THERE HAS BEEN a lot going on and now I’m having to try to remember two weeks of my life. I got my new desk chair. The Deacon Swivel Office Chair from West Elm. She’s pretty. I got my hair cut. I’ve decided to stop coloring it. So far it doesn’t look bad. There’s not that much gray. Yet. Liz at Forté Salon is amazing and I always look forward to seeing her. I went to my Writer’s Circle at the Frenchtown Bookshop. I bought two books of personal essays, In the Shelter by Pádraig ÓTuama which I’m well into and it is INCREDIBLE and Life Forms by Jenny Slate. We got a couple mini snow storms and the kids have had late starts and snow days. We took a trip to Children’s Hospital, which is a very impressive place, and even though we’d rather not be planning a cardiac procedure for our son, we do feel like we’re in good hands. At the end of last week, the husband made his signature chocolate chip cookies. I ate so many of them that I had to go on a complete sugar fast. This happens this time of year. I have to recalibrate.

DC VISIT

I was in DC this past weekend to hang out with my dad. I took a few random photos on a walk around Tenleytown, got lunch in Georgetown with my friend Jerry. We got bowls at Dig which was delish. I told him the building used to be a “Little Tavern” because as a native Washingtonian I love to tell people what places used to be, though they didn’t ask. I spent almost a whole day going through old photos and paperwork and even though it was almost all trash, I found a few little treasures like a matchbook with a photo on it of my dad and a Lebanese girlfriend who turned out to be a soviet spy. (I know, this needs to be a whole post of it’s own.)

WHAT AM I WATCHING

I have one week to watch everything on AppleTV before our free trial ends. I am three episodes into Severance season 2, have one more episode available, then I have to wait a week. so I know I’m going to want to sign up for a subscription. Also on Apple is Loot, where I have two more episodes to watch. I have to finish Bad Sisters season 2. I’m only half way through. On Netflix, we just finished watching No Good Deed. It was okay. I’m almost done with the Night Agent which I’ve sort of gotten tired of. I’m loving Queer Eye, as always, but especially now that this season has Jeremiah Brent! On Prime, I’m watching Castle. What do you call it when you don’t hate something but it’s so cheesy so you just watch it to fall asleep? “Sleep-watching”? Occasionally I watch Schitt’s Creek. Am I the last person on the planet to love that show? Last, I’m watching The Fall with Gillian Anderson which is an amazing British crime drama but very dark, because serial killer. My Prime lineup is so sad, so behind the times, but there isn’t much new on there that I like. Besides the fact that they added commercials to most of their content makes me irate. Oh, and there’s Hulu. I know, I know, too many services. It’s crazy. I’m watching The Bear which I didn’t like at first but it just keeps getting better and now I get why everyone was raving about it. It’s one of the best shows on. Also Abbott Elementary. Okay, I have to admit, we also have YouTubeTV which I really only watch for the occasional HGTV home renovation show. If you don’t have it, it’s like having cable. But we will probably turn it off after the Superbowl.

CARS, CARS, CARS

I mentioned we got a car for the kids. A 2016 VW Tiguan. We’re still waiting to find out just how much our insurance will be with two new drivers. Then my husband’s truck got in a accident. Not too bad and no one was hurt, so now it’s plus one car, minus one car. I went to look at a 2008 Acura TL when I was in DC that is priced very affordably. We have to go down and get it, but I think it’s a done deal. So plus one more car. We’ve talked about getting another. And maybe selling the ’66 Mustang we have. Shopping for cars is fun. And endless. When I was in DC, I got to ride in my friend’s Tesla. I didn’t hate it. If money was no object, I might. We’ve talked about a used Porsche 911, or a vintage Camaro. I’ve always wanted a Mini Cooper. Or a Volvo XC70. But really I’m good with what we’ve got. I just want everyone to be safe. And for no more icy roads. This morning it was sunny and above freezing and it felt like Spring was somewhere nearby. My daughter said, “Do you hear that? The birds are singing.”

I was lying on the floor at the end of yoga this morning when I remembered I didn’t post a weekly update on Friday so this is a little late.

We are well into January and as far as Januarys go, I think it’s going pretty well. Pennsylvania is the land of snow and ice and I have to work at feeling positive this time of year. I know “self-care” is a bit buzzword-y, but I think it’s descriptive and I like it. And it is the key to getting though the season. This past week I was slower than usual work-wise so I had more time to enjoy the things mean self-care for me: buying new glassware, eating perfectly ripe avocados, using my new sauna, reading books, wearing perfume, doing the New York Times crossword, and sending funny Instagram reels to my friends.

Saturday my daughter took her driver’s test…and she passed! How exciting and terrifying to see your tiny baby drive off in a car by herself. I am so happy for her, though.

I went to H&M and bought a beige sweatshirt. I almost bought a pair of leopard patterned jeans but talked myself out of them. I just knew I wouldn’t wear them and if I’m going to buy something new I want to be sure I will love it. But then I found myself asking existential questions about whether my true nature is a fierce predator or merely a soft-hued house pet. House pet apparently.

I also went to World Market to look at dining chairs. That place is magical, but I didn’t see any chairs I loved. I am in an endless search for the perfect ones. These are the top contenders.

Sunday I went to yoga. My usual instructor was sick so we had a sub. Why is it I’m resistant to taking yoga from anyone but Lisa? It was still a good class, but not the same. It started snowing midday and after braving the grocery store, I settled in for the big storm. The Eagles played an intense game in the snow and won.

Monday was a holiday. MLK plus Inauguration Day plus snow day. I mean, the kids would’ve had off if they already didn’t. Everyday now begins with opening my window shades to see the glass frozen over which is really quite pretty. Then I check to weather to see if it will be sunny or the high will be above 32 degrees.

On Tuesday we had a 2-hour delay. I went to my writing workshop with Abby. I ordered myself a new desk chair. This white upholstered West Elm chair has been on my wish list for like six months. Having a comfortable chair for work is very important. Because sitting.

Wednesday I donated to a family effected by the fires in LA. I had been feeling overwhelmed by the news of the devastation and at the same time feeling powerless over the enormity of it. Then an email came through that suggested donating to a family. Any family. Any amount. Once I did, I was glad I did.

The puffer jacket I ordered online at Uniqlo arrived. I have needed to replace my very old one from Gap. I tried one on at Muji that was really good, then my daughter tried it on and loved it. I ended up getting it for her and we joke that we’re sharing it. I considered ordering one for myself but by then it was sold out. The Uniqlo one is almost exactly the same and I’m very happy with it. If winter is difficult for you, I highly recommend getting a very comfy new coat.

Thursday was uneventful. Still adjusting to the new experience of my daughter just driving herself to all the places she needs to be.

Friday was a student holiday but I don’t even know why. For some reason I woke up with renewed motivation and energy and got all the things done.

Saturday my son took his driver’s test…and he passed! He celebrated by taking his girlfriend out to dinner. Still not used to them being out and about on their own. The husband and I went out to eat at KOME, a sushi place in our area. It was delish. Then we came home and watched Saturday Night, the movie about SNL. Very entertaining.

Today (Sunday) I went to Dig Yoga, an awesome studio in Frenchtown, NJ. (Lisa was still sick and there was a sub). I ran into my friend Lauri and we went for coffee afterwards at Early Bird Espresso. Then we went to the Frenchtown Bookshop and I bought two books of essays. Homework for publishing my book.

EARLY BIRD, FRENCHTOWN, NJ

Driving home from school the other day my daughter described life these days as having, “no texture” and I’ve never heard a better description of January.

Hello! Happy Friday. Another week has flown by. Flown by like a flock of geese, making a racket, pointed purposefully in a classic V formation, but never flying south because they continue to fly back around to the pond down the street.

Saturday morning was unexpectedly snowy. I went out to brunch with some women friends and we had the best time, talking about life, food, relationships, all the important stuff. We went to a diner and the food wasn’t very good but the waitress was a real character and we felt so at home. I planned a date night for Saturday night but we couldn’t make a decision about a restaurant so we got pizza and stayed in and watched TV, a new show with Lisa Kudrow called No Good Deed. Choosing a boring at-home-date felt surprisingly special. Like, when you remember that you can do whatever you want because you’re the adult and what you really want to do is eat greasy pepperoni pizza in the living room. This was after I told everyone at brunch I decided to be vegetarian.

Sunday I went to yoga and it was even more crowded. It made me want to say, “I see a lot of new faces. Which means a lot of people are breaking the first rule of Fight Club.” Lisa’s class was, as always, amazing. Then I had my Writing Circle get together with the original group of women that kicked off my obsession with creative writing. We hadn’t met since April and it was so good to be back together. Brooke hosted and she made homemade chocolate chip scones. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace, cups of hot tea, and a sleeping cat. It remains to be seen if we will all continue to write together or if we will merely solve all the world’s problems. Either way, I’m in!

Monday was fairly uneventful except that we picked up the car we purchased for the kids who will be driving soon! We got a used VW Tiguan that looks brand new on the outside but smells a little like dog grooming on the inside, as well as cigarettes. But it was a great deal. This is really happening.

Tuesday I had my writing class and I scheduled some time to talk to Abby and got some very helpful suggestions about “my collection of personal essays.” She shared insights on getting them edited, finding an agent, and ultimately getting published. I went out to dinner at a place called Cancun of Easton with a couple friends. Again, mediocre food, excellent company. I mean, I’ll take not-great Mexican food over most other options. The staff was very friendly and I was reminded how much I love Mexico and wish I was going there again this winter.

Wednesday was fairly unexciting. Since there wasn’t much going on, I went to IKEA. I joke that it’s my spiritual home. Sometimes I need to immerse myself in inexpensive Swedish decor. I got a new set of drinking glasses, a thermos, flannel sheets, and a new duvet cover. I thought I’d treat myself to a hot dog but it turned out to be pretty disappointing. Usually I get a salad with smoked salmon and potato salad. Next time. When I got home I did some online shopping for dining chairs but could not find what I wanted. I just want six matching danish modern chairs that coordinate with what I have but aren’t $1000 a piece! Loving everything on the Danish Design Store and the Finnish Design Shop.

Thursday was a day of dropping off and picking up. Cars for oil changes. Kids for kid stuff. Then it snowed again. Rather unexpectedly. You’d think I never heard of the weather channel. The road conditions were terrible and my daughter was driving and it was harrowing.

Today is Friday and I did make a reservation. We’re going out to dinner at The Bayou. It’s a very good cajun restaurant in Bethlehem. Cajun? Creole? I always forget the difference. Google says Creole is more refined and Cajun is more rustic, and spicy! When Bayou first opened you could not get a table, period, so I think we gave up on it. Now you can. I’m excited to go back.

This week, as I drove through town, I passed a church that said, “Only Jesus Saves.” Then, right next door, a bank, with no sign. “Really?” I thought. What a missed opportunity.

Last Friday, the husband and I went out to dinner at the PA House. It’s an amazing little restaurant in Hellertown that feels right out of LA or NY. Either way, it’s swanky, and I love it so much. My husband got the lobster risotto, I got the Cobb salad, and we shared “the warm cookie.”

Saturday we had a follow-up Christmas with my sister-in-law and her kids, down from Connecticut. There were hot dogs and mac-n-cheese to eat, legos to build, and football on tv.

Sunday I went to the Yoga Loft even though I promised I’d go to church, alternating each week with yoga to make it fair, but then Yoga drew me like a self-care magnet that I couldn’t resist. And I don’t feel bad. It was a packed class which makes me so happy for Lisa. She’s so good and everyone should know it. But I never noticed yoga being resolution-effected. And then we celebrated the husband’s birthday. He asked for fancy macaroni and cheese, like he does every year. I always serve it as the main dish with a salad, but this year I added meatloaf and it was a big hit. I had a lot of help from the kids and it was probably the most fun I’ve had cooking for and hosting a party. Even though I failed on the cake frosting again. If you want the M&C recipe, it’s from the famous Vegetarian Epicure cookbook which you can get on Amazon. Or ask me and I’ll share it. I also have the world’s best chocolate cake recipe.

Monday it snowed. They cancelled school even though we didn’t get very much snow at all. And then the kids had “late arrival” all week due to standardize testing. It sort of threw us back into the Christmas break mentality so it’s been a very slow return to normalcy. I booked my trip to St. Louis in April. I’ve never been! Sort of want to do the Arch.

I finished Remarkable Bright Creatures and started James.

Tuesday I had my first class with Abigail Rasminsky and it was awesome. If you don’t know her, she’s an amazing writer and teacher. She’s a regular contributor to Cupojo.com as well as many other publications. This is the second writer’s workshop I’ve attended and it’s the most fun. You sign up for eight weeks of one hour zoom sessions with Abigail and a bunch of badass women writers where you get a writing prompt, a ‘space’ to write, plus tons of community, camaraderie, and hilarity.

The week gets better. Wednesday I went to see the musical Dear Evan Hansen at the State Theater in Easton. My friend Meaghan, who I’ve made a secret pact with to get out and do fun things with this winter had an extra ticket to the show. OH MY GAWD. The best Broadway musical, I think, of my life.

And then, AND THEN, Thursday, I had my Writers’ Circle at the Frenchtown Bookshop. This is where area writers meet and read their in-progress work and get feedback. It’s fun, funny, terrifying, helpful, and uplifting. I’m learning so much, and getting to know very interesting people.

And now it’s Friday. The husband is going to his Whisky tasting night so no date night. Maybe tomorrow.

Hey what’s up?

Okay, here we are. It’s a new year. But I’m not going to talk about newness, just what I’ve been up to.

This past week:

This past Friday I went to visit my family in DC. (Actually, we got down there Thursday and saw my cousins, spending time in Georgetown having ramen at Oki and the coffee at Compass while our kids did an escape room.) It was quiet at my dad’s. Not a lot going on. We went to lunch, a very standard type place in Bethesda called Matchbox. Pizza is kind of their thing but DC pizza has a really hard time competing with the pizza where we live—NY and Philly-adjacent pizza. DC pizza can’t feel good about itself so I try not to bring it up. I ordered fish and chips. My dad got a breaded chicken sandwich with egg salad on top which I didn’t know was a thing. My son got a burger with an egg on it… (what’s with all the eggs on top of meats?) …which he didn’t know if he wanted or would like but he really did. My daughter and husband each got pizzas. There was a quick trip to Target, a drive by my old ballet studio which is now a dispensary, (boo!) and then some chillin’ at my dad’s, watching tv shows like the new Hawaii 5-0 and the new Magnum PI. My dad loves a crime drama, so that’s probably where I get it. We lounged around until my brother got off work and we all went to sushi. Now the sushi in DC “slaps” as the teens say, or did up until a couple days ago. At least the sushi at the place we go in Tenleytown, named Yosaku, is really good. The kids had been off since the previous Friday and even with all the time available, it was a real effort to get everyone together and squeeze in a visit to my family. I’m so glad we did.

We drove home Saturday in rain and dense fog, and then spent the evening recovering.

Sunday I went to my favorite yoga class, saw my favorite yoga teacher, Lisa who had been gone for a few weeks helping on her family’s Christmas tree farm. It was so good to be back. I had missed a bunch of Sundays because I decided Christmas would be more Christmassy and I’d feel more grounded if I went to all four weeks of Advent and i was right, but I do wish church wasn’t the same day as my favorite yoga class.

At some point this week i started every conversation with a confirmation of what day of the week it was so that I would know.

Monday we were STILL on vacation and it involved a lot of doing nothing in particular. Monday night I hung out with some girlfriends and we got pizza (PIZZA!) at the Colonial in Easton PA. Amazing. Also when we split the bill it was $11 per person. With tip. When does that happen?

It’s starting to look like I’m writing a food review blog. And I would be happy to.

Tuesday/New Year’s Wve was super quiet and involved ordering Chinese food and watching the last episode of Ted Lasso season 3. I spent time finishing up a website job for my friend and artist Glenn Harren.

Wednesday was New Year’s Day and we went to my in-laws to eat pork and sauerkraut. It’s not my favorite but it’s good luck. also my mother-in-law’s cheese cake is the absolute best in the whole world and I can get the recipe for you if you want it. She put raspberry sauce (?) on top and for the next two hours I tried to get the raspberry seeds out of the raspberry-seed-shaped fissures in my molars. I finally did with a sewing needle.

Thursday we all went back to our jobs and it was uneventful. my husband had a massage. I submitted a short story to www.thesunmagazine.org. I set a goal to publish the collection of stories i recently finished and someone suggested getting them published in an online magazine. I feel really good about sending something off. I also made some design updates to my website and committed to weekly posts.

And today in Friday again. My daughter had her last dermatology appointment after doing Accutane for most of the year. (last year) and i’m really going to miss her doctor. She is the best. Tonight, the husband and I are going on a date.

I’ve been wanting to break down all my favorite shows from this year. I really watched a lot of “tv” in 2020, but I’m probably not alone in that. It’s funny how you find a show you like and binge it, or sometimes try to make it last and then feel so lost when it’s over. There are some shows I wish I could go back in time and watch again for the first time, shows that stay with you, that you remember so vividly. I know that shows and movies are so subjective, you like what you like. I’ve suggested shows to friends and they didn’t like them and vice versa. Then there’s that terrible purgatory of the “show hole”  where you’ve finished a series you loved and cannot find anything as good for a while. If you’re in that place, maybe this list will help. I’ve ranked my top 10 favorite shows and movies from both Prime and Netflix.

AMAZON PRIME

1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Please watch this show! It is so delicious. There is a fair amount of cursing, so, beware, but I loved Mrs. Maisel, a wealthy New York divorcee turned stand up comedienne. It is full of 1950s fashion, backwards thinking and irreverent revolt against every institution. Love, love, love.
2. Endeavor – Most favoritest show probably ever. It is British, a crime drama, set in the Sixties and stars super swoon-worthy Shaun Evans. I watched to the end of season six this year. Then I fell into a deep Endeavor-deprivation down spiral. I was so sad to leave my ‘friends,’ and would miss all the lingo I had come to know, like, “Mind how you go…”
3. Homeland – Tenth and final season. This show is quite violent and dark and probably not for everyone. I had to watch it because my number one weakness is Spy Drama. I love spies, I especially love girl spies. And Carrie is such a beautiful, lovable f-up. It’s got middle east multi-layer political crisis and Russians and bureaucracy and Saul. Sometimes it was too much for me and sometimes it gave me so much anxiety because I know a lot of that stuff was going on in real life, but I stuck it out and I loved how it all went to hell in the end and then wrapped up happily like a Disney movie.
4. The Durrells in Corfu – There is no show like this! It’s SO good. Set in the 1930s England, a widowed mother of four decides to move to Greece. It is such a beautiful setting and has great characters and acting. I could not get enough of this show.
5. Hanna – So, ass-kicking girl spies hiding in European forests. Super secret intrigue and no one can be trusted. Hanna always out smarts everyone and manages to escape.
6. Death in Paradise – best sappy-sweet, super formulaic British crime drama set in a fictional Caribbean island. You’ll fall in love with the head detective and after a couple seasons he’ll be off the show. A ton of seasons, a ton of episodes. There’s always a murder, exactly 4 suspects and they all have an alibi. All the feel-good reggae and dancehall hits. Beautiful island scenes.
7. Homecoming – Sort of like Hanna, sinister government project with human test subjects, dark suspense and mystery. Will the protagonists figure it out, escape and bring down the bad guys?
8. Counterpart – Fell in love with the Nationwide insurance guy. Nerdy sci-fi at its best. It’s the future? There are two parallel universes and everyone exists in both.
9. Upload – Also sci-fi and kind of a little bit Black Mirror. Life the afterlife virtually. Weird and kind of light-hearted fun. Main female role is so cute, so likable.
10. Ladies in Black – I’ll throw this one in. I’ve never heard anyone else mention this little gem. It’s about a group of women who work in a department store, in Australia, in the 50s. Really lovely and original.

Honorable mentions: Jack Ryan, Fleabag, Big Little Lies

NETFLIX

1. The Queen’s Gambit – Can’t stop thinking about this. It’s fairly dark, but… the clothes, the sets, THE CHESS. Anya Taylor-Joy is mesmerizing as the lead. It was very bingeable. So original. Kinda think I’m going to have to watch it all over again.
2. The Crown  season 3 and season 4 – I’ve been loving the Crown all along. It took me a while to get over the fact that they switched out the whole cast after season 2 (and will again for season 5). Some episodes are more entertaining than others. Some are so sad. But the characters just keep growing on you. Please watch it! Then tell me who your favorite family member is.
3. Rita  season 5 – No one I know has watched Rita, or upon my recommendation as far as I know. It’s in Danish and subtitled but that should not deter you. It is amazing. I highly recommend it. Especially if you are a school teacher. But also if you are a parent or a woman or a human of any kind.
4. I’m Sorry – this is a show you watch and do not tell anyone you do. It’s so wrong. So funny. But so wrong. I loved it too much.
5. Queer Eye season 5 – this show gets better every episode, every season. I get that it may not be your “cup of tea” but I LOVE a makeover and it’s like makeover to the 5th power. And Jonathan.
6. Ozark  season 3 – This drama pulls you in and you find yourself hooked and then so disturbed. It’s beyond dark. I really can’t do this kind of show anymore but dammit, Jason Bateman, you make dark so adorable. Such a good cast and so twisty turny and original.
7. Sex Education – It took a few episodes but this became a favorite. Basic premise: high school boy and son of a sex therapist (Jillian Anderson) sells sex therapy to his classmates. It’s an honest and diverse look at sex and growing up. (Not for kids!)
8. Black AF – I never watched Blackish, but fell into watching this and loved it. So worth it.
9. The Goop Lab – SO GOOPY. If you’ve heard anything about Gwyneth Paltrow (GP) and her company Goop, you won’t be surprised by the cooky therapies they try on this show. I liked it. Let me know if I’m crazy.
10. Last Tango in Halifax – Two English senior citizens meet after 60 years and fall in love. Their families don’t. I’m not sure why I’m putting this last, it was very well done. It’s got some very downer, depressing, heavy bits… but I really got into it.

Honorable mentions: Derry Girls, Workin’ Moms, The Good Girls, Atypical, Down to Earth, The Duchess, The Good Place