Start 2021 Right: January’s Good Things, Must-Reads, & The Best Discoveries of 2020

Welcome to our monthly roundup of delightful finds, inspiring reads, captivating watches, and much more – your guide to enhancing everyday life. This special edition also proudly presents the 12 absolute best discoveries from 2020 and the 13 most cherished things we watched last year!

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Welcome to 2021! After a truly unprecedented year, saying goodbye to 2020 felt particularly significant for many of us. It was a year that presented numerous challenges and uncertainties, yet even amidst the turmoil, there were countless moments of joy, discovery, and positive experiences to cherish. Instead of dwelling on the difficulties, which can be detrimental to our mental well-being, let’s consciously shift our focus towards the brighter aspects of life. This is precisely why I continued to publish my “Good Things List” every single month, regardless of external circumstances.

My motivation behind these monthly lists is deeply personal. It helps me consciously seek out and appreciate the small, wonderful things that collectively make our lives better and more enjoyable. My sincere hope is that it offers you a similar opportunity – a moment to pause, reflect, and find gratitude in your own daily discoveries. Furthermore, when I stumble upon something truly special that brings me genuine delight, I simply can’t wait to share it with all of you!

First, you’ll notice a fresh new look for our “Good Things” header image for the new year. It was beautifully designed by my talented daughter, and I absolutely adore its charming aesthetic – it perfectly captures the spirit of new beginnings! Second, this January list is a bit more concise than usual, featuring two key finds, six engaging books, and a few noteworthy movies. This deliberate brevity allows me to carve out space for a truly special feature: the highly anticipated Best of Good Things Lists for 2020!

If you’re eager to see which items earned a spot on the coveted list of the 12 best things acquired (or created) in 2020, and the 13 things we were so glad to have watched, make sure to scroll down. You won’t want to miss these enduring favorites!

My greatest hope is that revisiting these cherished items will not only remind you of them but also inspire new discoveries and bring a renewed sense of joy into your life. Before we dive into this month’s recommendations and the “Best of 2020” recap, a quick note: if you’re wondering about the best books of 2020, that dedicated list is coming very soon – hopefully later this week! Stay tuned for more literary delights.

January’s Good Things: New Discoveries & Home Updates

The Farmhouse Living/Dining Room Ceilings Transformation

Let’s kick things off with a significant home improvement project! While the room is currently a charming mess of ongoing construction, and the ceiling fan is still halfway installed, making it tricky to capture perfect photos, I simply have to share this. I am absolutely head over heels in love with how our simple, yet incredibly impactful, “coffered ceiling” pattern turned out!

The original wood ceilings in our farmhouse had, at some point, been covered with wallboard featuring a super modern, rather out-of-place texture. This simply didn’t align with the timeless character of an old farmhouse. We also faced the challenge of needing to run new electrical wiring, as the existing ceiling fixtures only operated with remote switches – a precarious situation if you ever lost one or ran out of batteries! Given these electrical needs, simply removing the wallboard to reveal whatever lay beneath wasn’t a straightforward option.

Plus, we’ve learned from experience with this old house that uncovering original features can be a complete gamble – you never know if you’ll find charming shiplap or just a haphazard collection of random wood scraps and plywood pieces. To circumvent this uncertainty, we devised a clever solution: we applied thin plywood sheets, meticulously cut to six inches wide, directly onto the existing wallboard. We then ingeniously concealed all the seams with simple 1×2 wooden strips. The result is a stunning, custom-designed ceiling that adds immense character and architectural interest.

For a house that originally felt like a blank slate in terms of distinct period features, this ceiling (along with the recently updated walls) now unequivocally says “farmhouse.” It injects that essential rustic charm and classic aesthetic that we’ve been striving for. What do you think?

A New Cookbook & A Delicious Challenge for the New Year

It’s genuinely hard to recall the last time I encountered a cookbook where I was enthusiastic about making almost every single recipe. This holiday season, I was delighted to receive Ina Garten’s “Modern Comfort Food” for Christmas. Yes, I specifically asked for it after seeing so many positive reviews and recommendations across social media! I spent an entire day completely absorbed in its pages, and I actually had to stop marking recipes I wanted to try when I realized it was at least 95% of the book! Each page turned offered another enticing dish, making it nearly impossible to narrow down my favorites.

As many of you know from this previous article, this overwhelming enthusiasm led me to a fantastic idea: I decided to commit to cooking my way through the entire cookbook over the course of 2021. And not just that, but to create an exciting, inclusive challenge that anyone interested in culinary exploration can join me on! This “Cookbook Challenge” is designed to be a fun, shared experience, encouraging us all to step out of our culinary comfort zones and discover new kitchen staples.

I am incredibly excited about this journey, anticipating the discovery of new favorite recipes, mastering innovative techniques, and simply enjoying the process of creating delicious, comforting meals. If this sounds like a culinary adventure you’d love to embark on, I warmly invite you to head over to this page to get all the details and learn how you can participate. Let’s make 2021 a year of delicious discovery!

December Reads: A Diverse Literary Journey

This past month, I immersed myself in a wonderful collection of six books, both reading physical copies and listening to audiobooks. The audiobooks were often my companion while working on the farmhouse, particularly during those extended sessions of caulking and painting! Here are my brief reviews of each, offering a glimpse into my diverse literary journey:

“Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix E. Harrow. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this book, having heard it highly recommended across various sites I follow as “interesting, inventive, and clever.” The narrative follows a young girl named January and unfolds the story of her life – and that of her parents – alternately through her first-person writings and a mysterious book titled “The 10,000 Doors.” Initially, I found myself a bit disoriented by the plot, but I’m truly glad I persevered. The characters grew on me immensely, and I became deeply invested in their quest. It’s a genuinely fun and inventive read, featuring a fluid timeline and a touch of soft sci-fi, as it transports you through magical doors into other worlds, though without spaceships or advanced technology. It’s a charming fantasy that truly captures the imagination.

“Doing Life with Your Adult Children” by Jim Burns. The introduction to this book immediately resonated with me, highlighting the abundance of parenting resources for babies, toddlers, tweens, and teens, yet the glaring lack of guidance for navigating the unique role of a parent to adult children. I’ve found this observation to be incredibly accurate, which is precisely why I eagerly picked up this book when I spotted it on Hoopla. Written from a spiritual perspective, it offers remarkably solid and compassionate advice on a wide array of situations that parents of adults often encounter. Topics range from adult children who are slow to leave home, to navigating differing values, and determining how much support to offer when they face their own challenges. I found it to be an exceptionally valuable and encouraging resource, offering both wisdom and comfort.

“Longitude” by Dava Sobel. This was the audiobook Brian and I listened to together last month. It’s the fascinating true story detailing the critical importance of longitude in sea travel and the immense difficulty involved in determining it compared to latitude. I had absolutely no idea how many ships were lost or severely delayed (leading to tragic losses from scurvy) due to longitude calculation errors! The problem was so profound that a massive monetary award was offered to anyone who could provide a reliable method for determining longitude at sea. While an undeniably captivating piece of history, I did find many parts of the book quite technical, and my mind occasionally drifted. However, Brian, with his keen interest in technical details, would often exclaim, “Oh, right!” bringing me back into the narrative and reminding me how deeply he was engrossed in the scientific explanations.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab. If you keep even a casual eye on the literary world, you’ve likely heard of this much-talked-about novel. It sounded incredibly compelling to me – a blend of historical narrative, good versus evil themes, time travel elements, and a touch of romance. (Yes, it’s a lot, but it all miraculously works!) I purchased it on Audible with a credit, but then read a review that made me second-guess my purchase and postpone listening. However, the persistent buzz eventually convinced me to give it a chance, reasoning I could easily abandon it if it wasn’t for me. I’m so glad I finally listened (and the narrator is truly fantastic, by the way). It’s a wonderfully crafted story about a young woman in 17th-century France who, on the eve of a desperately unwanted wedding, makes a pact with a mysterious, dark entity – perhaps the Devil? We’re never entirely sure. He grants her wish to live life on her own terms, but she quickly discovers a devastating catch: no one will ever remember her. Ever. It’s a profound “be careful what you wish for” scenario.

This curse sets up a series of intriguing and often heartbreaking situations as she navigates 400 years of historical events, desperately trying to leave her mark on a world that forgets her the moment she leaves their sight. There were a couple of minor aspects I could have done without: her frequent romantic encounters, which lead to awkward mornings as she becomes a stranger to her bed partner upon waking, and certain repetitive passages. The book dedicates many pages to her internal monologue, repeating variations of “I just wanted to live my own life as I wanted” and dwelling extensively on her curse. While the sentiment is understood, it did become a bit redundant at times. Despite these small points, the overall narrative and its exploration of memory, identity, and time are deeply thought-provoking and beautifully told.

“Beach Read” by Emily Henry. The cover of this book initially suggests a lighthearted chick-lit summer read, but I’m very grateful I read a warning before diving in – it is anything but a light read. I also learned that, despite the title, the characters don’t actually spend much time on a beach, though they are next-door neighbors with houses situated on the edge of a lake where they can indeed walk to a beach! This novel is actually more of a contemplative exploration of writing and the challenges of writer’s block, which I found surprisingly engaging. It’s also a poignant story about profound loss – the loss of loved ones, the struggle to find one’s place in the world, and the arduous journey of rediscovery. And, of course, it features a compelling love story, complete with a satisfyingly happy ending, which you know I always appreciate!

“Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell. This was one of the last books I read in 2020, and you’ll definitely see it on my “Best of the Year” list – it’s an exceptionally well-written and thoroughly researched historical novel. The storyline will leave you deeply moved, brimming with intense feelings about motherhood – its profound joys and its devastating losses. I particularly appreciated the immersive world Ms. O’Farrell meticulously built, transporting me to day-to-day life in 16th-century England. You gain vivid insights into the domestic routines of cooking and cleaning, and can vividly imagine the houses and gardens of the era. The narrative features complex characters: wicked stepmothers, bossy in-laws, and, most importantly, endearing children. It’s a beautifully rendered, albeit heartbreaking, story told with exquisite prose and emotional depth. The fact that this is a fictionalized reimagining of what might have happened to William Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, who died shortly before Shakespeare wrote his iconic play “Hamlet” (names which the author notes were used interchangeably at the time), is merely a fascinating backdrop rather than the central plot point, though it certainly adds an intriguing layer of historical context.

What We’ve Been Watching: Engaging TV & Movies

TV Series:

• “Roadkill” (PBS). This series offered a truly fascinating and often cynical look at the intricate, often morally ambiguous world of British politics behind the scenes. Starring the superb Hugh Laurie as a likable, largely well-intentioned man who often resorts to questionable tactics (i.e., lying) to further his political career, this was a show that captivated both Brian and me. Its sharp writing and compelling performances made it a standout watch.
• “Dash & Lily” (Netflix). My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this charming romantic comedy series over the holidays. It provided a delightful and lighthearted escapism, perfectly complementing our festive lights and Christmas tree. Its whimsical premise and endearing characters made it a truly cute and feel-good holiday watch.

Movies:

• “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix). Speaking of lighthearted and fun holiday entertainment, this movie absolutely delivered on all fronts. It boasted vibrant, colorful costumes and imaginative sets, alongside grand musical numbers that truly brought the story to life. While it had its slightly corny moments, the overall experience was incredibly fun and filled with heartwarming holiday spirit.
• “The Man Who Invented Christmas” (Amazon). This film tells the captivating true story behind Charles Dickens’s creation of “A Christmas Carol.” It meticulously details his creative process, the pressing need for a new book that would resonate with the public, and the initial skepticism from his publishers. It’s a wonderful peek into the birth of a timeless classic.
• “Klaus” (Netflix). We first watched this exceptionally cute animated movie last year and happily revisited it this year with our daughter, who hadn’t seen it yet. The film is a masterful blend of funny and deeply touching moments, all woven around an overarching theme of learning to love and care for others. Its charm and profound message make it as enjoyable and meaningful for adults as it is for children.
• “Die Hard” (Amazon). I know, I know! Our daughter had somehow never seen this action classic, so we decided to watch it on Christmas Eve (since we had no plans to go anywhere, a-hem). We had genuinely forgotten just how incredibly fun and thrilling this movie is – and it really does have a significant amount of Christmas spirit woven into its action-packed narrative!

The Best of The Good Things Lists of 2020: Enduring Favorites!

As promised, here are the standout items that truly made my “best of” list from all the Good Things Lists published throughout 2020. I’ll briefly list each item and provide a link to the original list where it was first featured, so you can easily click through to learn more about why it made such an impression.

Best Things We Got, Discovered, or Made in 2020: These items truly stood the test of time and continued to bring joy or utility.

1. Our New Dog, Jynx – Our sweet little Maltese mix puppy who instantly stole our hearts and has filled our last year with boundless joy, laughter, and unconditional love.
2. Levis Signature Jeans for curvy figures – These jeans continue to be my absolute favorites, offering a perfect blend of comfort and flattering style that I reach for constantly.
3. No Jet Lag – An incredible discovery from our trip to and from Australia last year. This truly amazing product actually WORKS wonders in combating the effects of jet lag, making travel so much more pleasant.
4. Crochet dish cloths (aka, “unpaper towels”) – I enjoyed both making and using these eco-friendly alternatives so much that I created a thoughtful gift idea with them that I proudly gave to our family. They’re practical and lovely.
5. USA Loaf Pans, sized 8.5×4.5 – These loaf pans are wonderfully sturdy, feature clever ridges that prevent loaves from sticking, and are perfectly sized for beautifully rising bread loaves. A true kitchen essential.
6. Garden Gate Arbor – Brian crafted this beautiful arbor for our vegetable garden, and I absolutely adore seeing it every single day from our windows. It adds charm and structure to the landscape.
7. Heavy Duty Garden Tote – Simply the b.e.s.t. garden tote I’ve ever owned. Its durability and functionality make it an indispensable tool for any gardener.
8. Broken Concrete Patio – This unique patio became the setting for so many beautiful summer afternoons, providing a tranquil spot to relax with a picturesque view of our garden vegetables and the rolling hills. Pure bliss.
9. Enamel First Aid Box – I honestly can’t fully articulate why I love this so much, but it’s just perfect! It’s going to look SO good on our green cabinet in our classic white and black farmhouse bathroom, adding a touch of vintage charm.
10. Goji Berries – I’ve fallen in love with these chewy, vibrant little fruits, particularly when added to my morning granola. An added bonus: my eye doctor even recommended them for eye health!
11. Brass Vintage Style Bin Pulls – This specific style and classic look completely captivate me. I’m eagerly awaiting the day I have the perfect cabinets to finally apply them to!
12. Pretty Ceramic Electric Kettle – Truly the prettiest electric kettle I’ve ever seen. Its elegant design brings a little spark of happiness every single time I walk by it in the kitchen.

Best Things We Watched in 2020: These shows and movies were engaging, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining.

1. “Messiah” – This thought-provoking series left a lasting impression on me; I’m still contemplating its themes and narrative long after watching.
2. “Knives Out” – A wonderfully fun and clever throwback to the classic Agatha Christie-style whodunnit, packed with twists and memorable characters.
3. “Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill” – We can always count on Jerry Seinfeld for reliable, insightful humor that consistently makes us laugh.
4. “District 9” – An older movie we had somehow missed, and we absolutely shouldn’t have. This sci-fi film tells a truly profound and human story that resonates deeply.
5. “Angela Johnson: Not Fancy” – Another brilliant comedian whose clean and witty humor always leaves us in stitches.
6. “Just Mercy” – Michael B. Jordan shines as real-life lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who moves to the American South to establish a non-profit dedicated to ensuring fair trials for those on death row. A true and utterly riveting story of justice.
7. “Radioactive” – The compelling true story of Marie Curie and her husband, showcasing their groundbreaking work, their discovery of radium, and the personal cost of their scientific pursuits.
8. “Spare Parts” – We thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good true story of an underdog high school robotics team that defies expectations and achieves incredible success.
9. “Fear City” – A gripping documentary detailing the rise of the mob in New York in the 1970s and the determined police efforts that ultimately brought them down. Truly amazing investigative storytelling.
10. “Ted Lasso” – Charming, endearingly corny, and utterly lovable, I deeply appreciated the humanity, relentless positivity, and unwavering kindness that Ted Lasso brought to every episode – it made it an absolute joy to watch.
11. “Enola Holmes” – My daughter and I both adored this fresh and lively adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes universe, reimagined with a clever and adventurous younger sister at its heart.
12. “The Queen’s Gambit” – Visually stunning with impeccable production design, this series presented a story so captivating that it made the world of chess fascinating even to non-players. It truly deserved all the hype and accolades it received.
13. “Trial of the Chicago 7” – Another gripping true story, presented in an incredibly engaging way. This film expertly brings to life a historical event we knew little about, which is high praise for a courtroom drama!

And that concludes another wonderful addition of the Good Things List! I hope you found inspiration and perhaps a few new favorites to explore in the coming weeks.

If you’re eager to discover more of the things I’ve been enjoying and recommending, you can explore all the previous Good Things Lists here. I’d genuinely love to hear from you – please share your thoughts! Have you tried any of these recommendations? What amazing discoveries would you recommend to others? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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