Fluff Stuff Friday #66: November Check-in

🍁 A seasonal living recap, three dip recommendations (two holiday, one dessert), Jack White's guacamole, revisiting slow productivity, and more!

Welcome to the Seasonalist, a happy place to land, where you’ll find all things seasonal and seasonal-adjacent (books, movies, food, and fun) from Austin, Texas. If you’d like to subscribe, click below.

My seasonal week in pictures.

“Which are the magic moments in ordinary time? All of them, for those who can see…”—Tim Deluges (from the poem “Ordinary Time”)

Happy Friday, y’all!

Each Friday I recap how I lived seasonally this week, and I encourage you to do the same. Why? Your life can be so much better if you follow the formula. It’s about putting something on the calendar, experiencing joyful anticipation, and then some happy feelings emerge. Try it!

How I lived seasonally this week (as pictured above):

1. I used my acorn brie baker as a vehicle for Cranberry Jalapeño Dip (read on) at a backyard happy hour

2. Autumnal Tea

3. My first Starbucks with the holiday cup

4. Football and country music with my son’s college “organization” for Parent Weekend

On to the Fluff Stuff!

❤️🤍 Jack White Stuff

My friend (hi Sharyn!) scored tickets to a Jack White pop-up show last night at the Mohawk, a tiny venue here in Austin. I wasn’t a rabid fan before, but I think I am now.

We did a deep dive on Jack White’s tour rider, which entered headlines with demands for “no bananas” and providing a specific guacamole recipe, which he later insisted was a “joke.” Read Fell in Love With a Guac: Making Jack White's Guacamole Recipe for the rundown.

Here you go (copied from the aforementioned article).

Jack White's Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 x large, ripe Haas avocados (cut in half the long way, remove the pit–SAVE THE PITS THOUGH–, and dice into large cubes with a butter knife. 3 or 4 slits down, 3 or 4 across. You’ll scoop out the chunks with a spoon, careful to maintain the avocado in fairly large chunks. 

• 4 x vine-ripened tomatoes (diced)

• ½ yellow onion (finely chopped)

• 1 x full bunch cilantro (chopped)

• 4 x Serrano peppers (de-veined and chopped)

• 1 x lime

• Salt & pepper to taste

Steps

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, careful not to mush the avocados too much. We want it chunky. Once properly mixed and tested, add the pits into the guacamole and even out the top with a spoon or spatula. Add ½ lime to the top layer so you cover most of the surface with the juice. (The pits and lime will keep it from browning prematurely.) Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until served. Please don’t make it too early before it’s served. We’d love to have it around 5 pm.

And I almost forgot. The music.

*This was not the setlist at all.

📚 (Non) Fluffy Book of the Week Stuff

After a conversation with a friend this week (Hi Rachel!), I picked up my copy of “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport, for a reread. I did a deep dive into the book earlier this year.

How to Spring Clean Your Mind, Slow Down, and Abandon Fresh Starts In Favor of Fresh Action

To quote myself (!):

I rarely buy books. I am both a voracious reader (remember the hamster wheel of learning?) and a bit of a minimalist, so I hate the clutter. For a book to be purchased, it has to be special. This book is special.

If anyone is struggling with motivation and productivity, I highly recommend this book. It’s a keeper.

🫕 A Tale of Two Autumn Dips Stuff

I tried two different Cranberry Jalapeño Dips this week. The things I do for this Substack!

• The first contender is the Good & Gather Cranberry Jalapeño Dip from Target. This dip was so good—very thick and spreadable, and not too spicy. The container is of a normal size, so you can control yourself. I was so impressed with this dip, that I think we’ve been sleeping on these Good & Gather dips.

• The second contender is La Terra Fina’s Cranberry Jalapeño Dip from Costco. This one is a little sweeter, with a fluffier consistency, but is even more addictive, plus you’ve got this giant container to contend with. I tried it cold and warm—10/10 either way.

🍪 Dessert Dip Stuff

I went to a happy hour at a friend’s house this week, and someone brought a dessert dip. WOW. Look for Alouette Cheesecake Dip at your local grocer. We nibbled on it with chocolate and graham crackers—also a 10/10.

💗 November Stuff

Did this come across your feed? I’m mentally here. Join me with a cup of tea!

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May your weekend be fluffy, and slowly productive.