Five Things: Issue 119
Washi tape, budgeting, and yoga, and walks
It’s Christmas in Kansas City
I am so glad you all enjoyed last week’s Five Things from Jackie, I hope every one is a little more regular this week.
I think I’ve started a newsletter with “it’s Christmas in Kansas City” each of the last three years, but I KNOW that there’s a song that used to play on Star 102 that was like “lights on the plaza, skating [and this part was syncopated] at Crown Center.” And I cannot find it anywhere on YouTube. That song was probably also a part of my dream of riding in a carriage on The Plaza, because that was the height of fancy when I was ten. But now I have a new dream, and that dream is to be driven around to look at Christmas lights in car that doesn’t have to have seat warmers, but it wouldn’t hurt. I have exactly zero dreams that involve skating at Crown Center.
This sentence now has links to the 100th issue master spread sheet, my instagram, my Outdoor Voices referral link , and old issues of the newsletter.
Number One: I freaking love walks now
This is unlikely to come as a surprise to anyone in my daily life, but has been a 2020 surprise to me: I am in love with going on walks.
I don’t think anyone ever told me that just going for a walk was a lazy form of exercise, but somewhere along the way I internalized that, and felt like the true way to arbitrarily move around is to run. So I ran. I ran a half marathon. I ran a 10-Miler. But I never felt like I was running far enough or fast enough or stretching enough. And even when I had a great three mile route, with hills, that I did three times a week, and then five miles on Sundays, it wasn’t enough.
And that’s the best part about walking, you just go, and you come home and you have the endorphins, but there’s none of the “not enough.” Plus you’re not sweaty, unless it’s hot out, but then you’ve earned it. Also I’ve never said, “let’s go on a walk,” to a friend and had them be like, “enh.” Walks rule.
Speaking of things shelter-in-place caused me to discover: I am watching Sweet Magnolias on Netflix for the fourth time through. Still great, still can’t wait for season two.
Number Two: This Yoga with Adriene Profile
I loved this profile on Adriene of Yoga with Adriene. To be fair, she’s not exactly a super interesting person, but I think that’s her appeal, she’s just a down to earth gal doing yoga, making money, but not too much money off of it. We love it.
Number Three: Sweet Potatoes with Tahini Butter
I tried this recipe for sweet potatoes with tahini butter that also appears in the Where Cooking Begins cookbook, and it was a great work from home lunch. I only had one sweet potato, so I just made less of the sauce, but it was a yummy way to spice up my “cook a sweet potato in the microwave” routine.
Number Four: Washi tape and your cookbooks
There are at least two things in my home that I have a lot of, but rarely reach for: cookbooks and washi tape. I love the inspiration of cookbooks, but rarely veer off the beaten path, and I don’t know why I have seven things of colorful matte tape, but I do.
Anyway, this week I had a little extra time, so I grabbed a roll of washi tape, and my cookbooks, and noted the recipes I wanted to try by taping the page. Now I don’t have old business cards flying around every time I decide I want to try vegan recipes again.
Number Five: Goals and Goals, but no more Free Throws, for now
I am working on my 2021 goals spreadsheet mostly by copying and pasting my 2020 goals spreadsheet. I am leaving the “Make 500 Free Throws” in this year, but am taking “more LinkedIn connections” so feel free to help me make that happen, because I still think LinkedIn is annoying, but I’m out here.
As always, I am trying to stay on a budget, but this year I am writing down what I value, and how my spending can reflect that, so I’ll let y’all know if that ends up being helpful. I want to come up with a fun tennis goal to take the place of my basketball goal, if you will.
As promised, here’s the link to Ticket to Ride.
If you liked Sweet Magnolia, you gotta watch Virgin River - super similar vibes, highly recommend!