A few good gems

Generally, making it to Friday has me feeling giddy (and a little slap happy), but since I start a brand new job on Monday, I'm just the tiniest bit apprehensive about crossing the weekend finish line. Also, I'm wondering if I can clean out the attic, Parker's closet and the silverware drawer in two days.

How could I possibly start work with disorderly silverware? 

That just doesn't seem possible.

In the meantime, let's procrastinate with a bit of web surfing, shall we?

My daughter, Rebecca, got some awesome laptop stickers from Redbubble. Seriously, my love for stickers has not subsided one bit since childhood. (Remember Mrs. Grossman's?) I'm definitely getting this one.

I may have mentioned before that stores like Ulta are especially trying for me as I HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA what any of that stuff does. The cool kids, however, highly recommend this instant self-tanning mousse by St. Moriz. Rebecca was raving about it to me last night, and so I instantly thought of you, dear reader.

In today's political climate, this is a must-read. It's about treating others with generosity and kindness. Viet Than Nguyen calls for civility and thoughtfulness, even with oneself: "To call someone else stupid is to release anger, bitterness and vitriol into my own bloodstream, poisoning me. I need only to read the Twitter feed of Donald Trump to see this happening."

Japanese snowmen are literally THE BEST.

I'm on a mission to perfect the Rice Krispie Treat (a noble endeavor, indeed). Joy the Baker seems the perfect place to start. These look incredible.

What if your aunt was Jane Austen? And she sent you a letter in code? 

A poetic tribute to Ursula Le Guin.

It's still cold and blustery here, so this weekend I'm going to make this Red Kidney Bean Curry from Smitten Kitchen. My sister-in-law swears by the recipe!

And that's a wrap for this week. We've now completed almost three full weeks of posting -- which has made me so very happy. I'm feeling inspired and creative and hopeful that I won't fall down the dark winter rabbit hole. But if I do, there will at least be Red Kidney Bean Curry.

See you on Monday!