Friday Thoughts: A Few Questions
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.
No vacation plans this summer except maybe a late summer/early fall road trip. I’m in the PNW so it will probably be throwing a dart at a map BecauE it’s all pretty. 😂 Also we adopted 2 kittens in February. They are now 5 months old and still sweet and affectionate but also little jerks. 😂We want to get a dog this summer… Gasp .. a PUPPY! 🫣🤪 Our last dog passed in 2023. It’s been nice to do anything spontaneous for last couple of years without finding a pet sitter or boarding. But it was pretty boring. My husband is taking a different role at work in a different dept and he’s going to be traveling more and I really miss having a dog.
As for birthdays I turn the big 5-0 next month. 🫣🤯 I love going out to our favorite seafood restaurant for salmon. There’s a dish with black berries and goat cheese that I usually lean towards. As for dessert. I can make anything and love all dessert but my nostalgic self loves the simplicity of a hot fudge sundae with nuts from DQ. I think it harkens back to getting a bday card from my grandma with quarters taped to it. I would usually save it for their Dilly Bars. Back in the day they were…. 🤗
I love these posts! As a parent, we have the tradition of going out to eat on our birthdays. But growing up, I always wanted Japanese food. Gyoza, tempura, inarizushi, curry, and yakitori. Maybe not all, but usually a mix of those. (No Japanese heritage here, but my dad served a mission in Tokyo and we grew up eating Japanese food regularly).
As for summer plans, we have a busier summer, so we did our big family vacation in April (Florida – Universal Studios and a cruise. It was amazing). This summer, my oldest has her first job at the local pool, my second has several violin performances, and the littles I’m simply trying to keep busy haha. I usually have a chore rotation of sorts. We also keep a bored list- things you can do that you don’t have to ask permission for and can be done by yourself (or with others). If they’re still bored they can do chores!
Love the book recommendations. I just got Theo of Golden from the library (after several months wait). Excited to start it!
Love those birthday traditions – do you choose Japanese cuisine on your birthday even now? Have fun with your summer! We took a family vacation last year in March, and I loved doing it in the non-summer months, too. Your adventure sounds like it was a blast!
Love your Friday thoughts. The old navy pants are in my shopping cart. Thank you for the suggestion. Birthday meals around my house are usually lasagna and some sort of chocolate cake.
Thanks for being here, Teresa. And I feel like lasagan is an unsung dinner hero. I love, love a good lasagna.
Mel, I watch Jennifer Garner’s Youtube channel (Pretend Cooking Show) and she made your dinner rolls the other day. I thought that was pretty neat.
Oh, that was so fun when she did that! She was so sweet to help promote my cookbook a little bit.
Mel!
My oldest son just got his mission call to Hamilton New Zealand! Where is your son?
I might just have to pick your brain as this is all sooo new for me! I feel like it was just a few years ago I was asking for potty training tips! 😭
Oh fun! My son is in the Wellington mission. And I agree, time is a thief! How did we get here so soon! New Zealand is amazing because they have access to so many things (like if they need new shoes or clothes…unlike my son in the Philippines). I have found sending packages is insane. Both in price and getting it there. The best way has been through USPS but it’s crazy expensive and New Zealand has lots and lots of restrictions (I’ve had one package returned to me because it contained a pencil and I didn’t properly disclose it on the customs form apparently). Amazon Australia ships to New Zealand, so I told my son, we’re going to be doing that if he needs something!
We have a nephew in New Zealand near Hamilton on a mission! In March my husband and I went to New Zealand and we got permission to have lunch with him and his companion and take him some bigger clothes and cookies (because the people feed them so much!). You mentioned once that you love licorice. We found the most amazing black licorice in New Zealand that has a creamy chocolate center. You will need to request some from your son. It is on Amazon but very expensive. New Zealand is so beautiful. That’s where I would want to go on a mission!
My grandson just got his call to Tonga. He will do MTC in New Zealand (Auckland).
My favorite food for my birthday is German Chocolate Cake. My two oldest kids always make sure I have one for my birthday.
My daughter and her husband like to cook and are good at it. When ask where she got the recipe, she says, “from my friend Mel.”
Haha, my son has also gained quite a bit of weight on his mission and has had to find different pants there. So neat you were able to have lunch with your grandson! And ok, wow, must visit New Zealand even more now, because, yes, I do love black licorice…and chocolate. Off to do a little online research. That’s so fun you have grandsons in New Zealand and Tonga (well, soon)…and my son is in New Zealand speaking Tongan! Loved your comment – thanks, Gina!
Well, the kids are in their 50s, so no summer projects here!🤣 but I do want to offer booksI adore. Author is Robert Dugoni, who is out of Seattle, where many books are based. His first Character is Tracy Crosswhite, a new Seattle detective from rural Cleelam, WA. Great stories and at about 12 in the series. Also, most books are $.0 to $6.00. He has many literary awards for The Extrordinary Life of Sam Hell…I know…its a fascinating coming of age book. Good people i. His books…all of them.
I love your recipes, ideas and Friday thoughts! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the book recommendations!
Child #2 graudates from high school, she’ll also recieve her associates degree from a local community college, the first week of June. She works as the head lifegurad at our local swim area (right on the lake). She’s also a volunteer firefighter and working towards her EMT certificate.
#1 comes home from his mission (Brazil) in June–we’re sneaking family pictures in before he sets off to UT for school.
#3 is working at a little snack shack at a local resort. Cooking burgers, fries, and scooping up ice cream. This is his second year doing that and he loves it.
#4 and #5 will spend very day sitting down at the lake; fishing, swimming, and paddle boarding. It’s really the best way to spend summers.
We are taking our kids (plus our daughters emotional support human) on a cruise to Alaska. We’ve never done such a thing and we’re all so exicted!
I love a good 80’s let kids roam kinda day. We live in a very rural area, with more orchards and vineyards than houses, so adventure abounds.
Summer is my favorite time of year!
The most requested birthday dinner at our house is Pho. The most requested birthday cake is your White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. This is my sons only requested food the day he gets home from his mission.
Loved the run down on what your kids are up to, Janel. Wow! Lots going on. Even the lazy lake days. Such a great summer for kid – I love that you embrace the 80’s era for summers with kids. I hope your Alaska cruise is amazing! Brian and I did one years ago, and it was a wonderful time. Have so much fun welcoming your son home! I wholly support his one food request, haha.
We love birthday dinners…one time my oldest daughter we had alot of potatoes & she picked a black & white cheesecake. My second daughter usually picks Lasagna & Rainbow chip cake & frosting. My son varies, lately he wants Italian Beef. I love a tradition <3 <3 <3
I love traditions, too! Your kid’s birthday dinner picks sound fun and delish!
In our family, birthday dinners are the preference of the birthday person! Sometimes we go out, and other times we cook the preferred meal. My birthday is this week, and I’ve requested marinated flank steak (this recipe – SO GOOD: https://share.google/Z5FOUKWWpzNgp6rpB) and cheese potatoes (sometimes called funeral potatoes).
Summer plans – we’re headed to Florida from Indiana next week to visit my husband’s family and introduce our three month old to them. Then in July we’ll take a roadtrip to VA/DC/MD to see family and then to PA to see our nephew in a ninja competition.
Books lately – I did enjoy Theo of Golden, but I’d agree it’s slow and sweet. I’m enjoying the Emma M. Lion series. I’m also an audiobook lover because I can listen while doing things. Honestly, it’s the only way I can “read” in this season of life with littles.
Yummy birthday meal request, Erin! Enjoy your summer travels! Sounds like a whole lot of fun and driving! And I agree, I’m in the audiobook phase of life, too.
Thanks for the recommendations. I haven’t read a book “with my eyeballs” for years because those eyeballs stopped working very well when I hit my 40s (reading glasses don’t seem to help much with my astigmatism–but maybe I’m doing something wrong?) So i LOVE audiobooks. But ironically I just finished “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” which claims we shouldn’t be multi-tasking…not sure I can completely get behind that as a rule. 🙂
Haha, that made me laugh a little bit. I’m a chronic multi-tasker, and that’s why I love audiobooks, too!
Birthday dinner requests: my four kids love choosing dinner! We don’t go out; they design their “perfect” dinner. Choices range from beefy cabbage to steak to champagne shrimp to meatloaf. Comfort food to fancy. And of course cake.
What I’m reading: I recently completed volume 8 of the Emma M Lion series and am re-reading the series while anxiously awaiting publication of volume 9. So, so, so good! Volume 1 is a light and a bit odd, but volume 2 will draw you in and by volume 3, you will be hooked and reading while ignoring everything else around you. Haha! Dangerous for a mom with kids at home!
Favorite things: I love my Old Navy linen pants in the blue stripe!! I really want the black, but they are sold out of my size. (Sniff and whimper.)
Summer plans: oldest is getting married in August (!), second is working half the summer at college to pay for for a semester of next year’s room and board, third is enjoying her first summer of nothing (except math catch up and working at the local bakery), and my fourth is volunteering four weeks at a outdoor day camp and lifeguarding and reviewing a lot of math. My husband may need surgery for a herniated disc. And I am trying to keep the household running.
I love how your kids take choosing birthday dinner so seriously! I also loved the Emma M Lion books. I have to confess, I’ve lost a little bit of steam with them simply knowing there are like 20+ books yet to come. I’ll be, like, 70 years old when the series finishes! I kind of wish it was a ten book series and we could all move on with our lives, haha. Good luck with upcoming wedding for your oldest (and your husband’s surgery) – sounds like your kids are busy, busy!
I don’t usually request a special meal for my birthday. This year we went out for burgers and I was even able to get a good gluten free bun.
My husband has a meal he wants every year- bockwurst, poison lemon jello cake (wheat cake mix with lemon jello mixed in) and strawberries. So I will be making that this week.
Yay for finding good gluten-free bread! You are a great wife to make your husband his “poison” birthday meal. 🙂
Birthday dinners: we do not eat out much so it was a big deal to let our kids pick somewhere to eat out for their birthday and then they choose a birthday dessert…not always cake.
Summer plans: my son comes home from his mission this week from northern California and a week after he gets home we are taking 10 days to tour his mission and also visit Yosemite and the Redwoods. He will return to college soon after so back to empty nesting here. My husband bought me tickets to an outdoor Broadway theater this summer with shows once a month and we have a goal to go on one “adventure” each month, just a day trip ,so excited about that.
We have loved The Count of Monte Cristo on PBS as well. Reading Maisie Dobbs book 12, Emma Lion book 8 and the last time I saw him.
Loving all your recommendations! Thank you for being a rock star!
I love your summer plans, Jen! I think your son comes home this week! Have so much fun. We took a family trip to the Redwoods years ago, and it is still my most favorite family vacation we’ve ever taken, so I hope you love it! The Broadway theater sounds so fun, too – local! I love that.
Thanks for the book recommendations! I love every book by Beth Brower. I know you’ve read the EML books, but have you read her other books? They’re harder to get to because there’s no audiobook, but so worth it! I love The Q and The Books of Imirillia. I also love historical biographies focused on women. Hiding in the Spotlight is an incredible story about a teenage Ukranian jew during WWII. It’s a little heavy, but so inspiring. Alias Anna is the same story, but less heavy and geared for a YA audience.
I loved The Q and Beast of Ten is one of my all-time favorite books. It’s a complicated read and kind of heavy in parts, but I loved it so much and was dying to talk with others who had read it when I finished. Her writing style is really incredible. I’ll have to check out her other ones. Thanks for the other book recommendations!
I live in the southern hemisphere so we are just heading into winter. So no summer plans, but looking forward to cozying up to our woodburning fireplace and cuddling under a blanket with a good book! In fact, I live in New Zealand – which mission is your son serving in? We live outside of Hamilton, and my son is currently serving in the Auckland mission (did his papers after we moved to NZ from Idaho, I couldn’t believe it when he got called to serve 1-1/2 hours away!!).
Oh my goodness, that’s wild about your son’s mission call. And so amazing that you live there – my son can’t get over how beautiful it is there (he’s in the Wellington mission). Kind of jealous you’re heading into cozy winter. I know this is a very unpopular opinion, but I love, love the winter months and kind of endure summer to get there. 🙂
Birthday dinners are always out so I don’t have to cook! However, my hubby makes amazing cinnamon oatmeal waffles, so he makes that for breakfast on the closest weekend day to my birthday.
Summer plans involve staying close to home so the kids can work, and we can save $ to help the kids pay for school. We did go to Disneyland in November instead though!
Thanks for the book recommendations. I love anything by Sarah M Eden.
I ended up twinning with a colleague at work the other day… both of us wore black tshirt maxi dresses and jean jackets. So funny when that happens!
Wow, those waffles sound amazing! Fun birthday breakfast for sure. I hear you on similar summer plans. Trying to make sure we do more than just work, but sometimes summers need to be practical. So cute about your coworker and you wearing the same outfit.
Hi Mel! I love your Friday thoughts posts. Thanks for sharing the goods! I’m a July baby and love a good dutch oven birthday dinner and dessert. Our summer will be full of baseball, camping, summer concerts, and a wedding of my oldest kid! Looking forward to everything. Enjoy Maycember.
Ooooh, a Dutch oven meal is the perfect birthday dinner! Love Dutch oven cooking and need to do it more. Enjoy your summer!!
I’m the one who is looking forward to the birthday dinner posts.
In our home, I let my kids and husband choose dinner and dessert for their birthday. I usually have my husband grill steak for mine and we go out for a date one night as well (usually Chinese).
My mom also hosts us for Sunday dinners every week. When it’s our birthday week, she also lets us choose dinner and dessert. We’re spoiled and birthdays are fun. I like when my mom makes sticky finger salad and peanut butter/chocolate brownies. That’s usually my request.
When you shared that the lemon spicy garlic wraps were your birthday dinner choice many times, that was enough reason to give them a shot. I might not have otherwise. But I’m so glad I did.
I’m currently reading Hannah Coulter which is slow paced, but beautifully written. It’s like a nervous system reset.
Otherwise my reading this year hasn’t been that great. Hoping to amp it up this summer.
But if you’re looking for fun rom com reading, I love the That One Time series by Ella Beachley. That One Time in Hawaii is the first.
What is ‘sticky finger salad’??? I have never heard of that!
I’m glad you suggested it, Sharlee! I love hearing what people do/eat on their birthdays. Your birthday food lineup sounds so fun – and what a treat to have your mom make a birthday meal, too. I’m also intrigued by sticky finger salad?!? And thanks for the book recommendations!
Ooo I love sharing book recommendations! I just finished book 2 in the Thursday murder club series and loved it just as much as #1! I loved picturing the actors from the movie- I think they are fantastic. If you love that book, you will ADORE the Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife!
I’m so happy to know the 2nd book is just as good. I’m going to start listening to it today. And I’ve had the Frederick Fife book on my “to-read” list forever. With your recommendation, I’ll finally start reading it. Thank you!
I have a co-worker here in Twin Falls whose son is also returning from his mission to the Philippines! I wonder if this is a true small world experience for me. ☺️ I enjoyed your clothing and shopping recommendation list, especially the dress.
So far we have no summer plans. We are commonly living in what I call “the middle” right now.
Take care!
I guess since it’s Friday, my brain is on the weekend. I didn’t put the 2 sons (1 going to the Philippines and the other coming from his mission) separately in my mind. Sorry for reading that incorrectly!
No worries!! Thanks for being here and for commenting.
Let’s see, summer plans, I’m in charge of girls camp, and that’s in less than a month, my oldest is graduating next week, and then is planning on going on a mission, so we’re trying to figure out what we can fit in.
Reading, I’ve had a lot of heavy going on, so I’m re-reading Emma M. Lion, and it’s just what I needed. I’m on book 6 (third time through :)) I’ve read all of the Thursday Murder club series that have been published and they are really fun. I enjoyed that series. I added some of the others you recommended to my reading list. I’ve been reading the Marlow Murder Club, and it gives me a lot of the Thursday Murder Club vibes, but not quite as charming to me. My daughter and I read the Isle of Ever series, and she keeps asking me when the next one is coming out. The Daughters of Eville was a fun fairy tale retelling series.
We tried the squishies smarties, and those were an interesting texture. I’m going to try the swedish candy you linked. Those around the town pants are now added to my wishlist. I have a pair of Old Navy linen pants that I thrifted and I’ve been wearing them constantly. I’ve been eating the overnight oats as a great, I-can’t-think-about-food-but-need-to-eat option. How have you been making them individual? I need to do that next. We just got some similar containers that would be great for that.
Also, I need to know if you have any more Korean dramas to recommend. We haven’t watched anything for a hot minute 😉
I hear you on reading light and fun books when life feels heavy! (Hope things are ok for you.) I really need to get started on the rest of the Thursday Murder Club books. I think I’ll download the second one today! Oh, also, someone down below said they just watched Perfect Crown (k-drama) on Netflix and it’s really good. Cam and I are going to try it! And on the oats, I’ve gotten the recipe tweaked for individual portions: heaping 1/3 cup oats, 2 tablespoons basil or chia seeds, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt, (protein powder if I’m using it – I don’t always) and about 3/4 cup almond milk.
Thanks for the book suggestions! I’m am obsessed by the Emma M Lion books. I recently enjoyed Twice by Mitch Albom and I’m liking the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyers (book 7 was just published and I just finished book 4).
I usually want to go out for sushi for my birthday 🙂
Thanks for the link to the Old Navy linen pants – I’m going to snag a couple of those! Just what I was looking for!
Summer plans – escape the AZ heat as much as possible. Probably heading to UT for awhile to visit family, then take a one-month long trip to the French Alps at the end of the summer. I’ve been relentlessly practicing French. Can’t wait!
You’re the best, Mel! Thanks for doing these Friday Thoughts posts; I love them!
Thanks for those book recommendations! I also love the Emma M. Lion books. Such entertaining reads, all of them. And yay for sushi on birthdays! Good luck with the Arizona heat – don’t know how you AZ peeps do it! And your trip to France (one month, wow!!) sounds AMAZING! Somehow I want to find a way to see picture updates – is that creepy and weird? Haha.
Haha! Not creepy or weird to me! I’m not one for posting on social media, but I usually create a cloud-based photo/video album (with just the highlights) to share with friends & family. I’d love to share it with you, since I consider you a friend! This will be our 5th one-month holiday (3 have been in France, because I love it there) since my husband retired (early). I highly recommend it to everyone. Not only do you get to be a “local” (we don’t stay in cities – usually a small town or in the country), but you can get some great deals on an AirBnb if you stay for 28 days or more!
I loved listening to Theo of Golden. It was heartwarming. And I always love the Richard Osman Murder Club series. I just added Caleb’s Crossing to my Spotify list. I discovered today that they have all the audiobooks for The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion. I’m with you on audiobooks and multi-tasking. Thank you for your girls camp food post from a couple of years ago! I was referencing it today. And I just added the eyeshadow stick to my wish list. I tried some from another company, but they weren’t the right thing. Always love reading your Friday Thoughts!
Thanks for being here, Tracy!
Always enjoy your Friday thoughts and especially the book recommendations today! LOVED the book Horse by Geraldine Brooks! Will check out Caleb’s Crossing.
My favorite birthday meal at home is spaghetti with meatballs; out is always Mexican.
Oh, that makes me excited to read another book by Geraldine Brooks. Thanks for recommending it!!
Melanie- I adored the audio book Theo of Golden!! I also listened to The Hail Mary Project. Very different genre than I usually read but I loved it and I the movie did not disappoint!! It made me so happy!
Oh, I could wax poetic about Project Hail Mary book and movie!! Loved both so much.
Oh my goodness, do I feel you on the “when will we get a family picture with everyone” vibe. My oldest two boys served missions back to back and between the first coming home at Christmas and then going straight to school, while the second one left six weeks later, it’s been 4.5 years! We’re finally taking our first family vacation since 2021 next week and while our family photo this year may be the six of us standing in front of Cinderella’s castle at WDW, I’ll take it! Ha!
P.S. if you need a good kdrama rec, Perfect Crown finishes airing tomorrow and has become a top favorite of mine!! It’s on Disney+! 😉
Hahaha, that’ll be the best family picture ever, Rochelle, Cinderella’s castle or not! And thanks for the k-drama rec! Cam and I need something fun/new to watch. We’ll start it this weekend!
Single mom here, so birthday dinner was anything I didn’t have to cook. Now that my kids are launched and busy, I try to meet up with a friend to celebrate at a restaurant.
Summer plans include a girls trip to the beach. This annual trip is the bright spot that I look forward to all year!
Loved your book recommendations. I’m reading the Lion Women of Tehran right now. Have you read Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell? Beautifully written and tugs at your mama heartstrings! The movie is on Peacock and is so well done.
Have so much fun on your girls trip – love that so much! And thank you for the book/movie suggestion. Will definitely read and watch. Yay!
Is your son in Utah County? Tell him to come over any night. We’re usually eating one of your meals. He’ll feel right at home.
That is so kind, Michelle! He’s definitely subsisting on super cheap YA food (i.e. rice and ramen).
I love your Friday thoughts posts! My husband doesn’t cook much but he does take me out for my birthday! A favorite is local Mexican with the kids, followed by mini-golf. My kids are growing up, oldest is almost 18, so some of the summer plans include me helping them manage their plans. 🙂 A trip to PA for a family wedding, a trip to ID to take our son to a boys’ wilderness hiking trip, and cooking for a big group of teenagers/young adults coming for an event at our church.
Ok, love the dinner and mini golf birthday tradition! And I hear you on spending the summer managing my kids plans. So relatable! Good luck with all those travels…and with the huge cooking responsibility!!
Summers are boring and kinda lonely around here! We have a weekend getaway planned at the end of June, but thats about it. Our oldest daughter is married and lives an hour + away from us. Our middle son lives with us and works full time and our youngest is a senior and graduating this year. She plans to work this summer to keep filling up her savings for college in the fall. With my husband at work all day, it leaves me by my lonesome to do something productive/fulfilling with my time! I work part time during the school year as a crossing guard and preschool teacher so summers are wide open. I will figure something out!
Thanks for your book recommendations, I love to read! One of my favorite authors is Jamie Jo Wright. She writes clean, haunting mysteries with a little romance thrown in, but not cheesy or too scary.
I love that you and your sister showed up in the same outfit! Too funny!
Thanks for all you share, you’re awesome!
Thank you for the author recommendation!! And good luck with your summer! I feel like I’m not too far from that phase of life myself. It’s interesting to try and figure out how to reinvent ourselves at these ages and stages at different times of the year. Wish we were neighbors!
I would love more info on your daughter’s baking business. I know she’s done lots of different things over the years. My eight year old is dying to make some money of her own and I would love to know how you’ve supported Cam in her endeavors.
Hi Megan! We don’t really have a formal plan, and I probably should have written down the details. One summer she sold cookie dough. She would spend a day making four or five different varieties, rolling it, freezing it on sheet pans and then putting 12 cookie dough balls in quart-size ziploc bags and putting a sticker on them with what kind they are and how to bake from frozen. She sold them for $5 a dozen the first summer and then upped it to $7.50/dozen. The summer she sold bread, she made French bread and rosemary bread (the recipes on my site), and she sold loaves for $5 each. I think she probably could have charged more, but that’s what we stuck with. Getting the word out was the hardest part. I felt kind of funny texting a bunch of people because I didn’t want people to feel obligated. Slowly the word got out (and I put it on my personal facebook page) and after a few weeks she had people reaching out to her. She paid me a few dollars for each batch of bread and cookies for ingredients.
You’ll have to try the card game called The Game. Your family would love it! 😂
Hmmm, that’s familiar. I wonder if I have it stashed in my game closet somewhere, haha. Will look tonight!
Our book club met this week and we all loved This Book Made Me Think Of You. Our next book is Theo and after that a true historical fiction, The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan.
Writing down both of those recommendations, thank you!
I recently read The Secrets of Ormdale series (starting with Wormwood Abbey) and enjoyed it. My summer is looking to be crazy…from taking my daughter to Hawaii, to roadtripping/visiting family in Utah and Idaho before moving from Texas to England, and finally having a son return from a two year mission. The kids will have camps and one gets his drivers license thrown in there too. I imagine there will be lots of work done and hopefully some time to relax 🙏
Ok, wow! You have a busy couple months ahead. Good luck with all of that. Sounds like there will be some fun adventures! Wishing you all the best as you welcome your son home.
I’m a teacher so summer is always a nice change of pace with my kids. Except this year we’re welcoming baby 5 so I’m sure it will be busy in its own way!
Oh, congratulations and good luck with baby #5!!
I love these posts!
1- it varies year to year. Often I have my husband grill steaks one night and we go out to eat another night. The restaurant varies, too.
2- no big summer plans. Maybe a weekend vacation. We’re planning a bigger trip later this year, so I’m looking forward to that.
3- Haven you read The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion? I finally gave in and I love them! Totally live up to the hype! I was totally hooked at the end of book 2. I’ve also been loving the Mercury Raine series by Sarah M. Eden and the Falcon Point books by A.L. Sowards, Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, and Paige Edwards. All of these series are so unique!
4- have you watched High Potential or Man with a Plan? I really like both of those. And a lot of older shows, too.
I’m pretty sure Mel read the Emma books as I think this is where I first heard of them. I absolutely adore them! And the audio books are beyond perfection!
Wait. I meant Man on the Inside, not Man with a Plan. 😊
Yes, I love the Emma M. Lion books! I’m re-reading them by listening to the audio versions and that’s been delightful so far. Thank you for the other author recommendations! I haven’t watched those shows, writing them down now!
We’re planning a few short day trips this summer. Two books I’ve liked this year are The Favorites by Layne Fargo and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Now I’m curious to check out his brand new book The Midnight Train. He made me think about how different my life could look if I’d made different choices. And how many paths it could still take depending on choices I make now.
I read the Midnight Library a few years ago – I’ll have to check out his new one! That was definitely an interesting book!
I love hearing about your life and the family. I love DVD’s “Ford & Ferrari”, “Letters” a story of Mother Teresa life and her life’s work, “Secretariat” a story of a triple crown winner – an amazing movie. “17 miracles” by T.C. Christensen = anything he does is GREAT.
Thank you for all of those recommendations!
Love your Friday posts!
Comfy flowing pants 100%
Kids working yes.
Fave book in a long while? Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame, also enjoying joyful, anyway.
Making progress on year 4 of a much neglected garden before we moved in.
Just reminded me of the time you stalked my address and brought me the cookbook and I was out in the garden lol
Love ya, Heather! Sorry for stalking you, haha.
So many questions to answer!
Question #1: Birthday dinner requests: I don’t really care what I eat on my birthday, as long as I don’t make it or clean it up. My kids don’t usually request something specific. Even if I ask them, they don’t always have a request. Easy.
Question #2: Summer Plans:
Well, we are in the middle of our biggest month of the year right now. My youngest child is 18 and he graduates from high school next week. My second oldest graduated from Utah State University in art on May 1, and then we celebrated her wedding one week ago on May 8. So that was huge. After all this, the summer is going to be a bit quiet. We have one weeklong family reunion in St. George, Utah, to attend. The rest of the summer will be all about getting my son ready to move to a BYU apartment this August. I’m already shopping for his dorm room. And He needs to learn how to cook and clean this summer. Honestly, I really need a future trip to plan at this point. Planning trips is my favorite thing to do.
Question #3: Reading:
I am waiting for Vol. 9 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. She is a Utahn and her absolutely delightful books are gaining an international following. I also read everything that Traci Hunter Abramson publishes. And most of what Sarah M. Eden publishes.
My Favorite Things:
These days it is definitely clothing made from merino wool. Merino wool can actually be very lightweight! It is also temperature regulating and odor resistant, making it the very best fabric for travel clothing. You can wear your clothes on repeat without having to wash them. I wash my merino wool clothes on gentle cycle in the washing machine in cold water. There are lots of merino wool retailers, but they are not all created equal. My favorite retailer is Woolx. They are very high quality. I would stay away from buying any merino wool pieces on Amazon; they are just not worth it. My favorite pieces from Woolx include the Palmer pants and the Junie t-shirt.
What to watch:
I have two movies to recommend and they are both book adaptations from one of my favorite authors mentioned above: Sarah M. Eden. The first movie is “Seeking Persephone.” It’s an historical romance set in England in 1805. This is probably my favorite of all her dozens of books I’ve read. Filmed partly IN England, the movie turned out so, so good. In fact, I would venture to say it might be even better than the book! (Is that reader blasphemy?) “Seeking Persephone” is a must-watch. It’s available on Amazon Video and Fandango. I’ve watched it 8 times and love it every time.
The second movie recommendation is Sarah Eden’s “The Sheriffs of Savage Wells.” This one is lighter than “Seeking Persephone.” It’s a western set in Wyoming Territory in the 1800s. It is not as profoundly moving as “Seeking Persephone,” but I still enjoyed it. Available on Amazon Video.
Anyone want to go on a girls trip to Europe with me in 2027?
Hi Catherine! Thanks for such a detailed, fun comment! Sounds like you have had a crazy few weeks with all that is happening with your kids! You are the GOAT at planning trips! Your Switzerland itinerary you sent me was incredible. Someone at a church activity last night was mentioning Traci Hunter Abramson – so looks like I need to check her books out! I’ve loved the Emma M. Lion books also! And am really enjoying the audio versions. My daughter watched Seeking Persephone and loved it – she’s trying to get me to watch it. I’m not opposed, we just need to find time! We watched The Other Bennett Sister and thought it was fantastic. Thank you for all of your recommendations (the travel wool recs are helpful!).
It’s so fun and interesting to hear your updates. Re. birthdays, growing up in a large family, the big birthday flex was being able to choose what we had for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think my kids have take it a biiiit far with some epic meals with multiple main courses. Maybe going out to eat would be a bit simpler? That being said, they do happily make me a delicious meal of my choice on my birthday, so there’s that.
I had heard from so many people say Theo of Golden was their favorite book of the year. Like you said, it was sweet, but a bit too sentimental and even predictable (saw that twist a mile away) for me — but I can see why readers enjoyed it. I also read Lion Women of Tehran and, while really interesting and certainly relevant to providing some context for what’s happening in Iran, I didn’t find the characters very believable. My favorite books of the year so far are “This is Happiness” by Niall Williams and Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks. I can’t wait to read Elizabeth Strout’s new book — she’s my favorite author!
Haha, that made me smile, because you are totally right. It’s a HUGE flex for my kids to choose breakfast and dinner on their birthdays (because normally it’s a dictatorship around here when it comes to what we eat for dinner and I am the dictator! haha). I totally get where you’re coming from with Theo of Golden. It is very sentimental. I think you have to be really in the mood for that style of slower-paced, feel good book for sure. Thank you for sharing your book recommendations!! Can’t wait to check out Elizabeth Strout’s books! (I also struggled to relate to or feel like the characters in the Lion Women book were believable, so you aren’t alone on that).
Hi Mel! I tried to plan an Alaskan cruise for this summer and couldn’t make it work between my husband’s work schedule and teenager commitments for camps. 🙁 We also have 4H livestock that keeps us close to home. So no fun summer plans as a family.
I’m working on reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store after seeing you post about it on IG. It’s slow going, but I’m sticking with it. I have Theo of Golden on request from the library. The Thursday Murder Club has been a favorite of mine for years! Such fun characters. The sequels are good as well. I keep forgetting to watch the movie. The author has started a new series, but I didn’t like it as much. I recently enjoyed reading the Finaly Donovan series by Elle Cusimano. It’s in the cozy mystery genre. Although it’s more comical than cozy.
Last thought to share. My cousin, mom and I started a cookbook lunch club and this month we used your cookbook/blog. I enjoyed getting to share your amazing recipes with them!
Oh darn it, I’m sorry you couldn’t make the Alaska cruise work. Hopefully you can soon!! We have friends that participate in 4H and it is so busy (but seems to be so rewarding!). I need to read the sequels of the Thursday Murder Club – I’ve heard good things about them. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store book is slow going at first but then it picks up (but again, it may not be for everyone!). And that is seriously such a fun honor that you would pick my cookbook for your cookbook lunch club! But mostly I’m thinking I need to either start one of those up where I live or come and crash yours. How fun!
Birthday dinner I always take out unless it’s Sunday. My husband doesn’t cook much more than toast. I change it up often but lately it has been an amazing and unique local pizza place. It’s thin crust and the sauce is a little sweeter. Delicious!
This summer is tricky. We have church camps the first two weeks then a family trip early July. School starts the last week of July (we have tons of breaks all year, I like it better because it is too hot in Phx to do anything). All we have are teenagers officially this year. I think I’m going to sign them up for a free gym and make them do chores. I need my 16 yo to find a job. Oh and our early July trip is our annual family reprieve from the heat, along with every other Phoenician, to San Diego.
Books- well I got an advance copy of Every beat after by Sara B. Larson and I’m loving it! I listened to Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross which is the prequel to Divine Rivals. It was SO good! I also loved This Book Made me Think of you by Libby Page and Bone Valley by Gilbert King. There ya go. Little fiction, Fantasy and Non fiction. 😂
Ooooh, that thin crust local pizza joint sounds amazing!! Wow…you have a lot going on between now and July!! Good luck with all of that (and good luck beating the Phoenix heat!). Thank you for the book recommendations. I will check ALL of them out. Love, love getting new ideas for books.
I cannot sing the praises of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion enough!!!!
I’m sure I have more to say about this whole post, but that’s the most important thing!
Yes!!! Emma M Lion is the best!!! I always tell people they have to commit to read the first 3 books. Then they’ll be hooked!
Yes, love those books!
Not me just going down the list adding things to my Amazon cart! HaHa! I’m looking forward to the dress the most! I chose the dusty pink and apricot colors. As far as birthday meals, my birthday is in June. My husband’s grandmother always makes me fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes and white gravy, corn, and salad. I could easily die and go to heaven after that meal. It is an absolute favorite!! She’s over 80 years old and from central Arkansas. She definitely has a southern style of cooking and boy, are we blessed to enjoy it! This spring I’ve started reading the Twilight series for absolutely no reason. I’ve never read them before and I’m definitely enjoying them more than the movies. Do you ever experiment with middle eastern cuisine? I recently had company for dinner and made middle eastern roasted chicken, garlicky yellow rice, Shirazi salad, and naan and hummus. And of course, baklava for dessert. It’s an absolute favorite of mine! But I had to spend a long time researching and watching YouTube to find the recipes! Thanks for the life update! I hope you have the best time with your son as he returns from his mission. What a splendid time!
I hope you love that dress, Lori! It’s so flattering! Those colors sound perfect. And I love that your husband’s grandma comes in clutch with birthday dinner. Sounds delicious and completely nostalgic. What beautiful memories that is creating. I love Middle Eastern cuisine and definitely need to make it more at home (I love eating it when we eat out!). That home cooked menu you made sounds incredible!
Hi Mel!
My favorite going out to eat birthday dinner is a dinky little rural place called Wedron Office. It is literally in the middle of a cornfield, you go up a little rise in the road around a curve and there it is, appearing like a beautiful mirage in the frozen January tundra. They have the best breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, onion rings, and glorious cherry pink stuff at the salad bar. They bring a tiny cake with a sparkler candle to the table and sing Happy Birthday, which normally I am opposed to and mortified by, but by that time I am so full of fried food and pink stuff I don’t mind.
I am reading a lot this summer, as usual, but my goal is to read in more interesting places other than my couch. I loved Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, have you read Deacon King Kong by the same author? I think it was even better. I just read Good People by Patmeena Sabit- it was an amazing book. Really interesting style of writing, and one of those books you make your friend or sister read right away so you can talk about it! I loked how it made me rethink things, I find the older I get the more I appreciate being able to look at situations from more and different viewpoints.
The Northwoods are calling this summer at some point, and Lake Michigan so that’s the plan unless gas gets higher, then it’s the back porch 🙂
Happy early summer, and enjoy your fam!
Kathie, your description of that little restaurant had me smiling and then laughing out loud. Now I’m craving pink stuff and I don’t even know what it is, haha! Sounds like such a great, nostalgic birthday spot. I haven’t read Deacon King Kong. I’ll check it out! Thanks for all of your recommendations! I LOVE books that give you great conversation with other people.
I’ve tried to start heaven and earth grocery store a few times – I think I’ll check out the audiobook for our road trip! All of my kids are teens now too, and summer is way easier. Two are working a lot (and getting driver’s licenses in a few weeks!), two have some plans and soccer camp, but I’m into “let’s go easy” this summer. No music lessons, only one or two camps overall…just chores, sports practices, and the usual stuff along with a couple fun trips. Enjoy having your son back home!
Hi Lynn, that book (Heaven and Earth Grocery Store) may not be for everyone. I loved the story, but it is a bit of a slow start. I love your summer plan!! We’re kind of taking it easy, too, and not over doing it on scheduled lessons and camps. Hope it’s a great summer!
I love it when I get these updates early in the day and can put the books on hold at the library before the waiting list is too long! And the card game is on sale at Amazon!!! Thanks for sharing all your great recommendations!
Yay!!
The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion, 8 volumes out, more to come. So good! I did the audiobook and it was superb!
Yes, I loved reading those books and have really enjoyed the audiobook of #8!