The One With The Recommendations
The One With The Recommendations
Obsessively curated ideas for the happiest March (and April) ever.
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Let’s Cook (and Eat)
We’re in between seasons here in the Northeast US, so I’m alternating between craving bright flavors and cozy, warm meals. This weekend, I’m hoping to make this super-easy, delicious Foccacia. I may even attempt to recreate the spring-like decorations I’ve been saving on a Pinterest board for at least a year (see below).
Another filling spring favorite (also always a success with dinner guests) is Slow Roasted Chicken with Green Beans. Or for something lighter, there’s Crispy Gnocchi with Tomato and Red Onion, which is a true weeknight winner: 15 minutes to make, dairy-free, almost gluten-free, and vegetarian! I use minced garlic instead of red onion and some mozzarella on top doesn’t hurt!
On the cozy front, this Lamb Shepherd’s Pie takes some work but is worth it! And if you, like me, sometimes pretend you’re Julia Child in Paris when you’re cooking, here’s a playlist to throw on while you’re in the kitchen.
Having people over? I love this idea for serving a big group: Table Nachos! It reminded me of the scene in The Fabelmans, where the family ate dinner on paper plates using plastic utensils, then gathered everything up in the paper “tablecloth” and threw it all into the trash!
And I’m very excited to get my hands on An Everlasting Meal Cookbook, a new book that teaches you how to make the best use of leftovers. Because I’m currently this type of person when it comes to leftovers and kitchen economy…
Books Books Books
The book I can’t stop talking about at the moment is I Have Some Questions For You. A podcaster returns to her boarding school where she reinvestigates the death of a classmate. It’s beautifully written, sharply evocative of the 90s, and a good, satisfyingly twisty mystery.
I’m also making my way through the Thursday Murder Club series wherein deceptively sharp residents of an upscale British retirement village investigate murders. I am addicted!
I’ve just started Limitless, which is about the changing role of the Federal Reserve and its power over the US economy: timely and enlightening.
And I haven’t gotten to it yet, but with one teen in the house, and another turning 13 in November, I will: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.
On my list to read next is Women are the Fiercest Creatures and I can’t wait for Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest, Romantic Comedy, which comes out on April 4 and is set at an SNL-like comedy sketch show. I’m also excited about Happy Place, Emily Henry’s new rom-com, which will be released on April 25.
Other Reading…
I’m really enjoying Becky Malinsky’s “5 Things You Should Buy” newsletter, and especially loved this issue about wearing bright colors and how to mix them!
Anyone else identify with this piece from The Atlantic about how old we feel vs. how old we really are?
Yikes! This line describes me at parties trying to be hip and cool:
“30 year olds should be aware that for better or for worse, the 50 year old they’re talking to thinks they’re roughly the same age!”
And I held my breath while reading this heart-wrenching, honest, and helpful piece about grief by a father who lost both of his children in a car crash.
“Our instincts tell us to run from pain. But in the case of grief, our instincts are wrong. The reason it hurts so badly is because we love them so much. If we look at it that way, the pain can be understood not as a bad thing to avoid, but as a beautiful tribute, a sign that our hearts are still working.”
Just Dreamy
While I am mostly terrified of AI and what it means for the human race, I have to admit that I love this AI dream interpreter. It gamely (and politely) attempts to make sense of the bizarre fragments I can remember of my dreams, and generally gives a positive spin, which I appreciate. Try it and let me know what you think!
TV Time
I’m currently obsessed with the limited series, Daisy Jones and The Six, based on the book of the same name. It’s a fun watch, and Riley Keough is excellent as Daisy; but a confession: while I love the Laurel Canyon late 60’s - 70’s vibe, I don’t actually like the original songs in the show, so I’ve been playing Fleetwood Mac radio instead.
I have a feeling my next obsession is going to be The Night Agent - it appears to have 24 and Homeland vibes, and the reviews are good!
Have you caught up with Season Four of YOU? There is a big, (OK, HUGE) twist in the second half of the season and an appropriately diabolical ending for the world’s most appealing serial killer.
For something more uplifting there’s Ted Lasso Season Three. The gang’s back and I’m cheering AFC Richmond on!
Have you seen any of the Oscar nominees or winners? I watched Tar this week, and as usual, Cate Blanchett gives an astounding performance. The subject matter (a reverse-gender approach to Me Too / Time’s Up) is thought-provoking, but the ending left me a little unsatisfied. Which may have been the point.
Everything Everywhere All At Once is still on my list to watch - and this interview on NPR’s Fresh Air with Ke Huy Quan, the lead actor, made me want to go back and watch Indiana Jones and Goonies, which he also starred in as a child. You have to listen to the audio to hear the emotion in his voice as he talks about his childhood…
In other TV news, I’m just getting into Shrinking. Harrison Ford stars, and I’m always down for shows about therapists (see In Treatment and The Patient) so I have high hopes.
This documentary on Brooke Shields looks fascinating, as does this remake of Great Expectations (with Olivia Colman!) and Boston Strangler is on my list for a night I’m not home alone (!).
And I’m counting down the days until two of my favorite shows return with their final seasons: Succession will be back next week (will there be a late-in-life engagement?!); and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel comes out in mid-April.
While I’m waiting, there’s always HGTV…
Cherry Blossoms!
It will soon be peak “blossom season” in the Northeast US - if you’re into it, here are handy guides for where and when to view them in New York, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Wait, What?
The Dumb Dads on Instagram make me laugh, especially their Press Conferences…
…as does Big Time Adulting’s humorous takes on parenting:
And here’s Cate Blanchett “dancing” in a music video for Sparks…
Finally, a thought I find very comforting:
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful weekend!
I’d love your feedback. You’re welcome to e-mail thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations anytime to amelia@somehappyscribbles.com
That focaccia looks incredible! Thank you for sharing all those delicious recipes. We don’t have much weather fluctuation yet … apart from really hot and hot 😂
Can’t wait to start new Ted Lasso season 🥳 Have a great week.