About eighteen months ago, I read a book about Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers, and it remains to this day one of the most depressing literary experiences in my life. I was still processing the book weeks later, particularly the part where Jean advises that on one’s birthday, every single birthday for the […]
Tiny Seedy Miracles
April 28, 2025 by 56 Comments
After two solid weeks of festivities and celebrations, this morning I’m looking down the barrel of a quiet week of regular programming. We had our dear friends as houseguests this weekend, which always feels like a holiday, and then we hosted a barbeque for about thirty people on Saturday night. It was such a great […]
Pretty Nice Little Sunday
March 24, 2025 by 55 Comments
It was a big weekend at the Boyhouse with lots of things to celebrate. Twenty-three years ago yesterday I was wearing this outfit: And then twenty-one days ago yesterday this guy made his entrance into the world: The truth is that ever since our son was born our wedding anniversary has been kind of eclipsed. […]
Festivus, But Without Grievances
December 23, 2024 by 55 Comments
So, an anti-Festivus? One week ago today I finished the second draft of my novel. It was my goal in 2024 to write one draft, and now I have finished two, right in time to enjoy the holidays and a break before my revising and editing course starts in January. To say I’m pleased with […]
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Holiday Miracles Edition
December 19, 2024 by 48 Comments
It snowed! Let me tell you, there is NOTHING to make a person appreciate snow like moving to a place in which it snows very little from a place where it can snow literally any month of the year, and does constantly between October through May. Here, if it snows at the end of February […]
The Very Next Day, You Gave It Away
December 16, 2024 by 57 Comments
In a very uncharacteristic move, last week I angrily unfollowed a Facebook account after a highly unsatisfactory and, for me, infuriating exchange. It is my general policy to not comment on anything I disagree with; rather, I merely scroll past or mute. It takes a lot for me to become upset enough to unfollow a […]
Seasonal Specialties
November 25, 2024 by 64 Comments
It’s that time again! Did I scream a little in delight at seeing them in Costco? Yes I did. Did the woman who was looking at them curiously step away in low-key alarm? Yes she did. No matter. Kalette season is absolutely glorious, and those little cruciferous treats are a glowing light in the darkness. […]
