I so get every word you said. I'm 61 years old and post 16 months of divorce from a 36-year marriage. Who the heck am I now? Am I happier now? Am I sad now? What is happening here!! lolol. It's been tough, but I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and really discovering who I am. My trips to Australia for an entire month, and a 10-day trip to Rome didn't hurt AT ALL! hehehe Thanks for your inspiring words!
I love 'passenger princess' and not sure if Ben made that up on the fly or if that's a real saying that I have never heard. But I need to use that on people in my life who are guilty as charged and be mindful when I am and correct my ways. I also did not know you didn't like yoga! 🧘♀️😂 And also here's to power walking and not feeling like running is the only way!
Erin I hope that you have a good new year doing what you wish in your life. I’m of the boomer generation. I no longer write down resolutions but carry them over in my mind from year to year.
I’d like to be healthier and fitter always. But there are limitations now. I do like yoga and have done it consistently for forty or more years. The meditative aspects are really helpful as are the gratitude aspects and living one day at a time. It really helped during covid lockdowns and the not knowing which accompanied that period.
What really matters to me now is: kindness. And Doing as I would be done by.
It helps to make life happier. My family with his second and third generation now hold great value.
Hi Erin - so many of your In’s and out’s hit home for me. I may have to steal a few for myself. Probably not the Harry Potter one though. Tee hee. I tend to be a people pleaser and my friend who recently became a certified yoga instructor is always trying to get me to a class. I, like you, don’t particularly care for yoga. I need to just be honest with her and kindly let her know that “it’s not my thing”. “Ruminating on others people’s negative opinion of me”was another one on my list. And I truly love the “Passenger Princess”. I may have been guilty of that a time or two. I’m on my own little journey at 63 years of age of trying to better myself physically, mentally and emotionally. Your most recent cookbook is helping me with that, LOVE IT! Thank you for your written words as they have been a delight on my New Years Eve. All my best to you as we begin a wonderful new year.
Hey Erin - I love that you're focusing on leveling back up in French (can't believe our study abroad in Angers was almost 20 years ago 😬⏳🇫🇷). On Netflix, I really enjoyed Lupin and as well as The Parisian Agency. And I've been rewatching familiar movies in French, like Kung Fu Panda. J'aime bien French subtitles aussi.
Andrew, quel plaisir d'avoir de tes nouvelles ! Je suis complètement fan de l'agence immobilière parisienne et j'aimerais tellement qu'ils me trouvent l'appartement de mes rêves à un prix imbattable (ha!). Il faut aussi que je me remette à regarder Lupin, et c'est une excellente idée de revoir des séries que j'aime. Je suis ravie que tu lises et j'espère que tu vas bien. Bonne année !
Sorry, I went back and added it because I realized I missed it when the email went out! Here they are, I am legitimately obsessed. I also got Ben a pair of the men’s for Christmas and he loves them too because they are lightweight. https://go.shopmy.us/p-32360672
I am going yo write a Positive review for the one restaurant we like & frequent regularly. It did not occur to me that a good review could help and I do see it is not as filled as it used to be years ago.
I am a much older adult than you and I cannot stand green drinks. The thought of green drinks gag me. Also Pepto Bismal. I was once forced to drink and did throw it up. Yuck. And as as older adult I am now seeing my bedtime getting too early and not able to sleep all the way through the night. But I do look at the Bright Side, I am still trying!
I appreciate your vulnerability in these posts! 2025 was a rough year for me, so I too am working on giving myself grace, rather than beating myself up for not living up to some impossible future me that likely doesn’t exist. Life is too short to not enjoy it!
Erin - I love this approach! Evident in all of your ‘ins and outs’ is the base of authenticity and truly embracing who you are - and while I don’t know you personally, what I’ve seen telIs me you’re pretty darn amazing.
I also like that at the root of each ‘in and out’ is the idea that these are things you enjoy or that bring you peace and help you feel like your best self.
We often focus on things that we don’t enjoy or feel like we should do.
Monique, I really like your line about “others should don’t need to be ours”. That is really resonating with me to the point that I’m writing it down and may even embroider it on a pillow.
Thank you so much. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I’m glad my comment meant something to you. I’m already putting my list(s) together. Happy New Year to you.
Yes Erin, your inspiring words struck a chord with me too. In conversations with mental health specialists lately, I've come to a profound understanding - both intellectually and viscerally - of the value of gřatitude for all that we in the Western World take as read, such as food on the table, a bed to sleep in, and a roof that's not being bombed into smithereens by missiles, torn off by typhoons or washed away by floods. We've 'never had it so good' in the West (BTW I live in the UK) and neither realize nor appreciate our good fortune! So keep on truckin' Erin (sorry I mean cooking LOL!) in 2026 and have a happy and hopefully prosperous New Year.
I so get every word you said. I'm 61 years old and post 16 months of divorce from a 36-year marriage. Who the heck am I now? Am I happier now? Am I sad now? What is happening here!! lolol. It's been tough, but I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and really discovering who I am. My trips to Australia for an entire month, and a 10-day trip to Rome didn't hurt AT ALL! hehehe Thanks for your inspiring words!
Your honest answer is a breath of fresh air and so relatable! Both of those trips sound amazing. Wishing you all good things in 2026!
Thanks, Erin. Wishing you all good things in 2026 as well! :)
Dang Erin A great chef and a totally interesting writer....you are very blessed.
You are too kind. Thank you so much for reading!
I love 'passenger princess' and not sure if Ben made that up on the fly or if that's a real saying that I have never heard. But I need to use that on people in my life who are guilty as charged and be mindful when I am and correct my ways. I also did not know you didn't like yoga! 🧘♀️😂 And also here's to power walking and not feeling like running is the only way!
From the way he said it, I really think it was on the fly! And yes now my yoga secret is out in the world 😆
Erin I hope that you have a good new year doing what you wish in your life. I’m of the boomer generation. I no longer write down resolutions but carry them over in my mind from year to year.
I’d like to be healthier and fitter always. But there are limitations now. I do like yoga and have done it consistently for forty or more years. The meditative aspects are really helpful as are the gratitude aspects and living one day at a time. It really helped during covid lockdowns and the not knowing which accompanied that period.
What really matters to me now is: kindness. And Doing as I would be done by.
It helps to make life happier. My family with his second and third generation now hold great value.
I love cinema and art gallery going.
Simple pleasures as well as hiking in nature.
Eating well too. Small pleasures.
Good luck in the New Year.
Thanks so much for sharing this Antonia! And I love what you said about small pleasures. They really add so much meaning to life!
I love that you are reclaiming yourself
Hi Erin - so many of your In’s and out’s hit home for me. I may have to steal a few for myself. Probably not the Harry Potter one though. Tee hee. I tend to be a people pleaser and my friend who recently became a certified yoga instructor is always trying to get me to a class. I, like you, don’t particularly care for yoga. I need to just be honest with her and kindly let her know that “it’s not my thing”. “Ruminating on others people’s negative opinion of me”was another one on my list. And I truly love the “Passenger Princess”. I may have been guilty of that a time or two. I’m on my own little journey at 63 years of age of trying to better myself physically, mentally and emotionally. Your most recent cookbook is helping me with that, LOVE IT! Thank you for your written words as they have been a delight on my New Years Eve. All my best to you as we begin a wonderful new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR KAREN!!! Wishing you a wonderful (yoga-free, ha!) year :)
Hey Erin - I love that you're focusing on leveling back up in French (can't believe our study abroad in Angers was almost 20 years ago 😬⏳🇫🇷). On Netflix, I really enjoyed Lupin and as well as The Parisian Agency. And I've been rewatching familiar movies in French, like Kung Fu Panda. J'aime bien French subtitles aussi.
Andrew, quel plaisir d'avoir de tes nouvelles ! Je suis complètement fan de l'agence immobilière parisienne et j'aimerais tellement qu'ils me trouvent l'appartement de mes rêves à un prix imbattable (ha!). Il faut aussi que je me remette à regarder Lupin, et c'est une excellente idée de revoir des séries que j'aime. Je suis ravie que tu lises et j'espère que tu vas bien. Bonne année !
Great article, enjoyed your candor and approach to life.
Thanks so much Nancy❤️
Do you have a link to your super soft pajamas?
Sorry, I went back and added it because I realized I missed it when the email went out! Here they are, I am legitimately obsessed. I also got Ben a pair of the men’s for Christmas and he loves them too because they are lightweight. https://go.shopmy.us/p-32360672
I am going yo write a Positive review for the one restaurant we like & frequent regularly. It did not occur to me that a good review could help and I do see it is not as filled as it used to be years ago.
I am a much older adult than you and I cannot stand green drinks. The thought of green drinks gag me. Also Pepto Bismal. I was once forced to drink and did throw it up. Yuck. And as as older adult I am now seeing my bedtime getting too early and not able to sleep all the way through the night. But I do look at the Bright Side, I am still trying!
I love both your lists. I laughed out loud at the Cheese one and had to tell my husband! I really enjoy reading Well Actually. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, and thank you!!! So happy you are here!
I appreciate your vulnerability in these posts! 2025 was a rough year for me, so I too am working on giving myself grace, rather than beating myself up for not living up to some impossible future me that likely doesn’t exist. Life is too short to not enjoy it!
Well said! Wishing you a happy new year and an easier 2026!
Erin, I have followed your site for quite some time. Your recipes and suggestions are outstanding.
your dedication to your work is commendable. I appreciate your efforts. Please keep up the great work! All the best to you and your family in 2026.
Erin - I love this approach! Evident in all of your ‘ins and outs’ is the base of authenticity and truly embracing who you are - and while I don’t know you personally, what I’ve seen telIs me you’re pretty darn amazing.
I also like that at the root of each ‘in and out’ is the idea that these are things you enjoy or that bring you peace and help you feel like your best self.
We often focus on things that we don’t enjoy or feel like we should do.
Others shoulds don’t need to be ours.
Thanks for this wonderful post.
Happy New Year!
Monique, I really like your line about “others should don’t need to be ours”. That is really resonating with me to the point that I’m writing it down and may even embroider it on a pillow.
Thank you so much. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I’m glad my comment meant something to you. I’m already putting my list(s) together. Happy New Year to you.
Yes Erin, your inspiring words struck a chord with me too. In conversations with mental health specialists lately, I've come to a profound understanding - both intellectually and viscerally - of the value of gřatitude for all that we in the Western World take as read, such as food on the table, a bed to sleep in, and a roof that's not being bombed into smithereens by missiles, torn off by typhoons or washed away by floods. We've 'never had it so good' in the West (BTW I live in the UK) and neither realize nor appreciate our good fortune! So keep on truckin' Erin (sorry I mean cooking LOL!) in 2026 and have a happy and hopefully prosperous New Year.
Yours, Brian [novice chef at 78]