Little Milagros
Good evening you little bit joyful, little bit sad, definitely tired, hopped up on sugar and To Do Lists holiday lovelies.
I fly out early tomorrow morning for the holidays, so I thought I’d send this month’s newsletter offering a bit early and from the unhinged depths of travel preparations (i.e. obsessed with getting my parents five apples I thought would go bad in the days that I’ll be gone, but also I’m definitely going to forget my glasses or some shit.)
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I was driving around with my mom today - as you do - and we were talking about how this year has felt particularly… what’s the right word: Exhausting? Fucked up? Heartbreaking? Scary? Hard? All of the above?
And while all of that is most definitely true - and it’s not just this past year, let’s be clear. We’ve all had a - shall we say - bit of a bad run. But, within our conversation we also talked about how baked into this past year’s battlefields, sleepless nights and tearful waves of grief and terror lived these truly singular poignant blooms of beautiful humanity.
That with grief came a deeper understanding of true love. That with hardship came an embracing community, assuring us that we’re not alone. That with sickness came a fire to live. That with injustice came a demand for change. That with fear came a clarity about what was really important.
And that through it all, we came to know ourselves. Came to know the REAL us: the fighters, the lovers, the dreamers - oh god, am I … are these the lyrics to Rainbow Connection? Am I fucking singing Rainbow Connection?
Welp, I’ll just let Kermie say it then:
You’re a little miracle for surviving this past year. Do you know that? You really are.
You’re here. I’m here. And you are not alone. ❤️
Happy Holidays and may your new year be as soft and gentle and loving as you are.
Each month, I’ll gather:
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
🤩
SZA’s new album is … hands down one of my favorite albums of all time.
I hear tell the Great Pottery Throwdown is coming back. What an effing delight that show is. (I watch this one on HBOMax)
That’s right. Gardener’s World has FOUR winter specials. (I watch this one on BritBox)
I absolutely loved Atsuko Okatsuka’s HBO comedy special, The Intruder. HIGHLY recommended.
The newest season of Qi (the T season) is FINALLY being uploaded over here in the US. Only a few episodes now, but… you know I’ll be patiently waiting for the rest. (I watch this one on BritBox)
Also, big news. The newest season of Midsomer Murders (the TWENTY THIRD) is now on Acorn.
Also on Acorn, is the Grand Tours of Scotland if you were looking for a REAL rollercoaster ride of a show. (It’s not a rollercoaster AT ALL, I’m just looking at this list and 👵🏻👵🏻👵🏻)
🤝
Follow Tonia Hope for great travel content and all around gorgeous locales.
Follow Allison Bornstein for great fashion and interesting conversations around style.
Follow The Black Food Scientist for endlessly fascinating facts and learn something new every day.
🌈
🕯
Let’s take a peek into my (crumbling) end of year psyche by cataloging just a few items I’ve bought in the last coupla months:
First off, a dear friend gifted me THIS candle and omg it’s so lovely and cozy.
I sure did buy this game accurate mug from The Roost in Animal Crossing. It’s… It’s truly epic, by the way. Heavy diner mug. I couldn’t be happier with my very important purchase.
I bought this delicious panettone (for my parents, but…)
I bought this extra hot Boon Sauce. (once again for my parents, but…)
I bought these amazing recipe cards from Hiaj.
I fell in love with this photograph by Hiaj and yep, bought that too.
🥰 I am here. Together, we will endeavor to just do the next right thing. 🥰
See you on the last Monday of every month.
Your newsletter is the only one I consistently read. It’s so great to hear from you once a month -- miss you on Twitter and still think of you whenever I come across new Euro mysteries!