Hello and Happy Friday

School is in session! (virtual from home)

We’ve jumped fully into video Teams meetings, submissions of Schoology assignments and emails galore. I am extremely grateful for the amazing teachers that work tirelessly. I know they’ve had to learn new platforms, methods, and curriculum to educate our children from a distance. Their creativity, patience and enthusiasm help me to feel as if this will all be okay. I see my kids are learning– really learning from a teacher on a computer screen and my heart swells with thankfulness that we live in a time in history where this is even possible.

Don’t get me wrong, the transition to virtual learning has been hard. I started to cry as I was teaching, Dean, my kindergartener how to login to his school-loaned laptop. He just feels so little and I had no plans of giving him tech lessons anytime soon but he is doing well and learning fast which I know helps him feel more independent.

Whatever you’re going through during this season I pray you can find the good and make it through the difficulties. Change is hard but we will rise to the challenge. On days when we just don’t feel like showing up, we can rest and reflect (maybe watch some shows) and know that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities waiting.

Time to Chat

Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share.

It was so nice to not spend a ton of money on school supplies this year. Folders from previous years, barely used composition notebooks and crayons without a box are all given a second chance at life.

Here are some healthy sack lunch ideas for kids. Sometimes making a sandwich with pita bread instead of loaf bread is just the ticket to bring some excitement to the lunch box.

Anyone watch Taste the Nation? I heard this podcast with Padma Lakshmi and became interested.

Brent and I watched Hamilton recently. How could I pick just one favorite song? I loved “It’s Quiet Uptown“, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” and “My Shot.” Have you seen it? What was your favorite? I really wasn’t sure what my reaction would be to Hamilton but I want to watch it again. Next time without subtitles. I know, we used subtitles so I could catch every word. Old lady over here.

I’m planning to start this book by Jen Wilkin soon. I’ve heard good things about it and the cover is so pretty.

Have you thought about Halloween costumes? Even if Trick or Treating is canceled we are still dressing up! My Pinterest board has a ton of DIY options.

These make me so happy. I hear they don’t harm turtles like their plastic cousins.

I’m currently reading, On the Bright Side. The author makes me laugh out loud and is someone I look up to professionally. I want to buy twenty copies and mail them out to all my friends, it’s that good. So encouraging during these crazy days of pandemic life. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year.

When I worked at Peet’s Coffee and Tea every day we would get a free pastry and coffee to eat during our break time. The pastries were to die for. A popular one was the banana blueberry bran muffin. My mouth is watering while typing. This is the closest recipe I’ve found to recreate them at home.

We are growing bumpy, color-blocked green and yellow ornamental gourds. I can’t wait for them to get bigger so I can use them as decorations for fall.

In case you missed it, here is another list of things I’ve been wanting to share from July.

Enjoy your weekend!

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