Happy List: #255
Hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List.
It has felt like an extra heavy week in the world and the U.S. and my aim is to keep today’s post light and bright. I hope that works for you because I need a mental health break and this is it!
I don’t often reference past Happy Lists, but I’m making an exception today. I made the Spring Quinoa Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette from A Pinch of Yum that was mentioned in last week’s Happy List and it was delicious! I could eat that every day as a meal. I did half brown rice and half quinoa because I didn’t have much quinoa on hand. Do not skip the fresh herbs. They are key.
Back to present times. This week on the blog I shared a Sentimental Mirror Makeover. As part of that post, I reminded you to start establishing sentimental provenance for items you own so that those stories don’t become forgotten.
I also was finally able to share on the blog that I successfully overwintered some of my front porch plants from last year. Folks, miracles do happen.
A friendly reminder, if you see something you enjoy here, please share it with your friends. Eyeballs on website pages or on Instagram or Facebook help keep this blog running. Thank you!
Now, here’s the Happy List!
TABLETOP FIRE BOWL
Diane from In My Own Style has the best ideas! I love this easy Tabletop Fire Bowl that she created.
Go check out the instructions and see the variation she made using battery-operated candles too.
I definitely have plans to make something similar now!
(image: In My Own Style)
THE MYSTERY OF PEPTO-BISMOL
Society has been using the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, to treat stomach problems since 1900, but scientists have JUST now figured out the chemical structure of this compound.
This compound has a more complex structure than others, so technology needed time to catch up.
Bismuth subsalicylate has a unique chemical structure that looks like an ice cream sandwich and is impossible to dissolve in water and resists acidic conditions too. Interesting, right?
Read more about it in this Chemistry World article.
SPRING FLOWER DOORSCAPE
Well, this doorway by French Country Cottage is gorgeous.
It was designed to resemble the front of a London shop. I’ve never been to London in the spring, so I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing shops decorated this way.
See the tutorial of how it was made here.
(image: French Country Cottage)
PUT SOME MOSS ON IT
This is interesting. A Dutch company called Respyre has developed concrete that is receptive to moss growing on it. Moss has rhizoids, not roots, so it doesn’t destroy a building’s surface.
Rhizoids are filamentous outgrowth or root hairs. (Thanks, Google!)
Respyre wants to use this technology to help green up cities.
(image: Respyre)
CHOCOLATE CARAMEL MARSHMALLOWS
Alright, these look delicious.
Get the recipe for these Disneyland-inspired Chocolate Caramel Marshmallows at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
(image: A Pumpkin and a Princess)
BOOT WALL
I was JUST telling Handy Husband that we need a better way of storing tall boots. He was thrilled.
Isn’t this boot storage solution amazing? I could also be drawn to the blue color.
If you love historic homes, you’ll love the rest of this one.
(image: via Desire to Inspire | Designer: Cameron Ruppert | Photographer: Stacy Zarin Goldberg)
THE GOOD KIND OF ANTS
These are the happiest little metal garden ants!
(image: Etsy Shop Elegance Essential)
POETRY MOMENT
For the Bird Singing Before Dawn by Kim Stafford
Some people presume to be hopeful
when there is no evidence for hope,
to be happy when there is no cause.
Let me say now, I’m with them.
In deep darkness on a cold twig
in a dangerous world, one first
little fluff lets out a peep, a warble,
a song—and in a little while, behold:
the first glimmer comes, then a glow
filters through the misty trees,
then the bold sun rises, then
everyone starts bustling about.
And that first crazy optimist, can we
forgive her for thinking, dawn by dawn,
“Hey, I made that happen!
And oh, life is so fine.”
Kim Stafford served as poet laureate of Oregon from 2018 – 2020.
Thank you for reading today’s Happy List.
Be good to yourself and the maternal influences in your life this weekend.
Sunday, May 8 is Mother’s Day in the United States.
I’ll see you back here on Monday.
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