what’s been bringing me joy lately: summer 2022 edition.

Well, everything is kind of a bit crazy right now, what with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and what is happening in other parts of the world. It’s supposed to be summer here in Seattle but you would never know it. It rained or was gloomy for the majority of June and then we recently had two very hot days, only to drop back into the gloom again.

Work has been busy this past month. I’ve found myself working late into the night and on the weekends, trying to finish up some projects. I was telling a friend that it feels like I use up all my brain energy working and then when I get home I don’t want to do anything. Because of that and everything else, I haven’t been reading much, I haven’t written anything, I pretty much just want to lay on my couch and stare off into the distance.

But I’m trying to be positive. I’m trying to think of all the good things like at least it’s not 108 degrees like it was last summer around this time. At least I am healthy and I live in an area that supports my political views.

So I’m stopping to take a deep breath and think about the things that make me happy. I’ve trying to relax and rejoice in some of my hobbies and things that I enjoy doing.

Here’s what’s been bringing me joy lately, the summer 2022 edition:

White Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Peanut butter cups might be my favorite candy. But lately, I’ve been indulging in Reese’s White Creme Peanut Butter Cups. It’s the same peanut butter filling as a regular Reese’s but instead of milk chocolate, the peanut butter is coated with white chocolate. I know some people don’t like white chocolate (and is it even chocolate?) but I do and I love eating this nice change to a favorite.

Watching the Great British Baking Show.

The Great British Baking Show is a great comfort watch. It’s one of those shows that I can put on in the background when I’m doing something and watch from time to time. I’ve seen all the challenges so I know the best parts to tune in, like when it’s bread week (one of my favorite challenges because I love bread!), or when it’s chocolate week and 90 degrees outside and everyone’s chocolate melts.

Starbucks petite vanilla scones.

I love going to Starbucks but if I am getting a latte a lot of times I don’t want something big to eat since all the milk in my coffee already fills me up. That’s why the petite vanilla scones are the perfect size. They are bite-sized and sweet and have just the right amount of vanilla bean. I really need to find a copycat recipe for these so I can make them at home.

Cozy blankets.

It doesn’t matter how warm it gets, I will always love a cozy blanket. Sometimes, in the summer, I open the window and turn the fan on, just so it will get super cold and I can wrap myself in a cozy blanket.

Puzzles.

Who doesn’t love doing puzzles?!

Silent reading parties.

I’ve been to a few Silent Reading parties at the Hotel Sorrento and I really enjoyed them. I love the bar atmosphere, sitting by a fire, and reading a book. Other than the pianist playing the piano, they really do stick to the “silent” in the Silent Reading Party as even all the servers and bartender whisper when taking your order. This is a great event if you are looking to get together with like-minded readers.

Blooming flowers.

I feel like the flowers have taken a while to bloom this year, perhaps because it’s been so rainy and we haven’t had much sun. But they are finally starting to bloom and I really enjoy seeing them on my walks and taking pictures of all the colorful blossoms.

Finding new podcasts.

Am I the only person that is always changing up the podcasts they listen to? I tend to get really into a podcast for a few months and then I move on which is why I’m always on the lookout for new podcasts to add to my feed. It seems like my interests change every few months or so. I subscribe to a lot of different podcasts and sometimes I feel like there are so many podcasts in my queue that I will never listen to them all. But I always like finding new things to learn about.

Wordle.

I try to do the Wordle puzzle every day. Sometimes I forget and miss a day. Sometimes I end up doing the Wordle at 11:55 at night, just to get that day’s puzzle in. But when I do remember to do the Wordle, I love it. It’s just another puzzle that brings me joy.

Brownies in the freezer.

Look, I am one of those people that can eat a whole pan of brownies in three days. If there are brownies on the counter, any time I walk by the kitchen I will reach out and grab a brownie or two or three. My friend recently introduced me to the hack of storing brownies in the freezer which has completely changed my brownie consumption for the better. Basically, after my brownies are cool and cut up, I put about two-thirds of them into a tupperware and put them in the freezer. This way, they are not sitting on the counter, taunting me, and when I want to eat a brownie I have to take it out of the freezer and let it defrost before I eat it. Now my brownies last for weeks, instead of days.

New hobbies.

I recently got back into knitting and I am currently working on knitting a small tote bag. It is my first big project, after making a plethora of dishcloths, so I am a bit excited about it. There are some mistakes but I figure it’s okay – this is just something for me so I don’t have to justify any mistakes to everyone. It’s something that I enjoy doing in the evening when I am just watching television.