Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 80

A weekly series capturing gratitude for the tiny details of my everyday mundane; the moments that weave poetry to my days.

Sundaze Book Café is the home of everyday magic, joyful living and conversations likely to be had over a hot drink with a friend in your favourite café, capturing the syrup-slow feel and glow of a Sunday. I’m Michelle, and I’ll be your host today.

Happy Friday, my loves!

Oh we’re in long hot summer mode in the Book Café and I’m secretly loving it. Balmy evening walks, freeze pops for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and constantly slathering on SPF as though we were on holiday… I’ve never been huge on summer until I read that we really only get a finite number of summers. (Of course, that is true of all our seasons.) It was the little nudge I needed to be more present and appreciate each season, month, day while we have it. This week, my fiancé returned from his siblings’ trip. It’s been dreamy to have him home, although my cosy hobby hours have taken a hit! We’ve started to send and hand out wedding invitations, which feels especially exciting, and makes it all feel even more real. On the subject of weddings, I went to one of close friends’ weddings on Sunday and it was just beautiful. I love love.

There’s a lot to be said for appreciating the smaller, not necessarily finer, details of the everyday mundane. Here’s to another list of open-hearted joys, the moments that’ve woven poetry to my days, this week.

一. Quiet days at home alone, while my fiancé was on a trip with his siblings. I’ve been very grateful for the time to myself, filling the days with hobbies, seeing friends and catching up on my books and journals. I’m equally glad to have him home, though!

二. Celebrating my friends’ marriage on Sunday at their wedding! It was a gorgeously balmy day and their day was just so special and very ‘them’. Plus, I managed to make some new friends (as one does at weddings), which felt like a total tonic.

三. A jubilant day of finishing wedding invitation crafting with my sister. I’m so, so pleased with how they’ve turned out, and we’ve started handing them out to our guests.

四. Summer evenings spent curled up beneath the big tree – its branches heavy and swaying – with a good book and a cold drink.

五. Revisiting childhood nostalgia and seeing Toy Story 5 in the cinema.

六. Remembering how much I love seasonal dressing, particularly summer ‘fits.

七. Seeing the sheer excitement on my dog’s face (and in his tail) when I arrive to pick him up.

八. Opening a yogurt pot to find there’s none stuck on the lid.

九. The photo frames I’ve been adding around the house. Our place finally feels more and more personal, and I love revisiting memories at a small glance. (Never mind the unpainted shelves said frames sit on… One thing at a time, okay?)

十. Being in my East of Eden era.

---

Share a joy from your week in the comments, and I’ll see you again next Friday.