Pip-Life something GOOD for the weekend

Something GOOD For the Weekend

November 23, 2019

Do you subscribe to the New York Times What to Cook This Weekend newsletter? I do and I love it. Well. I love most of it. What I don’t love is that the seasons are reversed here in Australia so while the US is getting ready to do all things APPLE we are keen deep in all things ASPARAGUS.  When they are shifting their clocks back we have already moved ours forward.

(Perhaps I will see if there archive is online and instead of reading NOVEMBER, dip into the month of MAY ones instead. Is MAY right?)

But I digress. What I really love about this newsletter is that it is a bit of a channel-changer. A reminder to clock out of the usual mindset and plan for fresh ideas and new things … and even old favourites. So I thought I would try doing that here – with a bunch of things … not just food.

Everyday things are really my jam, so Something GOOD for the Weekend is going to be a dip into those very pleasant and jammy things.

I’m going to work on this all week and send it out on a Saturday so the planners can get their plan on (or start scribbling messy in a notebook which is how I do things.)

So let’s do this thing! I’ll try not to make it too Southern Hemisphere seasonal. I’ll do my best!

Something GOOD For the Weekend

Something GOOD to do

Give what you can to help bushfire recovery — The November Australian bushfires have taken a terrible toll on so many locals — support them here. It’s also decimated wildlife with organisations like WIRES stretched beyond their limits trying to help injured animals. Support WIRES’ work here.

Also in the good-to-dos? Plant some herb seeds. In little pots in a sunny spot on your window ledge. My chives have just started sprouting and my mixed basil has too.

If it’s heading into winter where you are, an indoors window garden is just the thing! Talk to your plant nursery about what would be best. Clearly we’re heading to summer so we are in prime herb time.

And? Look at these cute seedy gifts. I love them!

Something GOOD to watch

Years and Years — In Australia you can watch this limited series for free via SBS On Demand – but if you are elsewhere it looks to be on iTunes and other streaming services, so you don’t have to miss out. The brilliant Emma Thompson stars as a Trump-esque entrepreneur turned politician in this excellent drama that follows an extended family through a whole bunch of life-altering twists and turns. Emma is amazing, but the whole cast is pretty brilliant and while set further and further into the future, these stories smack of our current reality.

Also? Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings series has just popped up on Netflix! Each episode is based on a Dolly song. I just hit play on that. Seems kinda cheesy, but I don’t hate that.

And? Bon Appétit’s YouTube playlists. They are the best and will get you super-inspired to make delicious things for your family and friends.

Something GOOD to buy?

How about a new diary?! I am a huge fan of the day-to-a-page diary and there are heaps of good ones in the shops. I quite fancy this fetching lovely blue-green Moleskine or this PINEAPPLE Hobonichi one. Maybe the one that comes in a little zip-up thingy?

They would make taking note of the day’s tasks a total treat, right? I think I’m voting for pineapple, to be honest.

Something GOOD to read

How about TWO long reads for this weekend? The first is a great profile of ACTUAL GOOD GUY Tom Hanks who is due to appear on our screens as Mr Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood very soon. The second is the profile of Mr Rogers that the film was based on.

Bookwise? I just started reading Beginners by Raymond Carver in preparation for my creative writing course. Maybe that’s something you’d like to do too? Head to your local library because chances are they have it – or something else brilliant you would love. If you are not a library member, today is the day, book nerds! Seize the book!

I also recently read Ruth Reichl’s Save Me The Plums and it’s really great – especially if you ever loved the original Gourmet Magazine or any magazine, really. It details Ruth’s time as editor of that very mag and I devoured it speedily.

Something GOOD to cook

I love to cook and at the moment I am revisiting recipes that make me feel nostalgic and transport me to happy days. Top of my list is The New York Times No-Knead Bread recipe.

Make the dough today and bake it tomorrow for the easiest, bubbliest, chewiest and crustiest loaf you’ll EVER make … without all the faff of sourdough.

Also? This Chicken Katsu Sandwich seems pretty amazing and I want to make that too.

Or? Samosas. I’m in the mood for those and this recipe looks great. I love cold samosas with Sriracha almost as much as life itself.

(It’s a lot of golden food, really. And why the heavens not?!)

Something GOOD to listen to

Why don’t you listen to my playlist on Spotify? Obviously that is a brilliant choice!

If you’ve just finished watching The Crown Season 3, maybe you are in the mood for more royal commentary? You could try the Diana: Case Solved: Fatal Voyage podcast about the death of Princess Diana?

You can knit Diana’s sheep jumper if you fancy! Grab the pattern here.

Something GOOD to make

A pompom advent calendar? GO ON! From the 1st of December, make a pompom each day. It’s very therapeutic and by Christmas Day you’ll end up with a pompom display you’ll want to keep up all year!

You can make pompoms using the cardboard method or try a Clover pompom maker (which is my preference and is available at some craft stores or on eBay.)

Someone/s GOOD to follow

I have been making pastries every Sunday, so have been following patisserie and baking accounts. Obviously. Maybe you’d like to do that to? Simmer and Boyle is an absolute favourite. But you might already follow Sally?

Or you could follow my friend Michelle Crawford who has just bought an amazing Tasmanian property and is about to muck in and renovate it?

Or you could follow the account of that amazing fishing shack called Captain’s Rest – also in Tasmania – that popped up in an article about side hustles this week. Here’s the owner Sarah Andrew’s Instagram account.

 

And here is a poem. Because poems are GOOD too.

Song from Pippa Passes
by Robert Browning

The year’s at the spring,
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hill-side’s dew-pearl’d;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in His heaven,
All’s right with the world!

See you back here very soon, champs!

x Pip


PS – I just launched a new e-course! It’s half sold out already so be quick if you fancy joining in. I did not expect it to sell so fast, to be honest. Thank you, future students, for the vote of confidence!

PPS – Subscribe to my updates via email if you fancy. Or don’t. That’s fine too. (Subscribe box is on the home page of my blog!)

9 Comments

  • Reply Bianca November 24, 2019 at 9:12 AM

    Thank you Pip! This is just brilliant. I loved all your ideas and recommendations ?? So happy re the Diana podcast as I gave a bit of royal mania at the moment courtesy of Season 3! I’m also thrilled with the Pom Pom advent calendar idea – stress free and super cute. And finally, knead free bread making…yes! Am going to subscribe to the New York Times ‘What to Cook this Weekend’ and check out Michelle Crawford too ? Thank you for always being so generous and lovely x

    • Reply Pip December 5, 2019 at 9:07 AM

      Thank you for reading, you champ!!! xx

  • Reply Kylie November 23, 2019 at 9:16 PM

    I loved this post, thanks for putting it together. So much to read and ponder over, make and do. I’m happy you’re going to make a regular thing of them. Good work and well done 🙂

    • Reply Pip December 5, 2019 at 9:08 AM

      You are a darling. Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. x

  • Reply Jane @ The Shady Baker November 23, 2019 at 12:41 PM

    Thanks Pip…a great list of good stuff x

  • Reply Reannon November 23, 2019 at 9:54 AM

    It has been SOSOSO nice to have you pop up in my Feedly feed three times this week Pip!!! Actually, it was four because you announced your new course as well!!! I hope lots of people do the course & launch new blogs because I need some new ones to read 🙂

    • Reply Pip November 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM

      Aw. I think I’m feeling a bit better! Thank goodness for that. And for people like you who take the time to read my blog. xx

      • Reply Reannon November 23, 2019 at 7:47 PM

        I am very glad to hear you’re feeling better. And your blog will always have a part in day Pip, it makes me very happy. Plus, I learn so much! What’s not to love x

  • Reply Kate November 23, 2019 at 9:36 AM

    Oh my goodness Pip this is the most bestest thing to start my weekend and give lots to explore in the coming week.
    Thank you for your effort
    Cheers Kate

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