To come suddenly upon happiness

I'm going to a Christmas market in Germany later today. I will drink some gluwhein to toast you all, my dear readers, who have taught me so much.

I criticize England a lot, I know, but I do love days like today where it's cold and sunny with a feeling of Christmas in the air. I enjoy being able to walk or take public transport anywhere I want to go, and there's a public life here -- you walk on streets and go into shops and see people you know. At the fruit and vegetable shop I go to, a bell rings when you walk in the door.

I went to the chemists then to the bakery -- I came home with freshly baked bread and mince pies sprinkled with powdered sugar then to the bank -- I walked the entire way and it was delightful. I don't get these pleasures so much because I work full-time in an office.

Here's a quote for today:

They seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if they had surprised a butterfly in the winter woods.

Edith Wharton