Remember last year when we had so much fun with the annual survey?

Let’s do it again! … she says with an overly cheesy grin.

Last year we discovered:

1. That you guys are the best ever. Your responses to the last survey cracked me up, and I don’t know how I ever got so lucky to be able to online-hang with all of you.
2. We don’t have enough time to read. And we’re not going to be quiet about it. Riot for reading time!
3. We read fiction, nonfiction, food labels, road signs, the fine print. We read it all, and we’d do it full-time if it were up to us. (Current reigning comment: “I wish someone would pay me to read.” I dare you to unseat that one.)

I know you guys are busy and juggling a million things—full-time jobs, kids, side hustles, cooking, writing, endless TBR lists, breathing when you get a spare minute i.e. never. So this year I want to hear all about what could make that better—what do you crave this year?

The survey is just 5 multiple choice questions that won’t take longer than 3 minutes.

And I Girl-Scout-swear to try to make this space a place that gives you more of what you crave. A space that’s going to help you get where you’re going and make us all a little less frenzied and anxious on our way there.  

So if you’ll take just 3 minutes to tell me what’s on your mind, I’ll love you forever. (You know I already do, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your time. I know it’s precious and in high-demand.)

Click here to take the survey!

5 quick reads for the week

1. Austin Kleon on why jealousy needs to be your worst enemy.
2. Try to put your anxiety to bed with the sun–easier said than done, sure, but can save you a lot of stress-ridden bedtimes.
3. My author, Tiffany King, wrote this wonderful piece on the 13 ways libraries are holding us all together.
4. Trying to sell your book to everyone is a big task; follow these tips to narrow your marketing strategies.
5. An oldie but a goodie: 3 strategies to amp up your productivity.

What we’re eating this week

WE ARE IN OUR NEW HOME! …she shouted from the rooftops. Apparently I’ve taken to voice-over narrating my own life and maybe that’s because it just feels too good to be true that we’re in our new house. It is so peaceful here, and I can already sense all the possibilities and productive vibes wafting through the air. (Or maybe that’s new-paint smell? I should open a window.)

Speaking of new paint, we horribly and laughably messed up a mini bathroom makeover that ended with a broken mirror and torn drywall. Here’s the before-and-after, and I’ll spare you the in-between shots of me weeping and gnashing my teeth.

Of course, now that we’re settled, I’m cooking because—hallelujah chorus—I have a new kitchen! It even has a fridge, finally. Here’s what’s coming in and out of it:

Monday: The Bombay Frittata from Season, which I am very mad I didn’t make before this because it was very incredibly good. Like, weeping in joy kind of good. (You do have your copy of Season, right?) 

Tuesday: Balsamic pulled pork in the Instant Pot. Me and IP’s one-year anniversary is coming up, and the love is still strong and delicious.

Wednesday: Spaghetti Bolognese in the Instant Pot (because see above referenced LUV). I am nervous about this one, though, because I cannot abide overcooked spaghetti. Wish me al-dente-ness, please.

Thursday: Lentil soup in the Instant Pot. Why did we buy a stove for our house again?

Friday: The Sweet Potato Fries with Basil Yogurt Sauce from Season, because I haven’t been able to stop daydreaming about them since Nik roasted some up for us at the Bon Appetit test kitchen. I shall be weeping happy weeps and gnashing my teeth on some sweet potato fries until further notice.

Cheers!