January
“The circus looks abandoned and empty. But you think perhaps you can smell caramel wafting through the evening breeze“
I don’t like January, the very beginning always feels like hope and the optimism of a new year looms so large. Then it all goes downhill for me, the grief I carry feels its heaviest and it doesn’t help that it’s cold and dark. This January I was very unhappy and then my dog was sick and I’m so happy it’s come to an end. The sun is setting later and I honestly believe it’s made me feel 100 times better. If the winter is getting you down too, here’s what helped me.
DtMF by Bad Bunny
I love his new album but in particular this song, if you’ve been on TikTok in the last month you’ve definitely heard it. As someone who hasn’t really listened to his music before this song and album has inspired me to seek out more of his music and also to start practicing my Spanish!
Sweetpea (Showtime)
“The girl everyone overlooks might just be able to get away with murder.” This show staring Ella Purnell “Yellowjackets” based on the book of the same name by CJ Skuse, is so good. It’s unsettling, confrontational and funny and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
When Your Terminal Illness Makes You a TikTok Star
This article tells the story of Brooke Eby who at the age of 33 was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since her diagnosis she has founded a support network that connects those diagnosed and their caregivers with resources. I’ve been following her journey with the same illness that took my grandfather for a couple years and her strength and determination is truly inspiring.
Bean Dip
I hate to admit I spent a long time thinking about making a bean dip but not sure what direction I wanted to go in. Then it came to me while sitting under a wool blanket huddled on the couch, spicy white bean dip. What you need: a can or box of white beans I like butter beans, two chipotle peppers in adobo sauce I like La Costeña (small red can), one small red onion, two (or more) cloves of garlic and a spicy pepper of your choice (I used habanero). Simply add all of the ingredients with a pinch of salt to your food processor and blend until smooth. It’s extremely customizable, you could add feta or olive oil a little more or less of any of the ingredients. It’s the perfect dip, I even added it to a taco bowl. I hope you like it!
The Pitt (Max)
As someone who’s been watching Grey’s Anatomy for twenty years, I don’t know how it’s been twenty years since 2005 (feels fake), I clearly love a medical drama. To replace the hole in my week I started The Pitt, each episode covers an hour in the emergency department at a hospital in Pittsburgh. This take on the format feels fresh and the show feels so realistic, I’m obsessed and my Thursday nights are once again filled with medical drama.
Rosenhoff Kiosk Pizza
Almost three years ago they stated making pizza and I finally went to try it out this month and it was incredible! I’m mad it took me so long, I didn’t even mind sitting outside in January to eat it! I know Oslo has 600 pizza places but this pizza was so so delicious, I need you to go try it.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This book is one of my absolute favorites and this month my book club read it and even fourteen years later I still love it. The magic is still there and I was once again swept away. “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.”Definitely recommend.
Light in the dark for women in Afghanistan
Women in Afghanistan are all but being eliminated from public life due to the resurgence of the Taliban but a small tv network based in Paris Begum TV, is being broadcast into the homes of women and girls confined across Afghanistan. During the day they broadcast educational content and in the evening entertainment programs as well as programs that discuss topics deemed ‘tabu’ such as women’s health. This article is fantastic and a devastating must read.
Emme Ricetti Wines
Organic and additive free delicious California wine, ask your local wine provider about getting some.
Fifteen years ago I visited this city and it’s still just as full of colorful characters and I can’t wait to go back.
Don’t forget your coffee,
Paige
