Delights

I intended to write a different post for today, but when I got Shauna Niequist’s newsletter yesterday—and read about her Delight List—I knew I had to change plans and make a list of my own. The name alone makes me so happy.

As Shauna—a writer and clearly a kindred spirit—says:

“I want to be a person who is easily delighted, who lives with an extremely low bar for delight. I want to be flooded with joy by a perfectly ripe peach, heart-bursting with happiness at the sound of my kids’ laughter, dazzled by the sky at dusk.”

Isn’t that good? I want to have a low bar for delight as well.

I loved reading Shauna’s list (click through to see). And I loved what she said here:

“The more you seek to be delighted, the more delight you’ll experience. You’ll start to see and hear and taste delightful things all throughout your day.”

This is my experience as well: the more you look for good, the more you will find it. (And, I suppose, the opposite would be true as well).

So, here is to delight. In this this discombobulating time (politics! the environment!), I am looking even harder for the bits of delight that animate my days. I know they will help me find my way forward.

With great thanks to Shauna for the inspiration.

Delight List: Summer 2024 (heatwave edition)

—Walking out onto the deck first thing in the morning when it still feels cool: that delicious feeling of cold air on exposed skin.

—This blueberry smoothie (I add a handful or two of raw spinach). It’s a year-round favorite, but especially in summer.

—Picking raspberries in the sun. In my family we talk of the “Berry hierarchy.” Everyone has their own version, but raspberries are at the top of mine (then blackberries, then blueberries, with strawberries at the bottom). I make sure to enjoy every moment of raspberry season.

—Fresh flowers from the garden in vases around the house (current favor combo is jasmine and Peruvian lily: fragrant and cheerful). Flowers are always lovely, but the bonus feeling of I GREW THIS is delightful.

—This dressing, drizzled over cold tofu. The entire recipe—Soy pickled tomatoes with silken tofu—for was one of the best things I ate last year. I’m counting the days to garden tomatoes to make it again, but the dressing alone is worth it.

—Lying down in the cool, empty bathtub, fully clothed, with the lights out, and listening to an audio book. In the heat of the day, this is the coolest spot in the house.

—Deck chat with a good friend: cool drinks, homemade cake, fresh berries, excellent and ongoing conversation.

—Long walks with the dog and various friends/neighbors. It stays light so late these days.

—Summer book reading (recently enjoyed: Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame, by Olivia Ford; The Women, by Kristin Hannah; A Million Junes, by Emily Henry; One Mixed-up Night, by Catherine Newman; The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben).

—Fresh cherries and how they remind me of my mom.

—Spontaneous visits by friends from out of town—it’s such a delight to have a dear one plunked down in your life without much notice or planning. I’m lucky to have had two already this summer.

—My summer uniform: this basic cotton dress has POCKETS. It’s meant to go over a swimsuit, but I wear them everywhere (esp in the garden). I wait until they go on sale and buy multiples.

—Experimenting with brewing/chilling different teas. This week: lychee black tea. And my always summer favorite: mugicha cold barley tea.

—This recipe for oatmeal blueberry pancakes (excellent leftovers, which can be frozen). You don’t have to soak the oats overnight—an hour or two is enough—and you can always mix a splash of vinegar into whole milk to sub in for buttermilk.

—You know that friend who introduces you to cool new music—or reminds you of older gems you’ve forgotten or never knew about? These days that person is Dolly Alderton—British writer, broadcaster, producer, brilliant and funny—who I don’t know in person but I love her Dolly Mix Tape series on Spotify. It’s like having a cool music-savvy friend all over again. Every mix is a perfect vibe.

—The way the dog flops down on the couch like he is just over the heat; I feel the same.

How is your summer going? What does your delight list look like these days?
(Feel free to share! I’d love to see yours).

Another little something to enjoy: my books! Learn more here