Pip-Life Taking Stock

Taking Stock for January

January 19, 2018
Pip Lincolne Meet Me At Mikes

What else would I be doing early on a Friday morning, I ask you?! It seems like a good time to check in on the year, so far. It’s A LONG chatty one. Soz.

Making
A blanket. This one. For my niece, Zoe.

Cooking
All of the delicious things: chicken curry, spicy chickpeas, potato curry, soba salad, lots of good stuff.

Drinking
Tea, lots of water and sometimes very cold white wine.

Reading
Cookbooks – Meera Sodha’s in particular, she is the BEST! – and Men Explain Things To Me.

Next read
Marian Keyes’ The Mystery of Mercy Close

Wanting
A pair of BLUE Birkenstocks. The shiny ones. I already got a GREEN pair and they are ridiculously cheering.

Looking
At The Guardian food section. So many good recipes. SO. MANY.

Playing
Podcasts in the car.  I loved this one which featured Yotam Ottolenghi and Diana Henry talking about lots of stuff, not just food, but also business, having a public profile, holidays, gestational carriers and more. I’m also finding out more about gestational carriers, because Yotam AND Kim. Not that I NEED one, but I like to know the different ways we can make families, you know?

Deciding
What time to tackle the heat and go grocery shopping

Wishing
It would cool down sooner rather than later. Also wishing to see a platypus, obviously.

Enjoying
Working on something cute with Milligram. More on that very soon. Also enjoying thinking about getting better at things.

Waiting
For a package. It’s Ari’s birthday next week. He will be 18! I can’t believe it. The nest is nearly empty and I’m now in a relationship with myself and I’m needing to have a hysterectomy and I’m actually very grown-up now and all the things and feels and how is the world like this? Oh my gawd. (I will be okay!)

Liking
How many good things I have to do. Even though things are hard, there are good things for the taking too.
Wondering: If I will move house this year. Argh. I just don’t know what to do about that.

Loving
Virgin Marys. Hold the vodka. Amp up the spice. I made a version of this mix that Sophie posted over Christmas and it was so good. I’m going to make that again. It’s so fancy. Thank you Sophie.

Pondering
A weird concept: It’s been said that success can be achieved by ‘surprising and delighting’ people, but more and more I am feeling like we’re a bit ‘delighted out’ … like, things are relentlessly quirky and new … like, we just want people to show us they are ‘steady and good and real’ instead.  I know. It’s a lot.

Considering
How social media giants are ruining our brains – and how to stop it. I am trying really hard to move away from social media a bit – I have alarms on my phone now, where I can have a quick check-in and then go do something else. It’s working well and helping me to avoid ‘self distracting’ and feel much happier. I think we need to help each other find interesting things to read about, away from social media, as much as possible. WHICH IS WHY BLOGS ARE GREAT. What we see on social media – Instagram AND Facebook – is controlled by the powers-that-be. We shouldn’t be letting corporations decide what is worthy of our hearts and minds. Please read blogs more – or start your own – to buck the trend. If you have a blog, please link to it below so we can see. Also if you have a blog, please continue posting about the things you are reading and finding and doing – be a mine of interestingness for us, one that isn’t a corporation.

Buying
Books. I know. I’m MEANT to be on a budget, but I did get some money for Christmas so I’ve spent all that on books and Birkenstocks. Sensible, no?

Watching
Fortitude. It’s SO LONG, I think, like an Icelandic Winter, perhaps, but I am liking it. It’s a sort of icy marathon with upsetting mammoths and puffer jackets and lots of chilly wind. It stars this lovely woman from Call The Midwife and she’s brilliant.

Next watch
Not sure … there are so many things to watch, aren’t there?! Perhaps Wolf Hall, because Claire Foy’s in it (as Anne Boleyn!)

Hoping
To start NEXT year with no health woes and painful bits and cracked feelings.

Marvelling
At the big list of bright ideas I have.

Cringing
At the possibility that I might not be able to action all the ideas.

Needing
Some new oven trays. Honestly, I don’t know what happens to mine. They seem to get wrecked due to overuse. Maybe I am buying the terrible ones? It might be all my fault. Maybe I need to be better at scrubbing them.

Questioning
If I know how to look after oven trays properly. #BadOvenTrayMom

Smelling
Nothing much. The aircon is on due to extreme heat and I think the room smells like … cold.

Wearing
Birkenstocks. I bought the green ones, as I said, in the end. I hate it when I’m doing the dishes and water splashes into them, under my toes. It’s the worst feeling. Apart from that I LOVE them. And truly, it’s not their fault about the splashing.

Following
Tatin to see if they will ever open again because I need a pastry, dammit!

Worrying
About what some people are like. Shudder. How are they like that? It’s not okay.

Noticing
That it was a good idea to clean up my email subscriptions because now I get the ones I like and it’s quite fun to open my inbox up. I’ve been using Unroll for a few years, but gave it a big refresh and made sure my favourite emails were coming through to my inbox – and the less favourite ones are ‘rolled up’ and of course, the non favourite ones are unsubscribed from.

Knowing
I need to make Huckleberry English Muffins. I do. I think I will make a batch and freeze some for another day.

Thinking
I want the Huckleberry Cafe cookbook. And that I need to get a PO Box again. Or some other kind of generic address, so that people can send me the things they are asking to send me. I am kind of weirded out by giving out my home address. I think it comes from having everyone know where I lived for so long … PO Boxes are so expensive though, right?!

Admiring
My car. I KNOW! I am an idiot. But honestly, my old car could not be used much in the Summer, because it broke down and had no aircon. My new car likes the hot weather and we go places together, even when it’s over 35 degrees! Thank you BabyCar. Also I got a new cup with a puffin on it and I am admiring that. Can you believe people eat puffins? I mean, it’s like eating unicorns, as far as I’m concerned. Or Aslan, even.

Sorting
The pantry. This is a lie. I want to do it though. I do.

Getting
My 2018 projects plan sorted.

Bookmarking
Chrissy Teigen’s old blog. I think I have said this before, actually. I just got her cookbook and it’s honestly worth buying just for the potato recipes. You know how I feel about potatoes, right?

Coveting
A big fabric buy-up. I have some dressmaking ideas and I need to make a bit of a plan to get those happening.

Disliking
Self-interrupting.

Opening
My raspberry eclair from Brunetti and all the glaze stuck to the paper bag and I’m bereft. The glaze is so important. I am considering scraping it off the bag with a spoon, at this point. They still aren’t making my favourite cake – granatine – and I am outraged. I go in there and scan the display for it intermittently, but it’s never there. Sob. #SadCakeEyes

Giggling
Not really. No. Maybe tomorrow.

Feeling
I need to tidy up a bit, because the landlord is coming in a week or two.

Snacking
On corn chips and salsa. I like to make my own, but I also like the Mission one you can get in a jar. Are there other good jar ones, that aren’t like spicy glue?

Hearing
Hummmmmm, gluggggg. It’s the aircon.

If you read this far, you are very kind. THANK YOU! Much love to ya.

xx Pip

Pip Life


Here is a blank list for you to cut and paste to Facebook or Insta or your blog or your secret wordy place, so you can Take Stock too!

Making :
Cooking :
Drinking :
Reading:
Next read:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Deciding:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving:
Pondering:
Considering:
Buying:
Watching:
Next watch:
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Cringing:
Needing:
Questioning:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Worrying:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Admiring:
Sorting:
Getting:
Bookmarking:
Coveting:
Disliking:
Opening:
Giggling:
Feeling:
Snacking:
Hearing:

26 Comments

  • Reply Anna Prasad March 5, 2018 at 9:41 PM

    I absolutely adore this post, and I’d love to join in for March. Is there a deadline or can I post whenever I am ready?

    I have just come across your blog via another ‘taking stock’ post and I must say I absolutely love it!

    • Reply Pip March 9, 2018 at 7:12 AM

      Sorry for the late reply, Anna! You can post ANY TIME YOU LIKE! 🙂 Thank you for reading – and for wanting to join in. CHAMP! x

  • Reply Karla Cruzado | The Wise Lark February 13, 2018 at 10:13 AM

    Hi Pip! 🙂 Thank you for your stock! I’m following it ‘coz it’s really interesting! I’ve also done mine on http://thewiselark.karlacruzado.com/2018/02/taking-stock-4.html

    I’m a fan. Continue doing what you are doing <3

  • Reply Emma February 7, 2018 at 8:23 AM

    I have been thinking about this as well as I have a blog that plods on but I look for others to read and a lot of them have stopped writing or they have gone forever 🙁 This on top of finding out people eat puffins! It is like eating Aslan! I always read and love your blog and your new shoes are lovely 🙂

  • Reply Yaz February 2, 2018 at 1:46 PM

    Hi Pip,
    What a good reminder to keep on reading blogs! I am getting really fed up with FB and insta, and the pull they have over me (especially when at home on mat leave with two wee ones – the outside world seems so bright and shiny, when really, these are very precious days at home).
    I am so glad you have discovered Marian Keyes, I have really admired her for years – she is also such a joy to listen to in interviews, and her vlogs are hilarious.
    Hope you are going ok and taking care of yourself. xxxx

  • Reply Monica February 1, 2018 at 5:29 AM

    Yes, your answers are long! 🙂 I worked on mine throughout the second half of the month and just used short statements… 🙂 I’ve been doing this since November I think but forget to visit and share… blah, my brain…. 😉
    https://thecurvesintheroadoflife.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/taking-stock-january-2018/

  • Reply Anissa Ljanta January 26, 2018 at 1:25 PM

    I am a blogger from way back too and have always preferred the more heartfelt real content, blogs are more conjucive to that. Twitter is my idea of ick! My Taking Stock here: http://growmama.blogspot.co.nz/2018/01/taking-stock.html

  • Reply paula January 23, 2018 at 8:43 PM

    your taking stock is inspiring! don’t you just love Marion Keyes. she’s got a voice and a way that I could listen to forever.

  • Reply Jess January 22, 2018 at 3:34 PM

    Thanks for the inspiration to get back into blogging again Pip! I loved your quote about taking a step back from Social Media and looking wider for things to read and open our minds. I have done my own ‘Taking Stock’ Post for January here http://www.fealyfamily.com/2018/01/22/taking-stock-january-2018/#more-7533

  • Reply Joy Adan January 21, 2018 at 11:30 PM

    I’m not coveting Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook, thanks to you! Also thanks to you – I finally wrote a blog post after MONTHS of nothing (https://findingjoy.blog/taking-stock-january-2018/)

    Thanks for the encouragement, and also the super easy writing stimulus. You are a wonderful gem of the interwebs!

  • Reply Sylvia Gil-Stearns January 21, 2018 at 12:49 AM

    I love your blog Pip! Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring thoughts.

  • Reply Sarah R January 20, 2018 at 6:32 PM

    oh my good wordy lordy, pip, CHRISSY TEIGAN’S OLD BLOG. That has made my day. Hope you have recovered from Brunetti-glaze-induced sadness. I miss Brunetti from my Vic days. hugs x

  • Reply Sue January 20, 2018 at 2:32 PM

    Always such a delight to read your words. You inspired me and I did a Taking Stock too, it’s over here: https://craftinghealth.com/2018/01/20/taking-stock-january-2018/ xxx

  • Reply Suzie January 20, 2018 at 6:39 AM

    Hi Pip! I feel compelled to come out of lurkdom to let you know that I actually did a taking stock and linked you in my last blogpost. I hope you don’t mind I tinkered with the recipe and did it as a kind of yearly taking stock rather than a monthly one.
    Totes agree about social media and hurrah for blogs, I really miss ye goode olde days when that’s what we did. Here’s a tip to try: I have instagram on my hidden apps, so I forget about it quite a bit as I don’t see it on my home screen. I have to be proactive about it, which has saved me hours of endless scrolling.
    Thank you for your (as ever) sage advice!

  • Reply amanda January 19, 2018 at 11:29 PM

    That is such a thoughtful observations about blogs – it’s a place where we control the narrative. I think like vinyl, blogs (which aren’t – shudder – lifestyle blogs) are on the up. My favorite ones are always where I read about daily life and what someone is reading or where they are walking etc. I am back on regular blogging and loving the calm it brings. Also, hooray for Chrissie Teigen, I adore her snapchat which is all babies and food. And puffins, snort, have to tell my kid about the unicorn analogy.

  • Reply Reannon January 19, 2018 at 11:15 PM

    Your waiting made me want to give you a giant hug!
    I sometimes feel like the only person who reads blogs anymore but I know I’m not. They are my favourite. And I love blog posts that are little wrap ups of links ( Shutterbean & Joy the Baker do great ones each week) because I don’t venture far on webs but do like to read fun/interesting/entertaining things! Email newsletters are good too.
    And having no FB & only following a small amount of people on Insta often makes me feel very uninformed but I think most of the things I don’t really need to know do I? It’s the same with the news. I used to be a mega newshound but now I can’t be bothered with it. Maybe that’s not a good attitude to have but I’m pretty happy without it all clogging my brain.
    And I sorted my pantry today after grocery shopping. Not a huge mega clean out but I wiped shelves & neatness things up. That’s good enough for now.
    Have a nice weekend Pip xx

    • Reply Yaz February 2, 2018 at 1:42 PM

      Hi Reannon! I used to follow you on instagram, and I miss hearing about all the lovely things you were up to, especially your baking and meal plans. Are you still blogging anywhere? Hope you are well xxx

  • Reply Ncole January 19, 2018 at 9:42 PM

    Parcel locker, it’s free!!

    • Reply Pip January 19, 2018 at 10:53 PM

      Oh yessssss! I just signed up! Thank you!!!!

      • Reply Lorien January 21, 2018 at 12:02 AM

        I was going to mention parcel lockers also but noticed you had one listed on your about page. Glad you got that sorted 🙂 and thank you for your fabulous post!

  • Reply Jay January 19, 2018 at 2:36 PM

    Your blanket is divine. I hope your health woes are taken care of ASAP. Air conditioning is the best!

  • Reply Anissa Ljanta January 19, 2018 at 11:53 AM

    Gah. I need that alarm. Which one do you recommend? I was off social media for a week over the hols and noticed it was so much easier to be balanced. Trying to limit it to several times a week and making sure I have times of emptiness…noticing the times I want to turn to facebook or the radio when actually, silence is soooo good. And oof, those shiny green Birks! Want! All about the happy and colourful in 2018…my efforts to stay in touch with the magic in life after a tough few years. I’m over here: http://growmama.blogspot.co.nz/

  • Reply Kate January 19, 2018 at 11:52 AM

    I loved reading your long and thought provoking taking stock Pip.
    I have lots of things to comment on, but mostly thanks for the food/cooking links. I’m really really bored with our diet. Inspiration and ideas for new things always appreciated.
    I love your bright happy birks. I have a boring but goes with everything black pair. Wish I had the courage to go bright.
    I haven’t had fb for years now and just yesterday deleted my instagram because I know it wasn’t enhancing my life yet I was unable to set and stick to healthy boundaries. I’ve realised though that’s its actually my phone in general that keeps dragging me back. I don’t like it. I read that article you linked to, it made me feel sick just how manipulated I am by this little device.
    I hope you don’t have to move, unless you decide you want too.
    Yep po boxes are expensive, it’s a tricky one isn’t it, giving out your address, feeling OK with that, hoping the senders are genuine and not stalkerish types. Did you read about the woman who received messages from the guy who delivered her food because he had her name, phone number and address? Not ok. I have never blogged, not a good enough writer and too afraid of criticism, but I love blogs and have decided that they will be my only form of social media, hence the reason I’m getting better at commenting.
    Enough from me, may the platypus put on a show for you, may the potato recipes continue, and may you know joy and ease this year.
    Thank you for all the wonderful you put into the world. You are a good sort.
    Cheers Kate

  • Reply Rose January 19, 2018 at 11:24 AM

    Hey Pip,
    Thank you so much for writing these posts. They make a dreary day a lot brighter 🙂 Hope you’re keeping well! <3

  • Reply Jenny January 19, 2018 at 11:10 AM

    Hi Pip! I’m also sweltering ie. from Melbourne ?, and also coveting green birks ? ‘swoon emoji’…is there a recipe for your HR chicken curry? Love love love the chicken wings and lemon slice – in fact, I made them both in one day! So, I’m sure you’ll have a no-fail easy recipe for the curry also. Thanks so much ?

  • Reply Edie January 19, 2018 at 10:24 AM

    I love you Pippy! I wish people would read more blogs too and look wider than social media 🙂

  • Leave a Reply