Monday, January 07, 2013

52 Weeks of Happy - Week One

I found out about this idea on Louise's blog and decided it was just the sort of thing I would like to join in with.  Louise also found the blog where this idea originated so I have made a link to this too.  I have a few photos I took last week so I'll post those today and then another four at the weekend so I'm in tune with the weeks of the year.

All you have to do is each week take four photos of four things from that week that have made you happy, just the simplest things that have made you smile, and then post them.  I always find new year a bit gloomy so this will be just the thing to lift the spirits. 

Here are my four things

A walk in our local park on New Year's Day!  The thing that made me really happy though was the fact that for once it wasn't raining and there was even a little sunshine!

Making marmalade!  Normally we wait for the Seville oranges to come into the shops later this month but a couple of months ago in Lakeland we saw a tin of Seville oranges ready prepared for turning into marmalade.  As we were halfway down our last jar from last year I decided to give it a try.  I just had to add water and sugar and about 40 minutes later I was potting it up.  It actually did what it said on the tin.  I may try it again when we need some more.


Spotting the cayuga duck on the lake at Trentham Gardens!  We look for it every time we walk round the lake.  A couple of years ago someone let about 15 young cayuga ducks loose on the lake and they were there for a few weeks but gradually over the first year all but two disappeared.  Halfway through last year only one was left and I'm pleased to say, it's still there.


Having the latest Elly Griffiths novel on my kindle!  I never thought I'd be saying those words as I was adamant I wasn't ever going to have a kindle or any other e-reader but I'm quite enjoying it.  I've only had it a few weeks and already I've read a gripping novel by a local author whose books are only available for e-readers and have enjoyed reading it.  I've also downloaded a collection of 11 novels by Elizabeth von Arnim for the mighty sum of £1.96  plus The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett for free.   I have two library books to read, I'm still going to support the local library just the same as always, then I will read Dying Fall.
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43 comments:

  1. Louise7 January 2013 at 15:41

    These are great, I'm glad you've decided to join in too. I'm really pleased you saw that duck - I think I saw it too last August and wondered what type of duck it was, I wondered if it was just a regular duck with a pigment problem/mutation but now I know. Is it the duck in the last photo on this post?

    http://roachling.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/trentham-gardens.html

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 16:08

      Yes, that's the one! He or she is a lovely green colour and seems to get on with the mallards quite well. The cayuga is always down the bottom end of the lake near the rowing club and lakeside cafe:)

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  2. Louise7 January 2013 at 16:10

    Yes, that's where I saw it!

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:42

      I dread to think what happened to the others - perhaps they decided they liked the river more than the lake:)

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  3. Mac n' Janet7 January 2013 at 16:23

    Great idea, it's the simple things that always make us the happiest. Haven't read the new Ellie Griffiths novel yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I got my Kindle a year ago and I love it, still read lots of regular book, but love the Kindle. I check out books from our local library to my Kindle. I'm reading LIfe of Pi right now.

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:37

      I wonder if our library loan out books for kindle? I still love the feel of books in my hands as I read, though:)

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  4. Simone7 January 2013 at 16:27

    A great idea Rosie! I haven't got an e-reader as yet, I have never even had a mobile phone so I have a lot of catching up to do! x

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:38

      I rarely use my moblie phone and often forget to switch it on unless I am travelling on my own and that doesn't happen very often:)

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  5. June7 January 2013 at 17:26

    The Secret Garden was my favourite book as a child. I also liked The Little Princess by the same author. Good luck with the 52 weeks of happiness!
    June

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:39

      I think Dickon is one of my favourite literary characters. I loved the book as a child so wondered how I would like it now:)

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  6. MorningAJ7 January 2013 at 17:42

    I think this is a great idea and I would have joined in if I hadn't just committed myself to doing an Inchie a day! I love the idea that making marmalade made you happy.

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:41

      Well - I do love marmalade rather than jam on my morning toast, I think I was happy that the experiment had worked and that we didn't have loads of orange peel to shred:)

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  7. Young at Heart7 January 2013 at 18:24

    oh my that marmalade looks fabulous!!

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    1. Rosie7 January 2013 at 18:41

      Thanks! It is quite sharp and rich in taste:)

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  8. Ruth Kelly7 January 2013 at 18:49

    I love the idea and how my mouth waters when I think of homemade marmalade.

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:17

      We tried it yesterday and it does taste good. Are you going to join in with the 52 weeks of happy?

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  9. Lilacs7 January 2013 at 18:54

    Great idea Rosie, anything that gets you through January/February without prescription drugs is a good thing with me!

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:18

      I think January and February along with November are the worst months to get through:)

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  10. Diane7 January 2013 at 19:16

    Great idea Rosie and I love your 4 things. A Kindle? I never thought I'd see the day! xxxxxxxx

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:19

      Neither did I but I'm quite taken with it!:)

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  11. SAS7 January 2013 at 20:54

    I like this idea. I think it was you that got me reading Elly Griffith's novels and I'm hooked. Have your read anything by Erin Hart?

    I always enjoy your blog. Fav is Milldale.

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:39

      Glad you enjoy Elly Griffiths. I'll have to look out for Erin Hart:)

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  12. rusty duck7 January 2013 at 22:35

    Lovely idea! I look forward to the next four.

    A ray of sunshine is so precious these days. It was sunny down here this morning and I couldn't wait to get outdoors. Lifted my spirits no end!

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:40

      It is nice to see the sun even if just for a short while:)

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  13. **Anne**8 January 2013 at 00:14

    I'm so glad you have joined in with the idea of posting about happy things. It's really great to focus on the positive. Love your happy things.
    Anne xx

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:41

      Thanks, Anne - are you joining in too?

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  14. Rowan8 January 2013 at 07:58

    I saw this on Louise's blog too, it's a nice idea. Like you I had a good deal to say about Kindles none of it very positive but now I've got one I love it!

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    1. Rosie8 January 2013 at 13:42

      I makes me wonder why I didn't try one earlier - I'm still finding my way around mine:)

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  15. Louise8 January 2013 at 16:16

    Hello again,

    Just stopped by to tell you that they're doing a Wassailing ceremony at Wolseley Bridge again, this Sunday - you commented on my post in January last year that you'd like to have seen it so I though you might be interested.

    I don't know if we will go or not but I'd like to - will see what the weather forecast says!

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    1. Louise8 January 2013 at 16:16

      I forgot to add the URL...

      http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/article/what-s-on-next/view/wassailing-at-wolseley

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    2. Rosie9 January 2013 at 09:44

      Thanks, Louise. I'd seen this on their website before Christmas but forgotten after the accident, thanks for reminding me, not sure if we'll go either this time:)

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  16. Margaret8 January 2013 at 23:32

    what a great idea! I am sincerely trying to embrace winter, but short days and 60 cm of snow in one week make it a hard go! But, there are moments of beauty and it is good to stop and notice them with a photo. Thank you for the idea. Your part of the world looks lovely.

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    1. Rosie9 January 2013 at 09:41

      Welcome, Margaret. That is a lot of snowfall! It is beautiful when you are safe and warm at home but not so if you have to get out and about in it:)

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  17. Vintage Tea Time9 January 2013 at 21:27

    Hi - this is a good idea isn't it? Lifts your spirits just noting things that make you smile! Interesting duck - haven't seen one like that before. Does your Kindle have a light? I'm dithering about getting one.....

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    1. Rosie10 January 2013 at 09:53

      Abby, you can see the screen in the dark but I think the e-reader you are thinking of is the Nook which is the one that has a special glow facility for reading in the dark so as not to disturb anyone else:)

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  18. elaine 10 January 2013 at 19:16

    A great idea - and looking forward to reading more of your hapy moments.

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    1. Rosie10 January 2013 at 21:11

      Thanks, Elaine - I must try and remember to take photographs too:)

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  19. A garden just outside Venice11 January 2013 at 04:30

    Better late than never...happy New Year Rosie!
    Such a lovely challenge to join in, I especially love the marmalade shot, it bursts out of "new life" at its back!
    Have a lovely weekend!
    x

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    1. Rosie11 January 2013 at 08:38

      Lovely to see you here, Michela - Happy New year to you too:)

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  20. Patricia11 January 2013 at 17:20

    I've never made marmalade before and I picked up the same marmalade tin as you before Christmas and its still in the cupboard. A job for this cold weekend! Lovely photos.
    Patricia x

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    1. Rosie12 January 2013 at 10:09

      I found it worked well, we bought the medium cut, it took all the hard work of chopping thin peel from the sevile oranges out of the process and was quite quick and easy to do, hope you enjoy making your marmalade:)

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  21. Val17 January 2013 at 18:46

    Lovely post..I saw you have a kindle and wondered if you'd find these sites useful ..if you haven't found them already...

    Some Great free (legal) book sites to try

    http://manybooks.net/

    http://girlebooks.com/

    and of course

    http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

    http://gutenberg.net.au/

    http://www.gutenberg.ca/

    The Canadian and Australian sites have books not found on the main site... Josephine Tey novels come to mind

    All the best

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    1. Rosie18 January 2013 at 14:14

      Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed the post - thanks for the links:)

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