Here are five things that were uniquely “this week” and gave me little bursts of joy. What’s been filling you up lately?!

01. The New York Times Connections game. A derivative of Wordle, this game has been a fun, mind-twisting challenge Mitch and I look forward to every day. 

02. I inhaled the best snickerdoodle cookie of my entire life. No exaggeration, no dramatizing. It was that good. And it was gluten-free. DFW GF peeps, if you haven’t tried Pinch of Salt Bakery yet, this is your sign!

03. I got my Toll Tag and official driver’s license with my married name! I’m feeling very ~official~ and very Texan. 🙂

04.  On another civic duty note, I voted this week for the first time in person. I’ve only been eligible to vote in one election before this (I turned 18 two months after the 2016 election), and I mailed in an absentee ballot in 2020. I felt very American and patriotic going through the in-person voting process for the first time. If you haven’t voted, consider this a reminder to go use your voice and vote for what you believe in. 

05. I mentioned it in my monthly newsletter yesterday, but I can’t get enough of the Johnnyswim EP, Monte Carlo. I’ve listened to it over and over and am so excited for the full album release in 2025. I’m convinced the song “Monte Carlo” could totally be on the This Is Us soundtrack.