Hello Sunday and hello everyone, and a big welcome to all the new people! (A reminder if you’re new: I’m Catherine Greer, author of The 10 Minute Fix, and you’ve signed up for this weekly little newsletter of happiness. Thank you! I’m glad you’re here with us.)

Can I introduce you to the most evocative, brilliant illustrator I’ve seen recently? Norwegian artist Lisa Aisato is definitely someone we all need to know about. Her beautiful paintings transport me right into the heart of how I feel. This one is about Loneliness. There are so many others on her Instagram page — images of loyalty, joy and connection.

My friends, do you remember this feeling from your childhood?

You can see all of Lisa’s work here.

This week was a strange one: my beautiful mum got her Covid vaccine in Canada, I worked on my new novel — the first one for adults — and I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it, I started re-reading Marcus Zusac’s The Book Thief and wow, it’s just as wonderful the second time around. I hurt my wrist and made Bill Granger’s easy Chick Pea Stew for a girlfriend lunch. (We can have friends over in Australia, and I think you guys know that Covid-life is simpler here.)

I felt a little lonely, and questioned everything.

That was me. How about you?

Are you waiting for this?

Sending you so much hope today, and lightness and joy. I’m turning my attention toward all the beauty and goodness I can find this weekend. I hope you do the same.

Love Catherine x

PS.

• Bill Granger’s Chick Pea stew is actually vegan — hallelujah, as vegans can be tricky to have over but I seem to love a lot of them :) Recipe is here and photo doesn’t do it justice! It’s really pretty in person.

• I make a lot of recipes from Bill’s Open Kitchen cookbook and it’s great, though published in 2005.

• Missing everyone and everything. Wish I could have you ALL over for Chick Pea Stew and then sit with endless pots of tea and cups of coffee and slice after slice of chocolate cake. xox

• And for Sydney locals…my adult son (also a cellist) is performing next Sunday evening at Mosman Art Gallery with the Seraphim Strings Trio, plus a guest pianist. Tickets are here. I’ll be there and I’d love to meet you!