Ahoy! It snowed this week, in October, and I’m still shaking my head about it. Despite my side-eye, Bertram and I enjoyed our first walk out in the snow, accompanied by Sawyer, who is arguably much better suited to this kind of weather with her built in coat. My small droid was comfortable enough in a sweater, and I had a wardrobe failure with a lack of gloves.

Good Things, where shall we begin? I’m going to embark on a NaBloPoMo attempt (blogging every day in November), which is usually something I go into with enthusiasm each year with varying results. Some years I *nail it*.

This weekend I put into place my election week self-care plan: namely a solid meal plan, food shop, workout plan – including Dawn’s 120 minute restorative workshop on Ompractice on 11/8 – and weekly intentions – all written out so that I have a plan and a path.

While I did go on a run last night for Halloween, I didn’t trick or treat, nor were there trick or treaters at my house, so I did the 2020 version of costume-ing which is spending 20 minutes at 11pm taking glamour selfies with filters. TBH, I am fabulous.

Bertram didn’t have a costume either this year (wasted opportunity, I know) but his fall seasonal attire is a proper orange, albeit camping themed.

Good Things this Week:

I was feeling a little morose about the snow and the season, so I broke out my emergency Elephantine Bakery ricotta danish from the freezer. If you ever have the opportunity to visit them in Portsmouth, NH, I highly highly recommend everything they make. My mother got a seasonally appropriate Fougasse last night for dinner from them.

Watching and Reading:

  • On Netflix I started watching My Octopus Teacher, a documentary about a man and and Octopus. It’s gorgeous footage. Also thoroughly enjoying
  • I devoured Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in a weekend. Considering it took me months to get through Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell (although I loved it), this was a pleasure to rip through, a WILD ride, and I’m sorry it’s through.

Good Food: my meals have all been haphazard, simple, or weirdly mixed in a bowl. I’ve been playing with my new Air Fryer. I got this Ninja 4Qt. (Affiliate link) I reluctantly admit that I think it’s great. I made calamari from Red’s Best two weeks in a row now – this time with home made cocktail sauce, and Brooklyn Delhi Curry Mustard.

I made a wonderful omelette with portobello mushrooms and oaxaca cheese with green chiles from Mozzarella Co.

I almost never buy pre-made soups, because I usually find them too salty, but I splurged on a few meals worth of Red Hen Baking Curried Carrot Soup with a smidge of ginger. It was definitely worth it. Super creamy, a little kick. Someone was also interested.

A couple of other pre-made items of note: Cafe Spice, who makes the BEST chicken tikka masala has added a few good meals to their lineup. I had the Ghee Roasted Chicken and their new Persian! Pomegranate Walnut Chicken. Both were delicious.

Tonight I wrapped up my night with a Restorative Yoga class with Jane, where she finished with a Rumi poem as I melted into my mat. Dinner was Birdhous Pierogies “Popeye” which… I’m realizing at this moment are so named because they have greens in them. Delicious! Boiled and pan fried, and served with air fried bbq cedar salmon, and a crispy leaf lettuce salad with Bariani olive oil and lemon.

Here’s to a good week. Hang in there, friends. I’ll see you tomorrow.

xo, Sam.