Reasons to be Cheerful: Irish Eyes are Smiling #R2BC

A late arrival for the linky as we have been on holiday and this is my first chance to use my laptop since I got back! Obviously my reasons are all holiday based and here are the smiles from Ireland:
1) Crossing the Sea

I was away with my two top men my son and my dad. We enjoyed our ferry ride across the Irish Sea from Holyhead and then a drive down to Knocktopher near Kilkenny.

2) Holiday challenges

My son and I climbed up steep ladders to reach the top of the 900 year old St Canice's tower in Kilkenny. Well worth it for the view even when you are scared of heights:

3) Running

I managed to find a lovely (if hilly) route to run in a wood to keep up the exercise. It was a hot one but it put a smile on my face:

4) Smile!

How could this not put a smile on your face when you are given your coffee:

Hope you are smiling this week too!

Life's Simple Pleasures

Life these days can be pretty hectic especially for parents and families with commitments at work, school and in the home. Do you find that sometimes you just need to step back and indulge yourself or your family in one of your simple pleasures? 

For me one of the most relaxing things is to have time to sit back with a fresh coffee and a good book:

For my children a trip to a playground and either being pushed or swinging themselves is great for both of them:

Sitting down with a colouring or puzzle book is also something that they both enjoy:

And of course you can never quite beat the simple pleasure of jumping in puddles....

What are your simple pleasures?

#TheGallery: Guilty Pleasures

The challenge this week from Tara's gallery is Guilty Pleasures. So here are a few of mine:

Breakfast in bed

From a fairly young age my daughter has loved bringing me breakfast in bed. Her first ever attempt was a ham sandwich! The photograph above was the next step with a hot cross bun buttered on the outside and a fairy cake. She has progressed onto bowls of cereal and toast but sometimes just a mug of coffee on a Saturday morning whilst I'm still under the duvet is a great way to start my weekend. In fact any time I can curl up with a mug of good coffee and book is a definite guilty pleasure:

Happiness is...

Another guilty pleasure is make a big batch of pancake batter on a Saturday morning and after putting on some healthy fruit I drizzle over some maple syrup over the top:

Yummy pancakes for brunch

Oh and of course the ultimate guilty pleasure for a mum after the kids have gone to bed:

A glass of wine

The Gallery: Simple Pleasures

A nice challenge from Tara this week who wants to know our simple pleasures. Being a single mum I have to grab mine when I can:

I think the motto on the Emma Bridgewater mug really sums it up for me! Aside from my lovely kids that is ;-)