Feel Good Friday 117
Well, it’s been a few weeks. I am still alive! We’re just in the midst of soccer season, a busy time at work plus loads of one-off events happening like a baby shower I am helping to plan, Wilder’s first ever birthday party and Sawyer heading to Europe soon. But I’ve missed sharing and connecting here and I’ve tried to collect the moments, recipes, podcasts, books that have gotten me through.
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Bookin’ it
Let’s start with books because I’ve read a couple of incredible novels lately. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Women is actually a title I purchased for my mom for Christmas. It looked pretty funny and sweet, but also like something she might not pick up on her own. She loved it and passed it onto me. I finished it last night and absolutely loved it! It’s different from anything else I’ve read and is a bit of a comedy and mystery rolled into one while at its heart existing as a story of female friendship. I’d love to see this one get turned into a movie because I think it would be even funnier. Highly recommend!
The Book of Speculation is a mystery as well filled with mysticism. The story line revolves around a research librarian named Simon who lives in his childhood home, which is literally barely hanging on to a cliff’s edge. After receiving a historic book in the mail that is somehow tied to his family, he’s sent down the rabbit hole, trying to figure out what’s killing all of the women in his family in time to save his sister from the same destiny. This book is filled with magic, circus “freaks” in the best way – think a Greatest Showman cast of character – romance and family bonds.
Lastly, I also read Stranger in the Lake, a quick thriller. I always love reading books like this as a little palette cleanser and it did the trick. It’s a book filled with murder and deceit and, while I knew who the killer was right away, I didn’t have all of the details figure out and it kept me guessing.
Food, glorious food
A couple of weeks ago, a friend sent me this recipe for quinoa fried rice. It was delicious and so quick and simple to make and now that I see it in front of me again, I may make it tonight! It’s vegan, but filled with protein and nutrients.
Let’s talk kimchi. A friend recently purchased locally made red kimchi from K Culture Ferments. It was a little too spicy for her so she passed it onto me. I made this dish by cooking cauliflower rice and sprinkling with coconut aminos and salt; roasting onion, sweet potatoes and red pepper; sautéing greens, then adding the kimchi to the skillet to heat; and seasoning and air-frying chickpeas. The result was a deliciously healthy and vegan meal pictured below.
N.C. Native Wins!
There’s been a lot of talk around the Oscars this week and some of it has taken the focus off of some people who truly deserve it, like CODA’s Troy Kotsur, the first deaf man to win for best supporting actor. The moment of his speech with Youn Yuh-jung signing his name and standing by, holding his trophy so that he could sign his speech . . . I get chills and teats just recalling it. Secondly, let’s not forget the first openly queer woman of color to win for best supporting actress. Ariana DeBose of West Side Story hails from Raleigh, N.C., and we are extremely proud.
Sad songs say so much
I’ve always been someone who loves to wallow in sad music. Gray and melancholy days are my jam. When I heard Susan Cain on Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast recently speak about “how sorrow and longing make us hole,” I was hooked. I’ve always found so much beauty in sadness and appreciate the creativity that is unearthed as a result. I also know that my sadness is, at its root, an appreciation of life and I want to suck the marrow from it. She touches on all of that in her two-part series. I was so moved that I then listened to Cain’s TED talk, “The Hidden Power of Sad Songs and Rainy Days.” Leaving it below for you:
Expanding Minds want to know
This is what I recently wrote on facebook: “In 2020, my New Year’s goal was to attend more speaking events, soak in more live music and take in more happenings that would allow me to connect with the local community, nourish my mind and feed my soul. The pandemic had other plans for me. Two years later, I’m doing all of those things and savoring and appreciating how special these opportunities are even more. Anne Lamott was every bit as adorable, insightful, quirky and funny as I’d expected. She spoke about faith mainly and had great advice for getting through hard times. We need simply love, compassion, community, forgiveness, presence, breath.”
As you can see, I recently went to hear Anne Lamott speak and it was incredible. I bought a ticket by myself near the center front section and had a wonderful evening alone with Anne and maybe a thousand other people.
At the same venue, the Tanger Center, some friends and I went to see The Simon & Garfunkel Story, performed by two talented young men. This show intermingled stories from their long-spanning career with live music. I learned so much about the duo and left with a greater sense of appreciation for their musical contributions to the world. By the way, we’re going to see Hamilton there next week and I cannot wait!!!!
Little Moments
On Sunday, Emmy and I went to a local pop up vintage market. I found this silver tray from Springfield, M.A., which happens to be my brothers, mom mom’s and my birthplace. I scooped it up for my parents.
On Saturday, I took Wilder to the Greensboro Arboretum for the annual chalk walk. The artists were at work that day and votes would be cast on Sunday. I am not sure who won, but I loved the one above.
Wilder has been asking to get his nails painted an electric blue that Emmy has. Last week, I finally made that happen for him and he was thrilled. He’s just sad that it chips off. Don’t I know it, Wilder?
Finally, nothing better in the world than ending the week by picking up frozen pizzas from our fav local pizzeria, Cugino Forno, and grabbing a gelato while we’re there. No doubt about it, that boy is mine.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend. I’d love to hear from you on what’s making you smile or enlightening you these days?
