Well, hello there! It’s mid-May, and I’m checking in to see how we’re all doing??
I feel a bit selfish with this Friday Thoughts post. I have several questions I want/need YOU to answer! I’ve sprinkled a few little updates throughout, along with a list of book recommendations and a few things I’m loving right now
Let’s get started! (And thanks for being here!)
Question #1: Birthday Dinner Request
One of you emailed me recently saying they would love to know what everyone requests for their birthday meal, and I loved the idea. I want to know, too!
Whether you make your own birthday meal, have someone else make it for you, or decide to skip the home cooking and eat out, answer this:
➡️ What do you request or like to eat for your birthday dinner?
The last few years, we’ve gone out to eat as a family on a day that works for all of us even if it doesn’t fall right on my birthday. We don’t eat out much, so it’s fun to go get sushi or ramen (or something else I don’t make for myself). For an at-home birthday meal, I usually request these grilled lemon chicken wraps or fish tacos. And these molten lava cakes for dessert. Or this amazing chocolate olive oil cake. Or this vanilla bean white chocolate mousse cheesecake. Let’s be honest, I usually have a hard time choosing. 😬
Question #2: Summer Plans
I’d love to know what your summer plans are! Staying close to home? Balancing work and family? Lots of vacations?
If you have kids at home, how are you managing that? Do you have chore charts, summer jobs for the kids, free range 80’s summer living?
➡️ What are your summer plans?
My second oldest son gets home from his two year church mission to the Philippines the third week of June! 💙 We’re planning to do a quick family vacation to a lake cabin a few hours from here the week after he gets back. But otherwise, we’re sticking around this summer so my kids can work and fit in all the camps and sports activities on the calendar.
My 17-year old has a job with a landscaping company mowing lawns. He has already started working on Fridays since we have 4-day school weeks here. He’s also doing an HXP humanitarian trip to the Philippines, which he earned money for last year (and grateful his job this year is being flexible with that long trip).
My 14-year old is planning to make and sell sourdough bagels (still figuring out the specifics/what she’ll charge and her schedule). She is also hoping to do some babysitting, practice tennis in the early morning before it gets hot, and fill all her nooks and crannies of time with reading, reading, and more reading.
I like the idea of a free-range, 80’s-style summer...but it’s not always practical since we live on 25 acres and we always have a plentiful amount of projects out on the property with chickens, cows, weeds, electric fences, and 20 acres needing irrigation. Additionally, my teenagers need to work to earn money to pay for all of their “wants” and to put money in savings for college/future. We help with their gas, car insurance, and school fees, but they pay for basically everything else. I’m not sure we’re doing things “right” but it seems to work for us and for our kids, for the most part.
Summer is a different ball game now that my kids are all teenagers. When they were younger, it was filled with playing outside, reading, scootering around everywhere, library trips, MORE playing outside, morning jobs, fun outings, craft projects, etc. It’s a little bittersweet to have moved beyond that phase. Thankfully Cam is still clinging on to some aspects of childhood (the other night she and I spent the evening doing coloring pages together and chatting, and it was the best).
(FYI: My oldest son is living in Utah and working full-time this summer in between semesters of school – he’s working his way toward an aviation program. We love when he comes home to visit! My third oldest son is nearly ten months into his church mission in New Zealand. And I’m over here trying to figure out how long it will be before I can get everyone home for a family picture. 💗)
What I’m Reading
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: The narrator for the audiobook was fantastic, and the writing style was superb (the way the author weaved together the characters and elements of the story was fascinating). It’s not necessarily a lighthearted read, and there are some content warnings, but I really enjoyed it. It kept my attention, and I loved many of the characters, especially Chona.
- Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks: I checked out both this book and the one above on the Libby app. First of all, the narrator is Jennifer Ehle who plays Elizabeth Bennett in my favorite adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, so I adored that aspect. I found the subject matter and period of history (1600’s America) intensely interesting, and it gave me a lot to think about.
- Theo of Golden by Allen Levi: Maybe we’ve talked about this book? It’s a wonderful, tender-hearted, inspiring read. I actually started reading it with my eyeballs and then switched to the audiobook about 1/3 in, and I vastly enjoyed the audiobook more than I did reading it myself (that might just me being conditioned to loving audiobooks so I can multi-task). It’s a bit slower paced, but it is so heartwarming.
- Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: This is such a thoroughly entertaining book. Humorous, insightful, and I loved the writing style and murder mystery aspect. I watched the movie on Netflix after reading it. The movie was good, but I liked the book better.
- The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali: I thought the storyline of this book was really interesting and it kept my attention. However, I was kind of disappointed after it finished? The ending felt kind of rushed and I found myself wishing it had dealt a bit more with the adult life and experiences of the friend in Tehran (rather than the friend in New York). But overall, still a story worth reading.
Please share any good book recommendations down in the comments! ⬇️⬇️
Also, I don’t watch a lot of shows, but if you have any good “what to watch” recommendations, leave those, too! I’m really enjoying the new Count of Monte Cristo series on PBS.
A Few Things I’m Loving
A few affiliate links for the products below; feel free to shop around! I’ve bought all these things myself and genuinely love them.
- Around the Town Pants: I LOVE these pants. They are lightweight and flowy, so they’re comfy even in warmer weather. I have them in blue and black. They’re super cute with a simple white t-shirt. I think they run big; I’d recommend sizing down one size.
- Cute Trinket Bowl: These little bowls are so, so cute. I got the “I love that you’re my daughter” for Camryn for her birthday last month and bought the friend one for a dear friend in Minnesota. They are reasonably priced and the sweetest gift. There is a version for: sister, grandma, granddaughter, teacher and a few more.
- Old Navy Linen Pants: These pants are so comfy and cute! Love them and wear them often.
- J Crew T-Shirt: I am picky about white t-shirts, and I love this one! It’s slightly boxy, but not overly so, and it just hits at the perfect spot on my waist – not too long, not too short. Oh, and it’s not see through at all.
- Best Watering Wand: I’ve had a lot of watering wands, and this is the best. It doesn’t leak, and it is proving to be super durable.
- Men’s Socks: I got these socks for my dad for Father’s Day and it’s so cute how excited he is about them. He sends me pictures when he wears them. They are a little quirky and fun.
- Eyeshadow Stick: I am new to waterproof eyeshadow sticks, but am absolutely loving this one (I have it in Putty Matte color – very neutral and Rose Shimmer). It goes on smooth and lasts all day.
- Summer Dress: Cam has this dress in the Sage Green color and I have it in the Blue Grey color, and it is incredibly flattering, lightweight for the warmer months, and just an all around fabulous dress.
- Swedish Candy: If you love Swedish-style candy AND appreciate a good sweet and sour mix, this candy is just so yummy.
- New Card Game: We are really enjoying this card game. It is very easy to learn and can be played with two to four players. So fun! It does take up a bit of space, so you need a large table (or you can play it on the floor if your old joints can handle it – mine cannot 😜).
- Perfect Containers for Overnight Oats: I’ve been making my go-to overnight oats in individual containers the last few weeks since I’ve been on-the-go a lot of days. These containers are perfect! I love them so much. They are wonderful for the oats, but I’ll be using them for so many other foods, too, I can tell.
My sister also has a pair of those Around the Town pants and a few weeks ago, we both showed up separately to our middle schooler’s tennis match in the exact same outfit. 😜
And I guess that sums it up for this Friday Thoughts post! I always feel like I have a lot more to say, but I don’t want to bore you.
I do try and share little life tidbits in my Monday emails (and sometimes the menu plan ones on Saturday, as well). You can sign up to get those emails here, if you are interested.
Thanks for being here, friends! 💗 It truly means so much to me.
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