Car thoughts: “Hey Siri, take a note!”
Where I want to eat, play, learn, volunteer, hike & camp in 2025
For some people, ideas flow in the shower. For me, it’s when I’m driving. If I turn off the music & intentionally brainstorm on a topic, I am often flooded with creative ideas.
“Hey Siri, take a note!”
“Hey Siri, take a note!”
“Hey Siri, take a note!”
Most of my ideas are brilliant, earth shaking & important:
But excavating silly ideas from the nooks and crannies of my stinky brain actually make said-brain feel good! (And I really want to find a way to get paid for making a hot dog log cabin. OFFICIALLY PUTTING THAT OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE.)
On a recent drive to Portland (opinion: Seattle to Portland is THE most boring drive) I had an idea: to make a bingo card featuring (mostly) fun things I’d like to do in 2025.
This is different than New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t make those. I’m more of a set-goals-as-they-naturally-show-up-in-my-life kinda person. I once read that January is an unnatural time to embark on big life changes, especially those requiring lots of work and will power: it’s cold and dark and, as animals, we naturally want to burrow, hibernate and eat cheese and pickles on the couch. What about launching resolutions in the spring? When the flowers are blooming, fresh, green leaves are sprouting, the sun is shining — the whole world is waking up!
My bingo card is simply a place to write down a bunch of activities that I’d like to keep top of mind. Something I can tack on my fridge, that I can see everyday, as opposed to the myriad lists hiding inside my phone.
Something I can reference in those moments when I wonder what to do with a free day: Ah! I’ll ride my bike to Bainbridge Island! or Bleh, I should finally email the financial planner guy. (Girl. Just do it.) I also want something I can physically check off with a pen — so satisfying.
Some squares are easy — My first idea, the one that inspired the Bingo card, was to cook at least one recipe from the cookbooks I’ve never cooked from in my collection. There are so many! Just sitting there on the shelf! Pristine! No olive oil stains or bent corners!
Some are big dreams — Planning a hiking trip to Patagonia!
Some are important — I have never changed a car tire, and the last time I was shown how was in the late 90s. If I get a flat tire when I’m out in the wilderness on a solo hiking trip with no reception? Mama mia!
Some are VERY important — Visit the Tillamook cheese factory.
I also made a list of Seattle-area restaurants I want to prioritize eating at this year:
Speaking of, here’s a reminder that earlier this year I made a map featuring nearly ALL the restaurants & food shops that have been discussed on Your Last Meal, with a link to which episode they were featured on! It would be a fun goal to try and eat at some of them!
My BFF is currently filling out her own bingo card — if you make one, I’d love to see it!
Note: I have two Open Sesame cookbook events left on the calendar in 2025 — a cooking class & a book talk. Would love to see you there — click here for details!
It’s (still!) Hanukkah! I have celebrated with:
Chinese food on the first night (also Christmas Day). They let me light my menorah! (See that line? That’s only half of it! I TOLD you it gets cuckoo! Our reservation was at 3pm!)
Making a chot dog challah menorah inspired by this IG challah account! I must now write letters to all hot dog companies, requesting they create a nine-pack for the Hanukkah season so I don’t have to resort to using a carrot for the shamash. I use this challah recipe and it comes out perfect every time — so tender, the best.
Wearing my new Hanukkah Crocs, a gift from my friend, Kim. I have never worn Crocs, I never wanted to wear Crocs, I love these Crocs. I was planning to keep them sequestered as house shoes, but OOPS accidentally wore them to the vet yesterday!
Speaking of the vet, this is the face of a gorgeous baby child who was just told she has to lose ONE POUND:
Diet starts this Spring!
Happy New Year!
XO