What are your weekend plans? We’re still recovering from last week’s snow and ice storm around here, so I’m crossing my fingers that two days of rain and warmer temps will melt the four-inch thick layer of ice on my street: I’m hoping it melts enough that Daisy and I can get in a good long walk before the weekend is over. I’m nearing the end of two different books—one paperback and one on Kindle—and would very much like to finish them both. And I got a new cooking gizmo I’m excited to tinker with. (Any tips?)
I hope you have something to look forward to this weekend, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.
Our 2025 Spring Book Preview is here!
Our Spring Book Preview always feels like the official kickoff to the new year. It’s not too late to experience it for yourself! Visit our Spring Book Preview online hub for access now, which includes the digital booklet and 90 minute unboxing video.
Here’s what one reader said about our 2025 Spring Book Preview: “I feel like I’ve read so many “books coming out in 2025” lists and listened to lots of podcasts on the topic, but yet there are SO many titles here that sound amazing that I haven’t heard of yet! Such gems for sure!” If that sounds good, get your preview access right here.
My favorite finds from around the web:
I offer gift links for articles whenever possible (you may still need to create an account with the publication); if there’s no gift link and you’re not a subscriber, check to see if your library carries the publication or use a service like Pocket.
Dispatch from Los Angeles. (Laura Tremaine’s Secret Stuff) “We are enormously grateful for our safety. We are devastated and heartbroken for those who have lost everything. Every day we learn of more friends who have lost their homes. In the last few days, the landscape of Los Angeles has changed. Physically and emotionally.”
The Seven Books I Took With Me When Evacuating Los Angeles. (Literary Hub) “While loading the car and chucking my cat in the carrier, more than half-frantic, I decided to pack one bag of books. I have hundreds, thousands of books. I took seven.”
This adorable sweats set (XXS–3X) reminds me of a favorite sweater set from my twenties. I had to buy for the nostalgia factor alone.
These Two Senior Best Friends Went Around the World in 80 Days—Here’s Their Travel Advice. (Afar) Friendship goals.
What I’ve been reading lately: the new and the notable. (MMD) A small assortment of the wildly different books I’ve been reading lately: a romance novella, a contemporary Australian drama, a stunning and unique story collection, and a feel-good German literary sensation.
The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (We Tested 6 Popular Contenders!) (The Kitchn) I love seeing how the recipes differ from one another.
Mark These 2025 Celestial Events on Your Calendar. (Lifehacker) Lots of reasons to look up in 2025.
Will surprised me with this Runamok Chipotle Morita Infused Honey for Christmas and now just a little bit on toast makes my morning. (Runamok also makes the fabulous sparkle syrup I first found out about from these “little luxury” blog comments!)
What Does a Translator Do? (The New Yorker) “Good translation draws on as much of life and experience and personality as good writing does.”
It’s Dry Hands Season. Here’s What to Do. (New York Times gift link) I wish I didn’t need this so much. It’s validating to see some of my go-to products recommended like Aquaphor and Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.
There Is No Safe Word. (Vulture) A harrowing investigation into the allegations against Neil Gaiman. It’s not easy reading so take care of yourself first and foremost.
Maybe what your January needs is Carrot Top Paper Shop’s Words of Affirmation sale? Everything in the shop with an encouraging word or phrase on it is 25% off, like
25 Hobbies You Can Start at Home—Today. (The Everygirl) Lots of good ideas.
Don’t miss these posts:
19 fiction audiobooks narrated by the author. Novelists know how to tell a good story but that doesn’t mean they’re the best one to perform it. These talented authors can do both!
Revitalize your To Be Read list with this simple method. Simple but it’s a game-changer!
8 fine arts thrillers you won’t want to put down. Fast-paced mysteries featuring art and drama, sculpture and dance, poetry and theater and more.
Have a great weekend!
14 comments
I was perusing the hobbies link this morning and it was a delightful surprise to see my sister’s company – KniftyKnittings listed under the needle work category!
Love your blog!
Congrats on your new sous-vide tool; I love mine and use it all the time. I highly recommend checking out the advice and delicious sous-vide recipes on Two Kooks in the Kitchen blog. Here’s their link https://twokooksinthekitchen.com/category/cooking-method/sous-vide/
Happy cooking!
As someone who lives in a colllld climate in the winter, liner gloves have changed my life. I wear these under my bigger (or sometimes just wind protecting) mittens, and my hands are no longer just sweaty inside my big cozy mittens. I have gone from scaley hands to soft hands!
I love these:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6023-022/mec-merino-t2-liner-gloves-unisex?colour=Melange+Grey
We’ve had a sous vide for a few years and love it. Almost every week, my husband makes a batch of pesto chicken that we work through all week long. Throw some chicken breasts and pesto in at 142 for about 3-4 hours. The great thing about the sous vide machine is that your food doesn’t dry out. I hate hate hate microwaved chicken leftovers normally, but they are really good if the chicken was sous vide.
For anyone wanting to read the Vulture article on Neil Gaiman and running into a paywall, I got New York Magazine through Libby with no problem.
Thank you for this!
After reading about both of these in comments on past Modern Mrs Darcy posts,(sorry, don’t remember when!) I wouldn’t be without them now: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and Rosebud Salve (that is from the stocking stuffer post, pretty sure). The Rosebud Salve is great for cuticles and if you unfortunately have cracked skin on fingertips or knuckles, those as well. The Kiehl’s is just an amazing hand treatment, non-greasy and low aroma. It keeps that rough feeling from my fingertips, the winter affliction that makes it difficult to touch silky fabric. I really like to put some on, and then use waterproof gloves for washing dishes. Definitely apply it before going out in the cold, and before bed. If you keep an eye on the Kiehl’s website they do run specials seasonally (and offer samples with orders…facial care is next!). It’s a little pricey but oh so worthwhile! Not that any of the products from the article above are not better, this is what has saved my hands during winter.
Now, off to read more links! Thank you, as always.
I love the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength hand salve as well as the beloved Rosebud Salve- always in my bags!
As someone who hates celery pieces in my chicken noodle soup, I recently discovered that I can replace them with the stems of the baby bok choy I buy at my local Korean market. They have a similar taste but much milder. I also replace the onions with leeks when they’re in season.
Love our Anova sous vide gizmo. We got it when we were full-timing in our RV. We use it for sooo many things – pork loin, chops, steak, chicken. It’s wonderful to have your meat cooking while you are doing other things. And I no longer have to cook my pork to death to make sure it’s done! The Anova website has lots of recipes and info that is helpful. Enjoy!
There are so many stories like this https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/01/15/pali-high-students-and-families-seek-a-new-school-space-for-3000-teens/ of people showing compassion by stepping up to help others in need: Palisades High School senior class president & his best-friend (who both lost their homes to fire) are working to help their classmates continue their education. Attitude & actions of these young men are encouraging sign of future leadership for community. I’d just been thinking of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts “The Order of the Phoenix”, hearing all the Angelinos promising to rebuild together.
Here’s another news story, showing how libraries are vital part of community. Comments at end from American Library Association reports how Los Angeles area libraries are aiding recovery after the fires. And remember, February is also “Love Your Library” month! https://ilovelibraries.org/article/wildfires-destroy-los-angeles-public-library-branch/
Love our sous vide, especially for thick cuts of meat. SV a thick ribeye, then finish on the grill. I find that serious eats.com has reliable recipes and guides.
Thank you so much for the great links! The Everygirl is now a favorite for me-working on my hobbies for 2025! Also loving your chicken soup recipe 🙂
Comments are closed.