Currently | November 2020

Happy November that feels… kind of like late August. We’re making the most of Grace’s hybrid school schedule and sneaking to the Cape when she has back-to-back remote days. This incredible stretch of weather is such a gift (I mean… not withstanding global warming, my dudes).

I’m feeling some serious fresh start energy, which I’m chalking up to the historic election results (and like the weather, even this comes with an asterisk — yes, there is so much work to be done and yes, the current administration continues to be dangerous — pretty sure this is a gets a lot worse before it gets better scenario). But. Um. Here are some fresh reads, recipes, projects, etc.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO

• Did I make a patriotic playlist over the weekend? Yes, I sure did.
• A few new podcasts: Rom Com Pods (such a good escape over the past few weeks, in particular), You and Me Both with Hillary Clinton (needs no explanation), Cape Cod Notebook (very short, nature-focused episodes — meditative and informative), and Oh I Like That with Rachel Wilkerson Miller and Sally Tamarkin (feels like a great chat with friends).

CURRENTLY WORKING ON

• Going through our closets (the little people keep growing!), donating what no longer fits (we just did a big clear out for Catie’s Closet) and filling in the gaps as needed.
• Getting Birdie comfortable going for leashed walks (and any number of other things I forgot puppies don’t automatically do)
• Prepping for the holidays (we’re talking easily mailed/dropped off gifts and recipes, stocking up on wrapping/postage/supplies, and likely breaking out our Christmas decor even earlier than last year)
• Some great client projects to round out Q4

CURRENTLY READING

• I found this thread (shared by my friend Amanda) to be really helpful in processing current emotions around the election, and the last four years
• Similar to the smart escapism of Rom Com Pods, my last few Book of the Month picks have been decidedly lighter than my usual choices. This month, I’m reading This Time Next Year.
• Also reading: This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving — it’s so compelling, incredibly well researched, and frankly — critical reading, especially for those of us living here in New England.
• Is It Possible to Replace Alex Trebec? by Joe Pinsker for The Atlantic — no secret how much I loved Jeopardy!, adored Alex Trebec, and repeatedly failed to become a contestant (not for lack of trying…).
• It began on a gold escalator. It may have ended at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in The Washington Post — because we’re not going to pretend this didn’t happen.

CURRENTLY EATING

• I made a cranberry apple pie for Election Day… it wasn’t pretty, but it was delicious (and tasted even better over the weekend). Forget squash, and pumpkins and pumpkin spice… give me cranberry everything from now until kingdom come. Or peppermint season. Whichever comes first.
• Meals and snacks have been otherwise uninspired lately — I’m blaming the change in seasons. But I treated myself to a new cookbook and working on getting back in a groove.

CURRENTLY WATCHING

• Poetry Films from the On Being team — Soothing, uplifting, and really beautiful. Bookmark the YouTube playlist (linked) for whenever you need a little poetry break.
• Yes, I watched Emily in Paris and no, I don’t know if I liked or loathed it.

AND A FEW CURRENT FAVORITES

• A daily CBD routine — I only wish I had started this earlier in 2020, but after sort of intermittent CBD use over the last few years, I decided to give it a real go back in late September and couldn’t be happier with the results (for me, it takes the edge off stress, helps with sleep). Equilibria sent me a few samples to try, and after a month I gladly paid for my own subscription (you can use my referral code elizabethev to save 15% on your first order). Also, the limited edition daily drops are vv good.
• Wearing socks with Birkinstock-ish slides because… why the h not?
• Another fresh Mani.Me set to make me feel more put together + far cooler than I actually am

Hope you’re having a peaceful, warm day, my friends. And please hit me up with any of your current recommendations!

Also On Tap for Today:

• A bonus beach day (they’re all bonuses, really)
• Signing Grace up for a virtual pottery class (she told me she thought it would be a good hobby for her… ok, lady)
• Pretending the sun isn’t setting at 3:30 PM

Let’s hear your recommendations. I want ’em all.