January 3, 2025

December Dalliances 2024

by Liz Heather in Food, Ideas, Links, Movies, Personal, Reviews

The last monthly post of a year that was intense and full of change! Here’s what went down last month.

The best tweets of December can be found over here.
I recapped how my autumn list of things to do went.
The President’s Choice Elk Crossing ice cream is unbelievably good.

The restaurant Earl’s put out a cookbook and I can’t stop making their chicken hunan kung pao.
I found out that the house from the movie The Santa Clause is in Oakville, so I had to drive past it. And look at their perfect decorations.

I found a dupe recipe for the Levain dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies and I truly can’t tell the difference.

Got a Philly cheesesteak from Gladiator Burger and wow. Will definitely return.
I will fully admit that crumbl cookies are overrated, but their monthly dessert specials are wondrous. Look at this eggnog tres leche (below). She’s beautiful.

I perused the new Half Baked Harvest cookbook and it’s absolutely nothing revolutionary, there’s a cheeseburger pasta in it for christsake. I still think we should force a limit on how many books a food blogger can release.
I did make these white wine mushroom stuffed shells and they were (as most HBH recipes are) probably too cheesy, but the vegetarians liked them so I guess it was a win.

I also made this slow cooker roast and it was so easy and perfect for lunch sandwiches on Christmas day. And secured the greatest (Canadian)grocery store cake: the caramel crunch cake.

Ate at this great Mexican place The Mule in Hamilton.

Some things I watched:
- Die Hard - yes, it’s insane that I’ve never seen it before now. So good.
- Challengers - LOVED Zendaya’s character. Second favourite movie of the year (first was Anora). Only question was HOW was that hotel bed that big??
- Jagged Edge - pretty good. I love this genre of movies (80s/early 90s thriller/mystery).
- Carry On - anticlimactic ending, but overall not terrible.
- Nosferatu - liked it! Honestly it could’ve just been the fun of who I saw it with, but truly hard to tell.
These little guys (below) continue to make me smile each day.

Some things that I’m looking forward to this month: I’m going to start using this first-of-the-month checklist again and I’ll recap my resolutions from last year as well as make new 2025 ones.

If you have any interest in the other monthly roundups of 2024, they can be found here: November, October, September, August, July, June, May, April, March, February and January.

January 1, 2025

The Best Tweets of December 2024

by Liz Heather in Links

my mom is trying to bond her bunnies and they’re just pretending they don’t see each other pic.twitter.com/dhyVGTUREK
— chlobuchar (@me_im_chloe) December 5, 2024

A Dark-eyed Junco wearing a snowflake on his cheek ❄️ pic.twitter.com/SnNhlpt5PP
— Jocelyn Anderson Photography (@JocAPhotography) December 5, 2024

sometimes nepotism is okay if everyone in the family is beautiful and talented https://t.co/vnz383kGLY
— abi balingit 🌸 MAYUMU OUT NOW! 🌸 (@theduskykitchen) December 7, 2024

Aldous Huxley, a reminder of how miraculous this all is pic.twitter.com/AiKSKTl9x0
— Dylan O'Sullivan (@DylanoA4) December 11, 2024

i’m snitching on everybody if they hand me this sandwich during an interrogation https://t.co/MkVWO12C5r
— ඞ (@lifeinchaos_) December 11, 2024

Weirdly empowering pic.twitter.com/8Qql00W9R8
— straight edge coach mcguirk (@nickhexum311) December 12, 2024

retaliating against men who base a woman’s worth in her beauty by proving that she is indeed beautiful enough to be respected is so bleak https://t.co/y0rKqLxFxO
— chloe iris (@chloeikennedy) December 15, 2024

My mum had my dad saved as his full govt name and I told her that’s ur husband of 30 years pls be a bit more relaxed and put an emoji or something. I was expecting something like a love heart- she just put the Somali flag emoji https://t.co/uMtEPddd5w pic.twitter.com/5DvyTqFD9p
— 🌙 (@s4f1ja) December 16, 2024

Awkward! Woman Runs Out of Things to Talk to Herself About: https://t.co/WDK8o7SIYm pic.twitter.com/r525Inu1Fg
— Reductress (@Reductress) December 17, 2024

The thing I always hate about going to any family’s house is that women don’t get to be guests. Men do. We have to immediately offer to help cook, serve, clean, etc. If not, it’s not “polite.” You’re looked down upon for resting as a guest. I’ve never had guests in my home do…
— Gabrielle A. Perry, MPH (@GeauxGabrielle) December 26, 2024

treated my parents to a scalp spa for christmas and this is how i picked them up after their appt lmao pic.twitter.com/dsJabc8Ige
— annelisa (@notannelisa) December 26, 2024

How to Stay Humble Even Though You Experience the World More Deeply and Correctly Than Everyone Else: https://t.co/Wxfbr3yi0z pic.twitter.com/8Sybis7gKA
— Reductress (@Reductress) December 29, 2024

I love this card 😭 pic.twitter.com/JLuZMRFor1
— Your Grace ✨ (@Sancityx) December 30, 2024

2024 was great simply because i married her https://t.co/1BydT6A7NX pic.twitter.com/2QgCk1pBkh
— sean yoo (@SeanYoo) December 31, 2024

The best tweets of November can be found over here.

December 20, 2024

Autumn List Recap 2024

by Liz Heather in Personal

Today is the last day of autumn and was it just me or did it feel a year long? It’s one of the greatest seasons so it felt good to drag on, but man - summer feels like a decade ago. Here’s how my autumn list of things went!

1. Make pasta from scratch.

Didn’t even KINDA do this one. I think you need to be in a very secure place mentally to want to make pasta from scratch?

2. Go to Downey’s Farm or a harvest festival.

Did it. And I feel awful saying this, but I think I’m over it? Maybe it’s a temporary feeling.

3. Make a turkey poutine.

I’m mad that I forgot this one.

4. Make an apple or pumpkin savory dish.

Okay, this is getting embarrassing.

5. See the salmon run.

Didn’t even see them swim.

1/5! My take on this low score is that I was busier getting my life together this season so I didn’t have much time for small luxuries, so I’m counting this as a win. But I hope to get at least 2/5 next season, so we shall see. Winter list coming tomorrow…

December 2, 2024

Navigating November 2024

by Liz Heather in Food, Ideas, Links, Movies, Personal, Recipes

All of the Christmas gifts are bought and under the tree, why the hell don’t I do this every year? People are mean in those mall parking lots, so I’m grateful to be done the shopping portion of the season. Now there’s just decorating and cooking left, which is kind of the best part. Here’s what went down last month!

The best tweets of November can be found over here.
I read and reviewed Anna Marie' Tendler’s memoir Men Have Called Her Crazy.
Got an oil change for $66 with no appointment at Royal Lube (perfect name, no notes) in Mississauga. Am I nuts or is that really good in 2024?
I tried the 10 3 2 1 method and it sucked! Completely did not work for me.
I made these ricotta beef shells that were good, but honestly a lasagna would be more satisfying.
Will never tire of my favourite chicken marsala recipe.

Chicken marsala over tres leche mashed potatoes

I took a day trip to Buffalo (and woof, I really don’t like that city), but I’m happy to report that the Wegman’s ultimate chocolate cake remains the greatest cake in the history of grocery store cakes.
I made tres leche mashed potatoes and they were phenomenal. Making them again for Christmas.

Hot take: suburban Targets are too big. It’s enough already.
I got a tub of white chocolate raspberry butter from a holiday market and it’s changed all of our lives, it’s so good. (It’s made me want to make a bunch of different butter combinations for the holidays, so I’ll report back.)
Love a seasonal flavour and these (below) are pretty great.

Some things I watched:
- Perfect Days - pretty long, but liked it.
- Getting Lost (the documentary about the show Lost) - look, I was a fan of the show but I wasn’t a superfan so maybe I’m not the key demographic here. It definitely could’ve been edited/shortened, but I did love Kate’s explanation of the finale.
- The Martha documentary on Netflix - loved it. Yes, she’s a bitch (with the way she talks to her staff) but she’s insanely rich so I don’t see why that’s surprising. Nice people aren’t exceedingly rich, it’s that simple.
- The Weekend Away (Netflix) - not terrible!
- Anora - best movie of the year, hands down.
- Cast Away - god, it’s still such a great movie, especially this monologue.
- The John Mulaney SNL - okay, the man is not funny. I’d say it’s bewildering that he’s so popular but so many famous comedians are terrible…? So this makes sense?
- Bowen Yang in this Shrek sketch is so goddam funny, I’ve watched it five times.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: cannot wait for that first snowfall, there’s a maple syrup museum I want to take the kids to, already bought my bayberry candles for Christmas Eve, I’d love to make homemade ricotta after watching Ina do it and I will definitely be watching some of these movies.

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If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in October over here.

November 30, 2024

The Best Tweets of November 2024

by Liz Heather in Links

who remember when COVID first popped off and had everyone scared to cough 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Rj0KIG50Ze
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) November 3, 2024

No YOU’RE getting emotional about the inscription on the National Postal Museum building pic.twitter.com/LFKSqJkhf3
— Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky (@jeffwilen) November 4, 2024

Real. pic.twitter.com/nV74mYRIRU
— garçon (@boymolish) November 4, 2024

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.”

- Andrew Wyeth pic.twitter.com/EFICPW3b2H
— Poetic Outlaws (@OutlawsPoetic) November 7, 2024

POV : You just finished OBX season 4 part 2 #outerbanks #obx #obx4
pic.twitter.com/FA4RSJ72G0
— Pau ✨ (@pfanoflove) November 7, 2024

It's actually so simple .... https://t.co/2ZUNpPDRjZ pic.twitter.com/pC1Smz0RVP
— yocheved (@saintyoche) November 10, 2024

If I could divide the Best Supporting Actor Oscar 3 ways I would hand it to these hopeless goofballs in ANORA in a heartbeat. pic.twitter.com/rEQDR2LJZB
— Drew (@Andrew_Carroll0) November 12, 2024

The only cake you should be sending your younger siblings pic.twitter.com/behq6sZxdW
— 😽 (@zuriwtf) November 13, 2024

bill skarsgård should do this at the nosferatu premiere with me or something https://t.co/zvIbDU5wjY
— kenzie xcx 🧛🏼‍♂️ (@kenzvanunu) November 14, 2024

anytime i see a carrie hate tweet i just think of this and move on https://t.co/rTREthoUmI pic.twitter.com/GhP0jLWgL1
— danielle (@seuIgifilm) November 15, 2024

André Gide, it's a matter of courage pic.twitter.com/k3XRmJ6ILt
— Dylan O'Sullivan (@DylanoA4) November 18, 2024

This whole time I've been bothered because I couldn't place who RFK Jr. reminded me of, but I figured it out yesterday pic.twitter.com/gIW56Fhg7l
— frank zeppo (@NoahPasternak) November 18, 2024

This is romantic if you think about it pic.twitter.com/qwf7iNziVj
— orbeez god (@orbeezgod) November 20, 2024

i posted my gf on ig and her reply guy DMed me 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/jhE1I9vL9K
— noodles (@brandon_liuuu) November 26, 2024

Constantly juggling a beautiful diva, a kindhearted girl-next-door, and a sexually tense male friendship… none of us could ever understand an archie comic the way he does https://t.co/jP0ZbpBxT8
— zou bisou bisou where are you (@lilgrapefruits) November 29, 2024

"The only way to raise a hero is to be one. So instead of obsessing over a children and trying to control them, the best way to parent is to focus on ourselves and make ourselves the person we dream of being."

this is my entire parenting philosophy https://t.co/ZDiomJqEsA
— Made in Cosmos ✨ (@made_in_cosmos) November 29, 2024

C.S. Lewis with one of the most insightful paragraph ever written pic.twitter.com/zzOSo6WocZ
— Istra of Glome (@tillwehvfaces) November 29, 2024

The best tweets of October can be found over here.

November 29, 2024

Men Have Called Her Crazy By Anna Marie Tendler - A Review

by Liz Heather in Reviews

The only thing better than reading a comedian’s memoir? Reading the partner/ex-partner of a comedian’s memoir. Truly. I don’t know why exactly, but the partner of someone who’s had immense success/fame is usually ten times more interesting than the famous one. Practically always. And this memoir was fantastic. I had known so little about Anna Marie Tendler before reading this (I knew that she was John Mulaney’s beautiful ex-wife, that she designed lampshades and seemed like she wouldn’t have liked me in high school) but I’m grateful to have found this book. Favourite parts ahead.

“I cemented my role in relationships as a pleaser, a convincer, a girl, who, well into adulthood, would contort and conform to the desires of a man, overlooking his easy dismissal, and dampening her self-worth, all to be loved” - OOF, it that wasn’t me for all of my dating life.
The parallels of our two lives are fucking eerie (I know that’s interesting to no one other than me), but it’s weird that we both heard about 9/11 in a high school chemistry class. (I also agree with her about hot firefighters but that’s, like, a universal thought that you’d have to be a comatose to disagree with, so I won’t count that commonality.)
The entire part about her longterm therapist being so horrid to her was nuts to read. I loved it mainly because therapists are such trusted people and it’s insane to me that none of the terrible ones ever really get talked about that much.
“Why are women so fucking ashamed of ourselves? I blame men.” Perfect line. Wish it was the title of the whole book. I get why it wasn’t, but really wish it was.
Talking about a web series she did: “I simply got to show a weekly guest how to do one makeup trick and asked them to share a ghost story or paranormal encounter. When the web series aired, it was met with backlash from women, mostly moms, who insisted that a show about makeup was antithetical to the very ethos the website touted - that girls were smart - and the decision was made to stop making episodes. May we never forget that females cannot be intellectual and aesthetically minded at the same time.” I love this woman.
It’s crazy how much I agree with her thoughts on motherhood: “My reservations about motherhood have been shaped by my feelings about men, their general incompetence, their propensity toward selfishness, and their inability to empathize with the female experience. My obsession with equality in relationships restricts me from balancing the weight of what men put into child-rearing versus what women do. I wonder if it can ever be equal. I feel instinctually it can’t, while also recognizing that instinct might be wrong.”
“I know mothers feel excluded from life too. I guess that’s the paradox of being a woman: no matter what path you choose, chances are you’ll feel invisible.”
“I’m momentarily aroused by the memory of a man properly doing a chore.” Good god, that’s funny.
The entire chapter on her losing her dog Petunia made me weep, but I’m a human being with a HEART sue me.

Such an inspiring memoir, I can’t recommend it enough. Read it immediately. And the fact that she didn’t mention her marriage in detail at all speaks such volumes - she’s not defined by that part of her life and that is made extremely clear with what she chose to share. She’s an incredibly strong writer so I sincerely hope she continues to publish. Absolutely love this woman.

November 5, 2024

October Occurrences 2024

by Liz Heather in Food, Halloween, Movies, Personal, Recipes

I love Octobers but I’m grateful to be moving on to the holiday season. Halloween was so good this year. I used a fog machine (it’ll now have to be a staple each year) and a bluetooth speaker that played horror movie soundtracks and it was. the. best. Here’s what else went on last month.

You might think you’re better than fake tattoos, I assure you that you’re not

I made a list of my favourite Halloween tweets.
Put up some new Halloween decorations.

The best tweets of the month can be found here.
I made this apple crisp coffee cake, which was fantastic. I’d prefer more crumble than cake, though.

I tried the new spicy all dressed chips and it’s a big meh. All dressed is already so perfect, they really should just leave them alone.
I got a ton of old VHS and camcorder tapes converted to digital at Digital Treasures and they did such a good job.
I’ve been constantly wearing the Anne Marie Beretta coat I got last month at the vintage clothing show.

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I hadn’t had a DQ cake in years, so I bought one and it remains as good as ever.
I don’t love donuts (too doughy), but a holiday themed donut? Obviously I'll get those.

Thanksgiving donuts from Sanremo’s in Etobicoke, Ontario

Thanksgiving was really great, if not a little quieter this year. The next-day sandwich was one for the books. (If I started a business that solely made these sandwiches and just tried out new versions each month, could that work? Call it Turkey Time? Patent pending.)

Went to Downey’s for their pumpkin donuts (for a donut hater, I buy an alarming amount) and got this apple pie flavoured milk. It was a bit gross, but you have to try new seasonal items. It’s law.

Took my parents on an autumn drive through Belfountain and our car broke down in the middle of nowhere! It was exciting.

I went to Ottawa for the first time! The drive was intensely beautiful. My dumbass didn’t realize how close Quebec was, otherwise I would’ve made sure to get a poutine across the water. Next time.

Stopped at The Big Apple on the way back and just wow. I’d never been there before, so I loved it.

I bought a few new pairs of bootcut jeans (I know, pretty cool) and had them all tailored. They fit perfectly. I will tailor my pants for the rest of my life now.
October sunrises >>

Some things I watched:
- Nobody Wants This: other than some really bad dialogue, I’d definitely watch season two.
- English Teacher: best new show on TV, hands down.
- Only Murders in the Building: good season, not great. Martin Short will be the main reason I keep watching.
- The Blair Witch Project: I got my niece Maya to watch it and she loved it. A perfect horror movie.
- The Return of the Living Dead: okay, it’s obviously bad but fun bad.
- The Bob’s Burgers Halloween episode this year was awful?? What the hell?
- I’ve been on a real Twilight Zone binge and this quote, “As long as there are men, there cannot be peace.” PREACH.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: good god, I don’t even know. The election is today so… let’s just wait and see what happens before I look forward to anything.

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If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in September over here.

November 3, 2024

The Best Tweets of October 2024

by Liz Heather in Links

possibly the hardest i’ve laughed in the last year i was weeping real tears https://t.co/bcdgezERwW pic.twitter.com/fpd1bn2LRY
— eve • wwdits spoilers (@tomwambsdyke) October 1, 2024

This is Sadie. She was asked for a high five, but chose to follow her heart instead. 12/10 pic.twitter.com/LL9CCSx5Ur
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) October 2, 2024

When your bestie is recently blind and you wear bells so she can find you

📹 nikitahusky
pic.twitter.com/KppNMDhMUb
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) October 7, 2024

Finding out Martin Short improvised the “family money” part getting a genuine laugh out of Meryl and then himself and then them laying on the bed and kissing omg I am giddy🥰🥰#OMITB
pic.twitter.com/hsecOhTkDg
— Paige (@_samepaige_) October 10, 2024

pic.twitter.com/zr8T56TITy
— ✧ (@northstardoll) October 10, 2024

Ladies got in free before 10pm. Nobody wanted a section because we spent all night on the dance floor. Two step until a guy jumps behind you then it's twerk time. Hit the 24 hr diner looking a mess at 3am. No dry snitching on social media! pic.twitter.com/OKOXlQ4J6d
— Hazeleyed Queen (@eyeslikebadu) October 15, 2024

every time a beautiful woman embraces her beautiful nose, an angel gains its wings https://t.co/ch3u6sLbLd
— brecht apologist (@madisontayt_) October 15, 2024

“WHO WANTS HOT CHOCOLATE???”

that one girl from the polar express: https://t.co/ML8Nm5W5y2
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) October 16, 2024

i spent years in cognitive behavioral therapy for bald ann dowd to just…tweet it out…. pic.twitter.com/AHrafF2LAx
— lacey cencula (@dddrop_the_lace) October 16, 2024

Good morning.

Take pride in your work, bros. pic.twitter.com/kKLBiMqFzf
— Maw (@TheEbonyMaw) October 18, 2024

why does asking people to hang out on your birthday feel like pic.twitter.com/8OTry1Xonb
— Niccole Thurman (@niccolethurman) October 23, 2024

How your email finds me: pic.twitter.com/tuQiwXPuhV
— Hannah Al-Othman (@HannahAlOthman) October 24, 2024

“you hang onto your pain like it’s worth something. well let me tell you, it’s not worth shit. infinite possibilities and all he can do is whine.” https://t.co/L7VdAcqw0E pic.twitter.com/wk4oodrzm5
— charlie soprano (@LittleCharlesTV) October 24, 2024

I can't be the only one. #thesimpsons pic.twitter.com/1YE9LhE16K
— Duffman (@simpsonsfeed) October 26, 2024

if we were two gravestones i would unearth myself just to touch you once more, to rest against you for eternity https://t.co/CfB26WsImN
— ghost . . (@sulky80715248) October 26, 2024

pic.twitter.com/eQiB8VZFW5
— 🍂 (@Lovandfear) October 27, 2024

This for everything pic.twitter.com/Y8dpViBTvg
— Dylan O'Sullivan (@DylanoA4) October 30, 2024

When we're old the children will use covid to explain our brain damaged opinions much like we do to boomers with lead. It is fate
— tractor (@nudeobama) October 31, 2024

The best tweets of September can be found over here.

October 31, 2024

Happy Halloween!

by Liz Heather in Halloween

October 30, 2024

The Best Halloween Tweets 2024

by Liz Heather in Halloween, Links

If you weren’t there you will never understand how absolutely terrifying this film was when it came out because at first nobody knew whether or not it was real https://t.co/6hNt2jYP4h
— Amber Sparks (@ambernoelle) October 9, 2023

comic by @SarahCAndersen pic.twitter.com/IyeCd77L4T
— WholesomeMemes (@WholesomeMeme) October 23, 2023

A haunted house but each room features a different Facebook post of yours from 2009
— Stone Cold Jane Austen (@AbbyHiggs) September 30, 2024

Look at all this beautiful foilage! pic.twitter.com/uEEa01yz2c
— Simpsons Daily Glavins 👻 (@simpsons_DG) October 4, 2024

There’s a whole generation that was first introduced to The Raven because of The Simpsons. Myself included. https://t.co/wlWxvbXQOk
— Massimo Cubello (@massimocubello) October 5, 2024

Instead of sleeping you can watch Halloween episodes of classic sitcoms
— Humanstein H20 (1998) (@Humanstein) October 7, 2024

Here's a commercial for A Pinky and the Brain Halloween that I ripped from an old VHS recording... pic.twitter.com/PRmfk5egFS
— Tanooki Joe (@TanookiKuribo) October 7, 2024

Scream has a "no thanks" credit. never noticed this before. pic.twitter.com/rX69TanZ8i
— Maddie 🎃 (@Maddie_Moron) October 14, 2024

how it feels to explain your niche halloween costume to someone pic.twitter.com/vzYaXeWGVI
— mikk (@mikealss) October 19, 2024

Passed a business guy in downtown Chicago who yelled "I don't care what they want, I need to be home on Halloween!" into his phone. There are 90s family-comedy films all around us for those with eyes to see.
— Ben Crew (@BenjaminCrew1) October 23, 2024

Drew Barrymore being the biggest movie star in this film by far, being all over the film’s marketing & promotional material, & being positioned as the final girl in a Wes Craven slasher only to be the opening first kill is just simply iconic.

You really had to be there. https://t.co/a5Yyz3izjo
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) October 22, 2024

A quick reminder to everyone before Halloween: if someone shows up to your house in costume, it doesn't matter how old you think they are, give them candy. Our planet needs more joy, and we need to give kids smiles and sugar for participating in our silly traditions.
— Eli McCann (@EliMcCann) October 24, 2024

Every time I go to a haunted house, it never makes sense. Who lived here? They didn't have a kitchen or any bathrooms but a giant maze in the middle? Can that gentleman with the chainsaw help? This is an architectural nightmare.
— Jesse Case (@jessecase) October 24, 2024

god, never seen san francisco this bad. spiderwebs completely covering entire business, skeletons just strewn about sidewalks in every neighborhood, things have got to change
— arlin golden (@cerealburrito) October 27, 2024

My boyfriend got mad at me the other night because I was talking about ghosts when I knew he had to walk down a dark hallway the next day.
— Christin (@hexprax) October 27, 2024

Halloween is really better served as a house party than an event at a club
— Himberly (@himbo_anonymous) October 28, 2024