One day last week Jo, who blogs at Through The Key Hole wrote a post about her favourite things in January. I thought it was a great idea, and to round off this first month of 2017 I thought I would share with you some of the things that have made me smile during this dull and dreary January.
My Amaryllis
How it looked last Monday
And now a week later!!
Since I posted about this last week it has shot up probably double the height in a week!
I love looking every morning to see how much it's grown and it always makes me smile.
Not long now to wait for that (hopefully) lovely white flower flower :-)
Exchanges
I've shied away from exchanges in the past, but I enjoyed gathering all the little presents for the 12 Days of Christmas Swap so much I took the plunge and joined in two Valentine swaps.
One of my parcels is already on it's way and the other one is all wrapped and ready to post tomorrow.
:-)
Reading
It was our first Reading Group meeting of the year last Saturday and as well as our group choice we are all taking part in another reading challenge one of the ladies found on line.
Our first choice is A Book Chosen by the cover alone. I spent some time on Amazon just scrolling through books when it was quiet at work one morning and this one caught my eye.
How could I not be drawn to this, lol
I had absolutely no idea what the story line is, I just went with the cover :-)
Saving Challenges
I mentioned the 52 week saving challenge a couple of post ago and I'm happy to say that I have added to my pot every week of January and I am crossing the amounts off as I feed my Jar :-)
I also started a smaller challenge I found on Skint Dad's site, the 365 pennies - Saving Weekly Challenge. I'm not saving just pennies though, I don't fancy bagging all those up and taking them to the bank at the end of the year!
My 3rd jar is my 'Money I have Left In my Purse on a Thursday Jar'
I always used to pay for our food shopping on the debit card but since the beginning of January I've drawn out cash for grocery shopping and I've found that I can keep track of what I'm spending much better, I'm more conscious of what I put in my trolley and I am spending less money each week.
On Thursday nights I empty my purse (minus the coppers) into the jar.
I've had as much as £30 and as little as £5 left but it's all gone in the jar.
I have no plans for the other savings, but this one will go towards any foodie extras at Christmas.
It might sound silly, but it's made me feel happy to spend and save actual money rather than use my card.
I'm determined to try and keep it up :-)
Discovering a new tea, this one i picked up in Aldi
The taste is not over powering, Just a hint of coconut, very nice.
January has been rather a wet and grey month, but looking back it's nice to see that there have been things worth smiling about.
Tomorrows new month means that I get to change my mantle to things of love :-)
Until next time
-X-
The taste is not over powering, Just a hint of coconut, very nice.
January has been rather a wet and grey month, but looking back it's nice to see that there have been things worth smiling about.
Tomorrows new month means that I get to change my mantle to things of love :-)
Until next time
-X-
13 comments:
I save all my coins for various things, too, in various jars. My amaryllis bloomed, I thought that was it, put it in the cold garage and low and behold, it bloomed again. Love your stakes to hold it upright! Let us know how you like e book!
My DH puts all his change in a lovely antique box. I steal the quarters to buy chocolate covered espresso beans! Can't wait to see the flowers on the amaryllis.
I'm really pleased you're joining in and writing a post about your favourite things too, lots of lovely things here. I haven't grown an amaryllis this year and I'm regretting it now, they're such fun plants, aren't they? They grow so fast. I think the cover of your book looks great, it would definitely encourage me to read it too and I think I'll put it on my list of books to read. I definitely find that using proper money rather than a card helps you to keep track of what you spend and ultimately, encourages you to spend less. As well as my 365 savings challenge, I also save whatever I have left at the end of the week and I also save £2 coins too, they soon mount up in to a good amount.
How inspiring your post is! You are very, very good at saving!
The book looks interesting. Our book group did an online challenge which sounds similar to yours last year.
Amarylis has grown loads, good job grandchildren don't grow like that lol
I'm a cash at the till person... amazing what you don't put in the trolley each week when you see the paper money handed over, you think twice is you really need it.
Your amaryllis has a great height, and still the best bit flowers to come. It feels good to save, we still have our jar from last year, we will get to use it soon enough. I use cash each week for my personal spending, it does make you think before you spend. Love your blog.
Your Amaryllis is growing so quickly, I've never grown one, I didn't realise they grew so quickly, it's going to be beautiful. Your saving pots are so pretty, especially the one for dreams xx
What a nice post: it gaves good and positive mood. THank you!
Miriam
Your Amaryllis looks great.
I'm like Cheryl, I've not grown an Amaryllis, so it was good to see your pictures.
Also interesting to read your post, thank you
All the best Jan
Your amaryllis is coming on a treat. I love the little hearts wrapping paper that you've wrapped your gifts in!
Your amaryllis sure had a growth spurt. : ) Can't wait to see the blooms. And you are doing a great job with your savings! I would love to be better disciplined at grocery shopping, but when my husband or son comes along, that is impossible.
You'll have fun at the end of the year counting the contents of your different savings posts :)
A friend told me recently that the taste of coconut flavoured tea can be overpowering so perhaps it is as well that yours is not too strong.
I am definitely going to try to grow an Amaryllis next year. Watching something grow that quickly would definitely give me something to smile at! Thank you so much for sharing that and all your other fun 'smiles'.
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