Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures.

Five Happy Things {Week 26/2025}

I finished reading The Seeker of Lost Paintings by Sarah Freethy. It’s an historical novel about love and art spanning Geneva, Rome and London set during the First World War and the 1990s. I really enjoyed the book and found myself reading it whenever I could.

My daughter took part in her first athletics competition outside of school. Last year she was spotted by a scout at a school competition and she joined a local athletics club. She’s enjoying being coached and is improving each week. The weather was very hot and sunny but she had a great time at her first competition.

I was sent a copy of the Unofficial Bridgerton Embroidery by Hilary Leslie to review. I’m a big Bridgerton fan and this is a lovely book full of Bridgerton inspired patterns. I can’t wait to make something from it soon.

I spent the weekend cutting out all the pieces for the Cottage Garden Huswif kit from Pretty Fabrics and Trims. I’ve had this kit a while but really want to make the huswif this year. My goal is to take it with me to the Knit and Stitch Show at Ally Pally this October. I’ve already bought my ticket and booked my workshops, so I have a goal and it’s helping me focus.

Despite the weather we baked a delicious apple and blackberry cake. We have so many blackberries we picked last summer and put in the freezer. It’s lovely to enjoy them all year and we’ve been trying to use them all up before we start picking them again.

What’s made you happy this week?