Ten happy things – May 20

It’s been a funny old month. We started the month still in lockdown but then restrictions have been eased to allow us out as much as we want. However, with most places still closed it’s not made a huge difference however it has been nice to have a bit more freedom. So even though we’re still living in these strange times, there’s lots to be happy about. Here’s ten things that made me happy in May.

Glorious weather

We have had absolutely fabulous weather, which has definitely improved my mood. Although we don’t have a garden, we live quite close to a large park and about a 20 minute walk away from the Grand Union Canal so I’ve spent quite a bit of time reading outside. It’s been lovely!

Starbucks re-opened (for takeout only)

I am not a fan of their coffee, however I LOVE the Frappuccinos from Starbucks! And they reopened just in time for the fabulous weather. I’ve already had three… two of the Matcha ones and a coffee one. So delicious.

I’m also delighted that they’ve ditched the plastic straws for paper ones!

Ran 25 mins nonstop

I finished Week 6 of Couch to 5k in May which included running for 25 minutes non-stop. I am SO DAMN PROUD OF MYSELF. I find running outside pretty tough so this was a big achievement for me.

By my June ‘ten happy things’ post, I will have completed it and will be able to run for 30 mins. Woooo!

I made focaccia!

Thanks to my friend Rasha for letting me know where to find dried yeast in my area, I was finally able to make focaccia. It’s the first time I’ve made it and it was pretty good – even my Italian husband said so! I’d like it a bit fluffier next time and I read a post where the chef from Locanda Locatelli said they put mashed potato in theirs so watch this space…

Aperol Spritz in the sun

The last Saturday in May was absolutely glorious! I’d spotted during the week that a couple of bars in Paddington Basin had opened for takeout drinks so on Saturday we took a walk there after lunch and enjoyed an Aperol Spritz from Darcy and May Green. It felt almost like normality.

Lunch in the park

As the weather has been so lovely, it seemed a crime to eat indoors. So one day I took myself off to the park to eat my lunch there and another day, I had lunch by the canal.

Got a new fridge freezer

We had a small fridge and a small freezer that were built into the kitchen units and I hated them! The fridge was so small you couldn’t really store much food plus I had to bend down all the time to open it. And the freezer used to build up with ice… they were horrible! So we finally got a proper fridge freezer that has loads of space and (the best part) a wine rack!

The old fridge and freezer went to a good home – they’re being used by a food van!

Chatty Socks

In a previous ‘ten happy things’ I posted about my gifted Frida socks from Chatty Feet. Well my sister loved them so much she wanted a pair so I bought her some as well as these ADORABLE Yayoi Toesama socks, which of course are Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama who is well known for her polka dots. I love them!

Bought some succulents

I love having plants in the house – although I’m not particularly green fingered (I have unfortunately killed a few over the years). I’d signed up to Smart Plants and get weekly emails from them and one email in particular caught my eye – the succulent bundle! I couldn’t resist… it was only £36 for 8 and I was saving them having to go to landfill, plus supporting a small business. Oh and they were donating 10% to NHS CHarities. Eight were too many though so I gave one each to two of my neighbours. They were delighted!

The garden centre reopened

I was so happy when the Government announced that garden centres could reopen because there is a lovely one down the road from me. Clifton Nurseries is like an oasis of calm in busy London and is definitely one of my happy places! The green house is my favourite – I could spend hours in there (although it’s quite hot). I’ve been a couple of times since it opened to buy compost and some pretty pots for my succulents. Isn’t it dreamy?

So those are my ‘ten happy things’ for May! How did your month go? What made you happy and brought you joy?