The Dungeon Crawler Carl series on Audible has had a GRIP on my life for the last 3 months. I devoured all 8 books. Carl and Donut felt like friends, and I was HOOKED.

Matt Dinniman’s world building, humor, and story telling are unmatched. Jeff Hayes’ narration wrecked me in the best way. He brought the characters to life, supported their development and individualized them in a way I have never experienced listening to an audio book.

This series is so well done on audible, that I struggled to listen to an audio book after I finished book 8. Jeff Hayes is the bar all other narrators will be compared to for the rest of my life. (im)Patiently waiting for the next release.

I am a big reader, and love an actual book. But my life long trusted nerd friend recommended I pick up this audio book version of this series. And now, I adamantly agree!

If you love new worlds, serious themes finely woven with humor as the thread, board games, cats, big books, and banter, then this is the series for you.

Here is my elevator pitch, no spoilers….

The world as we know it collapses. Every human left indoors dies, and those lucky(?) enough to be outside during the collapse are given an option to enter a hole in the ground we will come to know has the Dungeon. They have no context, and little choice.

Carl, accompanied by his ex girl friend’s Cat, Donut, enter the crawl and the story begins. Trying to stay alive at the mercy of an AI overlord and the political toiling of the universe, Carl and Donut find friendships, plot twists, monsters, and more….

Rating: 10/10

No notes….

Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by Regina George.

My ex sucked.

Because we had a son together, I gave him chance after chance for years. In March, there was an incident that finally flipped my forgiveness switch to off. (I’ve considered a full publication, but am not there yet) ((Maybe one day)).

He lied. He cheated. He was selfish.…. And despite all of that… He’s already enjoying weekends aways with his new girl(friend?). Posting photos from his trips. Yep, plural. Happy, as far as anyone can tell.

And of course he has a new girl(friend?) already. No surprise there. He was talking to women during our relationship, so the ground work was firmly in place for him to pick up pretty quickly. Immediately really.

Let me clarify. I’ve never been more thankful to NOT be his fiancé, and I truly count my blessings I did not marry him. Thankful every day I walked away from that relationship.

Hell - If we didn’t have to co-parent, his life status would have never been on my radar in the first place.

But full transparency: I did have moment where I wondered…. Whyyyyy does he get to be happy too? Where was the karma!? The justice!? The Bus!?

Let be so for real - No one wanted Regina George dead. The audience craved just enough poetic justice to show us the world is fair and maybe people really do get what they deserve.

But, I say all of that to say… I’ve let the karma justice bus go. Those feelings were normal. And valid. And no longer serve me.

My biggest lessons in all of this:

1. Time helps

2. TLC was right, we don’t want no scrub

3. And most importantly…. Maybe what goes around comes around, maybe it doesn’t. At the end of the day, other people’s just desserts is none of our business.

Focusing on our own life is where the healing happens.

A Line to Hold

The limit does not exist.

“Calling somebody else fat won't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you any smarter.

And ruining Regina George's life definitely didn't make me any happier. All you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you.”

― Cady, Mean Girls

A Favorite Thing

None of This is True, by Lisa Jewell.

This is the kind of book that makes you set your alarm early to read.

Two women meet by chance on their shared 45th birthday, but what starts as a quirky coincidence quickly turns into something…. deeply unsettling.

The line between storyteller, subject, victim, and manipulator completely blur, you question everyone, and there are lots of WTF moments.

“You have to be free in order to be in control, Alix. You have to be free. No baggage. A clean break.”

― Lisa Jewell, None of This Is True

In My Kitchen

So simple and delicious.

If I ever need cheering up, bring me a potato.

This dish is crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. It is finished with dried herbs and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan.

My herbs were fresh dried from the garden. This is bougie and I acknowledge not everyone is hanging herbs from their ceiling all year long. Use what you’ve got in the pantry! I was being extra.

Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes with Dried Herbs + Parmesan

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs baby potatoes or small potatoes

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1–2 teaspoons dried herbs, crushed between your fingers
  Rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, sage—or whatever you have

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

• Fresh parsley or other fresh herbs for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Cut the potatoes.
Cut the potatoes into roughly 1-inch chunks. Keeping them close to the same size will help them cook evenly.

2. Season.
Add the potatoes to a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried herbs until well coated.

3. Air fry.
Preheat (if needed) your air fryer to 400°F.

Add the potatoes to the basket in a mostly even layer. Air fry for 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing the potatoes about halfway through.

They’re ready when the edges are deep golden and crispy and the centers are fork-tender.

4. Add the Parmesan.
While the potatoes are still piping hot, transfer them to a serving bowl or plate.

Generously grate fresh Parmesan directly over the potatoes so it starts to melt into all those crispy edges.

5. Finish with herbs.
Crush a little more of your dried herbs over the Parmesan. Add fresh parsley or herbs if you have them, followed by another little shower of Parmesan.

Taste and finish with an extra pinch of salt and pepper if needed.

The Secret to Extra-Crispy Potatoes

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The potatoes need a little breathing room for the hot air to circulate. If you’re making a big batch, two batches will give you much crispier potatoes than cramming them all in at once.

Optional upgrade: Finish with a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The acidity with the salty Parmesan and herbs is SO good.

To Consider

What is in the rear view mirror of your karma bus needing to be let go?

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Identity

There is something magical about fall.

Not hobby lobby aesthetic.
Not a PSL.

Something intuitive.
Something deeply rooted in womanhood.

Harvest, abundance, a season of change, and preparing for rest.

My most recent publication was the terrifying announcement of my failed (is that the right word?) engagement. It’s been 6 months - And the irony of being more ready to share the news with Substack than my extended family is not lost on me.

If you read it, be kind.
I probably need a hug.

Sharing my story led me to realize why this time of year begins to feel magical. As nature sheds her leaves, the world around us is maturing. The welcomed rest of winter is approaching, but just distant enough.

June, July and August are spent in a whirlwind of travel, calendars full of obligations in attempt to squeeze every ounce of adventure out the coveted summer months.

We speed through the moments in between plans to catch up on life’s responsibilities. The ones that have been shoved in the back seat under our packed suit cases. Momentarily forgotten. When the vacations come to an end, laundry has piled high, appointments have been neglected, inboxes collect correspondence, and the mundane chores of everyday life are Everest looming.

And then…. Like the comfort of a life long friend, Fall comes to creep back in. Things slow down. A cozy night at home tugs. Books begin to pile up, and Gilmore Girls feels right again.

2027 will be here in a blink.

As I move through the 2nd half of the year, I am freer than I have been in years. Shedding who I have been. Making space to rest, and enjoy who I am becoming.

I’m thankful to have fall holding my hand along the way.
We have a few moments to reintroduce ourselves.

A Line to Hold

Shed what no longer serves you.

“He had taken away her choice. Her future. For that, she would never forgive him.”

― Emilia Hart, Weyward

A Favorite Thing

Weyward, by Emilia Hart.

This book found me in the perfect season of life. It carries the story of 3 women in the Weyward line - Altha (1600s), Violet (1940s), and Kate (2019). Their stories are beautifully woven across history. The gift of nature and intuition bestowed upon each woman, at times for better and at times for worse.

The Weyward women reminded me of the power we carry inside.

At a moment in my life when I’ve questioned my path forward, this was the reminder I needed… that choosing freedom over constraint isn’t just about me. It’s also a way of honoring the women who came before me.

The book ends with the following quote:

"The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet."

-Adrienne Rich

And that sums the book up nicely.

In My Kitchen

Ignore the cookies. We’re talking bread.

I am a sucker for bread.
And when I realized how easy bread at home can be, this recipe was a game changer.

Yes - The sourdough craze is totally worth the hype.
But if you are looking for something quick, easy, and delicious then this is the recipe for you.

No starter, no knead, no mixer. All yummy carbs.

Easy No-Knead Bread

Ingredients

• 4 cups (512 g) unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour

• 2 teaspoons (10 g) kosher salt

• 2 teaspoons (8 g) sugar

• 2 teaspoons (8 g) instant yeast

• 2 cups (454 g) lukewarm water
  Easy method: 1½ cups cold water + ½ cup boiling water

• About 2 tablespoons room-temperature butter, for greasing

Instructions

1. Mix the Dough

In a large bowl:

1. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.

2. Whisk together.

3. Pour in the 2 cups lukewarm water.

4. Stir until all the flour is absorbed.

What to expect: The dough will be very wet and sticky. That’s normal!

2. First Rise — 1 to 2 Hours

1. Cover the bowl with a tea towel or plastic wrap.

2. Place it somewhere warm.

3. Let the dough rise for at least 1 hour, or until noticeably risen.

If your kitchen is cold: It may take closer to 2 hours.

Optional warm-oven trick:
Turn your oven on for 1 minute only, then turn it completely off. Place the covered dough inside. The goal is a slightly warm oven, not a hot one.

This tip is likely frowned upon in the world of baking - I am going to share it anyway, follow at your own risk: On the first rise I will put my bread in the bedroom with the door closed and a space heater on. It’s roasty toasty, and I am sure this breaks so many rules.

3. Preheat + Prepare Your Bowls

Once the first rise is finished:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. Get out two 1-quart or 1½-quart oven-safe bowls.

3. Grease each bowl generously with about 1 tablespoon of butter.

4. Punch Down + Divide the Dough

Using two forks:

1. Scrape the dough away from the sides of the mixing bowl.

2. Pull the dough toward the center as you work.

3. Gently punch it down and completely loosen it from the bowl.

4. Divide the dough roughly in half.

5. Scoop one half into each greased baking bowl.

Don’t worry about making it pretty. This dough is extremely wet and slippery. Just divide it as evenly as you can and get it into the bowls.

5. Second Rise — 20 to 30 Minutes

1. Place the two bowls on the counter near the warm oven or on top of the oven.

2. Leave them uncovered.

3. Let the dough rise for 20–30 minutes.

The dough should rise to around the top of the bowls.

Important: Don’t use the warm-oven trick for this rise because your oven needs to be preheating to 425°F.

6. Bake at 425°F — 15 Minutes

Place both bowls in the oven.

Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.

7. Lower to 375°F — Bake 15 to 17 More Minutes

After the first 15 minutes:

1. Leave the bread in the oven.

2. Reduce the temperature to 375°F.

3. Bake for another 15–17 minutes.

Total baking time: about 30–32 minutes.

8. Remove From Bowls + Cool

1. Remove the bowls from the oven.

2. Carefully turn the loaves out onto cooling racks.

3. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

If the bread looks pale or feels too soft, put the loaves directly back into the oven without the bowls for about 5 more minutes.

Quick Timeline

Mix dough → Rise 1–2 hours → Preheat to 425°F → Divide into buttered bowls → Rise 20–30 min → Bake 15 min at 425°F → Bake 15–17 min at 375°F → Cool 10 min → EAT.

To Consider

What will you shed this fall?

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He proposed in March of 2025. Saying yes made sense. Saying yes felt like all the ups and downs of our relationship were all finally “worth it”. Surly, this…. the ultimate commitment, would mean freedom from betrayal and infidelity.

2 lessons I have learned the hard way:

1. If your partner will cheat on you as his girlfriend, he will cheat on you as the mother of his child.

2. And if your partner will cheat on you as the mother of his child, he will cheat on you as his fiancé.

The good news is: I learned.

If your partner will cheat on you as his fiancé, he will cheat on you as his wife.

So I left. This time, before finding out the hard way.

I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around what putting this experience on “paper” looks like. Do I want unpack it. How to unpack it. How to put it into words.

A little nervous about where to start.
But maybe, this…. Maybe this is the start.

A quick checklist (because I am a Virgo and that is satisfying).

I’ve shared in a previous publication how, for me, spring feels like a more natural start to the year than January 1.

As the weather warms, my ability to improve seems to thaw right along with it.
Enter: spring cleaning.

We declutter our homes, reorganize our spaces, and start fresh.
But what about our finances?

Investing a few hours of your time in this department, can ensure your year is on track and optimized(ish).

Here’s my spring checklist for tidying up my money systems:

• Revisit all subscriptions and cancel any that are underutilized

• Double-check bill payment automation: are true expenses as expected?

• Review investing contributions and automations

• This is a big one: Confirm beneficiaries across all accounts (Please don’t let your ex get your $ if you’re hit by a bus tomorrow. Talk about pissed all the way from heaven.)

• Review recent (~90 days) spending: what does this information reveal?

• Identify one small shift that would make money feel lighter, not tighter

These seemingly small tasks help me keep a pulse on my finances, feel secure in my systems, and more importantly remind me how much Starbucks is too much Starbucks.

Funny how the answer, year after year, is that there is no such thing as too much Starbucks.

A Line to Hold

On true value.

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

-Albert Einstein

A Favorite Thing

YNAB - Budgeting done differently.

I have been using YNAB (“you need a budget”) for years. What makes YNAB different from a traditional budget tool is that you are allocating only dollars you currently have, not future income.

Every dollar in your accounts has a job.

YNAB boasts that “the average user saves $600 in their first month and $6,000 their first year”, and I absolutly did. If not more.

If you feel your finances lack accountability, track-ability, and organization, then do yourself a favor and check out their website .

Important notes IMO:

• Use the desktop dashboard (not the app)

• Take time to set your YNAB up “right” from the start

  • I watched YouTube videos from YNAB with set up best practices and this helped tremendously - Think credit card set up, what accounts to link directly vs. what accounts to track, and spending categories

• Be patient with yourself because there is a learning curve

In My Kitchen

If Aldi doesn’t have it, I don’t need it

One of my favorite ways to recalibrate my finances is to rekindle my love for Aldi.

We cook at home a lot, and mostly from scratch.
We are, what kids these days call, “an ingredient household.”

And as much as I truly love to cook, I might love going to the grocery store even more.
Can grocery shopping be considered a hobby? Because if so, it’s mine.

Like most hobbies, I can get a little carried away and have to rein myself back in.
That’s when I remind myself: Aldi has the staple ingredients I need, and more.

I’m also convinced they’re quietly selling Trader Joe’s products in different packaging, and the seasonal finds are always a fun surprise.

Not to mention the random fun aisle (IYKYK).

I can comfortably budget $125-$150 per week to feed my family of three. This covers breakfast and dinner on weekdays, and all three meals on the weekends.

Keeping my love for Aldi alive helps keep my food expenses in check.

To Consider

Are your current spending habits aligned with your values and goals?

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The public library

The checkout limit at my library is 100 books.
100!!

How do I know this you ask?
Because my son and I tend to leave with arms full of books.

One afternoon, after a particularly successful haul, I nervously approached checkout and asked the limit just to be safe.

We left with 37 books and 2 big smiles.

I absolutely have a nostalgic love for the library.
The feeling of being a kid with the next Nancy Drew book in hand, locked away in my room for the weekend exploring a new mystery.

But as an adult, I have a whole new appreciation for the library.

Our public library offers countless kids’ programming… Everything from interactive story time (think bubbles), to lego night, to summer reading challenges.

For adults, they have a free seed bank, book club, a genealogy program, meet the author events, and more.

For the community, there are meeting rooms, puzzle tables, chess boards, oversized reading chairs. DVDs, audiobooks, workshops, cultural programming, and volunteer opportunities.

For the everyone, the public library offers access.
Free books for life.

Reminder: just because you want something, doesn’t mean you have to own it.

Yes - I have a personal bookshelf filled with my favorites stories, special copies, and collected memories. But I don’t have “add to cart” every time new story catches my eye.

A Line to Hold

When in doubt, go to the library.

“Harry - I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!”
And she sprinted away, up the stairs.

“What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.

“Loads more than I do,” said Ron, shaking his head.

“But why’s she got to go to the library?”

“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

A Favorite Thing

Reading journal

I love to read. I don’t love my memory. Hence a book journal! I keep notes about what I’ve read and can revisit them like old friends.

This journal is structured just enough:

• Title

• Author

• Rating

• Summary

• Favorite Quotes

• First Impressions

• Final Thoughts

• Notes

My reading journal feels intentional, and slows me down in the best way as I devour my favorite books.

In My Kitchen

Borrowed recipes

I am a fiction girly through and through.

It took me 37 years to realize our public library had an upstairs full of non-fiction treasures. And now you can’t keep me away from the 2nd floor!

Borrowing cookbooks from the library is my new obsession.

It is so fun to explore different recipes, cultures, and cooking styles commitment free. We’ve chopped, baked, tried new ingredients, enjoyed, and returned.

To Consider

What is you favorite memory of the library?

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What if buying the next thing doesn’t solve the problem…

I fear we’ve been oversold.

How many advertisements have you’ve seen this week? Maybe even today alone.

Don’t forget the sneaky ones, like an influencer with an affiliate link or the Starbucks branded cup in a friend’s hand as they walk into work. My guess is we see more advertisements on a daily basis than we can count.

In a world pushing us to solve problems by buying more things, I want to push back with less. Don’t get me wrong: I love nice things. I even love new things - I just want to love those things because they actually add value to my life, not because someone told me I needed it.

And I sure as hell don’t want to buy from a feeling of inadequacy, comparison, or need for validation.

For context - My house is 850 square feet and we are family of 3. This has taught me intentionality behind every purchase. My fiance and I share a small closet. When new clothes come in, old clothes must go out. There is no linen closet, no guest bedroom, no dedicated room for an office. If I work from home, it is at the kitchen table.

This house is 100 years old, and while it does not boast square footage, it is ripe with character. Old hardwood floors telling the stories of a century. Actual rooms that the modern open floor plan has set out to destroy. 1 TV that brings our family together each night for Jeopardy. A neighbor who has become a friend.

When we had our son, people asked “will your house be big enough?” and society would call this a starter home.

But here is what 850 square feet has taught me:

1. Stuff requires management and I don’t like managing stuff.

2. Less stuff = More time.

3. When my son has a few toys at hand, he gets lost in his imagination in the best way. When he is surrounded by countless toys, he has “nothing to do”.

4. Kitchen gadgets are mostly unnecessary.

5. A smaller home means less expenses, and less expenses means more experiences.

6. Old stuff was built to last. Shopping second hand takes patience, but a good piece is always worth the wait.

7. Don’t decorate for instagram, for guests, or for show.

8. Clutter impacts my brain in the worst ways.

9. Shelves actually solve a lot of problems.

10. There is always room for books.

Shopping online is designed for us to “add to cart” mindlessly. If you’ve ever had a package show up on your doorstep and thought “hmmm, what did I buy” then you know what I mean.

But what if, we push back just a little. Just enough to ask ourselves “do I really want this?”.

Maybe more problems are solved with a small pause than a purchase.

A Line to Hold

You matter more than your things <3.

“We've been molded over the decades to conflate our worth with the content of our homes, instead of the content of our characters, and that message is reinforced via the thousands of advertisements we’re assailed with on a daily basis”
― Ashlee Piper, No New Things

A Favorite Thing (see, I do like some stuff!)

the sun and her flowers, by rupi kaur.

I could live in 85 sq feet, and there would still be room for this collection of poems. With small glimpses of spring, I’ve sat outside with this book like she is an old friend.

“what is the greatest lesson a woman should learn

that since day one
she's already had everything she needs within herself
it's the world that convinced her she did not”

― Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers

In My Kitchen

So nice, I made it twice.

I forget about tuna as a protein, but was glad to be reminded when I whipped up this simple tuna pasta that my family loved so much we made it twice last week. Plus I cooked it in one pot, and who doesn’t love easy clean up. Win win.

Lemon Tuna Pasta with Shallots & Peas

A bright, quick pasta that comes together in one pan with pantry staples. The lemon keeps it fresh, the shallots add sweetness, and the peas give just enough bite.

Serves

2-ish?

Ingredients

• 2 servings spiral pasta (fusilli or rotini)

• Olive oil (a small drizzle)

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 shallot, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, diced

• 1 scoop chopped tomato (about ¼ cup, less if like)

• Salt and pepper

• 1 small handful Italian seasoning blend

• ⅛ cup reserved pasta water

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 can tuna, drained

• 1 handful frozen peas

• Aged white cheddar, freshly grated (or another sharp, bitey cheese)

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Cook the spiral pasta according to the package directions.

Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Start the Sauce

In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, add:

• a drizzle of olive oil

• the butter

Heat over medium.

Add the diced shallot and garlic and cook for a few minutes until fragrant and beginning to soften.

3. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning

Stir in the chopped tomato, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a handful of Italian seasoning.

Cook until the mixture begins to soften and meld together.

4. Brighten the Sauce

Add:

• ⅛ cup reserved pasta water

• juice of one lemon

Stir to combine and let everything simmer briefly.

5. Add Tuna and Peas

Stir in:

• 1 can drained tuna

• a handful of frozen peas

Cook for about 3 minutes, just until the peas are warmed through. The goal is to keep them bright and slightly crisp, but not soft (eww, no smushy peas).

6. Bring It All Together

Return the cooked pasta to the pot and toss everything together so the noodles are coated in the sauce.

Taste and season again with salt and pepper if needed.

7. Finish

Top with freshly grated aged white cheddar or another sharp cheese with a good bite.

Serve immediately. But honestly, you can eat the left overs cold, and those were delicious too.

To Consider

How much time to do you spend each week managing your stuff?

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Why not choose happy?

Maybe we are living in the Matrix after all. A Matrix of our own making, each brick carefully laid by our perspective.

Consider this: 2 people can have the exact same day. Hit the same traffic jam, receive the same emails at work, scroll the same social medias. Yet, 1 person describes their day as good while the other person describes their day as awful.

Each person would be right.
What if what shapes a day is less about what happens, and more about how we experience it?

One person sees traffic as dumb people who shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
The other sees it as a podcast break.

One person reads an email as criticism from their “jerk” boss.
The other reads it as clarity.

One person doom scrolls, feels behind, and fights with the internet trolls.
The other scrolls, finds inspiration, and community. Maybe even here on .

Same inputs. Different lens.

For context, I’ve always been a positive person.
Positivity is in my DNA. Kind of literally, if that’s possible…

You see, my mom’s mantra was (and still is) “it’s fine”. You stepped in dog poop on the way home from school? It’s fine. Dropped your plate of spaghetti on the floor? It’s fine. Breakups, boo-boos, mess ups at work…. It’s fine and you will be fine. Some would say, to an unhealthy degree, but at least with good intention.

Full transparency, my mom grew up really poor. The kind of poor that went to bed hungry. Her experience set the bar for what my mom considered “fine”. Nothing in my childhood fell below that threshold.

There came a time in my late 20’s when I pushed back on this. I met people who told me I was “too positive”. And that sometimes days are crap. It is not always fine. Friends told me to “feel my feelings”, mind you I thought I did, but maybe I wasn’t feeling them properly? Did feeling my feelings mean being frustrated, grumpy, or more triggered?

Talk about existential crisis.
Maybe something was wrong with me.

However; I’ve come full circle.

Since then, I have lived through the hardest and worst days of my life. I have briefly seen rock bottom, lost a job I loved, lost friends I thought would last a life time, been betrayed, hurt people I cared about, and chosen the “wrong” path…

And as I stand today, it actually all turned out fine.
I am fine. Mom was right. Better than fine really.

If my people wake up alive and well, then it is a good day.

Yes - Some days are hard, sad, boring, or heavy.
But don’t spend life stuck in the suck, only for everything actually have turned out and been fine all along.

A Line to Hold

Memories are fickle.

“Sometimes regrets aren't based on fact at all”
― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library

A Favorite Thing

The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig.

I’ve picked up, read the back, and put down this book 100 times. After being gifted The Midnight Library, I finally committed to reading it.

10/10.

It is an easy read. A tad whimsical, reflective, and relevant. At it’s core, the book is about regret, possibility, and perspective. The Midnight Library lifts the veil on our human nature to romanticize the “what ifs” in life, and reminded me we land where we are meant to. And furthermore, we can truly pave any path forward.

This week, you get a bonus quote in the form of the following excerpt (it was hard to choose a quote for “A Line to Hold”, consider this a loop hole)

“It is easy to mourn the lives we aren't living. Easy to wish we'd developed other other talents, said yes to different offers. Easy to wish we'd worked harder, loved better, handled our finances more astutely, been more popular, stayed in the band, gone to Australia, said yes to the coffee or done more bloody yoga.

It takes no effort to miss the friends we didn't make and the work we didn't do and the people we didn't marry and the children we didn't have. It is not difficult to see yourself through the lens of other people, and to wish you were all the different kaleidoscopic versions of you they wanted you to be.

It is easy to regret, and keep regretting, ad infinitum, until our time runs out.

But it is not lives we regret not living that are the real problem. It is the regret itself. It's the regret that makes us shrivel and wither and feel like our own and other people's worst enemy.

We can't tell if any of those other versions would of been better or worse. Those lives are happening, it is true, but you are happening as well, and that is the happening we have to focus on.”

― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library

In My Kitchen

Well technically this week, it was my neighbor’s kitchen.

I am a Pittsburgh transplant who has lived in North Carolina for the last 3 decades. Since my family wasn’t from the south, there were a lot of things that felt foreign. Sundrop, grits, additional syllables in every day words…. And corn bread.

My neighbor is southern through and through, born and raised. We are wonderful friends, and I am thankful to have her next door daily. I am the neighbor who always needs the cup of sugar (or other random pantry staples) and she is the neighbor who always has it.

She has 2 family recipes for cornbread.
City Grandma’s corn bread and Country Grandma’s cornbread. I assure you there is an appropriate meal for each.

But the cornbread bar has been raised.
This is Country Grandma’s cornbread with caramelized onions and it now lives rent free forever in my brain.

How to Add Caramelized Onions to the Bottom of Cast Iron Cornbread

Use your favorite cornbread recipe, this just changes the skillet prep.

What You’ll Need

• 1–2 large sweet onions (Vidalia works beautifully)

• 2–3 tablespoons butter (or bacon grease if you want deeper flavor)

• Cast iron skillet (10–12 inch)

Step 1: Slice the Onions

• Peel and slice onions into ½-inch thick rounds.

• Keep the rings mostly intact. The circular shape makes the prettiest presentation when flipped.

Step 2: Preheat the Skillet

• Place your cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats (usually 400–425°F depending on your cornbread recipe).

• Let it heat for at least 10–15 minutes.

A hot skillet is key for that golden crust.

Step 3: Start the Onions on the Stove

• Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and place it on the stovetop over medium heat.

• Add butter (or bacon grease) and let it melt and sizzle.

• Arrange the onion slices in a single layer across the bottom.

• Cook for about 5–7 minutes, just until they begin to soften and lightly caramelize.

You’re not fully cooking them, just giving them a head start and some color.

Optional: Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, or even a pinch of sugar to encourage browning.

Step 4: Add the Batter

• Remove from heat.

• Pour your prepared cornbread batter directly over the onions.

• Spread gently so you don’t disturb the onion placement.

Step 5: Bake as Usual

• Bake according to your recipe’s instructions.

The onions will continue softening and caramelizing underneath as the cornbread cooks.

Step 6: The Flip (The Best Part)

• Let the cornbread rest in the skillet for about 5–10 minutes after baking.

• Run a knife around the edge.

• Place a plate or cutting board over the top and carefully flip.

The onions will now be on top… golden, glossy, and slightly caramelized.

To Consider

Has your perspective this week been helping you or hurting you?

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Maybe spring is a better New Year.

Well, January was 80 days long and suddenly it is March. For everyone who has already lost sight of new year resolutions, you are not alone and here is a thought; spring is a beautiful time for recalibration.

Focusing on growth feels much more daunting in the dark. Winter after winter, I forget how the days do get longer with the promise of summer approaching.

As I patiently wait for warmer weather, I dream of all the wonderful things that sunshine brings. And how it feels more natural to move my body and easier to be excited for fresh ingredients as winter lifts.

Spring is the time for rejuvenation.

Get this… I grew up thinking seasonal depression was tied to seasons of life. A break up or divorce? A sad season. Loss of a loved one, illness, or regret? A sad season. It wasn’t until my mid-30s I learned seasonal depression is actually tied to seasons of the calendar year. And I’m only 37, so like last year.

What a relief! Im not crazy and winter is hard for a lot of people.

With all of that in mind, I choose to approach March with a reset. A gentle nudge back on track toward the person I aspire to be.

A Line to Hold

Control your thinking, control your direction.

"You can control what you think, you can control how you think; therefore you can control who you are" - Eileen Gu

A Favorite Thing

Substack.

I’ve been craving long-form thinking again… Space to write without urgency, algorithms, or noise. I reeeeeally needed a break from trending audio. This season feels like the right time to build something slower and more intentional.

I recently wrote about my Slow Break Up with Instagram . And am curious where everyone else is landing with social media platforms right now?

In My Kitchen

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

One cookie to rule them all….

The most important note: Flaky sea salt will elevate any sweet treat. Alex and I baked these together! So 4 year old approved. Yes, raw cookie dough was consumed. Spoons were licked. The edges of the cookie set perfectly, our family devoured them, no notes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)

• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• Dark chocolate chips

• Flaky salt (Optional. But not really. You have to put the flaky salt)

Instructions

1. Brown the Butter

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

• Stir often.

• Cook 2–3 minutes until lightly browned and smells toasted.

• Pour into a mixing bowl.

• Let cool until room temperature and thickened (not hot and liquid).

2. Preheat Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Make the Dough

• Add dark brown sugar and granulated sugar to the cooled butter.

• Beat until combined.

• Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until creamy.

• Add flour and baking soda. Mix just until combined.

• Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Shape

• Roll dough into tablespoon-size balls.

• Place 3 inches apart on baking sheet.

• Sprinkle lightly with flaky salt if desired.

5. Bake

• Bake 8–11 minutes.

• Edges should be set. Centers will look slightly soft.

• Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet.

Eat warm or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To Consider

What will you recalibrate this spring?

We knew MySpace wasn’t long term material, but damn it was a good time.

On the other hand, Instagram is every Millennials first serious relationship. If MySpace was Jess, then Instagram is Logan. A place where people could find freedom in a growing following. We found favorite creators who felt like friends. Instagram was supposed to be a sure thing. Safe, and yet exciting. Until it wasn’t.

At this point, much like a boyfriend who has gotten too comfortable, the Instagram algorithm doesn’t let us see our friends any more, has us spending money in unnecessary ways, and is just down right controlling.

I’m ready for a breakup.

Social media was fun when it was about our friends following each other, sharing photos, and DM-ing memes. Like a scrap book of memories.

It is a lot less fun now. We are constantly being sold to. “Beauty” standards have evolved in such wild ways (I’m beginning to think we weren’t meant to see ourselves on camera this much). And I don’t dare read the comment sections of posts, even posts that feel safe, unless my nervous systems wants to go on a downward spiral. How are there troll comments on happy puppy posts!?

“Authenticity” has become an Instagram marketing buzz word.

Maybe I am not alone in feeling this way.
Maybe a shift is coming.

Maybe we don’t need to burn it all down.
Just need to log off a little sooner….
Or care a little less about being seen.

Maybe the next era isn’t louder.
It’s deeper.

And maybe we get to choose where we build that.
I’m starting here.

This time 2 years ago, I found The Morning Miracle by Hal Elrod. I’m not a big self help person (more like a medium self help person), but The Morning Miracle really resonated with me.

The premise for the book is simple: your morning will set the tone for your entire day.

You can spend your first moments awake fighting your alarm, snooze after snooze, hiding under the covers as you scroll social media until the absolute last minute possible, only to then rush out the door half ready and late for work.

Or…. You can make the most of your morning by starting your morning on purpose with 6 simple steps Hal calls the S.A.V.E.R.S

• S — Silence: Calm your mind (breathe, meditate, pray, gratitude)

• A — Affirmations: Declare who you’re becoming and the actions you commit to

• V — Visualization: Mentally rehearse your ideal day and goals

• E — Exercise: Wake up your body and energy

• R — Reading: Learn something that helps you grow

• S — Scribing: Write to clarify, reflect, or set intention

Ideally, you can spend 10 minutes on each activity with intention. But hey, even 1 minute counts if thats what it takes to get started!

When I found The Morning Miracle, as a new-ish mom (Alex was around 2 at the time), I was struggling. My body still felt foreign postpartum, I was up with my son at 4:30 every morning, and full transparency, I was dragging ass. Disconnected and stuck in zombie mom mode.

So day by day I worked my way through the S.A.V.E.R.S. It was truly life changing as I slowly but surely found my spark again. Not every morning was perfect, nor did it have to be. The Morning Miracle worked regardless.

As the months went on, I slowly lost touch with this routine that saved me (pun intended). Why is it when good things work, as humans, we typically stop investing in them? That’s a million dollar question for another time.

Today I found my copy of The Morning Miracle. Just by chance, under a stack of forgotten books. I want to recommit.

Being in a much better place today, 2 years after I met The Morning Miracle for the first time, leaves me curious what I can accomplish starting far ahead of my past self.

Cheers to a new year, the same me, and reconnecting with old habits that, I hope, make me a just a bit better day by day.

Angeliki

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