Present Joys: Curing the doom scroll, mathematical models, repeat recipes and evening walks
Week of August 19, 2025
ALMA Backyard Farms
Our Present Walk this month was at ALMA Backyard Farms and it was arguably one of the best walks we’ve done to date. Our friend and fellow Present walker Lacey is a volunteer with Alma and toured us around their gorgeous urban farm in Compton. We enjoyed learning about Alma’s mission, shopped for produce grown mere feet away, and ate some really delicious chilaquiles as part of their Compton Farm Stand & Brunch. Highly recommend checking it out. They have two brunch dates in September: the 7th and the 21st from 8 AM to 12 PM.
The One-Drawer Organizing Method
I think I’ve figured out how to get a little dose of dopamine while also being productive. It also happens to be my cure for doom scrolling: open a drawer, closet, pantry shelf, etc. and spend 10 minutes cleaning it out and organizing it. Works every time!
Stochastic Modeling
“A stochastic model is essentially a mathematical way to describe systems where randomness and uncertainty play a key role, rather than everything following a completely predictable pattern.” Lee shared this with me yesterday (not verbatim, I’m paraphrasing) and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I love that a mathematical model can encourage us to welcome and even count on randomness in our lives and the world.
Roasted, Salted, Frozen Cashews
Absolutely delicious! On a hot car ride, our Almonds, Chocolates & Cashews Trek Mix from Trader Joe’s melted (nooooo). As soon as I got home, I threw the bag in the freezer in an effort to save the day. The chocolate and almonds were yummy frozen, of course, but it was the bite of the frozen cashew that’s now got me hooked. I don’t think I can eat cashews any other way now.
Love Is Blind UK: Season 2
I surprise myself every season with how much I enjoy watching Love Is Blind. I’ve never watched the U.S. version and still haven’t watched Japan or Habibi, but otherwise I’ve made a quite a dent in the franchise (UK, Germany, Sweden-both seasons, Mexico, Brazil). This season we’re back in the UK and the couples have just arrived in Cyprus for the “honeymoon” phase of the “experiment.” Right now, I’m hopeful for Kal and Sarover and Jed and Bardha, but a little unsure about the others.
Repeat Recipes
There’s a select few whose recipes I trust and will make repeatedly.
is one of those people. If I’ve ever hosted you for dinner, it’s highly likely there was at least one of his recipes on the table. The latest and greatest is Ottolenghi’s Charred hispo cabbage with tomato sauce and caraway mayo. It was so good I made it twice for two different dinners. Other reliable hits:Butternut squash with chili yogurt and cilantro sauce (I’ve actually only made this with acorn squash)
Apartment Bake Sale
I hosted a bake sale out of our apartment last weekend and it’s my favorite way to bake sale. What a dream to fill up our dining table with pastries so friends and family can hang out and get their fill of baked goods. Thanks to my incredibly generous guests, we raised $1,010 for CHIRLA!
Grocery List
This leftover typo in my Reminders app made me lol.
Evening Walks
Still taking advantage of the lovely summer nights with long walks with Van and Bruce before sunset. It’s nice to get outside and an opportunity for Van and I to carve out intentional space for conversation. Having lived together for years now, that line can get blurry of time spent together vs. time spent merely sharing the same space. Topics range from shallow to deep, but we always cherish the time spent walking and talking, together.
The Perfect Bite
I had dinner with my cousins last week at Seogwan by Yellowcow KBBQ and loved seeing Jennifer construct her perfect last bite: warm rice topped with ojingeo-jeot (a spicy fermented raw squid).
Currently Reading
I started this in Libby and then my loan lapsed, so I’m waiting to re-start it. It’s a recommendation from my mother-in-law Shelley who is a brilliant, recently-retired librarian and whip smart reader, so I know it’s going to be good. — Michelle