Scattered Sundays
Did you know that I spend 6-10 hours writing, photographing, and researching each post? The canning supply post I published yesterday is almost 4,000 words and took me four days to research and write. And yet, all you guys want to talk about is adult acne. HA!!!
You’ve been blowing up my email and Instagram DMs with stories of your own and asking about the Differin acne kit I shared last week. It was recommended by my dermatologist and I purchased it on Amazon.
I’m about five days into using it and I have to say my skin is super smooth and my skin tone seems a bit more even. I’m sure the dryness that always comes with skin meds will be happening soon but for now, I’m pretty happy with the results. They say it takes about 12 weeks to see most of the improvements.
On the left: the photo I took a few weeks ago that made me cry and was the kick in the pants I needed to call the dermatologist. The right is yesterday.
I tried my best to recreate the expression of “resting bitch face + someone farted” expression.
My derm also recommended an oral med which in addition to fighting acne also acts as a diuretic. Just what I needed in my life – more peeing!
Hey, so the site got new social sharing buttons this week. If you’re on mobile you’ll see them only under the title of the post. If you’re on a computer you’ll see them on the left side of the post and under the title.
Why the change? The social sharing platform that I and many other bloggers used for years got hacked and it was redirecting readers to porn sites. This was after multiple critical errors that the company rolled out over the last year. So yeah, I was paying for someone to eff up my site. NEAT.
No more! Clicking these buttons will let you share my content easily to Facebook, Pinterest, or Mix. Thanks to an alert reader (hi Melissa!) we’ve determined that the sidebar buttons cover a little bit of the text when viewing my site on an ipad. An easy fix for this is to read it on your tablet vertically. I’m working with my tech team to see if there is a long-term solution for this.
If you run into any problems let me know.
Dusted off the clothesline this week for the first few days of drying of 2019!
This week I was so honored to be able to meet a reader visiting from Iowa! Jenny and her husband were touring Washington and Oregon for a week and luckily it worked for us to meet up. We have been Instagram buddies for a while now and have bonded over the fact that we both love walking and have really fast track-obsessed 10-year-old book-loving boys.
Naturally, when we met we took a walk. I think it might have been almost three miles and it was SO nice to have someone keep pace with me. We had an awesome time chatting and laughing. I’ve only ever “met” her online but it was like we were old friends.
The weather this last week in Seattle was bonkers nice. It was super sunny and 76 degrees for multiple days. So, of course, I told Jenny that March was always like this in the Pacific Northwest. Even better, despite the fact that her daughter warned her to not meet strangers on the internet, we didn’t murder each other!
Butcher Box is wrapping up their free ground beef for life promo at the end of March. Anyone who signs up before April 1st will get two pounds of ground beef in their monthly delivery forever!
This happened this week:
And yes, this is my “selfies are so weird, why do people do this” face.
I’m not 100% sure what I think about it. I wanted more of a true pixie but my hairdresser kept saying “you have so few hairs. Each one of them counts”. I think I like it, but I also feel like I’m rocking some sort of early 90’s mom hair cut. Or a cut that Brad Pitt wore in 1997.
Part of not being sure about the cut is every time I look in the mirror I see my mom. It’s going to take some adjusting.
We found an old Watermelon Popsicle in the freezer and there was much rejoicing.
We are touring a new preschool tomorrow for fall enrollment and I’m excited. Bennett’s current school is lovely but the days are sooooo short at only two hours. Plus I had always planned to move him to a Montessori model once he was three.
And truth be told, I want him in school all day. My ideal would be two to three full days a week for one year and then three to four days a week the year before he goes to kindergarten.
He loves school and frankly, I need more work time during the day. I’m finding myself getting up earlier and earlier and going to bed later and later. And that is making me bitchy and bitchier! I’m constantly trying to juggle work and being present and both are failing epically. The hope is with more concentrated work time I’ll be able to be less distracted on non-preschool days. And maybe I’ll stop being so grumpy.
And before you “they’re only young once” me, I get it. But I love to work, I want to work more, and personally, I am a better mom when I am fulfilled by my work. Also, I never let myself fall into that mom guilt bullshit. Mom guilt belongs in a dumpster fire and I refuse to buy into that. Dads almost never worry that being fulfilled at work means their kids will be emotionally damaged or other complete bullshit we tell ourselves as moms.
Knock it off. It’s stupid, it’s a waste of time, and it’s a product of the fact that social media tells us we need to be “on” all the time. It’s impossible and those perfect parents are lying to your face. My family may not be Instagram perfect in matching outfits, but Bennett is happy in his hand me down sweat pants (aka “cozy pants”) and wearing a painter’s mask to the library.
Let it go. Perfection is unachievable. Work towards happy. Or happier. Or less stressed. Mom guilt can blow me.
First swim lesson. He loved it! His teacher seems leery though…
I had my library presentation on Thursday and thanks to you all and your suggestions, I think it went well! I had so much fun and it felt good to be presenting something again. My job before this one had me doing public presentations five times a month to fairly large crowds and I truly do love public speaking. Yes, I’m the only one.
If you have previously downloaded my Whole30 Costco Shopping List, I updated it on Friday to include two new products I found – Sabatino’s Chicken Sausage, and Cucina Antica Tomato Basil Sauce.
What I’m Listening To This Week
Holy balls you guys! The Dream; you GOTTA listen to this!
My friend and blog reader Rachel recommended this podcast to me and holy crap. It’s about multi-level marketing (aka direct sales) and the companies and people that get wrapped up in them.
There is a statistic discussed in one of the episodes that 99% of people who are sell for an MLM lose money. NINTY-NINE percent! And I say this as a person whose Nana was incredibly successful in Tupperware. As in so successful, she won a 1965 Mustang, trips to Hawaii, and made more than my Grandpa who had a federal job.
Typically when I listen to podcasts I will listen to one business-related one and then one “fun” podcast. The first episode hooked me and I was gone after that. H-O-O-K-E-D and I binged the shit out of the whole season in two days.
I have an amazing opportunity for you all! Now, I only need to get three more people to listen to it and it will unlock the next level of the podcast pyramid for me. Hee hee.
Comment/Review of the Week
Bernie kindly left a five-star review on Savory Puff Pastry Recipe (Troy calls these fancy Hot Pockets):
I have always dreamed of cooking something that people think is restaurant quality and this recipe is it! I made one around New Years with some leftover chicken, salsa, and fiesta blend cheese. I left half in my boyfriend’s fridge for him to try and he called me later asking where I got that “weird, tasty sandwich thing.” Needless to say, I was over the moon. We just made this again, this time with a steak and some pesto we had in the freezer and while it wasn’t quite as good as the one I made at New Years it was still bomb! Thanks, for giving me a recipe that makes people ask where I bought it!!
On Sustainable Cooks This Week
Raspberry Supports – How to Build Raspberry Supports – One of the easiest DIY garden projects ever, Raspberry Supports are an affordable way to grow raspberries in your home garden. Homemade raspberry trellises to will save you so much money at the grocery store.
{Pin this}
Homemade Dusting Spray and Furniture Polish – Learn how to make simple and affordable Homemade Dusting Spray! Safe, effective, and great for cleaning and polishing wood furniture with lemon and other citrus essential oils.
{Pin this}
Canning Supplies and Preserving Equipment List – This complete Canning Supplies and Preserving Equipment List will help you get you started off on the right foot with home canning. This guide will walk you through the essential canning supplies, tools, and products needed to get started. Save time and money and preserve the harvest in your own kitchen.
{Pin this}
The Five Most Popular Posts This Week
- Virgin Mojito Recipe – this drink is ON FIRE my friends! Y’all are thiiiiirsty. {Pin it}
- Best Ever Trader Joe’s Whole30 Shopping List – a fan and Pinterest favorite. {Pin it}
- Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites Recipe – welcome back to the top five egg bites. You must have scrambled to climb the ladder. {Pin it}
- Paleo Chicken Pot Pie Soup – proof for everyone (TROY) that soup is always a winner! {Pin it}
- Homemade Sugar-Free Coffee Creamer – free of refined sugar, sweetened only with dates. And unicorn tears. {Pin it}
Meal Plan
Looking for someone to do the meal planning for you? I’m partnering with Real Plans to bring you personalized meal plans that fit all dietary needs. Try it yourself for free for 30 days.!
Monday:: Taco bowls (using the Whole30 Taco Seasoning along with Pressure Cooker Chicken Tacos) and some rice.
Tuesday:: Jack requested Whole30 Potato Soup and I’m also forcing salad on them. And after dinner we head to Bennett’s preschool “art gala”. I’m sure it will be super high brow. Who wants to put $5 down on my kid’s art being a drawing of a butt?
Wednesday:: Paleo Salmon Cakes and salad
Thursday:: Chef’s salads to clean out the fridge.
Friday:: Out – we’re on the road
Saturday: No idea because we may still be visiting our cousin.
Sunday:: Movie night if family dinner doesn’t happen.
Have you ordered from Thrive yet? Thrive Market offers healthy food from top-selling, organic brands at wholesale prices. Shop for gluten-free, non-gmo, non-toxic products without the retail mark up. And they send you a free gift with every purchase. Who doesn’t love to try new products for free?
What are you having this week?
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We are on vacation in Costa Rica at the moment and everywhere you look, clothes are hanging out to dry. It makes me so excited to get home and do the same! It’s not quite warm enough yet though. New England weather.
Your haircut is cute, totally not the Brad Pitt/Gwyneth hairdo. Short pixie style hair always looks so sassy. Love it.
I hope you return to amazing drying weather after your trip!
Remember, balance is bullshit. I like to work too. I love the hair. I cut all mine off a year ago. So worth it. You can pull off a pixie. It’s just hair. It’ll grow back if you don’t like it. I like public speaking too because I like to educate. You should make a post with a running list of podcasts. I’m still working through There’s No Such Thing as a Fish.
Balance is totally bullshit!!
I have three older posts with podcast recommendations but am working a business/blogging related podcast for next month.
Please please please put the social media buttons over on the right hand side of the screen!!! I know that the convention is to put them on the left, but if there is a choice then please move them!! The right hand side of the page is blank after the ‘Search’ box and the media buttons wouldn’t be in the way on that side!!
Hi Nan, unfortunately, because of screen size the share buttons don’t work on the right. They would blend into everything else and wouldn’t be used and then my content on the right would also be ignored.
I spent a whopping four hours (yep, four hours) working on the settings on Friday and this was the least frustrating combo.
Sarah, you rock on so many levels. I say go shorter with the hair. I have fine hair too and so “get it” also because…Hair (it grows back).
As my stylist was literally cringing, I kept saying “relax. It’s hair. It grows back”!
Recovering from the nasty flu bug, so I’ll keep this brief:
You just keep doing YOU, girlie….the hair, the no mom guilt. All the stuff. You’re my hero.
Oh no! Are you feeling any better my friend?
I love the haircut! I cannot wear my hair short, it looks horrible on me, but everyone else seems to be able to rock a nice short cut.
Are you going to bring back Confessions?
Yes! I do them every other month now instead of monthly. I was finding I just didn’t have enough stuff to actually post them monthly. I’ve been doing them for over six years so you run out of stuff.
I have one penciled in for April.
I have a comment about the “mom guilt”. It is true that ‘they are only young once’. HOWEVER, that does not translate into ‘so spend every waking second with them’.
My opinion is that a good parent is a parent who is happy. If you resent (that is a generic “you”, I don’t me you, Sarah, specifically) being home all day, every day, then you’ll totally be a grumpy person/parent. Who wants that????? I WANTED to be home all day, every day and we were able to swing that. But my kids were still independent (like yours) going off by themselves to read, draw, be bored, whatever. I still wasn’t hovering for every second of every day.
Each person is unique and each family is unique. What works for mine probably won’t work the same way for yours (and vice versa). You do you. And I’ll do me. Too bad those ‘mommy shamers’ don’t understand that. Keep on being the best mom you can. You are doing great.
Related and unrelated at the same time: That happy popsicle photo is absolutely AWESOME. IT makes ME happy!
And lastly: It is a shock to see your mom in the mirror! Once you get over the thought of your mom is “old” (because we always think of adults as old when we are kids and that doesn’t really go away 😉 ) and therefore you are seeing an ‘old’ person in the mirror. You realize how much you love your mom and that you are pleased to see so much of her in yourself! At least, that is my experience. Now, when you see your GRANDMA in the mirror (as I did the other day when I caught a glimpse of myself while wearing a particular pair of glasses)…… THAT is disconcerting!!!!
They say “happy wife, happy life” but I think it should be “personally fulfilled parents” and then some rhyme that I can’t think of right now. LOL.
Ha, he was pretty thrilled with that popsicle. I wish anything in my life made me as happy as that popsicle made him.
Oh, seeing my mom in the mirror isn’t an aging issue for me. My mom looked great as she aged! It’s more that every single time I look in the mirror I see someone who is no longer around. It’s a constant reminder for me.
I have heard that about the grandma thing though!
Not being in your shoes, I am able to re-frame the mirror thing. She may physically no longer be around, but CLEARLY she IS still here. You see her in the mirror often, and I feel like THAT should make you smile. (Maybe later, though.)
Also, for the record, (even though my own mother will never see this) my mom looks much younger than her years, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is 20 years older than I am, and I still don’t appreciate seeing someone 20 years older than I am in the mirror! LOL!
All I am coming up with is ‘fulfilled parents don’t have warrants’, but that isn’t very good…..
It does make me smile! But it still surprises me even now.
Awww, good for your mom!
And I am loving fulfilled parents don’t have warrants.
Do you hold a weekly cleaning schedule to help keep all of those “I’ll get to it later….” areas clean?
I don’t Sayjew. I found out quickly that as soon as I created a schedule, people refused to “budge” from it. So if the floors were filthy for some reason on a Tuesday but the schedule showed floors were a Saturday task, I’m not going to just sit there and walk on dirty floors for four days!
Instead, I prefer to clean when something needs it. My number one tip is to get rid of as much clutter in your house as possible. Removing “stuff” that you don’t need will help you visually be able to determine when things need to be cleaned. I wrote about it more in this post: https://www.sustainablecooks.com/clean-house-smean-house-cleaning-schedule-working-mom/
Long time reader, first time commenter.
I have a 1 year old and will go back to work in 2 weeks. Thank you for the perspective on mom guilt and being a better mom when you’re fulfilled by your work. I have felt that working would help me be a better mom and that it will be nice to have a break from 24/7 care of my daughter but of course there will always be people who disagree. I’m still working on being confident in my parenting decisions but reading this helped!
Can I say I am LOVING your podcast recs? I devoured The Dropout and enjoyed The Dream a couple months ago when I listened to it. I need more podcasts like those! I love Death, Sex and Money and look forward to Nursing and Cursing but don’t have many more I absolutely must listen to as soon as they come out.
I’m excited for you! If you like to work, getting back into that world can bring you so much joy. It won’t be all sunshine and roses and balancing working outside of the house with having kids is tough. I refuse to lie to you about that! But if you personally draw your energy from sources other than family (and I do!), it will be worth it in the end. Just give yourself grace to figure it out and understand it will always be changing.
Yay! I had thought about adding the podcast portion for months now but just never did. So glad to hear you’re enjoying it.