Happy List: #407

Hi! Welcome to this week’s Happy List. I am so happy to have you join me here on the first Friday in October. This month snuck up on me!

This week on the blog, I shared the candle warmer lamps that I’m obsessed with at this moment. I delight in this sort of small comfort.

I also provided a stone wall update! It has to do with the gate and mailbox. Let me tell you, we are going to be winging it with that whole situation.

I say it every week because I mean it. Thank you for being here. You have an unlimited number of ways you could spend your time. The fact that you spend a few minutes with me is a privilege. I aim for the Happy List to be a bright spot in your day, and I enjoy connecting with you. If you want to reach out, please comment on this blog post or email me here. It truly makes my day. You can also direct message me on Instagram or Facebook.

Here’s the Happy List!

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

In a world of staged photos, I loved the mismatched, overlapping cushions on this rocking chair at Inness in the Catskills. It’s a resort that I’d gladly visit. The irony is that the photo is probably staged to look like this, but it’s working for me. I like evidence that real people inhabit spaces.

See more photos of their amazing farmhouse at Lonny. Inspiration for days.

(image: Inness via Lonny | Photo by Marta Xochilt Perez | Art Directed and Styled by Michelle Adams)

BIRD VISION

Sometimes humans have a hard time visually identifying the sex of birds because males and females look the same to our puny human eyeballs. I learned this week that birds don’t have this problem because they can see ultraviolet light. Through the eyes of a robin, male and female robins look VERY different.

The reason birds can see more colors than humans is that they have four cones (color receptors) in their eyes, and we have three. Their perception of the world must be so different than ours.

You can learn more about this in this National Wildlife Federation article.

(image: Wikipedia)

HAIRY SITUATION

I would make this pumpkin just because it’s cute, especially if I owned a hair salon. A faux pumpkin might be the best choice for this situation, though, to avoid a gross lollipop handle.

(image: Woman’s Day)

P.S. For the record, I do know that lollipops are not as popular as Reese’s, Sour Patch Kids, and Nerds Gummy Clusters for trick-or-treaters…or my family.

HOME SWEET LIGHTHOUSE

A woman in Ohio bought a lighthouse for $71,000 and then spent $300,000 fixing it up. The only way to access the lighthouse is by boat or by a 20-minute walk on the sand. And I thought our projects were hard!

This story came to me from a reader. Thank you for sharing things you think I might like with me. You know me so well!

If the video doesn’t load, watch it here directly on Today.com.

STRIKE

If I start collecting bowling balls, it is because of this photo. It’s so happy, playful, and unexpected!

Never mind that I don’t care much about bowling. There’s also the fact that Handy Husband would never agree to installing something so dangerous above head level. Details, details.

Check out more photos of this Oxfordshire home here. The entry and stair situation is amazing.

(image: Dean Heane for House and Garden UK)

MEN’S T-SHIRT

If your husband needs some new plain t-shirts like mine did, try these from 32 Degrees. They are VERY highly rated, and Handy Husband likes them. More importantly, I approve of the fit. Haha!

I like the V-necks a little better, but Handy Husband won’t wear those.

Check them out here. He’s in a large.

CUTEST THING EVER

Bees have never been more relatable to me than when I saw pictures of them napping on flowers this week. Those tired little legs!

Also, as a flower lover, I’m a bit jealous that they get to experience what must be the exquisite pleasure of napping on something so beautiful without crushing it.

You can see more pictures of bees napping, and learn more about why they nap here.

(image: via Sugi Project)

PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLES

Have I ever told you that I make a treat for my family on Friday afternoon? I hope it’s one of those core memories for my kids. Maybe they’ll remember that when they got off the school bus on Friday afternoons, the house would smell good and there would be a special treat to celebrate the start of the weekend. It’s not always homemade. Sometimes work has prevented that, but I try to do something they’ll enjoy, especially since dessert is not a daily thing around here.

Anyway, I’m making these Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from TidyMom this week. Her Snickerdoodle bar recipe is one of my family’s favorite treats. I’ve only made that one with the cinnamon sugar topping, not the frosting.

(image: TidyMom)

HEARTWARMING

A mom telling a story:

“Here’s a recent gem from my six-year-old:
Dad to kid: ‘You smell like broccoli.’
Kid to dad: ‘You smell like lasagna.’
Me: ‘Do me! Do me!’
Kid to me: ‘You smell like love.’”

– commenter Eva on A Cup of Jo

Thank you for reading today’s Happy List.

Be good to yourself and others this weekend.

I’ll see you back here on Monday.

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