Happy Saturday. Here in DC, we take cherry blossoms very seriously. So on Thursday, when they hit peak bloom earlier than expected, I took an extra-long walk to celebrate (it really is this beautiful). But that wasn’t the only surprise this week...
— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
You’ll Make This 20-Minute Lemon Pasta More Times Than You Can Count
theSkimm
We’re not big on rules. But here’s one we live by: Once spring hits, anything requiring more than 30 minutes in the kitchen is a hard pass. That’s why we’re obsessed with this Lemon Parmesan Pasta from Maxine Sharf, author of the new cookbook Maxi’s Kitchen. Inspired by a childhood favorite, the recipe features pipe rigate noodles (the best short pasta there ever was or will be) tossed in a creamy, no-cook sauce made from ingredients you probably already have. Think: grated Parm, toasted pine nuts, and lemon juice. The result? A restaurant-fancy pasta that leaves you with more time for actually enjoying spring.
The Time Commitment: Just 20 minutes.
Key Tips: Forthe silkiest, evenly coated pasta, combine the noodles and sauce immediately after draining. And don’t be afraid to make it your own: Top with toasted breadcrumbs for extra crunch, or add chicken or shrimp for more protein.
Other Takes: Not sure what to do with the rest of that Costco-sized bag of lemons? Try…
Lemony Orzo With Asparagus and Garlic Bread Crumbs. One fan said it might be “the best thing I’ve ever made with asparagus, if not one of the best things ever.” The more than 15,000 five-star ratings back that up.
Chicken Piccata Pasta. This twist on the Italian-American classic adds ruffled radiatori noodles — so none of that lemony, buttery, garlicky sauce goes to waste.
🥞 If making perfectly round pancakes seems impossible, this hack will be a revelation. The secret? A kitchen item you definitely own — just not for this purpose.
A Good Person by Kirsten King
theSkimm
Who among us hasn’t spiraled after being blindsided by a breakup? In Kirsten King’s A Good Person, that notion is taken to the extreme. When Lillian is dumped by Henry, she does what any reasonable person would do: gets drunk and puts a hex on him, hoping he’ll come crawling back. Instead, he turns up dead. The prime suspect? Lillian, of course. Oh, and she discovers Henry had been in a serious relationship with another woman the whole time. Now Lillian has to clear her name — and figure out how to make his death more about her than his actual grieving girlfriend. Expect a debut that’s part Fleabag, part Gone Girl, and already optioned for a movie (with a certain big name attached). We asked King a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
King: A therapist’s office and a Cheesecake Factory. Both are equally overwhelming.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
King: I have an original, unscratched Smell-O-Vision ticket for John Waters’s film Polyester. When we evacuated during the LA fires, I was like: “Where is the Smell-O-Vision ticket?!” That made me realize it was one of my most prized possessions. I think I left my birth certificate and took that ticket.
Meanwhile, on the internet…
Analog bags had their moment. Now there’s a new, somewhat adjacent viral bag trend that has nothing to do with the designer, but everything to do with the contents.
Forget Miami — St. Augustine Is Florida’s Most Underrated Coastal City
theSkimm
In need of a quick beach getaway? St. Augustine has Florida sun and sand, interesting museums, and a booming food scene — basically everything. Except rowdy spring breakers. One of the oldest cities in the country, the coastal destination has plenty of nods to its centuries-old history, from charming brick streets to impressive Spanish colonial and Moorish-style architecture. But it’s also got buzzy bars (including one famous for its ice), cotton-candy sunsets (best taken in from this striking drawbridge), and one very hot delicacy. All of which will have you thinking: Miami who?
🌴 The area is home to 42 miles of pristine coastline — including tranquil Crescent Beach and local favorite Vilano Beach. But for a beach day with more adventure, head to Anastasia State Park. There, you can take a 30-minute hike beneath a canopy of oak trees, spot some 200 avian species, and canoe or kayak along the Salt Run (you might even see a manatee or dolphin).
🚋 Sure, a trolley ride through town sounds touristy. But (a) you’re a tourist, and (b) the Old Town Trolley is the easiest way to hit the city’s top sights. The route includes: the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park (where you can learn more about St. Augustine’s history); the Villa Zorayda Museum (a Gilded Age home filled with antiquities); and Lincolnville, a community founded by emancipated Black men and women, which played a role in the Civil Rights Movement.
🛍️ The city’s historic district is made for wandering. Art and architecture lovers shouldn’t miss the Lightner Museum, a former Gilded Age resort hotel dripping with 19th-century art, Victorian-era musical instruments, and Tiffany stained glass. History buffs can explore Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental US (with some of the best ocean views, no less). And for shopping, swing by pedestrian-only St. George Street to buy colorful pottery at Market to Market and vintage-inspired clothes at Red Pineapple.
🍲 Shocker: St. Augustine crushes the seafood game. And nowhere does shrimp, clams, blackened fish, and crab cakes better than Catch 27. But the one thing you must order by law? Minorcan clam chowder, a smoky, spicy, tomato-based stew that’s nothing like the creamy stuff you’ll find in New England.
Booking your next vacation? We just discovered Whimstay, and we prefer it to other home rental websites — there’s a lot of inventory, it’s easy to use, and the prices are super competitive. Plus, they’re offering up to 60% off rentals as a special spring break deal. If you needed a nudge to book yourself a getaway, this is it.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
After many years of friendship, one of my closest friends suddenly ghosted me. I want answers — but she’s not responding to my calls or texts. Is there anything else I can do, or do I have to let it go?
“To show you’re still open to connection but aren’t going to expend time and energy on someone refusing to do the same for you, pick a low-stakes moment — their birthday, a holiday — that gives you a natural reason to reach out and send something short and warm. You can say, ‘Hey, I’m thinking of you today. I miss you. Here’s what I’ve been up to. I’d love to hear from you.’ If you don’t get a response, the next one is shorter: ‘Hey, just wanted to reach out and say I hope all is well.’ But eventually, it’s time to let it go. The hard truth about ghosting is that you may never get the explanation you deserve — and the freedom you're looking for can’t come from them. It has to come from you deciding that you showed up, you stayed kind, and the rest is not yours to carry. You can’t control whether they come back. You can only control whether you leave the door open with your dignity intact.”
