Happy List: #392

Hello, hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List. It is so fun to have you here.

This week on the blog I shared the progression of how we installed a window in a stone building. It’s not something you would give much thought to until you have to install one and don’t know how to attach the window to stone.

I also shared pictures of our rhododendrons and irises in bloom. The important part of that story was how my neighbor made me feel with his compliment. It was an important reminder of the good in the world.

I hope this Happy List leaves you feeling inspired, encouraged, and maybe you will even learn a thing or two. I know I did this week! I absolutely welcome the opportunity to connect with you and hear what you are doing and how you’re feeling. If you want to reach out, please comment on this blog post or email me here. You can also reach out on Instagram or Facebook.

Now, here is the Happy List!

FEAST FOR THE EYES

The island in this kitchen made my jaw drop and then it stayed that way when I scrolled through the rest of the photos. They have a shower curtain in an arched shower that matches the surrounding wallpaper. Then there’s the garden gate. You have to go check out this house. It’s maximalist to the core and full of ideas.

(image: Photos: Jenna Peffley; Styling: Robert Rufino; home: French and French Interiors; via Desire to Inspire)

NOT-SO-BORING VASES

Country Living is always full of inspiration. Loved their creative ideas in this article for flower vase alternatives.

The copper kettle was my favorite because that’s something I would do, but they also repurposed vintage potato chip tins as vases. I know some of you use old food tins as decor because the graphics are so neat.

(image: Ren Fuller for Country Living)

KUDOS TO GUYANA

According to a recent paper published in Nature, Guyana is the only country in the world that is 100%  self-sufficient with its food production out of seven food groups. The food groups are fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, legumes/nuts/seeds, and starchy staples.

China and Vietnam are self sufficient in six categories.

To see where your country falls, check out this chart and read the article here.

(image: Nature)

The journal does note some reasons why production insufficiency happens. It is often for good reasons, but those reasons can make countries vulnerable to disruptions like a global pandemic.

P.S. Do you know where Guyana is located? It’s in South America. It is bordered by Brazil, Venezuela, and Suriname.

URBAN FORAGING

Speaking of food, did you know there is a website detailing all the places you can forage for food for free? Falling Fruit is a nonprofit that relies on urban foragers to detail food resources (berry bushes, fruit trees, etc.) available for free on public lands. Check it out here to see what is near you.

If you think about this in terms of a treasure hunt, it’s extra fun!

(image: Falling Fruit)

DIY SIDE TABLE

I might have to steal this idea! Suzy from Worthington Court made an outdoor side table out of a rattan basket and an unfinished wood round painted a fun blue color.

Check out more of her porch decorating ideas here.

(image: Worthington Court)

NO ONE KNOWS WHEN THEY DON’T DIE

If you have a few minutes, watch this short video from Hank Green. It’s so profound and worth ruminating on as you go about your daily life.

I pulled a couple of sentences from the video…

“No one ever celebrates the brain damage they didn’t get…We need to get way better at accepting the miracle of things that didn’t happen. That’s where some of humanity’s greatest victories are hiding. If we don’t understand that, the things that didn’t happen might very well begin happening again.” – Hank Green

If the video doesn’t load, watch it here on YouTube.

FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEA

Need a gift for the dad who has everything? How about a portable tire air compressor?

Handy Husband carries a portable tire air compressor in his vehicle. You hope you don’t have to use one, but it’s nice to know you have it when you need it. This would also be a great gift for kids going off to college.

This particular air compressor has almost 100,000 reviews!

(image: Amazon)

CAESAR SALAD SMASH TACOS

I found Homemade on a Weeknight’s recipe for Caesar Salad Smash Tacos from Diane’s blog, In My Own Style. Thank you Diane for sharing this goodness!

I have made these Caesar Salad Smash Tacos twice now. They are such a refreshing change from my usual repertoire of recipes and the meat has great flavor. The best part is the recipe makes double what Handy Husband and I can eat. I froze the extra smash tacos (just the meat on the tortilla part) flat 0n layers of parchment paper. They froze so well and made such a fast easy meal later. I skipped the bacon the second time and they were still delicious.

Please try these soon! Recipe can be found here.

(image: Homemade on a Weeknight)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Here’s an excerpt from Dan Sinker’s blog about the Who Cares Era. It might resonate with you. It might challenge your mindset. Either way, it’s worth reading the entire thing. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.

“In the Who Cares Era, the most radical thing you can do is care.

In a moment where machines churn out mediocrity, make something yourself. Make it imperfect. Make it rough. Just make it.

At a time where the government’s uncaring boot is pressing down on all of our necks, the best way to fight back is to care. Care loudly. Tell others. Get going.

As the culture of the Who Cares Era grinds towards the lowest common denominator, support those that are making real things. Listen to something with your full attention. Watch something with your phone in the other room. Read an actual paper magazine or a book.

Be yourself.

Be imperfect.

Be human.

Care.”

Read the entire essay (it’s not long) here.

Thank you for reading today’s Happy List. It was written by a human, not AI.

Be good to yourself and others this weekend.

I’ll see you back here on Monday.

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