Nov 7, 2014

Five things making me happy this week.

It's been a tough few weeks in the DeLeo household. Both patriarchs on each side of our family are fighting big battles and although we're trying to stay very positive it's been a tough road. It's at times like this that counting blessings and remembering all the things that bring us joy is so very important. I thought I'd share a few of the things that have brought a smile to my face this week.

Modern Family

I watch very little T.V these days. What with the day job and the kids and books to write I don't even visit the TV room most days - except for Thursday nights. On Thursday nights I laugh until my side aches and it can be the best medicine of them all. Last summer we took series 1-4 to the beach house and watched them back to back for a week and I can't tell you how much fun it was. Even if Rachel Bailey says I remind her A LOT of Claire, I just love this family to bits. If you haven't got acquainted yet, do yourself a favour...



Salted Caramel

In truth, I'd probably eat salted caramel cotton wool if they made it. It's one of those flavours that shouldn't possibly work but does. I've discovered this packet of gold this week. It only lasted until Tuesday....



Liane Moriarty's Books

There are certain authors whose books I'll autobuy. Doesn't matter what the blurb says, or the reviews, or the price. Liane Moriarty is one of those authors for me. She writes women's fiction rather than romance but there's something about her communities, the way she writes about relationships that I just love.



Last Chance Proposal

My Christmas book "Last Chance Proposal" is on sale for 99c this week and it's has had four lovely five star reviews!


This crazy bunch

At the end of a tough week it's lovely to come home to these crazy cats.



What's made you smile this week?

Barb X




14 comments:

  1. Barb, I'm sorry to hear about the fathers in your family doing it tough. Sending you all good wishes!

    What made me smile was my day yesterday. My mother, who's unwell, thoroughly enjoyed her birthday presents and lunch out and my father, who's also unwell (getting old is such a pest!) got slightly better news from the doctor than anticipated and also enjoyed his belated birthday gift. We had a really fun lunch with them, looking out over the lake, watching the yachts and even fitting in dessert. I got a call from them late in the day, reiterating what a wonderful time they'd had with us and they sounded so happy. The best thing all week.

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    1. That birthday lunch sounds wonderful, Annie, and I'm so pleased to hear that your Dad's news was better than expected.

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  2. Hugs on your family worries at the moment, Barb. That sucks so hard :-(

    Love your smiles though and that great pic of your family.
    What made me smile this week? Dinner our with my family last night - we laughed at lot :-)

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    1. Thanks, Amy. I know you've had a tough week too. Lovely that you could get your family together and have a laugh.

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  3. Hugs to you and your family for those very special men of yours, Barb. At times like this it's so important to count our blessings. My smiles this week have come from spending time with my boys (including hubby)- we went to see a comedian, Bill Bailey, on Wednesday - definitely a lot of laughs there and watched a couple of episodes of New Girl season 3 together which is always fun.

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    1. Thanks so much for the hugs, Louisa. Oh, I love Bill Bailey! Can just imagine how much you'd have all laughed .

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  4. Hugs to you Barabara there is nothing worse than having parents who are ill.

    What makes me smile is of course my grandchildren and reading a good book with a HEA :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Thanks so much for the hugs, Helen. My kids are certainly the brightest things in their grandparents' day too.

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  5. That's a glorious bunch of happy right there, Barb! Thanks for sharing. I love the idea of gratitude journals and at the end of the week I always come up with a list of 3 things I'm happy or grateful for. This week it's glorious walks by the beach, my DH who is too wonderful for words, and writer-ly get togethers to talk books. Oh, and the books that arrived from the book depository. And, yeah, this week I discovered the delights of cruffins (OMG!). So lots of happy in my world too.

    Sending hugs on your fathers. So sorry to hear they're doing it so tough at the moment. I'm betting you and your crowd bring them an amazing amount of happy.

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    1. Cruffins? Of what joy do you speak, Michelle? Are they like a cronut? Am thinking they might be a part of my future. You've inspired me to take a beach walk too.

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  6. Sending hugs since it has been tough. Always difficult when a family member is battling, but even more difficult when there's more than one

    My happy things this week:
    That it's now the weekend (after a energy-zapping high chronic pain week)
    That for the most part I am healthy, have food available and a roof over head
    Good books to read :)

    The other thing that made me smile was making Rachel's night when I shared my review of Cover Story a couple of nights ago.

    Guessing that bunch in the last photo is your own personal Greek hero and your offspring :)

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    1. Lyn, I saw your great review of Cover Story! Nothing happier than a bunch of gnomes. Yes, that's my own Greek hero and all my offspring. Lots of happy right there. :-) Wishing you a much better week pain-wise this week.

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  7. Sending hugs from me too, Barb! I hope everything's okay.

    I love your things that made you happy this week and congratulations on Last Chance Proposal's fabulous reviews! I've got this book on my teetering e-tbr pile! I'm going to have to carve out some serious reading time soon!

    What's making me smile this week is some lovely time with friends on the banks of the Murray River in the new van! (still disorganised as all get-out but fun!) And I got up before everyone one morning and was lucky enough to spot Mr Emu and his 6 tweenage chicks. They were off like rockets when they heard me so no chance of snapping a picture but it was so great just to see them!

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  8. Barbara, you know I only think you're like Claire Dunphy in all the best ways. She's gorgeous just like you. :)

    Well, one of the things that made me happy this week has already been mentioned - Lyn's gorgeous review of Cover Story. Thanks again, Lyn!

    Another thing was going to Brisbane to see The Lion King - amazing!

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