Happy List: #172

Hi!

I’m writing this post during the middle of a hot, muggy summer thunderstorm. Perhaps the reason why New Jersey is called the garden state is that all the summer rain keeps things really green?

This week I shared all the different ways I used wooden soda crates to organize items around our house. I also wrote about the word halcyon and what it means to me.

Here’s the Happy List!

KITCHEN SIMPLICITY

Scenes like this one make me wonder if we’ve made kitchens too complicated?

Or can you only get away with this if it is a vacation home?

Although, by that argument, I could use more vacation vibes in my day-to-day living.

(image: The Nordroom)

If you like plants, you should really check out the living room of this home. The built-in banquette is fun too.

I LIKE IT

Am I seeing this picture correctly?

Are these air plants on a gigantic rusty chain?

Whatever it is, I like it.

(image: Desire to Inspire)

For more garden room inspiration, go to this post at Desire to Inspire.

NO HARD FEELINGS

I love listening to The Avett Brothers. This isn’t a new song, but it has a great message.

I know some of you aren’t going to watch the video, so here are the lyrics:

When my body won’t hold me anymore
And it finally lets me free
Will I be ready?
When my feet won’t walk another mile?
And my lips give their last kiss goodbye?
Will my hands be steady when I lay down my fears, my hopes, and my doubts?
The rings on my fingers, and the keys to my house
With no hard feelings?

When the sun hangs low in the west
And the light in my chest won’t be kept held at bay any longer
When the jealousy fades away
And it’s ash and dust for cash and lust
And it’s just hallelujah
And love in thoughts and love in the words
Love in the songs they sing in the church
And no hard feelings

Lord knows they haven’t done much good for anyone
Kept me afraid and cold
With so much to have and hold
Mmm, hmm

When my body won’t hold me anymore
And it finally lets me free
Where will I go?
Will the trade winds take me south through Georgia grain?
Or tropical rain?
Or snow from the heavens?
Will I join with the ocean blue?
Or run into a savior true?
And shake hands laughing
And walk through the night, straight to the light
Holding the love I’ve known in my life
And no hard feelings

Lord knows they haven’t done much good for anyone
Kept me afraid and cold
With so much to have and hold

Under the curving sky
I’m finally learning why
It matters for me and you
To say it and mean it too
For life and its loveliness
And all of its ugliness
Good as it’s been to me
I have no enemies

EMBROIDERED FORESTS

This looks like a forest from the top down, does it not?

(image: Litli Ulfur via This is Colossal)

Artist Litli Ulfur makes textured landscapes out of embroidery thread using a variety of stitches. I wonder if she knows how many stitches go into one of her works of art?

Go see more of her work here.

SUNDRESS

I’ve bought this Amazon sundress TWICE in different patterns last month. That’s how much I like it.

I have received multiple compliments while wearing this dress at the grocery store, which is saying something because there isn’t a whole lot of idle chit-chat between strangers wearing masks.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

Any Little Women fans out there?

Louisa May Alcott wrote a story in the 1840s when she was still a teenager that was titled Aunt Nellie’s Diary and never finished it.

That never before published story has now been published in Strand Magazine and readers can submit their own endings to the story. How cool is that?

Aunt Nellie’s Diary is narrated by a 40-year-old character and follows her observations of a love triangle.

PLANTERS

This is the PRETTIEST planter, don’t you think?

You can follow Tal and Bert on Instagram or check out their online store.

25 MINUTE THAI BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN AND GARLIC NOODLES

I made Half Baked Harvest‘s 25 Minute Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles recipe on Tuesday night.

Even my picky 10-year-old eater ate it!

I didn’t have chicken, so I used ground pork. I did add all the spices to it. I also didn’t have rice noodles, so I used angel hair pasta. If you do this, keep in mind that a package of pasta is  double what the recipe calls for.

I was worried about adding the lime and basil at the end because the dish already tasted good, but those two additions totally amped up the flavor combination. It tasted like restaurant food!

(image: Half Baked Harvest)

The only problem with this recipe is that I made it too soon in the week. Basically, I peaked too early with the awesomeness and I was left with a conundrum of what to make the next three nights.

Well, that’s it from me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s Happy List!

Maybe I’ll see you on Facebook or Instagram stories this weekend.

Take care!

*affiliate links in today’s blog post*