Sam's Weekly Quarantine Digest #28: September 28, 2020

 Hi all,

It's been a long week - work has been incredibly busy, and as the days get shorter this fall, somehow they've been feeling longer than ever!  The last few posts have been heavy ones, too, so I'm going to start this week off with a few random links that will hopefully make you smile.  Enjoy!

Previous digests can be found on my blog at thatsthewaythecookiecrumbles.com.  If you have suggestions or would like to stop receiving these emails, just let me know.

Best,

Sam

Reasons to smile

• The Guardian's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists
• A very happy dog in a swing.  Also, if you're not already, you really should be following WeRateDogs on some medium (Twitter and Instagram are probably the easiest, but you can also sign up for emails)
• Post Malone and Jimmy Fallon Go to the Olive Garden
• Axis of Awesome's montage of four-chord songs
• Actual theme song from a Nintendo-64 game that might be the best video game song ever created

Entertainment and field trips

• Hoping to go leaf-peeping this fall?  Check out this handy map that shows you the predictions of when each region's foliage will be in peak form this year.  Thrillist also offered up a guide to this year's best spots to see fall foliage if you're looking for a weekend away.
• Wondering how to go apple-picking safely this fall?  Check out these apple-picking guidelines and tips from the New York Times.
• If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!  That's the tack taken by a homeowner who, after initially getting annoyed at daily alarms from his motion-sensor security camera when the same neighborhood kid drove his bike up the driveway each evening, decided to build the kid a racetrack using sidewalk chalk.  If you haven't seen it already, check out this heartwarming video chronicling the saga.
  
• The New York Film Festival is going virtual - see how to participate and watch this year's recommended films online here.
• Want to be blown away by a 10-year-old's drumming skills and awesome personality?  Check out Nandi Bushell, who challenged her hero, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, to a drum battle - and then won the vote when he accepted!  The Twitter exchange between the two, and Nandi's enthusiasm and grins mid-song, left me beaming for an hour.
• Been meaning to learn American Sign Language?  It's been on my wish list for years!  Gallaudet University in Washington offers free ASL classes online.
  
• Feel like your imagination runs a little rampant sometimes?  You're not alone.  Blaseball, an entirely fictional sport, has developed quite a following on the internet, especially among sports fans who were going a bit stir-crazy without live games this summer.  The Blaseball universe now includes a Wiki full of player bios and backstories, betting systems, all manner of fanfic renderings, and voting on rule changes for each upcoming season.  Read about Blaseball here or here, or just jump right in, pick a team, and test the waters here.
  
• The NYCB is back!  Although we won't be gathering in person at Lincoln Center, you also don't need to purchase tickets to enjoy their incredible talent this fall.  The season kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8pm with an all-Balanchine program, introduced by Principal Dancer Maria Kowroski.  The stream will be available for one full week.  You can watch it on Facebook, YouTube, or NYCB's website.
• Love scary movies?  Netflix is known for their great lineup around Halloween, and Thrillist has put together a highlight reel.
  
• Looking for a reason to leave the house, and somewhere to drive to?  Woodbury Commons will be hosting a Halloween-themed drive-in experience throughout the second half of October.

Food and Sweet Treats

• Going apple picking this fall?  Try this mug-cake version of an apple crisp!  Peel and dice 1 apple.  In a microwaveable mug or bowl, toss with 1/2 tbsp flour, 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp salt.  In a separate bowl, melt 1 1/2 tbsp, then mix in 2 tbsp oats, 1 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, and (optional) 1 tbsp chopped pecans.  Spoon the crisp mixture on top of the apples, then microwave for 2-2.5 minutes (the apples should be bubbling at the end).  Let cool and top with vanilla ice cream.
• Did you know that new restaurants are still opening in NYC?  See here and here for lists.  There are also a number of restaurants scattered throughout the surrounding areas, from Montauk to Lenox, MA as NYC's top chefs have fled the city and reopened their franchises elsewhere.
• I have devastating news: due to required coronavirus precautions, the Peeps factories have been forced to drastically reduce their production levels, so the makers of Peeps will not be offering any special holiday Peeps for Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine's Day this year.  Mock me if you must, but the Sugar Cookie Peeps around the winter holidays are some of my favorites and I have seriously been counting the days until I could sweeten my quarantine with them once again.  On the plus side, the Easter 2020 treats are still available on Amazon if you're desperate.
• Missing Smorgasburg?  They're back (albeit take-away only).  See details here.

News and Coping

• Worried that you or a loved one (especially older, more vulnerable adults) might be at risk of falling victim to fake news?  Check out this story about a program from the Poynter Institute that's designed to teach seniors to become more savvy about media claims, or tune into a virtual "Fact Check Happy Hour" hosted by the Desmond-Fish Public Library in Garrison, NY, every other Wednesday from now through the election.
• Here's a new perspective on gratitude: Recognizing those people in our lives who affect us so positively that we'd be willing to "pay admission" to be able to hang out with them.
• Looking for real facts about Covid-19 vaccines and their timing?  This article breaks down the science behind the earliest promising vaccines and what the distribution plan might look like.
• Looking for some new podcasts for your playlist?  Check out these recommendations from the New York Times, each of which tackles mental health and wellness from a different perspective.

Sam's Weekly Quarantine Digest #27: September 20, 2020

 Hi all,

This weekend was Rosh Hashanah, one of the Jewish High Holidays.  I got up early on Saturday morning, dutifully put on a dress, high heels, and even Spanx (for the second time of the entire quarantine), only to realize that services were being broadcast over a one-way Zoom and a YouTube link.  I was at a loss - do I change back into my pajamas and recline on the couch, or stand up all the straighter in my holiday finery?  What does it mean to be "solemn" when I'm in the same room in which I watch football, bake cookies, play video games, and, continuously, do my work?  What does it mean to have a "new start" to the Jewish year when I know that tomorrow will look exactly the same as last Monday did?  How do I celebrate with my community when I can't see or speak to any of them?  When I can't walk across the aisle to greet Bob and Susan, George and Barbara, Betsy and Arnie and Carol and Nita and Sylvia and the two Debs?  When I can't marvel at the beauty of our synagogue, harmonize with Abbey across the aisle, chat with my former classmates after services while my parents wait impatiently for me to be ready to leave, or show up early to claim the same seats my family has been sitting in since I was born?

And, when it came to the section of the services set aside for personal reflection and prayer, what is it that I would pray for this year?  How do you set priorities when your country is in tatters, your friends are scattered to the winds (or the cloud, as it may be), your family is hurting, your life plans are delayed or derailed, and absolutely nothing feels like it's the way it's supposed to be?  How do you create a plan to restore your life to the vision in your mind?  What help do you ask for, from G-d, from friends, or from anyone else, when you don't even know what would help, or if anything could?

These questions, for the most part, don't have answers.  The only thing I could do was turn inward and trust that an answer would present itself.  I did end up changing back into my pajamas (if only because I don't plan to send out any dry cleaning for many more months to come), and I settled in on the couch for what I knew would be another new and strange experience.  I reflected on all the questions above, but mostly I tried to do what I would if I were attending services in person - soak in the beauty of my synagogue's service, beam with pride as my friends and fellow members sang beautiful songs, read torah portions, and delivered powerful messages for the community about bittersweet anecdotes and - always - hope.  I marveled at Josh's melodies and got chills when I listened to Abbie Grace and Jadyn.  I cried, I smiled, and I prayed.  And then I joined a Zoom call in the afternoon and wished my family L'Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year).  It certainly wasn't the same - rather than prepping with my mom to host 20 people at my parents' house, we sat on Zoom and chatted about how much we missed my aunt's kreplach (Jewish dumplings) and my mom's matzah balls and our family's secret-recipe brisket (every Jewish family has one, I think).  Rather than greeting my friends at the synagogue, I just thought about them and telepathically wished them a happy new year, and I smiled at the knowledge that they were probably thinking of me, too.

And above all, I was filled with excitement at the idea of how sweet it will be to see everyone next year - my family and my friends and my same old seat in the 5th row.  Sweeter than ever, perhaps.  And it occurred to me that that's true of so many things in my life these days - while I desperately miss my friends, it will be that much more thrilling to make preparations to host a game night or football when we're able to again.  It will be that much more comforting to see my family.  It will be that much sweeter to sit in the backyard or walk through the botanical gardens or bike down the boardwalk or hike to the top of an impossibly high mountain in Alaska.  Things we took for granted will be exciting experiences - checking into a hotel, or selecting my own produce, or reviewing the menu at a restaurant.  And I doubt I will be interested in small talk for a very long time - I'm going to want to hear about what really matters, what really happened recently, what is truly being felt.

And so, in the meantime, I will leave you with a traditional wish in a very untraditional year, and I mean it as much as I ever have: L'Shanah Tovah U'metukah!  For a sweet and happy new year!

Previous digests can be found on my blog at thatsthewaythecookiecrumbles.com.  If you have suggestions or would like to stop receiving these emails, just let me know.

Best,

Sam

Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg: As the media has spoken of little else this weekend, so shall the Digest.  I'll be back next week with the usual content - RBG deserves the spotlight for this week.  As a woman who prides myself on my utter disregard for glass ceilings, RBG is absolutely an icon - she is one of the many strong, fierce women who have inspired me all my life.  RIP, RBG.

• Per Nina Totenberg, "A Jewish teaching says those who die just before the Jewish new year are the ones God has held back until the last moment bc they were needed most & were the most righteous. And so it was that #RBG died as the sun was setting last night marking the beginning of Rosh Hashanah."  Read her full tribute here.
• If you haven't yet seen these films, they're both well worth watching.
• RBG (a documentary) is streaming on many services, including Hulu and Amazon Prime Video
• On the Basis of Sex (a biopic) is streaming on Amazon Prime, Sling, and Showtime
• Unsurprisingly, Justice Ginsburg was a recurrent visitor to 92Y, and they have two talks available from their archives:
• A Conversation with RBG and David Rubenstein, September 19, 2019
• A Conversation with RBG, Dorit Beinisch (former President of the Supreme Court of Israel), and Nina Totenberg (of NPR), October 19, 2014
  
• The New York Times' tribute can be found here.
• The Guardian offered a tribute in the form of photographs.
• There are even multiple children's book about or featuring RBG: See here and here for examples.
• So, so many tributes to RBG were posted to various social media accounts this weekend.  Here's a sample:
• Hillary Clinton
• Madeleine Albright
• Barack Obama
• George Bush
• Danica Roem
• Kerry Washington
• A collection of statements, courtesy of Elle magazine

COMING NEXT WEEK: A preview of some wonderful fall entertainment options, followed by the final installment of the "Best of..." series.  Coming later this fall: Sam's holiday gift guides

Sam's Weekly Quarantine Digest #26: September 13, 2020

Hi all,

Friday marked 19 years since the day we all now know as "9/11."  For us New Yorkers, as well as so many others touched by the events of that day, it's still a powerful and haunting memory.  Families of those who died, either that day or in the aftermath, gather to mourn and to remember.  The sky is lit up with twin projections of light that can be seen for 60 miles around, and which light up the sky especially brightly near my home in lower Manhattan.  The skylight of the Oculus (the mall and transportation hub that was built at Ground Zero, in the shape of a dove being released from a child's hand) is opened and is designed to be perfectly aligned with the sun on 9/11, creating a beam of light that travels across the floor.  And many of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news, and mourn our friends and family who are no longer here.

I personally will never forget that moment - I was standing beside a friend in the library of my high school, and we saw the images on the TV screens hung around the room.  He told me, in an eerily calm voice, that his mother worked on the 92nd floor of one of the towers.  Not knowing what to say or do, I left a note in the principal's office in case my parents came looking for me, got in my car, and drove to my congresswoman's office, where I had been an intern for the past two years.  I spent the rest of the day answering the phones and creating two lists of names - one list for those who were missing, reported by their families; the other for those for whom we had definitive news one way or the other from the first responders at Ground Zero.  As it turned out, my friend's mom had forgotten her wallet at Starbucks on the ground floor and happened to be downstairs retrieving it when the planes hit, and, unable to get through to her family on the jammed phone lines, she bought a pair of sneakers at a nearby store and walked home, all the way to Westchester, where she walked into her house around dinnertime to find her family grieving for her.  Hers was one of the few stories from that day that had a happy ending.

Especially in today's world, it's hard to stomach how little has changed - how hatred is still so prominent and unchecked, and how much remains the same nearly two decades later.  This year, especially, we're surrounded by awful, depressing headlines and reports of abhorrent behavior by our leaders, fueled by hatred and discrimination.  And yet, there is also beauty in the memorials and the memories.  They remind us not only of the violence that humans are capable of, but also the love and the strength.  The sense of community in and around New York was so instantaneous and so strong.  So many firefighters and other first responders dropped everything to assist with the response and put themselves at risk to help total strangers.  That connection and selflessness has also been on display in recent months, from the brave essential personnel who continued to make the city function for the rest of us who were relying on those systems and services, to the 7pm applause across NYC for first responders and medical professionals, to the outpouring of donations and other support for our community.

The stunning memorials all around Ground Zero also provide a sense of peace amid the hubbub of the city, and although they are symbols of unspeakable tragedy, they have also become gathering-places for so many, tourists and locals alike, who come together, united, to honor the victims of the attacks and to hope for a better future.  That future is - still - up to us to create.  It is up to us to minimize hatred and ensure acceptance and opportunity for all.  As the recent protests and conversations about racial justice make clear, there is still much to do on that front, for so many people here in our country - the focus is a bit different from what it was following 9/11, but the work to be done remains quite similar.  When you look around you, even now, even amidst all the chaos and the devastation of the pandemic and the violence and the politics, remember the vision that we've fought for for hundreds of years, the promise of what this country can be, the pride that we've felt for the limitless opportunities that exist here, and use that hope and motivation to harness your own power in driving that vision forward.

Previous digests can be found on my blog at thatsthewaythecookiecrumbles.com.  If you have suggestions or would like to stop receiving these emails, just let me know.

Best,

Sam

9/11, remembered

• This year's 9/11 in photos: See how the U.S. commemorated 9/11 this year, with photos from events across the country
• The Tribute in Light almost didn't happen this year, due to the pandemic.  Thanks to former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo, the production team received the funds and support they needed to safely keep the tradition going.  Read more about the meaning and production effort behind this tribute here.
• See a powerful commemorative dance performance that took place at Lincoln Center here (with an explanatory article here).
• Various celebrities took to social media to share their memories and messages of healing

Best of...face masks

• Vida: The most comfortable face masks I've found during the quarantine are these Vida cotton masks.  They're cut a bit smaller and fit a bit more snugly, which works well for me.  They have the expected bit of metal for the bridge of your nose, as well as adjustable straps, and I find that my glasses fog a lot less with these masks than with others I've tried, due to the tighter fit.  They also come in a tremendous range of colors and patterns, including dozens of prints created in partnership with various artists.
• American Exchange: I also really like these masks that I ordered from Macy's - if I'm being honest, I wish they were all covered in dog paw print, but at least one of my masks makes me break into a huge smile when I got to put it on!
• NFL: It's officially football season, and every NFL team has added face masks to their merch lineup.  I haven't yet received my order to say for sure whether they're comfy, but if there's one thing the NFL gets right every year, it's their merchandise, so I have high hopes.
• Goodboy: Are you the proud owner of a quarantine puppy?  Well, you and Fido can stay safe in style, thanks to these matching human-mask-and-doggie-bandana sets from Goodboy.

Best of...Recipes (Part I)

• Challah: Since Rosh Hashanah begins next weekend, I thought it would be helpful to include a recipe for homemade challah.  You can see a tutorial on braiding it into a round loaf for the holidays here.  Recipe makes two loaves, so divide dough in half before braiding.  In a large bowl, dissolve 1.5 packets (1.5 tbsp) active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 3/4 cups lukewarm water.  Whisk in 1/2 cup vegetable oil, then beat in 4 eggs, one at a time, along with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp salt.  Gradually add 8-9 cups flour, until dough holds together.  Then knead on a floured surface until smooth (or use a dough hook in your KitchenAid).  Clean out the bowl and grease it, then return dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until almost doubled in size.  Punch down the dough, cover, and let rise again for another half hour.  Beat 1 egg in a bowl, then brush it over both loaves.  Let them rise for 1 more hour, then brush loaves with egg wash again.  Optional: Dip your finger in the egg wash, then into poppy or sesame seeds and then onto each mound of the dough until fully decorated.  Bake in middle or lower third of the oven at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes total, or until beautifully browned.  Check at 20 minutes; if challah is deep golden brown, tent loosely with aluminum foil for remaining bake time.  Once tented, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until loaf looks and feels set and the interior temperature is at least 190 degrees F.  Cool on rack.  Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for several days if well wrapped in plastic; freeze if keeping for longer than that.  If it goes stale, don't forget that it makes great French toast!
• Blueberry Crumb Pie: Stir 6 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tbsp lemon juice together in a bowl; set aside.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Pour filling into pie crust; dot with 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.  Combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark both work), 1 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 cup flour, and 1/3 cup unsalted butter in a bowl, then sprinkle crumble topping over the pie (be generous!).  Bake for 20 minutes, then lower temperature to 350 degrees F, wrap the edges of the pie with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes (you should be able to see the filling bubbling gently for at least the last 5 minutes).  Allow to cool and thicken for 3 hours at room temperature before serving.
• Blueberry Scones: Whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt together in a large bowl.  Grate 1/2 cup frozen unsalted butter, add it to the flour mixture, and combine using a pastry cutter or two forks until it comes together in pea-sized crumbs.  Refrigerate or freeze while you work on the wet ingredients.  Whisk 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 large egg, and 1 1/2 tsp vanilla in a small bowl.  Drizzle it over the flour mixture, then add 1 heaping cup of fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw).  Mix together until everything appears moistened.  Pour onto the counter and, with floured hands, work dough into a ball - it will be sticky; if needed, add a little more flour (or 1 tbsp heavy cream if too dry).  Press into an 8" disc, then cut into 8 wedges using a sharp knife.  Brush each scone with a little heavy cream and (if you want a little crunch) some coarse sugar.  Place scones on a plate or lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Arrange scones 2-3" apart on a baking sheet and bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top.  Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes, then top with vanilla icing: Whisk 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2-3 tbsp milk or heavy cream, and 1/2 tsp vanilla.  If too thin, add more confectioners' sugar; if too thick, more milk/cream (a tiny bit at a time for each).  If desired, add a pinch of salt.  Leftover scones keep well at room temp for 2 days or refrigerated for 5, although I assure you, you won't have any!

Sam's Weekly Quarantine Digest #25: September 7, 2020

Hi all,

Today's Digest is the second installment of the "Best of" series, which will continue for another week or two before resuming the usual variety of of-the-moment digital offerings.  As noted last week, I am definitely not cool enough to have paid endorsements, so I have no relationship with any of these companies - although if you work for one of them and feel like paying me for future endorsements, let's talk!  :P  Enjoy, everyone!  I hope you each find something on this list that you haven't yet tried, and that it brings you a moment of respite from these crazy times.

Previous digests can be found on my blog at thatsthewaythecookiecrumbles.com.  If you have suggestions or would like to stop receiving these emails, just let me know.

Best,

Sam

Best of...Classes

• 92Y: In addition to their renowned talks and live performances (as one example, check out this upcoming series examining various aspects of the U.S. voting system), 92Y offers classes on everything from history and the arts to a few pretty special cooking classes.  Some are one-offs, and some are multiple-week series.  Check out their current offerings here.
• Dominique Ansel: Hold the presses, y'all!  Dominique Ansel is hosting a special baking class called Everyone Can Bake to celebrate his new book, in connection with 92Y.  I will most definitely be on the line, and I'd be happy to have a second video going simultaneously if anyone wants to nerd out with me.
  
• Duolingo: This app/website offers language classes in 38 different languages.  It's free to use, but you can pay for an ads-free version.  While it's difficult to pick up an entirely new language since the course does not cover basics like rules of conjugation, it's a fabulous way to expand your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, and refresh your memory on a language you already know (or one adjacent to it).  I speak Spanish and a little bit of French, so I used the first couple months of the quarantine to pick up a bit of Italian through Duolingo, and it was both fun and effective.
• Udemy: Udemy has bite-sized classes on just about anything (I have a class on beatboxing queued up for my next free weekend)
• AI & Copyright: If you have three hours to kill and you're intrigued by the topic of how AI intersects with IP, security, and privacy law, you can check out this panel discussion I participated in this past June.  If you haven't already heard me discuss my paper on AI and copyright authorship that was published last summer, you can listen to a 5-minute summary in the video, starting around 48:00.  If you really can't get enough on the topic, you can read my full paper here.

Best of...Workouts

• Cardio Kickboxing: Ok, I've recommended this one a few times, but that's because it's so darn good!  This cardio kickboxing workout will kick your butt every time, and it's only 19 minutes long!
• Dance Workout: This dance workout from Les Mills (sponsored by Reebok) is a fun way to feel like you're learning something while getting a decent workout, but be sure to really throw yourself into it to get your heart rate up.
• Popsugar: PopSugar has a whole bunch of workout videos posted for free streaming on YouTube.  Just search on YouTube, pick one that sounds fun, and get going!  To get you started, this hip-hop workout is pretty fun, and the final segment will burn your abs, arms, and quads into oblivion if you stick with it to the end!
• Video Games: The Wii (yes, the one that was discontinued in 2013) has a couple of great workout games, so pull it out of the closet, dust it off, and get moving.  Luke and I both love NFL Training Camp and EA Sports Active 2 (and we've been using it for close to a decade now!).  For the xBox 360, try Your Shape Fitness Evolved.  For the Switch, try Zumba: Burn It Up or Ring Fit.
• 305 Fitness: This cardio-dancing workout franchise has been offering free online classes every day on their YouTube channel.  I tried it once in person before the quarantine and worked up such a sweat that I was dehydrated for days (not a good thing, but the intensity of the workout sure was!).  I haven't given it a try on YouTube yet, but it's in my queue for this week.

Best of...Staying Connected

• Send a card: LovePop cards are really special - they're quite expensive, but their pop-ups are absolutely amazing, with dozens of options so you can find the perfect theme for the occasion or for the recipient.  They even now make pop-up paper flower bouquets and 3-D stickers that you can sprinkle around your home office to brighten up an otherwise dreary Wednesday.
• JackBox: JackBox is a set of simple games that are easy to play over Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime, including Drawful, Fibbage, Trivia Murder Party, and You Don't Know Jack.  If you haven't yet tried them out, let me know and I'd be happy to put together a test run.
• Good old-fashioned planning: The Jewish High Holidays are coming up, and Christmas isn't far behind them.  Send out your video call links ahead of time to make sure everyone can celebrate together.  For Passover this spring, my family actually really enjoyed the silver lining that family members and friends who would normally be far away or hosting a different gathering were all able to join via Zoom - we had participants at our seder from Maryland, Alaska, and Florida as well as the usual Tri-State crowd.  Be sure to plan ahead for your holiday gifts this year, too, given the post office delays and the fact that you'll need to ship just about all of your gifts to their recipients.  This is not the year for last-minute scrambles, so make your list and start shopping a bit earlier this year - for example, try making Black Friday the end of your shopping period rather than the beginning.
• Birthdays: Find ways to make birthdays special despite the distance.  You can try virtual Escape-the-Room experiences (try here or here for lists of recommended options), Murder Mystery events, video game dance parties, private cooking classes (Homemade pasta, anyone? Email the Eataly team at lascuola@eataly.com, or check out Nonnas Live to learn from an Italian grandma who lives in the countryside near Rome!), or game nights (try JackBox (see above) or Code Names).
• Virtual celebration experiences: AmazingCo Experiences offers an awesome assortment of curated virtual activities, including everything from "Foodie Fun Night" to "Family Date Night" to virtual escape rooms, trivia nights, and even playdates and birthday party activities for kids
  

Best of...Kitchen Gadgets, Part I

• Rubber spatulas: I know, I know - this is such a basic kitchen tool, how could this make my list?  Well, these simple rubber spatulas were purchased in a last-minute panic when my previous Oxo spatula lost its head (literally, not figuratively) a week before the baking began for my annual Cookie Party.  They've since been a daily staple in my kitchen, taking me from scrambled eggs to risotto to cookie dough and cake batter.  They've survived for years without staining or chipping, and the color coding makes it easy to be careful about allergies - for me, red and orange = dangers (tree nuts or un-vetted ingredients), and the rest are safe to use for any dish.  And each one is a single piece, so the head will never come off my dough again. 
• Waffle iron: This waffle iron is small enough to tuck away in a drawer or a corner of a cabinet (or even inside a pot), takes only about two minutes to make a perfectly-portioned Belgian waffle, and is absurdly easy to clean.  If you're worried about needing to make more at once, at a cost of $10, every family member can pick their favorite color (it comes in more shades than Jacob's coat)!
• Rolling pins:
• This rolling pin is magic.  Not only is it non-stick and dishwasher-safe, but the handles are weighted so they're always facing the right way for your hands, and the weighting gives you the perfect amount of control to ensure that your dough is flat and smooth, without those sloping edges that make your cookies burn.  I actually did not own this one myself until recently, but I was baking at my parents' house and borrowed it from my mom, who offered to trade with me when she saw the delight and awe it inspired in me throughout that week.
• If you really need a very precise thickness and you don't trust yourself to gauge it yourself, this rolling pin from Joseph Joseph (a company that makes really creative and joyful kitchen gadgets) comes with thickness rings of varying depths to help you get that pie crust or sugar cookie dough to a perfect 1/8".
• Bottle Cap Opener: Do you have hand pain when you try to open a tightly-sealed bottle cap?  Try this nifty tool that helps you twist them off more easily.  Just choose the hole that matches the size of your bottle cap (I used a Sharpie to label the one that fits a Diet Coke cap for the recipient I gifted this to).
• KitchenAid beater: This beater blade for your KitchenAid mixer is great for cookie doughs and other dishes that need to be very well-blended and that have a tendency to stick to the sides of your mixing bowl.  This game-changer was a wedding gift from my team at Google, and I've in turn gifted it numerous times since.
• Measuring Cup: Ever go to read your Pyrex measuring cup only to find that you need to switch hands because the marking are all in milliliters?  Try this "left-handed" measuring cup, and never have to attempt a please-don't-spill mid-air hand swap again.
• Stay tuned: More coming in future Digests - I could start a second blog devoted solely to awesome kitchen gadgets and have material ready for a year!

COMING SOON: Best of...Recipes, Delivery Food, and (More) Kitchen Gadgets; Dance, Theater, and Other Streaming Performances