Friends, hello – how are we? Cold? Exactly.
It’s not that I’m here to wish away February but I just can’t seem to get warm this week. Here is a short list of things I’m looking forward to in March because that’s where I want to be, mentally –
- The sun setting at a reasonable hour so I no longer feel like I should be in pajamas by 5:30 PM.
- Grocery store tulips—specifically Trader Joe’s tulips that I’ll mix with their chamomile flowers.
- A good excuse to make corned beef and cabbage and pretend I know what I’m doing.
- The first warm day that tricks me into wearing sandals (or at least shoes without socks?), immediately followed by regret.
- King Cake season winding down, but not before I squeeze in one more slice.
- An early spring but still very cozy dinner party – I decided that if I want to go to more parties, I need to start thowing them myself.
There has been some news this week that has absolutely wrecked me, but we’re blessed with this Sunday together to recalibrate. Here’s a list of links that are keeping me warm, mentally and spiritually – and now I’m off to see how many sweatshirts I can layer onto my body.
• Let’s kick things off with my favorite read of the week: 16 Things Our Mom Told Us That Turned Out To Be So, So True. When I was little, my mom would send us off to school or Girl Scouts with a simple but solid reminder: “Be the best of you that you can be.” And if I ever got worked up over life not being fair? Patty would hit me with a straight-faced “Who said life was fair?” …and honestly, she had a point. No one. Ever. Grateful to have learned those lessons early. (Substack)
• There’s always something new and beautiful to learn about New Orleans: The Black Composers of New Orleans Opera are Finally Getting Their Due (Atlas Obscura)
• I did not expect to have tears well up over a rare deep sea angler fish seen for the first time in daylight, but then this song came across my desk and destroyed me. (Oceanographic Magazine, TikTok)
• Why we can’t stand feeling bored. Honestly, I’m having a hard time believing that boredom even exists anymore. I haven’t been bored since 1998. Wait… is that the problem? (The Guardian)
• Have you heard of “lemonading” aka looking at the dang bright side? It’s more that just delusional positivity because honestly, that’s just creepy these days. Once you give this a read, please let me know your go-mantra. Mine is a Mel Robbins style countdown: 5,4,3,2,1 and GO. Weirdly, it works every time. (Self, YouTube)
• Making a case for store-bought croissants because this Chocolate Croissant Overnight Breakfast Bake is absolutely more than the sum of its parts. I now keep HEB croissants in the freezer. (Joy the Baker)
• I am thiiiiiis close to buying a Ninja Creami. Do you have one? Have you ever heard of one? Are we all whipping up our own on-demand ice cream this spring and summer? (Amazon)
• Here’s What You Can Learn From An 8-Year-Old Who Climbs Way Harder Than You, and my hats off to this entire adventure family. (Outside Magazine)
• Every dog person I have in my life will be receiving one of these Tell Your Dog I Said Hi totes for any upcoming birthday or random accomplishment. A cotton zipper tote that also saves dogs? Say less. (We Rate Dogs)
• Amy mentions how she’s “solar powered” and after just a week of late-winter grey and freezing temperatures in Texas I am in full agreement. It’s just that Texas gave of a taste of spring the last two weeks and then snatched it away for temps in the 20’s that feel like the single digits. I did not consent. But I did splurge on a very colorful spring craft to gift all my girlfriends when we all once again emerge in sundresses: custom bag charm kit from Bauble Bar. Seriously, how cute, right!? (Bauble Bar)
• Raise your hand if Words of Affirmation are your love language. Ok, now that all of our hands are raised, here’s 14 Things To Say Besides “I Love You”. (Time)
• Speaking of love languages, we need to add a sixth: Meatballs. From my saved recipe folder on Instagram: Ricotta Meatball Skillet Bake. (Instagram)
• I do not carry the gene that makes me good at making playlists. I can set a table beautifully. I can load a dishwasher immaculately. I cannot make a cohesive playlist. There is an essence to that skill that inherently alludes me. I did, however, settle on my favorite playlist creator: The Weisest Band. She makes playlists based on color (currently listening to Lavender), astrology (the Gemini playlist is wild), mood (put on Light to sleep), and nearly every song is new to me and so well fashioned.
• Quick question: does the process know…? (Instagram)
My love to you, friends!
xo Joy
