MVPs of 2023

Six Things that Made this Year More Bearable

What a year. I feel like we say that every year, but this year, it really, really feels what-a-year-ish. And yet, I don’t want to rush past all of the joy that flecked it like sweet and tender blueberries in a warm muffin.

I realize this might seem rather frivolous, but I have in mind Dorothy Day’s commitment to the duty of delight, and I want to celebrate the little things that lighten our spirits and give us the strength to carry on. No affiliate links here, just regular ones. Without further ado, here are my six MVPs of 2023.

1. THE LIBRARY.

I am 41 years of age, and I still cannot believe that I can just…walk out of the library with a bunch of books. For free?! God bless this most perfect of all public institutions and the librarians that work so hard to make knowledge and growth available to us (in spite of some extra awful pushback these past few years.) Librarians are superheroes, and I make sure to shower them with affection every time I show up (some things are worth pushing past introversion for).

Furthermore, this was the year that all my parenting dreams came true, by which I mean that my older son and I now have a dedicated library day each week. He picks up all of his holds, makes more requests on the computer, and we both heft out a huge bag of books and then decamp to a cafe for a cappuccino (me) and a chocolate donut (him). Parents of very little ones: this day will come! It is delightful getting to spend this time with him, and beautiful watching him explore his every interest. (Relatedly, I highly recommend the library’s book request system as an alternative to retail therapy. Knowledge therapy!)

Also! Two days ago my younger son (pictured here in his beloved doggie costume) got his first library card, and it was absolutely precious. He got his very own tote bag, and he says that he is a grown-up now. Going to the library was one of the great joys of my childhood, and being able to share it with my children just makes my heart burst.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give the most honorable of mentions to the UW library, which is a magical Harry Potter land where I can visit all the wonderfully antique tomes of my grad school days, and, YES, take them home with me!

2. CHAI.

For Christmas last year, my brother- and sister-in-law gave me this gorgeous sampler box of Vadham chai. And I drank all of it. All of it! After making my way through twelve different blends, I had a sense of what I liked and decided to customize my own recipe. As a prize for finishing a chapter of my book, I took myself on a date to the Indian grocery store and bought a masala box and all the spices and CTC Assam tea I would need. Oh, the joy of spice shopping!

Every afternoon around 5, I get out my heavy mortar and pestle and lovingly smash a big hunk of ginger, eight peppercorns, three green cardamom pods, two cloves, and a few shards of crushed cinnamon stick. I boil the spices, add the tea, let it churn a bit, and then add milk. My favorite part is the frothy volcano effect as I bring it to a boil six or seven times and then strain it into my favorite mug.

I do not know how to describe it except as heavenly. I love the ritual, I love the spicy warmth, and it is now one of my favorite parts of my daily routine. (One of our pots is now designated as a chai-only vessel, ha!)

3. A GOOD MILK FROTHER AND A SOLID ESPRESSO ROAST

I promise that not all of these will be warm-drink-related, but the fancy milk frother I got with some birthday money from my brother has been a game-changer. I still cannot believe that I can produce THIS at home:

(Please enjoy the perma-cluttered countertop.) Before this, I was using a $2 milk frother from Ikea, and, you know, it’s a good thing to have on hand, but it would really only froth the top half-inch of my milk, no matter how many angles I tried. I know that milk is just milk, but when it is frothed, IT IS THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY. Sorry for yelling; I feel strongly about this everyday pleasure.

Once I had the foam covered, I needed to be able pull a better shot in my little Bialetti. I had just been using my regular ground Peet’s (Major Dickason’s Blend, if you must know), so I decided to try Illy. OH, GREAT HEAVENS. It is delicious. Who knew that an espresso roast would actually…make great espresso? As a little fun bonus, the canister is vacuum-sealed, and it pops with an espresso-scented cloud when you open it. Bliss. It’s been so nice to be able to offer a fancy coffee to friends. C’mon over. I will make you a latte or a London Fog.

4. FROZEN CASHEWS

Hear me out on this one. It used to be pretty hard to find unsalted nuts, but these days I can just buy huge bags of them from Costco. I keep all my nuts in the freezer, a tip from my mother-in-law, to slow the oils from going rancid. I used to let them thaw a bit before eating them, but I guess one day I was just really hungry and popped some frozen cashews right into my mouth (don’t tell my dentist). The crunch. The natural sweetness. I did not expect to be delighting this much in frozen cashews, but here we are. They’re delicious.

5. SEEING MY FRIENDS IN PERSON

It is always a highlight to get to attend the Ignatian Creators’ Summit, and this year I met some new folks who are now dear friends. And THEN, thanks to some mouldering frequent flyer miles, I got to see them all again a few months later for the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice. Both of these events were really nourishing and inspiring, and, ahem, I got to see Shannon Evans TWICE.

6. YOU

I came home from the summit in August brimming with ideas, and one of them was to make a go of sending out a weekly newsletter/blog post to you, most of the time an essay or pondering, and sometimes something light-hearted like this. Thank you for being here. I know as well as anyone that inbox space is sacred space, and I’m honored that you’re here. It’s been a joy to watch this community grow because you are all such genuinely lovely people. I’m so glad to know you.

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Wishing you the very merriest Christmas! I’ll be with family next week, but will be back in the new year. In the meantime, will you tell me about your 2023 MVPs?

Awaiting the new year with you,
Cameron