All of a sudden, it hit me: I haven’t posted in TWO WEEKS. Yikes. A bigger deal than holding out on recipes and book reviews is that it means I didn’t share my annual gratitude post. I can’t stress how important it is to recognize the many reasons we have to be thankful. That’s why, though belated, I’m happy to share my list of thanks.
Check out my 2022 list for last year’s gratefulness.
- The safety of my home. Everything shifted on October 7, 2023 when Hamas brutally attacked Israel. The acts of terror we have watched play out are dispicable and beyond the scope of my imagination. In the wake of those events – which are ongoing – I have seen a rise in antisemitism that rivals only the Holocaust. It is one thing to know prejudice exists and simmers under the surface (as I have always experienced as a Jewish woman, particularly one from the South); it is another to see it such vile bigotry boldly exhibited in the open at astonishing frequency. I still have faith (both my in my religion and in humanity), but something has been broken. It would be impossible not to open this list without first acknowledging that I am grateful to live in a country, neighborhood, and building that feels safe during this scary time.
- Tinned fish. Tinned fish really had a moment this year and I jumped on the bandwagon. I love trying new flavors and seeing the fun branding. It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s a nice way to up the ante (and add some protein) on cheese boards when you want that girl dinner.
- Seeing my family four times in 3.5 months. It’s amazing how we’ve made it work for me to see my family so often. Between Savannah, New York, and Atlanta, we’re hanging four times between the end of September and first week of January. Some people live in the same city and don’t see their family that often, and I don’t take it for granted.
- My new job. This was on the list last year and here it is again. I didn’t expect to leave Reuters after only 10 months – I had very few qualms about working there – but when an opportunity to return brand side in a senior role presented itself, I felt it would be foolish not to explore. I’ve been in my new role for almost three months and have really been enjoying it. I’m thankful to have the chance to grow my career and push my skills to the limit.
- Babysitters. Thankfully, we’ve got a crew of babysitters we can call upon – even better, some live in the buildig and are teenagers, which means they charge less and don’t require an Uber home. It means my beau and I have gotten to reclaim a social life that we can enjoy together (vs. us each going out separately with friends while the other stays home with Finn).
- Six months of a plant. I bought a new plant in the summer and against all odds it’s still alive. Seeing it (in its cute glasses-wearing pot) brings a smile to my face each morning.
- Finn is communicating. It’s such a gamechanger now that he can vocalize his wants and needs. I love hearing him say some two- and three-word sentences – he’s turning into a real boy! I can’t believe he’s about to be TWO.
- Fourth Wing/Iron Flame. It’s been a while since a book series had such a hold on me. It was fun to have something that made me want to stay up til 3:15am reading.
- Hand me downs. I’m so lucky that we have friends and family who not only saved all their kids’ clothes but passed them along to us – some who even shipped from California. When kids grow out of clothes so quickly, it would have cost us a fortune to fully outfit Finn ourselves. We’re lucky to have such generosity in our lives.
- Good water pressure. Many quirks of NYC living seems stuck in the pre-war era (cue the weird noises coming from the random scalding hot pipe in the corner of your apartment) – it’s part of the charm – but one thing I’ve noticed since moving here is the amazing water pressure. It makes a hot shower a truly relaxing and restorative experience after a difficult day.
Peaches to Apples 