Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things Which Have Made Me Smile This Week

Ciao a tutti! Hi, everybody! Yep, it's been another super-busy week for me, especially since I'm getting ready to return to the US for the summer and have to wrap up a lot of different things: writing, formatting, cleaning, packing - the list just goes on and on.

Unfortunately, that means I haven't had time to dedicate to a Thursday Thirteen this week. But don't worry - I've managed to pull something together I think/hope you'll enjoy.

So, please allow me to share with you:

Thirteen Things Which Made Me Smile This Week!

1) I lost another pound. I won't go into detail here about how many I've lost, but let's say it's been enough to make me happy and give me a reason to smile.

This is almost - but not quite - the final cover.

2) Final edits and revisions are going fairly well on 27 Stages, and that has me smiling, too.

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3) My hubby always, always makes me smile.

4) I discovered a new mushroom dish to make for my lunch. Mighty tasty, and around 175 calories for the lot:

350 grams of portobello mushrooms, cut into strips
1/2 tbsp of butter
a dash of garlic powder
one small serving of spreadable cheese, such as a wedge of "laughing cow" cheese

On low to medium heat, melt butter and add a dash of garlic powder to it. Add the mushrooms and cook for about five minutes or so, until they start releasing their water into the pan. If necessary, add more water, a tablespoon at a time. When mushrooms are nearly finished cooking (limp and almost uniformly darker in color) add cheese. Stir in until everything is coated evenly with the "sauce".

Serve with a small portion of pasta, with crackers or enjoy it on its own.

5) Watching Doctor Who with my hubby has made me smile - especially while watching the Daleks and the CyberMen trash-talking each other in the Doomsday episode.

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6) Goofing around with my hubby's family at Easter dinner last Sunday definitely made me smile.

Fabian Cancellara crosses the line one minute, ten seconds ahead of his nearest competitor at the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). In the same race one year ago, after being listed as a favorite to win, he crashed out with multiple fractures to his collarbone and was unable to compete in Paris-Roubaix.

7) That Sunday dinner was accompanied by a viewing of the 100th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen - the Tour of Flanders - which was won by my favorite rider, Fabian Cancellara. That made me smile, oh, yes indeed it did... (and I wept a little, I won't lie).

Fabian Cancellara and his wife, Stephanie, moments after he crossed the finish line.

8) The above moment, also captured live on television, made me smile.

9) The little old lady in purple, here, made me smile. A lot. (I've glimpsed my future self, it seems.)

10) Even when she's driving me crazy, my Doodlebug makes me smile.

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11) The fact I've managed to ride my stationary bike every day this week (so far) makes me smile. I'm aiming to ride every day in April until I leave for the US. Wish me luck, eh?

12) This made me smile, too.

13) And so did this. I also giggle-snorted. I'm not proud.

And there you go: Thirteen Things Which Made Me Smile This Week!












I hope at least one of these things has brought a smile to your face, too.

















Because, let's face it, smiles are always good things.



















Especially when they're yours.




















Or even, on occasion...
























When they're someone else's.

Camille Lacourt. French swimmer.

Ciao for now!