(May 2014: For a week or so last summer, I dabbled with writing my Three Beautiful Things posts on Happier. It only lasted a week because I kept forgetting about it then got annoyed that I couldn’t stream my updates to my blog or elsewhere – I don’t like closed platforms. I thought I’d manually copy the updates over here for safe keeping.)

2013-07-23
Lily-dog’s joy at getting out of the shower – drying time! yay! – and her subsequent super soft fur

2013-07-24
Bringing our three kittens home then making one of them, Strange, purr for the first time.

2013-07-31
I scratched “I love you” in the tannin stain on the inside of my boyfriend’s tea cup so the message was revealed when he finished the drink.

2013-07-31
After a week of living together, the most friendly kitten has taught the most aloof one how to enjoy sitting on my lap.

2013-08-04
Without my glasses, the black cats look like spindly and elegant shadows. Backlit by the morning sun, they’re so matte, they look unnatural.

2013-08-06
Bright water droplets on the polished chrome shower controller. Fancy hotel clean.

2013-08-06
P whispers “sorry” to Lily-dog after he is distracted talking to us instead of concentrating on tickling her.

2013-08-07
The sweetness of the golden onions and the “jammy” tomatoes within the egg. A fab quick lunch.

2013-08-07
Just found our lovely neighbour on Twitter because it turns out we like the same singer and she RTed him. A fun coincidence :)

2013-08-07
The washing I left on the line overnight is bone dry after a spell of early morning sunshine. I replace it with bedding: sheets of fresh white & bright dots.

2013-08-08
The veg drawer is disturbingly empty so I go into the garden and pick some courgettes to add to dinner. They’re a little smaller than I’d like but firm & green.

2013-08-08
Courgettes sliced into rings reveal delicate detail – lines and curls – in the pale flesh. They’re like a natural stick of rock.

2013-08-08
Hot after walking the dog & cooking dinner, the glass of cold Dr Pepper is divine.