Snow and ice in January

February-lots of farm walks

March-more farm walks

April evenings getting longer

May: A trip to Dublin to visit family

June: A break along the Wild Atlantic Way via Cavan and Fermanagh

Hello everyone. We are all now settled into the New Year. I still haven't got use to writing 2016 though. This is the 8th year I will be blogging which is difficult to believe.... (almost a decade!!) When I first started All things nice... I wasn't sure what I was doing or what blogging even was. But here I am 8 years on and still blogging away. I never liked facebook so didn't bother with it but I have a twitter account, pinterest account and instagram account. I have connected with people from all over the world, from all walks of life and with all sorts of interests. I am grateful for this connection with so many others as it can be a bit lonely living in rural Ireland particularly during the long winter nights. For 2016 I hope to continue my blog, become more organised, keep on top of house work and keep positive. The photos below are all bright and colourful and reflect my mood as we embark on the New Year. What are your hopes for 2016?

Photos from top left; View of Central Park on Allure of the Seas (the world's largest cruise ship), a colourful handmade wooden carousel, my new floral Joules wellies and modern stained glass window in Saint Mel's Cathedral, Longford, Ireland.

Over Christmas I have spent lots of time with family and friends. It's now New Year's Eve, the years seem to be flying by... 2015 has been good to us, we spent good times with family and went on a wonderful holiday visiting Spain, France and Italy... We didn't get much sunshine or heat here in Ireland, it is almost like we skipped some of the seasons with just Spring and Autumn and no actual Summer or Winter. Lots of rain and wind... Over Christmas I have been-

Wearing;

Eating & Drinking;

Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year's Eve and best wishes for 2016 and all it has to hold.....  Goodbye 2015

January: The start of the year and my wee home was featured in IKEA Live Magazine

February: This was quite on the blogging front but it was our first Valentines as a married couple which was exciting.

March: I had a nice break from work for Easter and was happy that the days were now much longer and I could get out and about on the farm and pick some lovely wild flowers.

April: I spent quite a while in April deciding on fabrics for my guest bedroom but made a good choice in the end.

 

May: The weather was nice in May and we spent a lovely day in the Phoenix Park in Dublin which was enjoyable.

June: More trips, I visited Derry City for the first time with my parents, it really is lovely place with great architecture.

July: How could we forget the wonderful weather we had, we went for a weekend to Avoca, visited Glendalough and Powerscourt House and Gardens in County Wicklow and really enjoyed the beautiful weather.

 

August: Afternoon tea in Castle Leslie  was the highlight of August. This was a gift from my sister in law. Some more interiors were tackled in the house- we eventually did some work on our guest bedroom and just had to wait for the blinds to be finished.

September: More time spent on interiors and getting use to the shorter days drawing in.

October: Autumn time was setting in and I took some lovely walks in the countryside which inspired me to post some lovely autumnal interior posts.

November: The nights were really drawing in and there wasn't as much work on the farm in the evenings so I read a lot and posted some wishlist posts.

December: It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our home. I had friends visit and enjoyed my time off from work with family.

 So here's to 2013 and I'm off to get ready for visitors coming for the New Year Celebrations later tonight!

Take a heap of child-like wonder

That opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life—

Each day a sweet surprise.


Mix in fond appreciation

For the people whom we know;

Like festive Christmas candles,

Each one has a special glow.


Add some giggles and some laughter,

A dash of Christmas food,

(Amazing how a piece of pie

Improves our attitude!)


Stir it all with human kindness;

Wrap it up in love and peace,

Decorate with optimism, and

Our joy will never cease.


If we use this healthy recipe,

We know we will remember

To be in the Christmas spirit,

Even when it's not December.

                                                  ~By Joanna Fuchs