1. Garlic bread
I am madly in love with garlic bread. Made with real garlic, real butter and real bread. And sometimes parsley.
(I feel like that stands alone, and I’m not going to say anything else about it, except here’s a good recipe.)
2. Pandas, you know?
I found myself more inspired than I should be by a tweet from Alexandra Franzen, commanding the world to stop, because PANDAS ON A SLIDE!
There is also this happy little panda, on a rocking horse.
They have stuck in my brain, because I haven’t been able to hug them yet, and I really want to.
If you want to leave links to more awesome pandas in the comments, I wouldn’t be mad. (Koalas will also be accepted. I know they’re not the same, but they are similarly cute.)
3. The library!
Have you ever gone through a period where you go to [INSERT BOOKSTORE NAME HERE] a lot, and buy a lot of books, then suddenly remember that you have a beautiful local library, where all the books are free? That’s where I’m at right now. In the last month, I’ve read House Thinking, From Girl to Goddess and The Alchemist. Next up: Daring Greatly, Jitterbug Perfume and Smart Women Finish Rich. Cost: zero dollars.
4. Sugru
I watched all 25 minutes of this endearing video about the inventor of Sugru, and I love everything about it: the woman, the product, the inspiring story and the use of swear words with personality and timing.
Even if you don’t watch the video, you’ll want to know that this product exists. Sugru is like a combination of play doh and super glue, and you can use it to fix and/or make stuff. You take it out of the package, mold it to the shape you want, and it will set overnight. Liiiiiike, you could make bumpers on your phone for all the times you drop it. Read their blog and be amazed.
Or better yet, watch the video.
5. On a more serious note
Every time I hear about a school shooting, I feel overwhelming helplessness and horror, and a wish that something else had happened…anything to stop the tragedy at a critical moment. That feeling of powerlessness has contributed to me to not watching the news most of the time, in fact—I’d rather focus my time and energy in my own circle where I can influence the outcome for good.
I think we can all relate to that, at least a little bit, right? Well, in case you haven’t heard, last week this woman made our collective wish come true. I cried watching this interview, and feel nothing but awe and gratefulness for her courage, empathy and love to singlehandedly talk a man down from ending the lives of children, teachers and himself. Hats off to you, Antoinette. I hope you feel the big, big love and gratitude coming your way from all over the country.
Watch her tell the story firsthand. (Prepare your tissues.)
In closing, here’s one of my nephew’s 6-month pictures. Why is he sad? I don’t care, GIVE HIM WHATEVER HE WANTS!
