Halloween used to be my favorite holiday, but we didn't do much for it last year because we had a wedding that weekend, & this year, we have exactly nothing planned because... you know, global pandemic & all. 

Our friends Stevie & Andrew typically host an epic Halloween party, but that's not happening this year, so I'm trying to get in the Halloween spirit with all the spooky movies & TV shows I can watch. I don't like horror, so my choices are all, for the most part, extremely tame.

What's your favorite Halloween-themed movie, show, book, podcast, etc.? Tell me what else I should be watching! I need morrrre!

The Time We Rented an Entire Bookstore for Date Night

Mike is notably difficult to buy gifts for. He doesn't want, need, or care about stuff, & he rarely gives me any semblance of a wishlist. This year, as we prepared to celebrate his 35th birthday amid the pandemic, he wouldn't even tell me what he wanted to do that day, so I was left to my own devices.

Enter Visible Voice Books, an independent bookstore in our neighborhood. It's located on the top floor of a building that also houses Crust, a popular pizza joint, & Proof, a new BBQ spot. 

Baked Apples... in the Microwave: My Favorite Fall Treat!

This is decidedly not a food blog, especially given that I just learned how to cook, like... at the start of the pandemic. But this new-to-me recipe, shared with me by my mom, is so easy & results in such a delicious autumnal treat that I couldn't help but share it with you here. I've told a few friends about it, & it's become so popular that I wanted to spread the love!

How I Observed the Jewish New Year from Home

Like everything else about 2020, this year's Jewish High Holidays look considerably different than in years past. Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish new year, was observed last Friday/Saturday, & while I would typically have spent the day in synagogue, this year I, like millions of Jews worldwide, had to get a little creative.

My day job working with ReformJudaism.org means I have a lot of easy access to & knowledge of Jewish resources – finding synagogues, figuring out which prayers to recite, identifying tasty recipes. Leaning on some of the content I've recently created or helped promote for work, Mike & I cobbled together a really nice little new year's celebration for ourselves. Here's what it entailed. 

All the Things I Miss

I've been trying to stay upbeat during the pandemic in part because... well, what's the use in moping? (God, I sound like my grandmother.) That said, as this thing drags out & drags on, I'm starting to dread the approach of colder weather – because with it comes our return to isolation, without the option of outdoor hangs.

I've been thinking about all the things I miss most, & I'm keeping a little list, just because I find that it makes me feel a little bit better to have it all written down. I thought I'd share it with you here – & if you're inclined to share, I'd love to hear what you're pining for, too.

5 Life Lessons from My New Beachcombing Hobby

Here in Northeast Ohio, beachcombing seems to have blown up this summer, probably as a result of the pandemic. Local beach glass Facebook groups are bursting with new members, & a radio station recently ran an interview with a beachcomber about the best spots in Cleveland (which revealed a bit of an open secret, flooding that beach with new hobbyists). 

I'm new to beachcombing myself, so who am I to judge? As the pandemic-laden weeks carry on, I'm finding my beachcombing hobby to be more & more integral to my mental health – an opportunity for me to be outside & in nature, mind clear & heart open, just me & my thoughts & my headphones & my digging hands.

Things I Love Right Now (Pt. XI)

Apparently it's been two years since I did a post about products I love, but, uhhh, no time like the present, right? Seriously, I feel like I do these all the time, but... I guess not. So here are just a few things I've been loving these days. How about you? 

Finding Joy: 8 More Little Reasons to Smile Amid the Pandemic

Back in April, when the pandemic was brand new (man, remember those days?), I wrote a post about "eight good things during bad times." Months later, the pandemic is still going strong (despite some people's insistence on returning to regular life), & I'm back with eight more small but happy things.

I Thought I Was Going to Become a Mom This Month

I was at a work conference in Chicago when I began to suspect I was pregnant. The day I returned home, I verified it with literally six at-home pregnancy tests, all of which told the same story: baby on board – or embryo on board, at least.

I was ecstatic & panicked & in a total "now what?!" tailspin. I told Mike the week before Christmas, announcing it with a Harry Potter onesie ("Mischief Managed") & a handwritten snowflake ornament that read "Baby Kaput, Gryffindor, Coming August 2020." 

We knew it was too soon to tell people, according to societal norms, but we told a few loved ones anyway. We couldn't help ourselves; we were thrilled.

10 Ways to Get to Work Electing Joe & Kamala

Why, yes, I did put on lipstick for this week's Kamala Harris announcement! What are you doing today to help elect the Biden/Harris ticket? Here are some ideas:⁣