A Calming Low Winter Sky of Links & Recs

Fav New Book + Fav New Seeds + Fav New Game + Fav New Soup

With ample encouragement from last months’ thread, I’ve leaned so hard into the In-Between time, feasting on a real mix of things that make me feel grounded, which is to say, like me. I did some sheet mulching for next year’s dahlias. I spent New Year’s Day at a bonfire on the beach (I didn’t cold plunge, but lots of other people did). I made at least five different Rancho Gordo recipes. I finished three books. I took my first run in nearly three months as I gear up for the next marathon. I took so many long walks with my dogs, and let time slip around in a way that felt like the most comfy blanket. I had a dance-off with a 4th grader on New Year’s Eve. I got nailed with a Minions Fart Gun.

I also snuck in four days of skiing, including one with my brother (one of my favorite childhood skiing companions, just don’t tell him I said that) who I hadn’t skied with in more than twenty years.

I somehow did everything and nothing, which is precisely the vibe I was going for.

I also took this time to allow a bunch of ideas for future pieces to rattle around in my head (I’m absolutely doing a Timothée Chalamet star study sometime soon, and still want to write about Blake Lively/Justin Maldoni) but for now, I wanted to share some the things I’ve read and loved (and some new recs) from the last month: the gorgeous new zinnias I’m growing this year, the romance that will keep you up significantly past your bed time, a family game even non-games people will love, the best new soup recipe, and the best book I read since, oh, August, plus all the usual links to good stuff on the internet and the just trust me.

As always, the only affiliate links here are for Bookshop (all affiliate proceeds go to a different books-related organization every year) and I’ve used gift links whenever possible. And if you haven’t moved to paid and are dithering — this Tuesday, we’re doing Culture Study Classifieds, which are a wild ride and wildly useful….and for paid subscribers only. Plus you’ll get all the good stuff below.