Welcome to this week’s Sparks of Joy! It’s been a week filled with moments worth celebrating—milestones that made me pause and smile. From receiving unexpected recognition and personal achievements to marking my darling’s birthday and soaking in the magic of live theatre, each experience added its own sparkle and brings joy and gratitude to my heart.
Awards
Recently I was delighted to receive two emails about my blog and my podcast. Firstly, an email advising that the Women Living Well After 50 Podcast had been included at #5 in the Top 100 Midlife Blogs.
A message via LinkedIn advising that Million Podcasts has included The Women Living Well After 50 Podcast at #9 in the Top 100 Midlife Women Podcasts!
A Night at the Theatre – Finding unexpected Joy beyond Disappointment
Last Friday evening I enjoyed a trip to the Play House Theatre at QPAC . We went to see The Dictionary of Lost Words which was a gift from my beautiful girl, Rachel. I’d loved the book and the play lived up to expectations.
It was brilliant and also made more special because disappointment turned into enjoyment.
The lead had taken ill so an understudy, Lizzie Hay was flown up from Adelaide that morning for the performance. She had to use the script but her acting was so entrancing you forgot she was holding a book. This prompted me to base my Weekly Boost Newsletter around Finding unexpected Joy beyond Disappointment
If you can see the play I highly recommend it and will be writing a post on the blog in more detail.
Achievement
My daughter, running friend and I are preparing for a Half-Marathon in June and we were stoked to smash a 20km run this week. We are all feeling much more confident going into our tapering period.
My darling’s Birthday
Whilst it wasn’t an extra special number, I am mindful that as we age, each year of health and wellbeing is cause for celebration. Mike isn’t one to put himself out there, so that’s my job LOL :). We discovered a new-to-us restaurant at Manly last week so I decided to make it an early birthday celebratory lunch. The food and ambiance of The Manly Boatshed was amazing and we enjoyed a delicious meal. Mike had Sand Crab Linguine, Shellfish Bisque with Chilli Garlic Oil and I opted for the Swordfish, Green Olive Tapenade with Fried Saltbush. We shared a Baby Cos Salad with Parmesan Mayonnaise and Fennel Pollen. Dessert was Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Gelato which we also shared.
For his actual birthday, I made a slow cooked beef ragu followed by a cheesecake with chocolate ganache.
Where did you find your sparks of Joy this week?
I’m linking up to Wednesdays Words & Whimsy hosted by the lovely Min from Write of the Middle.
20 Comments
How lovely. Lots of gorgeous things. A bit weird about the understudy not knowing the lines. That’s usually the understudy’s job. Glad it didn’t matter. I have seen that in a play too but I can’t remember which…so it obviously wasn’t terrible. Glad it didn’t ruin the expereince. #WWWHimsy
Hi Lydia, I’ve had a wonderful week. I thought the same about the understudy. It is a very small cast and only on for a short run so it appears they don’t have an understudy on hand as she flew up the morning of the performance. That being said, it was a fabulous play and the lead did so well. xx
Hi, Sue – You’ve had a great April and a wonderful start to May. Huge congratulations being #5 in the Top 100 Midlife Blogs and #9 in the Top 100 Midlife Women Podcasts! <3 <3 <3
Hi Donna, the awards were a nice surprise but going to the theatre and Mike’s birthday lunch I think were the highlights. So many good things this week, I’m very grateful x
Hi Sue and congratulations on your nominations and awards! You deserve it. You put so much time and work into your blog and podcast! I don’t know how you do it. I don’t have as much energy as I used to but you’re still hitting goals and running miles and good on you! Happy Birthday to Mike. I thought I recognised the location in your feature photo. It’s a gorgeous location at the Manly Boathouse Restaurant isn’t it and the food is fabulous too! I’m glad you still enjoyed your theatre outing despite the lead being sick and an understudy stepping in. Thanks for linking up again with us at #WWWhimsy and I hope you’re having a wonderful week! xo
Hi Min, thank you for your congratulations. It is nice to be recognised because I do spend time on both blog and podcast as you say. The Manly Boathouse Restaurant was wonderful and we will revisit soon. The Fish and Chippery looked good as well as the cafe. We should catch up for a coffee there one day. x
Congratulations on your awards – it must be so exciting to see your work recognised.
Beautiful birthday celebrations too
It is exciting receiving unexpected awards, Janine. I’ve had a wonderful week celebrating birthdays and also going to the theatre. x
What a wonderful series of events. I’m surprised the understudy didn’t know the words, but it’s great you enjoyed it. You so deserve the recognition you’ve received!
Hi Toni, the understudy had to be flown up from Adelaide and did a wonderful job. I agree though, it was strange they didn’t have an understudy on hand who could step up. It was a wonderful play though and didn’t detract from the performance. x
Taking the opportunities to live life to the fullest here Sue.
Congratulations on your awards…and go you with the running too.
I cannot imagine how The Lost Words of the Dictionary could be made into a play so I am very impressed by your review.
Take care,
Denyse x
The play was very cleverly done. I had wondered how it would translate to the stage, Denyse but I was enthralled. x
So many sparks of joy along the way! Congrats on the recognitions! Your podcast is a light for many and so needed in today’s world! Happy birthday to your hubby – both celebratory meals look so delicious! (I can’t believe that you made that cheesecake!). And… I so appreciate your comment about finding unexpected joy in the midst of disappointment. I’m a firm believer that God hides little gifts in moments of sadness and while we don’t often see or understand them at the time, we can learn and grow with these unexpected glimmers. Good luck as you continue to train!
It’s been a fabulous week full of joy, Laura for which I am grateful. x
Woohoo! On on! with your 1/2 Marathon training! Such fun that you have training buddies; that must really help with accountability and encouragement, and probably a whole lot more fun as well.
Happy Birthday to your Beloved! I love that you celebrate many times!That chocolate cheesecake looks wickedly delicious!
Hi Ju-Lyn, the Half Marathon training is going well and I love running with my daughter and running frfiend. We had a lovely time celebrating Mike’s birthday. I tried to make the cheesecake heathier by using light cream cheese and sugar free base. x
Was texture of the cheesecake ok? I often substitute low fat version, but as the cheese cake is so cheese forward …
Congratulations on your awards…and being in the top 10 in both! That’s so very special, Sue! You have definitely earned this recognition! Happy birthday to Mike! You two look so very happy together. Here’s to many, many more!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Well done on the award Sue, well deserved. I noticed a few of my favourites in the top blogs and even I got a mention. I’m keen to see that show and glad you enjoyed it. Lovely to see you out celebrating Mike’s birthday. A great joyful post.
Oh well done you, Deb as well. I’m sure you would love The Dictionary of Lost Words and hope you can get to see it. x