What is it that makes a day a happy day?  Sometimes it is the excitement of a particular occasion or going somewhere special.  At other times though, like today, it is the simplicity and ordinariness that makes it happy.

For me, the main ingredient of a happy day is the people I am with.  I am also happy when I have no agenda or schedule to stick to.  The nature of my work means my working day is about the schedule, agendas, meetings and deliverables.  So a real day off involves none of those things.   Much as I love my big extended family and friends, sometimes I like to have a day all to myself.   I am usually happy at home. So to wake up, knowing both my special people were under the same roof and that we had no itinerary today, put me in a brilliant mood to start the day with.

I began with a healthy smoothie.  I had a sore throat so was keen to bump up the nutrients to help my immune system.  I started with 2 old favourites; raw spinach and mixed frozen berries.

Plus half an avocado, Chia seeds, cacao nibs and Acaii powder.

Blitzed to a lovely thick and smooth consistency with some coconut water.

When I was ready to go out, I ran some errands in Cranbrook with the little fella.  I am happy to support my local shops and very happy to tick some errands off quite a long list.  At Hartley Dyke we visited the Farm Shop and the Fishmongers.

We are so lucky to have a wet fish shop down the road.

I know all their fish is not sourced locally but the variety is superb.

And the owners are so helpful and friendly it is a pleasure to shop in here.

Harvey wanted these 2 Red Snappers.

I didn’t know what to do with them but the lady behind the counter told me how to cook them and then proceeded to fillet and bone them 🙂

Lunch was nutritious, delicious, home made but took no time to prepare.  What wonderful inventions freezers are 🙂 .  I made this Black Bean Soup back in February 2012 and blogged about it here.  I had 4 portions in the freezer which was perfect for today as we are a 4 again :-).

Served with some Cheddar cheese and a dollop of Natural Yogurt.  It was delicious.  I managed to avoid the bread and ate a modest bowl full.

After lunch we went shopping in Tenterden.

We stopped for an afternoon treat; I had a slice of lemon Victoria sponge and a small Cappuchino.Despite the poor weather, Lara and I took the dogs for a walk.  Well, she ran and I walked and enjoyed listening to some music as she lapped me several times.

I really enjoyed sitting down later with a glass of wine, making notes and researching many fun things we need to do and to make decisions on.
I lay in bed this morning finishing a book set in Savannah, Georgia.  The book referred several times to fried chicken and I was intending to make some for supper.  Well actually, I was originally making a fish pie, as that is one of Lara’s favourites, but she was invited out for supper so we are having that tomorrow instead.  In my favourite local Supermarket I came across a box of seasoned breadcrumbed chicken that just needed baking in the oven.  Sold to the lady with the hankering for some Southern fried chicken 🙂  Another quick and easy meal and served with a simple salad and new potatoes.  Plus mayonnaise and some butter.  It was really good.

To round off this happy day, I am having a bowl of lemon sorbet and a bit later I will have a glass of red wine.  I hope yours was a happy Day too.