February's Roundup

in which I dream about mountain climbing

Dear Reader,

Hope your February was what you wanted it to be. If it wasn’t quite that, take heart, you’re not the only one. I didn’t get as much writing done as I wanted to (I never do, it seems). But two amazing things happened this month, and they both involved a birthday. The first was my Oma’s. She turned 94, and the family came together to celebrate.

A week later it was my birthday…

Taken right after I consumed the Huevos Monty and a stack of the Buttermilk Pancakes. It was my birthday, don’t judge.

I celebrated by watching Dune: Part Two. My advice: go and watch it too. Here you can read why I’ve been waiting my whole life for this day to come.

I also celebrated with a delicious brunch at my new favourite breakfast spot. If you’re wondering what heaven feels like, plan a trip to Toronto and try their pancakes. You won’t be sorry.

We also tried an escape room and managed almost managed to make it out in time. For dinner, I asked my mother to make her famous spaghetti sauce, which is my favourite meal in the whole world. Actually, it’s a toss up between that and her Sauerkraut.

This month I read Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, which is a collection of nine short stories about the inhabitants of Rome. It goes without saying that anything that Jhumpa Lahiri writes is gold.

While we’re on the subject of Italy, have you watched any of Martijn Doolaard’s work? I may be slightly addicted to his Sunday videos about renovating his stone cabin in the Italian Alps.

Another channel that has me hooked is this one. It’s fascinating the way Vinn and Leni, a young couple, bring light to life in Kibera, one of the largest urban slums in East Africa.

Although I’m sure

Laura Hodgson

didn’t write her article just for me, I like to imagine she did.

January Climbing Adventures

Whatever the case may be, thank you, Laura, your article reignited my obsession with rock/mountain climbing. In another life I imagine myself a mountain climber, scaling Mount Everest. However I would be one that heeds these warnings.

For all things extreme rock climbing I recommend this documentary.

In the world of nonfiction I read The Art of Gathering and dreamed up dinner parties I will host. If you’re planning to gather people for whatever purpose, I highly recommend going through this book first.

And if you’re in the mood for a good rom-com, I just finished reading this one, and loved it.

I’m fairly new to Substack and while digging through every bit of advice I can get my hands on, I came across this podcast.

Lastly, if you’re a new reader to my Subsatck and want to catch up on some of my fiction, may I point you here.

Wishing you a March that will be everything you dream it will.

XO Ingrid