Hello Again

Hello Again!

It has been a long time since I posted anything to either my blog or my Instagram. I've been focusing on my writing and feel proud of the consistency with which I've been working on it. But writing a blog post is still writing, if fluffier. I've been wanting for a while to share some things I've been thinking about and loving, so finally, here I am.

Can’t stop laughing about this

SNL video, Duolingo for Talking to Kids.

My book club is reading the book Digital Minimalism this month (my choice) and I can't recommend it enough. I read a ton of books about minimalism and I KNEW spending lots of time on my phone wasn't good for me so I put off reading it for a long time. What could I learn from it? I finally caved and well I was right about the basic premises, I was wrong that I wouldn't learn anything from it. I learned so much. I think everyone should read this. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Side note, I listened to it on audio and it's a good listen.

I read (ahem, listened) to both Little Women and Little Men this fall and finallllly went to see the new

Little Women movie on Friday. Have you seen it? What did you think? I. LOVED. IT. I thought Amy’s character was so fresh and relatable and funny, which I wasn’t expecting. And of course Meryl Streep made Aunt March a fun-to-observe character instead of a stick in the mud. I can’t wait to buy it and watch it over and over.

We recently painted our bedroom and got blackout curtains and they are such a game-changer. One of our neighbors has a bright light that shines into our bedroom windows and the blinds just weren’t cutting it. We got these curtains and these rods and these hooks and not only are we both sleeping better, but I’ve also never felt more elegant in my life.

Have you ever done TRX? I’ve been doing a TRX class at my local gym and LOVING it. We have the straps at home too so when I can’t make it to the class I’ve been doing it at home using this app.

Our big Christmas present to our kids (and, okay, ourselves) was skiing. We went four times over Christmas break and the kids have been doing GREAT. Still, I'd appreciate any tips for teaching kids to ski. The things that have been helpful to us are the edgie wedgies and the ski harness, and just reminding the kids to lean forward (we tell them to put their hands on their knees). We also picked up from the ski instructors to tell the kids to "squash a bug" with their foot when they want to turn. It helps them get how to switch the pressure and weight on their foot to turn. We're going to go again over the long weekend and we can't wait.

I've wanted this tiger t-shirt from Emerson Fry for months but kept missing the restocks. I finally caught a restock right before Christmas and ordered it for myself. And then they came out with their 2020 version of the shirt and I also love it. I think I'd love a sweatshirt version of it if they make it.

We also have been working on our fireplace. I've wanted to redo the fireplace surround the whole time we've lived here and have had the plan in place for months. So I was super happy over Christmas when my husband and father-in-law did it for me. We still need to finish oiling and then hang the beautiful mantle my father-in-law made for us, but I should have a picture to show pretty soon. It looks so beautiful. Here’s a photo that inspired us.

I thought Malcolm Gladwell’s new book Talking to Strangers was super interesting. Have you read it? I would LOVE to discuss it with anyone who has.

My friend Janssen always recommends great children's books on her blog and I recently checked out a ton from this post. They've all been so good!

I made these blondies twice in the past week and the second time I doubled the recipe. Best treat I’ve had in a loooong time.

Have a great week!