The Megastore recommends.

more of a diagram, really.

1. A really good recipe. I was cooking a special dinner tonight, and I thought about delving into the deep dark recesses of my cookbooks or the internets for a new swell recipe. Instead, I retrieved an old recipe that I had already tried, a good one. The people: tried and true is a good way to go, sometimes at least. You may even remember some tips and tricks from your previous go-round with said recipe. On the other hand, you may not remember anything about the recipe besides (a) it was good and (b) you once made it. Today fell into the latter camp. In fact, I'm pretty sure that when I made it the first time, I substituted mushrooms for eggplant. This time, I was going to do the same, because eggplant in November? But when I went to the store, there one was, glossy and purple, so I split the difference and used mushrooms and eggplant. Either way, it was good and it was satisfying, and it has two points at this moment in the All-Time Good Recipe derby, which is more than I can say for certain recipes hanging around my recipe file.

look like tiny skulls? not in real life.

2. Brussels sprouts. You know how people speak of the sprout, sometimes, in derisive terms? Call it cabbage-y (which, technically, it totally is) and in general impugn its flavor, ethos, and all-around good character? I am here to tell you that brussels sprouts are pretty much my new favorite vegetable. Broccoli was my old favorite vegetable, and it held that position for so long I can't even believe it--from the time I was a child! I think this speaks more to my loyalty than to my lack of imagination. But right, back to the sprouts: when I roasted them for the first time, that was the moment I began to love them. Up till then, I liked them, but they did not inspire devotion until the roasting, during which they caramelize. They take on a deep, resonant flavor. They love a little slivered garlic up in there during the roasting. Don't stint on the sea salt. So good! So very very good!

We texted all the things.

3. Breakfast with your sister. My sister texted me early this week:

Dear sister, I will be killing time in Sandy on Saturday, November 17 from 8:30-10:30. I request a breakfast rendezvous. Please note that if you are out of town or otherwise engaged I shall be forced to give up. Respectfully, your sister.

Well, (a) I don't want to be responsible for a sister of mine "giving up," not in any sense of that term. And (b) breakfast is good! So we rendezvous'd and had a great time at the crack of 9 a.m., which I think we can all agree is a civilized hour for a Saturday breakfast and a long chat with a beloved. I highly recommend it.