Sydney's Sunday Reads: #18
Happy Sunday, friends!!
Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.
What’s in YOUR toolbox? - 2020 has been one of the most collectively stressful years of all time, there’s just no denying it. We’ve had a contentious battle for the White House, a global pandemic, racial and social unrest, and the loss of so many people. And with COVID numbers steadily rising, another crucial upcoming election here in the US, and the frigid winter season fast approaching, practicing self-care, no matter how you define it, is of the utmost importance. In this article, artist Martine Thompson talks about the things in her “joy toolbox” - her list of go-to items and activities that are guaranteed to bring her happiness when she needs it the most. What’s in yours? Mine includes several of my favorite sitcoms, a spicy chai mix, a playlist of upbeat jams, and books that always make me smile. (Healthyish)
A snack for the ages. - Archeologists in Pompeii, Italy this week announced the unearthing of a 2,000-year-old snack stall, known as a termopolium, that still has traces of food in it! This is the first of its kind to be discovered fully intact, and displays frescoes on the exterior panels of ducks hung upside down and chickens; an indication to passerby in ancient times of key ingredients in the food being sold. Also found on-site were ceramic cooking bowls, wine flasks, a bronze drinking bowl, and amphora (tall Roman jars with handles on each side and narrow necks). How cool is that!? (CNN)
A timeless ballet. - For me, it isn’t the holiday season without The Nutcracker. I love listening to the soundtrack and pretending to be the Sugar Plum Fairy as I dance through the house in full decorating-mode. On really good years, I’ve been able to see the production live, always dazzled by the costumes and athletic endurance and grace of the dancers. Of course, this year, the lights have been dim in theatres all across the country, making 2020 a year that this magical tradition was missed. But there’s always next year, and, if I’m able and we can all be together again, I’ll be first in line to get tickets to see it up-close and in-person. In the meantime, here’s a historical look at photos ofThe Nutcracker, a 128-year-old ballet, through the years. (Buzzfeed News)
Olive + Mabel. - One thing that has gotten me through quarantine is watching the many adventures of Olive and Mabel, two labradors in Scotland whose father, sports commentator Andrew Cotter, started filming and narrating their lives and uploading the videos to Twitter earlier this year. The first video was Olive and Mabel at dinner time, racing to be the first to finish their food. Cotter treated it as he would any televised sporting event, adding backstories for each dog’s “career” and noting the sportsmanship and sheer professionalism of each, much to the amusement of viewers. From there the two cute pups have gone on epic runs on the beach and in the woods, attended “performance reviews” via Zoom, and even moved house. It’s been quite the journey so far, and luckily, there’s more to come. Meet the sweet trio of Cotter, Olive, and Mabel in the video below! (The Times and The Sunday Times via Youtube)
Judy the Elf’s hot cocoa recipe! - It’s also not the holiday season for me if I don’t sit down for my annual viewing of The Santa Clause which to me just gets funnier and funnier every year. One of the best scenes in the film is Scott Calvin’s (played by Tim Allen) first time to the North Pole where he meets Judy, an elf and executive assistant to Santa Claus who has been alive for at least 1200 years. As Calvin tries to wrap his mind around all that he’s seeing (and his new job as Santa), Judy offers him a cup of her famous hot cocoa, a recipe for which she’s been tinkering with for a long, long time. As a huge fan of this movie, I’ve always wondered just what this amazing hot cocoa would taste like, and apparently, I’m not alone. In this episode of Binging with Babish, filmmaker and YouTuber Andrew Douglas Rea (aka Oliver Babish), breaks down just what he thinks Judy meant when she described her cocoa as “not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken, not stirred”! (Binging with Babish on Youtube)