Lovin' Lately no. 24

Everything bringing me comfort right now- books, games, rituals, and more.

Imagine we’re catching up over coffee and I’m gushing over what I’ve been Lovin’ Lately…

Hi friends. 😮‍💨 How we doin’?

For the past week it felt challenging to show up in this space—a place I aspire to make joyful and hopeful—during a time when so many are hurting, myself included. But in a world flooded with endless information, distractions, and anger, I believe striving to live by our values is more… well, valuable than ever.

I'm reading a beautiful book right now. It's a novel, but it reads like a collection of mini-essays—telling a story while also delivering small, profound insights. To kick off what I’ve been lovin’ lately, I want to share a passage that found me at just the right moment. I hope it resonates with you too:

“Dissonance before moments of harmony makes the harmony sound beautiful. Just as harmony and dissonance exist side by side in music, life is the same. Because harmony is preceded by dissonance, that’s why we think life is beautiful.”

-Hwang Bo-Reum, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

With that, I hope you’re finding ways to take care of yourself and celebrate what makes life beautiful. Creating this newsletter is such a joy, and I’m deeply grateful to have you here. May it bring you comfort in whatever way you need. Here’s what I’ve been loving lately…

Books:
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum has been the perfect comfort read this past week. Each chapter feels like a little treat, and I find myself savoring every page, wishing it would never end. I’m more than halfway through, and it’s easily one of my favorite books this year. And if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a reader in your life, this would be a perfect choice.

I also kicked off the festive season with All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard—a delightful, second-chance romance set in a cozy, snowed-in lodge. It’s like a Hallmark movie… after dark. I loved that as the story progressed we got more insight to how the relationship came apart the first time. I can’t wait to dive into more cozy holiday books (and share a list of some faves here soon).

Home:
I love this time of year for a reset between Halloween and Christmas. For those who deck the halls right at midnight on November 1st, I love that for you, get that fa la la la la on! Personally, I need a bit of breathing room. A four-week window with holly and ribbons feels just right to me as I always feel a sense of urgency to pack everything away on December 26th. During November, we keep things warm and seasonal with pumpkins, leaf garlands, and glowing candles as we anticipate our holiday kick-off: pulling out our holiday picture books and picking out our tree from a local farm on Thanksgiving weekend.

Skincare:
I recently needed to restock my moisturizer and decided to explore more of Ursa Major’s line after loving their eye cream. This Vermont-based brand has an amazing reputation among my friends, especially their Golden Hour Recovery Cream. It’s luxuriously rich and perfect for colder months, leaving my skin feeling so hydrated. I’m officially a big fan!

Holiday Shopping Tradition:
Since our kids were babies, my husband and I have made a tradition of scheduling a babysitter and going on a day date for Christmas shopping. We start with lunch and drinks at a local restaurant and then spend the day exploring small, local shops. I love that we get quality time together and make our gift-giving more intentional. There’s something about shopping small, in person, that makes the season feel more mindful. If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s one of my favorite activities of the holiday season, give it a go and let me know if you do!

Watching:
We recently started Shrinking on AppleTV, and it’s exactly what my soul needs right now—emotional, heartfelt, and funny. I’m glad we finally started it after hearing so many glowing reviews.

Sipping:
I’m a huge hot chocolate fan, and so are my kids. I typically keep a jar of homemade hot cocoa mix ready, but we also love locally made Sillycow Farms hot chocolate, which is not your average cocoa mix. The jars are beautiful and make a lovely gift too. And a cup of cocoa is never complete without a towering peak of coconut whipped cream on top.

Snacking:
A few years ago, I discovered how easy it was to make stovetop popcorn and never gave microwave popcorn another glance. Recently, though, popcorn has become such a favorite snack for everyone that I invested in an air popper for an even easier shortcut and it’s been a great decision. We’ve also tried a lot of different popcorn kernels and these gourmet kernels we get from the farmer’s market (but can also be ordered online!) are miles ahead of any other kernels we have tried, they make the fluffiest popcorn! Our go-to seasoning? A drizzle of EVOO, a sprinkle of sea salt, and nutritional yeast—if you haven’t tried this combo yet, do it.

Relaxing Ritual:
Since my 7-year-old broke his collarbone recently, we’ve been laying low and adopted a new cozy ritual: drawing and coloring together in front of the fire. With cups of colored pencils and markers, relaxing instrumental music, and everyone lost in their own creative zone, it’s such a lovely, low-key, weekend morning treat.

Games:
With the shift to darker days, “game season” is back in our home. Most evenings and weekends we gather around the coffee table for family game time, something I look forward to all year and genuinely miss in the warmer months. My husband and I also love to play games together after the kids go to bed on weekend evenings, it’s so much fun. Here are a few of our favorite games that are in regular rotation. Do you have any favorite games to recommend? I think I will get Wingspan for my husband for Christmas and the kids always get a new game in their stockings or as a shared gift.

Basement Project:
Over the weekend, with everyone nursing colds, I holed up in the basement and tackled the massive task of painting all 45 bookshelves of our new built-ins—armed with audiobooks and coffee runs. Now, it’s on to painting the walls and adding lighting. For the built ins we went with this lovely blue shade and the walls, pillars and half bookshelf will be the same creamy neutral we used on the wainscoting we put up in our bathroom. I wanted to ensure the things we were doing in our basement felt connected to the rest of the house, hence the arch we built over the bed nook to match the arches in the rest of our home. I’m so excited for the moment we get to move back in and enjoy this cozy new space!

Coming Soon:
I sat down to plan out what I’d like to create and share here as 2024 comes to a close and I’m very excited about all that is ahead:

• advent calendar plans, idea lists, and printables!

• holiday book lists for adults and children, watch list, and baking list

• bookish craft tutorials for yourself or to gift

• thoughtful gift guide

• another day in the life adventure

As we sprint headfirst into the busy holiday season after a highly-charged election season may we remember that more (than enough) money, more stuff, and more yelling isn’t the answer to fulfillment.

Instead, may we find happiness in…

Waking up to the smell of pancakes, the sound of the warm radiator, embraces from your favorite people. A brisk walk on a cold day. The courage in saying “I’m sorry” and the growth in taking responsibility. Celebrating someone’s success from the front row. The faces you see when you close your eyes and envision “love”. The wonder of looking up at the stars, the stretching clouds, or the sparkling canopy of a tree on a sunny day. The way our emotions remind us of how deeply we care. Making time for pleasure, rest, and adventure. Smiling at a stranger and showing up for a neighbor. The anticipation of starting a new book, cinnamon rolls in the oven, playing the first holiday record of the season, lighting a candle on winter solstice, the first flakes of snow in December. Living with intention. The internal evolution that comes from learning about ourselves, and the world, through stories. The generosity of a helping hand. Watching a good movie on the couch, in your pajamas, and pausing mid-scene to discuss with your partner. The gift of everyday moments—awe at a sunset, the first sip of coffee, crawling under sheets, rubbing the belly of a pet, a toddler’s arms wrapped around your legs. The sensation of moving, stretching, and feeling the earth underfoot. The ritual of preparing a meal with gratitude for every ingredient and its journey—seed, soil, sun, rain, pollinators, farmers, transporters, grocers, and recipe-creators. Singing, dancing—alone or together, both cathartic. The choice to resit technology’s grip in favor of the beautiful reality in front of us. Giving what we have excess of— wealth, time, resources, love— to the greater good. Helping someone else see what you see in them. The changing of seasons, nature’s gentle reminder that we are all connected, we are ever changing, we are of the same matter. Savoring the moment. A good laugh, a good cry, a satisfying deep breath. The pride of creating something with our hands, our minds, our words. The taste of strawberries in summer, apples in autumn, cookies at Christmas, noodle soup on a snow day, and the first veggies of spring. A steaming shower at the end of a long day. Late night conversations. The promise of a fresh page, a fresh start, a fresh day.

💗 Much of life is lived in the overlap. “My hope is shaken/my values are steadfast” resonates deeply with me. Which one does for you?

🧶 As we spend more time indoors, and seek comfort in our daily lives, I enjoyed this take on brain on and brain off hobbies.

📱 How to cultivate a cozy digital environment.

🍪 One of the best gifts I give to my future self is frozen chocolate chip cookie dough balls ready for baking anytime I need them, which these days, is often.

🙏 Joy despite everything.

Hannah Connolly

’s words are always a balm to the soul.

😴 Reading to fall asleep changed my life, here’s why you should try it.

🪩 My favorite local shop has the cutest Christmas and holiday decor, I love to pick up a few new glass trees every year to add to my collection. They offer online ordering and shipping too.

💞 Have you heard of Sisu? This book landed on my lap at the just right time.

📼 Morgan Long’s videos always feel like a hug, this November vlog is no exception.

🎅🏽 Netflix and Lifetime Ask: What if Christmas Movies Were Sexy?

🍲 Cozy foods for life, everything about this exudes comfort. When I’m in a rut in the kitchen YouTube food content always pulls me out.

🍿 Need a good rom-com to watch this weekend?

Martina

shares many of my personal favorites here.

✏️ Paid subscribers, don’t forget to swing by the printables page for your access to monthly printables— if you have an idea for something you’d like to see there please drop me a line, I’d love to hear!

🌼 How to take things one day at a time (when you can’t imagine the future)

🏡 I don’t read a lot of fantasy but I still enjoyed this exploration of what fantasy stories can teach us about cozy homemaking. I think I want to read The Hobbit in January with my husband.

📚 Books for a really hard week curated by

Natalie

, so many new to me books on this list.

🥹 BTW.

• 🍂 Spend a Fall Weekend With Me at Home in Vermont 🍂

• tips for flipping the script in the darker months and a simple way to bring a dose of calm to your mornings

• What I read in October and comforting reads for uncertain times

• soup season— a roundup of my favorite soups that comfort and nourish

Rebecca Adkins

frequently appears in my Substack notifications, always championing others’ work and taking a moment to engage with my writing. Her thoughtful feedback helps me understand how readers experience my content, which I greatly value. Recently, she shared this about my Monday series, A Simple Thing: “I always look forward to a quick read with coffee in the morning. These have been perfect!” That’s exactly the way I hope that series reaches and resonates.

Thank you

Rebecca Adkins

, it’s always a treat to see your name in my notifications, reminding me of how much I cherish this community.

Have a warm and happy rest of November, hugs to all,

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