Friday Thoughts: Life Lately
Hello, hello! I am attempting a comeback on these Friday Thoughts posts and am determined to make them a monthly thing for the rest of the year! They are some of my favorite posts…and I’ve missed them (and you!).
Since it’s been so long, I’ll just dive into a quick recap of life lately and share a few things I love – all while trying not to go too deep OR ELSE WE’LL BE HERE FOREVER. 😜
As always, my favorite part of these posts is to know how YOU are doing, so share your life lately with me in the comments, as well as any things you are loving right now!
Summer, Summer, Summer!
We took a family vacation over spring break, so the kids were realistically prepped that this summer would largely consist of work schedules and not vacation schedules. 🙃
Both my teenage boys living at home (16 and 17) are working full-time at different landscaping companies. One is in the shop of his job learning and doing small engine repair and the other is out doing lots of mowing, weed whipping, building retaining walls, etc.
My youngest daughter (13) is living her best life spending a week at grandma’s house and then coming home to make and sell cookie dough to earn money for a tennis racquet she really wants, work on making her first quilt (a really simple design we found on Etsy here), and playing a lot of tennis. Thirteen is a really great age – as her brothers remind her daily. 😉
Brian and the boys are heading up to Alaska to go deep sea fishing with my dad and several cousins and uncles in July, but otherwise, we are here at home base, and I am not mad about that. The garden needs tending, and the kids are bottle feeding a calf that was born to one of our cows on our property – so that’s a daily investment of time.
Mission/Grad Updates
My third son, Cade, graduated high school last month and also received his mission call (for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) to New Zealand Wellington, Tongan speaking. I think we were all a little shocked! My dad served a church mission in Tonga way back in the 70’s and never thought he’d have one of his posterity be able to speak the same language. It’s very exciting (and a lot of work helping with the visa paperwork and gathering clothes and supplies).
My son serving in the Philippines (Manila mission) has been out for almost a year. He is thriving in the midst of very remote living conditions, and we love talking to him on Sunday afternoons (his preparation day is on Monday, but because he is so far ahead of us time-wise, we talk to him on Sundays).
Sidenote: Hands down, all my boys’ favorite ties are these ones (gifted to us originally by my sister-in-law, Mary, and they’ve been my go-to ties in packages and prepping for their missions).
Favorite Things
- these are my favorite jumpsuits for summer: loose, flowy, soooo comfy
- cutest dress: the blue color is stunning! It’s roomy (I’m usually a medium-ish and I have it in small)
- comfy crop denim jacket: this is probably a better item to share for cooler weather, but I love this jacket! It has stretch to it, and it is really soft and comfortable. I have it in the light blue color. The crop isn’t severe – I think the length is perfect for dresses, especially.
- fun bracelet: I’m not a huge jewelry wearer, but I was influenced on Instagram to get this bracelet, and I can attest that the thousands of reviews don’t lie. It’s fantastic, and I always get compliments on it. Sometimes I pair it with this one when I’m really dressing up. 😉
- really great sandals: these shoes are a bit of a splurge, but they live up to the hype (I have them in the natural color) – they are also available on the Born website. I have worn them everywhere from sightseeing in a small mountain town to church to kid’s tennis matches. They are insanely comfortable and so cute dressed up or down!
- hands-free mop and bucket: ok, so kind of a departure from the fun light fashion recs above, but this mop bucket has saved me the last few months. I’ve struggled with hand/wrist pain for months, and wringing out my other mop by hand was killing my fingers and hands. This mop has been a lifesaver for me! I’m still using it even after my hand pain has started to improve.
Quick Note About Work and Blogging
I know things probably look the same on the surface of my website, but there has been a lot going on behind the scenes. Most of it is a little too techy/boring to share here.
However, I greatly appreciate your patience if you notice posts or recipes or formatting looks a little wonky over the next little while. I am working feverishly to get everything in tiptop shape.
In the ever-evolving quest to manage family life and work life and all the life in between, I am at an exciting but also overwhelming point with food blogging. I have a long list of ways to improve my website so that it continues to be a long-lasting resource for tried-and-true recipes. My mission that started me out on this blogging journey almost 18 years ago is still the same: giving you the best recipes of my life and staying true to who I am in the process.
Because my website and business has grown in ways I never could have imagined, it is looking likely that in the very near future, I will be hiring someone to help me with some work-related tasks so that I can continue to focus on what I love the most: creating content, taking photos of food, and posting and writing about those recipes. I am very, very excited for the future and all the recipes and content I have to share with you. 💗
1-Year Anniversary
The amazing launch event for my cookbook was almost exactly one year ago!
I am still overwhelmed with gratitude when I think of the hundreds of you that showed up that night (you can see a snapshot video of the event here) and the thousands of you that have bought cookbooks over the last year. Your messages of how you use and love the cookbook are a treasure, and I read each and every one of them.
Thank you for all of your support; it means so much to me.
Speaking of cookbooks, I just pre-ordered these two cookbooks, and I am so excited to get my hands on them!
- Sally’s new upcoming cookbook
- Amy’s showstopper sourdough cookbook
And that’s a wrap on this Friday Thoughts post! Longer than I anticipated, but I’ve always been a talker, what can I say. 😉
Thanks for being here, friends.
Remember to chime in below with anything and everything on your mind and heart right now! I am here for it. 🤍
Hi Mel! I am a very long time reader of your blog. I have always loved your recipes and you’re always so funny and genuine in your posts!!
I never leave comments on anything, but I almost did when you initially said your son was called to the Philippines because mine was currently in the Philippines mission speaking Tagalog. He is now home and we are loving having him here.
Anyway, I had to leave a comment after reading about your son‘s new mission call! My second son got called to the New Zealand Auckland mission speaking Samoan and will leave this summer! I understand the visa process. It’s a lot ! This week I officially got everything done for his visa!
Well, thanks again for all your delicious food and I’m excited for our sons in New Zealand!
Thanks for the update – love seeing what you and your crew are up to! Been with you since the beginning and love this little slice of the internet that always serves up excellent recipes!! Thanks Mel!
I recently made your “Fresh Strawberry Cream Pie” and my husband said that it is the best thing he has ever tasted! Not just the best pie, but the best of ANYTHING he has ever eaten! Needless to say, we have been enjoying a piece every day. May have to go to the gym soon!
Mel, this was the best post. I loved it and was so excited to see your Friday Thoughts series make a return! I always recommend your website to anyone looking for recipes – or gift suggestions. 🙂 THANK YOU for being such a real and lovely human. Your posts never fail to make me smile, and I read them from start to finish. Your kids look to be thriving in life, but also good humans as well – and I believe that’s even more important. Thank you thank you for being you!
So many fun things happening for you! We use your cookbook and website daily! My son just got home from his mission on Friday! (Columbus OH) It’s going to be a crazy summer with an extra body in the house.
Oh gosh, I bet! I hope it’s a wonderful summer spending time with your son again!
Mel, I enjoyed the update. Especially reference to your Dad’s Tongan mission and your son’s upcoming mission. My mother was born in Tonga while my Grandfather was serving as Mission President. I do enjoy your blog and cookbook
Oh, that’s amazing, Tricia! Thanks for sharing that!
A year later, I am loving your cookbook more and more! I can be having company coming, make one of your recipes for the first time, and know it will turn out just fine. All of your recipes are that trustworthy! Each time I make something from your book, I write the date I made it and then a comment. The book is overrun with comments like YUM, SO GOOD, AMAZING, etc, all with multiple exclamation marks. Sometimes I make a recipe and my husband nods in food contentment and says, “Mel?” and I happily nod back, “Mel.” It’s like you are part of the family! <3
OH!! And I forgot! One of my daughters is a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary. It is amazing to see how God moves through her and into the lives of others. Your sons are doing great things!!
Kellie! Thank you so much!! That was seriously such a fun comment to read. sounds like I would love to be part of your family! And that’s amazing about your daughter. If you happen to pop back into this comment thread and see this, I would love to know more about what her mission opportunity and service entails!
Wow! It’s been so fun seeing your kids grow up over the years! Can’t believe they’re all teens/young adults now. I also had forgotten that your son is in the Philippines- my second son just got his call last week and he’s going to the Urdaneta mission, Tagalog speaking! We were shocked but I think it’s gonna be a phenomenal experience for him.
I’m also so jealous about New Zealand- my husband and I have been talking about taking a trip there, maybe next year. It looks incredible!
Thanks for all your hard work on your amazing recipes. Working on a business while raising kids is no joke. And the teen/young adult years are so much busier in a lot of ways!
Having your cookbook around has been seriously life changing (well, at least dinner changing 😉 for us as my kids are learning to take over meal prep. They always know they can find a crowd pleasing meal or treat in your book! ❤️
I saw that about your son, Bonnie! Si Foster (from A Bountiful Kitchen) and her husband, Grant, are the mission leaders for that mission, and they are truly the best humans on the planet. So excited for your son! (Also, you’re amazing at delegating the meal prep and cooking to your kids!)
Mel,
I love your Friday Thoughts and yes, I, too, missed them. Although we personally don’t know each other, I feel honored to be able to follow what you share about your beautiful family as well as prepare your delicious recipes. I hope this summer is all you need it to be. Congratulations to the graduate and good luck on the pending mission.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for such a genuinely kind comment, Stella.
Mel, I’ve been a faithful follower and fan of yours for years. You always offer great recipes, insights to life and someone who is real. I wish I were your neighbor all.the.time. Thank you for your amazing presence. Thank you for all your hard work. – I absolutely have to post here today because those strawberries … oh my … I need them. Well, I don’t need them, but I need to know what variety they are. How can you post a picture-perfect strawberry and then leave us hanging? I have a perfect spot to plant strawberries but have been hesitant to do so because I don’t trust my judgment on which variety to invest in. Please do share and also put on your lengthy request list, a post on your top tips in growing them. I would love that, too. We live in Utah. Take care and thanks for being you.
Sherri, hi! Thanks for your kindness and sweet comment! So…the strawberries. I feel like I’m going to have such a disappointing response. I don’t know what variety they are! I picked the starts up from Tractor Supply last year and literally shoved them into my planter boxes and that’s it. Last year we only got a few berries, but this year they are doing amazing! (All I do is water them every other day and I did add a layer of mulch over the top after I planted them last year) I’ll tell you what, I’ll go into Tractor Supply in the next day or so and see if they have the same kind (I think I’ll recognize them) and then report back!
Mel … Thank you for your response! They certainly do look magical. “You” could probably plant any variety and they would be amazing. The process sounds easy enough. If you happen to wander into Tractor Supply, that information would great … just know I don’t expect you to 😀 Strawberries in the store the past few years are disappointing. Maybe I’m just getting old and my tastebuds have changed, but strawberries from the store seem to be over-enhanced with chemicals and/or preservatives. I am so looking forward to growing some tasty ones! Thanks!
Please teach me what kind of shirt to wear with the adorable flowy jumpsuits/overalls. The models are always wearing tank tops or even strapless bandeau tops, and that is not the stage of life I’m in.
I actually bought a couple cropped solid color tees from H&M that I wear under all my jumpsuits like this and I love them! They’re super cheap too.
Haha, I hear you, Laurie. Not my stage of life either. I usually just wear a slightly more snug t-shirt underneath and it works great! You can look for a cropped style like Bonnie suggested. Otherwise, I’m just a t-shirt girl.
Love your Friday Thoughts, Mel! Like catching up with an old friend!
I’m sure you’ve considered this and maybe you have reasons for not including this feature on your website, but I would love to have the ability to double or triple a recipe with the click of a button and see the updated amounts. Then I wouldn’t have to second guess my math skills lol!
Either way, I’ll be here! So so grateful for you and the work you do!
So exciting about your son’s mission call! My daughter just got home from that mission 6 weeks ago. Greatest experience of her life! The mission president and his wife are phenomenal leaders. Your son is in good hands!
Thanks for letting me know that!
All our kids are joining us for a week at a lake in Canada. I am so excited! We are at the stage where every time we manage to get the whole family together I remind myself it might be the last time. One daughter is looking at grad school far away, one son is engaged – it gets harder and harder!
I just took a sourdough class at a local bakery so I am definitely ordering Amy’s book! That looks amazing. But maybe from a different site. We are trying not to support the evil empire!
Thanks for all your work! We love so many of your recipes. And your website looks great!
I have been reading this blog and making your recipes since my first baby. He’s 14 now! You pretty much taught me how to cook for my family and I am forever grateful! Thanks for being true to your self and being genuine. That has kept me coming back. I know when I pull up melskitchencafe, we are always going to have a good meal.
Oh, wow, Tana! Thanks for being here after so much time! Seriously, it means so, so much to me. I feel like so many of us had babies at the same time and they’ve all kind of grown up together eating a lot of the same recipes. 🙂
Always love the Friday Thoughts posts, Mel! 😊 We just celebrated our 20th anniversary and graduates our first child. I’m not sure how we all got this old to have kids graduating and celebrating decades and all that kind of thing. That’s a little mind-boggling. Going to the Smoky Mountains in September with lots of family for my in-laws’ 50th anniversary.
Do you ever go to AK and do the fishing? Or is it just your Brian and boys? Sounds like a fun father/son time!
My daughter (8yo) and I are trying to learn embroidery this summer. Wish you could host a crafting class sometime. That would be amazing haha! 😁
Oh, the Smoky Mountains!! Give me a report when you get back. I would love to visit there! And I agree, I often think: who am I and how did I get here? I don’t feel old enough to have kids launching and doing big stuff. No, I don’t go to Alaska. I would actually love to go hike around, but fishing…not so much. 🙂 And trust me, I would NOT be the one you would want hosting a crafting class. It would be a disaster, haha.
Hey Mel, I will continue to follow you for as long as you continue to post 🙂 I didn’t find you until 11 years ago, but so glad that I did!
You’re one of the few email subscriptions that I wholeheartedly look forward to seeing in my inbox- so much so that it’s flagged! ♥️
I wish you and your family all the successes they deserve. And thank you for being yourself genuine self for all of us in the World Wide Web all these years! 🙏 🥰
Ok, your comment just made me feel so honored. Thank you, Shanan! You have no idea how much I appreciate your enthusiasm and support. I really, really try to only post or email when it’s “worth it” – I don’t want to waste anyone’s time!
Dear Mel, I’ve been following you for over 15 years (during the blogspot years). When our 2 boys were growing up, you were a household word in our home! Thank you for helping us have delicious meals! Our boys are now 31 and 28! Time is, indeed, a thief. Because of several dietary restrictions I have now, I don’t cook as many of your recipes (though I have modified some of them), but I ALWAYS love your Friday Thoughts and hearing about your family. Praying for you and your family to continue to receive abundant blessings!
Sheree! Hi!! Of course I know you from the blogspot days. You are a champion for still being around here even amidst dietary restrictions (I’m sorry about that!). Thank you for being here. It honestly means so much (especially when the recipes aren’t really what brings you here anymore!).
Do you have any recommendations on white button up shirts?? My husband and son are always trying to find crisp white shirts.
Hi Kate, my husband and kids pretty much all wear the &Collar shirts. My disclaimer is that I don’t think they are as stainproof as they claim, especially around the collar, but they do seem to hold up well otherwise.
We’re having a day trip type of summer. And catch up on garden. Glad to know we’re not alone: lol. Ps I’ll be your helper, ha!
I will always and forever think you are amazing, Heather. A day trip summer sounds fun!
Hello Mel! Congratulations on the cookbook success! And thank you for preserving your blog and being true to your values as a food blogger. Your website is our first resource for any recipe! You are a household name here. ♥️
Your family and mine are similarly aged-so it’s always fun to hear updates!
Congratulations on the mission call! Our dear friends just served a senior mission there and returned a few weeks ago. We had the opportunity to go and visit them while they were serving there and we LOVE New Zealand!! It was a little mission for us as we were there and we loved the people so much. He will have an amazing experience!
My grandpa served a mission to Tonga in 1929-1932, so my heart has always had a soft spot for Tonga too. Such a difficult language, but God helped my grandpa to learn it well and quickly.
All my best to you!! And best of luck sending out your next missionary. ♥️ My oldest daughter leaves the end of this month to Richmond Virginia-Spanish speaking. My oldest son served in Tijuana Mexico and got home last December.
Thanks so much, Jeannette! Such kindness, I appreciate it so much. How amazing that you were able to visit New Zealand! I definitely think we’re going to have to find a way to visit there when he comes home (or maybe pick him up!). And that’s so neat that you also have a relative who served a mission in Tonga, like my dad. Tell your daughter to look for Sister Baird in the Richmond Spanish speaking mission. She’s my niece serving there and she is AMAZING. She comes home later this year.