A great Bo Ssam recipe, a kinetic toy we're obsessed with, and the coziest slippers
Plus, the NYC Almanac that has me excited for 2026
It’s well past midnight as I write this. I just padded downstairs and raided the fridge for a few more of my mother-in-law’s meatballs and scrounged for the last ginger cookie in the pantry.
I love the softness of these days between Christmas and New Year’s. The sort of days that blur together until I don’t know what day of the week it is, and I don’t need to know. There’s togetherness but also periods of quiet and absorption (a new book, a new toy, a long phone call with a friend).
In a day or two, I’ll wake up and need to reset the house compulsively, but I’m not quite there yet.
A. I love tumbling down an internet rabbit hole - I found this charming illustration by J.R.R. Tolkien on Enchanted Booklet’s Instagram feed.
B. This handmade Kinetic sculpture ($36) is a perfect gift for … someone in my life … I don’t know who yet. I also like this one with the NYC skyline.
C. Tim surprised me with this tiny Moka Pot Charm for Christmas. Some of our most relaxing days have started with moka pot coffee - years ago in Manhattan and more recently in Rome, when we’d sit for an hour before our usually early rising children slept in due to jet lag. Truly, it’s the little things in life and the stolen hours that end up meaning the most to me.
D. A friend of Alex’s who has become like family gave me this New York City Almanac 2026. The pleasure I get from watching my friends’ children grow up never ceases to humble me. No one told me the absolute delight that would come from this aspect of adulthood. Needless to say, I’m getting excited for all kinds of adventure in 2026.
E. This pretty Sealing Wax was a sleeper hit with the 7-year-old set this Christmas.
F. My oldest son is well over 6 feet tall, and finding clothes that fit is a challenge - I tried a variety of items from L.L. Bean’s Tall line, and this quilted crewneck pullover is of such nice quality and has a beautiful fit.
G. These slippers were under the Christmas tree for me, and I have rarely taken them off since. I have even packed them for various social engagements - changing out of my snowy boots and right back into these at multiple friends’ houses.
H. My mother sent this magic penny game for Ben (who is seven), and it’s been his constant companion, and we’ve all enjoyed playing with it.
I. I love the tradition of Christmas Crackers, and here is a link to our plaid tablecloth.
We had a mellow Christmas at home, just the four of us. I was so grateful to be in my own kitchen. I cooked up a storm and took so much pleasure in the pageantry of Christmas dinner - having a whole day to cook the meal without rushing, the setting of the table, the snap of the Christmas Crackers, the ritual reading of the silly jokes, the pleasurable vibration of Christmas dinners past colliding with my sense of being an adult who knows how to get the meal on the table with all the sides still hot (what a feeling!).
On Christmas Eve’s Eve, Alex and I made Pad See Ew from this recipe with leftover frozen rotisserie chicken and some frozen broccoli, and used wonton wrappers for the noodles. On Christmas Eve, I made beef brisket in the slow cooker, mashed potatoes (warm the milk!), and sautéed cabbage. And for Christmas dinner, we made a 10lb Bo Ssam, and a chocolate pear tart. And we used up the leftovers and made steamed pork buns for lunch the next day!
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These ‘get in loser we’re going tidepooling’ bumper stickers crack me up every time I see them. I’m sorely tempted to buy one for my laptop.
Likewise, this Canvas Pot Cover has been winking at me - I have a few houseplants in their ugly plastic garden center pots, and these seem like they’d be a nice upgrade.
Earlier this year, I was having terrible tooth pain and was convinced I needed serious dental work. Good news/bad news from my dentist: my teeth are perfect, but I’m clenching my jaw (not grinding, mind you). I’ve been working on mindfulness around unclenching, and so this flag makes me laugh and is also a good reminder for us all.
Gah! Who doesn’t want a mini picnic set to remind them of the joys of summer?!
As we gear up for a new year, I enjoyed this post on setting intentions.
I am glad you are keeping my tradition of sitting with the tree for a pause before bed!
I love these little glimpses into your life! Thank you for sharing these bright spots.