Celebrating the Everyday

I don't know about you, but I'm finding the constant onslaught of rather alarming news to be a tiny bit wearing, and sometimes downright frightening. But other than avoiding the news, there really is not a whole lot I can do about most of what is happening. So I decided to fight back by celebrating the little things, the everyday stuff that seems like it does not matter, but that I would miss like anything if I couldn't do it anymore.

And do you know what? It's really helping. By changing the energy that I'm surrounding myself with, I seem to be attracting more good things. The great thing is, celebrating the every day is really easy. It's just opening yourself up to gratitude for the things that are going right, even if ninety-seven other things are going wrong.

Here are some ways you can celebrate the everyday too.

Create a New Tradition

Creating a new tradition can be as simple as designating Friday as pizza night, making ice cream sundaes every Sunday, baking scones once a month on Saturday or choosing to make a new to you recipe once a week. Or you can celebrate a "holiday" like Shrove Tuesday, St Patrick's Day or April Fool's Day.

Make pancakes for breakfast on Shrove Tuesday, or serve 'breakfast for dinner'. If you have leftover flavoured yogurt, it's easy to make any flavour pancakes you like. Or try some savoury pancakes instead!

St Patrick's Day celebrations can be as simple as buying some shamrock-shaped cookies and enjoying them with a cup of tea. If you have kids, perhaps the "leprechauns" could leave them a little gift on the morning of March 17th. And when I say "little gift" I think of the things the leprechauns used to leave me - a little pin cushion when I was learning how to sew, a pretty notebook and some pencils, some gold chocolate coins or a tiny box of shamrock shaped chocolates. You could also bake my Chocolate Mint Brownies, a real St Patrick's Day tradition at our house.

For April Fool's Day, delight your family with a menu of Pineapple Fish Sticks, Raspberry Ketchup and French Fry Cookies. It may not be very nutritious, but it's definitely fun!

Start a new tradition around Easter by making an old-fashioned Simnel Cake, part of British Mother's Day and Easter celebrations since medieval times.

Embrace Daily Joys

Whether it's breathing in the aroma of a freshly opened bag of coffee, savouring a cup of your favourite tea after supper or stealing a few minutes to read your favourite magazine, the little things in life really are the big things.

Take five minutes to walk around your garden if you have one, or visit a local park for a few minutes for a breath of fresh air. You will be amazed at how restorative it is.

If the weather is fine, take a sandwich or packed lunch to your nearest park bench and enjoy a few minutes al fresco while you eat.

It may be too early to get out in the garden or you may not have a garden of your own, but you can always plant herb seeds in two or three small pots for a windowsill garden that will add fresh flavour to everyday meals.

Tidy your desk, and find a space for a photograph that makes you smile. It will make sitting down to work a pleasure.

Do you have any more ideas to share? I would love to create a collection of ideas to help us all enjoy the little things more - and of course I will credit any ideas that you share with me!

On The Website

On the website this month I have been sharing the things we learned during our home renovation including renovation hints and tips to help if you are contemplating – or are in the middle of – a renovation project of your own. You can see some of the results of our renovation on my Instagram feed, including in this recent post.

Behind the Scenes

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area at the moment with my husband, who is on a work trip. I'm looking forward to some sunshine, a chance to write, catching up with some local friends and a weekend in Napa to celebrate my husband's birthday and our anniversary.

Links marked with an asterix (*) are affiliate links - If you purchase using these links I make a small commission. Your purchase price is unaffected.

This week I'm...

Reading - I'm reading a Netgalley review copy of Births, Deaths and Marriage* by Laura Barnett.

I have just finished reading The Botanist's Daughter* , historical fiction by Kayte Nunn and The Bookstore Sisters*, a really engaging short story by Alice Hoffman of Practical Magic* fame. (all affiliate links).

Watching - The finale of Nobody Wants This on Netflix. I'm so pleased to see that there is going to be a season 2!

Mad About The Boy - The fourth instalment in the Bridget Jones franchise. It is currently in cinemas in the UK and on the Peacock network in the US.

Planning - Some spring decorating and organising when I get home.

That's all for now. Remember to celebrate the little things - because the little things really are the big things!

Thank you so much again for being a subscriber. Remember you can reply to this email with any questions, comments, suggestions or just to say hi. I love to hear from you.

Warmly,

April x