Quarantine Recs: Fresh Cut Grass

Do you guys also feel like you're constantly doing dishes these days? Yes, I realize there are much bigger problems in the world right now that a constant stream of dirty dishes, but I feel like I must not be alone in this grievance. My hands are dry and papery these days from the upped-ante of hand washing (albeit undoubtedly necessary), in addition to the constant washing and drying of all. the. things. However, one thing bringing me joy in this mundane task has been the new Mrs. Meyer's scent, fresh cut grass. It's pleasant and lovely and subtle, and it actually makes doing the dishes...dare I say, fun? No...dishes are rarely fun. I'd rather vacuum anyway, however, it makes the task of doing the dishes significantly more enjoyable. 

Fresh Cut Grass is a Grove Collaborative signature scent, so unfortunately you can't find it at other retailers. However, worth noting, Grove has also been one of few retailers that has had hand sanitizer in stock in recent weeks (at 62% alcohol in a lovely orange scent), so if you're in the market for that...why not pick up fresh cut grass too and give it a whiff. I have the hand soap and dish soap and both are positively fresh and lovely. And no...this is not a sponsored post, just the mundane ramblings of a shelter-in-place mom. xoxo

Trying to Become a Morning Person

Are you a morning person?  Historically, I have not been.  I looooooove me some sleep.  Most days, I wait for my kids to wake me up in the morning, which can vary day to day, typically from 6:00 AM to almost 8:00 AM.  When it's the latter, I often wake up already feeling behind.  The morning is harried, we're rushed to get all the things done, and often scrambling to get out the door to pre-school or the day's activities.  

Recently, I heard Tsh Oxenreider on her podcast, The Simple Show explaining how a mindset shift regarding waking up has helped reframe her entire day.  She stated that began intentionally waking up early, before her children in order wake up "FOR my day instead of TO my day."  Friends, I heard this, and it was a lightbulb moment for me!  These words resonated with me soundly, suddenly waking up early didn't sound so bad, in fact, it seemed quite ingenious!  

I set an alarm, not necessarily with the intention of working out or doing a task, but just to awake "for my day."  I've found, in spite of my love of sleep, when I tried this, waking up earlier, "to my day," I feel more alert, prepared, and focused for the day. Who knew that a few quiet moments to myself; bet that getting dressed, washing my face, having a quiet cup of coffee, was a surge of energy I didn't know I could benefit from.  

What do you tend to do?  Wake up for your day or to your day?

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2018 Goals

Well this is embarrassing... I realize it's a bit absurd to be posting my goals for 2018 at the HALFWAY POINT OF THE YEAR, but...oh well!  I'm doing it.  No shame here!  Goals are goals, amiright?  (Anyone with me? Anyone?)  Let's just pretend that instead of gathering dust in my blog queue for the better part of the past six months, it went live in January, but we're just reading it on a delay.  Besides, I like to have goals documented to look back on anyways, so better late than never!

This year, inspired by 18 for 2018 the goal setting mode of operation by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Kraft of the podcast, Happier, I've tried to come up with many short and sweet goals (namely 18) as opposed to few lofty goals as I think that will be easier to manage and attain in this season of life.

1. start journaling again

2. get outside as often as possible

3. make cinnamon bread (my daughter has been asking to make this since we read this favorite book)

4. paint my nails more often

5. celebrate the little things

6. work out at least 3-4 days a week

7. make smarter eating choices (avoid the sugar)

8. try and limit checking my email/social media to time before my kids are awake / rest time / after bedtime (i.e. avoid being on my phone in front of my kids)

9. cut myself some slack (underlined three times)

10. get a new instagram account for the blog up and running

11. read 70 books (my current goal on Goodreads)

12. save $--- for my destination travel fund, always inspired by this blog

13. grow my Beautycounter business

14. make montage videos for my kids' birthdays

15. try more savory (international) options for breakfast (getting sick of boring ol' granola over here)

16. make pita bread from scratch for this favorite dinner which we always have in rotation 

17. sub a few times this year (getting back in the swing of teaching, as I miss it so)

18. enjoy every little moment. stop. look. listen. breathe.

Alright, I did it!  It's out there!  Phew... Honestly, I'm pretty proud of myself that I got this up in June and not July.  It's the little things people.

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10 Years of Blogging

Somehow I managed to let a major blogging milestone slip past me in the last two weeks...January 7 marked ten years of blogging for me.  TEN. YEARS.  Holy cow...  It's hard to summarize everything that happened in those ten years, but ultimately a lot has changed, and I do appreciate returning to this little corner I've created.  It's my muse, my yearbook of sorts, marking special occasions, milestones, pitfalls and highlights in my life. 

These days, though I aspire for more, posts are fewer and far between.  Many bloggers I followed in 2008 have since retired or taken hiatus, but I sincerely still love it.  I always loved writing, perhaps because it's just one of those things that just flows to me. And though this blogging community has evolved significantly from those early beginnings of the late 2000's, it's still a space I find delight in returning to, time and time again.  It's also exciting to see how some of my virtual friends have flourished.  For example, I began reading Cup of Jo when it bore its original bare bones template, and Joanna and I used to comment regularly on each other's blogs, and these days, she's a household name garnering millions of followers.   I've enjoyed this community of blog friends, maintaining virtual friendships, some which have even translated to real life (Ashlee and Vivian).

So here it is.  10 Years!  Happy Birthday little blog.  I'm glad you're here.

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Goals for 2016

Following my tradition of years past, I don't really like to make resolutions per say, as I dislike the guilt that comes with not living up to the resolution.  Rather, I like to make new goals.  While January 1st really is just an arbitrary date, I do like the newness of a new year, marking the opportunity to set new goals, seek new ambitions, and pursue all that 2016 has to offer.  Plus I feel that posting my goals in a public space - like a blog - helps hold me accountable to follow through.

Here are my goals for 2016

+ upgrading our guest bathroom
This is my big project for the year which involves painting bathroom cabinets, removing and installing a new countertop, laying and grouting a backsplash, and painting the walls.  I'm pretty psyched about the DIY aspect and hopeful that I can do this by myself (with some help from the men in my life), but I really want to try and do most of it solo - just to say I can.  Last weekend, I took one of the free classes offered at Home Depot on installing a backsplash, so I'm feeling pumped about kicking this project into gear!

+ be healthier
I'm not aiming to diet, more aiming to avoid some of my weaknesses.  I didn't crave much sugar until the end of my second pregnancy, but once he was born, all of my sugar cravings came back with a vengeance.  I'm trying to become more aware of my daily sugar intake in things you wouldn't assume are packed with sugar (yogurt, granola, etc.).  I'm also striving to eat more greens, vegetables, and wholesome snacks as opposed to reaching for the cookies, ice cream, and sweets when a late night craving strikes.

+ fasting
Not fasting with food, more with habits. Last year I gave up social media for Lent, which was a great exercise in seeing how much I even refreshed my instagram account.  I want to try a few of these this year.  Things I'm considering doing fasts for: buying lattes, social media, dairy...any other ideas?

+ focus on gratitude
I bought the 5 minute journal in late 2015 and love how after completing it every morning, my day is framed in happiness, gratitude, and positivity.  Focusing on the good upon waking up adds a sense of purpose, energy and inspiration to the day.  I'm finding it so important to be grateful for all the things in my life, rather than get swept up in the minutia.  My goal is to do this as often as possible - if not everyday - as well as keep up my mom's one line a day journal daily.

What are your goals/resolutions for 2016?

Past goals for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

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2015 Goals Recap

Following my blog traditions (7 years running!), here is my recap on achieving my 2015 goals...

+ worry less

Hmm...Well I tried.  I don't think I'll ever truly be able to share the worrier in me, but I think I've done a better job at letting go, stepping back, and taking a deep breath when things are beyond my control.  I still worry about lots of things, but I think I'm getting better at being present, enjoying the moment, and letting today be today, and leaving some of that worry behind.

+ read more books

This is true, while I haven't polished off any complete bookshelves, I definitely read more than my paltry 2 books in 2014.  This has spiked significantly since I discovered you can check out ebooks on your kindle!  WHAT!?  How did I not know this before?

+ get outside

We definitely took advantage of our gorgeous summer weather and got outside almost everyday.  We haven't been outside all that much with a newborn these past few weeks - but I think that's excusable, right? 

+ try and shop/spend locally

Um...not so much.  I'm a sucker for Amazon Prime and the convenience of a drive-through (especially with two kids in tow), however, I'm debating doing Starbucks-free in 2016.  If I tally up the amount of money I fork over to that company, it makes me cringe...  Thoughts? 

+ other random goals and ideas

…successfully make a poached egg - nope

…memorize a recipe for homemade pie crust -YES!  I did this and have made 9 pies from scratch

…wait to get to work to check email (i.e. not right when I wake up) - yes, definitely better

…make chocolate babka - not yet...

…drink more water - a definite improvement!

…finish my daughter's baby book - no but finished her 1st year in review video...

What are your goals or resolutions for 2016?

* * *

Past goals for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

Bread Making 101

Now that I'm feeling increasingly confident with my pie making skills, I want to add another basic to my baking skill set - bread making.  Have you seen all the sugar and processed ingredients in bread these days?! Seriously, look at the ingredient label on your bread!  It's crazy how many ingredients are in there that shouldn't be - should soy really be in bread?  Half of them I can hardly pronounce! 

I want to be able to know what's truly in the food I'm feeding my family.  Bread seems daunting but so did pie crust, and really it's flour, water, salt, yeast, and a little time, right?  At least, that's what I'm hoping.  To jumpstart my journey into bread making, I added a few staples from the experts to my queue at the library, The Bread Baker's Apprentice, Flour Salt Water Yeast, and The New Artisan Bread.  

So...who's with me?  Anyone else make bread at home?

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Lent

Do you observe Lent?  Guess what I'm giving up this year...

Social media (with the exception of blogging)...  Yep.  No Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. for 40 days.  It's kind of liberating actually.  I deleted both apps from my phone and slowly my browser history is replacing those sites from my favorites composite.  I did remind a dear friend of mine who is 39 weeks pregnant to please text or call me when she has her baby since I may miss any other media related announcements!

Funnily enough, I've been getting these emails from facebook that read "You've missed out all all of these notifications that read something to the effect of "Here's what you've missed!  Random person commented on your random acquaintance's post!"  Haha.  

Do you observe Lent? If so, what are you giving up or doing for these 40 days?

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Coolest High School Teacher Ever

Where was this teacher when I was in high school?  My colleagues and I joked we should attempt our own elementary rendition of this dance at our end of the year assembly (only to top our flash mob of "Happy" at last years).  Only time will tell...

Goals for 2015

Following my own traditions, I prefer to make goals for the new year instead of resolutions. 

+ worry less

I worry about everything.  I worry about my daughter, my husband, my parents, my friends.  I worry about illness.  I worry about my students.  I worry about the emails I get from their parents.  I worry about what could happen, did happen, or won't happen.  I've been told I worry more than the average person.  I am so sick of worry.  Time and time again I'm told "don't worry," and I wish it were that simple, that I could just flip a switch and my worries would vanish, or at least be dimmed and muted.  Hence, this my goal for 2015, do whatever I can to worry less.  I would say "don't worry," but I know that's inevitable.  Baby steps.

+ read more books

I used to read all the time. Then I became a mother and my reading quota declined significantly.  Which is expected of course, but I do truly enjoy reading and would like it to become a more frequent activity.  According to my goodreads account, I only read 2 books in 2014.  Gasp!  That is peanuts for me.  The moral of that story is read more in 2015.

+ get outside

With my darling now walking - more like running - I want to take advantage of our fair weather and get outside more often.  Whether that be a stroll around the neighborhood or a hike on a nearby trail, my goal for this year is to spend more time outside as a family than we did in 2014.

+ try and shop/spend locally

I feel like this is a buzz phrase right now, so bear with me.  And one might argue, well in Seattle, Starbucks and Amazon are local…right? But seriously, when I think about my year, I recall way too many frequencies in the drive-thru Starbucks line.  I'd like to change that.  This year, I'd like to strive to buy produce at Farmer's Market during the Spring/Summer months when the pickings are better.  Aim to try and buy coffee and snacks at local establishments rather than always relying on Starbucks to stifle my hunger or thirst with a quick fix.  

+ other random goals and ideas

…successfully make a poached egg

…memorize a recipe for homemade pie crust

…wait to get to work to check email (i.e. not right when I wake up)

…make chocolate babka

…drink more water

…finish baby book 

What are your goals or resolutions for 2015?

* * *

Past goals for 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

Happy New Year

Happy New Year's Eve to you and yours.  We have a pretty low key New Year's Eve lined up for tonight; a plateful of homemade pierogis (courtesy of yours truly), a chilled bottle of pink champagne, and a sweet baby cozy in her crib.  We have a lot to be thankful for in 2014.

Happy New Year!  Cheers to all the goodness ahead in 2015!

2014 Goals Recap

2014 went by in a blur…My daughter started the year at just 4 months of age, and is now just on the cusp of her 16 month birthday.  In this short expanse of time, she's changed and flourished before our eyes.  Milestone after milestone of laughter, babbling chatter, and messy hair-in-your-face smiles later, here we are at the dawn of a new calendar year.

These were my goals for 2014, here's my own critical review of how I did…

+ Maintain balance

I feel like this will be a goal of mine for the rest of my life, as I think it merits a weekly, if not daily reminder.  Balance is essential, and to "have it all," balance is everything.  Ultimately, I think I've done a pretty good job at balancing my home life, my work, my time with my husband, family, and friends.  Heading back to work in January was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  I had a bit of a mini-emotional breakdown in the few days before I was slated to return to teaching.   And now, 12 months later, after the start of a new school year, I pride myself on the balance I have established between work and home, being a mother and a 1st grade teacher, because in all honesty, it definitely did not occur overnight.  I think, what I've most importantly learned is that everything in life ebbs and flows, there are times when the schedule is brimming with obligations, when a million little loose ends need tying up, but there are also times of lulling calm. I invest my time much differently now than I ever did prior to life as a parent.  My time is more valuable than it's ever been, but I recognize this now in a way that I couldn't have understood in my previous life.  

+ Explore and discover

We venture to a few destinations in 2014: Bozeman, Montana; Ojai, California; Los Angeles, California; and Kona, Hawaii - all with a baby.  However, what I truly meant by this goal was to see life through my daughter's eyes, and I think we did our very best at that, putting down the camera to enjoy the moment of discovery in actuality.  I want to be able to say I lived my life in the present, not just through a snippet of film I witnessed live behind a screen.

+ Meal Planning

Yes!  Hoo-rah!  I even posted about it here.

+ Be active

Well this goal I admit, I wasn't the best at achieving.  Returning to work full time, with a baby - now toddler - is exhausting, especially when my full time job is corralling, listening to, and teaching 26 eager, curious, and exuberant first graders.  That and a bout of the flu, followed by pneumonia in late October which sidelined me from any activity for a month didn't help.  But now I'm just making excuses.  This will be a goal for 2015, you can bet on it…

+ Unplug, write letters, call friends

I tried on this one. I wish I could say "I tried my best," but frankly, that isn't true.  It is hard to unplug.  While I'd prefer reading blogs to social media such as Twitter or Facebook, I have a strange attraction to instagram, I truly enjoy viewing photos of friends near and far.  As much as I've tried to limit my own "screen time," until after my daughter goes to bed, it is a challenge, and I need to remind myself to unplug often.  Not helping in this department, my work email syncs on my phone, which frequently has me reading a message from a parent, student, or colleague after hours more than I'd like.  However, with written correspondence, I think I have upped my ante, especially with my sister moving to Spain for the year, I have even more reason to write letters.  I've made a conscious effort to send photos and cards to my in-laws and my husband's family in Michigan, updating them with visuals of our daughter's growth. 

So…all in all, not too bad.  What are your goals for 2015?

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Side Dish Only Thanksgiving

Could you do a without a turkey on Thanksgiving?  I read a family's story of their side-dish-only Thanksgiving and I was intrigued.  Honestly, while I do enjoy a good turkey on T-Day, it is definitely not my favorite thing on the menu.  I don't know if I could ever convince my family to jump on this bandwagon, but I thought it was an interesting concept.  Cheers to more mashed potatoes, cranberries, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and beyond!  Oh, and don't forget a few heaping helpings of apple pie…

Would you do a side-dish only Thanksgiving?  Do tell...

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Recovering from Sickness

After almost two weeks of sickness (yes, two weeks)…first the non-flu virus (that felt and looked exactly like the flu), following by walking pneumonia…I am ready to be healthy again.  I haven't been this sick in a long, long time, and frankly, I'm utterly exhausting.  Here are some things that helped me slowly putter through these long, ill-feeling days.

+ Property Brothers, No Reservations, and Gilmore Girls among others streaming on Netflix, LOVE!

+ My new BFF, lemon-lime Gatorade.  We had a love/hate relationship during middle school track, but I'm now a believer again.

+ Holiday catalogs.  Hours entertainment perusing the latest holiday decor of Pottery Barn Kids, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, among others.

+ Urgent care.  Gotta hand to to clinics you can walk in and be serviced right away, no appointment necessary.

+ My amazing husband who has gone above and beyond as Super Dad, assuming every responsibility and more, as I was quarantined to my dungeon (...I mean basement).

+ Yankee Candle "Pantry Spice."  While my strong antibiotics have made me nauseous at every consumption, this is one of the few smells that didn't send me reeling.  

+ Homemade soup and bread from friends - thank you Liv!

+ My mom, who let me spend the night at her house for a night and took care of me like I was back in elementary school.  

Moral of the story: stay healthy out there, pneumonia is no fun!

What's Right In the World

Truth.  It's been a stressful week at work.  Deadlines.  Politics and policy.  Accountability.  Sigh.  We've all been there.  So when I took a moment to watch this amazing time-lapse video I found on a friend's feed, I felt myself exhale audibly.  And I remembered, this is what's right with the world.  That places like this exist.  That beauty like this exists.  After another contented breath, I remind myself that my silly little problems at work are just that - silly little problems.  During the duration of this video, I felt my little stresses slowly float away as I remember what's truly important in my life, and the beauty around me.

P.S. Doesn't this make you want to go to Norway?

Announcing Your Move

As you know, I'm ever a believer in the art of old-fashioned correspondence, though I refuse to use the term "snail mail."  I love the act of walking to the mailbox, sifting through the contents, and discovering an invitation, a birth announcement, or best of all, a handwritten note from a friend.

As such, you know I did my research when it came to forwarding our new address to family and friends.  "We've Moved!" cards are so much cuter than they used to be?  Here are a few of my favorites over at Tiny Prints.

 

If you're not in the market for cards to send out, here's an alternative, return address labels that announce your relocation, while providing said recipient with your new address.  Brilliant!

Love these!

~ Labels ℅ Tiny Prints ~

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Clueless the Musical

Have you heard?  Apparently there is buzz that the 90's cult-classic - Clueless (a personal favorite of mine) is becoming a Broadway musical!  Perez Hilton in addition to several other semi-reputable sites reported that director Amy Heckerling has expressed interest in bringing the 90's fan -favorite to the stage - possibly starring none other than Katy Perry.  Personally, I'm not sure I can envision Katy Perry playing the lead character Cher (Alicia Silverstone in the movie), but I guess she can sing, and the girl does has moxie.  Not sure about you, but I'd go see it in a heartbeat!

P.S. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Paul Rudd made a appearance.  While he's probably too old to realistically play Josh, the guy can sing (or lip-sync)...

image via theshortandsweetofit

7 Days of Garbage

Talk about a reality check!  The United States has a major trash problem, with the average American producing more than 4 pounds of garbage a day…A DAY! That is is 50% more than what's produced by Western Europeans.  Photographer Gregg Segal decided to add imagery to this statistic, putting friends, neighbors, and strangers lying amidst 7 days of their own garbage to demonstrate the volume of our waste.   Segal states "obviously, this is a series guiding people toward a confrontation with the excess that's part of their lives…forcing us to reconcile what we're producing, which hopefully causes some people to think a bit more about what they're consuming."

Makes you think twice, doesn't it?

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via expresso 

Living the Fit Bit Life

Do you have a Fit Bit?  I never really considered purchasing one until I read this article by David Sedaris in the New Yorker.  For him, the daily step count became a huge motivator, encouraging him to walk instead of drive, and take the long detour instead of the shortcut just to accrue more steps, essentially competing with himself to earn and acquire more steps each day.  I kind of like this idea...

Do you have a Fit Bit?  Do you use it consistently?  What do you think of it?

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25,000 Mornings

I saw this article on another blog and thought it was too good to not repost.  Did you know you have approximately 25,000 mornings in your adult life.  The author of this piece talks about her realization that she'd let far too many mornings slip by being hurried, hustled, or frantically trying to get out the door.  Time for a better, happier morning routine. 

Having a 9-month old, my morning routine varies day to day with an infant; though it usually involves a cup of coffee, a bowl of cereal, and a few pajama-clad cuddles.  But with my kickoff to summer vacation and stay-at-home-mommyhood, but I'm definitely eager to start some new routines to simplify and maximize my mornings.

What's your morning routine?  

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