While I have written multiple articles lately about our deep need for Joy, and the difference between Joy and Happiness, this post is really just about HAPPINESS!  

There are two things that make me especially HAPPY:  A sweet cup of tea at a lovely teahouse with friends, and creative fun with my artistic brood.  And so I've rustled up a couple of Giveaways for local readers.  

The first is a Gift Certificate to The Grand Tearoom in Escondido. Newly opened and ready for guests!  The tea selections are wonderful, the atmosphere classy yet comfortable, and the menu doesn't have a weak link. Everything is marvelous!  This is the same lovely teahouse I visited with my new friends a couple of weeks ago.  The owner, Louisa has offered the generous gift of two "Grand Teas" (a $58 value) to one of our lucky readers.  

The second GIVEAWAY is a free guest pass to the super-fantastic Art Soup in Encinitas. My children LOVE this drop-in art studio, and so do I. There are walls to paint and create upon, things to build, and (our favorite of all) a room totally dedicated to creating anything their little hearts desire. And moms, all you have to do is sit back and let one of their wonderful resident-artists help your child figure out how to make a space ship out of a paper towel roll, tissue paper, and an empty creamer cup. Add some glitter and a piece of string and BAM! You have a remarkable keepsake dangling from their bedroom ceiling. Some other of my favorite creations the boys have made there are... an enormous Father's Day Tie for their Dad, a miniature scene of David and Goliath, and a papier-mâché shark.

If you would like to be entered to win one of these Local Giveaways leave a comment below about where you go and what you like to do that makes you HAPPY!  Share this link with friends, tweet it, or become a member of this site and you can be entered multiple times to win (just let me know all you did to pass the word along.)

The winner will be announced Sunday night.