Friday Faves

Hello hello and happy Friday!

Like you, I’ve been self-isolating. I’ve been wearing my mask with as much vigor as the Lone Ranger, keeping others at the 6 foot minimum, eating dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner, and avoiding shopping unless it’s truly needed. Oh how I miss TJ Maxx.

I’ve been self-isolating in a totally different way too. Like, literally isolating within myself.

As these weeks drone on, I’m finding that I’m steadily losing interest in being social. Like a hermit crab slunking back into my shell, I retreat from opportunities to connect with others. And the scary thing is, I’m totally okay with it. Wanna do a Zoom call? No. Want to join in on the birthday caravan parade? Erm, nah. Neighbor walking toward the door? I hide. And when I see others gather in small groups in the grocery store or at the end of our street, or when I see an old TV show or commercial (because 2 months ago seems like eons) where people are in close contact on a subway or God forbid HUGGING at first meeting, it’s like a shock to my moral code. How could they possibly do that?

For an extroverted introvert like me, this isolation pattern could turn into a dangerous template woven into my future fabric. I can see myself becoming the food blogging Howard Hughes, connecting with others only through the words on these pages, directed to you and millions of invisible-to-me faces like the rambling, one-way conversation left on Jon Favreau’s answering machine meltdown. You’ll know it’s REALLY bad when my errant middle-aged chin whiskers grow into a burly silver beard, so stay tuned for lots of Friday Fave depilatory solutions.

I’m even social distancing from social media. I gave up looking at my Facebook almost 2 years ago (and don’t miss it one bit) but now even Instagram is becoming a monotonous chain of blah blah blah. I don’t want to be another channel of noise. And don’t even get me started on my News feed. At the beginning of this whole deal, I was obsessed with updating my News feed, feverishly looking for breaking stories and solid answers. Now, unless it’s Dr. Fauci calling, it’s a rehash of too many opinions of the same sad tale. Sometimes it all just feels like way too much.

So when I read my friend Courtney’s words yesterday, it reinforced exactly what I’ve been thinking: Take a break from breaking news, remind yourself of what brings you peace, and turn your attention there.

Anyhoo…These Friday Faves lists of late seem to have gone down that deep, dark rabbit hole, but man, it sure is therapeutic for me to diary some of this sh*t out. Next week will be brighter and lighter. I’m counting on it.

Until then, let’s dig into this week’s list of Friday Faves! XOXOXO

How much do we love John Krazinsky’s SGN virtual potluck with celebrity chefs! 

This comic nailed the humor and struggles of family life on lockdown.

How about a game of would you rather, but better.

While visitors are on QT, museums share their creepiest objects on Twitter.

I downloaded Quibi, so now what should I watch?

Tips for freezing produce to avoid food waste.

I could eat this healthy salmon salad every day for weeks and never tire of it.

The number one reason you should chill your cookie dough.

Now that everyone has mastered sourdough starter, here are a few more basic baking projects to master:

• How about taking on these homemade croissants. Gorgeous.
• Step by steps to homemade sourdough English muffins.
• Taking it back to basics with homemade white bread.

This taco skillet gives it’s all in one pan.

OMGreek yummy Greek lasagna.

Make it an all-day sipper with these mimosa margaritas.

Glazed but hardly confused: The best berry scones.

Here’s how to make homemade pita bread with pockets. How they do that??

Whoa! This deep dish pizza cures your Chicago pie cravings.

We love mussels, so obvi, these coconut curry mussels we would love.

Three of my favorite things as one: Snickerdoodle donut muffins.

Interesting: Your work from home style based on your enneagram.

Zoom fatigue, it’s real.

Blue light glasses…are they worth it?

100+ home organizing tips that are actually good.

How to survive fighting with your S.O. during quarantine.

How to tint your brows at home.

The suntan lotion taking over Tik Tok that we actually use.

The best fabric face masks that are almost kind of stylish.

A skirt to make your day happy.

I love my gray pair of these sandals, but I think I like the rainbow flair even more.

Check out what’s on this list of 30 highly anticipated books for summer.

This minimalist bird bath is exactly what I was looking for. Ordered!

Whoa! These floating islands create a real life water park.

This is cool: Search for the passenger info of your ancestors who arrived in the U.S. via Ellis Island. I’m looking for my grandma, who will you search for?

That’s it for this week. Be safe everybody!

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