The Fluff Stuff #91: Memorial Day Edition
🇺🇸 The two drinks of summer, beach reading has begun, and seasonal living this week
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.
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
Happy Friday, y’all.
Welcome to The Fluff Stuff!
Here you’ll find a quick seasonal living recap and a weekly reminder to live your best seasonal life. Along with a few Fluffy Things for the weekend.
How I lived seasonally last week (pictured above)
Trying out a new (to Austin) Acai bowl place, Mamaka Bowls
Shishito Popper Tacos (I GREW THE SHISHITOS MYSELF)
The eldest graduated from college
Watching the PGA from our hotel room
Now for…
🌎 Seasonal PSA Stuff
Memorial Day is this weekend! I’ve wanted to make Ina Garten’s Flag Cake for YEARS. Godspeed to me.
I have been alerted to “melted ice pop” water found at Target and other retailers from Things That Make Me Happy. I will be purchasing immediately, or I’m not the Seasonalist. Is this the Drink of the Summer?
Or is The Drink of Summer Jalapeño Wine? According to the New York Times, Jalapeño Wine Delights TikTok but Confuses Bartenders—and “throwing a few jalapeño slices into a chilled glass of white wine is the latest drinking craze.”
I am making this drink my happy hour beverage tonight and will report back. This is a FULL SERVICE SEASONAL SUBSTACK. I’m not just posting—I’m doing the sacrificial work. Stay tuned. And remember:
There was one piece of advice that every sommelier shared: Enjoy your wine however makes you happy. With ice cubes? Sure. With some heat? Why not. It’s your life, it’s your wine.
📚 Book Stuff
On Tuesday, I published my Fluffy Summer Reading Guide (truly, it’s so fun—thank you to my librarian bestie for all the hot picks). And here’s last summer’s Tiny Summer Reading Guide for Fluffy Readers.
As I mentioned, last week I gave a rave review to Anabel Monaghan’s “It’s a Love Story.” I am going to see her SPEAK IN AUSTIN ON JUNE 2.
From my summer book guide, I’m reading Kate & Frida as my “breakfast and lunch reading book.” It’s kind of nice to have a cozy read like this to peruse over a meal. The book is an homage to book lovers and a life before the Internet changed everything.
I occasionally read thrillers (the Seasonalist doesn’t like stressful reading) and I read a Net Galley review copy of The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz. Abby is trapped on an island—no phone, and possibly a cover up of the accidental death of her fiancee—or was it? SO GOOD.
💗 Touching My Soul Stuff
A professor bequeathed her estate to former students. A lovely read—“A Professor’s Final Gift to Her Students: Her Life Savings.” (gift link) A beautiful story about the lifelong impact of caring about another person.
“I’ll never get the kind of acknowledgment from my parents that I got from her,” Ms. Helms said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I think about her almost every day.”
🤣 Laughing Stuff
Why do I love Bad Bunny so much? And IS THIS ACTUALLY FUNNY?
💙 Wrap-Up
May your weekend be fluffy.
Is jalapeno “Sauvy B” not your thing? At my son’s graduation last weekend, I noticed this Casamigos Jalapeño Tequila on the table of my son’s rental house (it smelled DELICIOUS). If you’re so inclined.
Substack Reads of the Week: From Living Small by Laura Fenton, “Small Things That Make Me Feel Rich.” And a reminder that life should be fluffy (HELLO this is the Fluff Stuff) from Older, Wiser, Hotter, The Art of Being Pretty and Fun.
The Seasonalist loves to watch golf. I know. We should embrace our quirks and interests without shame.
Can't wait for you to report back on the melted ice pop fizzy water - I have held back so many times at Target already! I'm waiting for you to sway or deter me for once and for all!
Do you deliver summer drinks?