The Good Stuff #1
Some of the things that sparked joy and inspiration in January 2025
One of the main reasons why I started blogging in the first place, all those years ago, was because I loved sharing the things I enjoyed; the stuff that made me happy, made me think, made me want to do what I do, and all that.
I reviewed books, local events, restaurants and theatre. I joined in with the local blogging community and met some lovely people. I shared my Monthly Muses posts. The theatre reviews got bigger, and I started attending multiple shows a week and writing for other publications.
Then Covid happened, and I lost momentum. Things changed, and so did I.
Now, while I still share the stuff I love on my social media feeds (by which I mean Instagram, let’s be honest) it doesn’t happen as much in my long-form writing.
(I did try to resurrect the Monthly Muses posts here on Substack, but it just didn’t feel natural – hence just the solitary offering!)
Nevertheless, I really, really miss gathering all the things I’ve enjoyed, bundling them up, and sending them off into the ether so someone else might also have the same experience. I love telling people about the stuff going on locally, the books worth reading, and the exhibitions worth seeing. I love poring other Substacker’s lists, too.
So, I’m starting again.
Here’s hopefully the first of many The Good Stuffs: a nice, broad name for a broad collection of things that have made me feel, think, grow or change.
Hopefully, you might find something in there you like.
Here are January’s Good Things.
Mob’s one-pot mushroom lasagne
When Liam’s away, I like to indulge in the food he hates. Mushrooms are at the top of this list; they’re my favourite vegetable, and before we met I seriously considered them to be a non-negotiable when finding a partner (I am so glad I came to my senses). He loathes them. So, when I get the chance, I love making delicious meals that revolve around this divisive ingredient.
This month, I made Mob’s one-pot mushroom lasagne, which required the ‘shrooms to be blitzed up to mimic mince, and then added to a pot of tomato, lentils and harissa, plus torn-up pasta sheets, and topped with cheese. I went full-on with the mozzarella (because obviously) and left out sundried tomatoes (because I’d run out).
It’s one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made, and I will absolutely be recreating it again (though minus the mushrooms if Liam’s around, of course!). It seems like a very adaptable dish.
Mob is a marvellous foodie platform. Most of their recipes are now for subscribers only, but a handful are available for free members, and this is one of them. Their recipes are brilliant and, if you don’t fancy subscribing, they have some great cookbooks, too.
Maurie’s sandwiches
I’m a woman led by my stomach, and when a viral foodie destination opens in my home city of Southampton, it’s hard to resist stopping by to see what the hype is all about.
Maurie’s Sandwich Shop has brought trendy doorstop sarnies to our city on the south coast, and after months of drooling over friends’ Instagram stories and perusing the menu, I finally stopped by this month to try their veggie offering – the GG.
Long story short: it ain’t cheap (£9.50 makes it the priciest sandwich I’ve ever bought), but it was delicious, and I will probably be going back very soon for more – if not just for their coffee and pastries.
If you want to see more, I made a silly little Instagram reel about it.
No Notion of Loving by Halves by Jocelyn McGregor
We’re lucky to have so many local art exhibitions here in Southampton, and I enjoyed the latest one at God’s House Tower (one of my favourite spaces in the city).
Jocelyn McGregor’s No Notion of Loving by Halves explores the intensity, mystery and complexity of the Female Gothic and female relationships, inspired by Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (which is said to have, in turn, been influenced by her visits to Southampton!).
It’s a curious, captivating and slightly eerie installation – which made it the perfect inspiration for a creative writing workshop, surrounded by the ancient walls of the building!
This exhibition is on until Sunday 23 February 2025, so you still have a chance to see it!
(And while you’re there, you can also see Jane Austen’s travelling writer’s desk!)
Traitors
But, of course. This got me through many of January’s darkest nights, and entertained, frustrated, and delighted me. Alexander’s singing, Minah’s stellar sleuthing, Charlotte’s rise and fall. The perfect series to kick off the year.
Savoury porridge
Now, here’s another food-based experience that I will certainly be trying again asap. I told you that savoury breakfasts were a must for this year, so I gave in to my curiosity and tried making some savoury porridge, based on a recipe in Izy Hossack’s The Savvy Cook.
I simply cooked oats in vegetable stock, fried mushrooms in parmesan and a tiny bit of tahini, and stirred them in before topping them with a fried egg.
Not one for the more texture-conscious eaters, but it was so delicious, moreish and filling. I’m keen to try some different flavours and toppings! Would you every try savoury porridge?
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
What a book to kick off my year of reading. This powerful novel is based on the horrific actions of American serial killer Ted Bundy, explored through the eyes of young women in the 70s. I found myself furious, shocked, tearful and compelled to read more as the protagonists sought justice and peace.
There are many instances worthy of trigger warnings in this book, so tread carefully. It’s not an easy read., but I already know it’ll be one of my favourites from this year.
Freshly plastered walls
It’s a niche one, this – but after nine months in our first (owned) house, we’ve finally had some people in to plaster and paint the worst walls in the place. We’ve learned a lot, and we now have a lovely terracotta-red bedroom with a *smooth ceiling* and un-dented walls on the staircase. Dreamy.
This is the only time we plan to get someone in to decorate for us, so it was a big undertaking, and we’ve spent three weeks sleeping in the spare room surrounded by stuff. At one point, everything was covered in protective plastic.
But we’re there. It’s done. And it looks so much better.
You Are Here by David Nicholls
My second read deserves a shout-out, too. You Are Here, David Nicholls’s latest, follows two people on a pilgrimage of sorts across the north of England, which offers an opportunity for growth, reflection, and revelation. Much like Marnie and Michael, we’re taken on a journey, travelling the highs and lows of love, loss, and the scars we bear inside and out.
It’s another story of ordinary, flawed folks, presented in Nicholls’s classic slow-reveal style; a gentle, undulating read that mimics the landscape on which it’s set. And as someone with a lingering love of the Lakes, it was lovely to be transported back there.
And while you’re here, read these:
What have you loved the most over the last few weeks? Share some of your January highlights in the comments - I really would love to hear about them.
Love all these recommendations Jo, and good to see ‘You are here’ on the list. I’ve not read it yet and missed out on my signed copy at the Winchester Book Festival because my lift needed to get home. But persuaded my book group to add it to the list so will be reading it soon. It was lovely to finally bump into you there.
I loved reading about The Good Stuff in your life. It's inspiring me to write something this morning about where we place most of our attention—on international news or freshly plastered walls? I need to do more of the latter.
Thanks for sharing Grandpa Mornings, too :)