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Five Small Daily Habits That Boost Productivity and Well‑Being

Five Little Things | Kumquat Still Life | Kitchen Confidante

Here are five little things I loved this week—small pleasures, good reads, and a few discoveries worth sharing.

1. Kumquats

Sweet and tart in the best way, kumquats have been my obsession lately. They’re perfect for a bright cocktail after a long week; I shared a kumquat-lemongrass rum cocktail that’s become a favorite. Beyond drinks, candied kumquats add an uplifting note to desserts—I’m eager to try recipes like a Candied Kumquat Almond Cake and a Rustic Citrus Almond Tart when the mood (and the fruit) arrive.

Five Little Things | Kitchen Confidante | Bowl of Kumquats

2. Easy as Pie

Pies have been on my mind with spring teasing us and markets soon overflowing with berries and stone fruits. There’s something so satisfying about encasing seasonal fruit in a flaky, buttery crust and topping it with a scoop of speckled vanilla ice cream. My friend Lindsey at Hot Polka Dot recently published a clear, helpful how-to on crafting the perfect pie crust—thoughtful tips that make pie baking less intimidating and more enjoyable.

3. Life after Google Reader

With Google Reader winding down, you might be wondering where to take your favorite feeds. Two RSS readers I rely on make the transition easy. Feedly has prepared tools to import your subscriptions smoothly and offers a polished interface with plenty of features. BlogLovin’ is another simple, visual way to follow blogs; it’s a bit different from Feedly in style and functionality, but still a pleasant way to stay connected to the blogs you love.

4. Whimsy

I recently connected with April at Catching Fireflies, a shop full of quirky, cheerful products that tend to make you smile. I especially like their eco-friendly gift selections—reusable bags and upcycled items make for thoughtful and responsible presents. As a little treat for readers, Catching Fireflies offered a virtual gift certificate to give away and shared a discount code for 20% off purchases for a limited time.

5. Hi Neighbor

We celebrated Mr. Rogers’ birthday recently, and for many of us he was a comforting presence on television—part teacher, part neighbor, and wonderfully genuine. I enjoyed revisiting a compilation of facts and memories about Fred Rogers that highlights his quiet influence and creativity. Whether you grew up with him or are discovering him now, his kindness and curiosity leave a lasting impression.

Happy Friday—glad you’re here to share these little things with me.

Giveaway

I hosted a giveaway for a $43 Catching Fireflies virtual gift card. The giveaway has closed and the winner was selected. Below are the original entry details, included here for reference.

  • To enter: Leave a comment sharing one item you’d want from Catching Fireflies.
  • Entry deadline: Entries accepted until 10 pm Pacific, Wednesday, 27 March, 2013.
  • Winner selection: One winner was randomly chosen and notified by email on 28 March, 2013.
  • Prize delivery: A code to the virtual gift card was emailed for immediate use.

Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post or host this giveaway. The gift certificate was provided by Catching Fireflies. As always, all opinions are my own.