#045 Feeling A Bit Sh*t?
Here's some non-sh*t things ...
But first … Last Sunday, a few hours after I published last week’s edition of this newsletter, the terrible attack at Bondi occurred. I just wanted to send my sympathies to all affected. We will not forget these tragic, targeted events, nor those who lost their lives, were injured and/or are personally impacted. I’m sure you’ve heard the call to light a candle this evening at 6.47pm (Australian Easter Daylight Savings Time) in remembrance, solidarity and hope. We’re doing that at our house, reflecting on what the Jewish community and the many others connected to Bondi have and are enduring. Love to everyone. And more ways to help here.
Now here are this week’s good things, if you are keen for some of those … (OK if not, though.)
1/ I updated my blog the other day, in case you are interested in everyday sorts of things.
2/ Stop scrolling and save your brain, friend.
3/ A bunch of family Christmas/Holiday movies to consider.
4/ Can you even believe the Madame Tussaud’s nativity scene?! Hilariously silly.
5/ These Danish gardens are so beautiful, aren’t they? (Via Rin)
6/ How to throw a fondue party like a seventies champ.
7/ These photos of Stephen Spielberg and ET are a delight.
8/ A bunch of the best women-led / women-directed 2025 released things to watch. And this new Emilia Clarke show looks great too. And there’s a new Muppet special coming and it’s hosted by that polly pocket, Sabrina Carpenter!
9/ Gift ideas for Gilmore Girls fans (useful year-round, I think!)
10/ Meringue kisses, anyone? Maybe Arancini are a good idea in those strange days between Christmas and New Year? Fancy tucking into some Korean Palace style cuisine? Latkes are perfect for holiday breakfasts, of course. Coffee Walnut Shortbread Cookies? How about Vegan Tiramisu Cake? Takeout style Lemon Pepper Chicken, perhaps?
11/ A bunch of creatives reveal their relatable Christmas stuff-ups.
12/ Nice ways to fancy up your spare room/guest bedroom (or even your imaginary guest room!)
13/ A kind stranger returned Ricki Lake’s lost family photos - and a firm friendship ensues.
14/ Twenty-six tiny ways to cook better in 2026. Helpful!
15/ Jason Momoa’s ‘meet and greet’ fan photos are pretty hilarious.
16/ A bunch of retro detail-filled Christmas gatherings to pore over. (eg Below)
17/ A new exhibition shares over 300 works by Boyd family women. (Above)
18/ This nifty compact camera kit takes video-making and/or content creation to a whole other level.
19/ These bronze bird sculptures are imposing and gorgeous!
20/ Wallace and Gromit’s Cracking Christmas (Via Kottke)
21/ How to be funny when writing a novel.
22/ Patti Smith on what it means to be an artist.
“All must fall away… Shedding is one of life’s most difficult tasks… We evolve, we falter, we learn from our transgressions, and then repeat them. We plunge back into the abyss we labored to exit and find ourselves within another turn of the wheel. And then having found the fortitude to do so, we begin the excruciating yet exquisite process of letting go.”
23/ These straw creatures are incredible, aren’t they?
24/ And these pics of Margaret Atwood as a girl are lovely (scroll down in that article a bit.) (Image below sourced from there.)
Around the grounds
June is crawling! When I visited on Friday she crawled over to me, pulled herself up by gripping my legs and then smooshed her little face into my shirt. It might be one of the best things that has ever happened to me! How does all this development happen so quickly? No wonder babies cry a lot … they are really going through so much and it must be daunting!
What’s for dinner at yours?
I’m going to make spaghetti and meatballs, to suit the rainy old day we’re having in Melbourne (hooray for rain!)
What have you been watching?
PS: Silly joke of the week -
What did the grape say when it got stepped on?
Nothing. It just let out a little whine.
Hope your week brings lots of good things and time with good people. I’ll be back here on Sunday 4th January with some more cheering links. Take care of yourself, sweethearts!
x pip
If you fancy, buy me a coffee/help me keep the lights on —> https://ko-fi.com/piplincolne - or you could become a paid subscriber here (if you’re not already! I would be so grateful! But only if you can spare the cash!)
NB: If any of the weekly FABS links ever fail, comment on this post and I’ll fix them up ASAP and add them to the comments too.
Pip, I have so many of the links you shared open to look over when I have the time. Arancini is on my holiday cooking list, along with falafel & now maybe I want to add lemon pepper chicken too!
And June is crawling!!!! That is such a fun development.
I'm having my annual "social media hiatus, & I cannot tell you how much better I feel having deleted the apps from my phone. But before I did that, I saw something the other day about having a more analogue 2026, something I am really hoping to do, & some of the tips around using your phone & socials were - think of tech in 3 buckets: connection ( texting, community, sharing), utility (maps, calendars, notes) & consumption ( endless scrolling, doom loops). What can help is, before opening any app, ask yourself: am I here to create, connect or to numb? And if it's numb, choose something gentler, aka analogue style hobbies like reading, crochet, puzzles, or going outside. I thought that was all really helpful.
Have a very lovely Christmas & New Year, Pip. I bet everyone is really excited to celebrate with Baby June. Thank you for all the loveliness you've brought to my online life this year. You are VERY appreciated xx
I have noticed how terrible my concentration is since being on social media more this year, also I feel stupider. So here's to focus and smarts in 2026!