Notes for the Road.

We have concluded our first week of homeschool. I’m not considering it official because I feel like I don’t have an official organizational system in place yet nor are we in the official space we are going to be (in a house our size, a space is  a very welcome luxury; we’ll be heading up to the third floor which was/is Lindsey’s room! Just waiting on some more things to arrive before that happens, so for now, we make the shuffle to the kitchen table every day, and then shuffle the miscellany off the table for meal time!). It’s going well, but it is not without its learning pains. We’ll find our footing in time and we will celebrate the small wins until then.

Now for some weekend reading…

Yesterday’s date is never lost on me. Reflecting on what it was like to receive that news–I was sitting at lab in my freshman year chemistry class when the principal came over the loud speaker; there was a brother and a sister in our school at the time whose father was working at the Trade Centers (he survived.)–how things felt that day, and then afterwards is surreal… more so in light of how polarizing things in our country feel currently. In any case, yesterday was a bit of a somber morning here in the Boston area, cloudy and cool and dark, and I looked through these pictures remembering how many brave souls were lost on that incredible day.

I’ve watched a few episodes of Down to Earth with Zac Efron (it’s good! Pretty kid-appropriate too.) and now I want to make pane carasau. I’d also love to move to a Blue Zone, but that’s for another day. On my “to google” list though: what sort of exercising do centenarians do? (I have a strong inkling it is going to be just basic walking and moving their bodies as opposed to the hard exercising that we sometimes think we should do. So what now!)

Finally restocked my collagen for stirring in my coffee (completely flavorless, by the way!).

I love the neck and sleeve contrast on this sweater.

The children of 9/11 are about to vote.

Soaking raisins is the key to a good oatmeal cookie, apparently. Do you do this? And do you have an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe you love? Please share if so!

Steve is teaching in person this year, and has to wear a mask to do so. Oof. This one is his favorite so far–and with the nose wire, best at not fogging his glasses! Bonus: we really love this company and so much of what they stand for.

New York City does fall stoops like no other. Here’s a favorite.

I think I like these (in black).

Sesame chicken bowls. I’m going to make these soon — maybe with lentils.

You are probably familiar with our fascination with monarchs. It had me googling, “are there monarchs in Europe?” (And quickly realizing I needed to add butterfly to that search phrase or it was populating with lots on the royals). Here’s what I found!

Have a good weekend, friends.