This week’s Sparks of Joy #16 post is about the starting of the Festive Season, my favourite time of the year. With the world in such a sad state, I cling to traditions and things that bring me joy.
This week’s Sparks of Joy #16 – The Festive Edition
Ethan – Share the Dignity plus a special delivery
It was the final days for donations to the #Itsinthebag drive Share the Dignity. I was scheduled to pick up from Bunnings and as I was spending the day with Ethan, I took him along. It was a great opportunity to educate him about the work that Share the Dignity do.
Saturday, was joyous as I joined two other Sheros to deliver bags to a local charity. Mike also helped as we needed two cars just to deliver the bags I had collected. Between us we delivered 175 Adult Bags and 10 Mum and Bub bags. These were just a small part of the large collection from Bunnings at Cannon Hill. I love that Sheros support each other and work together to provide missing items which we may have or to pool our resources for a delivery.
I’ve so enjoyed being part of this experience.
The Festive Fun has begun
The social calendar was full this week as the Festive season kicked off for us. First up, was the Probus Christmas Party on Friday. Mike, was a good sport and wore a Santa themed shirt which I encouraged him to buy. It was out of his comfort zone but don’t you love a man who does something out of the zone because he loves you? I’ll be writing about our Festive Fashion in my next post.
Joy for me was also finding this beautiful dress at the last minute to wear. Thursday late afternoon, I went to the local Shopping Centre hoping to find something to wear on Friday. The dress took me literally less than 10 minutes to find, try on and purchase. When I saw it I knew it would be perfect – my style and I love wearing red for the Festive season (or anytime really).
Saturday morning I joined my running friends for brunch. The Saturday Sisters was formed about 15 years ago as my daughter introduced me to some ladies whe worked with – ‘you will love them Mum’. The five of us including Rachel ran together each Saturday and entered fun runs together. Over the years three have dropped out for various reasons so there is only Caz and I meeting regularly now. We still make a point of catching up with the originals for Christmas though and it is always a joy. This year we enjoyed a buffet breakfast at Rydges Hotel at Southbank, Brisbane.
Saturday afternoon, Mike and I joined some of our neighbours for a Christmas get-together by the pool. We live in a small complex of 7 townhouses but even though most of us are retired, we are all busy so rarely have time to catch up. I made my Christmas Tree charcuterie board to take along.
The Festive Baking & homemade gifts has begun
Christmas decoration traditions
Since Ethan was born, 10 years ago, I’ve purchased a special Christmas tree decoration for him and then Elliot when he was born have continued. It is one of the traditions I love. This year I purchased these beautiful Australian themed decorations from Stringybark Supplies printed onto wood slices. I find joy when the boys decorate their tree and it is full of decorations I’ve given them. They are certainly building up a collection of ‘Nan decorations’ and hopefully they will be memories they take forward in life.
Deb in Elf costume
My friend, co-host and blogger, Debbie Harris from Deb’s World always brings me joy. This week I smiled when I saw her working out at the gym in her Elf costume. Thanks for bringing a spark of joy to my week, Deb. x
Action for Happiness December Calendar – Do Good December
In case you missed my dedicated post sharing the Action for Happiness December Calendar you can find it HERE.
What has brought you joy this week? I’d love you to share with me and spread the joy.
26 Comments
So much joy in one post! Love your work with Share the Dignity – you are a real shero! Mike’s shirt gets my tick of approval – I love a bit of festive dressing – he looks great in it. Your dress is fab, you’re a real lady in red! Love how you gift the boys a decoration every year – that’s so special! 🙂
Thanks, Sam. I enjoy working with Share the Dignity and know we are making a difference. Yes, Mike did well to wear the shirt and I think he looks great x
Looks like you had a fabulous week, Sue. Congrats on your successful Share the Dignity collection and delivery. It’s kindness in action. You and Mike look great in your outfits and the Christmas decorations for your grandsons are lovely. Thank you for sharing your sparks of joy and co-hosting #WWWhimsy with Deb. Have a wonderful week ahead!
It was a lovely week, thanks Natalie. I love this time of year and so much to be joyful and grateful for. x
Hi Sue, I’m back to say thank you for your weekend coffee share. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Thanks, Natalie! x
Your post exudes joy, gratitude and love, Sue. What a wrap up for you and Share the Dignity and thanks to everyone who made this happen. I love that Mike wore the top..for you!! I got 8 stringybark decorations for each grandchild last year but no names..I wrote on the back and the year for them. Christmas memories are precious. I am doing my best to ‘do little’ right now…that’s another story!
Take care, and thanks for looking after the link up.
Denyse x
I’m enjoying sharing my sparks of joy, Denyse. It was a great week with so many sparks for which I’m grateful. The boys love getting the decorations each year and are building up quite a collection. x
Looks like such a great week! Love those tree decorations – what a lovely thought.
Hi Barbara, the boys are certainly building up a collection of decorations from Nan. I love selecting them each year and then seeing them put them on the tree. x
You always share so much joy in these posts Sue and it’s uplifting for all of us reading along! Well done on the Share the Dignity and introducing Ethan to it as well. I love Mike’s shirt and your red dress- woohoo!! You both look very festive and happy 🙂
These posts are such a joy and the fact we’re helping Min out as well means a lot to me. Thanks for a great partnership!
Deb #Teamwwwhimsy
Thanks, Deb. I’m glad I started Sparks of Joy as many have commented how much they enjoy them and also how they then reflect on their own week. I was happy with our Festive outfits and they will certainly be worn many times this season x
You look very festive indeed – very flash! (Love the ‘elf’ pic too! Ha!)
Well done again on the great effort for Share the Dignity!!
Thanks, Lydia, I’ve really enjoyed working for Share the Dignity and look forward to the next drive x
You are, indeed, gorgeous in red, Sue! It’s your color. I have been continued to deliver needed items to the alternative school. I feel so fortunate to be able to afford to do so. A lot of the money has come from my church, but I’ve also used points and rewards to buy lots of necessary things for this school that doesn’t have a parent group to support it (all of the kids are teens). Love the photo of your Mike in his festive shirt! And, Debbie looks quite nice as an elf!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha you do so much good work for the church and you are certainly an inspiration for doing good and sharing joy. x
So many wonderful photos of all the festivities!
Thanks, Joanne it really is a lovely time of year. x
Well done Sue on the Share the Dignity campaign. The red dress is perfect on you, it captures the essence of your style. Your hubs is looking good in his Santa shirt. I love the look of your Christmas tree charcuterie! Thanks for linking xx
Thanks, Gail. I am enjoying the volunteer work with Share the Dignity. The dress I love and agree, red is my colour. x
I love all the festive touches in this post! What a special experience to share with your Ethan… so impactful! I love your red dress and you look beautiful in it! It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the warm temps you are enjoying as we are facing 0 degrees Fahrenheit this morning! Wishing you lots of joy in the week ahead, Sue!
Hi Laura, it was another wonderful week full of little sparks of joy. It does seem strange having Christmas and the holidays in 30C heat but we have grown up with it. For many years our previous generations tried to still have the hot turkey meal but these days prawns and salads are usually on the menu. x
I love the ornaments! So cute and personalized ornaments are such special memories.
My joy of the week was getting a dreaded meeting behind me.
Hi Cat, the boys are certainly gaining a lovely collection of ornaments. Last year I gave them decorations from Amsterdam and other European areas as we had been on a river cruise. It is always good to get those things we dread over and done with isn’t it? Have a lovely week. x
Those Christmas tree ornaments are cute.
They are beautiful and a lovely addition to their collection. x