Well, getting back into the swing of things in blog + social-media land has been a challenge for me this year. Feeling less creative, less enthusiastic, seeking more quiet, slower pace, more privacy has all lent itself to me being here (and there–Instagram) less. I love blogging, don’t get me wrong, but I’m just not feeling as natural here at the moment. I don’t want to sit and spit something out just for the sake of a post. So bear with me!
I’m saying all this, but here I am because there are a few noteworthy things lately that I’ve really enjoyed and want to share about. Hopefully you’ll enjoy them too.
For starters, egg drop soup. Who knew there was something monumental missing from my life in the form of a perfect, nutritious, comforting soup? Are you bored of eggs? Are you sick of the morning routine of what to have for breakfast? Is this starting to sound like a commercial for a pharmaceutical drug? Then try egg drop soup. The first time I made it, I had homemade turkey bone broth to use, and then I used some spinach, and leftover chicken from the night before. Salt and pepper. Oh and cilantro! If you include cilantro it sort of gets this Asian noodle bowl way about it and that makes me very, very happy. My town has no pho, no noodle bowls, and this is no good.
Second time I made it I grated fresh ginger in there too. A glug of sesame oil. Three eggs for myself. Spinach again. I imagine it will be the most soothing almost-sick-trying-not-to-get-sick meal. Or when you’re sick too, duh. It’s could be lunch or dinner, but having it for breakfast is my favorite because I think it’s become my favorite way to eat eggs. Going forward, when I’m out at a diner for breakfast and I ask them to whisk my egg into some hot broth, how will it go over?
I was in New Jersey for a hot second (early Friday morning to Saturday evening) this past weekend. My sister and I flew in to surprise my Mom for her 70th. 70! There are simply not words for the love and the fun that was shared. Please know that I’m fully aware of the cheese-factor in what I’m about to say but you know how Oprah has used the phrase “joy rising”? Well that’s what this was. There were lots of phone calls, planning, point-persons at the restaurant, etc. My Mom and Dad were having dinner together in Cape May and, once their entrees were finished, the four of us girls walked in holding a piece of birthday cake with a candle. She was completely shocked. Had no idea this was going to happen, no idea my sister and I were in town, shocked. My face hurt from smiling so much. At one point shortly after the surprise, and she doesn’t even remember saying this, she exclaims to the other diners, “They’re all mine, aren’t they beautiful!?” My Dad sat back, smiling, eyes filled with tears. Just the sweetest.
After that we walked to Congress Hall where there were even more people to surprise her. Her sister flew in from Florida, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends. And there we danced our tails off. I mean sweating, sore feet, the whole nine yards. It’s not common for just the original six of us to be together without husbands, kids. We love our husbands and kids, of course. But just us was something special. How often does that happen?
So, here we are, Monday morning, and I’ve got a sick boy at home who’s watching the LEGO Ninjago movie right now (we had to barter; he drinks a mug of warm broth, takes all the vitamins I give him, and then he gets to watch a movie he’s been dying to watch), I just changed a diaper, and there’s a week ahead.
Thanks for being here!
Welcome back to the land of blogging! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
er. ma. gaw! Your sweet parents! What a memory you gave her! (and yourselves)
Hope everyone gets healthy soon! …and glad your blogging anyway…
I love that you got to celebrate your mom in that way! I have two girls, and I look forward to those days, all of us being together as adults. Also, she looks amazing! Not even going to add “for 70,” because amazing is sufficient here!
I’ve never had Egg drop soup but it sounds delicious and even easier than chicken noodle soup but maybe a similar effect?
Your story of joy just brought tears to my eyes! (Admittedly, I’m currently pregnant so the hormones-are-a-ragin’) Thanks for sharing this snippet of happiness.
I have a sick boy at home, too — lots of fluids happening over here and way too much movie watching. 😉 Hope yours feels better soon.
Oh my gosh Bridgett your sweet Mama! My Mama is going to turn 70 this summer! As long as I can remember I have had the oldest Mom from all my friends. It was cool with me…I didn’t care. But now seeing that you also have a Mama that’s 70 makes me love you even more! lol. And also p.s. we did that with my husband’s Dad last year and surprised him with EVERY kid in the family coming to their house at once from all over the country for his birthday/retirement party and it was PRICELESS. He cried. We all cried. It was a moment I’ll never forget. So glad you got to do that for your sweet Mom! And I hope Parker gets better soon!
What an amazing surprise!!! And your mom is so cute! I totally agree. I’m one of three girls and while we all LOVE having the husbands and kids join when the “original 5” as we call ourselves get together it is something special. We did “original 5” meals the day or two before each of us got married, which I thought was pretty great before we were each “given away”.
That idea is so amazing, I wish I had thought of it at the time!
So sweet! Your parents seem like they are quite precious. And for you girls to pull that off just for her?! What a blessing that must have been ?
What a lovely surprise for your mom – and I’m really happy for you that you got time for each other, I imagine dancing your tail off is a great way to get january blues out of the system for some hours 🙂
Best wishes for the sick kid, I hope he’s well again soon!
Also I love reading posts here and following your storys/pictures, but it wouldn’t be the same knowing you are somehow forcing yourself to do so – please take your time and care ♥
That surprise is adorable! And I totally relate to the “original six” without husbands, kids, etc. Of course, they are a great addition to any event, but there is something so special about the bonding time. On another note, my kiddo was sick last week to and LEGO Ninjago was the plan for the day as well! I can’t WAIT for this cold/flu season to be over!
Hi Bridget, this is my first time commenting but I’ve been reading you for a while. I love your blog and your style!
This story about your mom’s birthday was particularly moving for me, it feels so important to be there for big events, and being just you, your sisters and parents sounds incredible.
Thank you for sahring it!
I made a variation of this soup for dinner last night (extra garlic…extra ginger…lotsa cilantro…oooooh yeahhhh), ate it over rice and my husband and I LOVED it. Will be adding this to our rotation for sure!
ooh! over rice. that’d be good. and isn’t the cilantro THE BEST PART. OF EVERYTHING?
We call ourselves the original four and we are together a lot with the kids at our vacation home. It’s the best relationship and that’s why I say don’t be sad with the passage of time with your boys because the best is yet to come.
Welcome back! I’ve missed your posts in this space, but I totally understand needing the time to yourself. Sometimes that’s what’s most important. I just added that egg drop soup to our meal plan, and I can’t wait! I hope your little guy is feeling better!
oh i hope you love the soup!!
Awwww, what precious family time! “The original six”<– I love it!
oh my gosh, what a happy 70th for your mom!!! that is the sweetest!!!! and i’m with you. i love blogging, but i took a short break for really the first time ever… it can be a challenge!!!