first snow + great resources for you
the halls have been thoroughly decked
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ― Pablo Picasso
Can I share something that I started doing a month ago and cannot recommend more highly? Tuning out all news and political podcasts. At the risk of sounding or appearing ignorant, I realized that it was too detrimental to my mental health to stay informed daily about what’s going on. And guess what? I’m less anxious, more hopeful for the future, and better able to focus on my family, hobbies, projects, and fulfilling activities. But can you guys promise to give me a heads up if we’re headed for another pandemic or if it’s time to think about fleeing the country? Thanks.
And speaking of hobbies and fulfilling activities, in case you missed the spreadsheet of 100+ seed companies that I shared last week, here it is again:
The Ultimate List of Trusted Seed Companies Recommended by Real Gardeners
In the link roundup this week, definitely make sure to click through on the first one about downloading a free native plant garden plan for your eco-region. I downloaded the Boston one and it’s an absolutely phenomenal free resource, and one that is already getting me stoked about the 2025 growing season.
From the Wild Ones website:
The designs were created with the premise that using native plants in landscaping can be beautiful, promote wildlife, and be achievable for gardeners of all skillsets in terms of scope and budget.
Each design:
includes at least 15 or more native plant species
uses multiples of plants rather than “specimen” plantings to be consistent with building attractive pollinator gardens per Xerces and other science-based pollinator advocates.
favors species with long and staggered bloom times to enhance the ornamental nature of the gardens and provide pollen and nectar through the season.
includes considerations concerning soil (type/texture, pH, etc.), and other conditions (moisture, sunlight) typical for the specific ecoregion)
includes an incremental approach to developing the plan, adding new areas and native plant species as time and funds permit.
Click, download, and share this resource far and wide! I want to shout it from the rooftops!
Another cool resource I was excited to discover was the website What America Ate, an interactive website and online archive about food in the Great Depression, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. I’m especially interested in the 200 rare community cookbooks — I’m going to download PDFs of all them because old cookbooks and recipes are one of my favorite things on this planet. Also, I think we could all do with familiarizing ourselves about how to stretch a dollar and make creative meals. Who knows what 2025 and onwards has in store for us? Never hurts to be prepared!
We had our first snow yesterday, and we were thankfully able to get our koi pond winterized last weekend —just in time! We have three 25+ year old koi and 30-ish comet goldfish in the backyard pond, and they all enter a state of hibernation called torpor during the late fall and winter. The first year we moved here and inherited the fish from the previous owners, I was outside frantically checking on them every morning all winter long. But come springtime, they woke right up and swam around like normal. It’s fascinating to watch, honestly.
Until next (pizza) Friday,
Amy
LOLs of the Week
Reading
What Your Food Ate: How to Restore our Land and Reclaim our Health by David Montgomery and Anne Biklé
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Cooking
I am always so curious about peoples’ weekly meal plans as they feed their families, so I thought I’d share what I’m cooking up in the kitchen. Sometimes it’s family dinner, sometimes there are girl dinners. My motto is “use what you have” and I’m typically pulling from the chest freezer, pantry, garden, and leftovers. I hate food waste, and am a diehard composter, but that’s a story for another newsletter!
Monday: Roasted cabbage, white beans, and koginut squash with some italian sausage, butter rice, and chili crisp for a sauce.
Tuesday: Leftovers!
Wednesday: Carne asada with rice and steamed broccoli.
Thursday: Trader Joe’s BBQ chicken and fried rice.
Friday: Pesto pizza with pesto from the garden
Saturday: Pizza lefties
Sunday: Beef stew —I’m planning on this recipe
Loving
Despite having yet to actually see Wicked, I am downright obsessed with all of the choreography I’ve seen all over the internet. Fun fact: my husband took me to see Wicked on Broadway for our first date, then exactly three years later we saw it again on the night he proposed. So I have a special place in my heart for the musical but unfortunately my distaste for movie theaters outweighs that love! I’ll catch it on streaming. But in the meantime, please see exhibit A.
Sam Ryder’s rendition of Defying Gravity —I get full body chills listening to his voice holy MOLY.
This patchy fruit and veggie jacket from @red.hatcreative — I was obsessed with the tomato jeans they created but the chokehold this jacket has on me is otherworldly.
Milk bread from @theboywhobakes — I’m going to attempt a loaf this weekend because I haven’t stopped thinking about this in about a week.
Link Roundup
Download a Free Native-Plant Garden Plan for Your Specific Region [Tree Hugger]
Perspective: Heritage crops have their perks … and limitations [AgDaily]
Are You Brave Enough to Pick Up Your Rooster? [WSJ]
How the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar Became a Hot Commodity [NYT]
How the Arrival of an Endangered Bird Indicates What’s Possible for the L.A. River [Smithsonian]
Enjoying Pizza Friday? Share the love and forward this email to a friend you think would dig it so they can get in on the fun, too. Like pebbling, which is what penguins do! They bring little trinkets like pebbles to their loved ones. How precious is that?
I dislike movie theaters, too -- but I really think it's special to see that show on a big screen, so I hope you'll go. My oldest and I may go again we liked it so much. Our favorite song is No One Mourns the Wicked. I am so impressed with how Ariana G developed such an opera tone!
We rarely go to the theaters but did the week. The choreography deserves a big screen. So good!