The Thought
Good Morning you festive, but also kinda-worried-about-money-and-already-missing-your-family tireds.
Every Saturday since the beginning of this pandemic, my Mom and I would go to the same little restaurant/market every Saturday. Yes, mostly to buy their cookies - but, this little market also has a great section of prepared foods. Super cuddly ones, too - casseroles, lasagnas, cozy soups, enchiladas…
I decided that these cuddly prepared foods were exactly what my parents needed. It was also something to SHOW that I was thinking of them and that, you know, here take this casserole I love you and I’m in constant terror for your health and well-being, but don’t know how to communicate that so - you know, eat these chilaquiles and wear a mask!
But, every time I would present this bag of cuddly casseroles - my Step-Dad would be lovely and thankful, but there was this… hesitation. He first tried to hint that there was waning space in the freezer, so maybe hold off on the casseroles for a week. I just pivoted to refrigerated things! LET ME LOVE YOU WITH LAYERED CHEESY DISHES!
Things got heated one particularly casserole-laden Saturday and as I drove home I tried to get mad at my parents for not wanting my cuddly casseroles. Until it hit me…
My Step-Dad is a truly great chef. Like THAT kind of cook who’s… ah, I have nothing in the house and 30 minutes later you’re being served a Michelin starred meal that he assures you was “easy.” But, more than being good at it, cooking - and feeding those he loves - is his meditation. His joy. His comfort. And in a year where joy and comfort were hard to come by - cooking was bringing him that restful routine that kept him going throughout the day. So, even though my intent was to provide him with comfort, the impact of bringing those casseroles was that I was actually taking away one of the few comforts he had.
Because it’s the thought that counts.
And in my fear and panic, I’d convinced myself that if I gave my parents enough casseroles… they’d be okay. They’d be safe. And that’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.
Loving people - and being loved by people - is hard. And this year, it’s felt like an extreme sport. We’re all worried about each other, kinda lonely and heading into a truly uncertain holiday season that’s somehow both bursting with magic yet laced with melancholy.
In the end, what my Step-Dad really wanted? Creamer for his coffee and the “good” toilet paper.
Now THAT I could do.
Each Monday morning, I’ll gather:
❤️funny tweets
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
Please think about finding your local food bank and give whatever you can spare. If you’re in LA, here’s a place to start or here.
❤️
🤩
So, this starts with this great TikTok about how the Mars Rover crew likes to wake up the Mars Rover with a song. I CANNOT. And that those songs are connected to happenings in the world. Here is the full Spotify playlist of those songs and here is the rundown of each song and why that song was chosen. (thank you to Zoë for this goldmine)
I watched Jingle Jangle and man, it was the ultimate little kid wish fulfillment holiday fun time. It’s just pure joy for two hours.
Taylor Swift, Kid Cudi and Sturgill Simpson all released truly GREAT albums this week.
These four men singing in this stairwell is perhaps the single most beautiful thing you’ll hear this month. (thank you to Mike for this one)
Here is another Wintry playlist for your chilly ears - this one is from Robin and it’s just cozy and wonderful.
I also made another playlist for a dear friend envisioning future adventures.
🤝
Follow Hood Century Modern for a timeline cleanse of gorgeous houses
Follow Jen Garrido for lush textiles.
Follow Kara Walker for stunning art.
🌈
🕯
I really love anything Eduardo Jordan does, and his Spice Blends are no exception. He also has a Holiday Box which… dear lord.
You know I’m always looking for body butters. Welp, Alex Elle linked to TWO really great ones, the Vanilla Lavender one from Hanahana Beauty and this one from Primally Pure.
I’m linking to this again, because I’ve been hitting it pretty hard - but Maangchi’s recipe for Saenggangcha (ginger tea) is absolutely saving me and my super-stressed digestive system this past week.
I want to repost this because she’s the best and has literally every answer about the Moderna vaccine (and also vaccines in general) but please follow KizzyPhD if you have any outstanding concerns or questions.