Jennifer Michie

Tag: happiness (page 14 of 75)

February 8, 2021 / 0 Comments

Pretty Snowflakes

A long stroll this morning took me down to the seafront and along the shore where the pebbles were covered in snow. Then, up to my favourite set of beach huts; their vibrant colours standing out in illuminating contrast against the white frosting; icicles dripping from the edges of their roofs.

Stealing myself against the cold, my feet carried me further to a favourite stopping place. I stood on my tiptoes to gaze over the stone wall to see if the goats were up and out of their little hut. To my surprise, they were out playing in the snow. I paused and enjoyed the moment; lost in the calm serenity of the winter morning; as the goats romped about in their field.

All the while, pillow sized snowflakes were softly landing on my hat and shoulders. It was magic. In that moment I felt blessed. I walked back home with Patti Page singing in my ear and a heart full of happiness for all the beauty around me. It was a good start to the week!

January 6, 2021 / 0 Comments

Happy Epiphany

Wise men still seek him. ✨

{Albert Edelfelt (Finnish, 1854–1905) Itämaan Tietäjät (Three Wise Men), s.d. gouache 43 x 30.5 cm. (16.93 x 12 in.) signed private collection}

December 31, 2020 / 0 Comments

Happy New Year’s Eve

We are ready to ring in the New Year, hoping that it brings better tidings than this last one did. However, there is a silver lining to all things. This past year, Mr. Michie and I have been blessed to spend a lot of quality time with one another and for that I am forever grateful. In all the ups and downs that occurred in 2020, we have, as we always do, faced them together. I am blessed that I have a partner by my side who is truly a ‘partner’ in every sense of the word. We leave this year behind with a renewed sense of gratitude for each other. We will shepherd in that appreciation to the New Year.

I come from a family that makes the best of every situation and tries to find the humour in things. And I know that so many people have joked this year that they are “surviving, one glass of wine at a time” and I do see the funny side to that. But, I don’t want to be just “surviving”, I want to be thriving! And that is what we did in 2020 and that is what we will continue to do in 2021.

Wishing love and light to you all as we close the book on this past year and open a new one tomorrow. 

{Image: Arthur Sarnoff “Happy New Year!”, The Progressive Farmer Magazine Cover 1958 // Pinned HERE}

December 21, 2020 / 0 Comments

Winter Solstice

Today, marks the “winter solstice”. Today, also marks the “great conjunction” where Saturn and Jupiter will appear to be the closest they have been together from our vantage point since the middle ages. I think there is something auspicious in that.

Now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the rain and overcast sky blows out to sea later and we have a chance of spotting the planets tonight, aligned close enough to kiss.

There is magic in the air today, you can feel it humming.

{Interior illustration from The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper, illustration by Carson Ellis // Image taken from an article on the Art of The Picture Book Blog // Carson Ellis website HERE}

December 13, 2020 / 0 Comments

Santa Lucia

Happy Santa Lucia day. We feasted on iced cinnamon and orange buns this morning and listened to Christmas music by candlelight.

We’re making the most of the magic that these season brings!

{Image Studio Quirk}

December 1, 2020 / 0 Comments

HELLO, December

Hello, December. We’re ready for the frost that you bring and the bite in the air that chills are cheeks. We’re ready for quiet moments as evening closes in, cups of cocoa in hand while we stare at the Christmas tree lights and let our souls take a slow deep breath.

We’re ready for cold hikes through the nature reserve and the smell of fresh pine in the air. We’re ready for iced gingerbread and frosted sugar cookies cut out into holidays shapes and stored in tins at the ready to be devoured next to a hot cup of tea. We’re ready for Christmas music to be playing nonstop, working on jigsaw puzzles and for stealing kisses under the mistletoe hung above our bedroom door.

We’re ready for sparkle and glitter and the possibility of snow. But, most of all, I think we’re ready for this season to work it’s restorative magic in the quiet moments, that we find peace and a collective calm, as this has been a year that has ploughed forward almost unceasingly in a whirlwind.

Welcome, December, fill our hearts with good cheer.

{Josef Lada, from the 1953 Czech collection Detem HERE // Pinned HERE}

November 1, 2020 / 0 Comments

HELLO, November

Hello, November! We’re ready for crisper days; crunchy apples and pumpkin filled pies, cakes and breads. We’re ready for sizzling sausages with caramelised onions and toffee cake, with oodles of whipped cream on Bonfire Night. We’re ready for candlelight filled evenings as the night draws in.

We’re ready for quiet Saturday afternoons, spent reading while a stew simmers on the stove. We’re ready for Vince Guaraldi spinning on the record player while we play scrabble with hot apple cider in hand.

We’re ready for Thanksgiving and gobbling down turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce. We’re ready for the happiness that Thanksgiving leftovers bring us while feasting on turkey sandwiches and watching old movies.

We’re ready for all that you bring.

{Image ModCloth // Pinned HERE}

October 1, 2020 / 0 Comments

HELLO, October

Hello, October! We’re ready for leaves crunching underfoot and crisp mornings where we take our cup of coffee down to the beach and watch the waves roll in.

We’re ready for more hikes, down to the waterfall and along the stream and then up to our favourite point, where a bench sits nestled next to the pasture and overlooks the water, where we will feast on apples and cheese and baguettes in the cool of an autumn day.

We’re ready for bowls of Halloween candy dotted around the house and crispy sausages with mashed potatoes for dinner on rainy evenings. And curling up and watching a favourite Halloween movie.

We’re ready for quiet moments to do nothing but be and listen to an album from start to finish; really listen to it. We’re ready to spend afternoons reading with bowls of popcorn and warm apple cider by our sides, taking breaks to wander over to the kitchen table and put a puzzle piece or two in.

We’re ready for all that you have to offer in this bewitching month.

{Julie London, Halloween pin-up theme. From her gatefold album “Calendar Girl”, 1956 HERE // Pinned HERE}

September 1, 2020 / 0 Comments

HELLO, September

Hello, September. We’re not quite done with summer yet, but here you are, our feet tumbling toward you. As we move into these late summer days we’re going to savour what is left of this golden time. The light is changing, school is starting and the leaves are beginning to float down to the sidewalk.

Even though we aren’t quite done with summer, we are ready for crispy morning strolls that melt into warm days and then slip back into cool nights. We’re ready for fall picnics in the meadows, feasting on crunchy apples, and weekend walks along the coastal path.

We’re being open to what you bring us this month as we return to school and a new routine. It is going to look very different this year. But we will adapt, as we always do. And we’re going to hold on a little longer to what is left of the laid back pace of summer as we move into the rushing rhythm of autumn and back to school life.

{Late Summer Garden, Lore Pemberton // Pinned HERE}

« Older posts Newer posts »