#099: Made By Me.
Pop culture & cosy nonsense for April 2026
The front door
Hello and welcome to The Brew.
This year I'm finally going to participate in Me Made May!
If you’re like, what the heckenstein, here’s a quick breakdown from the creator, British sewing blogger Zoe:
“Me Made May is a wardrobe challenge that helps you improve your relationship with your handmade items... To participate you need to wear your handmade items more often or in some way differently to how you usually get dressed.
[To take part] you will need to intentionally wear your handmade items more and/or in different ways throughout May.”
I’ve seen other sewists and crafters do MMM in previous years and always wanted to give it a go, and 2026 is the year!
I’ll be sharing these over on Instagram, but here’s a lil sneak peak of some of my me-mades from over the years:
My goal for this challenge is to wear each of my handmade / knitted / crocheted / altered / thrift-flipped items at least once during May as many of them I have never worn, or stopped wearing after a short time. I’ll also be taking photos to document this (when I remember) (and feel like it).
Got at least one handmade-by-you item in your house? Consider joining me for Me Made May!
Library
Tome & Tome Again podcast
In March’s episode we revisit the excellent 2021 urban fantasy dark fairytale House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland.
This book is atmospheric, enchanting, intriguing, gross, glamorous, and had us on the edge of our seats when we both first read it years ago - and again when we re-read it for this episode!
SPOILER WARNING: From 19:00 we start mentioning big spoilers for the plot and ending, then we come back to discuss upcoming episodes and TBR lists from 42:19.
Other books mentioned in this episode:
A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Homebound by Portia Ellen
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
Arborescence by Rhett Davis
Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han
Kill Your Boomers by Fiona Wright
Find it on Podbean, Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Kitchen & Garden
Ginger Chicken Soup
It’s been a while since we’ve had a recipe, so here’s something delicious and warming for the descent in deepest, darkest winter!
Ingredients:
Olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 tbs minced ginger
1½ tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
Pinch salt
700g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 cups unsalted chicken broth
2 red potatoes, peeled and diced
300-400g frozen chopped spinach
1½ tsp tamari sauce
Method:
Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then add the carrots and ginger. Cook until the carrots begin to soften (6ish minutes). Stir in the coriander, cumin and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (~1 minute).
Add the whole chicken breasts, chicken broth and diced potatoes, bringing to a heavy simmer. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is at least 75’C inside (about 10 minutes).
Carefully take out the chicken breasts using tongs, put on a plate and let cool slightly (~5 minutes). Meanwhile, add frozen spinach to the soup, simmering and stirring occasionally, until heated through (2ish minutes). Stir in the tamari sauce.
Thinly slice the chicken against the grain and return it to the soup, then it’s ready to serve!
Note that this soup WILL NOT look appetising when it’s ready - the spinach gives it a sort of cow-cud-floating-in-ditchwater look. I was very apprehensive about trying it, but the flavours run deep, the ginger gives it all a sweet, warming taste, and dipping bread into the liquid to eat is absolutely divine 👌
Find the original recipe here.
And another thing…
Linkettes:
And a memette:
Find more of my book stuff on Instagram @jemofthebrew and my website Oddfeather.
I create and send The Brew from the lands of the Gunaikurnai people, where I also live, work, and drink lots of hot beverages. I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, and pay my respects to the Elders, past and present.