Five Things: Issue 246
Breaking news, wedding boxes, bean dip
News: I’ve started composting
It’s been about two and half years since my Dental Hygenist told me that she heard that the number one thing a lay person can do to impact the environment in a positive way is to compost food waste. I trust my Dental Hygenist, and despite never fact-checking her on this matter, it’s stuck with me. Sarah, my former, and top three ever roommate, once had a local compost subscription service while we lived together, but it was stinky, and another thing to take to the curb. Plus, long time readers of this newsletter will know that I’ve dealt with almost every kind of critter, so I’ve been hesitant.
But I truly have never been able to shake that sense that I could be doing something good by leaving my cucumber ends in my backyard. I started googling and researching about a year ago, and had this passive composter in my Amazon saved-for-later for most of that time.
Ultimately, I decided to buy this rotating tumbler from Menard’s because we had a wedding gift card to use. It was super easy to put together and feels like it’s just the right size.
We’re like 60 hours in to the experiment, but I’m loving it. I have a new passion. It’s just fun to have a little science project in the backyard. I am picking up dead grass like I’m getting paid to do it. In idle time, my mind wanders to matters of nitrogen and carbon. I have this book on hold at the library. I’m keeping a ziplock baggie of food scraps in the freezer so I don’t have to risk bug bites every time I throw out blueberries that are too wrinkly for comfort.
Sarah, I’m sorry I never let you set up a backyard composter at the house. You would be welcome to now.
Chris says he fully supports my excitement, but doesn’t yet share in it. Which is how I feel about him and fantasy football. Everyone has their thing.
Stay tuned for more.
I hope today is beautiful for you.
Number One: Southern Hemisphere Red Wine Alert!
I bought the Cuy Malbec from Trader Joe’s a while back mostly because I liked the cute label and wax seal. Now it’s my favorite red wine. Fruity, but not too sweet. Dry, but not licking carpet. Cute.
Number Two: Petite Keep Box
My sister bought a Petite Keep Box to put wedding memories in for her own wedding. And at the time, I was like “I think a clear plastic tote would do.” But at the peak of my Bridezilla-throw-money-around era (tbt), I asked Chris to buy me a box for my own wedding memories. And honestly, I love it. Absolutely not a need. No where close. But last week we pulled out the box and read through our guest book and made sure the more special cards had their own place. Totally dumb, but also fun, and if you’re currently throwing money around for heirloom boxes, I recommend.
Number Three: Hysterical
If you are in the market for a mini-series podcast, may I recommend Hysterical? My friend Morgan recommended, and I’m in. I have a hunch that this will be a seven episode series, when it could have been four or even two, but that’s showbiz baby.
Number Four: Bean Dip
Tired of making firecracker cheezits when you go over to someone’s house? Try this black bean dip. I made it without onions, because I didn’t have any on hand, and I think it was perfectly fine without. Easy and beans are a blue zone food.
Number Five: NT Wright Bible Studies
My sister called me this weekend and asked if I had any Bible study series to recommend for groups, and I was like, actually I do. My group just finished Acts for Everyone. And they’re just good studies. Normal, but thought provoking questions. It doesn’t seem like there’s an ~angle~. Great for groups, but could easily be used for personal study.