The Friday Exhale: 5 Thoughts on the Week

Nutella appeared on the shelves in 1964, invented by Pietro Ferrero of Ferrero chocolate fame. Nutella was always a treat when I was growing up. More common for my kids. But now I rarely buy it anymore. I love these cookies but I should not have these in my house. They are delicious and a bit addictive.

World Nutella Day is on February 5, so you still have time to pick up some ice cream, cookies or croissants, all with Nutella.

Do you like Nutella? What do you spread it on? Drizzle on? Or fill?

I love the way Ann Patchet writes. I am currently reading Commonwealth and I am absorbed with the Keating and Cousins families. Her characters come to life and when I’m done one of her books I wish I could hang out with one or two of the characters and share my story with them, or just go for tea or coffee and chat. She writes about complex family conflicts, which family conflicts usually are and she is not afraid of a sad ending. I love that. I don’t need a happy ending for me to love a book. I always hope for the best but in reality, life is rarely neat and tidy. I read The Dutch House in 2023 and it was excellent and I have a second Ann Patchett novel, Tom Lake, on my 2024 reading list.

Interesting fact about Ann Patchett: she owns Parnassus Book Store in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you loved Gone Girl, you should give Run a read. Definitely recommended.

This is the screensaver on my computer, or background image, as my children remind me it should now be called. It is a serene, lovely reminder that sunshine will eventually return to our part of the world. I was walking to work in early fall and this is what I saw above me. I lifted my phone to the sky, pressed the button and got extremely lucky. Fall skies are my favourite. Do you have a favourite time of year? Let us know in the comments. – Maria

This week, we marked the birthday of one of my sons with this lovely and incredibly delicious cake imported from Italy: crostata con frutti di bosco. Frutti di bosco are an assortment of berries that may be found in the woods. Of my children, he is the one who is most interested in our Italian heritage. I have tasted this cake before, so I had my heart set on getting it for him. He liked it so much he had a second helping! I think this is going to be our special cake for special occasions. What is yours? Is it made by someone in the family? Do you like fruit on your cake? Let us know in the comments. – Maria

Carrot salad. One of my favourites. It’a fresh and tangy and quick to make. I just add some olive oil, a pinch of salt, some ground pepper and lemon juice.