FIVE THINGS I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

The news outside is atrocious and deeply worrisome: violence, unrest, natural disasters, political quagmires.

The heavy rain, chilly temps and limited sunshine means less outdoor time and very little Vitamin D.

I’m solo parenting while my hubby’s on a business trip to China, my kids are in the throes of school/hormones/testing and my dog is getting feebler by the minute.

What to do?

All this calls for supreme self-care in all its forms.

So here are FIVE Things I’m Loving This Week.

ONE. Embracing the TV watching.

Whether it’s watching football with a neighbor,

catching up on Ballers while folding laundry, or counting the minutes until This is Us airs, I’m watching with abandon.

You feel me?

Grab your favorite blanket, make a big bowl of popcorn (preferably with luxe butter)

and relax.

In the market for a winner this weekend?

Here’s a classic that never disappoints: Rear Window.

First and foremost, it’s enthralling to see Grace Kelly at her most beguiling (the pencil skirts! the pearls! the catered dinner!); I can’t think of any contemporary actress who rivals her charisma, beauty, and style.

Then there’s Jimmy Stewart as the voyeuristic cameraman nursing a broken leg and Raymond Burr as the neighbor with nefarious intentions — plus the Hitchcock framing and storytelling is primo.

On another note, today is Friday the 13th so the kids and I are going to sit down to a scary/creepy movie tonight. (Suggestions?)

This movie last weekend has me itching for more manufactured thrills.

TWO. Going to my local farmer’s market.

I’m lucky in that I’ve got a terrific farmer’s market six blocks from my house.

It’s not the biggest in town but it has all the big bells and whistles (produce, flowers, breads, sauces, meats, fish plus tamales, coffee, cookies, shrubs, honey and a few other ones) and I always come home with a basket of treats.

Getting outside– no matter the weather — is vital for mental health. Why not combine that with food shopping?

Look at the five pounds of tomatoes I came home with this week.

Speaking of tomatoes, I think it’s really important to eat especially tasty food when you’re feeling blue.

So,

THREE. I’m eating killer sandwiches.

Whether it’s one using those scandalously ripe tomatoes in a BLT,

or dressing up a tuna sandwich (with two kinds of olive, lemon zest and thyme),

go for simplicity but hone those details with the best possible ingredients.

Here’s another one of my favorites: a shrimp roll with cilantro, avocado and corn.

What’s your favorite homemade sandwich?

FOUR. Hitting the Goodwill Bins for a little treasure hunting.

I’ve popped in twice in the last two weeks and I’ve found a few things sold by the pound that have put a spring in my step.

Check out this cute little felted coin purse; it’s now hiding in my car with an emergency $20 and quarters so when I forget my wallet when I run to the store, I don’t have to head home for payment.

Over two trips I also found all this Halloween parapharnalia, and all but the one vintage bag is still pristine in its packaging (and all this probably set me back thirty cents or so).

These magazines were picked up for 29 cents a piece and I like keeping them in the car to peruse when I’m waiting for gas or picking up a kid.

And then there’s this, my favorite recent find– a metal sign that you can plug in (or not), still with the tags on it and right at home over my French doors off my kitchen.

It’s pretty big– almost two feet long and 2/3 that high — and the price tag said $40 but the Goodwill outlet woman sold it to me for $3 (sometimes they’ll sell heavier items at a price cheaper than by pound estimate).

Considering that this price was more than 90% off its retail — and it looks perfect where it now sits!– I’m uber happy.

And lastly,

FIVE. Fresh cut flowers indoors.

Always.

Whether the  flowers are from the garden (like these my friend Rebecca dropped off)

or these dropped off from my pal Elizabeth

from the very special floral offerings at Providore Fine Foods Market,

fresh flowers always lift my spirits.

Turns out both of those above bunches were dropped off within an hour of one another, so I’ve got blooms in almost every room of the house right now. That’s a huge mood-shifter for me.

So those five things plus special breakfasts are my jam right now.

What simple pleasures are you enjoying right now?