Welcome to my weekly Sparks of Joy. This week’s Sparks of Joy #23 post is about surprises that delight and fill my cup. Next week, Mike and I will be on our way cruising to Sydney so there won’t be a sparks of joy post for the next two Wednesdays. I was tempted to try to write from the ship but I want to experience the moment and time away. However, I’m sure there will be plenty of joy to write about when I return.
This week’s Sparks of Joy #23
This week was full of surprises which of course, always bring joy, don’t they?
A catchup and a gift
I was thrilled to be able to arrange a coffee catch up with Min from Write of the Middle. If you follow my blog you will know that I co-hosted Wednesdays Words & Whimsy with Debbie from Deb’s World for a few weeks last year. Min usually is the host but she was dealing with her ailing Mum, moving her to aged care and then coping with the loss of her darling Mum in November last year. Deb and I were happy to step up and help out a fellow blogger and friend.
I arranged to meet Min last week and we spent a lovely few hours chatting over coffee and cake. It is still early days for her but we both enjoyed meeting as it has been quite a number of years since our last catch up in person.
Min surprised me with a beautiful hand made card and group of watercolours that she had painted. Min is a very talented artist and I hope she will pursue this. I didn’t need ‘thanks’ for helping her out but did appreciate her artistic talent and will treasure the card and gift.
Achieving a new running goal for 2025
One of my greatest joys is running with my daughter, Rachel. It doesn’t happen regularly due to her work/life commitments but when it does it fills my cup.
Rachel has recently been getting back into running and she has brought me joy by being able to join us some Saturdays for a run.
Last weekend we ran the furthest we have run this year, clocking up 17.5km.
We have already entered the Brisbane Half Marathon in June so training is ahead, so much that we have decided to do a Half Marathon at Wynnum in March.
#feelingpumped
Family Get togethers = Joy
It isn’t often I get to have all of my family in the one place at the same time so I was delighted to have them over for a bbq lunch on Sunday. Family = Joy and so my cup was full. I was so excited to see them that I completely forgot to take photos, which is very unlike me!
My son gave me some beautiful native flowers which brighten up the kitchen.
A Monday morning Surprise
I was excited and surprised last Monday morning when I opened my Inbox and found a surprise email from Brodee Myers-Cooke Editor of the Road Trip to Younger Magazine. I’m so delighted and proud to be one of 12 fabulous women included in The Road Trip to Younger Magazine, Issue 3: Ageing in Colour: The ageing revolution starts here. I’ve included the link below.
https://brodee.substack.com/p/issue-03-ageing-in-colour-the-ageing
What has brought you Joy this week and made your smile?
With love
I’m linking up to #WednesdayWords&Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle. Pop over and visit Min and say hello.
18 Comments
Hi, Sue – Congratulations on being featured in Road Trip to Younger—well deserved! Wishing you and Mike a fabulous cruise. Looking forward to hearing about it when you return.
It was a lovely surprise to start my week, Donna. Mike and I are looking forward to some R&R for a few days and catching up with family x
You’ve had many highs this week Sue. Congratulation on being included in the feature. Have a wonderful time away and tell us all about it when you return.
Hi Jen, I really am very grateful for all the sparks of joy in my life. Life isn’t aways rosy but I seem to be able to find those sparks that help lift us. x
Hi Sue, it was lovely to meet up with you again after so long. I enjoyed it very much and I’m glad you like my gift & card. The kindness and support you and Deb gave me, without hesitation I might add, was so very appreciated. I’m in awe of the 17.5 kms you ran with your daughter! That’s amazing! Those Protea’s that your son gave you are gorgeous. As you might know, I love Australian native flowers! Congratulations on the feature in Road Trip to Younger too – how exciting! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy and wishing you and Mike a wonderful holiday. I look forward to hearing all about it when you get back! xo
Hi Min, it was lovely to catch up and we should book in another time after your visit to Coolum. Rachel and I were very happy with our run and it is quality time that we can spend together without interruption. x
Congratulations, Sue! How exciting to be recognized for what you are doing for women! I hope you and Mike have a lovely time. It’s so wonderful to just unplug for a bit, isn’t it? Wallpapering my bathroom gave me huge sparks of joy! I actually would love to put a chair in there to just sit and soak it in. Unfortunately, it’s big enough for a chair but not laid out for one! I still love it, though!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I’m inspired by you Marsha tackling the wallpapering in the bathroom. I remember growing up my Mother used to wallpaper but I don’t think I would be able to do it without getting wrinkles in it! x
Congratulations on featuring in Road Trip to Younger!
A lovely surprise for me, Barbara. x
Oh that artwork is such a beautiful and fabulous gift! How sweet of Min.
Min is so talented, Joanne and I was very touched by her thoughtful gesture. x
How fantastic on the magazine! Well done you! Off to follow the link
I was very excited, Lydia. A lovely way to start my week. x
So many sparks of joy in this post Sue! You’re on a roll and thoroughly deserve it all. Enjoy your time away and relax 🙂
You have really filled your cup this week! Congrats on being included in Road Trip to Younger – so well deserved! High five on your half marathon training – you’re smashing it! How lovely that you got to be with the fam – I always think no photos is a sign of a very good time 🙂
So much goodness here! Congrats on the feature and those watercolor prints are beautiful. Enjoy your cruise!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
You are right, Sue… family = joy! So glad you had that time together and very excited (and a bit envious) of your upcoming getaway. ENJOY! Congrats, too, on the magazine feature! So many sparks of joy to celebrate!