Safe to say that I, like many, have been feeling Burnt. Out. I didn’t use to like routine, and tbh, some days, I still don’t, but having a child has forced me to create one so that he has structure and consistency. After all, it’s not all about me ;) Between getting up every morning, getting ready, getting him ready, school drop off, school pick up, cooking, cleaning up after cooking, making school lunches every night, and balancing my job, trying to keep personal relationships going, maintaining some semblance of a personal life, etc., I didn’t realize just how burnt out I was feeling. And I’m sure there are others similar stressors. I had a lot of vacation time to use before the end of our FY, so booked to have two weeks off (not back-to-back), and what a difference that made. Much more time to do things I wanted and needed to around my house and just not so hectic-feeling. A much-needed relief. If you’ve made it this far into my mini-life update, keep going for good eats, reads and a mini-getaway I booked last month!
Eats
Aside from cooking, I’ve been doing a lot of baking (for birthdays or just for fun). Pavlova is a yummy classic dessert that, if stored correctly, can last awhile too. I love meringue and found this recipe on the Williams Sonoma site. I followed it for the meringue, but substituted whipped cream for vanilla ice cream and used plain berries (already so much sugar in the recipe).
Another sweet that's perfect for summer comes straight from Joanna Gaines' cookbook, Magnolia Table. I had a family function to attend last month, and needed to bring dessert. The lemon pie did not disappoint! Definitely not healthy in any way, but pretty and delicious! The cookbook is so well-done, from the photography and layouts to the variety of recipes. So good, in fact, that I have placed Volume II in my virtual shopping card and am just waiting until the right moment to order.
Latest Reads
I have done more pleasure reading in the past two months than I have in the last two years! So many good titles out right now, and I’m not done yet! I am a physical book girl through and through, but the hubs gave me a kindle a few years ago, and I have to say, the ease of use and the light for reading in the dark are serious perks. Not to mention the suitcase real estate it doesn't take up versus 5 bulky books.
Malibu Rising - The first by this author that I've read and I really enjoyed it! A balance of flashbacks and present day of four siblings, their secrets and how their family evolved. I couldn't put it down.
The Great Alone - This one resonated with me in a few ways. I read The Nightingale, also by Kristin Hannah, and couldn't put it down, so wanted to read another of her titles. A family relocates to Alaska and has to learn to live off the land to survive, all while combatting a changing political lanscape and post-war PTSD that directly impacts them.
People We Meet on Vacation - Perfect for the wanderlust and nostalgic traveler, I enjoyed living through the narrator and her yearly trips with her best friend.
Big Summer - Not my favorite read, but easy enough and some twists I didn't see coming. A combination influencer/mystery story that's like that guilty pleasure tv show you just can't stop watching.
Where the Crawdads Sing - I didn't know what to expect from this book, but ended up liking the balance of some flashback storytelling and unraveling of a murder.
Up Next: Live Your Life - I have been following Amanda Kloots since last spring when I learned of her husband's COVID diagnosis and subsequent admittance to the ICU. Her story has continued to touch my heart and watching her fight for her family has been inspiring and relatable in so many ways. This is co-written with her sister, Anna, an expat living in Paris, who I also follow on Instagram.
Getaways
The last ‘real’ vacation we had was in 2019. My family has a house in New Hampshire that we congregate at the end of every summer, but I consider that more family time than vacation. Vacation to me is at least a long car or plane ride away and doesn’t involve much cleaning! So I scoured Airbnb and VRBO for something that would be private, pet and toddler-friendly and unique. By the time we got around to booking something, any place on a beach was pretty much out of the question - either nothing available or out of sight pricing. So we ended up off-the-grid in the Green Mountains of Vermont!
Views with the Presidential mountain range to the right.
The cottage at Galusha Hill Farm was cozy, nicely appointed and legit off the grid - no cell service and no WiFi. Just what our little family needed. The owners were so welcoming and kind and we really had everything we needed.
A loft-view in our cottage.
View of the barn.
Water view.
I booked from Wednesday to Sunday and ordered enough Home Chef for the week so that we had plenty of meals, aside from the basic groceries we typically go through and we had a relaxing and peaceful few days, reading, playing in the water, hiking and reconnecting. Plus, our pup was able to join us and ran free and loved every minute of it. I’m already thinking about where we can go next - maybe somewhere in the fall.
Are you doing any travel this summer?
Nothing like s'mores in the summer.
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