I read the first four paragraphs of this book and thought (for the first time in fifteen months)…I need to tell the internet about this book. The opening pages of Abundance paint a picture of a world that I want to live in. I want my grandchildren to only know this world. It's deeply researched (45 pages of source notes at the back) and explains how America became a society of chosen scarcities and how we can build our way out of it. I finished it and felt…hopeful. Right now, I am finding it hard to think outside the daily news cycle. This book, for me, was an important step away of the chaos and a reminder of what is possible. (If you need a book trailer, watch this.)

Speaking of books, I have been listening to the Louise Penny Inspector Gamache series in order. I have read many over the years but never in order and never in audio. They are cozy mysteries set outside Quebec. I love Ruth and Rosa. I love Gabri and Olivier. I love Myrna and Clara. I want to stumble upon the un-mapped village of Three Pines then upend my life to move there so I can eat brie and jam on a baguette by the fire at the Bistro while I chat with these amazing characters who are so beautifully flawed, artistic and kind. I am currently listening to book 12 of 19 through Libby, the library audiobook app.

I kept track of exactly what color nail polishes I wore in 2024 (because OFC I did) and Penpal won easily. It's been my most reached for so far in 2025, too. (Second place is Kiss Cam, the perfect bright red.)

My first sewing project of 2025 was a new quilt. I went with my standard 45x60 inch size and alternated pieced squares with cream cotton for a checkerboard effect. It's probably my favorite ever and my best friends, the cats, love it too. This tutorial walks you through creating similar quilt blocks, though I started with 2x2 inch pieces instead of 4x4.

Last year was my first year growing Anemones and I loved them so much I planted three times as many for 2025. New to me this year are Italian Levante Rosa Anemones. I purchased the corms from this small flower farm back in August, planted in November and couldn't believe my eyes when they bloomed in late February. (I am in zone 9b.) They are lasting over a week in a vase and are so cheery. I expect them to continue producing blooms into May.

Yep, another book. I had this on my shelf for over a year and finally picked it up at the beginning of March. It was beautiful and in many ways a nice pairing with Abundance. I particularly loved the story of the sweetgrass study which demonstrated that a plot where sweetgrass was harvested thrived more than a plot where sweetgrass was left alone. (It's no secret we need the Earth, but Kimmerer's thesis is the Earth needs us too.) The book changed a lot for me including how I will approach my own garden this year (more companion planting! less worry about “pests”!) and is one I know I will refer back to often. The Serviceberry is currently on my nightstand to read next.

Last fall our family watched If, a movie about imaginary friends. It was sweet and we all cried, but the part I obsessed over was the interior of the Grandma's house. It inspired me to add even more pattern to our walls and to display family photos in tabletop frames on every surface. I'm collecting them secondhand for the most part but this one from Framebridge was special enough to purchase new.

You know it's March because in the arthouse I have dozens of tomato seedlings and in the living room I am testing tomato scented candles. There are many on my list to try this spring and summer but so far, Flamingo Estate's Roma Heirloom is beating Kobo's Wild Tomato vine. Both are soy wax and a similar size. Kobo's is half the price (and you can plant the box!) but the throw on the Flamingo Estate is better (I can smell it from another room) and to my nose it's a bit more interesting and complex. (Plus that green vessel is too good.)

We have had this game for years and as my kids get older it's getting more and more fun. Recently we brought it out to dinner and played while we waited for the meal. My younger daughter, Piper, called our evening “the best night of [her] life.” Same.