UPDATE: The free book winners have been chosen! I replied to two of the 450+ wonderful entries below, scroll down to see. Thanks to everyone who participated, this was really a joy to read. xx
Thanks for getting it started! Reading your intro about the genesis of this newsletter sure took me. But, along with bringing up the sadness/fear/anxiety/heartache, it also reminded me of the good. Mr. Rogers reminded us that when something bad happens, we should look for the helpers. Well, the helpers sure showed up - and you were one of them. I have such distinct memories of your newsletter, making good cocktails on (any) weeknight (because = no morning commute), and laugh-crying to John Krasinski's Some Good News. So, cheers to Three Things and daily joy.
This was not a great week for many reasons, so even though it was hard to think of three things, it was a really helpful exercise -
watching my senior get a major award due to her leadership and service, really good bagels, and a new to me author - SA Crosby. Oh! And I'm attending Lidey Hueck's book signing in Boston tonight so I'm sure her book will be a 4th thing :)
2. Letting my siblings pamper me while my husband and I deal with some medical issues (they generously paid for a cleaning service to come, and it’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done)
My baby boy that turns one on Tuesday, the mountain view from my kitchen window, how we’ve finally dialed in the perfect bed/mattress/comforter/pillow/sheets combo in the past year for the most comfortable and luxurious sleep.
Hmm I thought I responded to this earlier today, but now I can’t see it. Apologies if I accidentally double post. Thanks for asking about the comfy bed setup! This what we’ve got:
- home depot bed frame that is inexpensive, unobtrusive, no nonsense
- helix mattress - i think we got the firmest one and were surprised by how soft it was and also how much we love it being somewhat softer than we expected. it’s been about 18 months now are we’re still obsessed.
- pillows - we each sleep with 2, one ikea feather and one helix synthetic that came with the mattress. we expected to not love them because we were feather pillow people through and through, but we were very impressed!
- brooklinen sheets - we just use the pillow cases and fitted sheet. no top sheet
Pretty purple croci coming up in Maine even though it's too early really, a big jar of green soup in the fridge so I don't have to think too hard about what I'm going to have for lunch, planning an April trip to Rome to see daughter #1 who is studying in Europe!
Molly Baez’s cottage cheese pancakes and HOT coffee this morning, the smell of my old green typewriter, and listening to mourning doves cooing on my midday walk.
I am LOVING reading these! Keep them coming!
UPDATE: The free book winners have been chosen! I replied to two of the 450+ wonderful entries below, scroll down to see. Thanks to everyone who participated, this was really a joy to read. xx
Thanks for getting it started! Reading your intro about the genesis of this newsletter sure took me. But, along with bringing up the sadness/fear/anxiety/heartache, it also reminded me of the good. Mr. Rogers reminded us that when something bad happens, we should look for the helpers. Well, the helpers sure showed up - and you were one of them. I have such distinct memories of your newsletter, making good cocktails on (any) weeknight (because = no morning commute), and laugh-crying to John Krasinski's Some Good News. So, cheers to Three Things and daily joy.
*took me back.
Sunshine, receiving beautiful flowers from my husband and co-chairing an event that raised over a million dollars for repro rights (!!)
1. My cat purring, slumped against my head on the pillow.
2. The feeling of going to bed and reading a book before sleep.
3. Homemade microwave popcorn (a paper bag and kernels is all you need!).
This was not a great week for many reasons, so even though it was hard to think of three things, it was a really helpful exercise -
watching my senior get a major award due to her leadership and service, really good bagels, and a new to me author - SA Crosby. Oh! And I'm attending Lidey Hueck's book signing in Boston tonight so I'm sure her book will be a 4th thing :)
I found Razorblade Tears in a local thrift shop and can't wait to dive in...he's a new to me author as well!
1. Planning my dad’s 70th surprise birthday party
2. Letting my siblings pamper me while my husband and I deal with some medical issues (they generously paid for a cleaning service to come, and it’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done)
3. Treating myself to Maillard pastries (Baltimore, MD: https://www.maillardpastries.com/)
My baby boy that turns one on Tuesday, the mountain view from my kitchen window, how we’ve finally dialed in the perfect bed/mattress/comforter/pillow/sheets combo in the past year for the most comfortable and luxurious sleep.
Hmm I thought I responded to this earlier today, but now I can’t see it. Apologies if I accidentally double post. Thanks for asking about the comfy bed setup! This what we’ve got:
- home depot bed frame that is inexpensive, unobtrusive, no nonsense
- helix mattress - i think we got the firmest one and were surprised by how soft it was and also how much we love it being somewhat softer than we expected. it’s been about 18 months now are we’re still obsessed.
- pillows - we each sleep with 2, one ikea feather and one helix synthetic that came with the mattress. we expected to not love them because we were feather pillow people through and through, but we were very impressed!
- brooklinen sheets - we just use the pillow cases and fitted sheet. no top sheet
- muji duvet cover
- heaviest weight ikea feather duvet
I’d love the perfect bed/mattress/comforter info!
Me too!
Is there such a thing as, me four?
me three!
1) Front porch steps in the sunshine in early spring
2) Coffee that someone made you in the early morning
3) A library book that arrives on your hold shelf earlier than you expected it. (because there were like 14 people on that hold list before me!)
I've always thought someone making me a coffee is one of the greatest signs of love (not just romantic love).
Oh me too Kristina! A cuppa coffee (okay or tea!) is such a deep moment of heart to me.
1. My new 1970's style integrated bracelet watch
2. NYT sheet pan gnocchi recipe, meant to bring steakhouse flavors.
3. I keep buying cheap bunches of daffodils - cheap and cheery favorite!
I made that recipe last night! Yum
I'm making it tonight!
Making that recipe for dinner tonight!
Me too!
1. My senior cat cuddling at bedtime with his head on my pillow
2. The sun is out longer and it feels so good mentally and physically.
3. That I changed my life around 6 months ago and I am still going strong.
Pretty purple croci coming up in Maine even though it's too early really, a big jar of green soup in the fridge so I don't have to think too hard about what I'm going to have for lunch, planning an April trip to Rome to see daughter #1 who is studying in Europe!
Any daffodils yet?
Upcoming family reunion and solar eclipse.
Sunny weather.
Soda bread baking day; gifting to friends and neighbors.
Molly Baez’s cottage cheese pancakes and HOT coffee this morning, the smell of my old green typewriter, and listening to mourning doves cooing on my midday walk.
I remember that typewriter smell—very nostalgic
The smell of grinding my coffee beans each morning coupled with that first sip of coffee
FaceTiming with my twin grandchildren
Seeing the Spring flowers starting to peek out from the dirt
A new season of The Amazing Race, vegetarian chili for me that I shared with a friend, and seeing trees budding out.
1. Watching Finding Nemo for the first time with our six year old.
2. Buying a new floral shirt for spring.
3. Making progress on a few passion projects for work.
Cats snuggling by me while I'm on a Zoom meeting, key lime pie, serving lunch to my book group on my mother's china and silverware.