Happy December everyone! So, in some ways (many ways) it seems that the world is falling apart, doesn’t it? Please know that as I share things in this post that I’ve been enjoying, it doesn’t mean that I’m unaware of the news both in our country and around the world. We’re living in dark times. We are. But that doesn’t mean we press the stop button on finding joy in our lives. And that’s what these “Do Listen Read” posts are meant to do. They’re meant to share joy.
DO
– Do find reasons to celebrate! Today Bryan and I are celebrating 15 years. I wanted to write an entire post for him or at least share my thoughts on 15 years, but I have three kids home sick today, and I can’t think beyond the basics. So, I’m re-sharing last year’s post about our monthly sessions with our rabbi instead. It’s called “An Unexpected Improvement to My Marriage.” But hey, I made this cute collage on picmonkey.com today and that was pretty fun.
– Do try new chocolates! Bryan’s Aunt Suzie brought us Harbor Sweet chocolate bars from Boston. No exaggeration–these are the best chocolate bars I’ve ever had. And I’ve tried many!
– Do not repress your silly side. Yes, I spent more than 10 minutes figuring out how to dress my bitmoji in a Hanukkah sweater, but I’ve had lots of fun sending it in texts to friends. (No, I would not personally wear a Hanukkah sweater in real life. Just in my bitmoji life.) 
– Speaking of Hanukkah, my post this year at Kveller for the holiday has the most intelligent and thoughtful comments ever. If you’re looking for new and deeper ways to celebrate Hanukkah, check out the ideas in the comments. Kveller uses Facebook for its comments app, which takes a few moments to load on the site.
– Do make these Brisket Latkes and tell me how it goes! I don’t think I will have a chance to get to these this year, but HOLY amazing looking latkes.
LISTEN
– The Affair! This is more of a “see,” but it feels like a listen because I often have The Affair on when I’m cooking. (After the kids are asleep!) Anyway, who else is watching this? I’m all caught up, and I’m bummed that the season is almost over. How will it end!?
– Podcasts! I’m still listening to tons of podcasts. Nothing new since last time, but here’s the line up of my favorites: Slate’s Double X, Tablet’s Unorthodox, Gretchen Rubin’s Happier, Rabbi Sacks’ weekly podcast. I might try Slate’s The Gist soon.
READ
– My friend (and WCCO radio host) Jordana Green wrote a beautiful essay called “The Second Time” for Minnesota Monthly about her upcoming wedding. I love everything she said there.
– I’ve shared lots of good reads on my Facebook Page over the past month. As for books, I’m on #52 for the year. Next week I will have a new friendship question up at The HerStories Project.
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19 Responses
My friends and I text using our alter egos (bitmojis) too! Love the sweater. I just might have to go looking for one with a tree or reindeer on it now:) I will definitely go on over to Marta’s post. Need to read that. Need the chocolate, too. Great stuff, here! Happy Anniversary, and here’s to continued love and growth between you two. Inspiring!
I loved that post by Marta as well – it has had great response. Thanks for sharing it here!
Susan Maccarelli recently posted..10 Questions To Determine Your Blog’s Success – Despite What The Numbers Say
Really relatable with important messages. Your site is really incredible, Susan.
Nina! Susan! Thank you so much 🙂 you have no idea how much this means to me!
Marta of Baby Blues recently posted..Mug Shot
Love your take (and I share it) that we can be aware of the dark but must still find the joy every day. OK. So. If the BEST chocolate you’ve ever had is made just a stone’s throw from where I live, I don’t see how you cannot come visit now. Right, Nina??!! 😉 Happy 15 years. Hope the kiddos bounce back soon.
Kristen recently posted..If You Ask Me How . . . Impossible Weights
Have you been there? I really do have many reasons to get out to Boston, don’t I? Lindsey is there too and some others! One of these days . . . I made it to Israel so Boston shouldn’t be so hard.
I just had to change my bitmoji’s sweater and send some texts 🙂 I loved that post on Beyond Your Blog too.
I also struggled with hitting “publish” on my own blog post this morning with everything going on in the world and of course particularly the most recent tragedy in California. It immediately made whatever I was writing about seem trivial. But like you said, we can and should still share our words, stories, advice, recommendations and, of course, joy. So with that, Happy Anniversary!
Caryn recently posted..One Thing
Yay! I know– so fun. Now I’ll have fun picking a new outfit for her (me?) after Hanukkah.
Happy anniversary! Just read your Kveller post and all the comments – what great conversation! I’d like to tie in the historical aspects of Hanukkah with the reality of our world today – religious freedom, war, assimilation. It’s heavy, but it’s age appropriate for my teenagers, and it’s an opportunity to engage in a conversation that is hard to have. Thanks for getting me thinking about how I can make the holiday more meaningful.
Dana recently posted..Dear Diary, again
Weren’t those comments amazing? And thanks for YOURS here.
I love these posts, always. Huge The Affair fan. Excellent (though I’m not really current on season 2 yet!)
Oooh! We will need some email/text exchanges when you’re it’s all done.
Oh my gosh, you’re so busy. I’m bit exhausted reading this. I have one home sick, too – but kind of a blessing. I’m so in the weeds, and need to catch up. He’s sleeping and I got to cancel three obligations for today! I still haven’t watched the Affair. Perhaps in January. I love the new HSP class. It sounds soooo cool! I’m off you read the Beyond Your Blog essay but first. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY (we just had our sixteenth).
Yes, to chocolate bars and brisket latkes! And being silly.
I’ve been relatively normal in my blog, because life goes on and work goes on, but holy cow, it’s horrifying sometimes. I’m having trouble processing tragedy after tragedy.
Thanks for this.
Tamara recently posted..What I’m Really Trying to Say.
I loved Jordana’s essay on the 2nd time. I just sent it to my best friend, whose 2nd wedding I recently attended. And I love that you acknowedged the tragedies around us in such a thoughtful way, while acknowledging it’s still ok (encouraged, even?) to celebrate the good things. I think about this issue sometimes, as I rarely, if ever blog about anything serious or sad regarding current events, but I “solve” it by ignoring it… The course sounds great. One of my goals for the next few weeks is coming up with a longer-term vision of where I want to be, and until I figure that out (so confusing!) I don’t know what opportunities (eg that awesome looking course) make sense for me right now. Congrats on your 15th anniversary!!!
Happy Belated Anniversary! I always love your recommendations. Huge Affair fan. Love that it follows Homeland (my other favorite show). I will have to check out Marla’s post. Thanks, Nina!
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..A Few Friday Faves
So many good links here! I’m still on season one of The Affair, and am loving it.
Do you ever listen to the Writers on Writing podcast? It’s interviews with writers on craft. Many with well-known authors and others that have been new to me. I’ve been listening for years, and always get inspired. http://www.barbarademarcobarrett.com/writersonwriting/
Happy Hanukkah!
Patricia recently posted..hanging with the kids
Happy Chanukah! I know what you mean about it being the overlooked holiday. I’m trying to find more meaning in it myself. Thanks for your post about it on Kveller. Congrats on all you are doing and sharing.
Estelle recently posted..Mothering Through the Darkness is Here
Happy Anniversary! I need to get caught up on “The Affair.” I’ve been in a Homeland obsession and neglected the last few episodes of Affair.