Early spring always feels like a little reset for me, and in this video I’m leaning into that slow, cozy mood between Milan and the mountains. I start with one of my favorite signs that the season is turning: viburnum. Last year you taught me its name, and now I’m planting two little viburnum plants a friend gave me—hoping I’ll take better care of them than my poor peperomia (I definitely overwatered it). It’s such a simple thing, but seeing those early blooms before even the daffodils makes me ridiculously happy. I also share a very personal milestone: I received the copies of my first novel for my first presentation. Holding five years of work in my hands was intense, and it brought back memories of being told I couldn’t write—so if you have a dream, please don’t let anyone take it from you. To celebrate (and to say thank you to a friend who read my book early), I bake an easy chocolate cake with a glossy chocolate-and-cream topping, and I admit I also rely on “emergency” meals sometimes—like quick spaghetti with a frozen seafood sauce. Finally, I make a comforting “potato moussaka,” inspired by my mum, layered with potatoes and a mix of caciocavallo, sour cream, and eggs—because food is one of the sweetest ways I carry my memories.