It’s time for my weekly sparks of Joy post and finding joy in ‘every day’ things. Before we start I wanted to mention the The Action for Happiness Optimistic October Challenge. It will be the perfect ‘pick me up’ and I’d be delighted it you joined in as well. You can read about it and download a copy of the calendar HERE
“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” — Melba Colgrove
Sparks of Joy this week – #WWWhimsy
The Joy of Spending time with E1 & E2 – week 2 of the school holidays
We enjoyed a fun day visiting Coochiemudlo Island in Moreton Bay off Brisbane. You can read about our adventures in my What’s Been On Your Calendar? post from last week Coochiemudlo Island a hidden gem in Bayside Brisbane.
In a State of Joy
Queensland was a State of Joy following the unexpected win by the Brisbane Lions in the AFL. What an amazing win and it goes to show that no matter where you are on the ladder you can win the Grand Final. Brisbane had finished 5th on the ladder going into the finals and it was a difficult task. They showed determination and grit and made their way to the Grand Final taking out the coveted trophy in a convincing win against the Sydney Swans. The first time in 21 years when they had won three in a row. Last year they were beaten in the Grand Final so their never say die attitude prevailed this year resulting in victory.
The Joy on the faces of the players, coach and fans was infectious and even if you didn’t follow the football you couldn’t help but smile at the happiness and celebration.
AFL grand final 2024: Brisbane Lions dominate Sydney Swans to win first premiership since 2003 with 60-point victory – ABC News
Thousands welcome home Brisbane Lions after first premiership win in 21 years | Watch (msn.com)
The Joy of a worthy cause
If you are a regular reader you will know that from time to time I work in collaboration with Fella Hamilton, an Australian owned fashion company. I like that they are a community minded company and as breast cancer is a cause I hold dear because of my Mum, I was delighted with the offering they sent me to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Week.
This gorgeous luxury microfibre tea towel with Anna Blatman design will bring colour to any kitchen, although for me, it looks too pretty to use. $5 of each purchase will be donated to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BNCA). I’ve purchased several myself for Christmas gifts. Here is a link if you would like to purchase and support a worth cause. Shop Anna Blatman Teatowel – Fella Hamilton
The Joy of Colour in Flowers at home
I may have committed a crime although in my defense they were hanging beyond the fence line so does that count? On a walk I saw these beautiful bougainvillea blooms and thought how pretty they would look on my dining table with my ‘colourful ladies artwork’. as a backdrop. The colours are striking and we have recently purchased a small plant which I hope will bloom in our garden for years to come.
Finding joy in other’s experiences
Part of the blogging experience is forming online connections and friendships. Each week I link up to Wednesdays Words and Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle. One of the participants, Jennifer Jones from The Retirement Phase posted this joyful post about Bendigo Blooms. Her photographs brought such joy and colour to my morning when I read her post. Thanks Jen for making my day. Please take a moment to view her post, you won’t be disappointed. Bendigo Bloom Festival
Have you had sparks of joy this week? I’d love you to share them with me.
23 Comments
Your sparks of joy posts always make me smile Sue and this was no exception! Seeing your smiling face and the bright colours of the tea towel and the flowers are joyful on their own! Have a great week and thanks for the Action for Happiness challenge, I’ve signed up x
Thanks, Deb. The tea towel is so beautiful – too good to use and I’ve purchased some as gifts. x
Hi Sue, The beach, the bright towel and the bougainvillea blooms made me smile. Thank you for sharing your sparks of joy. #TeamWWWhimsy
Thanks, Natalie. I think the tea towel is so gorgeous and too beautiful to use to dry dishes. The bougainvillea is always lovely and colourful. x
Hi, Sue – These are all wonderful sparks of joy and each of them put a smile on my face. Your bougainvillea blooms look especially lovely on your table! <3
Hi Donna, the bougainvillea is still blooming after one week! I will have to dispose of it soon but it certainly brought some colour to our dining table. x
Hi Sue, that tea towel is so pretty and such a good idea and great cause! And those bougainvillea flowers are beautiful! Wishing you many more sparks of joy in the coming days. Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy xo
Thank you Min for your lovely comment. I’ve purchased some of the tea towels as I just think they are so beautiful. x
Oh, gosh that tea towel is beautiful! I need to switch out mine for fall. That will definitely be a spark of joy. Another spark of joy for me was rearranging my living room and making it look less a mess as I’d just shoved furniture out of the way the day before I left for Ireland. Mike had gotten the wheelchair that day so I had little time to think about it. Then, when I got home, I was so busy getting caught up. This weekend, I finally got the room into some semblance of order and even managed a few fall decorations which definitely sparked joy! His continued positive reports from the physical therapist spark joy, too!
Have a wonderful rest of your week, Sue!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Isn’t it so bright and colourful, Marsha? I’m glad you are settling back into life after your holiday and Mike’s surgery. I love the Fall colours in the U.S. xx
The tea towel is stunning!
Too beautiful to use, Barbara! x
So much Joy in your post Sue. I love your bougainvilleas, such a beautiful colour. Looks like you had a wonderful time with your grandchildren. Thank you so much for the shout out. I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing our Bendigo Blooms.
Love the colours in this post. We once grew bougainvillia and it, sadly was a beast because of its thorns. I agree they look great..just beware.
I think of you and Fella Hamilton each time I visit Beecroft (back again tomorrow) as I go pas their shop. The man at Beecroft Cobblers (a very rare occupation these days) has been helping me get back into all of my sneakers for walking.
Take care and thanks for sharing the JOY!
Denyse #TeamWWWhimsy
I love the joyful colours of your post this week Sue. The bougainvillea flowers look very striking against your artwork
A mindset of “joy” is such a blessing and brings more intensity, more gratitude and more love into our daily lives! Thanks for reminding us of this today, Sue! I love the tea towel you highlighted – the vibrant colors make me smile! In fact, I love how joyous your entire post is!
This was very uplifting, Sue x
What a fun blog! I don’t think I’ve visited here before but I fit the demographic lol. It’s an interesting season of life for sure. The flowers are beautiful! I’m a big fan of flowers in the house. They definitely add a spot of joy to any week. Have a great day!
Hello Joyce and welcome. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving your comment. Yes, flowers in the house are a constant source of joy, aren’t they? Have a lovely week. x
That was really lovely, and full of joy and color. Wishing you a joyful October!
-Soma
Thanks so much Soma and have a lovely and joyful October, yourself. x
Your sea photos are stunning, that experience would definitely bring me joy too. I love the tea towel, but I’m a sucker for anything with birds on, and the flowers are stunning. I love bringing fresh flowers from my garden into the house.
The tea towel is so vibrant you can’t help feeling good when you look at it, Amy. It is too pretty to use! x