Welcome to my first Sparks of Joy post for 2025. This week’s Sparks of Joy #19 post is about spending time with my grandsons, new recipes and comments from readers.
This week’s Sparks of Joy #19
The return of #WWWhimsy Link up with Min
Having Min from Write of the Middle back at the helm hosting the Wednesdays Words and Whimsy link up has brought me great joy. Min has been through some very tough times over the last few months in particular so we are all very happy to welcome her back to hosting duties. We’ve missed you Min xx
An Uplifting start to my day
I spent a delightful 40 minutes interviewing Deb Krier, founder of tryingnottodie.live, Cancer Advocate & Entrepreneur for my Women Living Well After 50 Podcast. The Episode will be coming out in a few weeks. Deb’s attitude to life is so inspiring and she has made my morning. Isn’t it wonderful when you meet people that you feel an immediate connection with?
A movie date with my grandsons
Ethan, Elliot and I spent a delightful couple of hours going to the cinema to see Paddington in Peru. I must admit there were happy tears shed by ‘Nan’ at the end and we all enjoyed the movie very much. I highly recommend it.
We caught the bus to and from the cinema which is also fun. Usually we drive everywhere but taking the bus was an adventure. The boys have their own card to tap on and tap off and it reminds me how quickly they are growing up.
What is it about kids wanting to sit at the back of the bus? Some things never change.
Basil
Basil is a plant I have difficulty growing but when I use it in my cooking it brings such joy. I love the colour, perfume and flavour. If you have any tips for growing basil I would love to hear them. I like to make our own pesto which is really quite easy to make. Here is a classic recipe you might like to try. Basil pesto recipe
Trying a two recipes from a Cook Book Gift
For Christmas, my darling cousin gave me a cook book – Wild Figs and Fennel: A Year in an Italian Kitchen by Letitia Clark. This gift is extra thoughtful because she purchased the book for me for my love of cooking and for Mike because of his Italian heritage. Last weekend I tried a couple of the recipes and I will definitely be trying them again. On the menu was Slow-Cooked Chicken with Red Peppers, Anchovies and Basil for main with Cherry and Mascarpone Custard crostata with Olive Oil Pastry. The gift brought both of us joy and I brought joy to our Saturday evening meal.
Receiving two beautiful comments
I truly appreciate the comments I receive on posts that I publish. To me, it is a wonderful way to connect with others and also to show your appreciation of their work. I try to leave meaningful comments on other bloggers’ sites. Sometimes, you receive words at the right moment. In my WOTY 2025 post I had written a poem which I was a little self-conscious about. I’m definitely not a poet but this comment certainly brought me joy during the week.
What a beautiful poem, I hope you share more. I also loved this read and it made me feel better about my stage in life.
It’s wonderful to see how you embrace these moments of relaxation and exploration, and your post has truly inspired me to consider this charming area for my own travels. Grateful for the tips and the lovely storytelling!
What has brought you Joy this week and made your smile?
With love
17 Comments
I gave everyone seeds and a pot for Xmas, along with their gift. Basil was one of the types of seeds I gave. I myself am trying to grow iceplant but so far failing. Now that I’m back i will replant and try again. I’m mad for it.
Happy New Year, Lydia. What a great Xmas gift of seeds and a pot. I don’t have a green thumb at all so I’m hoping that might change with my basil. I’ve not heard of iceplant, I must look it up. x
I love basil in my food too! Unfortunately, I don’t have a green thumb so no ideaa how to grow it. Thanks for sharing your sparks of joy.
Hi Astrid, I don’t have a green thumb either but hopefully I won’t kill my basil this time. Have a beautiful week. x
I truly enjoy your sparks of joy, Sue. Thank you for sharing them. The movie date sounds like so much fun. I too love pesto, so I’ll be checking out the recipe you shared. Thanks for that!
Thank you Christie. I wasn’t sure if I would continue with the weekly post but a few people have left positive comments so I might just keep doing them for a while. It is good to reflect on what has been good throughout the week. x
Hi Sue, you had me teared up by saying that me being back at at the helm of #WWWhimsy etc brought you joy. That’s such a kind thing to say. In recent times I have really noticed kindness and sadly I’ve also noticed the absence of it with people that I had thought would be there for me. I’ve found that times of hardship can be very telling in this way. I recently went to the movies with my sister and saw ‘Wicked’ and before the movie was the ad for Paddington in Peru and I must say I was wishing I had grandchildren I could take because it looked fabulous! I’m with you on pesto – I love it! I think I’ve made it once or twice but not for ages! What a beautiful gift that cookbook is and the recipes you’ve cooked from it look delicious! As for the kind comments on your poem (I’ll have to go check it out), I can relate to the joy that kind comments bring. You yourself leave the most thoughtful and kind comments. They always make my day. Thanks so much for linking up with our first #WWWhimsy of 2025! xo
Oh Min, you had me tearing up reading your comment!!! I know what you mean about absence of those who you thought might be more supportive. It is quite commo unfortunately. I saw an older couple with no children or grandchildren at the same screening of Paddington so perhaps it isn’t just for kids after all. It is so lovely to have you back hosting Whimsy again. I wishing you every happiness and peace for 2025. xx
Hi, Sue – Thank you for sharing these joyful moments—it’s always inspiring to read your reflections. I especially love the movie date with your grandsons. Wishing you a week filled with more sparks of joy! 🌟💛
Hi Donna! It certainly is a good way to reflect on the good rather than dwelling on the negative side of life. have a lovely week. x
These are lovely joyful moments Sue, and the food looks great too. A while back I was at the movies and saw the trailer for Paddington. It really made me wish I could find a child to take. It looked wonderful.
Hi Jen, I was just replying to Min who said the same thing about Paddington. I saw an older couple there without children or grandchildren and they enjoyed the movie immensely. xx
Your posts are always a Spark of Joy for me. You are truly one of my inspirations. I do wish I enjoyed cooking like you do. I really just need to look for good recipes as I include so much protein in my diet it’s hard to find the room for other foods. Another spark of joy has been working on my bathroom reno. It’s nothing big…just paint and wallpaper, but I’m doing it all myself! And, that makes me happy!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
You are so lovely with your comments, Marsha and you bring joy to my week. Look at you go doing the bathroom renovation on your own. Well done you! xx
So much to love here Sue. The poem was brilliant, the movie date with the boys, the cookbook gift but the joy on your and Deb’s faces in the interview takes the cake for me! Just brilliant 🙂 I agree guest hosting for #WWWhimsy was a highlight as we were able to help Min out. I love these sparks of joy posts xx
Hi Deb, Deb Krier was so inspiring and uplifting just what I needed to start my day. x
We’ve been on a bit of a break from the blogging world and we’re happy to be back… I always love visiting your site, Sue, and reading all you’ve been up to. I echo so much of what you say and I gain great insight from your words! Thank you!