Fluff Stuff Friday #75: The Nest is Empty Again

❄️ A seasonal living recap, and a few movie & book recs, and some words to touch your soul

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Seasonal Living last week

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” —Seneca

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 last week (pictured above)

1. A mocktail at trivia night (hibiscus, cucumber, lime, and soda)

2. Reading the best book (glimpse of my winter uniform—corduroys)

3. Broccoli Soup at Central Market

4. Homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

My boys have returned to their colleges, so things are quieting down in the Seasonalist’s house. I’m looking forward to lots of outside time this weekend and seeing Clue in the theater.

On to the Fluff Stuff.

📚 Book Stuff

I’ve got three book matters to discuss, and I’m loosely following the January Reading Goals I outlined in the January Super Stack.

1. I read You Are Here by David Nicholls. Sigh. I loved every single word. Two lost souls meet while walking across England (this is a thing—you walk and you stay in a charming hotel and eat at the pub every night—way to make walking across a country fun). Lots of talking and banter, a nothing much happens sort of book, and it was delightful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (that’s right, 5/5).

2. I finished a second book, outside of my usual wheelhouse, a YA fantasy book, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (and it ends on a cliffhanger, now I need to read the sequel). I would call it Fantasy-Lite. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (out of 5, I rather enjoyed it).

3. The Austen Connection has created a 2025 Austen Readalong. Since I’ve only read Pride & Prejudice, I’m joining in, at least for the first book, Northanger Abbey.

🍪 Cookie Stuff

Inspired by the Mindful Librarian’s oatmeal cookies, I baked my favorite cookie recipe which is from—the back of the Craisins package. Hold the Craisins, add chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of vanilla—the perfect, soft, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. I have made this recipe—probably 100 times. Without the boys here, I froze most of the cookie dough (in scoops) so I can bake some at my whim this winter.

🌎 Sustainable Stuff

Still no Amazon purchases in 2025, and when we needed a new filter for the furnace—I went to the store (Target) and bought one IN PERSON like it was 1995. Triumph. One small step at a time.

💗 Touching the Soul Stuff

Did y’all see Martha Beck on the Today show discussing anxiety (and her new book, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose)? For those with anxiety (everyone?) she’s come up with the acronym CAT (Calm, Art, Transcendence).

1. Kindness to yourself leads to calm.

2. Art/Create/Make something: “Creativity flatlines anxiety.”

3. Transcendence—go into flow state and connection, leading to solutions.

Watch here.

When I had insomnia last night, I talked to myself nicely about it. “It’s okay Nina, be kind to yourself. It’s just a little tricky falling asleep.” Then I read a book, got into a flow state, and nodded off.

If you’re into the New Year and reflecting and goal setting (🙋‍♀️), Brittany’s Notebook has a comprehensive rundown of the different ways that you can set intentions for 2025. I’m a big fan of the More of/Less of list, and gamifying your life. What’s the point of plodding along? We need to insert some fun and introspection into the mix of life.

💙 Wrap-Up

*Reminder: for 2025 most Tuesday posts will be for paid subscribers. Friday is always free to all. I’m keeping the price for an annual subscription at $35 for 2025.

How did you live seasonally this week?

May your weekend be fluffy!