Deep Dive ~ The Very Best of Handpicked 2023
A year's worth of newsletters, distilled neatly. ALSO: all about *you*
Hi! It’s our very last Handpicked of 2023!
Before we get to the links…
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just for fun
High tech light switch from 1841.
Nine rules of Wile E Coyote had me cracking up. #4 is my favorite.
How to remember the difference between a tornado watch and tornado warning.
A good reminder of all the work that happens before something happens.
The world’s smallest versions of childhood toys. That tiny Bop-it!
Two dumb little videos that make me laugh no matter what: don’t be suspicious and they were roommates.
I continue to make knowing where a carton of milk came from my #1 hobby.
Mind blowing: the largest heart on earth belongs to a blue whale.
The winner of the Chicago Marathon breaking the world record as he crossed the finish line. Goosebumps.
motherhood + wondrous women
A curation of artwork celebrating the female form
What it felt like to drop off my kids at school yesterday. I also wrote about this five months ago, because I’m never not thinking about school shootings.
Reese Witherspoon’s feelings about Elle Woods and June Carter.
Three years ago, when there were only about 280 readers, I asked my mom about her thoughts on motherhood.
I’ve been searching for YEARS for a photograph I saw once in college, of an older woman standing in a lily pond, with no luck. The image is protected (no wonder it was so hard to find), and I finally found it!!! (via SFGirlbyBay) If you’d like to see it, click here and scroll about halfway down.
Found this cool poster from 1919. My sister Mary says she’s going to hang it in her window.
The night Mick was born.
The last three minutes of this on wise old sages is absolute gold.
Jennifer Garner puts a lot of stuff in the river.
I finally listened to bigger than the whole sky
Read my texts with Jen Shoop.
Can’t stop looking at the two women you hardly ever see. (via Adrienne)
One of my heros, Sandra Day O’Connor, spent her childhood on the Lazy B Ranch, which is still a working cattle operation run by my badass Aunt Kristen in rural Arizona. Some of my favorite photos of my kids there.
art & poetry
A smidgen of desperation on a newborn night
The story of a magic marker
Eric Loves Animals (Just Like You!) by Eric Carle is the ultimate love letter to children everywhere.
Notes on the people who lived here in April, I think they’re already gone.
The greatest finale ever.
How to visit a museum with kids. Scare the crap out of them about touching the art. Lucy once tried to highfive a Monet mural and I was escorted out of the gallery directly into my own grave.
This artwork made me cry. So beautiful.
One of my favorite photo series ever, Eyes as Big as Plates.
My first mini wedding!
Heirloom Portraits of mothers.
shopping
Guys, I found a spring/ summer version of my famous Thanksgiving Shirt That Nate Hates. It’s perfect!
This rosy linen tablecloth is even better in person.
My + the kids’ favorite book: Invisible Things, c/o terrific newsletter Booksnacks.
I wish this delicate bracelet was somehow a very tiny watch. Lately I’ve been hunting for a watch that doesn’t look like a watch!
Absolutely obsessed with this “freak” sweatshirt
Still can’t believe the PacSun x The Met collection hasn’t sold out
Most romantic cardigan
We have gotten hours and hours of mileage out of the famous Amazon cardboard castle.
Finally figured out where to get one of those giant heads!
This fish boy t-shirt made me smile.
*Don’t forget your free $40
flowers
Want some lyda roses in my yard, plz. (via Block Shop’s delightful Friday NL, Notes from the Studio)
Floral high-tops that I purchased within 19 seconds of spotting them.
A creator crafts a dress from the fibers of stinging nettles he foraged for seven years.
This photo still blows my tiny mind.
A volcano that explodes with rose petals!
Matthew McConaughey the snail hanging out in a rose.
The most popular Handpicked Print Shop item this year: mirrorball ranunculus.
p.s.
Don’t forget to take the survey! See you in 2024!!!
Such a great round up. Happy holidays ⭐️🎄
This was such a fun read! And you need to print and frame that poem. Absolutely lovely!
Happy holidays!