I was able to spend some time with one of my favorite kids today, my former student I’ll call Clara. I taught Clara from preschool until the end of elementary school. She lives around the corner from me, and I’m also friends with her mom, so we’ve stayed a part of each other’s lives even as she’s now almost through 8th grade. Clara used to be quiet and a bit reserved in class, but in the past few years, has totally come into her own. She’s laid back, confident, and finds joy in the little things and honestly, I’m in my thirties, and these traits are still goals. The kids, as they say, are alright.
Here are some little things that I think embody the notions of ease, confidence, and joy for your weekend.
Eat: It’s almost time for backyard BBQs and if you’re in the middle of a heatwave like me or where the temperatures are already quite balmy, you might already be craving those reliable warm-weather favorites. Here’s my belief: bring something unique but also tasty and familiar. That’s why I make my key lime pie with a pretzel crust for a sweet and salty kick, or why I love to bring this gnocchi potato salad to bring to a get-together. It’s a Rachel Ray recipe that was passed down to me ages ago. I love it because it’s a hybrid potato/pasta salad that you can customize in a whole bunch of ways. You can ditch the celery, the marinated mushrooms, and dijon dressing and sub in mozzarella, basil, and some balsamic vinaigrette, and you still have a crowd pleaser.
See: If you’ve never seen The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, let me say quite honestly: I think you are missing out. It’s hilarious. The writing is spot on, the performances are rock solid, and it feels like a trip back in time with the costuming and production design. The fifth and final season premieres tonight, but if you’ve got Amazon Prime, you can start at the very beginning. And I really hope you do!
Do: If we get an average of 8 hours of sleep a night, then we hypothetically spend a third of our lives sleeping. (Speaking for myself and all the additional rest I need with treatment, I’m probably looking at loads more, honestly.) If we spend that much time in bed, we deserve it to be really comfortable. Whether you love your bed already, or you know there’s some room for improvement, consider some upgrades. Wash all the different layers: pillows, comforter or duvet cover, sheets, even a dust ruffle if you have one. Get a new scent of laundry detergent or give it time to dry on a laundry line. Consider buying new pillows if it’s been a long time since you’ve bought them (or if you can’t remember how long it’s been since you’ve had new ones). Or get silk pillowcases so your hair or lack thereof is kept comfortable. Maybe get a few new pairs of pajamas. You and that third of your life deserve it.
Have a classic yet cool, comedic, restful weekend,
Christina
