Thankful for treats and treasures

Today I'm focussing on the things that make me happy, happy, happy...

• The tiny perfection of these shells, collected here and rediscovered in an inside pocket of my handbag this morning. Not nearly big enough to hold to my ear for sounds of the sea but oh so pretty. Perfect colours, patterns and textures.

• My laptop. I love it. Deeply. It facilitates both work and play. And it's pretty too.

• Friday! Oh is there anything more delicious for a Monday to Friday girl than the anticipation of the weekend that a Friday holds? It's a little bit of that excitement-of-the-day-before-school-breaks-up-for-the-summer-holidays-and-sunshine-and-freedom-beckon feeling. Every. Single. Week.

• This course, which I'm attending on Saturday. I'm looking forward not only to making a beautiful textured journal under the guidance of the lovely and talented Gillian, but also to visiting Nottingham for the first time. Historically known for its exquisite lace. And men in green.

• This course, which I am SO looking forward to starting in September. I've long admired Maddie's beautiful photographs and I'm delighted and excited about the prospect of playing with my camera in this way. I'm also hoping that I will secure a place on this one when registration opens. Unravelling was an amazing experience and these courses, designed to explore photography that expresses emotion, imagination and sensory experience especially, are exactly what I'm after. While I'm twirling on the spot, waiting for a new path to reveal itself, I need to take care of the parts of me that are shouting for creative learning, exploration and fun. And, I don't need to go anywhere to achieve this, which is great.

• Chocolate. This chocolate. I needed to buy a gift for a colleague, a committed chocolate connoisseur who loves this stuff, and it seemed only polite to do a little quality assurance. I particularly enjoyed the dark chocolate with "a soft caramel cream ganache and the tingle of ginger" centre. Delicious. They come in lovely little trays of only half a dozen special mouthfuls, which is great 'cause it's a treat that's not an over-indulgence. I savoured every one.

• People. You. I honestly don't know how I'd get through some days without the support and inspiration and humour of people who care, and take the time to show it. Some in this space, some in real space, some who overlap both spaces... I'm so thankful. So thankful.

• My sister. Here. In exactly two weeks. I'm a wriggling in my skin with excitement. She's only going to be here for a week but I've booked the time off work and we are going to make every second count. Girlie time, sister time. Just what I need.

What's making you happy today?
♥