Hey Friend,

Spring is here, and I am firmly in "cook something worth sitting down for" mode. This week I'm sharing one of my absolute favorite recipes for the upcoing weekend. This is one I put off making for years because I was intimidated, and now I can't believe I wasted that time at steakhouses.

Plus, I want to tell you about something in my own backyard that still manages to blow my mind every time I think about it. I live in Oklahoma, and I am constantly amazed by the unique and unexpected things this state has to offer.

Let's get into it.

FROM THE KITCHEN: New York Strip Steak with Rosemary Garlic Butter

I used to think cooking a great steak at home was out of reach — that you had to pay restaurant prices to get it right. This recipe changed that completely. It takes about 15 minutes, uses one cast iron skillet, and the rosemary garlic butter that gets spooned over the steak at the end is what takes it from "pretty good" to "why did we ever go out?"

The short version: season your NY strips with salt and pepper and let them come to room temperature. Get your cast iron screaming hot, add olive oil, and sear about 2.5 to 3 minutes per side. Then add butter, smashed garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme. As the butter melts, spoon it over the steak continuously for another 2 to 3 minutes. Pull it off the heat, let it rest 5 to 10 minutes, and slice against the grain.

That's it. Better than most steakhouses I've paid three times as much at.

And if you're wondering what to serve alongside it . I've rounded up over 30 side dishes that pair beautifully with NY strip, from classic loaded baked potatoes to garlic butter mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and a celery apple walnut salad that sounds simple but is genuinely one of my favorites. Whatever direction you want to go, hearty, light, or somewhere in between, there's something on this list for you.

FROM MY HOME STATE: Digging for Crystals in Jet, Oklahoma

have lived in Oklahoma for years, and I still get giddy telling people about this one.

Near the tiny town of Jet, about two and a half hours north of Oklahoma City, there is a stretch of land called the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Thousands of years ago, this entire area was covered by an inland ocean. When that ocean evaporated, it left behind a saline aquifer underground and where that saltwater meets gypsum, something extraordinary happens. Selenite crystals form just a few inches below the surface.

But not just any selenite. These are hourglass-shaped selenite crystals. When you hold one up to the light, you can see a perfect hourglass shape embedded inside the crystal itself, created by a thin layer of reddish-brown clay that got trapped during formation. It is a geological quirk that occurs nowhere else on earth. This is the only place in the world where you can dig them.

And the best part? It's free. You just show up during digging season (April 1 through October 15, sunup to sundown), find a spot on the flats, and start digging. Crystals are usually only a foot or two down, kids can find them easily. The limit is 10 pounds per person, which sounds like a lot until you start digging and realize how addictive it is.

This is exactly the kind of thing I built Little Family Adventure around, the experience that doesn't cost a fortune, that gets kids (and adults) genuinely excited, and that you'll talk about for years. If you're within driving distance, put this on your list for spring.

And if the crystal digging gets you curious about Oklahoma itself, I've got a full guide to things to do in my hometown of Oklahoma City: It really does surprise people.

THIS WEEK'S AFFILIATE PICK: ButcherBox

The steak recipe only works as well as it does because I start with great meat. I've been ordering from ButcherBox for a few years now. They deliver 100% grass-fed and finished beef, organic chicken, and heritage breed pork straight to your door. New customers get a special offer when signing up (it changes monthly - this month it's a free protein and $60 OFF). If you've been thinking about leveling up your home cooking, the quality difference is real.

COMING UP: Cartagena, airport lines, and a tip worth doing before you fly

Later this month I'm heading to Cartagena, Colombia for a SATW chapter meeting, and I cannot wait. It will be my second trip to South American after my trip to Peru last year. Then May/June brings Gulf Shores for a birthday trip, and then time with family. It's going to be a full and wonderful spring of travel, and you'll be hearing all of it here first.

Before I go, I've been doing some prep and one thing I want to pass along to anyone with flights coming up this spring.

If you've been to an airport lately (or caught the news reports), you know TSA lines have gotten seriously long. Some airports are seeing waits of up to three hours, and Austin's airport had lines stretching outside the building just two weeks ago. If you have travel on the calendar, it's worth getting TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you don't already have them.

But here's the one I just set up myself ahead of my upcoming flights that you may not know about yet: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. If you already have PreCheck, you may be eligible for this opt-in program that uses facial comparison technology so you can move through a dedicated lane without pulling out your ID or boarding pass at all. You upload a passport photo through your airline's frequent flyer profile, consent to the program, and you're enrolled for 12 months. One-time setup. It's live across all five major U.S. carriers; American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska. It is expanding to 65 airports by spring 2026.

I just enrolled ahead of my Cartagena trip and I'll report back on how it actually works in practice. The Points Guy has a great step-by-step breakdown by airline if you want to get it done before your next flight.

Is there anything you'd love to know about Colombia or Ireland? Hit reply — I read every message.

Until next week,