What brings you joy?

A warm evening, the cat asleep in a sunny patch of yard, a good book.....

Three fox cubs playing on the lawn and two woodpeckers swooping pas t and one g&t in my hand.

Early summer mornings when the rest of the world is just turning over and there is just me and the hounds out and about.

Pootling in the garden, have just spent a very peaceful hour dead heading, weeding and planting out bedding plants.

The smell of baking and the pleasure of knowing cakes and scones will be demolished and enjoyed.

A really good book, the sort that you catch yourself thinking about on and off during the day and can't wait to snuggle up in bed with at night.
A weekly Skype call from my beautiful 3 year old DGD living in Taiwan.
Seeing the beaming smile on my 5 year old DGS when I collect him from school on a Thursday afternoon.
When I step on the scales and I've lost 2lbs ( a very rare occasion indeed!)

Seeing the orphaned calf I have been feeding three times a day for six weeks with her new foster mum a good natured cow who has accepted her along with her own bull calf and happily feeds the pair of them together .

A reason to bake! This afternoon - and this evening - I have been baking for the church fete tomorrow. I love baking with my GDs when they visit.

I also love a long walk, my garden a good book and time spent with family and friends and babies

I love a church fete. For the cake stall and the refreshments.

Watching a parent bird feeding it's young,so realising that we all need someone to care for us in this world!

This thread brings me joy. So many uplifting things have been said.

Being able to visit people who have been bereaved, via a voluntary organisation. It gives me joy to be told that listening and giving them plenty of time is very valuable. I've done it for 18 years and I still get
the same 'kick' out of seeing the grieving person not need me any more.
Now I'm retired, and not so physically able, there's the added joy that I
can still be useful.

A child's smile or a giggle, a delicious meal I have'nt cooked, a holiday. Sunshine, birdsong, being silly!, payday, funky music,sports, an unexpected kiss or cuddle. Something ridiculous that's makes you laugh out loud. A simple act of kindness. A really good haircut. A new drawing from the kids to pin on the fridge, swimming in the sea, a book you can't put down. The smell of freesia's. An interesting walk. Meeting new people and places.

What gave me joy this week? A 'meet the parents' lunch with my son's soon to be parents-in-law and we all got on like a house on fire (I'd been feeling slightly apprehensive and the 'kids' even more so!).

My daugther posting an off-the-cuff unposed photo of her gorgeous brother on a website and his fiancee commenting 'I want to marry that man'. .

Trying on me mother of the groom dress that I bought online from a website discussed on GN and feeling like a million dollars!

Every new flower in our garden that unfurled in this week's warmth. The funny tight little growths on our fledgling grape vine turning out to be - perfect, amazing, miniature - bunches of grapes!

That brought it all back, GK. Meeting the other parents and preparing for DS's wedding - thirteen years ago next month. And subsequently their marriage and children have brought me great joy, seeing DS growing into the role of husband and father and my friendship with my lovely DiL. I'm so lucky.

anno thank you so much. I am so looking forward to this new chapter. My son has had such a difficult period over the last few years, and then he met someone to whom he is so perfectly suited and perfectly settled. They even have an allotment! More joy .

The sun unexpectedly peeking out through the clouds, looking at my two rescue dogs ( one of which is from Turkey), playing together. My two grandchildren bursting in through the door.

So often the unexpected. Went to watch Giselle last night and it turned into a very special performance. Not only were the main protagonists particularly moving but it was the last performance for 2 of the dancers and the audience loved it. Flowers were thrown, emotion was palpable and warmth was everywhere.

Seeing a good pal walking towards my sick bed armed with a full picnic of goodies...

soop that's lovely!

When my grandsons tell me they love me so much. When they tell me I'm their bestest friend my heart goes into being so lucky to make them love me so much. I treasure every day the joy they give me. Anne 09 x

When I hear "and you Grandma, you come too"

seeing my granddaughter's beautiful face. A compliment from a stranger when I am not feeling at my best (which is often!).

Having lunch, as I did today, with my lovely GD.

Seeing an unusual bird is a joy to me and having my little granddaughter greet me with open arms and a big hug.

When I have my whole family asleep under my roof, all together (plus DD's family). I feel that all is right with the world for once, and that I can keep them all safe for just those nights.

Sunsets. Singing. When the roses emerge. Seeing old friends after a long separation. My mother telling me that her broken back is getting better.

These posts make me realise how much alike we all are.

I like that too janerowena - having them all under the same for the night.