From the Shores of New Zealand

A little package arrived ~ all the way from the shores of New Zealand.

Inside were two precious handmade bracelets.

Someone clearly knows how much I adore the beach.

A silver shell charm.

A seahorse.

 

What's my favorite?

It's got to be the big, round, turquoise beads.

Wait, it might be the beads made out of shell.

Okay, it's definitely the pearly, seafoam green beads.

But what about the translucent white beads? 

They all complement each other perfectly!!!

Then there is this bracelet. 

A silver chain with a double heart charm and a green glass bead. 

Green is my favorite color.

  Beautiful!

  

I want to wear them all the time.

AND when I'm not WEARING them...

I want to leave them DISPLAYED for everyone to ADMIRE.



Speaking of admiring.

My package also contained this sparkly Sun Catcher.
I hung it in my kitchen window where I can admire it daily. 

The winter months are quickly approaching. 

I will be missing the sunshine when the skies are grey.

It wasn't very promising that we would see it catching any sun today...

The window all splotchy from raindrops.



Look what happened ~ we got a surprise sun break.



It catches the rays of light and multiplies them.

It warms my heart and brings a smile to my sun-loving face.

My secret gift-giver is Natalie of NorthShore Days.

Thank you Natalie!

If you are interested in seeing more handmade treasures by Natalie ~

you can

 visit her Etsy Store by clicking below

Visit her blog, Northshore Days, for jewelry tutorials, DIY, and many Precious Moments. 

P. S.  Natalie's Handmade Trinkets will make wonderful gifts for the holidays.

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Happiness Agenda ~ Where do you rank?

Pondered Primed Perfected is embarking on a journey. It's been titled The Happiness Agenda.

This journey will examine what factors may help each of us as individuals flourish and feel content. 

(I'm not a Psychologist, Doctor, Scientist, or Scholar.  I'm just curious, aren't you?) 

Wanna see what I've been up to?

I have been taking some interesting Happiness Tests at *Positive Psychology's website **Authentic Happiness

  

Go register and take the tests that interest you!  Just click the Authentic Happiness link above to get started.  

I would love for you to share your results or ideas in the comments section at the bottom of this post if you feel comfortable doing so.

And some recent images from my life....



A friend once told me that I could post about anything, even if it was just about my grass growing, and she would be happy.  Well, I don't think she meant it literally, but it certainly made me feel good to hear it! 

*Have positive people in your life, they certainly up the "happiness factor".

  

Our dog, Sadie, has enriched our lives in more ways than we can count.  She's sunbathing here.  She looks so sweet and innocent.  You'd never guess she dumped me on my face recently at football practice, would you!?  It definitely brought a laugh!  OMG, I love her.

*Having a pet can enrich daily life and diminish feelings of loneliness.

   

Watching my children go all out and succeed at something is definitely one of my biggest happiness triggers, and it's just as rewarding for them to work hard at something and succeed.

*Do something you're good at and enjoy; that is a reliable happiness inducer.

 

Our son being congratulated *briskly* by his teammates for running a touchdown! 

*Be part of something that serves a purpose higher than your individual needs and desires.  Kind of like team sports...do it for the team!  If you aren't athletic you could volunteer for a cause that you find important. 
So many ways to go here, if you think about it. 

  I'm using these mini pumpkins as fall decor.  Their color alone brings a smile to my face, they are adorable.  Eventually the little kids will decorate them and take them home with a smile on their faces!  (The pumpkins AND the kids! lol)

*Surround yourself with things that make you happy.

I like to bring some Nature inside for decorating.  Isn't this fall foliage pretty in my little green creamer?

*Enjoy Nature.  It's free!  And it comes loaded with fresh air, inspiring colors and natural wonders.

 

Two things:  A sweet gesture from a friend, and a sweet magazine to get lost in.

*Appreciate the "little things" in life.

  

Vitamin C...I changed the chalkboard tag on this canister when I added our Immunity C for cold and flu season.  These little chalkboard tags I made make me smile.  :)

*Take care of yourself.



I may feel some trepidation that Summer has ended but that won't stop me from appreciating the magic that is Autumn.  Nature is amazing!  This is the tree in my yard!

*Enjoy the now.  Appreciate the moment. 

*Nature is AMAZING!

Spend time appreciating the wonders of nature...with people that make you feel happy. 

*Positive Psychology is a branch of psychology which focuses on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions. 

**Authentic Happiness is the homepage of Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of positive psychology

Sharing Here:

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

http://homestoriesatoz.com/

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Three Band-Aid Kinda Day ~ The Happiness Agenda ~ A New Series

It’s 10 a.m. on Monday.

So far it’s a 3 Band-Aid kind of day.



3 five-year-olds and a 2 year-old play in the sunshine.

It’s the “off” day for kindergarten.



Warm sun lights up my face and crinkles my eyes.



I am a sun-worshipper by nature. Unapologetic. My sweater hangs forgotten on the fence.

 

The sidewalk chalk is long gone, although the smudges remain behind to prove it’s existence. Someday soon the rain will wash these remnants away…let’s hope not too quickly.

 

Bubble blowing has taken over the scene.



The challenge ~ to catch a bubble on the end of your wand.



It’s called a “Sandy House” in case you’re not a Spongebob fan. Lol. It’s easy to imagine these sunny days going on forever. 2 cups of coffee and a multi-vitamin have left me feeling a-jitter physically, as well as mentally. Fall is closing in ~ The days getting shorter. The evenings cooler. I’m reluctant to see summer slipping away…



How will we hold onto the sunny smiles and thoughts even as the long summer days become no more than a precious memory?

Here's my list of things I can do to help stave off the winter doldrums:

• Get outdoors as much as possible during "sunlight" hours
• Get plenty of sleep
• Take a Vitamin D supplement
• Foster relationships with friends that have a positive influence on me
• Eat healthy and exercise regularly
• Pursue wintertime leisure activities (IDK -scrapbooking or bowling, maybe?)
• Avoid my tendency to “hibernate” during the short, dark winter months
• Acknowledge and appreciate the many blessings in my life
• Brighten up my spaces with cheerful décor and things that make me feel happy

What do you do to keep feeling sunny and positive in the darkest months of the year?

I would love to hear about your smile inducing ideas!

Hoping to spread some happiness here:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

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