Hello my dear and darling friends!! I hope you are doing well and had a good celebrating the holidays despite the unusual nature of it all. I personally had a good Christmas, pretty routine considering I have spent every Christmas the exact same way. I was at the cabin for the past week which was lovely but now I am home and I am glad to be back home when I don't have to hide under my electric blanket for warmth. Today's newsletter will be a little different with more of a New Years' theme. Let's get on into it!
The 20 things that got me through 2020
1. Taylor Swift (specifically the new albums)
Taylor was of course my number 1 artist on Spotify and it is not really a mystery why. Taylor was oh so charitable this year blessing us with not one but two surprise albums. Folklore and Evermore were not the albums I would have hoped for but they are definitely the albums I needed. I don't know how I would have gotten through without these and I am excited for what else Taylor has in store for us.
2. Big Mouth
Big Mouth was my unexpected dark horse love in quarantine. When I tried to watch the show a few years ago it was really not my cup of tea. But somehow this year it came to me in a dream that I had to watch and ever since it has been my rock. I have watched seasons 1-3 twice since April and I am slowly savoring season 4. It must be my obsession with "coming of age" and strange memories from middles school that make this show so perfect for me.
3. Farmer's Markets
Growing up we always went to the farmer's market now and then but it was not a part of our daily routine. In 2018 I fell in love with the Davis Farmer's Market and ever since then I tried to go to farmer's markets as much I possibly could, but that was not always a lot with my busy schedule. When life took a slow down in March I finally had the time to go to the farmers market once or even twice a week. It has been such a joy for me to take the time to get local foods and try new things every week.
4. Portland
As you all know, I spent this October in Portland. It felt so random but was also just right. I loved my time there and though it did not solve all my problems it really gave me something to be happy about.
5. Amy's Drive-Thru
I have been an Amy's Drive Thru stan for a few years but this years but the pandemic really amplified it. At the beginning of the panny Will and I would drive the 50 miles their on random nights just because there was nothing else better to do. It was actually responsible for my first truly viral Claire Can Cook Tik Tok. When it opened in Marin, my love only grew for it, and our family does get dinner there about once a week.
6. Drive-in Movies
Before this year I had never been to a Drive-In, but this summer I went to three! I love movies so much and this was such a fun way to enjoy them. It felt so classic and fun and honestly was a great silver lining to all the things we have missed out on.
7. Petunia's Pies and Pastries
I had a lot of excellent food in Portland, but the best had to be Petunias. This bakery was 100% gluten-free and vegan, but the food was so good you would never know. it honestly put every other gluten-free bakery I have ever been to shame. I miss it every day!
8. Picnics
I have always been a picnic gal, but they became an absolute staple during quar. I have learned a lot about how to make a picnic as fun as possible. Mocktails? Charades? Creative Food? Lots of options! I of course miss other types of hangouts but picnics have been the best we have had this year.
9. The Babysitters Club
This show was another unexpected favorite this year. I downloaded it to watch on a whim but it ended up being far better than I imagined. The plot and characters are so endearing and were honestly the perfect breath of fresh air this year. Does it say something about me that my two favorite shows this year are about middles school? Not sure.
10. Gaslighter by The Chicks
The Chicks were such an important band in my childhood and we always blasted their CDs on the way to preschool. This album was absolutely killer and got me through a lot. Even if you are not a country girl, I really recommend checking this one out.
11.Mail
I fell in love with mail this year. I sent hundreds of letters this year and it was such a perfect way to send love, reconnect, and get creative. Chances are you probably got a letter from me this year, and if not send me your address and we can change that!
12. Adventure!
My first adventure of this year was a pre-pandemic trip to Point Reyes to stay in the hostel with my friends. Little did I know that it would be a very long time until I got to do something like that again. But I managed to squeeze in different types of adventures though the year like trips to the cabin, exploring Portland, and trying new takeout places.
13. Kombucha
I have been a kombucha drinker for like 5 years but this year I have become much more of connesuir. I used to drink one bottle a week but now I drink like 5 (crazy town). In Portland, I went to a taproom weekly to try new flavors in my growler. I have yet to make my own, but maybe that is to come in 2020.
14. Podcasts
These are nothing new for me but have been such a joy to explore this year. Without my normal social life to rely on, I need the constant voices in my ears of intellectual hosts or mindless banter. Of course, podcasts don't replace friends but they are a good substitute in my times of isolation. I also have enjoyed working really hard on my own podcast this year.
15. Hammock
Not much to say but this year we got a hammock which was a game-changer.
16. Tik Tok
Though 2019 was my beginning as I Tik Tok Viewer, 2020 was the year I became a tik toker. It was has been such a ride creating content on the app and I am so grateful for the community I have found there.
17.Long Dresses
In February of 2020, I bought 2 new long dresses and since then I have really committed to the lifestyle. I always thought I was two short for midi or ankles length dresses but this year I proved myself wrong. Now, these flowing dresses are a wardrobe staple and make me feel so confident.
18. Running
On a random day this July I decided I would run two miles every day and I have been doing so ever since. I was always the slow kid in PE and did not really have any passion for running, but I have taught myself to enjoy it. It has often been my only excuse to get out of the house so I am very grateful.
19. This Newsletter
Writing this letter every week has been so important to me and has really given my a way to track my life through this crazy time. I love getting to share what is on my mind every week and connect with friends near and far. I never thought I would be doing it for this long but here we are.
20. You!
I am so grateful for all of my friends and family with who I have been able to stay in touch. This such a hard time and even though we are apart, we need each other more than ever.
That's all for this week! I would love to hear about what got you through this year!
xoxoxo
Claire
Komentarze