{"id":90318,"date":"2026-01-05T21:49:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T21:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/90318\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T21:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T21:49:16","slug":"happy-new-year-cup-of-jo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/90318\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy New Year! | Cup of Jo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

Hello! How are you? I missed this funny, smart community, and I\u2019m excited to catch up. We have some fun posts planned this month, and in the meantime, here are a few snapshots from the break, if you\u2019d like to see\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Brooklyn<\/p>\n

We hosted Christmas in Brooklyn this year \u2014\u00a0with the boys and me, of course, plus my dad<\/a>, my aunt Lulu<\/a>, and our cousin Jimmy<\/a>. We lit a lot of candles and ate a lot of yummy things. (\u201cI\u2019m low-key addicted to mandarins,\u201d Toby told me.)<\/p>\n

\"Dyker<\/p>\n

Our first adventure for the holidays is always driving to see the lights in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Can you imagine moving there in the summer and suddenly realizing what a Christmas scene it becomes? People sell hot chocolate out of their garages, and Bing Crosby blasts from car radios.<\/p>\n

\"suitcase\"<\/p>\n

When our relatives arrived from England<\/a>, we were so excited!<\/p>\n

\"jimmy<\/p>\n

Jimmy and Anton were already twinning without planning it\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Lulu<\/p>\n

And Lulu immediately set about making carrot soup<\/a>. The more things change, the more they stay the same. xoxo<\/p>\n

\"Brooklyn<\/p>\n

We took walks to the Brooklyn Promenade\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Jane's<\/p>\n

..and stopped by Jane\u2019s Carousel<\/a> and the nearby ice-skating rink<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

\u2026and admired the views from The Edge<\/a> in Manhattan.<\/p>\n

\"olive<\/p>\n

On Christmas Eve, we went to church and ate lots of stinky cheese.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

By the way, how cool is this olive tray<\/a>? It was my Christmas gift to myself \ud83d\ude42 I can\u2019t remember the substack design newsletter where I originally discovered it, but I\u2019ll let you know if I find it!<\/p>\n

\"12<\/p>\n

On Christmas morning, the boys opened their stockings. Here\u2019s 12-year-old Anton\u2019s haul. I loved how his wishlist reflected his in-between age \u2014\u00a0with items like a scented-pen (kid) and pimple patches (teenager).<\/p>\n

\"teens<\/p>\n

Plus, of course, a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/p>\n

We had a gathering on Christmas Day, since, I find, kids are usually jittery from all the excitement by the afternoon, and it\u2019s nice to have friends over to soak up that energy.<\/p>\n

\"cheesy<\/p>\n

Also, although long-time readers may find it hard to believe<\/a>, I\u2019ve actually been enjoying cooking. One crowd-pleasing dinner for the group was this easy cheesy beans dish<\/a>. I added more onion for crunch and more crushed red pepper for heat.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

The Kalanithi parents; lunch at Hook Fish<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Afterward, my dad and I headed to San Francisco to see my sister<\/a>, her daughter, and her in-laws.<\/p>\n

\"lena<\/p>\n

We crashed at my friend Lena\u2019s beautiful home<\/a>, since she and her family were out of town. (They\u2019re going to stay at our place in the summer, like a non-simultaneous house swap.) And that cool word art? \u201cWhen my son Eli was learning handwriting, he started making large letters on single sheets of construction paper,\u201d she explains. \u201cI took my favorites and tiled them in a huge plexiglass frame I bought off Craigslist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"grave\"<\/p>\n

As always, on New Year\u2019s Eve, we visited Paul\u2019s grave<\/a>. We poured out Champagne for him, and the kids toasted with Martinelli\u2019s. <\/p>\n

\"Jeremy<\/p>\n

Hope you had a good break and got some rest and relaxation! And if not, that\u2019s okay, too. As they say, everyone you meet is fighting a battle. Lots of love, as always, and looking forward to a wonderful 2026 together. xoxo<\/p>\n

P.S. 11 readers share their happy moments<\/a>, and what are you grateful for, large or small<\/a>?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

0 COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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