Winter Favorites 2020

Hello friends! In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves in the middle of winter, at least for us Midwesterners. Given that the season has seemed to rush by, it took some time for me to think about my favorite things this winter.

1. Velvet

   I have wrapped myself head to toe in velvet since November. I bought a black velvet jump suit and blazer, burgundy velvet pants, a green velvet sweater, and a wine colored velvet dress (which I am saving for Valentine’s day!). I feel comfortable and fancy all at the same time. I wish I could pull it off year round.

2. Reading

   In an attempt to achieve my Goodreads 2019 reading challenge of finishing 40 books by the end of the year, I tried my best to get all 40 in by the end of December. Unfortunately, I fell 7 books short last year. The upside is that it sparked my love of reading and since then I have been on a roll. I set my 2020 goal at 40 books again, since I fell short last year. I have already finished 10. My favorites so far are as follows:

   • You and I Eat the Same - I will be writing up a review on this book alone on another post.

   • The Dutch House - Ann Patchett

   • The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - Stuart Turton

   • Magpie Murders - Anthony Horowitz

3. Oysters

   September - April all contain the letter “r”. You know what that means…oyster season! I love these slippery little mollusks, although I can’t do ones that are too big or I have texture issues. I’m learning to overcome these hurdles as i devour bivalve after bivalve. I love to try different regions and learning the flavor profiles of each type. My favorite are the briny East Coasters but the sweet West Coasters are growing on me.

4. Paris

   Ok, yes Paris is on my mind in any season. But in Winter 2020 it is worth special mention because I’m heading there next week! Our theme for this trip is to do things we have never done before. So far we have a walking wine tour planned, crepe lessons, and a trip to the Centre Pompidou. More on this trip to come in the next few weeks!

5. Seattle

   My final Winter 2020 favorite has to be Seattle. after 12 years in Chicago and 33 years living in the Midwest, Nate, the dogs and I are packing up and heading west. In fact, two weeks from now I will be an official Seattleite. We have found our new home in Green Lake and cannot wait to explore the Emerald City.

I’ll be saying goodbye to my Midwestern winter soon enough, so I will do my best to enjoy the snow currently falling outside my window.