Today is a beautiful day in Kansas City. The kind of day, especially in February that demands that you sit outside. There is nothing more premium to me on days like this than sitting on my front porch, Honey sitting by my side protecting me and our household from the chickens across the street. Such a faithful guardian of the herd. I feel like a postcard of the the good life, even though the paint is actively peeling on one side of my house and that issue does need to be addressed.
This week was my birthday and more than one person said, “I’m glad you were born.” And I am too! I’ve worked hard and dug deep, and am mostly content, but could always use more money.
Anyway. The vibe is good.
I wrote this sentence that contains a link to my instagram. My Nuuly referral link. My Outdoor Voices link.
Number One: Spotify Cooking Playlist
It could just be my side of the algorithm, but when I search “cooking” in Spotify, there is a Spotify-made playlist that is just perfect for cooking dinner. Sing-a-long ish, but medium energy. John Mayer. Avett Brothers. HAIM.
There’s also a Spotify-made “walking” playlist that I like less, but is still nice when I need a no-brainer.
Number Two: Shrimp Tostadas - tortilla optional
A few weeks ago my friend Maci mentioned that she bought the ingredients to buy Shrimp Tostadas at Costco, and it made me want Shrimp Tostadas.
This recipe was exactly it. My main complaint is that eating the meal in true tostada form was a bit of a challenge what with the crispy flat tortilla. Eating all the ingredients as salad the next day was fabulous, next time I’ll just salad it from the start. I threw in some leftover chickpeas and it was a real value add.
Number Three: Hand Me Up
This is an interesting read about a cool business model - these moms in Texas have monetized the hand-me-down system, but in what seems like a really sustainable way. I love the idea of sustainable fashion so much, I really have never liked the experience of thrifting.
Hand-me-down is a funny little phrase.
Number Four: Sitting not by your significant other at a dinner party
Last weekend, a dream of mine came true. I went a Supper of the Lamb dinner party that was 60% attended by people who had also read the book. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.
One of the hosts asked that everyone not sit next to their significant other at dinner, which at first I was like, “my sweet boyfriend who has only listened to me talk about the onion chapter and hasn’t read the book, is here instead of watching a KU basketball game, what if he is miserable?” But it was so much fun! Not that I don’t love sitting next to Chris, I do. But the conversation dynamic at dinner was so lively all around. Every one was at their most perfectly chatty, like everyone was being their autonomous self, but also involving their husband from across the table in the same conversation. It was great.
I’m going to try to make our Life Groups do something like down the road.
Number Five: The Best Day (tm) Formula
Blogger Courtney Cleveland has this formula for having a good day in any city - or really anywhere. It involves: get coffee, get moving, get touristy/inspired, get lunch, get shopping, get dinner. Not necessarily in that order. But it’s a perfect little algebra equation for when you are in a new place and you know you want to do something, but there’s a world of options and limited energy.
I found myself with a free day in LA on Monday, and it was great. I got coffee, I walked on the beach, I went to the Getty Villa, I walked to this neat lunch spot. Then it was raining and my phone was dying, so I had a little pivot before meeting up with the folks I was traveling with. But I had a great, no-pressure day. A little photo with my eyes closed to prove it: