Entertainment
Do You Have a House Specialty?
I’m a stubbornly bad cook, so no one’s really coming over to my house for a gourmet meal. (It’s my sparkling personality!!) But I do have one thing on tap that’s always a crowd pleaser…
My kitchen is stocked with loose leaf lemon verbena tea. IMO, it’s a perfect after dinner drink, but, more important, it’s an easy way to keep people around a bit longer when I don’t want the night to end.
One friend of mine always has cold cans of seltzer waiting in the fridge; another friend hands out these fancy sodas. The first often cooks, the second usually orders us Ethiopian take out. Needless to say, I love visiting them both. My dad puts out Boursin cheese and pretzel crisps from Costco, which are a perfect combo.
Lily Sullivan, the writer behind Love and Other Rugs, has perfected what she calls A Big Spread. That way, she can finish all the work before anyone arrives, enjoy her own party without worrying about something in the oven, and just replenish things as needed. “I’ve been inspired by dishes at restaurants I love, like a stack of potato chips with prosciutto from Ernesto’s or a fennel and olive dish from Altro Paradiso,” she said. “I want a feeling of abundance.”
Jenny Rosenstrach (who needs no introduction) prefers what she calls the Store-Bought Starter Plate. Since she likes to cook, she tries to avoid guests getting full before dinner. “I’d rather serve snacks that ‘wake up the palette,’” she told me. “Salty potato chips (Cape Cod Kettle Cooked), bright gherkins (Trader Joe’s), and pistachios are the holy trinity for me.”
Next on her menu is one of two recipes. Says Jenny: “When I invite someone for dinner, my brain immediately goes to our house specialties, both of which are pastas: Diane Kochilas’s Pasta with Yogurt and Caramelized Onions and my Pappardelle with Pork Ragu (which was anointed a ‘genius recipe’ on Food52, partly because of how ridiculously easy it is to make). I cannot tell you how many times I’ve served them, and the amazing thing is, I never get tired of either one.”
When I was chatting with Joanna about signature snacks, she said I had to talk to Leah Wiseman Fink, who serves chips and onion dip, year round.
Curious, I asked Leah where she got the idea. “During college in Ann Arbor, I loved the feeling of walking down the street, seeing friends sitting on their porches, and hanging out for a while,” she said. “Chips and dip was an easy thing for my roommates and me to have on hand for visitors. I’ve been serving it ever since.” For chips, she goes with North Fork or Ruffles. For dip, it’s Lipton.
“What I love most about being the house with chips and dip is that it shows that we have an open door. You don’t need an invite or occasion; you’re always welcome, and I’ll feed you.” Isn’t that the best?
Do you have a house specialty? A crowd-pleasing snack or drink you make sure to stock, or a recipe people think of as yours? I love that you don’t have to be skilled in the kitchen to have one — and that you may have one without even realizing it.
P.S. The most fun host gift, and how Joanna taught her kids to chat at dinner.
(Top photo by Maria Manco/ Stocksy. Big Spread photo courtesy of Lily Sullivan.)
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
