Feel Good Friday 99
I got 99 problems but Feel Good Friday isn’t one. But seriously, with all the stuff going on behind the scenes in life, I am grateful for these Friday posts – which are the only posts lately – because they remind me to always look for the good throughout the week. 2021 has proven to be one of the hardest years I’ve faced. It’s rocked my world and brought me to a point of reflection, looking at my life through new eyes and wondering where to go from here to make this one life really count for something. I don’t have any answers, but I do know that I will continue to follow my heart and continue to share all of the good things because it feels like the world really needs that right now.
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Touches of Spook
As you can see, I finally put out some Halloween decorations. To be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it this year. After losing a close friend, home decor just doesn’t seem that important to me. But last week, walking the neighborhood with my kids, it was clear how much they loved it. They’ve always loved October 1, when I crack out the Halloween bin. Last Friday, after I picked up Wilder from school, I decided it was time – for him, especially. With Wilder by my side and digging in the boxes, I set up the porch. In his excitement, he broke two pieces. So if you’re looking for ways to become a minimalist, just hire a toddler to help you decorate. Your stash will be trimmed back in no time.
After some (literally) shattering moments, I waited for Wilder to nap before I started elsewhere in the house. I kept it simple, but it’s just enough that the kids were happy. And honestly, their joy lifted my spirits a bit. (BTW, I can’t find those crows anymore, but this crow garland might have to becoming mine for next year.)
Fall Frittata
Last weekend at the farmers market, I came home with honeynut squash and kale. We also had a fig goat cheese we bought there previously. With those ingredients in mind, I came across this recipe. I replaced the butternut with honeynut squash and used my fig goat cheese (which was incredible with this dish). I love a good easy frittata, especially loaded with fall flavors and ingredients that are good for me. I actually shared a butternut squash and sun-dried tomato frittata recipe here.
Full Moon Astrology
Photo from a full moon morning run this week.
New moons and full moons are always great times to take inventory of where you are, assess and reset. Well + Good is one of my favorite sites and they’ve always got input for each zodiac sign during these moon phases. The Leo full moon affirmation this time: “My light is meant to shine! I collaborate with those that allow me to also enjoy the spotlight.” I should probable be a little embarrassed that mine resonates with me. Nevertheless, it does! I am ready to shine my light. 😉 Find yours here.
A Wicked Good Time
For my birthday in August, Chris bought tickets to see Wicked at the Steven Tanger Center in Greensboro, which was finally able to open its doors last month. I had actually been invited to their opening press night, but we already had tickets and I wanted my first time seeing this show to be with Emmy and Chris. I wanted the three of us to really experience it together, so I passed my press tickets on to a friend. If you haven’t see this show, it’s absolutely incredible! The story is enchanting and the music mesmerizing. I will say, the song “For Good’ really hit me hard after losing Sarah. I was doing my best to hold it together through that song because I knew if I let go, I would just sob. These lyrics though:
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
A Bittersweet Movie
The Starling on Netflix is a film about navigating grief within a marriage. Melissa McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd portray a couple dealing with loss in very different ways. They were both absolutely perfect in these roles and Kevin Kline played a fantastic supporting role. (I have always admired him). This movie made me cry but was so beautifully human. Check out the trailer:
He’s here, he’s there, he’s on freaking Brene Brown!
This week’s episode of Brene Brown’s (BTW my keyboard is fighting with me and not allowing me to add the accent, so apologies!) Unlocking Us features Brett Goldstein aka Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent. This episode will go down as one of my all-time favorite episodes of any podcast. I absolutely loved hearing from Brett and literally had a smile on my face the entire 45 minutes. You can just hear the joy and love he has for his work in his voice. What I took away from it? A desire to collaborate with other writers and create something extraordinary together. Not sure how or when that will happen, but it’s my new life goal. I want some of that magic of which he speaks. Listen here.
My favorite time of year
Each year, as the summer begins to come to a close and the first hint of cool air makes its way to my skin, I can almost smell the warm apples cooking on the stove in anticipation of my favorite culinary season. Applesauce-making is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the fall harvest and I like to do it the old-fashioned way, which is actually very easy. (Read how here). The house feels cozy and smells incredible throughout the process. Plus, Emmy, Wilder and I all love to eat warm applesauce that’s just been pressed through the food mill. I spent time this past weekend in the kitchen doing just that: cooking, milling, processing and, of course, eating!
Life’s Little Moments
Sawyer wrapped up his very first cross-country season this past week. He absolutely loved being a part of this team and is excited about repeating it his senior year. You may recall, he didn’t want to do it, but Chris and I urged him to try for at least a few weeks. We knew he would love this sport and, as we always are, we were right. (Obviously, I am kidding about always being right, but wanted to clarify just in case!)
The last meet was earlier in the day which meant I brought Wilder with me (for the evening. meets, he’s stayed home with Emmy). Wilder loved cheering on his brother and watching him run – and getting a rainbow Kona ice. At one point, a boy was warming up with some high knee runs and Wilder was observing him and trying to repeat the moves. We may have another runner in the family yet! (Emmy is very much like I was in high school – allergic to anything involving running.)
This photo is not very good, but it’s a sweet shared moment between me and Wilder. Usually, I help him brush his teeth in his room and we play a tooth-brushing song. There are several out there to help kids learn that last the length of time one should brush. He loves the Blippi song, so we often use that. This week, I was about to go brush my own teeth, so he asked if he could join me and we could do the song together. Truth be told, his favorite part of this whole situation is spitting together. Since I have to be careful not to get toddler toothpaste spit into my face, it might be my least favorite part. But he’s pretty cute and I do it for him.
Well, I hope you have an incredible weekend! We are hoping to squeeze in a fall hike date and are helping a neighbor paint her fireplace. And I am sure we might be sneaking in the season premiere of Locke & Key which came out today. Happy Friday, friend.
