Welcome. It’s New Year’s Eve and the Omicron curbed any social bondage we might have planned. We’re now ex-professionals in re-imagining the holidays – we’re ex-pro in re-imagining any day, to tell the truth.
For example, you may not attend that dinner party, costume party, or any party today, but you can research one (or more) of Eric Asimov’s selections. champagne to see 2021. Or if champagne isn’t your thing, Topo Chico, there is Martinelli’s, there is a series non-alcoholic alcoholic beverages to discover.
Think fitness year, read about some technology projects that improve the world get one of many things this year or 2021 music documentaries. See. food trends forecasters suspect it will be big in 2022. (Edible containers! Lab-raised chicken!)
Or get inspired by the Home & Away community. I shared on Wednesday Some reader favorites from 2021. Here are a few more to check out this weekend (posts edited for length and clarity).
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“I binge-watched every episode of the BBC show. ‘Gardeners’ World’ On BritBox or Amazon Prime Video. Not only is there an almost endless supply of planting ideas and instructions, but there are visits to famous gardens and viewer-submitted videos of their own gardens from around the world. I feel like I have a horticultural degree.” —Linda Steiner, Madison, Wis.
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“Best book of 2021 ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ by Anthony Doerr. As soon as I finished this book, I went back to the beginning and started reading it again. I’ve never done this before, or even thought about it.” —Kathy Miller, Edenton, North Carolina
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My best bet for 2021 was to go to a Broadway show again. My daughter lives in Manhattan and we’ve seen ‘Hadestown’ Despite being a very unusual depiction of Greek mythology, it was October and loved it. It was also very special to see the Rolling Stones at their last show on Hard Rock Live. Sometimes the best days are not known until we experience the worst.” —Jonathan Jordan, Florida
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“This year I took ‘The Gift of the Snake’ From my shelf that has been rotting for years by Helen Elaine Lee. It gripped me, it got my full attention. History, culture, people are told very closely. It stayed with me for a long time after I finished reading it.” —Alexa Berton, Brattleboro, Vt.
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“As I nervously awaited my youngest son’s joyous wedding as soon as the Delta variant arrived, I had a wonderful chance at the Mattituck public library. ‘Little and Often’ A striking memoir of Trent Preszler. His interest in grief was, of course, personal, but also universal. I have fully embraced each episode as I have lost and found more than one loved one in recent years.” —Patricia Rohrer, Mattituck, NY
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“I fell in love with the podcast ‘We Can Do The Hard Work’ Glennon Doyle with Amanda Doyle and Abby Wambach. I listened in the car on the way to work and events.” —Cindy Wilson, Santa Fe, NM
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“The best book: Lincoln Highway. A champion wordsmith, Amor Towles allowed me to enjoy the development of his complex character and plot. I suspect I am not alone.” —Bobbi Zehner, Madison, Wis.
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“I highly recommend a six-part series that receives little attention: CNN’s ‘Lincoln: Divided We Stand’. Really gripping!” —Eve Thorson, Maine
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“‘Working with Miss Bishop’ Dana Gioia’s photo. I was very impressed with Gioia’s narrative style and her effortless storytelling about the literary figures who influenced her.” —Gail Obenreder, Wilmington, Del.
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tell us.
If so, what do you expect in 2022? Contact Us: athome@nytimes.com. Include your full name and location and we can include your contribution in an upcoming newsletter. We At Home and Away. We will read every letter sent. As always, more ideas on how to spend the time this weekend appear below. Stay safe and warm. See you next year.