Happy snowy Friday

I had such a lovely time exploring other blogs last Friday that I’ve decided to join in with the Planet Penny Happy Friday again.  I think the idea is to post about one thing that’s made you happy, but I have cheerfully ignored the rules and intend to show you a few more!

This week, the snow has made me ridiculously, giddily happy. Would I be so ecstatic to see if it I lived in a place where the winter lasted six months and it was a marathon event just to get my outdoor clothes on every time I wanted to put my feet outside? I don’t know, but as we don’t see the snow very much in Winwick then it makes me very happy when the world turns to white.

The dog and I headed off into the snowy wilds of Winwick this morning – well, actually not that wild or snowy by the time we set off, despite the fact that we had another snowfall last night. By the time I got home from dropping small daughter off at school and had wrapped myself up against the wind, the snow had started melting and we were accompanied by the sound of snow dripping from the trees as we walked.

We spotted rabbit footprints in the snow. Luckily, the dog didn’t spot any rabbits or we’d have been off across the fields after them (probably with me flat on my face – it wouldn’t have been a pretty sight!).

We also spotted the alpacas at one of the farms. The baby over on the right looks like it’s whispering sweet nothings in the sheep’s ear! The alpacas were so dirty – hardly surprising given the weather – but I imagine it will take some doing to get the fleeces clean when they’re sheared! The dog’s not quite sure what to make of the alpacas, so he sits very quietly at my feet when we talk to them. Given their reputation for guarding sheep, it’s probably just as well!

I bought this primula at the farm shop earlier this week. I couldn’t resist the colour – it’s an unusual vibrant orange. The rest of the primulas in my garden are all shades of yellow, pink and purple and it’ll be nice to have a different colour in the mix.

On Tuesday this week, I had another day out in Skipton. I headed up the M6 again and thoroughly enjoyed myself with Lucy and the other ladies at the Knit n Natter. It feels very decadent to spend the afternoon knitting!

This week I’ve been trying to remember where my snow obsession came from, and I think I’ve always just really liked snow. Maybe it’s because I’m a winter baby, or maybe it’s because the world seems more magical when it’s white and silent. I have no idea.

This book was given to me on my fourth birthday and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it. I’ve enjoyed sharing it with my girls, too. It’s a rhyming story about two children and a dog playing out in the snow, throwing snowballs, sledging and building the world’s biggest snowman. It’s a Dr Seuss book, although it wasn’t written by him. I think there’s a tendency to assume that Dr Seuss books are confined to the famous ones that he wrote – The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham (I do not like them, Sam I Am!) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas to name a couple. However, there was also a collection of beginner reader books, some by other authors, written with a small vocabulary of words and this is one of them.

Just reading these words never fails to bring a smile to my face.

I’ve read the book so many times that the words are part of the enjoyment of being outside in the snow now – although I’m not so keen on snow in my face! The dog in the picture looks as if he wouldn’t be keen either!

I love the idea of filling the freezer with snowballs to keep them for another day. My Mum was less than impressed when I tried it once, though!

Finally, a different kind of reading to keep me happy over the weekend. I’ve subscribed to Simply Knitting for quite a few years now and although I don’t knit many of the projects, I do enjoy reading the magazine and seeing which character Alan Dart has brought to woolly life this month. My Dad bought me a subscription to Love Sewing last Christmas and I’m enjoying reading this magazine too. There’s always a free pattern and some of them are definitely on my “to-make” list, although I don’t sew as much as I’d like to. I think it’s because dressmaking isn’t as familiar to me as knitting so it takes me much longer to get anything done. If I persevered, I’m sure it would all get faster, so maybe that’s a good excuse to do more of it!

It’s a lovely idea to remind yourself of what’s made you happy during the week. Gratitude is the surefire way to bring more happiness into life and being grateful is something we should all do as often as we can.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing. Stay warm!

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20 Responses

  1. Fiddly Fingers says:

    What a lovely post. I really enjoyed reading about what made you happy this week. You're very right. When Planet Penny first started up Happy Friday I really couldn't think what to write about. But … when you make a point of thinking about it there are a lot of things in the week that really do make you happy – we just tend to dismiss them. It makes you feel good to make a point of 'thinking' about them. We have a lot to thank Planet Penny for 🙂

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Indeed we do! And isn't that the great thing about blogging? I find that it slows me down and makes me think about what's happening and what I can see around me rather than rushing from one moment to the next. I really enjoyed reading your post this week too xx

  2. Ali says:

    Rules are made to be broken, he he. It was lovely to see everything that has made you so happy. I do like the snow and I think we take it far too seriously when the weather gets just a little bad in the UK. I loved your snowy pics, especially the two headed alpaca. It looks like they were checking you out. My edition of Love Sewing dropped on the mat this morning, isn't it a great read. So that's this weekend sorted. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
    Ali xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Hee hee, it does look like a two-headed alpaca, doesn't it? If they were standing nose to tail, they'd be more like Dr Dolittle's Pushmi-pullyu and that would be something to see! 🙂 xx

  3. Lilly's Mom says:

    Your snow photos are beautiful. It's always a pleasure to read your post and today you didn't disappoint with all the lovely pictures. That is amazing that you have this wonderful book from many years ago. What memories! Happy Friday from cloudy, maybe rainy, southern California 🙂

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Ooh, is the rain coming at last for you? That will be good news! Thanks for your comments, it's always lovely to see you xx

  4. VeggieMummy says:

    A lovely happy post. That baby alpaca is so sweet – I didn't know that they are used to guard sheep. I've just looked out of the window and we have a sprinkling of snow – my daughter will be terribly pleased. Have a lovely weekend. x

  5. Unknown says:

    I loved seeing your snow photos, I wish it would snow here so I could get out and about with my camera. It has snowed a couple of times but didn't keep going long enough to cover the ground! xx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      The winter's not over yet – there could be some coming your way so that you can take snowy photos! xx

  6. Angel Jem says:

    Snow, magazines, alpacas, snow, walks with the dog, snow, coffee in Skipton (you really mean you drive up there just for the Knit n Natter?) snow,
    Yes, you've had a pretty perfect week.

    Oh, and the primulas.
    In the snow.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Hee hee, I have mentioned the snow once or twice, haven't I? And there's more forecast for next week so brace yourself! Yup, this has been a pretty perfect week. {Happy sigh} xx

  7. Myth Illogical says:

    I love deep snow, but not so keen when it turns to ice! I hate all the slipping and sliding. My daughter adores snow and at the sight of first few flakes immediately insists that we go outside and make a snowman!

    • Winwick Mum says:

      No, the ice isn't so great, and neither is the dirty slush that seems to linger for far longer than the snow is ever around. It's the white stuff that I like! xx

  8. Free Spirit Designs says:

    Snow really is magical isn't it, especially given how rare it appearances are in the UK! I love the snow book, isn't it lovely how something like that can stay with you and capture your imagination throughout your life 🙂 x

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Yes, it's quite surprising sometimes what stays with us, isn't it? I can remember quite clearly reading it when I was very small and imagining what it would be like to play in such deep snow! xx

  9. Planet Penny says:

    Ooh, no, no rules about how many things make you happy! I love a bit of snow too and we haven't had anything much at all here in Norfolk yet. Still, as you say, Winter's not over yet! Thanks so much for joining in with Happy Friday with your lovely post x

  10. Kathryn at Crafternoon Treats says:

    Lovely to have found your blog via Planet Penny and Happy Friday. I love that you go to Coopers – I went to one of Lucy's workshops last year and it was wonderful. How far do you travel? I like the look of snow but not too keen on experiencing it! With you on the magazines though – I subscribe to Inside Crochet and Simply Crochet and love it when they appear on the doormat xxx Kathryn

    • Winwick Mum says:

      That's how I found your blog too! I'm really enjoying discovering new blogs to read! It takes about an hour for me to get to Skipton so it's quite a trip for a Knit n Natter but it's lovely to catch up with Lucy and the other ladies there so it's definitely worth the effort. Were you on one of the Bower Bird workshops? I loved the photos of the finished birds, they all looked fantastic! xx

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