I’ve started listening to Serial. I’ll freely confess that I should have started listening weeks ago, with the first of my friends’ qualified recommendations. But I was stubborn about it. Everyones doing it! Why should I do it? Of course I didn’t actually have any idea what it was about, and true crime is one of my favorite genres. Eventually I couldn’t escape hearing about it, so it was one of those things that I thought that I might as well start before everything is ruined for me. Now I’m a single episode in, and I’m already captivated. If you haven’t started listening, you probably should.

So what can I tell you about this coming week? The office was quiet on Friday, and will likely be until the end of the year, but I’m looking forward to heading in on Monday – somehow it always feels fun when there’s a small group of people there in it together – it’s like a snow day, but for adults. Except you manage to get a lot of work done? Okay, so I probably would have resented that as a kid. But I really like going to work!

There’s likely to be a movie – on Friday we learned that one of our coworkers has not seen the majority of influential movies from the late 70’s to the early 2000’s. Including Star Wars (any of them), Indiana Jones (really??), or the Princess Bride. (No, just no.) The list of must-see movies ended up about 84 long (we’re keeping a Trello board), so there might have to be some group encouragement to get this thing started. Last night I ticked off one of my own on the to-watch list: Grosse Pointe Blank, with the Cusacks, and Minnie Driver, known in this house as Petite Chauffeur. Super fun!

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Week of December 20th

My Walden share arrived a week early this month, because of the holiday delivery schedule – which means that my freezer was overflowing, and I needed to pull out a bunch of meat to defrost. Things to use up in my kitchen: chopped Buddha’s hand citron, some chicken basil pesto sausage, a little bit of cheese, peppered turkey, dill.

Saturday: Shake Shack! For as often as I cook at home, we aren’t saints when it comes to diet – and Shake Shack is one of my very favorite treats. There’s something about those crinkle fries (back, finally!), potato buns, and that Shack sauce that make the trip special. And right now, because it’s in season, the salted caramel hot chocolate. (Just get it. Get it now.)

Sunday: Italian sausage, zucchini noodles, and marinara. Whole Foods is having a madness sale on Rao’s Marinara right now, $64 for a case of 12. I couldn’t pull the trigger, but I adore this sauce.

Monday: roast chicken and potatoes. I got my first chicken from my CSA this week! The difference between a chicken from the supermarket and a pasture raised chicken is pretty huge – the farm chicken just tastes better.

Tuesday: pesto zoodles. Are you surprised at how many zucchini noodles I’ve eaten in the past few weeks? I have mixed emotions about eating vegetables that aren’t in season, but if it means that our entire household inhaling vegetables with glee, I’ll buy them.

Wednesday: Chinese food? Something Christmas-y? After seven years, we’re still trying to figure out some of our family traditions. Growing up, Chinese and a movie was de rigeur for most Jewish families (still is). Usually we were in Florida for the occasion. With our mixed household, we’re still trying to determine how best to do holidays when we don’t travel to family.

Thursday: Christmas day! One year, I spent Christmas in New Jersey with my dear friend Julia, and we had these formidable waffles at her cousin Holly’s house. (I still have this memory shining bright it my mind.) I love the idea of waffles, but we don’t have a waffle maker anymore. I’ll still try to do brunch! We might also do a late afternoon dinner – I have some lamb shanks defrosting.

Friday: out! Or possibly eating more green vegetables.

What are you eating this week?

–– Sam