33

On Wednesday, I turn 33 years old. This birthday, more than any one in recent memory, has snuck up on me. I’ve spent the summer bopping around from Philly to Maine to New Jersey to Alabama. I’m heading to the Midwest the day after my birthday to attend the Minnesota State Fair and see Jared’s hometown (and make 1,000 references to the bachelor hometown episodes). On my birthday itself, I’ll go to work and then we’re having a family dinner to celebrate the three Virgos, myself, my dad, and Erika. I’m hoping for good weather so I can romanticize my walk to work.

Turning 32 was really important to me—my life changed a ton in the year leading up to it and I hosted a big party in the wine cave at Sauced and sabered champagne in the yard. It was a lit party and I’m so glad I did it. This year is different. It feels less momentous and a lot more settled and my schedule hasn’t given it much time to sink in. I feel very content with my life but I am craving a bit more stillness. 33 promises to be an exciting year and I couldn’t be entering it with better people (and cats) by my side. I had so many firsts this past year: my first time celebrating Christmas, my first trip to Italy, my first time at Buccee’s, my first CSA, my first time having a boy moving in my apartment. It’s been exciting and tiring but my attitude on birthdays is that it’s good to have more of them and celebrate each one. We can’t take a moment for granted. Three is one of my favorite numbers so a double three year feels good.

If you’d like to join me in celebrating, I have a few asks, in classic Virgo fashion.

1. Share This Needs Hot Sauce with someone you know. You can forward any issue or share a link on your Instagram or group chat. It means the world as I approach nine years of writing this newsletter. I had a party for five years and I think I’ll do another one for the 10th anniversary. You can also heart this post to spread the love.

2. Ask me a question in the comments! I’m doing a Birthday Q&A later this week and would love to have a nice list. They can be very random or nosy. Or, I’m happy to give personalized recs.

3. If you’re able, consider leaving some groceries in a local free fridge or donating to your local food bank or mutual aid group. Or bake a banana bread for someone you know going through a hard time.

After this week, This Needs Hot Sauce will take a summer vacation until after Labor Day.

Now, let’s dive in.

Whenever I have a night home alone, my instinct is to make something in the taco family. I can’t tell you how many solo quesadillas I’ve eaten. I cooked up some mushrooms with CSA jalapeños and garlic, jazzed up a can of beans and heated up tortillas. I also got my favorite Jalapa salsa (in the fridge section) and was blessed with a ripe avocado. I was eating this on the couch when I found out Hillary and Ronen were engaged, which made it all the better.

New York streets were flooding on Thursday and I was journeying home after work, physical therapy, and a few errands. I got home completely drenched (my shoes required three rounds of towel stuffing) and thank goodness Jared had dinner ready to go. He made comfort food: Dan Pelosi’s vodka sawce with coconut milk instead of cream and crisp broccoli. He even wrote in the cookbook after, swoon! After dinner, we watched an episode of Sex and the City and had tea to warm up from the rain. This hibiscus tea from Dona is very good and ABIGAIL25 gets you 25% off.

In Huntsville, where I went for Leah and Erika’s bridal shower, Erika’s family fed us well. Her parents made rice, beans, cauliflower, and homemade salsas for dinner on Friday. They even sent us home with stuff from the garden: basil and okra.

Erika’s aunts hosted a beautiful bridal shower with homemade food and adorable desserts. I loved the spinach artichoke dip, caprese skewers, and homemade guacamole.

We also had lunch before the airport and Rebeca made avocado toast with eggs on her homemade sourdough. We also devoured the very good Graza salt and vinegar potato chips, they’re the perfect thickness.

Zoe was in town and we all got dinner at Rubirosa, her favorite spot. I hadn’t been in a while and it was so good—the highlights are the Rubirosa salad with arugula (we got two) and the tie dye pizza (we also got two, it’s so crispy). It was so nice to see her and do a big round robin catchup with the crew— everyone’s lives are changing a lot and it’s nice to have time to get updates in person

Ivy and I saw Cat Cohen’s Broad Strokes at the Lucille Lortel Theater. It’s about her experience having a stroke three summers ago and it’s hilarious. Highly recommend for fellow anxious girls, it’s on through September 25th. Before the show, we grabbed a slice at L’Industrie that we ate at Talea. They allow you to bring pizza inside if you buy a drink so we had some orange wine before the show. Jared had just finished work so he saved us a seat and got us wine with a cat on the label. Afterwards, we grabbed olives and a glass of wine at Moonflower, a very sweet wine bar. The West Village lines were scary even on a Wednesday evening so it was nice to go somewhere calm. Moonflower also has a great happy hour.

In Huntsville, we got dinner on Saturday at Stovehouse, an outdoor hangout spot in a former stove factory with live music and lots of food options. We got Mexican food and it hit the spot. Mom, Leah and I were sharing and they kindly cut a burrito in three. For a sweet treat, we got ice cream at Oscar Moon, which also sells tons of old fashioned candy. Leah said the ramen is good too but it was too hot for that.

Bucc-ee’s was a key part of the Alabama itinerary. It’s a legendary place and reminded me of Costco, Wawa, and Disneyland. The Athens location had 150 gas pumps and a car wash open till 10pm. It’s alarming from a fossil fuels perspective. The bathrooms are spotless and the merch is very amusing, they put a beaver on everything. I got a fridge magnet, some pecans, and jerky for Jared, plus some cat shaped pimple patches.

Mom and I got breakfast and coffee at Scooter’s on Sunday morning, which is a drive thru. Drive thrus always feel so novel to me, it’s fun. They had egg feta bites and a vegetarian breakfast burrito.

10 Things I Have About You is coming to Broadway and Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen are involved.

Rebecca Eisenberg’s new small batch baking book (all the recipes use one cup of flour) came from a viral focaccia recipe. Love this BTS from the cookbook process in Cookbookery Collective

An interesting conversation with two Man Repeller OGs Haley Nahman and Harling Ross Anton (with archival photos) about shopping and doing it thoughtfully

I made a collection of the best things I packed for Italy if you’re traveling soon. I use all of these pieces all the time, even though the trip was months ago. Also, I reminisce about our Italy trip too often, it was so special.

I ordered these shoes for my sister’s wedding—the brand was founded by a podiatrist so I’m hoping they’ll be comfy on my foot. Will report back

Hayden Panettiere’s death is so sad and the way people are talking about is also disappointing by Madison Huizinga

Love this Cherry Bombe guide for restaurants on PR. There’s so much to do!

I got this sports bra tank in January and have worn it so many times since. It’s the perfect length to layer or wear on its own and it’s so soft.

I started this book while traveling, a novel about the first openly gay male player at the US Open. It’s filling the Heated Rivalry void and fun to read as the US Open kicks off. Also, I didn’t get US Open tickets this year but I am available if anyone wants to invite me!

The case against supporting the multi-billion dollar food delivery industry from Maria DeVoto. If you’re getting takeout, order directly from the restaurant and ideally, pick it up yourself. If you’re ordering delivery, tip your driver generously in cash.

If you’re sick of reading my writing, check out Friday’s newsletter, guest written by Este. She shared her methods for success and we have a lot to learn from her.

More book talk: If you’re coming to Leah and Erika’s wedding, don’t miss the romance only bookstore Blushing Books. It’s downtown near some cute cafes and historic areas and the selection is great. We got an Ally Carter spy/romance (loved her YA books as a kit) and this Scottish roadtrip/wedding disaster romance Becca Freeman recommended.

I rented this cute fish dress and might have to wear it on my birthday. It is begging to be at the beach so hopefully I can squeeze in one more beach day this summer.

Imagined Conversations Between My Parents While on a Family Vacation

The Dark Side of Bucc-ee’s: they sue tons of small businesses with similar logos. John Oliver is trying to take them on.

Thank you for being here as I celebrate another year around the sun! I’m a very lucky girl.

xo, Abigail