Currently drinking from a cup of stars
A weekly report
This week was another test of endurance punctuated by brief moments celebration. Things at the gallery are busy in advance of the holidays. I took a Danish exam on which my residency permit depends. My husband is defending his PhD dissertation next week, and his whole family is about to arrive for a weeklong visit. There are gifts to buy, press releases to write, tests to study for, a dog to walk, emails to send, anxiety to be managed. Things are busy.
The brief moments of joy included an impromptu St. Lucia processional and gløgg in a cozy bar by the harbour. After a long week, I wasn’t in the mood to be sweet or silly, and I felt like doing nothing but staying in bed. But, I forced myself out to drink gløgg1 and celebrate passing the Danish test with my friend who also passed the exams. It was so worth it. We debriefed and laughed about our mistakes and toasted alongside our already fluent Danish partners. As I mentioned last week, you have to put in the work to make life enjoyable. And then, maybe find a few spare hours to drink coffee in bed and read a gothic novel.
Here’s a brief catalogue of the things that delighted and distracted me this week.
Weekly report:
Reading:
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
I found a beautiful fabric-bound copy at the bookstore this weekend while I was supposed to be shopping for other people, but I couldn’t resist buying it for myself. Indeed, I, too, need my cup of stars.
“Eleanor looked up, surprised; the little girl was sliding back in her chair, sullenly refusing her milk, while her father frowned and her brother giggled and her mother said calmly, 'She wants her cup of stars.'
Indeed yes, Eleanor thought; indeed, so do I; a cup of stars, of course.”
Full quote here.
Eating:
Cheesy Frittata by Sohla El-Waylly
Sometimes eggs gross me out and I can’t eat them for months, but right now I love them. Also, I love everything Sohla makes. Also makes a wonderful breakfast.
Playing:
PJ Morton’s “How Deep Is Your Love”
In my opinion, PJ Morton’s Christmas album is indisputably the best Christmas album. However, I am trying not to overdose on Christmas music before Christmas actually arrives, so I am recommending another favourite. This video captures my full attention for the full 3:31 every time I watch it.
SPAM Thanksgiving
Another Sohla rec. Sohla and Ham El-Waylly are favourites to watch, and I can’t get enough of their Mystery Menu series on the NYT Youtube channel. I love how they always take time to describe the chemistry of cooking alongside their own childhood associations with food and daily practices. This episode was particularly inspired.
Obsessing:
Tibi Lucas Bag
I have been looking for the perfect unbranded tote for some time, and I think I have finally found it. I love carrying a small handbag with me to work, but I need a tote for my laptop. I really wanted a chic one, but not so chic that it would compete with my purse. I think this is the one. (Although, I haven’t ordered it yet if anyone has other suggestions.)
Speeding up my videos and setting them to slightly manic music
Recommending:
An impromptu St Lucia performance with your colleagues
Friday was St Lucia's Day2 (or Sankta Lucia), and, as I mentioned, things have been stressful at work, but we made the time to turn off all of the lights, light candles, and sing together. St Lucia is the bearer of light, and it felt so right to perform a ritual to summon light in dark times, both literally and metaphorically, both on a micro and on a macro scale.
Treating:
Bone Fire’s Gift Guide for Vampires
I particularly love the suggestion of a leather bound notebook for “delirious, delicious, or dangerous thoughts.” My thoughts are dizzy and I would like a glamorous a place to record them. But really, everything on Kate McBride’s perfectly sumptuous gift guide is covetable, and I am obsessed with both the content and the overall aesthetic.
Danish mulled wine. Recipe here.
St Lucia's Day (or Sankta Lucia) commemorates St Lucia, a young Christian martyr who died for her faith. According to the legends, St Lucia would secretly bring food to the Christians hiding in Roman catacombs under the city. She would light her way with candles held in a wreath on her head so she could have both hands free to carry things.
The day is celebrated with a Lucia train (Luciatåg) procession in which a young girl elected to portray St Lucia leads the way wearing a white gown, with a red sash and crown of candles. She is trailed by Lucia handmaidens (tärnor), star boys (stjärngossar) and gingerbread men (pepparkaksgubbar) who all carry candles. Find a full explanation here.