Week 43: tv and books to get excited about, pretty mirrors, weekend reads, and more.
plus, exercising from your living room and cheese-filled turkey burgers.
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August 30, 2024
Happy Friday, all! I hope all those in the U.S. have a great Labor Day weekend. I just came across this quote from 1910 by suffragette Helen Todd, who fought to advance women’s and worker’s rights.
Not at once; but woman is the mothering element in the world and her vote will go toward helping forward the time when life's Bread, which is home, shelter and security, and the Roses of life, music, education, nature and books, shall be the heritage of every child that is born in the country, in the government of which she has a voice.
I found this to be a beautiful reflection of the values we have fought and continue to fight for as working people. There’s a long way to go in this country…I am reminded of this daily as a pregnant person and mother also balancing a full-time job. It’s also on mind as we approach an election where the expansion (or diminishing) of women’s freedoms is on the ballot.
The “roses” of life are so worth it, though.
On that note, let’s jump into this week’s favorites — which include long weekend things like cheese and fruit pairings and where to find the best BBQ in the USA.
starting (and finishing)
Many of you know I just finished reading Demon Copperhead and watching Presumed Innocent (thoughts here.) If you did, too, here are two podcast episodes worth tuning into: Barbara Kingsolver on Armchair Expert and Sex and Murder on Trial on The Culture Desk.
And if, like me, you are obsessed with Ferrante’s Neopolitan novels, you simply must see the teaser and trailer for the final season of My Brilliant Friend (Sept. 9! HBO!) I truly am beside myself waiting for it to release.
I just started reading Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and watching The Bear, two beloved works recommended by many. Let me know if you’re reading or watching, too!
cooking
One of the very first Substacks I ever subscribed to was What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers. Her approach to recipes and her journey to published cookbook author resonates both as someone short on time (who loves to cook) and as a former cookbook editor.
I tried her Skillet Turkey Burgers, a sneak peek recipe from her newly released book, this week. I loved that they had melted white cheddar inside the burger! I added avocado to mine and loved the sauce, too. It’s wonderful to see her success, and I’m excited to check out the rest of her book!
reflecting (a.k.a. shopping for mirrors)
I’m at the stage of pregnancy (third trimester, for those keeping track) when the nesting instinct starts to kick in. Although I won’t rush to finish baby girl’s nursery ahead of her arrival this time (she’ll sleep in our room for the first six months) I did purchase a new rug and a glider for her space. I also began looking at mirrors, and found so many great ones…I have to tell you about them!
I’ve long adored this specific classic French-style mirror, which is what led me to Ballard Designs — a site I haven’t purchased from previously. Here are a few favorites (on sale!) that are too good to not share, if you’re also in the market for a wall mirror.
if you want a mirror that looks like a piece of art: one | two
if you want the most gorgeous home bar setup i’ve seen: one
and the one i’m coveting most (it’s so good. should i get it?)
stretching
If you’re in the market for an exercise app (blah, but also yay that I can work out without leaving my living room,) I continue to love the Down Dog apps. (Not an affiliate, just a big fan.) I primarily use their yoga app, which is so customizable and approachable.
They just released a Pilates app, which seems great! Full disclosure, I’m only using their prenatal yoga app right now (amazing, btw.) But I find the quality of all their apps to be so high that I won’t hesitate to try this new one once I can. Did I mention their pricing is incredibly reasonable (you get access to all their apps,) and inclusive? They offer a generous free trial plus free subs for students and teachers.
reading
It’s been a great week for article reading. Here are five I enjoyed:
Europe Won’t Fix You by Elizabeth.Ink on Substack
I’m Not Shopping for Fall by Totally Recommend on Substack
Can You Tell Which Short Story ChatGPT Wrote? by author Curtis Sittenfeld on NYT (gift link)
Where to Find the Best BBQ in the USA by Lauren Keith on Lonely Planet (side note: I’ve had them all except one!)
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