If We Were Having Coffee (8 December, 2020)
The Adventiest Advent
Good morning, friends!
I was brought up in what I’ve sometimes described as a ‘culturally Christian’ house - we took part in the traditions, and went to Church on Mothering Sunday and Christmas Eve for the Christingle, but weren’t religious beyond that. One thing that has stuck with me, though, is the meaning of Advent as a season of anticipation and waiting. And in that sense, Advent 2020 is the Adventiest of all the Advents - I feel so optimistic about 2021 (Joe! Kamala! A vaccine! Hugs!) that I can barely wait for the turning of the year and the opportunity to put up my new calendar.
If we were having mulled cider, outside and at a safe distance, I’d be chatting about:
This delightfully silly animation that popped up on my Twitter feed. Watch and enjoy.
I’m planning to re-activate my Disney+ subscription for a month starting next week, so I can enjoy all my favourites during the two-and-a-half weeks I have booked away from work. Princess Diaries (ahem)! Hamilton! Frozen! My space on the sofa is ready…
A number of the things on my ‘when it’s safe’ post-pandemic wish list involve getting groups of chums together for specific food or drink experiences - and one of my favourite food places here in Edinburgh, Wings, has been struggling. They launched a crowdfunder, which raised the goal of £25,000 in just over 48 hours, and is now working towards what will hopefully be the first of a number of stretch targets. They’ve hinted that they’ll be working on expanding the menu, and I’m hoping that includes some more veggie-friendly options, because their range of wing sauces is incred.
I’m going full basic bitch with this new recommendation - I went to Waitrose to get my groceries on Saturday (I had pul biber on my list and it’s the only place I know that stocks it) and their spiced clementine and pomegranate candle jumped into my basket. It has made my living room smell like mulled wine.
After the sugar-fest that was last week’s Twix traybake, I needed something a little more restrained - so I turned the bag of carrots from the fridge into the carrot soup with sesame and miso from Smitten Kitchen. It was delicious and I’m looking forward to pulling the last tub of it out of the freezer later this week.
Saturday was cold and rainy - the kind of rain that meant I was soaked to the skin within five minutes of leaving the flat. When I got back, though, I was so excited about putting on my cosy sweatpants and making curry, I almost didn’t mind. I had seen this post on Celine’s instagram and set about making my own cauliflower curry - it was just what the doctor ordered. Pro tip: if you buy the mini naan breads, they freeze well and fit in the toaster to defrost at speed.
As is good and traditional, here is the link to my Spotify Wrapped playlist from this year. Fair warning: there’s a lot of Taylor Swift and musical theatre.
You may know that I went veggie this year as my new year’s resolution. I’m going to stay mostly veggie in 2021, I think, but I’m looking forward to flexing a little so that I can enjoy Wings - but also gourmet marshmallows. Here in Edinburgh we’re lucky enough to play host to Nicole, aka The Marshmallow Lady. I have been watching her social media and drooling all year…
As well as her amazing flavours (which she posts nationwide!), her canine companion has his own page on her website.
Last weekend was the last time I’ll be able to go roller-skating until well into January - as it’s the COVID-riskiest thing I do, I’m staying away from the rink for a couple of weeks each side of travelling to see my family. I have so enjoyed getting my skates on each week and getting slightly less terrible every time. We’re beginning to see the same people who go in the same time slot as us every week and it’s just a lovely way to spend an hour. I feel really lucky to have been able to start something new during Coronatimes and I’d encourage you to try something that scares you a bit too, in 2021.
Lastly, a super-cute video of a flock of ducks going outside and then, slowly and then all at once, thinking better of it:
Stay safe, and I’ll speak to you soon.
Lily
Find me on Instagram - @LilyMCooks - and my shop at Bookshop.org (AD - affiliate link)