best neighbours in Dublin

Tags

Dublin, flowers, happiness, joy, neighbourhood, neighbours, planting, window-boxes

I think I may just have the best neighbours in Dublin – if not the world. The little street I live on is inhabited by a selection of wonderful human beings, each as different from each other as snowflakes and many of them just have the kindest hearts.

Over the past ten days or so things have been a little bit tricky for me in my work life (which I can’t quite discuss here or yet) but my friends and neighbours have been a  great support and hopefully things will soon change for the better.

One lovely neighbour even dropped me in some cake, lasagna and soup on Saturday morning – feeding me for the entire weekend- and I have to say I felt very cared for. An other lovely neighbour whisked me off to the community garden yesterday afternoon. She had seen me, through the window, sitting at my computer non-stop and decided it was time for some fresh air and sunshine.  And I have to admit I enjoyed my afternoon spent outdoors picking peas and beans.

So, today I have decided to pay my neighbours back and tackle my window boxes. After the long wet summer we have had they are now looking more than a little sad. I hope that by making my front of house look pretty again it will make them smile as they pass by my home. Maybe a not a hot dinner or some outdoor fun, but hopefully a bit of colourful joy spread down the street.

A good neighbour is a priceless tresure

Chines Proverb

a few of these to brighten up the windowsills

simple smiles

Tags

happiness, Phylis Diller, quote, smile, smiles, to-do list

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

Comedian Phylis Diller

When your day starts with a smile it is always a sign about things to come – so today promises to be a good one. And the thing that makes me smile even more is that I have myself to thank for my own happy mood.

As I sat down at my desk this morning I was rewarded with a clean tidy space and an already very ‘ticked-off’ to-do list already waiting for further treatment. There is something very satisfying about following up after a very busy day, I already feel a few steps ahead, very unlike my perpetual few steps behind.

With so much already done the rest seems more manageable, less daunting – and who knows maybe I will manage to finish my entire list this week, it would be the first time in ages and a goal to aspire to.

So, still smiling I am checking of my to-list and enjoying the sense of accomplishment it leaves me with – simple pleasures are often those we overlook but are also often those that give the most joy. And instead of waiting for those few momentous moments in life that make our hearts burst with happiness it seems to make sense to take the simple smiles as they come.  Small practice runs for those precious exhilarating experiences making every day happier and filled with smiles.

 

 

Thursday morning delights

Tags

cinema, Fortuna, happiness, money, morning sun, October budget, photography, photos, roses, surprise, surprises

When I came down for breakfast this morning the roses I bought myself yesterday greeted me, and their unusual colour, a dusky purply-pink, was even more stunning in the early morning sun. But that wasn’t the only thing that was waiting for me.

With a smile on my lips and a happy mood in my heart I went to check my mail and a few surprises awaited me. Between a few flyers, a bill and a bank-statement was a large silver envelope and a small brown one.

The large enveloped contained a night out – it’s contents were two tickets to next weeks cinema premier of Gone Girl in my favourite cinema the Savoy. Thinking things couldn’t get much better than that the small brown overdevelop was going to prove me wrong.

Inside was a cheque, one I have been waiting for for a while, but the surprise was that the figure printed on it was a lot higher than expected. And while it may not be millions, not even thousands, for me this pleasant surprise helps me with my October budget.

But Fortuna wasn’t done with me yet,  when I opened my emails I found my latest payslip and it too showed a higher figure than anticipated. What a way to start a day!

And since I meeting up the girls tonight the day promises to end as beautiful as it began, with lots of smiles, laughs and a skipping heart.

banana-bread contentment

Tags

backing, baking, banana bread, contentment, counting my blessings, happiness, moment of happiness, photography, psychology, quotes

There is nothing quite like the smell and taste of freshly baked goods. A warm doughiness filling your home with sweet smells and spices and flavours melting on your tongue and in your belly.  I always feel content when savouring that first bite of oven-fresh loveliness, a pure moment of happiness.

Because today is Sunday and I had time I indulged in a little baking and am now joyously munching some fresh banana-bread. The crust may be a little dark but the inside is perfectly moist and crumbly, the taste of banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla creating a symphony of flavours in my mouth.  And while I watch the rain fall I can’t help but relish this absolute feeling of contentment.

It is not a feeling I often have but over the last few weeks it has been creeping in every now and then. Fleeting seconds of counting my blessings, smiling at the promises that lie ahead and enjoying being in the now.

After the last two years (and many more before them) of struggle and loss, I am happy where I am right now. I am enjoying my freedom over the summer, savouring lazy days, meeting friends and trying new things. Of course many of my good intentions have fallen by the wayside, for now, but it doesn’t seem to matter. After all the summer still stretches out before me filled with adventures and unknown gifts.

This doesn’t mean I don’t still have my lonely moments or don’t fret over big and little things. And yes, I still have unfulfilled hopes and dreams, know my limits and limitations and can’t seem to shake my singeldoomness (not a word I know, but I assure you it is a feeling). But for someone who is trying to be more mindful, these twinkling spells of contentment are a great success.

With that in mind I think I’ll have another slice of banana-bread contentment and leave you with a quote:

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have

just yum