[PREVIEW] The Year in Butters: 2025

You're listening to Burnt Toast! We are Virginia Sole-Smith and Corinne Fay.

And it's time for the episode we look forward to all year long—ever since we made it a tradition exactly one year ago!

It is time for... The Year In Butters, where we look back at everything we've recommended in the past year and tell you what's still buttery and what has...gone rancid.

If you're new here: Butter is what we call the recommendation segment at the end of every episode. It might be a new favorite food, a great book, an experience, or a state of mind. But since we give recs every week, some Butters stand the test of time more than others!

Find out if we still love...

🧈 Tracking Virginia's hydration?

🧈 Corinne's new shower head?

🧈 The $16 sundress Virginia bought last summer!

🧈 And so many more!

To get the full schmear, you’ll need to be a paid Burnt Toast subscriber. Membership starts at just $5 per month and is the best way to support our work! (Just want the Butter, no strings attached? Buy this episode for just $4.)

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Episode 224 Transcript

Corinne

Well our big realization when we did this last year was that a lot of things we had recommended, like clothes, hadn't stood the test of time.

Virginia

They sure did not. We took a real hard look at my fast fashion problem. And I think I've made some real progress on that front, so I'm excited. I think a lot of our Butters held up pretty well this year...but we'll see.

Corinne

Yeah, when I was compiling this I could tell that we were having a reaction to the clothes recommendation thing, because I think there is maybe, like, one this year.

Virginia

Well, it is a lot to think of a Butter all the time! When I invented this segment, I did not know what I was doing. 

Podcast guests always get very nervous about the Butter. (We're not going to go over the guests’ Butters, by the way. These are just the Butters that Corinne and I have recommended together on our episodes, or we'd be here all day.) It is a lot of effort every week thinking of a Butter. I try really hard to think of something that's a little quirky and random, and not necessarily something you have to buy, though sometimes they are things you could buy.

What are your criteria for a good Butter?

Corinne

Well, I think we have both found that if you don't think about it a little bit in advance, and then when you're on the spot, everything you've ever liked just falls out of your brain.

Virginia

Yes, then you don't like anything. Nothing is good.

Corinne

This year, for 2025, I really leaned into food and media Butters. I was basically recommending whatever I was enjoying making for dinner or a snack, or what I was watching or reading.

Virginia

I do think those are the best butters. Although I always enjoy it when we have a wild card. My favorite ever Burnt Toast Butter probably still is your sun face shield, which was one of the very first Butters you ever buttered. It was so out of the box and delightful to me.

Corinne

That one really did not stand the test of time.

Virginia

I know. I guess for me—as much as I think it's valuable for us to look at what Butters hold up—sometimes a Butter is just a moment in time. Not all Butters are lifetime Butters. Some Butters are more fleeting. They're like the the sand art and, you know, that's fine.

Corinne

Maybe in 2026 we should try to have more wackadoo butters.

Virginia

I would definitely be here for that.

Okay, should we jump in and go back and forth?

Corinne

My first Butter of last year was the Connally Goods denim chore jacket, which is named after me. My last name, Fay.

Virginia

So obviously a great Butter right there. 

Corinne

I stand by this one.

Virginia

For you to back away from a denim chore coat would be breaking news. 

Corinne

They actually just came out with a brown version that has blue stitching, and I ordered that.

Virginia

So, you are doubling down on this Butter. You're going to be a Double Butter on the denim chore coat.

Corinne

I think that is my only clothing one of the entire year.

Virginia

Well, and Connally Goods is not fast fashion, right? It's company we feel great about supporting. A good slow fashion brand.

And my Butter from that episode was the brownies you sent me for Christmas last year from Vesta Chocolate.

And I'm going to say, Yeah, that one holds up. I mean, I haven't had them since, but this is making me be like, ooh, who do I want to send those to? Maybe myself?

Corinne

I think it's hard for brownies to not hold up.

Virginia

That's going to be an evergreen Butter in the Burnt Toast universe.

Okay, your next one was the TV show Bad Sisters.

Corinne

Good one. I still like that show. 

Virginia

I still haven't watched the second season. The first season was amazing.

Corinne

Yeah, can't say I've re watched it, but.

Virginia

It's a great clothes show.

Corinne

Yes, and I love Sharon Horgan.

Okay, yours was Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.

Virginia

This is a good Butter and if you don't have that card game, and you regularly play card games, especially with kids, I recommend it. It's great if you have younger kids who aren't as good at harder card games—they can do well at it. 

We haven't been playing it as much recently, but I'm not getting rid of it. I think we've just cycled into other games for the moment? But it's a good one to have on hand if you have a crowd of people you're trying to get united in some way. This is a good crowd pleaser. 

Corinne

Yeah, that sounds fun. I feel like sometimes when you play a game a lot it gets too easy.

Virginia

You can get expansion packs that make it harder, and we do have some of those, but we just kind of maxed out on it for a minute. I could see that come back around.

Okay, I've completely forgotten what your next one is. This outline just says the word Anora and I don't know what that is.

Corinne

That's crazy, because it was a movie that came out at the very end of 2024 and won a bunch of awards.

Virginia

Oh yes! And it had what's her face from Better Things in it?

Corinne

Yes. Mikey Madison. I stand by that. I thought that was a really good movie.

Virginia

I have not seen it, but I love Mikey Madison in Better Things, which I believe was another Butter of mine last year. So, yes, great.

Corinne

Your next one was shearling, big buckle, Birkenstock clogs.

Virginia

On my feet right now. Absolute lifetime Butter, these clogs. 

I think I'm on my third pair? I've been wearing them eight years probably. They do wear out. I wish they lasted a little longer. Shearling often starts to kind of go bald on you. But they are my forever house shoes in cold weather, and they make me so happy.

Corinne

That sounds really comfy. 
Virginia

I've still never bought Birkenstock clogs for outside of the house wear. but they're great slippers. If you're someone who works from home, invest in your slippers. Your feet are important.

Okay, your next one is the book The Safekeep.

Corinne

That was one of the best books I read this year.

Virginia

I co-sign. I read it on your recommendation. My whole book club loved it. And we do not always agree on books. We don't always have the same taste, and we were all uniformly obsessed with that book. 

And then my mom's book club read it, and they were more mixed.

Corinne

Ooh, interesting. 

Virginia

I think it was a little spicy for them? But I think I like that for them. My mom loved it. She got it.

Corinne

That was one of those books I read, and then was just trying to get everyone I know to read it.

Virginia

Because you just want to talk about it. It's wild, it's so wild. I'm excited for anyone who needs a good holiday read. It's just such a good immersive novel. If you haven't read it, pick it up for your winter break read. 

Corinne

Okay, your next one is one I am very curious about. It is the Water Llama hydration tracking app.

Virginia

We might have reached our first dud.

Corinne

How long was Water Llama in your life?

Virginia

I definitely Water Llama-ed for a few months. 

Corinne

Oh, that's a pretty long time. 

Virginia

I had maybe, like two-ish months, three months?

So for folks who don't remember: This is an app that tracks your hydration throughout the day. The reason I started doing it was because I was having so many headaches and I thought I was dehydrated. And then I figured out that probably I have so many headaches because I have sleep apnea, so hydration became less of a focus. 

But what I'm actually proud of is that I didn't keep tracking. Because I am someone who can be a little too into tracking. I think the fact that I let go of tracking Water Llama is a sign of personal growth. 

Corinne

I love that. 

Virginia

And if you do need to track hydration for medical reasons or whatever, it is a delightful app to use. But it's also okay to break up with tracking when it doesn't serve you.

I do feel like I'm overall a little better hydrated, though, from the experience.  When I do a weightlifting workout now, I always make sure to have my big water bottle with me now.

All right, you were really on the media kick. Your next one is the TV show Severance.

Corinne

Stand by it. That was great. I feel like it was really fun to be watching Severance every week earlier this year. It was one of those shows that everyone I know was talking about. 

Virginia

I missed out on that! For some reason I loved the first season and have not watched the second season. 

Corinne

Oh my gosh.

Virginia

I gotta get that and Bad Sisters going again.

Corinne

This is Apple TV. You need to re subscribe to Apple TV.

Virginia

 I am. I'm watching Slow Horses on it right now. So these will be next.

Corinne

All right. Yours from this episode was...meatballs.

Virginia

I mean, obviously I'm still pro-meatballs. I'm assuming there was a specific kind of meatball? Or a reason?

Corinne

I don't think there was a specific recipe, but I think you were like, "Meatballs are great because some people can eat pasta, some people can eat sauce, some people can eat meatballs."

But it's so funny because I just saw a Tiktok that was like, "What is the deal with New York Times Cooking and meatballs? They are pushing meatball propaganda." 

And later in the year, I did recommend a New York Times Cooking meatball recipe.

Virginia

We're all in Big Meatball's pocket. I mean, I do feel like this recommendation could have been "dinner." Virginia's Butter is...eating.

Corinne

No, I think it was like, meatballs as a good meal where people can pick and choose. Some people can eat pasta, some people can eat meatballs.

Virginia

We do still use them that way. Because the night the kids come back to my house is always a pasta night and one of my kids is a vegetarian, so we can't do a meat sauce. So we do often make her favorite marinara sauce and then have meatballs on the side for the meat eaters. I stand by it as a dinner crowd pleaser.

Corinne

Even as a single person meal, I feel like meatballs make pasta and sauce feel more substantial.

Virginia

I definitely agree with that.

Okay, you have Dune Sunscreen.

Corinne

I really like that sunscreen. I will say it is very expensive. It's less of a makeup-y sunscreen, so it's pretty liquidy. And it has a slight green color when it comes out. But I like how it goes into my skin.

Virginia

"I like putting green sunscreen in my skin."

Corinne

Okay, it's not bright green.

Virginia

Have you considered a career as a beauty influencer?

Corinne

Yes, obviously.

Virginia

"Guys, it's real green, and then it just goes into your skin."

Corinne

Okay, so you know what? It's a good sunscreen.

Okay, well, yours, beauty influencer, was the magic Vulva Balm.

Virginia

You know, it's not green. And it does go into your skin. Certain types of skin. 

I'm not using this as regularly. Whatever chafing issues I was having at the time have have resolved, but I definitely keep it on hand. And I think if you're dealing with any dryness, it's a good starting point. I will say, don't rule out, like, do you have a yeast infection? Do you need some vaginal estrogen cream?

For those of us in the perimenopause season, there can be a lot going on down there that you want to pay attention to. But this is a good starting point for short-term relieving discomfort. It's a great product. 

Okay, Corinne, how is your new shower head?

Corinne

It is still there! Still working.

Virginia

Is it bringing you as much joy as it was initially?

Corinne

Well, I think the joy I was experiencing at the time was that my old shower head was really effed up and not working well, and I changed it out myself. And I was just like, oh, that was a lot easier than I expected. And the new one is so much better than the old one. So I will say the joy has worn off a little bit. Now I'm just like, yeah, I have a shower that works.

Virginia

Always great, but also sort of a baseline expectation.

Corinne

Yeah, but at the time, it was a revelation.

Virginia

Well, I do think the advice to solve one small annoying thing in your house is good. That really does bring a lot of joy when you can tackle something, especially when it's something you think is going to be a nightmare to fix, and then it's actually not that big a deal.

Corinne

I didn't realize how bad the old one was until I put in the new one. And I was like, whoa, I could have more than a trickle of water hitting my body

Virginia

This is like when we first started dating, Jack changed the light bulb in my shower that had been out for like, I don't know, seven years, probably? I just had accepted that I lived that way. I was like, "I have a dark shower. Some people have dark showers." 

Corinne

That's really funny.

Virginia

And it is a really dark shower. It's like, not a tub with a curtain. It's like, there's only one little door at the end. So it was real dark, and now it's not. That was quite revelation to me.

Corinne

Wow. I can see why you kept Jack around.

Virginia

Who knew light bulbs could be changed, guys? I learned. 2025 was a big year for me.

Corinne

All right, your next one was giant coloring sheets. 

(Other options here and here.)

Virginia

I do think these are great. We haven't done them in a while, so it's possible this was a Moment in Time Butter. It's a great thing to put out on the table if you're going to have people over, or if you just need a casual way to interact with your kids, especially if your kids are in a prickly phase. Just sitting down and starting to color is often a way to bring them like a moth to the flame.

But it is the kind of thing that will stop working after a bit. Because then they're like, we've colored a giant coloring sheet. I don't know. It didn't become a family passion. I think when I first got them, I was like, "This is our new hobby!" And it's more like...we did this for a bit. Maybe I'll break it out with a different group of kids sometime. 

But I do remember when Amy's kids visited, and I put one out thinking it would be a good way for the kids to all kind of bond, who don't see each other super often. And nobody touched it. They were also off doing other things. It wasn't like we needed it. 

Corinne

Sounds kind of similar to taco, llama whatever. Goat Cheese. Water. Hydration. Taco Llama, hydration. Goat cheese.

Virginia

Yeah, I think sometimes you hit on something that really works to bring kids together and create a joyful family moment, and it's okay to just let it be like that one time or two or three times, and not have it be a forever thing.

Corinne

Yeah, totally.

Virginia

All right, yours is black snail tea from Little Red Cup Tea Company.

Corinne

I stand by this one. An old friend of mine runs Little Red Cup Tea Company. And black snail is a really good tea that I always have on hand. But they also have a bunch of good teas. If you're a tea drinker, it's all Chinese tea, and I would say it's an upgrade if you're just drinking like whatever grocery store black tea.

Virginia

Celestial Seasonings, no shade.

Corinne

Yeah, delicious, delicious tea. 

Okay, yours was starting plants from seed.

Virginia

Oh, yeah, we did a lot of that this spring. I did way more from seed than I ever had before. And yeah, I stand by it. I had a really nice mix of flowers in the cutting garden that I wouldn't have had if I had just bought starts at the nursery. I was able to really plan which colors I wanted and grow different varieties of zinnias and cosmos that you don't usually find. So that was really fun. And we had great tomatoes. 

I'm trying to think if we had any real duds on what we started. We were a little too successful. We ended up with a lot of plants we had to give away.

Corinne

Will you be doing this again?

Virginia

Yes, I think we will. I think we'll try to be more strategic. And we also need to think through some logistics about where in the house the seeds live. We did them in the guest room last year. That worked pretty well, but then it was a pain to carry everything downstairs when it was time to start putting them out. I definitely wouldn't recommend it so much for new gardeners. I think it's a lot of work and stress to keep your seedlings going. And we did have a crop fail because we went on vacation and the pet sitter didn't water enough, and then we had to restart some stuff. So it's not without its headaches. But if you've been like a, you know, a seasoned gardener looking to up your game, I think it's time. I think you're ready. 

Corinne

When do you start stuff? 

Virginia

Well, it's all plant specific. And depends on your growing zone. So in New York, there's some stuff I could start as early as March, and there's some stuff it doesn't make sense to start till the end of April. It's all over the map. So that's a lot of planning. 

For the next episode, you recommended the book Stag Dance, which is another co-Butter recommendation.

Corinne

Yeah, That is a book by Torrey Peters. And another one of, I would say, the best books I read this year. YReally enjoyed.

Virginia

Also endorsed by my Hot Tub Book Club. Apparently you pick all our best reads. So good job. 

Corinne

What are you guys reading now? I need a rec.

Virginia

We just did Kate Bear's new book of poetry, which was a fun one. But we haven't picked for next month. Yeah, Stag Dance is fun. It's really strange. It's short stories, which I often don't like, but I did like in this case.

Corinne

Yours from this episode was...chickens.

Virginia

Still pro-chickens. Also can't underscore enough that I would not get chickens if you don't have people in your household committed to chicken care. Because part of why I can endorse them is that I do very little work for them.

But we are getting a lot of eggs now, and I am really enjoying the egg situation. And they are quite charming. As pets go—and keep in mind, I am a household that has four species of pets. We have mammals, we have chickens, we have reptiles I've had a fish tank in the past. I'm a seasoned pet owner—I would say chickens are less work than a lot of pets, and higher reward. They're not much more work than reptiles, but they're a lot more interactive and fun and you get the eggs and it gets everyone outside. So I really like having chickens with kids.

Corinne

Have you had to deal with any chicken death?

Virginia

No, we are very lucky that so far, all eight of our ladies are going strong. We haven't had chicken tragedies. We put a lot of thought into predator protection, which is a big concern in our neighborhood. I think we have some neighbors who are less careful about predator protection, and therefore they're kind of the frontline chickens and ours are surviving. 

I would say the greatest threat to them is our Bernedoodle, Penelope, who loves them so much and sometimes gets a little confused about her role as chicken guarder. 

Um, I don't know how to pronounce your next one, Mango Izze?

Corinne

Yes, this is like a mango flavored like soda type of thing. I mean, still delicious. I'm not feeling enthusiastic about this right now. I don't have any in my fridge, But I did go through a real Mango Izze phase.

Virginia

I could see mango being one of those flavors that you're really into for a bit, and then you're like, I've had a lot of mango. I'm ready for something else.

Corinne

I started on the mango, and then I got some other Izze flavors, and I think mango is actually really the best. And also, like, it's less versatile than just having seltzer.

All right, your swing for the living room.

Virginia

Oh yeah. Oh man, best $80 I've ever spent on my children, hands down, is the sensory swing in our family room. 

I did have to replace the fabric because a child, and I don't know that it was my child, but some child did go in the swing with child scissors. and there was a hole that then turned into ripping the swing. 

Corinne

Whoa. 

Virginia

Didn't see that coming. But not sure I can blame the swing manufacturers for this.

Corinne

Swinging with scissors sounds really scary.

Virginia

Obviously, it was not a parent-endorsed move. I wasn't there when it happened. I don't really know the details. I just know suddenly the swing had a big rip in it, and we've had a talk about no sharp objects in the swing.

But the second one is holding up very well, and I'd already put the bolt in the ceiling and the cable and everything. I just had to replace the fabric. So it wasn't a huge issue.

Obviously, this is kid to kid, but if you have a kid with any kind of sensory stuff, neurodivergence, but also just like any kid who, needs a comforting spot. It's a really, really great tool. Swinging is really regulating for a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. 

Corinne

That's awesome. 

Virginia

Okay, the next episode, I think this was a summer episode, and we were both on a salad kick, so that's kind of funny. We don't tell each other our butters before we record usually, so it's like, then we just both happen to recommend salads.

So yours was the Smitten Kitchen garlic lime steak and noodle salad.

Corinne

Yeah, that's a good recipe. I stand by it. But yeah, again, a summer recipe. I'm not making it right now. It's a cold noodle with steak thing. 

Virginia

I mean, it sounds great.

Corinne

Yeah, I'm more going for warm foods right now.

And yours was sushi salad. It was like leftover sushi made into a salad.

Virginia

Yes, I do still do this with leftover sushi, because you know how sometimes you over order a little on sushi? You don't have a whole roll left. You have like three pieces, or you have like a weird amount of sushi where it's not a meal on its own. 

Corinne

And I feel like leftover sushi gets a little dried out.

Virginia

Chop it up, toss it in a salad with whatever. I usually do, like, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, maybe some shallot or red onion or something. I try to do some, like, vaguely Asian ish feeling vinaigrette. I have, like, a store bought honey, Ginger one I use a lot. Or if I have some of the spicy mayonnaise left over, I'll use that to make a dressing. 

Corinne

That sounds good. 

Virginia

It's such a good lunch. It's really quick. It's a great thing to do with leftover sushi. Love it. 

All right, you were back to TV the next month with rewatching Girls.

Corinne

I mean, stand by it. 

Virginia

You have not backed away from a single Butter!

Corinne

I feel like my most backed away from was Mango Izze.

Virginia

Oh yeah, you were a little over that, but that could come back, too. 

Corinne

I mean, it's a classic, you know? What am I going to say?

Virginia

Yeah, absolutely. Lena Dunham is a gift. 

Corinne

Your next one is a fast fashion, Old Navy crinkle gauze maxi dress and not worrying about bra straps.

Virginia

Okay, I continue to not worry about visible bra straps, and that has been liberating for me. Yeah, the maxi dress. Was a $16 crinkly cotton maxi dress ever going to be a lifetime purchase? Like, did we expect that from it? We didn't. I don't think. (Note: It appears to be gone from Old Navy's website, so clearly they didn't expect it to last either!)

Corinne

It will not be coming with us into 2026? 

Virginia

I mean, I don't know. It might. It's also like, it's December. We just had our first snow day. Obviously it's nowhere near my brain right now. The fabric was looking a little worn by the end of the season. But it might be like a pool cover up, or it might not. It was for the moment. 

All right, yeah. I know the next one is a shopping purchase that holds up... Baggu bags.

Corinne

Yep, stand by it. Feel like I really doubled down on things that are going to stand the test of time. I just used a Baggu Bag this morning.

Virginia

I feel like I use them in all aspects of my life. They go in the car to the grocery store. I have all the pouches and organized things. My favorite purse is a Baggu. It's a great brand. It's a great brand. 

Corinne

Agree.

All right, what about one minute planks and possibly learning how to do a push-up?

Virginia

I think what we're learning about us is...I have a lot of cool ideas.

Corinne

That's true.

Virginia

You are better at committing. You're a little more loyal.

Corinne

I am very loyal. Loyal is a nice way of putting what we're seeing here.

Virginia

I have more flights of fancy.

Perhaps there was a week where I did one minute planks every day. That week did not continue into a second week. I mean, some of it was, I was doing the one minute planks because I was really short on time, and I was trying to get some movement into my day during a busy week or whatever. So I do think they're great for that. And I've just been able to get back into my normal workout routine. So if I've done a good weights workout two days ago. I'm not like, Oh God, I better do a one minute push up today. Like, what? No, it's fine. 

Learning to do push-ups remains an elusive bucket list goal. Maybe someday. Now is not that time for me and push-ups. No, I'm comfortable. I'm comfortable with my little pulses I can do.

Corinne

Hell yeah.

Virginia

My counter push-ups. That's about it.

All right, Fox Family potato chips from Maine. 

Corinne

I mean, now we're getting into the really recent ones.

Virginia

So I assume that's still good. 

Corinne

Still good. I wish I had some right now.

Virginia

What would make one turn on a high quality potato chip? 

Corinne

Yeah. Nothing. 

Virginia

Speaking of loyalty. We have values here.

Corinne

Potato chips.

Virginia

For sure, a core value. 

Corinne

Okay, yours was pressing flowers.

Virginia

Well, I mean, I'm not currently pressing flowers, but it's December. There are no flowers to press. But we did press flowers, and I'm very happy to own a flower press.

Corinne

Are the pressed flowers still present in your life?

Virginia

Yes! We framed some in little acrylic frames, and they're really cute. They're by my bathroom on a windowsill, and they look very pretty. And I think it's something I will do again, for sure. I'm glad to own a flower press. I don't know that pressing flowers is something one would do, like, weekly. 

Corinne

Yeah, no. 

Virginia

How frequently are we expected to do it? if I press flowers once a season, I'll feel great about that. 

Corinne

Yeah, it seems like a good gardening add-on.

Virginia

It's a nice way to appreciate flowers that don't have good vase life. The really delicate stuff is the best for pressing flowers. Whereas, like, a Dahlia, you actually it's, like, too thick, it's hard to press. 

Your next one, I think you recommended more than once. I think you recommended it as a Butter on an episode, but then also during a live we talked about it.

I feel like I've heard you talk about Taskmaster on more than two occasions. 

Corinne

So the real question is, when are you going to start watching it? 

Virginia

When am I going to start watching it? I have not watched it yet. 

Corinne

I think one or both of your kids would enjoy it. I think Jack might enjoy it. I think you might enjoy it. It's a great show. It's funny. I endorse it. I know Burnt Toasties are Taskmaster fans.

Virginia

We heard from the people on this one.

Corinne

I think originally Aubrey Gordon endorsed it, so if you need someone cooler than me to recommend it...

Virginia

There's no one cooler than you. And I am sure Aubrey would agree with me on that, although Aubrey is very cool.

You know what I'm going to do? I've been looking for a show the whole household can watch together. Because we don't have a show we can all four watch together super easily due to competing ages and preferences and mostly, opinions about how much you can talk when you're watching a show, which is a question, my children are real polar opposites on.

So it can be hard to get them to watch something together, because one of them talks a lot and one of them does not like that. However, this feels like a show where some talking is okay.

Corinne

It’s a competition show. But it's really, like, silly. And the season has a little bit of an arc, because it's the same people for 8 or 10 episodes or whatever. It's British. It's your cultural heritage.

Virginia

No, of course, my people. I'm going to try it as a dinner show, and I will report back to you. I'm going to say we have to do it.

Corinne

I feel like it's maybe PG-13 or something. There are sometimes innuendos.

Virginia

At their father's house, The Simpsons is the dinnertime show.

Corinne

Oh, okay, I think we're okay.

You recommended moving stuff around so you're more comfortable. Like moving your desk.

Virginia

I moved my desk out from the wall. As you can see, I still have a wonky zoom background because I sit kitty corner in the room now, instead of with my back against a straight wall. And there's so much more room for my body, and I'm really glad I did it. Move furniture if your body does not fit!

Okay, we're back to meatballs. Really could be the name of this segment. Instead of Butter, it's Meatballs.

And this was your Korean barbecue style meatballs from the New York Times.

Corinne

That's a great recipe. And I will say that I made it so much that I am slightly sick of it.

Virginia

So maybe not a long-term Butter?

Corinnne

It was a moment in time. I made it for myself a bunch of times. I made it with my mom. My mom made it for my sister. I made it for a friend who I was bringing dinner to. Some friends started making it. It was a good recipe. It has spread throughout my community and and I will not be making it again for a few months probably.

Virginia

But it had legs as a recipe. Meatballs are a great thing to bring people. If you're bringing food to family with a new baby.

Corinne

 Totally. And it's not a meatballs and sauce type recipe. It's just kind of like a, I don't know...meatballs.

Virginia

Have some rice with it, or good bread or something.

Corinne

Yeah, exactly. 

You recommended planting fall bulbs?

Virginia

Oh, Lord, okay, okay. 

My Butters are the ones that all fall apart under scrutiny. 

Corinne

How could this fall apart??

Virginia

No, I recommend it. And I did plant a bunch.

However, have some somebody checking your bulb orders and making sure you don't over order beyond the amount of bulbs you can realistically plant. Because I have planted like 300 daffodils, and a bunch of other things. And I still have a whole bunch of tulips and a whole bunch of alliums that have not gotten in the ground, and it is December 3, and we had our first snow yesterday. So I am just looking at the calendar, and I'm like, when am I going to get these in the ground? Like, when is the snow going to melt? I need a rare 50 degree day where I can now get back into it. So this was one where my enthusiasm exceeded my available time and energy. When I've had a Sunday afternoon where I could go plant bulbs, I really just needed to take a nap, and I did that. 

Corinne

Could you hire some help?

Virginia

These are going in my raised beds. So it's literally like, I need to walk out there, dump the bags of bulbs in the raised bed and then dump soil on top. Like, I could hire help for that, but it feels wrong. And the fun part is figuring out the combinations and I want to do it. So I endorse plantnig fall bulbs. But maybe just have a friend on hand to say, do you need to order that many bulbs? Maybe you order a few fewer bulbs? Because you might be tired.

Corinne

I helped my mom plan some bulbs when I was still in Maine, and minutes after we finished, they were being eaten by squirrels. So yeah.

Virginia

That's another frustration. 

Corinne

So maybe planting a lot will result in more surviving?

Virginia

That is part of the logic. And tulips tend to be very squirrel--they like them. So you have to have a protected location, which is why they go in my raised beds and I cover them with chicken wire until spring. 

So I do endorse this. It's a great Butter. But if you're someone who has a little bit of an online shopping problem. You might over order and find yourself in a mess in December. Stay tuned. Maybe I'll get them in the ground this weekend. Somehow. Maybe the snow will melt. We'll see. 

All right, this is the most recent episode we did. So to be fair, these are recent Butters. Can we say they will be lifetime Butters? We don't know.

I, however, do feel confident that this Mayana Chocolate Bar you recommended is going to remain a fave.

Corinne

I mean, yes, very delicious. And I will say I did order some to my house, and now I'm a little sick of them. 

Virginia

Oh, my lord. 

Corinne

So maybe my pattern is going all in on Butter, and then it growing old.

Virginia

You go too hard. It's not really the fault of the butter. 

Corinne

No, and like, I'm sure that we'll still eat all of them.

Virginia

But you hyperfixate.

Corinne

I bought a bunch, and I have them, and now I'm like, hmmm I also need, like, a different treat. I don't want to only be eating these. 

Virginia

But also that seems like a great thing to have on hand when you have guests over, or, if you, like, need to bring a treat to somebody. Now you've got a treat stash. Being the friend who brings good chocolate is a good friend to be.

Corinne

 Hell yeah, yeah. 

Okay, your red Adidas.

Virginia

They are so comfortable. I wore them for airplane travel, and they were really comfortable walking through airports. I love them. because they are so comfortable.

I'm considering getting a pair in a more neutral color palette to have even more versatility with them, because the red goes with most things, but not everything. But yeah, they're really great, and the red is so fun. And I get compliments every time I wear them. And I'm like, I know, Corinne has great taste.

Corinne

I wanted to get a pair during the Black Friday sale. I would be like, this color, and then it would sell out. And it happened like, three times, and I feel like, now I'm waiting for the refresh. 

Virginia

 All right. What do we think of the Butters this year? We had a lot of really good Butters.

Corinne

I think we had good Butters. I am kind of like, maybe I should have some more crazy whimsical stuff and less, like a television show that is objectively good.

Virginia

That everybody agrees is amazing. You're like, "I also like this Oscar winning movie. Great choice."

Corinne

More plastic sun shields and fewer Girls.

Virginia

I think you need less safe Butters. Although these were all excellent recs and  you did recommend my two favorite books of the year. So you know, you do have excellent taste in culture for sure. 

Corinne

You know, you didn't rec any books this year.

Virginia

I think it's because we do so many authors on the podcast? So I often don't do books for Butter.

I think I do have these little crazes I get into, like I'm tracking my water! I'm doing planks! And I think it's good for everybody to know that if I'm recommending something like that, it might be more of a just for now Butter. But I don't have regrets about either of those. I think it's good. And same with my recommendations for kids, I should try to drill a little more into when I think it's going to be a really durable kid related recommendation.

Corinne

 I mean, kids change and grow so fast.

Virginia

It's so hard to predict. The swing could have been a bust, and instead it's beloved, which is good because it's permanently installed in my ceiling. And, coloring sheets have had their moment in the sun.

Corinne

Well, should we go out with a Butter? 

Virginia

Let's go out with a Butter!

Corinne

I'm going to put mine on right now. 

Virginia

Oh boy. 

Corinne

I'm excited. This could be a sunshield type butter. Maybe don't look. Close your eyes.

Virginia

 I'm closing my eyes. 

Corinne

You can open them now.

I want to recommend: This festive red collar from Connally Goods.

Virginia

I feel like you've been wanting one of these for so long!

Corinne

I really have and I've been like, this is not practical. But I ordered a bunch of stuff from Connally Goods, and I got this, and I have only worn it once. But you know, it really does jazz things up.

Virginia

It's jazzing! You were just in a purple sweatshirt, and now!

Corinne

I'm in a purple sweatshirt with a bright red frilly collar.

Virginia

It is frilly. It is large. It's not a little collar.

Corinne

No, it's substantial. 

Virginia

It's definitely Henry the Eighth vibes, like a ruff. I mean, it's not layered, but maybe a pilgrim collar? I'm trying to think, what's being evoked here?

Corinne

I feel like it's Alice in Wonderland.

Virginia

I see that, too. I love it. And you're just throwing it on any outfit.

Corinne

Yeah. I've worn it out into the world once, and it was like, to a friend's house, and I was like, I can't wait for my friends to see this and talk about it.  

Virginia

Wait and did they?

Corinne

Yeah, they were like, what is that? It's amazing.

Virginia

I'm glad they weren't just like, "don't say anything about the collar," because I'm really hoping someone comments.

Corinne

No, no, yeah, it's, I mean, you're going to say something about it, I feel like, right?

Virginia

You have talked before about being interested in a bib. We've talked about how we both bibs were more normalized. And this feels like, once you're done with it as a collar, just turn it around, and it's a great bib option.

Corinne

I wouldn't want to get soup on it, though. 

Virginia

No, I understand. I'm saying, like, when you're when you're done, keeping it pristine for collar usage. Just seems very versatile. Goes with everything.

Corinne

I do like the idea that you can use it to turn a non-collared shirt into something a little more fancy.

Virginia

You can fancy up a lot of garments.

Corinne

And I think they have it in other colors.

Virginia

Well, I love it. Great Butter.  

Corinne

Thank you. What's your Butter? 

Virginia

My Butter? In light of recent conversation, I will own that this is a Butter of the moment, perhaps unlike your collar.

Corinne

My forever collar, yes, definitely.

Virginia

But I'm on a real kick this week with organizing.

Like, just one kitchen cupboard, or like one small closet. And I think this is absolutely something I do when I'm stressed, and it is the holidays and life and blah, blah, blah, but it gives me a sense of calm and regulation. This is my sensory swing. Is like, can I just like, solve this one function issue in my house? 

So a big one is both Jack and my 12 year old love baking. They bake together a lot, but we had all the baking stuff in the kitchen stored between two or three different cabinets. So whenever they baked, it was like, everything comes out, and where does it all get put back and blah, blah, blah, blah. 

And I had one large cabinet that I was able to empty out, find new homes for that stuff, and then make that the dedicated baking cabinet. And it's so satisfying to my brain. 

Corinne

That's great. 

Virginia

I guess this is similar to moving furniture to fit your body. And maybe this will continue. I just don't know that I'll be organizing something every week for the rest of my life. Probably not. 

But I think if you're feeling a little overwhelmed finding one small space you can tackle can feel really good. 

Corinne

Awesome. 

Virginia

All right. Well, this was a delightful episode.

Listeners, tell us! Did you try any of our Butters this year? If so, are you still feeling buttery about them or did you too stop tracking your hydration? No judgment, safe space!

And if you have new Butters for us, drop them in the comments!

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The Burnt Toast Podcast is produced and hosted by Virginia Sole-Smith (follow me on Instagram) and Corinne Fay, who runs @SellTradePlus, and Big Undies!

The Burnt Toast logo is by Deanna Lowe.

Our theme music is by Farideh.

Tommy Harron is our audio engineer.

Thanks for listening and for supporting anti-diet, body liberation journalism!