
"I believe in giddy, deluded, intoxicated optimism because that's the fuel that will keep you going long after anger, righteousness and fear have burned out. I look everywhere for things to make me optimistic."And if that doesn't perfectly sum up what this Wonderful Wednesday experience is all about, I don't know what does!
♥ Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below (I do love comments!) or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - Sally, Michelle, Helen, Kate, Jo, Emma, Samantha, Kerri, Laura, Sarah, Peta, El, Laura, Sarah, Mimmi, Jasmin, Martina, Lynsey and Katie (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! ♥
Wow, that Caitlin Moran interview sounds fab, I will most certainly be giving that a listen, thanks for the tip. And one for you for your post Gilmore Girls slump... have you checked out Parenthood? There's SO many seasons so will keep you going a good while... it's also got Lauren Graham in it, who basically just plays Lorelai! x
ReplyDeleteOoh I haven't heard of Parenthood, I'll be sure to check that out. Thanks for the tip! x
DeleteThat quote is just perfect and sums up our quest for the things that make us happy. I'm definitely going to listen to Caitlin Moran back. I absolutely love that foggy, chilly shot. Plymouth is unseasonably mild, I can't wait for a good frost.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely rest of your week xx
Yes it is pretty but I've almost slipped on it so many times this week - I do have the balance of a baby foal though. Have a wonderful weekend, Kate xx
DeleteI haven't listened to the Caitlin Moran Desert Island Discs yet but I can't wait! She talks a lot of sense that woman. We've been rushing around guzzling down smoothies these last few weeks and I really miss the slow morning ritual of the porridge and the chat and the gentle start to the day, there's a lot to be said for that. Glad the marches made your best bits too, ridiculously inspiring!
ReplyDeleteHave a fab rest of the week, don't get bogged down in the studying!
M x
She really does - do let me know your thoughts if you do listen to it! Have a top weekend, M x
DeleteI love Caitlin Moran too, I must have a look for that Desert Island Discs, you've definitely persuaded me it's worth a listen :) x
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased! Enjoy it :) x
DeleteI shall have to listen to that, I like a lot of what Caitlin Moran has to say! x
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, it was always going to be a must-listen for me but I'm so glad to have encouraged lots of others to tune in! x
DeleteI think Sally might be sneaking into my breakfast choices lately, I seem to be eating more porridge than usual.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite tempted to make a bit now since it's so cold in my apartment at the moment!
Nothing beats porridge to warm you up on a chilly morning and set you up perfectly for a winter's day!
DeleteSounds like youve had an EXTREMELY busy start to the year! I hope the professional qualification your studying for is going well!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much hype over Gilmore Girls, I think I need to give it a go! Have you watched Greys Anatomy? Maybe that can fill your Gilmore Girls shaped hole! xx
I love porridge! It is oh so good, I've been trying to resist it as I mainly just want to cover it in sweet things. I had baked oats last week though and they were really good!
ReplyDeleteJasmin Charlotte
I've been marathoning all of the Gilmore Girls series me too since December..=) it's so funny to see how they've changed in the years!"How to be a woman" is absolutely a masterpiece, I totally agree with you!!!:)
ReplyDeletexxx
Martina