We’re taking a short break this week: Cup of Jo will be closed while Anton and I spend time with my brother, aunts, and cousins. The team plans to pause or post ahead — some editors are traveling too, and others have queued content so you won’t be left without reading material. Please note that we will be back on Friday, April 10th. As we head out the door, holiday greetings to anyone celebrating — Chag Sameach and Happy Easter to those marking the weekend. Below are a handful of links and little discoveries we loved this week.
Curated links and quick favorites
This week’s highlights include a thoughtful personal essay about separation — “Eight things I wish I’d known before getting divorced” — and a wry collection of notes from Bess Kalb in which she composes playful, passive-aggressive messages for her toddler around Passover demands (the rider included butter noodles, chicken nuggets, and lukewarm baby carrots). We’re also excited for a new film from Amanda Peet, and we found a travel piece about the easiest shirt to pack that still looks polished on arrival. A compelling personal story about a relationship ending after someone discovered their partner’s ChatGPT drafts made the rounds — an odd modern breakup catalyst worth reading.
For lighter rabbit holes, we enjoyed before-and-after galleries of blurring powder applications that make cosmetic differences dramatic, a dreamy walkthrough of an English garden (perfect for armchair wandering), and a peek at airline cabins with especially comfy-feeling seats. And yes: one link is simply titled “Hahahaha” — sometimes you just need a laugh. These picks span practical tips, cultural moments, and small pleasures you can skim or savor.
Food, subscriptions, and a recipe highlight
We’ve been using ButcherBox this year and have been impressed with the quality: recently we made spaghetti bolognese with meat from our latest box, and it turned out tender and juicy. Everything they send is sourced from animals raised without antibiotics or added hormones, which matters if you’re trying to be mindful about ingredients. If you’re curious, you can try the service with a discount: get $20 off your first three boxes using the code COJ. It’s a nice shortcut when you want reliable meat for meals that feel special without extra fuss.
Why it stood out
The subscription felt like a small, dependable upgrade to weekly cooking: higher-quality protein made a simple tomato ragù feel restaurant-worthy. If you value straightforward sourcing and want fewer trips to multiple shops, ButcherBox can tidy up your meal planning. The combination of convenience and transparency — what the company describes as ethically raised meat — was a useful reminder that a little planning can yield delicious results.
Voices from the comments
Readers continue to be the best part of the site. One reader named Meg riffed on family dynamics with a playful catalog of chaotic kin — likening her aunt network to a lively animal kingdom and calling them a source of amusement and warmth. Another reader, Tricia, offered a genius pantry-tip: grind Trader Joe’s dried berries into a powdered addition for frosting to make cakes both prettier and tangier; she calls it a “hot tip” and we agree — it’s an easy way to lift a simple dessert.
A community that shares
Dottie wrote about how much she looks forward to Cup of Jo every week: the mixed bag of commentary, book suggestions, baby photos, and outfit inspiration makes the site feel communal. She described the comment threads as a place where sorrow, laughter, and curiosity are shared — readers swoon over pictures, scribble down recommendations, and cheer one another on. It’s a reminder that a digital corner can feel like a real neighborhood when people show up consistently.
Before we sign off, we want to thank everyone who reads and comments. The original photo for this note was shot by Zach Tajji on Unsplash, and yes — there are currently 21 comments on the thread for this post. We’ll be quiet here for a few days while visiting family, but we’ll return on Friday, April 10th with more links, essays, and reader voices. Have a lovely weekend, and if you celebrate, Chag Sameach and Happy Easter.