I have strong (petty?) feelings!
++ things to read, the beauty of unattainable goals, and a not-to-be-missed soup
Dear Ones,
Imagine my delight when I saw this important guide in a restroom! I am that person, the one that goes around putting toilet paper rolls right. Of course it’s presumptuous, and yet it is part of my mission to make the world a better place. (Yes, the ‘over’ can be a huge temptation to cats. But, come on, give them some joy!)
Another thing I have strong feelings about… the proper bedclothes. I cannot abide a nightgown, which invariably ends up clumped in my armpits. PJs are a torture chamber of sweltering. Ever since as long as I remember having an opinion regarding bedclothes I’ve been in pursuit of the perfect man’s shirt in which to sleep. I don’t know if it was Jane Fonda in Barefoot in the Park, or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or some Nancy Meyers movie that I can’t quite recall, but there was allure linked to the man’s shirt as sleepwear, signifying as it did that you’d been in a man’s apartment without access to your Lanz flannel nightgown, that there’d been some romping! 😉
For teenaged me, that seemed sexy. For me now it still seems sexy! My husband’s shirts aren’t long enough to cover my bum, nor are they the perfect heavy cotton. Have no fear, the exact right shirt for anyone with similar sleepwear dreams can be found at Muji, the sweet Japanese store that’s like a small and manageable IKEA. They also have marvelous pens and very cheap notebooks.
a few more strong opinions:
use sherry vinegar in salad dressing
if you take milk in your coffee…invest in a frother
drink a large glass of water upon waking
when in flux about taking a dip in the ocean or walking in the rain, ask yourself if you will suffer more from having done it or from feeling remorse later at not having done it, then honor your decision
salad after the main course is wonderful!
Buy a waterpik and then use it on the daily with a smidge of baking soda and a glug of peroxide
Basque cheesecake is the best cheesecake
What about you? Any strong opinions?
read:
I gave myself the goal of publishing twelve pieces in 2023, and, drum roll…. I published seven. Which I think is pretty great. Had I not pushed myself toward the high number, I may not have written and submitted as I did. You can find links to most of my pieces here, and one more here. I’m pleased and proud of my work.
I will be leading a reading group and I invite you to join in! Since our DEMON COPPERHEAD discussion was so terrific and fun and inspiring, I want to continue the book conversations. For February (the shortest yet hardest month—cold, dark, wet— ugh!) we’ll be reading a fat book that transports us! HOWARD’S END, by EM Forster. We’ll meet over zoom at 9:30a PST on two Sundays (roughly reading 200 pages for each meeting). I love this novel and there is the lovely film version we can discuss as well. Should we enjoy ourselves immensely as I hope, we have the option of then reading ON BEAUTY together. Zadie Smith’s riff on Howard’s End. Another book that caught my eye, NORTH WOODS. Please do let me know if you’re interested in joining and what you have in your TBR list.
Check my read.write.eat. Bookshop Store, where you will find many of the books I've recommended in the newsletter. Buying books from my shop is a way you can be a friend to the newsletter.
write:
Do you set writing goals? A value-add to my publishing goal was that it inspired me to take a writing class. I’ve said a million times how valuable it is to be in class with peers, with new teachers, and new ideas.
A few places to take online classes:
Grub St. You will find a class by yours truly here
I’m planning on expanding my online workshop offerings this year. If you’re interested in meeting over zoom, once a week/two hours, sharing work, building community, learning new tools and getting great feedback from me and your peers, do let me know!
Here’s a PROMPT:
A quick goal for you! Thirty-one days, a sort of (very rudimentary) advent calendar! Only the advent part is up to you. Decide how much time or the word count to which you will commit. What reward will you give yourself for completing each week? The entire month? The real prize will be words on the page and perhaps a new habit. There is a PDF to download. And, of course, any fine calendar will do.
I have your back!
eat:
Beans 2x in a row? Yes. They’re healthy, delicious, and cheap. So there you go. If you make this soup, and I definitely think you should, serve with crusty bread, or a scoop of cooked brown rice in the bowl. It’s delicious.
Lentil Soup w/roasted red peppers, spinach, and a flavor-boost! (My riff on a MILK STREET recipe)
¼ c extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
4 med shallots, halved and thinly sliced
2 T tomato paste
1 T Harissa paste
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 c French lentils
1 c chopped drained roasted red peppers
3 peeled and diced carrots
1 T ground cumin
2 bay leaves
6-oz container baby spinach
In a large saucepan set over medium, heat the oil until shimmering. Add shallots and carrots, cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, cumin, Harissa, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in lentils, roasted peppers, 1 teaspoon salt and 6 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, then cover, reduce to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened about 40 minutes.
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with additional oil + the lemon/parsley garnish below.
Soup flavor boost:
Rough chop 1 bunch flat leaf parsley (no stems), 1 c walnuts, and 1 small lemon (yes to the rind, no to the seeds). Be certain to really chop the lemon well. Mix together in a small bowl. Add a bit of salt and pepper. Pickled jalapeños would be a terrific addition as well. Simply slice a jalapeño seeds and all, put in a bowl with about 2T white vinegar and hot water to cover. Let sit for at least a hour. Drain. Toss into the mix. Liberally spoon onto your soup.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy & Healthy New Year! 🥳🤞🏻🍀
Stanley is hankering for more friends! Do like, share, and restack this newsletter with abandon!
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Remember to tell your people you love them, and take good care of your skin.
xN
Now I want a Lantz nightgown again!! (even though I’m a Printfresh girl now)
That soup sounds amazing, & perfect for next week. Thank you
Drink dark roast coffee