Things That Make me go Ooh!
Things that delight, inspire, comfort or surprise me.
This is a joyful post and FREE to read. However, sometimes life just doesn’t go according to plan. However hard you work, however much you prepare, anticipate and strategise. Every now and again it just goes belly up, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. This week has been one of those weeks, and it’s still only Wednesday as I’m writing this.
It’s left me searching for inspiration, for something to surprise me, but in a good way. I’m feeling the need for a little comfort and delight, so I thought perhaps today I’d simply share the things that make my heart sing, the things that are melting my butter right now. Here goes:
Waking up knowing it’s going to be another sunny day. I know a lot of people moan about the heatwaves, and of course, there’s all the dreadful wildfires, climate change and all the seriousness that involves, and our gardens are definitely struggling, but for us Brits particularly, isn’t it also wonderful that when you open your eyes in the morning the sun is already shining? It feels like those endless summers of my childhood.
Going to the freezer and discovering a long forgotten almond Magnum.
Filling the bird feed and water bowl up, and then whiling away half an hour or so just watching grateful mouths gorging on grubs and seeds.
Getting to the end of my wretched Q1 self-employed digital tax return.
Loving my husband for thinking he’d planted sunflowers, when in fact, they are sweetcorn. Juicy and fat they are too. I feel a BBQ coming on.
Trying Tesco’s Finest Caesar Salad and Bacon Coleslaw for the first time and becoming immediately addicted. It won’t help with the diet, but hey!
Binge-watching season 1 and 2 of The Undeclared War on Channel 4. Love a thriller.
Waking up thinking it’s Monday, then realising it’s only Sunday.
Driving down the tree-lined lane to our village, with the windows wound down, the radio on, and being thankful for where we live.
My dog Missy still being alive to see her 17th birthday, but also going viral on Substack Notes too!
Salad, salad and more salad, particularly anything with juicy tomatoes, and I’ve got a particular craving for raw fennel bulb shavings too.
Keeping my Norfolk Natural Living geranium and tomato leaf eau de parfum next to my desk for whenever I feel like a summery spritz.
This always makes me laugh. I know it’s childish. Don’t care.
Finishing work and having a chilled glass of Chablis under the gazebo.
Finding out that The White Swan in Bosham, near me, will be re-opening with an ex-head chef of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons at the helm. A friend of mine had him cook for them at their home last week, very fancy, but apparently he’s amazing, and we should all feel very lucky.
Zipping up my new size 34 inch waist shorts to find they’re loose.
Finding out that Holly Willoughby’s new show has bombed. That shouldn’t make me smile, but I’ve never quite forgiven her for how she treated her supposed v good friend Phillip Scofield a few years back, and for that dreadful cringeworthy speech she made live on TV the morning after his removal from the show. The rights and wrongs of what he did is another story, but friends should stand by one another.
This unlacquered brass bathroom tap.
It’s not even August yet. I love this summer.
Seeing another flush of roses when it only feels like yesterday I pruned them.
Hearing that two of your besties are coming home from Pakistan for an impromptu visit. Much jubilation. Wine shall be consumed in vast quantities.
Sarah Millican is on Substack.
This Summer Glow Box from John Lewis.
Thrilled to bits with the final TV movie finale to the Heartstopper series. I’ve loved it from the very first episode. Life-affirming, hopeful in a world that generally isn’t, and above all, grounding in a belief that love will prevail regardless of who you love. If you haven’t seen it at all, then start from series one. Yes, it’s a gay drama, and you may not think that applies to you, but it will warm your heart and make you smile.
Any and every sunset.
This from Luke Hamnett.
Spending a Sunday tidying up and clearing all the mess from builders, even though they will ruin it within a day. Just one day of seeing things clearly can bring so much hope.
This man’s front garden in our village. I’m trying to pluck up the courage to ring the doorbell and ask if I can see his back garden, hoping he doesn’t think it’s a euphemism.
Hearing the tune to ‘Just one Cornetto’ being played by the ice cream van. Who wants a 99 Flake?
Hoping we might be back in the barn for Christmas.
Getting the ingredients to make this salmon, boursin & lemon tart from the fabulous Rukmini Iyer.
This parasol holder.
This built-in glass chiller if I won the lottery.
Finally sitting down properly to write my book. God knows when it’ll be finished, but…
Realising this week that I can’t be all things, I can’t be everywhere at once, that I don’t have the same endless supply of energy that I had in my thirties, and being okay with it.
Starting to think about colour swatches for the barn.
Sitting in the garden till after 9pm.
Batch-cooking for one hot afternoon so I don’t have to cook for another three days.
Going to clean our holiday home ready for the next guests, and finding out that only one bed was slept in. I can’t tell you the joy that brings me!
Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the heart ♥️ taps, comments and restacks (that’s the recycle symbol below). It’s the only way this little newsletter gets noticed by new lovely people just like you. Xx
I enjoy all your posts very much and this was just lovely. Finding pleasure in the simple things is something we can loose sight off. I was crying with laughter at the little clip of the lady. Thank you for brightening up my day. Xx
What a brilliant list, lots of those brought a smile to my face, thanks 😁